Just pass the bill and tell the Republicans to sit down and shut up

Make the call.

Make it clear.  We want the stimulus bill passed yesterday.

Make it plain to your Senators if they're Democrats.  Harry Reid cannot let the Republicans filibuster it.

Make the call now.  Here's the toll free number, but you might have better luck getting through to a live person if you call your Senators' local offices.  They're all on the web, just Google 'em up or find your Senators here.

Comments

[Linkmeister]

And screw the 60-vote filibuster-proof crap, too. Pass it under budget reconciliation rules (51 votes needed) and let them go hang.

Have I mentioned that I deplore the last two Senate Democratic leaders' weakness? Neither Daschle nor Reid have or had the requisite toughness to stand up to the reactionary Republicans.

[Alex]

I want to preface this by saying this: I voted for Obama and I want a stimulus package to pass.

But there is some serious crap in there. I think Government spending on real needs to stimulate demand has to happen, but all the pork doesn't need to be in there as well. Why not just spend it on infrastructure and alternative energy? Why tax breaks for the movie industry and what not?

[Apostate]

I'm not sure I WANT the bill to pass. Obama has handled the whole thing atrociously and the bill is unlikely to help the economy. i *guess* it's better than nothing, but christ. With that much money being spent, it should be a whole lot more than merely better than nothing.

[Adorable Girlfriend]

I too am on the fence. I worry about the future costs and the message it puts out to corporate America.

Nevertheless, thanks for the call to action!

[Linkmeister]

If this plan succeeds the Republicans will fail electorally in 2010, which will mean more Democrats in both Houses, which will mean we might get some higher tax rates for the top 10% of the country and for corporations, which would offset some of the future costs. Remember that when FDR was President the top rate was somewhere around 90% (which is certainly too high and not politically possible, but I think it could go to 40%).

Yes, I'm a proponent of class warfare. Sue me.

[chachabowl]

I called the local offices of both my Senators yesterday, and their Washington offices today, urging them to support the Obama economic plan and to vote against any Republican amendments.

And my last point to the aides I talked to was to suggest that if the Republicans threaten to filibuster--- let them do it. Let them get up and explain why they want to get in the way of helping Americans get back up on their feet. Let them demonstrate for everyone to see why their tired, broken-record rhetoric in service of the rich has turned them into a party of shrill, petty harpies. Let them reveal the pasty, bloated face of conservatism for all to see.

Then kick their teeth in.