As I was waiting in my dentist's office today for the inevitable torture to follow, I got into a conversation with another patient, a man who looked my age (62) and who was obviously grousing about the "people in Washington" as he put it. His mantra was to the effect that they are all crooks and what's the use of voting anyway, it always turns out the same.
I tried to dissuade him without telling him who I was (there was enough pain awaiting me). Rather, I tried to convince him that close votes do, indeed, happen in Congress, votes which but for one or two changes might have profound effects upon our nation. Just as I was about to cite three examples--one of which occurred yesterday--I was called to the drilling table. Now that I can think clearly again, I thought I might mention the votes to you.
HR 1 was passed on June 6, 2003 by a vote of 216 to 215. This was the Medicare Drug Bill which takes effect on January 1 of this year. For Medicare recipients who have significant health problems, it will require them to spend over $4,000 of their first $5,100 Rx costs out of pocket with no possibility for government bulk buying or getting cheaper foreign imports.
HR 3045 was passed on July 28, 2005 by a vote of 217 to 215. This was the CAFTA bill which will further erode US jobs and keep millions of workers in Central America at poverty or near poverty levels.
Yesterday, HR 3010 was passed by a vote of 215 to 213. This was the appropriations bill that funds education, health care, and worker initiatives. It freezes home heating assistance (in spite of gas and oil increases which will range from 20% to 40% this winter); it cuts $437 million from services to unemployed and displaced workers; it cuts funding for community colleges by $125 million and "No Child Left Behind" funds by $779 million; it cuts money for drug-free schools by $87 million; it cuts health professional training programs by $153 million--I could go on...
Most of the people who voted for this bill also voted to extend the capital gains tax cuts for the wealthy and for tax breaks to the oil and gas industries which are enjoying record profits.
Had I been in Congress instead of my opponent, none of these bills would have passed. My "no" vote would either have tipped the balance the other way or resulted in a tie and thus a defeat. Moreover, there would have been one fewer vote for tax breaks to the wealthy and the oil and gas industries.
Close matters because close is tantalizingly near change. In 2004, there were more than 30 Congressional races where Democratic challengers got 40% or more of the vote: winnable seats which, had they been won, would have made a profound difference. In 2006, each of these contests will again be fought. Not much of a change at the ballot box could mean a sweeping change in the direction of our nation.
Dr. Steven Porter
PA-3
http://www.porter4congress2006.com