Hypocrisy in "our" Democracy: Biting the hand that rocks the Cradle

Recently the U.S. Senate was charged with the arduous and required task of deciding what is best for the citizens they serve and the society they have been appointed to guide. Decisions to confirm a supreme court justice, an whether or not to extend funding on a program that help to recycle "clunkers" may seem to pale in comparison to the decisions that need to be made regarding, war funding, or health care reform or even bank bailouts, but the truth of the matter is all of these decisions are important and each plays a role in creating the "Great Society" we aspire to become in America.

To accomplish this effectively we need to have our most qualified, and intellectually developed people in those positions to make informed intelligent decisions that will have far reaching impact on how we develop and prosper.

Recently a vote was taken on extension of the "Cash for Clunkers" program implemented by the Obama administration. This is the wildly popular program that lets you trade in your gas guzzling, environmentally unfriendly, hydrocarbon producing clunker and get a credit on a new fuel efficient low emissions vehicle. Good for the environment right? Well it turns out after about a week into the program the it turns out it was an overwhelming success requiring additional funding to continue the program. Turns out it is not only has (even if minimally so) a positive effect on the environment, but it also has additional benefits that may be even more substantial. CNN Money recently wrote an article detailing the "ripple" effect the Cash for Clunkers program is having ( http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/06/news/companies/clunkers_economic_impact/index.htm?section=money_topstories ). In nutshell the "total of $3 billion spent on Cash for Clunkers could result in an $18 billion boost to the overall economy.", is likely to provide a significant lift to more than just the battered auto industry, and will also positively affect the banking industry, the recycling industry, automobile dealers, etc and that the impact of Cash for Clunkers could last even after the program eventually ends. It is even being touted as the single most effective program to free up consumer cash to provide impetus to the wheels of our economy and get it moving again.

As a common citizen and being a reasonably intelligent man, from basic reading, processing and understanding, I know this is good. In turn I expect our dually appointed representatives to at least use this same reasonable intellect and make their decisions respectively.

Enter the U.S. Senate. Every state has 2 and they are charged with doing what's best for both the state they represent and for the Nation. Given an opportunity to vote on this appropriation in terms ot the "Nation" the "Senate" did the right thing for society, passing the bill by a vote of 60 -37.HOORAY! But upon inspection of the Senate voting record something more obvious and disappointing about some "Senators" makes itself readily apparent. Quite some senators may be biting the hand that feeds them.. Of the 37 senators that voted "NAY" 26 are from 13 states. That's right both senators in those states decided the increased revenue, the increased jobs and benefits associated with this program are not in the best interest of their state, right? WRONG..... FREAKIN' WRONG. Of the 13 states that voted double negative, how about MORE THAN HALF benefit from having in their home states manufacturers that PRODUCE believe it or not AUTOMOBILES! You know,the likes of GM, Toyota, Hyundai, Mercedes, Nissan, Honda, BMW, etc. In fact Jeff Session and Richard Shelby who were adamantly opposed to this program are fortunate enough to have 3! of these said manufacturers in their home state of "ALABACKWOODS" .and have brazingly boasted "We have a very large and vibrant automobile sector in Alabama.'' The rest of the double negative states have suffered tremendously and lost revenue/industries because of the decline of the Automotive Industry! (SEE the MAP)

Now I said all that to say this.....If you go to church and don't believe in GOD.... you are a hypocrite. If you are a policeman and you steal.... you are a hypocrite, If you believe prostitution is wrong and you pick up a prostitute for sex...you are a hypocrite . If you think gambling is wrong and you allow dog racing, bingo and not a lottery LOL.... You're a selective hypocrite LOL. By the same cadence...If your state could or does benefit from an industry and you vote against policies that could could further benefit your constituency from that industry then to your constituents senators, YOU ARE A HYPOCRITE!.

If the election has done anything for me it has made me open my eyes and and be more of aware of the policies and policymakers that are charged with making the decisions that will not only affect me as a citizen but additionally those that will affect our future. Consequently I will be watching this "hypocrisy in our democracy" and making it plain.

There is an expression that goes "Don't bite the hand that feeds you" and In this case The hand you are biting incidentally, Is the hand that "Rocks the Cradle."