Krugman: Bunning, Kyl show Repubs live in another universe

Yeah, right, Jim Bunning's a real fighter of principle. In fact he's just a grumpy, mean old Republican not up for re-election who has no reason to hide his true feelings anymore out of fear of offending common standards of human decency. Voila. The real GOP for all to see.

Meanwhile, Rep. Sen Jon Kyl does plan to run for re-election, presumably, so he did not join Bunning's filibuster, although he did praise it. Further to this writes Paul Krugman:

"Now, the House has already passed a bill that, by exempting the assets of couples up to $7 million, would leave 99.75 percent of estates tax-free. But that doesn't seem to be enough for Mr. Kyl; he's willing to hold up desperately needed aid to the unemployed on behalf of the remaining 0.25 percent. That's a very clear statement of priorities.

"So, as I said, the parties now live in different universes, both intellectually and morally."


Senator Bunning's Universe
By Paul Krugman
March 4, 2010 | New York Times

URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/05/opinion/05krugman.html

Gingrich, Bunning break ranks...others to follow?

Gingrinch aint the only Republican jumping ship.  My nutty Senator, Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning, who is as conservative as they come, and who famously said he gets all his info from FOXNews, actually put this statement on his web site:

Bunning Declares Free Market Dead

Washington, DC

Friday, September 19, 2008

 

U.S. Senator Jim Bunning today issued the following statement regarding the Treasury Department's bailout of Wall Street.

 

"Instead of celebrating the Fourth of July next year Americans will be celebrating Bastille Day; the free market for all intents and purposes is dead in America," said Bunning. "The action proposed today by the Treasury Department will take away the free market and institute socialism in America. The American taxpayer has been mislead throughout this economic crisis. The government on all fronts has failed the American people miserably.

 

"My great grandchildren will be saddled with the estimated $1 trillion debt left in the wake of this proposal. We have gotten to this point because nobody has been minding the store. Both Secretary Paulson and Chairman Bernanke should be held accountable for their inaction – and now because of that inaction – the American taxpayer is left with bill.

 

"We must take care of Main Street. Small businesses in Ashland, Bowling Green, and Paducah are hurting because of high taxes, and energy costs. Those small businesses are the economic engines that fuel our economy. I hope in the closing days of this Congress we can pass legislation to help those good people on Main Street rather than helping the power brokers on Wall Street."  [My God, is this desperate ass-covering populist pandering in the midst of a crisis, or has Bunning actually seen the light? -- J]