This year I have resolved to become more politically active.  I cannot stand idly by and allow our country to become more socialist than it already is.  TARP and the Stimulus Package that has passed through the Senate this week do just that.

So let’s recap what has happened.  The House Democrats unilaterally constructed the most significant expansion-of-government bill this nation has seen since the New Deal (some economists argue this package surpasses anything Roosevelt ever dreamed up.)  When the bill came up for its passage vote, not one Republican voted in favor of it.  As such, the House Republicans forced the Democrats to “own” this legislation, and rightfully so.  In the Senate, however, the same could not be said.  Three Republicans voted for the Senate version of the bill: Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine.  Without the support of these three Republicans, the Stimulus Package would have failed, which would have provided the opportunity for an introduction of a less expansive (and expensive) package (consider the bill introduced by Rep. Walt Minnick, a Democrat [!!] from Idaho, which he terms as being “…targeted, timely, and temporary…”.)  Instead, this horrible legislation is now headed to Conference Committee where it will be marked up such that the House and Senate versions match, followed by a final vote for passage into law.

Now, I realize that Sen. Specter is NOT my Senator. However, his spineless actions this week will potentially affect ALL of us for generations.  Therefore, it is my opinion that we all have the right to let him know our thoughts on his actions this week and our preferences on his future vote regarding this matter.  By his own admission, Sen. Specter did not realize how intrusive this legislation is.  He confessed that he hadn’t read some of the more eye-opening provisions and that the Senate probably should have been allowed more time to review, discuss, and debate – a “rush to judgment”, as he states in the video below…yet he VOTED FOR CLOSURE.

Yet another example of completely irresponsible government. I urge you to melt the phones on this and any other intrusive legislation – not only in contacting your elected officials in Congress, but any elected official who appears to be waffling. The consequences of their decisions go well beyond their districts and states.