Congressman Heath Shuler’s charges on Feb. 9 in Raleigh that the “House leadership and Senate leadership have really failed” in creating bipartisan support for an economic recovery bill did not help District 11 in what will prove to be a competitive race to get economic support from the bill for our part of Western North Carolina.
Shuler was well aware, even before his vote in the House, that this bill—in some form—was going to pass and be signed into law. While I don’t agree with his “no” vote, I don’t fault him on it half as much as I blame his arrogance for trying to pick a fight with the leaders of his own party in front of the national press.
If Shuler really cares so much about bipartisan support, he should spend a little less time in front of the microphone and a lot more time building the relationships that will make that bipartisan support a reality. His theatrics call into question whether his vote, siding with the Republicans in the House, was done out of principle or merely to position himself for the Senate run that he is rumored to be planning.
Families are hurting here in our district, and we need economic relief and a representative who will stand for our mountain values without making enemies with those in D.C. who have the ability to help us.
— Mary Alice Lamb
Waynesville
Ms. Lamb,
I suspect, despite your “take” on Mr. Shuler, that he IS indeed representing the 11th District: I am certain that our “man in the House” received numerous calls, letters, and emails regarding the so called “stimulus” package and then, as a representative of the people, voted as he is compelled to by his oath of office.
I suggest to you that marching lock-step with “the party” is not what would “help” the citizens of WNC.
Mr. Shuler was doing an excellent job representing the interests of taxpayers who will have to eventually fund this economic rape.
travelah: if you’re going to parrot Limbaugh and Hannity’s distasteful turn of phrase, at least give them the credit. Or should we just assume that you can’t think for yourself?
I believe I was calling this monstrosity an economic rape before either of the two gentlemen you mention.
I rarely listen to Limbaugh and I do not have time in the evening for Hannity.
If you rarely listen to them, travelah, then what reference would you use to know who brought the subject up first?
travelah, it’s the idiotic Bush tax cuts on the wealthy that created this economic crises in the first place. I’m not exactly sure how tax cuts for those of us in the working and middle class, infrastructure spending, spending on our children’s schools amounts to “economic rape.”
But if you want to continue to believe the crap the Republican corporate elites in this country feed working-class Southerners so that they keep us in our place, then go ahead.
Bert, that is a leftist-liberal myth. My family and I are decidedly middle class and we benefited greatly by the Bush cuts. When they expire, we will face an additional $3,000/yr tax burden unless we shelter funds elsewhere (which we will do in Roths for both my wife and I and educational funds for our gandchildren).
If you are “working class or middle class”, you are already benefiting from those cuts. Additionally, cutting income taxes across the board for all Americans (which the Bush cuts did with no net loss of Federal revenues to boot)had nothing to do with the proliferation of adjustable rate mortgages and their impending implosion. The reduction in income taxes had nothing to do with the collapse of the real estate pricing bubble which had been building for a long time. You are making your accusations in the wrong place. Instead of blaming Bush, you should be addressing your angst at the culprits who decided that home ownership was to be an entitlement for unqualified applicants rather than something people earn through saving and paying bills on time.
PFTDaQ, I suspect you listen to both of the gentlemen far more than I. I applied the term economic rape to this monstrosity as soon as it was introduced in Congress. Perhaps the gentlemen share similar views.
That is part of the rightist/pseudo-con myth: Geroge Bush is actually the second coming of Jane Goodal, and since Obama has been President, we have never been attacked by terrorists. As long as people continue to pay taxes, we will continue to have faulty roads and exposed breasts at Denny’s. Only a return to Slave-based agriculture will secure a place for america in the 21st century. You are making your accusations in the wrong place. Instead of blaming Bush, you should be addressing your angst at the culprits who decided that exposing their breats at Denny’s was to be an entitlement for unqualified mothers rather than something people earn through saving and paying bills on time.
Heath Shuler is interested only in Heath Shuler.
… and the Wine Mule is certainly only interested in the Wine Mule.
Pretty lazy argument.
Shuler is doing fine.
Next time might want to put some thought in your vote before voting Straight ticket.
Shuler is representing us very well!!!
… and yours was an epiphany?