Not that it would have made any difference, but our little county’s delegation to Congress did not have a proud moment on the recent auto bailout vote. There was one yes, two no’s, three abstentions, and only one vote that anyone should really be proud of. Since Detroit has a lot of excess inventory it seems like all the reps in Congress should get a free car, and here are my nominations for who gets what:
Campbell, who voted in favor of the bank bailout, showed up for the vote and answered “present.” Since he’s an ex-car dealer with a continuing interest in the industry as a lessor of dealership space he claims to be doing the noble thing by recusing himself. Of course if he wanted to vote “no” its hard to see the conflict of interest, and he was willing to spend our money on the bank deal. He gets a “Dodge.”
Sanchez, who voted against the bank bailout, was also present but she voted “yes.” So what happened to that glimmer of a hope promised by the bank bailout “no” that Loretta might have some latent tendency toward fiscal responsibility? What makes sense is that this time the request is coming with a push from organized labor. So what’s a polite term for someone whose virtue is more or less for sale? Let’s give her an “Escort.”
Calvert managed to be “present” and voted no. But lets remember he voted “yes” to the bank bailout in October, so his sense of fiscal responsibility and commitment to limited government also seems to depend on who’s asking. He’s on the other side from Sanchez, but I say he, too, gets an “Escort.”
Rohrabacher issued a statement against the auto bailout, but couldn’t cast an actual vote because he was in Russia. He did vote against the bank bailout so I say give him the benefit of the doubt and send him an “Explorer.”
Miller really wanted to vote no, despite his recent yes on the bank bailout, but he didn’t get enough warning to actually be in Washington to cast his vote. I’m thinking he deserves a “Nova.” (For those of you who skipped Spanish class, “no va” means “doesn’t go” and its Mexican slang for a car that doesn’t work.)
The one rep who has managed to look good in these trying times is Ed Royce. He voted against both bailouts. This feat involved political courage, a keen moral compass, and a good enough real compass that he actually managed to be present in our nation’s capitol for both votes. I say give him a “Navigator.”
