Tom Manion, Master Of The Obvious

So Deadeye Dick Cheney dropped into Philadelphia recently to give a 10-minute speech about how peachy our economy is supposed to be at the Northeast Philadelphia Financial Center, then flew out as fast as he could (as noted here).

And Patrick Murphy wasted no time in calling him out…

“To tell Pennsylvania families that our economy is strong when so many of them are struggling is a slap in the face,” said Murphy, a Democrat who represents Bucks County and small parts of Montgomery County and Philadelphia. “It's time for Democrats and Republicans to start working together to solve problems instead of pretending that there are none.”

And what does Murphy’s Repug opponent Tom Manion have to say about this?

(Manion), a Doylestown Township Republican running for Congress, called the stimulus plan (that Cheney propagandized about) a “short-term fix” and said the government needed to do more to deal with “significant problems” within the economy, particularly rising energy and health care costs.

“Much more needs to be done,” Manion said.

Yeah, like President Clueless filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization against the Saudis for restricting the flow of oil and driving up the price, as noted here (a short-term attempt at a solution I’ll admit, but better than nothing; of course, that will happen when Dubya is accepted into MENSA).

Given all of this, I thought it would be worthwhile to note the following costs we deal with every day and the response (or “non”-response, more likely) of the Repugs:

1) Health Insurance – As noted here…

Workers with job-based coverage for their families saw earnings rise 3% from 2001 to 2005, while their health insurance premium contribution increased 30%, according to the study by researchers at the State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota.

The average cost nationally of family coverage during the period increased nearly $2,500, to $10,728 from $8,281.

In response, Dubya vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have provided a $30 billion extension of SCHIP coverage.

2) The Iraq War – As noted here…

NEW YORK (Fortune) -- The Iraq war has already cost the lives of nearly 4,000 U.S. troops, but there is another cost that is not so readily quantifiable: the economic toll. Forecasts of the cost to the U.S. have reached into the trillions of dollars, fueling a controversy over the impact on the budget and the economy.

And Dubya requested an additional $70 billion for the war, as noted here…

3) Other Expenditures - Lest we forget, our ruling cabal has provided or pledged...

$29 billion for the bailout of Bear Stearns, one of the largest investment banks and global trading firms in the world (here)

$770 million in emergency food aid worldwide (here)

But what about preserving the homes of the “working people of America,” to use Deadeye Dick’s parlance?

Well...

WASHINGTON (AP) - President George W. Bush and Congress are clashing over how to address the U.S. housing crisis, clouding the prospects of an election-year rescue package.

Bush said Wednesday he would veto Democrats' broad housing aid plan, saying it would not help struggling homeowners.

The measure, aimed at preventing foreclosures, would have the government step in to insure up to $300 billion (¤194.4 billion) in new mortgages for distressed homeowners. A House vote is expected by Thursday (I believe it passed).

So to summarize, Bushco continues to wage a war costing into the trillions of dollars (including $70 billion as noted above) while overseeing the $29 billion Bear Stearns bailout and requesting $770 million of food aid on top of that. Meanwhile, this regime won’t even bother to complain about the Saudis stringing us along over our oil dependency (profligate stupidity if it ever existed, primarily on our end) and denies expansion of medical coverage to sick families and children, and on top of that, opposes a $300 billion homeowner bailout over the subprime mortgage meltdown.

(By the way, I’m not opposed to the food aid, but I am merely asking that you consider it in context with our other needs.)

Yes, I would indeed agree with Tom Manion that “much more needs to be done.” And to do it, click here.

And I can’t help but express my own, particular personal loathing over Cheney’s contamination of that location with his presence for this story – I’m glad my dad didn’t live to see this.