Posted on 02/23/2010 2:31:26 PM PST by Walter Scott Hudson
This writer first became aware of Scott Brown crossing party lines to vote for Obama’s “jobs” bill when invited to join a Facebook group called “STOP Scott Brown!” The consensus of comments on the page concluded Brown had betrayed his declared principles by voting for what is widely regarded as another stimulus bill.
AllahPundit of HotAir offers an alternative perspective:
Well, look. Obviously he needs to signal the left-leaning indies back home who voted for him that he’ll break their way sometimes. Even armed with a huge war chest for 2012, he ain’t getting reelected as a party-line Republican.
A follow-up comment from a reader expounded upon this point:
The notion that every vote has to be “NO,” even if constiuents want the bill, is the same type of thinking that I see coming from Dems. They are pushing Dems who represent much more conservative voters into backing bills that their own constituents hate.
It’s partisanship to the max, and the public doesn’t respect that. The public is OUT OF PATIENCE with excessive partisanship, people.
These are appeals to political strategy, rather than principle. It is certainly true Brown represents “left-leaning indies.” Massachusetts has not become red or even purple overnight. It is sensible to concede the premise Brown’s constituents want the “jobs” bill. This raises the question: should constituent will dictate every vote?
The American statesman ought to follow three hierarchical criteria when considering legislation. The first and most supreme is the Constitution of the United States. If the Constitution does not allow for a measure, no amount of constituent will justifies a yes-vote. This is indicative of the “rule of law” which distinguishes a republic from a democracy. The second criteria is the “general welfare,” not as broadly interpreted by progressives in either political party, but as intended by the founders. One good measure of whether a bill promotes the general welfare is whether its benefit is universal to all constituents, rather than beneficial to some at the expense of others. Any redistributive measure, such as the stimulus bills of 2008, 2009, and now 2010, do not pass muster. Only when these first two criteria have been met does constituent will become the driving force.
This idea that constituents are properly served by giving them whatever they want flies in the face of the principles fueling the conservative resurgence. If your district’s constituents overwhelmingly want your property, that does not provide sufficient legal justification for its seizure. This is true whether the property is real estate or mere tax dollars.
The public may be out of patience with excessive partisanship. But the above argument for Brown, considered along a long enough time line, actually manifests partisan politics rather than dispense with it. Brown aims to “keep the seat red” in 2012 by throwing lefties a bone. Is that not a partisan effort? Is that not a move to benefit the party, principle be damned? In truth, the only way to dispense with partisan politics is to stop viewing the game as a partisan effort. If politicians on both sides of the aisle began to base their judgments on consistent principles, which party they belonged to would matter significantly less. This is arguably the demand of the Tea Party movement, which has successfully defended its honor in recent weeks from a number of GOP suitors. The public is out of patience with excessive partisanship, especially when it is disguised as benevolent constituent service or a reach across the aisle. The people want principled leadership.
I tried contacting his office last night, no email, the phone was completely full. Tried again today, and talked to a person who listened politely and said he would pass my displeasure along to Senator Brown.
I wasn’t nasty. I wasn’t rude, and stayed rational and calm.
I gave money, visited the campaign headquarters several times, distributed signs and stickers to people I know, and spent an entire day on crutches in the snow holding a sign, so yeah. I do feel betrayed.
Is he better than Coakley? Yes. But that is not a bar I am comparing him to.
The bill was bridge money was for highway funds, more BS “shovel ready jobs” (which means billions more shoveled down a black empty hole) and tax breaks for companies who hire unemployed people, which is also a steaming pantload, because a company is not going to hire people to get some pathetic piss-ass tax break to help the unemployed, but because they have a business need they must fill.
This is the crap we have to put a stop to. We don’t have billions to piss down rat-holes like this. We need our legislators to stop this crap.
Yeah. I am still pretty angry about this. If this had been worthwhile, people like Pence and Demint would have voted for it.
oh, stop, this was a l5 billion dollar nothing....that’s not enough money to put lighter fluid into their Zippos!!Brown will do O.K. but remember, he’s from the Peoples Republic of Mass....he does seek reelection and this bill means nothing. Watch him on the major issues, he will do fine!!!
He’s a Massachusetts Senator we can’t expect him to vote no on a unemployment extension bill. Its a strategery to throw a few bones to the Dems that voted for him.
Exactly. He voted for a bill which would have passed without his vote. Let’s see how he votes on socialized health care.
So it gets 62 votes instead of 61. Who cares? Brown now gets to me the good guy "Independent" so when he opposes Obamacare the MSM can't start painting him as a partisan. I think he wins this battle with a vote that really doesn't matter.
It’s been less than 30 days and Brown has already swapped spit with Reid on his “jobs bill” rip-off. How is that fiscally conservative and how in the hell is that not RINO.
Brown has quickly become just one more disappointment. As for running for president, Brown just killed that idea... people will not forget either of his two faces.
I will not accept excuses nor apologies....
Brown should count his blessings... at least he will be able to say that he was a senator... for 18 months.
I want my $50 back.
No one (who wasn’t deluding themselves) expected Brown to be a down the line conservative. He’s gonna back a few (or more hopefully just a few) lousy bills. I wouldn’t bemoan his election just yet. If Coakley was there we could have Obamacare passed right now. (though final passage may have failed in the house anyway)
Snowe, Collins, Voinovich and Bond also voted for this cloture vote.
Rat Ben Nelson voted nay. Many Republicans and Frank Lautencorspe were absent.
The motion passed 62-30.
I also tried and the phone full - this afternoon as well. It took him two weeks to show his true colors. Very disappointing.
Yeah. Well, the only solace here is that he is better than Coakley. I am going to see how he does in the next several months.
If he lets himself be used as a “bipartisan tool” by the liberals, then it is all over for me.
oh, stop, this was a l5 billion dollar nothing....
Really? We're scoffing at 15 billion dollars now?
That being the case, can I get 1 billion? Will the rest of you taxpayers mind?
So it gets 62 votes instead of 61. Who cares? Brown now gets to me the good guy "Independent" so when he opposes Obamacare the MSM can't start painting him as a partisan. I think he wins this battle with a vote that really doesn't matter.
That may be nice political strategy. But it ignores the sentiments which got him elected. Folks like the guy-on-crutches above are not interested in another savvy politician who votes to enhance a future sound-byte.
Really? We’re scoffing at 15 billion dollars now
Now?????the idiot we elected as president is talking many trillions of dollars....actually the bill started at around 85 billin and Harry Reid pared it down to 15 billion.......pick your battles with these people, you can never win everything, and some battles are far more important than others. Give the guy a chance and he will do just fine, willo he vote 100% your way....I hope not because I may not agree with you on everything!! Actually, I once agreed with Ted Kennedy on a vote......I think....but it was a while ago....oh well
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