by Frank James
The disagreement between the Bush Administration and congressional Democrats over the Colombia free trade agreement (the administration is for, many Democrats in Congress are against) has reached the he-started-it-first stage.
This morning, Sean Spicer, a White House aide, sent a blast e-mail to congressional staffers on Capitol Hill, pointing their attention to a newspaper insert for children that ran in many newspapers this weekend that explained the importance of the trade agreement "at a children's (sic) level" according to Spicer's e-mail.
Here's Spicer's message:
This past Sunday, in the comics section of papers nationwide (including the Post), was an insert called the Mini Page that explained trade at a children's level.
If you missed it, it is attached in PDF... mini page On page 4 there is an explanation of why the Colombia trade agreement is in the best interest of American workers.
Not to be outdone, this was the response of Joe Shoemaker, press secretary to Sen. Dick Durbin, the Senate's second-in command:
Thank you for your helpful (if somewhat condescending) explanation of trade "at a children's level."
In that vein, I wanted to bring to your attention a series known as Schoolhouse Rock! Between 1973 and 1986 a series of fifty-two educational short films featuring songs about schoolhouse topics (grammar, science, economics, history, mathematics, and politics) were played on ABC Saturday and Sunday morning children's programs.
One of those short films (I'm Just a Bill") dealt extensively with the legislative process -- at a children's level. If you missed it, it is attached in pdf form... and the hyperlink is (http://www.school-house-rock.com/Bill.html).
Joe Shoemaker
Communications Director
Office of the Asst. Majority Leader
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)
P.S. If you find "I'm Just a Bill" helpful, you may also want to check out "Three Ring Government" which explains the three co-equal branches of the federal government and discusses the concept of separation of powers.
Maybe we can just schedule a fight after school and settle this matter once and for all.
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Comments
Bwaaahahahaha
That is funny!
Someone from the Democrats finally found their testicular fortitude to stand up.
That being said I don't think the CAFTA is such a bad agreement. Chavez is next door trying to meddle with Colombian politics and the rebels. You need to keep that guy from getting too powerful.
Another way would be to hold talks with Cuba (Gasp!) to loosen the grip Chavez is trying to get on Cuba as well.
Posted by: Todd M | May 21, 2008 1:49 PM
Frank,
Nice report. Very funny. Unfortunately, the song is now stuck in my head.
Any thoughts on a remedy?
Posted by: PJ Hansen | May 21, 2008 1:52 PM
God this is childish. You hear that, Frank? I agree with you for once. The republicans need to recognize that this congress won't pass anything without extracting at least a pound of flesh and call it compromise. Attach the second economic stimulus package to this thing and finally get it passed.
Yes, I realize we'll just have to pay it back at tax time next year but that's a small price to pay for free trade, seeing as how exports are the one thing propping our economy up right now.
Posted by: Jeff | May 21, 2008 2:00 PM
It's nice to see BushCo and John W McCain defending the failed econimic policies that have made our once great economy sink like the Titanic, if nothing else at least they're consistent with their stupidity.
Maybe they should start another war, that ought to fix things.....NOT!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcdLO3jKkPo
Posted by: John E | May 21, 2008 2:11 PM
Obama (and his fellow dems)will sit down and talk with Castro and Chavez, but they will not enter into a trade agreement with a friendly country.
Posted by: Terry | May 21, 2008 2:38 PM
Obama (and his fellow dems)will sit down and talk with Castro and Chavez, but they will not enter into a trade agreement with a friendly country.
Posted by: Terry | May 21, 2008 2:38 PM
Terri,
Someone has to figure out a way to dig us out of the $10 Trillion dollar deficit hole that Republic Party has laid at our feet.
Posted by: John E | May 21, 2008 2:57 PM
McMuffin Boy,
And eliminating a trade agreement with a country is goint to reduce that deficit how?
If you are so against imports and want everything made in the USA, let's start with our oil.
Posted by: Terry | May 21, 2008 3:33 PM
McMuffin Boy,
And eliminating a trade agreement with a country is goint to reduce that deficit how?
If you are so against imports and want everything made in the USA, let's start with our oil.
Posted by: Terry | May 21, 2008 3:33 PM
TrickleDown Boy,
Maybe we should repeal all of those tax cuts for the 1% richest Americans i.e. Republicans?
That should stimulate the economy.
Posted by: John E | May 21, 2008 5:47 PM
Trickled On,
When you get thru 5th grade this year, you will learn that raising taxes on the job creators does not stimulate an economy. Stick with what you know - English Muffins and fake eggs.
Posted by: Terry | May 21, 2008 9:00 PM
Spelling Champ,
I didn't say anything about raising taxes (which is nothing more than a wingnut red herring), I said we should REPEAL the tax cuts that the Repubs are giving to their rich friends.
As much as you neonuts don't like it, America is not going to turn into a haves and have nots society with you nutty GOPer's sitting on the throne.
That's exactly why you're losing elections all over the country right now, Terri
Posted by: John E | May 22, 2008 1:18 AM
Unreported in the Swamp is the major screw-up the Dem Congress did on the Farm Bill they passed.
Turns out the bill they sent to the president (and which the president vetoed) was missing 34 pages of the text.
So Congress is going to have to re-vote on this thing, costing taxpayers thousands of dollars. And prompting the laughter of commentators everywhere (except the Swamp).
Perhaps Sen Durbin's office ought to view the "I'm just a bill" video they cite.
Posted by: Bruce | May 22, 2008 12:09 PM
Math Whiz,
Repealing a tax cut is a tax hike. Just when I thought you couldn't get any dumber.
Posted by: Terry | May 22, 2008 8:20 PM
Spelling Champ,
Only in your elitist mind, Terri.
They'll be paying the tax rate that they should have been paying all along before your team decided that they needed more cash. Apparently being a mere multi-millionare Repub isn't enough.
Still unemployed ever since you helped Bear Stearns go under, huh? Gee, I wonder why...
Posted by: John E | May 22, 2008 10:46 PM
Swamp is a good name for your site and some of the comments. Good job on Colombia Free Trade agreement and working with country that has dramatically reduced violence and kidnapping and brought hope to an amazing percent - 80%+ of its people who support their president, an unheard of percent. What is Durbin's reason for not voting for the agreement? Not supporting the agreement aides Chavez, the president of Venezuela who supports the insurgents againt Colombia's democracy and who, through price controls and nationalization of agriculture and industry has led to widespread shortages of basic food items.
Posted by: Econ | June 10, 2008 6:29 PM