Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky-- whose state has a 7,000-employee Toyota plant-- said on the Senate floor yesterday that he had reservations about the proposed legislation, which he said "fails to require the kind of serious reform that will ensure long-term viability for struggling automobile companies" and leaves the door open "to unlimited federal subsidies in the future."

Shelby's position is not merely that of a fiscal conservative. His home state has provided millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies to lure Honda, Hyundai, and Mercedes-Benz to build huge plants there. Indeed, some critics believe that without the incentives from Alabama-- and similar tax breaks given by a number of other states to a dozen foreign automakers-- the Detroit companies would not need a federal bailout.



The foreign-based automakers have received relatively little attention during the debate over the auto bailout bill because they have not asked for money from Congress. Yet their role is immense: In 2007, for the first time, foreign firms produced a majority of cars sold in the United States. While Detroit's auto industry is shutting plants and slashing union jobs, the foreign-based auto companies have been booming, particularly in the South, with new nonunion plants slated to open in Tennessee and Georgia.



House Financial Services Committee chairman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, who is playing a key role in hammering out a loan deal, said in an interview that some opponents are "completely hypocritical" because they back local tax incentives to lure foreign companies that now pose some of Detroit's stiffest competition. Frank also denounced those members of Congress who oppose the assistance for the Detroit automakers as a matter of fiscal prudence at the same time they fight for agricultural subsidies for their states.



Shelby represents the views of many members of Congress who say they oppose a taxpayer bailout and plan to join him in trying to defeat the measure. In an interview yesterday, he defended his support for tax breaks for foreign auto companies, which he praised for offering cars that the public wants. "They know what they are doing running efficient plants," said Shelby, the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, which held hearings on the bailout last week.



Shelby bristled when asked why he opposes the loan to Detroit automakers but backs farm subsidies, which do not have to be repaid. "I don't say that is good policy," Shelby said. Asked why he voted for subsidies if he does not think they are good policy, he responded that "there are some good things" in the farm bill.



The Frank-versus-Shelby argument is a microcosm of the complex politics and competing interests at stake as Congress prepares to vote on the auto loans. It emphasizes what has become a geographic-- not just partisan-- divide: lawmakers from states with foreign-owned auto plants tend to oppose the measure, while those from the Upper Midwest and strong union states tend to back it.

Let's pull back from Melorod Blagojevich and Jesse Jackson, Jr. for a moment and put a little energy into the auto industry rescue package that the Bush Regime has negotiated with the congressional Democratic leadership. First off, the most antiunion radicals in the GOP caucus, extremists like David "Diapers" Vitter (R-LA), Jim Bunning (R-KY) and the Senate representative from Honda and Hyundai, Richard Shelby (R-AL), have vowed to kill the bill -- and the American automotive industry (and what's left of the economy)-- with a filibuster.Vitter, who was never prosecuted-- or even investigated by the Senate Ethics Committee-- for his illegal activities with a series of prostitutes, was crowing today that he would use "every procedural tool available [to] "delay and block the measure as it presently stands."And if Shelby, one of the primary villains in this catastrophe, is the representative of Honda and Hyundai, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, has been China's unofficial chief lobbyist in the United States. If GM is forced into bankruptcy, the Chinese auto sector is likely to buy off bits and pieces, something that is likely to result in a tremendous, if deferred, payday for McConnell and his soon to be out-of-government "wife," Elaine Chao. McConnell has flatly stated that the bill will not be passed They sound so reasonable-- even Shelby, the most fanatic of the lot-- but they can barely conceal their joy at dealing a mortal blow to union workers. Shelby, Vitter, Corker, McConnell, Bunning, Kyl and the other extremists violently oppose pensions for struggling Americans workers, yet they bristle at the very thought that even the most corruptmembers of their own lazy, pampered little guild, members of Congress, should be made to give up their pensions. An inordinate number of "public servants" view their opportunities very much the way Rod Blagojevich does-- an opportunity for self-enrichment. Greedy corrupt slimeballs from the political class see nothing wrong with themselves being entitled to luxurious treatment while workers and their families are lucky to stay out of the poor house because of wrong-headed policies promulgated by politicians.Two of the wealthiest members of Congress, a pair of far right Republicans from North Carolina who were defeated last month-- Liddy Dole and Robin Hayes-- both vehemently oppose any assistance for American workers. Yet each walks away from extraordinarily mediocre-- if not utterly failed-- service in Congress with lifetime benefits. Neither needs any help, having helped themselves for decades while feeding at the public trough. Their guaranteed benefits, though, will adjust up with inflation, something else that results from their bad decisions in Congress. There are exactly two members of Congress who don't steal taxpayer money with these overblown, lavish pensions: Howard Coble (R-NC) and Ron Paul (R-TX).Back to the hypocrisy of the congressional haters of working families. Today'ssuggests there are roots to be examined in regionalism between those who want to rescue the auto industry and those who want to see it die. Notice, for example, that Shelby, Vitter, McConnell and Bunning are all from ex-slaveholding states where the concept of feudalism is still very strong.Politicians have proven themselves completely unworthy of the public trust. At least Republicans, who basically admit they are the party of Greed and Selfishness, give fair warning that they will cheat and steal at every opportunity. Democrats are supposed to be the party that represents working families and their interests-- which is why I love Bob Fertik's Zero Tolerance for Indicted Democrats proposal.All this political scandal energy-suck isn't doing much to solve the pressing problems the nation actually has. The GOP is determined to do all they can to make Obama look as bad as they can, even if it means flushing the country's well-being down the toilet. It's kind of a new definition of "America First." I should say that not every single Republican is equally guilty, but we'll be looking at the list of which ones participate in the filibuster of the auto industry rescue plans in the next few days. I suspect that a handful of the most far right and corrupt Democrats-- reactionary slime like Landrieu and Pryor for example-- may well be ready to side with the Republican extremists against American working families.It was a procedural vote that passed 226 to 169, with 10 Republicans (mostly from Michigan) joining all but 5 Democrats. You may be wondering which reactionary Blue Dog scum from deep in the bowels of the Republican wing of the Democratic Party would vote with Boehner and the union busters and oppose what Obama wants. No surprises here. These are enemies of working families and should be treated as such:Chris Carney (PA)Gabby Giffords (AZ)Harry Mitchell (AZ)Mike Michaud (ME)Heath Shuler (NC)Again 10 Republicans voted with the Democrats but this time 9 fake Democrats crossed the aisle to register their contempt for working families:Chris Carney (PA)Heath Shuler (NC)Mike Michaud (ME)Baron Hill (IN)Harry Mitchell (AZ)Mike McIntyre (NC)Jim Matheson (UT)Gabby Giffords (AZ)Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD)

Labels: Auto Industry, Culture of Corruption, filibuster, government bailout, Shelby