Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Rant

Some thought the only obstacle to getting things done

Jan 10, 2015 10:47PM PST

Some thought the only obstacle to getting things done was Obama.

Gas tax, infrastructure funding puts some daylight between GOP House, Senate leaders

Falling gasoline prices have sparked congressional debate about increasing the federal gas tax to help fund upcoming infrastructure projects and have set up a potential disagreement among House and Senate Republicans.

"When the Democrats had total control of the Congress they couldn't find the votes," he told reporters. "It's doubtful the votes are here to raise the gas tax again. ... I've never voted to raise the gas tax. We'll have to work our way through it."

But at least four Senate Republicans -- Bob Corker, Tenn.; James Inhofe, Okla.; Orrin Hatch, Utah; and John Thune, S.D. -- appear open to the idea of increasing the tax.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
"Open to the idea"
Jan 10, 2015 11:32PM PST

means they don't reject it outright like BO normally does with other issues. However, three of the four are in states that have increased oil/gas production and revenues so they can express their 'openess' and yet still oppose it when it comes down to it. (They, I believe, are also in states that the Keystone pipeline would be coming thru) I suspect that, just like with Obamacare and other votes that Dems took, some are being 'allowed' to vote a certain way knowing that their vote wouldn't be needed to pass or deny a bill anyhow.

- Collapse -
RE: some are being 'allowed' to vote a certain way
Jan 10, 2015 11:50PM PST

So they are "puppets"

- Collapse -
Being given 'permission' is
Jan 11, 2015 2:48AM PST

not being a puppet.....'going along to get along' is a puppet.....ask most of the Dems that were booted out already because they were nothing but sticks on strings attached to Pelosi and Reid. Any Republican who does the same will be gone as well so changes will have to take place quickly. Which means that somewhere along the near future line, Tea Party/Conservative members will have to be listened to....as long as some type of 'fight back' against BO takes place between now and the next campaigns in 2016, I can see some Republicans staying put but those who resist the changes (like McCain et al when it comes to things like immigration 'reform') will be voted out (and that includes some like Rubio because there is no such thing as 'comprehensive' reform of anything. Any politician running for office that uses that term will probably not make it because the voters have wised up to that term..........it means 'freebies' and more taxes.

And you can expect a huge pushback regarding BO's newest proposal of 'free community college'.....the only thing he hasn't said is that it's a 'comprehensive' reform of the student loan benefits or reform of the liberal education theory.

- Collapse -
RE: Any Republican who does the same will be gone as well
Jan 11, 2015 10:56AM PST
Any Republican who does the same will be gone as well so changes will have to take place quickly. Which means that somewhere along the near future line, Tea Party/Conservative members will have to be listened to...

Any Republican will be gone....UNLESS it's a Tea Party/Conservative/Republican?

Why doesn't the "Tea Party" move out of the house...like a teenager...they complain about the house rules...go get their own place/party?

Affect change from within, and give the other side (Democrats) to opportunity to win?

Don't want to be a Democrat, don't want to be a Republican....go be a Tea Party?

Do you think America can handle a 3 party system?

Being given 'permission' is not being a puppet.....'going along to get along' is a puppet.

When I read that some are being given permission....It means some weren't being given permission.

You do recall your MISstatement about being given permission to vote against electing Boehner as Speaker don't you?