Wow, what a week or so we've had with some state level politicians. Just a few observations on some of them from my point of view...
Senator Minority Leader (using that term loosely) Mitch McConnell-R...Kentucky's Finest ! Ok, being sarcastic here. He is the finest at being an obstructionist to President Barack Obama's first 50 days in office. He talks out of both sides of his mouth, always has. He balks now at the $410 billion spending bill that the Senate approved (62-35) on Tuesday. He sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and last year when most of the appropriations bill was written, he was all in favor of it. Of course, his buddy George W. Bush was still sitting in the Oval Office. Now that Barack Obama is our leader and "W" is in hiding in Texas, he does an about face and objects, voting against the bill. Yet, he managed to slide in earmarks (either being the sole sponsor or co-sponsor) of 53 earmarks, costing us taxpayers over $75 million. And the kicker, none of these earmarks were put on the table last year by former President Bush. McConnell neads to remember this...the nation elected Obama over McCain, signaling that as a whole, it was time to change directions in the federal government. McConnell himself didn't exactly win reelection last November to a fourth term in a landslide. He needs to be held accountable for his actions, and be more concerned with the people of Kentucky he was elected to serve, rather than being a national mouthpiece for the Republican party. Wonder how long it will take him to tout his pork projects on his senate website and every ribbon cutting and ceremonial check presentation he makes across the state in the coming year?
Senator Jim Bunning, our junior and mouthy senator...enough already! Please, for the sake of the Bluegrass, resign now and leave with what little diginty you may have left. Your comments about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg were pathetic at best. You alledgely threatened at a recent private fundraiser to resign and let our Democratic Governor Steve Breshear appoint your replacement (most likely a Democrat of course) since you're not feeling the love from your own party. This week, in your weekly conference call with state reporters, you took the Lord's name in vain and got downright nasty with them. You missed key Senate votes and confirmation hearings in January because you had better things to do. You refuse to be upfront and honest about your so-called charity work and the money you make selling your autographs. Quit apologizing for your obvious shortcomings...resign and save face. Do it for Kentucky. If there was a Senate Hall of Shame (and there should be one), you'd be elected. Then you could boast about it along with your baseball Hall of Fame enshrinement. You were a good pitcher back in the day, even had a perfect game, but your game skills are gone and you need to be sent to the dugout...
Representative John Yarmuth-D 3rd District...A shining example of a public servant if there ever was one. Donates his entire congressional salary to local charities, is always accessible to the media, champions education and veterans and does it all and more with humility. True, in the new federal spending bill, he has 17 earmarks totalling around $12.4 million. But he does represent the state's largest city (or metro area) and almost $7 million of his earmarks are related to the Ohio River. $6 million for work on the McAlpine Locks and Dam and $950,000 for work on the Ohio River Bridges Project. While his wealth allows him to donate his congressional salary to charity, he works tirelessly for metro Louisville's residents and all Kentuckians. What's the matter Mitch and Jim, aren't either of you wealthy enough by now to donate your salaries back to your home state? John Yarmuth is study in work ethics and public service. Maybe others could watch and learn from him.
Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson-R...Let's hope you decide to run for Bunning's seat whether he chooses to run again or not. You are a bright and capable public servant and the Republican party would do good to have you as their heir apparent state party leader to Mc Double Speak Connell. That's not to say I would support you in the General Election in 2010, although I did vote to reelect you to your present second term. I vote each indivdual race based on who I feel is best qualified to get the job done and be held accountable. But you do offer a ray of hope to people and have been scandal free. Good things are in your future still.
Kentucky State Senate President David Williams-R...Have you ever met a camera you didn't like? Ever thought that maybe you are wrong sometimes? Ever thought that you should actually put the interests of the people of this Commonwealth above party politics and your grandstanding ways? Probably not...in fact, you very well may be one of the most closed minded, egotistical politicians this state has ever seen. By the way, how's that big screen plasma television in your senate office (when it was redecorated) that we paid for working out for you?
That's enough for now...time to go cheer on the University of Louisville Cardinals in the Big East Tournament...go CARDS...and keep an eye on the University of Kentucky Wildcats in the SEC Tournament...go Cats!
Update: Games are over...Big East Regular Season Champions CARDS win 73-55 over Providence! Kentucky Wildcats win their first round SEC opener against Ole Miss 71-58...way to go Cats!
The Oldham Observer
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