The Washington Post headline reads "Calif. Aid Request Spurned By U.S.":
The Obama administration has turned back pleas for emergency aid from one of the biggest remaining threats to the economy — the state of California.
Top state officials have gone hat in hand to the administration, armed with dire warnings of a fast-approaching "fiscal meltdown" caused by a budget shortfall. Concern has grown inside the White House in recent weeks as California’s fiscal condition has worsened, leading to high-level administration meetings. But federal officials are worried that a bailout of California would set off a cascade of demands from other states.
With an economy larger than Canada’s or Brazil’s, the state is too big to fail, California officials urge.
"This matters for the U.S., not just for California," said U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, who chairs the state’s Democratic congressional delegation. "I can’t speak for the president, but when you’ve got the 8th biggest economy in the world sitting as one of your 50 states, it’s hard to see how the country recovers if that state does not."
Lofgren refuses to say how she’ll vote on the supplemental today. But how will she justify giving $108 billion in loan guarantees to European banks while her own state goes bankrupt? How will anybody?
Northern California Democrats on the fence are Reps. Sam Farr, D-Monterey; Mike Thompson, D-Napa; Mike Honda, D-San Jose; Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton; and Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento.
Really? Do they suddenly represent Yugoslavia or something?
| Zoe Lofgren (202) 225-3072 Sam Farr (202) 225-2861 Mike Thompson (202) 225-3311 |
Mike Honda (202) 225-2631 Doris Matsui (202) 225-7163 Jerry McNerney (202) 225-1947 |
I can see the ads now. "My opponent voted to bail out European banks while members of this community lost their jobs and their homes, our schools and emergency services were cut, we couldn’t get treatment for breast and cervical cancer…."
Thanks, Rahm. 2010 is is really shaping up.
Maybe something for the whole California delegation to think about.
The vote is scheduled for this morning, so light the phone lines up. California residents, call twice.
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Mornin’, Jane.
Yes, indeedy.
i just got off the phone with keith in in congressman jim mcgovern’s press office.
CQ report is WRONG! congressman mcgovern will be voting AGAINST supplemental.
(i’ve cross posted this in a couple of threads)
Morning, SD, Always glad to see you in the house…
Interesting local coverage here about how our Gov. Big Hair may aim to be Pres. of TX AM if he is not the re-elected Gov. More Aggie jokes ahead,I guess.
Hey Ghost:
Check out this new documentary – reveals the ENTIRE TRUTH.
Thanks Jane for keeping the heat up. Six calls from PA this am to the above-mentioned California delegation.
Mornin’, RevBev. Likewise. Caught ya on a fly by on the way out the door.
If you didn’t see the link WarOnWarOff posted, I’ve read only part of it and this‘ll scare ya even if yer fearless.
Namaste
Bigger Hair is closer to Dog.
Got it. Not much new that wasn’t previously known, but it is starting to hit a wider audience. With the steady release of torture documents, the Obama team may be conditioning the stomachs of the audience for the more gruesome news.
Thank you, appreciate your efforts.
The offices of Ron Kind and Dave Obey, Wisconsin Blue Dogs, claimed not to know how they would vote. Since Rahm assumed both were locks, this is at least a small plus.
Ca. has lived beyond it’s means for ages. Are we going to bail out all big spenders. Why not live like Hoosiers,modestly with out debt. Boring but sustainable
I’m getting tremendous variety in CA Congressional offices.
McNerny said they couldn’t take my address, Matsui’s office wanted my full address. Honda just wanted my zip code.
I’m telling them right up front I’m not a constituent, not a CA resident, but they are very pleasent, very helpful. They understand these are core issues.
Got the last three in CA, staffers are very pleasant.
Didn’t keep him from falling off his bike; guess he was speeding,,,going on down the road.
;)
Mornin’ Firedogs -
taking a little break from the calls –
“Sam Farr – Monterey” – if you look at his district map, Rahm is asking the guy who represents Santa Cruz to vote on a supplemental for open ended war. not only is Santa Cruz considered bedrock among the peace community, just today local paper announcing local non profits (taking care of elderly and children) are being asked to take a 20% cut
would be hilarious if not so tragic
heckuva job there Go Easy
Rahm’s going to rham this country right into the poor house. WE DOAN HAZ $’s FOR ENDLESS WAR NO MO. It’s finished, done, kaput, fini.
Lofgren and Honda represent Silicon Valley:
Mercury News:
what hath Rahm wrought ?
Thank you for exposing Lofgren for the Blue Dog she is. I am beyond disappointed but I expect she has planned to vote yes all along, and as such, I will vote against her in the primary and the election.
I won’t vote for a republican but I will not vote for a person who would rather bail out European banks than her own state.
Hey gang, I just called the six California congresscritters listed in Jane’s post. I got through on the first or second ring every time. One staffer responded to my message, saying “Absolutely!” All the staffers were friendly and they ARE listening.
I must take exception to this. The roads stink. The school system is in disarray. Medical care is selective and for many unavailable. The prison system is overloaded for profit by a few. The park system long ago was shuttled to the back of the bus. Public transit sucks. Our income goes to pay for inflated housing costs rather than back into the economy. THE reason that California is in trouble is because the republicans took over the legislature when they were in the majority and wrote into law the ability for them to control the votes with a minority.
I called Mike Thompson. the staffer said he voted no on the first supplemental, but didn’t know how he would vote on this one. I asked her what could have changed his position on this bill, especially since we’d be giving a handout to the IMF, while California is broke and services are cut every day. She was nice, asked for my address. Told her I’d be watching how he votes and would call again tomorrow. Told her my family (in Napa) had been big supporters and knew Thompson.
Also, called Miller. Staffer seemed surprised to get the call. Asked why Miller was voting yes. He didn’t know. Asked for my name and I gave it, volunteered address. Said I had voted for Miller his whole political career and I didn’t understand his yes vote. Seemed to go directly against his entire voting record. Have attended his local appearances and I would attend the next one to confront him on this vote.