"Critics claimed the measure would damage one of the last great wilderness areas on the continent, while providing only six months' supply of oil -- and that would not be available for nearly 10 years. The White House praised the vote, with Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham calling it a "tremendous victory for America""
He managed to get this limited deal by giving limited way on this deal :
" But according to officials familiar with the deal, Bush made a big concession by agreeing to support "pain and suffering" and punitive damage awards in lawsuits - up to $1.5 million in each category. Bush previously had agreed to support non-economic damages up to $500,000 and was opposed outright to punitive damages."
The point being that the Bush Administration can no longer afford to take a hard-line stance against their own political party and get exactly what they want. Now Bush has to play REAL politics - compromise! That's something he hates almost as much as he does the American people. Soon, he will not be able to do any deals at all and will be immobilized for the most part - a lame duck. Then we can start the damage control and regain our economy after the Republicans are thrown out of power in Washington D.C. Hopefully, the Democrats will have learned their lesson and not go back to backstabbing the American People by taking bribes from lobbies and corporations.
To the DNC : REMEMBER -- Money does not get you elected, voted do! Remember who your bosses really are!
posted on August 2, 2001 02:03:06 PMNow Bush has to play REAL politics - compromise! That's something he hates almost as much as he does the American people. - Borrilar
I noticed that too. He's never been treated like the common man. I'm sure he feels himself on a much higher level than the rest of the American people.
From his drinking to his avoidance of jury duty. He's never had to face the fact that he's only as good as the rest of us. (If that)
posted on August 2, 2001 05:22:10 PMFrom his drinking to his avoidance of jury duty. He's never had to face the fact that he's only as good as the rest of us. (If that)
I am so glad you added "If That", or I would have taken exception at that statement...
posted on August 2, 2001 05:45:58 PM
I was tuned in this afternoon to CNN's Crossfire where the topic was just about Bush's latest compromises. Of note, it was pointed out that the drilling for oil in the Artic Wildlife Refuge bill pushed by Bush contained some 23 BILLION DOLLARS in tax breaks to the oil companies in it!
What's so upsetting about that?
First, this is the man who refused to add a couple of billion dollars for Social Security in the budget. This is the man who turned down 3 billion dollars in school funding that is desperately needed for school infrastructures. Yet, he's will to hand out 23 Billion Dollars of OUR MONEY to his buddies in the oil business! And he's doing it so that drilling in the National Artic Wildlife Refuge will be a no-financial risk for them! H's making US pay THEM to go and spoil the area for 6 months worth of oil that won't appear on the market for some 10 years from now!
What a sweet deal!
NearTheSea: you're a big supporter of large corporate America and you voted for Bush. Why isn't he giving YOU 10 million dollars string-free to go start up a corporation for yourself - see if you can do it on your own? No risk involved - the Tax Payers will foot the losses!
Deuce: I know that you have a career in the Air Force, but how about a cool million dollars from Bush so that you can try your hand at an eBay business? Can't you expect some sort of pay-back for your political support of the GOP?
Tex1: What about you? Isn't he going to give you a mere $100,000 with no-strings attached to go about posting your material here on the Internet? Isn't Bush just your Best Buddy?
You three voted for Bush and you support these Republicans in Congress - how come they aren't doing the same thing for you?
Why anyone would vote for a political party that says : thanks for your vote - now send in all of your money to US and our bank accounts too, please!
I owe you an apology for misspelling your name. I think I may have done it more than once. Feel free to give me a hard time if you catch me doing it again.
posted on August 2, 2001 09:10:58 PM
Nada Problemo, dmercer!
I'm not thin-skinned. If I was, how could I put up with the occasional republican who accidently wanders into the Round Table?
To be honest, I have nothing against anyone personally on here that I've ever debated. I am always mystified why anyone would vote for a political party that does not represent them. They show their lack of judgment by first voting into power this onerous political party that does nothing for them but bend them over and give it to them how it hurts the most and then they come in here trying to justify their choice by playing the "Morally Superior" card! What baloney!
So, it may look like I get mad, but I am actually shocked most of the time.
posted on August 3, 2001 06:30:07 AM
Why did all these low-brained mouth-breathers vote in Bush? He will allow them to keep their guns. The can't afford bullet, but they have guns.
posted on August 3, 2001 10:08:31 AM"Why did all these low-brained mouth-breathers vote in Bush? He will allow them to keep their guns."
Absolutely right! It was a clear mistake for the Democrats to try to disarm American citizens. While other nations of this world have a long history of the populace being disarmed -- and consequently suffering the worst tyranny, America has remained armed and tyranny-free.
Most Americans do not misunderstand that fact. Who wants to live in a British society where you don't have the constitutional rights that we all enjoy right here? Or Canada or Australia for that matter? Not that those aren't fine countries, but I'd much rather live in fear of a stray bullet from a neighbor than a purposeful one from the ATF!
Its one thing to curb large weapons and weapons designed to emit huge quantities of lead within a short period of time. It is another to keep adding onto the list of Those Who Cannot Own A Weapon. It's the Camel sticking its nose into the tent again and Americans know it!
The best thing that the Democratic Party can do for themselves is to stop trying to legislate away everyone's right to own a weapon. They appear much more fascist than Republicans do when they want to stomp on the one and ONLY reason why America has never been a tyranny! Americans are very suspicious of politicians and their motives, so the Democratic Party drove away voters much more than they gained with their Gun Control supporters. Even Al Gore shut up about it early in the last presidential race, knowing that trying to overturn the Fourth Amendment was a loosing proposition.
posted on August 3, 2001 12:58:47 PM
I am not against Gun Ownership at all. However, under the present rules, there are persons that I know who worry me whenever they carry a sharp pencil but can buy handguns whenever they want.
And in all truth, the politicians do not wish to ban gun ownership, they love it just as much as we do. They just want to control it to a degree. The only difference between the Republican plan and the Democrats plan is the Republican plan has a higher body count.
