On Sept. 17, the House of Representatives voted down the Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act of 2007. This bill was designed “to provide a comprehensive regional approach to economic and infrastructure development in the most severely economically distressed regions in the Nation”.

On Sept. 18, the House passed the Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007. This act would expand FHA programs to make them more accessible to “low- and moderate-income homebuyers”.

Representative Joe Knollenberg of Michigan’s Ninth District didn’t bother to vote on either bill.

Where is Joe?

Posted: September 18th, 2007 under economy, knollenberg watch.
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On Aug. 23, Joe Knollenberg made a post to his official blog bragging about the improvement in the federal budget deficit:

Thanks to the pro-small business, pro-entrepreneurial, pro-family tax cuts of 2001 and 2003, federal tax revenue is coming in at brisker than expected pace. As a result, the federal budget deficit is expected to fall to $158 billion this year. That is $90 billion less than last year’s deficit and it’s $19 billion less than the amount projected earlier this year.

Isn’t that wonderful?

Well, no.

First, keep in mind that before Joe Knollenberg’s hero, George W. Bush, became president, we were running a budget surplus. Is it all that exciting to get the deficit down to only $158 billion?

Also, as usual, Joe Knollenberg is only telling us half of the story. He’s happy to quote the Congressional Budget Office’s projection of $158 billion this year, but he doesn’t mention its estimate of $244 billion for next year, or the fact they expect the deficit to approach $400 billion by 2011.

Over the long term, the budget remains on an unsustainable path - Congressional Budget Office, Aug. 23, 2007

Joe Knollenberg calls that good news?

Posted: August 25th, 2007 under president bush, economy, knollenberg watch.
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Meet Joe Knollenberg - the best friend George W. Bush ever had.

The American people have seen through the President’s lies on Iraq. They understand that he is sending young Americans to die in an irrational war. They know that we should have never been in Iraq and that we need to get out.

Joe Knollenberg doesn’t care. He’s willing to trade the blood of American soldiers for bigger profits at Exxon and Halliburton.

Why? Because that’s what George W. Bush and the Republican Party have told him to do, and he doesn’t have the courage to defy them.

He’s not only wrong about the war.

There’s his unblinking support of the Republican fiscal policies that have hurt 90 percent of Americans in order to benefit the elite.

His unwillingness to face the problem of global warming, because it might upset his corporate benefactors.

His embrace of “immigration reform” as a way to avoid taking a serious look at national security issues.

His decision to vote for billions in tax cuts while our schools and bridges crumble.

Is that enough?

After 15 years in Congress without a single notable achievement, his lack of courage and principle isn’t surprising. But that doesn’t make it acceptable.

In 2008, George W. Bush will go home.

Let’s send Joe Knollenberg with him.

Posted: August 7th, 2007 under president bush, environment, national security, economy, iraq, knollenberg watch.
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