Monday, May 18, 2009

Shadegg and Flake can't *both* change their names to "Scrooge", can they?

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H. Res. 442, a resolution "[r]ecognizing the importance of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and its positive effect on the lives of low income children and families."

The bill passed by a vote of 377 - 10.

Now this resolution has absolutely no practical effect on the laws of the country or federal spending. In fact, it was such an innocuous and non-controversial bill that even Trent Franks (R-AZ2) could find it in his heart to support it.

Trent Franks!!!

However, Franks was alone among the AZGOPers - Jeff Flake (R-AZ6) and John Shadegg (R-AZ3) voted against this resolution. Apparently, the hardcore ideologues are so opposed to any government social programs that benefit low income Americans that they won't even vote to acknowledge the success or even the necessity of one of those programs.

I sort of understand Flake's perspective - he hates everything. But what's up with Shadegg? He's enough of a politician to occasionally vote for bills that are of the "feel good but meaningless” variety.

Perhaps Shadegg is trying to get back in the good graces of the conservative wing of the GOP after his bout of honesty last week.

Later...

2 comments:

Thane Eichenauer said...

I can suggest that apparently Mr. Flake and Mr. Shadegg don't find government welfare programs to be innocuous or non-controversial.

Ron Paul voted against it as well and if we accept the reasoning that Flake hates everything that OB/GYN Dr. Ron Paul also hates children and adults going hungry...?

Or perhaps Flake/Shadegg/Paul simply think that government charity isn't charity at all.

Even so we still have all eight Arizona representatives voting to give Arnold Palmer a $30,000 solid gold medal. Now that's a needed government action (NOT).

Craig said...

I didn't mention Rep. Paul or any of the other "no" votes because they aren't from AZ.

As for your point from your first paragraph, well, that was kind of my point too.

Only I was a little less tactful. :)

Of course, I could have pointed out that Flake, Shadegg, et. al. have no problems with corporate welfare programs. Their ire is reserved for programs that help poor and working-class Americans.

But I didn't go there, so either I'm slipping, or even I'm occasionally capable of a little rhetorical restraint.