The Miller's Tale

The economic stimulus bill finally passed, and President Obama will sign it possibly as early as Tuesday. I got to thinking that the Republicans will do everything to stop it not because of the cost or the insufficient (for them) number of tax cuts, but for the fact that this bill will take money from some to help someone else.

For example, Republican Representative Candace Miller of Michigan voted against it in part because the bill is helping to finance bullet trains, particularly one to run between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Now why would she object to federal funding for bullet trains - indeed, all public transportation, as she intimated?

Gee, maybe because the preponderance of public transportation would cut into the very profitable business of Michigan's best known product - cars?

Rachel Maddow inexplicably couldn't see the logic of the Congresswoman's vote.

Expect Representative Miller to be very supportive of any future economic stimulus measure specifically aimed at highway spending.

Name Your Price

The economic stimulus bills passed by the House and the senate are only a few billion dollars apart, and at first one would guess that it shouldn't be too hard for them to be reconciled in conference. One who would guess so, though, doesn't know diddly-squat about Washington. Also, President Obama has been weakened somewhat by his failed communications skills and self-admitted screw-ups of the past week. A stimulus bill is likely to pass, but it almost certainly won't pass without acrimony or with much Republican support.

Since Congress now has to negotiate the bill's final price tag, perhaps it's time to call in William Shatner. :-D