Comments tommybasil has made

  • Dems. Have Declared War on Rust Belt

    1. waxman is not part of the change montra set by obama, waxman has been in congress for 30 years.
    2. the democrats will lose the majority two years from now, the rust belt is not a guarentee for them.
    3. waxman will put standards on industry that will result in thousands of jobs lost, and there is nothing progressive about that.
    4. this is classism, when DC bailed out wall street(white colar), no one blinked an eye. But DC has declared war on detroit (blue colar) and everyone thinks it is progrssive.
    On Waxman to lead House panel that will shape any climate legislation posted 1 year ago 7 Responses

  • Waxman V. Dingell

    Why Elitist Liberals are Rallying to Support Waxman, and Why a True Progressive will Support Dingell

    I have read countless blogs from journalists who claim to be progressive, supporting Waxman's attempt to remove Dingell from his seat as the Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  Apparently, it is now progressive to care about the environment and not care about people who need jobs and health care.  

    Waxman, 69, (and not exactly a hot young newcomer to Washington) represents one of the wealthiest districts in the country.  Dingell represents a blue collar working class Detroit area; he has not been anti-environment, he has been pro jobs.  It is very easy to sit in a wealthy district in California and talk only about the environment without even mentioning job loss or health care.

    When legislation is drafted that will put standards on an industry that will result in massive job loss for a constituency, as a congressman, you have an obligation to vote against that legislation.  Dingell has voted against some environmental bills, he has also drafted the clean air legislation that passed.  In fact, Dingell recently received a 100 percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters.  

    But, calling out Dingell's record and pointing to two or three times in the man's 50 year history in the House where he did not support the environment is typical elitists' tactics.  We all know that politics is about compromising and sometimes voting for or against a bill despite its unrelated and added contents. This is elitist because it assumes those of us reading these over simplified articles do not understand how the voting system works.  

    If you want to play the game of record then bring it on.  Every single year that Dingell has been in congress he has introduced a bill for universal health care.  Congressman Dingell is in favor of energy standards, but not at the result of massive job loss.  

    Green Manufacturing is the answer.  Being discussed in Michigan now is the concept of moving the massive industrial assets toward green manufacturing.  The answer is not setting high standards on the automotive industry, these standards will not be followed and the production and consumption of cars will plummet.  The answer is to create new jobs and industry that creates green and viable alternative energies.  

    I am a Leftist, I believe people need jobs, health care and a green future.  Waxman does not seem to see past the green veil that there is more to progress than just the environment.  
    On Why polluter lobbyists are rallying to protect 'Tailpipe Johnny' posted 1 year ago 3 Responses