Bill Sali Is Full of Something

I had just posted the latest roundup of news and votes from Idaho Congressman Bill Sali and then I saw this op-ed at the Idaho Statesman.  It's late (or very early) but I'll grab another coke because this is important; Bill Sali is trying to feed you a bunch of BS.

Sali begins his op-ed with a quote he attributes to Thomas Jefferson and then moves swiftly to himself and what he says is lacking in D.C., "Courage to do the right thing. Courage to say 'no' to bloated spending even when some of that bloated spending is packaged with money that will benefit one's home district."

He goes on to talk about his earmark projects and how proud he was of them and then he bemoans the fact that they were "craftily bundled with waste" and alas, he just couldn't vote for it saying, "Those same bills that contained funding for my Idaho projects also contained wasteful and outlandish programs that Idahoans should not be forced to subsidize with their hard-earned money. . . ."

Folks, that's a bunch of BS. 

Back in July, Rep. Obey of Wisconsin offered H.Amdt 550, an amendment striking all earmarks from one of those bills, the Labor, HHS and Education funding.  The amendment failed on a 53-369 vote.  If Bill Sali had courage, he would tell you that when he had the chance to wipe out all of those "wasteful and outlandish programs," he voted against it.

Sali concludes:

There are no parades for those who vote against spending money in Congress. There are no celebrations when excessive spending is defeated. Nonetheless, I am convinced Americans still agree with Thomas Jefferson.  They know it would have been wrong for me to take pride in any success for Idaho, knowing the costs that Jefferson would have "pruned" were part of the price tag. While it was politically hard for me to vote no, I knew it was the right thing to do.

Congressman Sali, quit the BS already; nobody throws a parade for that either.

Comments

[untamedshrew]

Oh boy did this get my blood boiling this morning. Such self-righteous crap. What gall! Earth to Mr. Sali - you are NO Thomas Jefferson.

There's going to be a big parade on my street when he's cast out of office next year. My son even plays the trombone ... just 75 more to go.

[Sisyphus]

Get him shrew. Rip his earmarks off.

[Wordsmith]

And what is this shit!

"As a freshman congressman, I am proud to have successfully advocated for these Idaho projects. I'm also proud that the Idaho delegation secured $8 million in support of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, an exciting event and one Idaho is proud to host.

I am a strong supporter of those games just like the majority of Idahoans and Americans. My very first bill that received the approval by the House was one recognizing Idaho's selection as host of the 2009 World Winter Games."

Ya, stupid fuck.

Did he NOT vote to sustain the presidential veto? That $8 million is not forthcoming.

[theresa]

oh mercy he does not really think he is Jefferson like

shakes head

man he annoys me, every time he opens his mouth

t

[untamedshrew]

He states that "pruning" the size of government requires courage "to do the right thing." And then of course implies that his votes are acts of courage!

But as MG and Wordsmith have pointed out, he's just completely full of shit. Apparently courage to do the "right thing" doesn't extend to courage to accept the consequences of doing the "right thing!" He votes against particular bills, claiming such votes are the "right thing to do", but then takes credit for them when they pass!

Either he's a moron, or he thinks his constituents are. Or both.

[Wordsmith]

[He votes against particular bills, claiming such votes are the "right thing to do", but then takes credit for them when they pass!]

Whew! Apparently, I HAVE interpreted his actions correctly; and, here I was thinking it was just too freakin' obvious.