Reid invokes a voice vote, killing Bernie Sanders' amendment to pay for bailout with surtax on rich

[brentspeak]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aGhsSZ1blTQk

Earlier this evening, Senators rejected by voice vote a proposal by Bernie Sanders of Vermont to impose a 10 percent surtax on the wealthy to help pay for the financial rescue plan.

So Reid let Sanders introduce his amendment, then hung him out to dry by a) not rallying Democrats to support the amendment; then b) invoking a voice vote to cower behind.

[sakabatou]

1. Oh c'mon Reid!

You know Sanders is right (for this instance).

[LaydeeBug]

2. I am sickened by this whole bailout situation.

It makes me ponder whether those third party peeps are right when they say there is no difference.

I am very discouraged by all of this. And the bullshit about tweeking it later really smacks. Why not just week it NOW?

[NoUsername]

8. They are right. The bailout bill just made it painfully obvious. nt

[lostnotforgotten]

3. And There You Have It Class Warfare 101! - The Little Guy Will Never

Get a break in America today!

[Eric J in MN]

4. Is it entirely Harry Reid's decision which bills get a roll call and which

...get a voice vote?

[brentspeak]

11. True, it's not solely the Senate Majority Leader's decision

The option of getting a roll call has to be seconded by 1/5 of the body. But Reid is in the position to lobby for that 1/5 support. I'm sure if Reid really wanted a roll call on this amendment, he could have found a way to get one.

[Not the Only One]

5. Harry Reid (Corporate Party-NV)

I am sad for our nation.

[RoccoR5955]

6. Reid is a POS! n/t

[Naturyl]

7. F them all.

Frankly, that's how I feel. And Harry is first in line.

When will these "Democrats" stop coddling the obscenely rich?

[NoUsername]

14. Maybe when the obscenely rich stop paying them

the "Dems" will stop sucking up to them. Unfortunately that's never going to happen. Besides, they love the power too much and publicly funded elections would take all that away.

I second your "Fuck them all."

[Naturyl]

19. I have to agree with your grim assessement. (n/t)

[NoUsername]

22. Pretty sad isn't it? We have no representation.

Democracy has been on life support for a long time but tonight it died.

[polpilot]

20. Thanks Bernie. This is 'Backdoor Politics @ The Worst!'

[RC]

9. Naturally, because too many Senators would have to pay that tax, not because

of their Senate pay, but because of outside money sources they get.

[closeupready]

21. Of COURSE this is why. There are other reasons, sure, but

the fact that every single member of the Senate is a millionaire is salient here.

[cui bono]

10. Harry Reid is a TERRIBLE Senate Majority Leader. n/t

[BrklynLiberal]

12. That is a good inidcation of whose side Reid is on...as well as all those who did not

support Sanders' amendment.

[Canuckistanian]

13. This political posturing is sickening

I remember the days when you got screwed by the OTHER political party.

I'm glad I cancelled my Harry Reid email bulletins earlier this year. He's as bad as Pelosi.

[NoUsername]

23. I'm starting to wonder who the "other" party is.

Or if we even have one. Doesn't look like it to me.

[OhioChick]

15. Makes me sick. n/t

[peacetalksforall]

16. It appears the Democratic Party is crashing and cuddling. Bernie Sanders and

Russ Feingold, our best leaders since Wellstone And Sanders isn't even a Democrat.

Bless Feingold, Sanders, and the serious, unsold, unpurchased Senators.

I have a feeling I will be spitting angry, sad, cussing, devestated when I read the story about today, yesterday, tomorrow. It looks like it is all plopped on us.

Fellow fool and serf, sleep soundly, if you can.

[brentspeak]

17. I'll try

My sleep-time nightmares are likely to be more pleasant than reading the news.

[polpilot]

18. Welcome the new Faux Democrats. Thanks Bernie!!!