Most people who watch what is happening in Washington have known for quite a while now that "Box Turtle" John Cornyn is one of the least effective legislators in the U.S. Senate. He has been little more than a lapdog for the current president. Regardless of how bad a bill might be for the citizens of Texas and America, Bush can always count on support from "Box Turtle" John.
But just before Congress adjourned for the summer, "Box Turtle" John cast a couple of votes in the Senate that highlights just how bad a senator he is, and how out of touch with American citizens he has become. These two votes were so out of the mainstream, that I can only assume he was trying to protect the corporations and lobbyists that supply so much of his campaign money -- money he will need to stave off a strong Democratic challenge in 2008.
The first of these two ridiculous votes was a vote against children. Millions of poor and working class children in America do not have any health insurance coverage. Evidently "Box Turtle" John thinks that is the way it should be. He joined 30 of his Republican buddies in voting to oppose increasing the funds available for the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
He said his vote was to prevent a government takeover of health care. But the truth is that he receives large donations from insurance and drug companies, and his vote was to protect these corporate interests at the expense of America's children. Whatever the reason, it is just sick to vote to deny health insurance to children. Since the insurance and drug companies won't address the problem of insuring children, who is left to get it done other than the government?
The second of his ridiculous votes was his vote against ethics reform. The American people are sick of government by lobbyists. One of the reasons that Democrats made a major comeback in the last election was because of the lack of ethical behavior between the Republicans and the K Street lobbyists.
The ethics reform bill would limit the gifts and money a lobbyist could give a congressman or senator. It would also force lobbyists to publicly disclose the number and amount of campaign donations they give to individual candidates. With his close ties to corporate lobbyists, it is easy to see why "Box Turtle" John voted against ethics reform (He was one of only 13 senators to vote against it). He doesn't want the people of Texas to know just how much money he receives from the lobbyists.
Do you really want a senator that opposes both children's health insurance and ethics reform? I certainly don't! That's why I'm supporting Rick Noriega for U.S. Senate. I can assure you that Lt. Colonel Noriega would have voted in favor of both of these bills.
If you don't support the indefensible voting record of our current senator, "Box Turtle" John Cornyn, then it is time to step forward and support the only viable alternative for 2008 -- State Rep. Rick Noriega. If we are to defeat Cornyn in 2008, then we must start now to support Noriega both politically and financially.
Rick Noriega isn't rich, and he doesn't receive money from the corporate lobbyists. He is depending on support from common folks like you and me. You don't have to give a lot, but please do give something! Even a very small donation will help more than you could imagine. If you'd like to donate online, go to ricknoriega.com. If you'd prefer to send a check or money order by mail, then send it to this address:
Rick Noriega Campaign
P.O. Box 231163
Houston, Texas
77223-1163
Help stop Cornyn now, and give Texas a senator we can be proud of.
Every time I read this stuff about Cornyn, it makes me want to puke. And I agree, Rick Noriega is the the right man for Texans in the U.S. Senate. Keep spreading the word!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement. I appreciate your stopping by.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I just recently discovered your blog, and like it a lot. I lived in Fort Worth for twenty years before moving recently to the Panhandle (for work). It's always a pleasure to find a good Tarrant county blog.