BS: Watch Henry Waxman

Subject: BS: Watch Henry Waxman
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 03:21 PM

Here is a man whose name I have heard often but I had no idea of his actual importance a country in trouble. Judging by his record this is a man who thinks and votes his opinion.

Where He Came From

Generic Drugs

Government Reform

A Word from the Man Himself

"When I was first elected to Congress almost 30 years ago, I worked with both Republicans and Democrats to enact legislation to improve the quality of life for all Americans -- especially for those most in need. For the last decade, however, I have become increasingly frustrated by a right-wing Republican Congress that is more concerned with rewarding special interests, dismantling environmental protections, cutting taxes on the wealthiest at the expense of important government programs, and attacking anyone or any group that challenges these misplaced priorities.

"I have often been criticized for being a "liberal." But if liberal means that I intend to preserve our commitment to protect our environment, provide quality health care for children and seniors, ensure that 45 million uninsured Americans have access to affordable health insurance, invest in education, respect civil rights and civil liberties, fund medical research, and guarantee reproductive rights, then I am proud of that label."

How He has Voted


Date        Vote                 Position               GOP opinion        DEM opinion
Vote : Military Commissions Act                                No
Vote : Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act        No
Vote Secure Fence Act of 2006                                 No
Vote Estate Tax-Extension of Tax Relief Act              No
Vote pledged support for the War in Iraq and rejected a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.                       No
Vote Extended the Bush tax cuts.                        No
Vote Cut nearly $40 billion from the federal budget by imposing substantial changes on welfare, child support and student lending programs.                                                      No
Vote This bill would clamp down on illegal immigration & toughen border security. Does not include any new avenue for current illegal immigrants to gain legal status.                           No
Vote Supported a ban on cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of detainees held by U.S. forces, requires the military to follow the Army field manual for interrogations.               Yes
Vote Would have forced the government to compensate property owners if development plans were stymied by attempts to protect endangered species and would have given political appointees more power to make decisions about which species and areas would be subject to government intervention aimed at protecting plant and wildlife. No
Vote Offered tax breaks and incentives in what supporters said was an effort to spur oil and gas companies to provide innovative wasy to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, conserve resources and reduce pollution.                          No
Vote Established a free trade zone between the United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Gautemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; a separate agreement with the Dominican Republican was also included in the measure.                                                          No
Vote This vote approved the proposal of a Constitutional amendment to ban the desecration of the American flag.            No
Vote Would have repealed restrictions on federal spending on embryonic stem cell research.                                             Yes
Vote Gave federal courts jurisdiction in Terri Schiavo dispute.        No
Vote Instituted a number of changes in the ethics rules that govern the conduct of individual members of Congress.                        No

Subject: RE: BS: Watch Henry Waxman
From: GUEST,Lox
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 04:34 PM

This is great stuff. You live in a democracy and you have a choice, and you not only have the privilege of exercising that choice, but also to let other people in on what you know that they might not.


Instead of starting some thread about doom and gloom, you can say "here's something good."

Well done ebbie - you make me feel confident about American politics.

Subject: RE: BS: Watch Henry Waxman
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 09:33 PM

Henry Waxman is one of the honest, thinking, REAL public servants we have. Even if you disagree with some of his opinions, you know where he stands.

Another of the same ilk is Barney Frank....openly gay, but honest and straight speaking!

We should make notes when we discover this sort...they are not too common.

Subject: RE: BS: Watch Henry Waxman
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 11:09 PM

I agree, BillD, about Frank and Waxman.

Ebbie, thank you!

The man is pretty impressive, too, in what he reported about the politicization of science. (Scroll down for "Waxman Report."

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Watch Henry Waxman
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 11:52 PM

Thanks. I'm going to keep an eye out for other noteworthy persons. Just maybe slipping them a timely note or two will encourage their efforts.

Subject: RE: BS: Watch Henry Waxman
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 06 - 12:09 AM

Waxman has been making the rounds of the political interview programs, and I think people are ready to hear what he has to say, finally(!) Let's hope he can keep the future inquiries going in productive directions. "Gotcha" politics (another new book out these days) isn't very helpful.

SRS