This is my first entry to the Kos. and I hope I do not come off as an over the top reactionary. I will paraphrase my comments below by stating that I wrote to my Senators, requesting that they ensure that any bridge loan to the Auto companies be adequate to the job, verifiable and open to inspection, and used only to save jobs. I then asked them to vote for the measure to ensure that the manufacturing industry in America, will survive until the Obama administration takes the reins on January 20, 2009.
To my amazement, Senator Tester [D MT] voted against the bridge loan, which has resulted in the closing of 20 GM factories for the month of January, and the reduction of @250,000 units in the first quarter of 2009. I have been unable to verify that Senator Baucus [D MT]voted against the measure also, though that is what I have heard.
The ripple effect will be hard felt by many hard working families like mine whose lively hood is tied directly to the automotive industry. Below is my letter of dissatisfaction to Senator Tester.
Honorable Senator Tester;
I am writing to express my deepest objection to your vote against the Auto Bridge Loan, and the justification that you gave for not voting for American workers.
I can honestly say that the ONLY thing I want my tax dollars used for is the protection of our great nation and the betterment of the workers and people who make it strong. Your contention that the loans would not do that is remarkably shortsighted.
I view this bridge loan rejection as an attack on our labor unions. The UAW this time, miners next time, teamsters next time, until organized labor is gone from our workforce, and we will truly become the 3rd world country that the republicans and you seem to want us to be.
If the American auto industry ends up failing due to the economic catastrophe that you should have protected us from, I will hold you responsible, and work very hard to send another Democratic Senator to Washington DC that will represent the working people of our great state.
I am truly and deeply disappointed in your actions in the Senate, and I look forward to your response that explains in clear terms how what I have stated is not the case, and why I should continue to support you.
I then signed the letter, and sat in disgust at the sorry mess that this great Nation finds itself in. I find I am truly embarrassed that my generation and the generation of my parents will leave this Nation and this world in far worse shape than it was handed to us. The greed and avarice of the people pulling the power strings is astonishing, and the root cause of the peril we face.
Update 2:27 am MST
Whew!
Thanks for the mighty welcome, and the blizzard of comments on this diary!
It has been a lively discussion that I have enjoyed. But I really must to bed, I have baby sitting duty for my 10 month old granddaughter in the morning.
Oh and by the way, it turns out that the King Rat Bastard Baucus voted against the bridge loan too!