Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Time to play ball

As much fun as it is to watch the Governor scrap with the wingers in the legislature, it's getting a bit ridiculous. I heard Otter vetoing legislation on KBSX today. He muttered "This one's the Human Rights Commission." Then, Wham! went the veto stamp. The stamp is amusingly large, and uses red ink. I used to have a similar stamp, but it read "Bulls**t." Wish I still had it.

Anyway, I wish the Democrats would unalign themselves with the wingers, and go along with the Gov. Their "potholes over people" always was trite, and ultimately pointless. Yes education is wonderful, all hail the holy grail, but c'mon. This is politics; it's time to get practical.

We do need money for roads. Republicans hate to invest in infrastructure, and this is a rare chance to do so. So, Democrats, peel off from the obstructionism and join with the Governor's effort to improve our transportation system. Maybe you can cut some deal with him for your support; seems like the time is ripe for it.

Let the Republicans obstruct the Governor by themselves. Oh, and there's the little matter of $30,000 per day. (As someone said, a teacher a day.) It's time to play ball.

Update: As usual, I'm late. Betsy Russell reports that 11 Dems did vote on Tuesday for a 6 cent gas tax hike. Glad to see it.

2 comments:

Julie Fanselow said...

Here's a good story by Brian Murphy on why 11 of 18 House Dems went with the gov on yesterday's vote:

http://www.idahostatesman.com/1306/story/743085.html

The problem is, we don't have the numbers to outweigh the wingers. Maybe, just maybe, Idahoans will take this as an object lesson on why - as Elliot Werk said a few weeks ago - one-party rule didn't work in the Soviet Union and it isn't working here!

Sisyphus said...

Please note Alan that they voted for the transportation bill because of the softening on the more drastic of the education slashing proposals. I think they marshaled their forces effectively. Much better than the Governor has.