Is Paul Ryan Irrelevant Yet?
It’s not so much that 32 Republicans voted for this bill, it’s that 20 Democrats voted against it! That’s not much of a swing. And it just makes an opportunity to make any attempt at righting this sinking ship called the Republican Party, seem like a complete waste.
Of the 32 Republicans who voted for this bill, eight of them came from Michigan, joining the remaining Democratic representatives from that state. Congressmen from nearby auto states voted for the bill as well, including Paul Ryan.
Can we now stop considering Paul Ryan as one of the “bright, young talents” that is expected to lead conservatives and the GOP to future electoral success?
He folded on his principles and voted for the $700 billion bailout package in September. After yesterday’s aggravating and disappointing House vote, I think it’s time to pull the plug on Ryan’s “potential” as a conservative voice in the Republican party for the time being. Here’s Ryan justifying his vote against the original bailout bill back in September (emphasis added):
I personally fought to make sure that taxpayers were protected. I fought to make sure that once these troubled institutions start making profits, the taxpayers benefit first and foremost. I fought to make sure Wall Street executives don’t profit personally as a result of their irresponsible decisions
Here he is explaining yesterday’s vote:
The American automotive industry is under considerable distress, and various proposals have been put forth to provide aid to those in need. I’ve maintained that any assistance to the domestic auto industry should be drawn from previously approved funds from a U.S. Department of Energy loan package, rather than divert resources from the financial rescue package or rely on additional taxpayer dollars. H.R. 7321 cuts through the bureaucratic red tape and expedites these previously appropriated funds. Because no additional taxpayer dollars were appropriated, I was able to support this legislation.
“At the forefront of my mind are jobs in Southern Wisconsin and the retiree commitments to workers that could be placed in jeopardy under certain bankruptcy scenarios. To be clear, this bill is not intended to save the American auto industry and makes no guarantees that layoffs in this industry will end. Congress must stop overselling what it can do. At the very least, I am hopeful that by extending these loans to the American auto manufacturers, bankruptcy will be avoided in the near term and protections for retirees will remain intact.”
In other words, shoveling billions of taxpayer money to be dispersed under the blind authority of the Secretary of the Treasury, bailing out corporate and personal failure, is a bad thing as long as it doesn’t affect him politically. And the auto bailout is justified, because the $15 billion didn’t come from new taxpayer dollars, just taxpayer dollars allocated months ago. Great, so Congress didn’t have to go loot the public till yet again to get new money. That really wouldn’t be considered “protecting” the taxpayer.
And oh, by the way, the bailout money to the auto-industry doesn’t guaranty anything, just “near-term protection” for retirees. In other words, it was just political grandstanding and the $15 billion is just the beginning. Spring will come and along with it, another multi-billion dollar request for taxpayer money.
This is NOThow the GOP is going to differentiate themselves from Democrats in the eyes of the American electorate. The government choosing who wins and who loses in our economy is not was never a tenet of conservatism. It’s a bad precedent.
And a word on the House GOP leadership. John Boehner decided to cower on the financial bailout package in September, as well, weeks before the general election. His message to Republicans: leave your fiscal conservatism at the door. When the specter of an upcoming election is not around however, Boehner makes the “tough” call and votes no on the auto bill. He might as well have voted in the affirmative.
Finally, Mitch McConnell gave a great speech on the Senate floor the other day, denouncing the auto bailout, saying all the right things. But these are the moments when action trumps rhetoric. As conservatives, let’s not forget that McConnell voted for the $700 billion bailout. And now, he has a chance to regain some trust. But only some. Keep in mind how different the situation would be if Toyota didn’t have one of its biggest manufacturing plants outside of Japan, in Kentucky.
(UPDATES)
Malkin is reporting some last minute dealings going on with the auto bailout, involving Harry Reid. And if Harry Reid is involved, guess which Senate minority leader from Kentucky is probably also involved? Like I’ve been writing, let’s not hold our breath on a filibuster. More GOP rhetoric on limited government and accountability, anyone? What a joke…
This post was linked at The Other McCain, who thinks Paul Ryan should be contested for his House seat in the next primary. Not a bad idea.
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