Deeply Disappointed

Deeply Disappointed

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-Repugs Keep Playing Games-

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The Republicans are at it again. Once again putting party politics before the American people, Senate Republicans rallied to defeat a vote on debate on finance reform yesterday. In a 57-41 defeat, the most extensive new Wall Street regulation since the Great Depression - aimed at preventing another financial crisis like the one in 2008 - died. President Obama was quoted as being "Deeply Disappointed".

I am deeply disappointed that Senate Republicans voted in a block against allowing a public debate on Wall Street reform to begin. Some of these Senators may believe that this obstruction is a good political strategy, and others may see delay as an opportunity to take this debate behind closed doors, where financial industry lobbyists can water down reform or kill it altogether. But the American people can’t afford that. A lack of consumer protections and a lack of accountability on Wall Street nearly brought our economy to its knees, and helped cause the pain that has left millions of Americans without jobs and without homes. The reform that both parties have been working on for a year would prevent a crisis like this from happening again, and I urge the Senate to get back to work and put the interests of the country ahead of party.

President Barack Obama - April 26, 2009

He shouldn't be the only one. Time and time again, the Republican Party has shown that it is content with being the opposition to progress and the Obama Administration. This vote, which wasn't even to pass reform, just discuss it on the Senate floor; proves that the Republicans are just biding time - awaiting the 2010 Mid Term Elections in hope that their party becomes the majority party once more. It would be nice if the elected officials remember who they truly work for - the American people - not corporations and political parties. The time has come for this to end and to move forward and address the issues that plague America. It's time to quit dragging feet, like the Republicans did in the bitterly disputed health-care bill. Polls show public support for financial reform legislation. 61 percent of the public supports stricter regulation of financial companies. Hopefully, voters in November will see what the Republican Party is doing - putting party politics before the American people, and once again show the Republican Party why it is a dying party.

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This is a statement of opinion by D. Mark Melancon, Jr. If you disagree, I invite your reply.

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