The Spin, Dangerous to Hillary and Obama

Hey folks,

It’s FRIDAY!! I told you so. I knew they were going to be in trouble. They MMD and the LWL HAVE to spin this, because up to this point, they have been a do nothing Congress. So when they have a major victory like this, they want everyone to know about it. They also want to come across a little bit like, "gotcha" to President Bush. But the problem is, Hillary and Obama, and some others voted NO.

According to Reuters -Congress votes to boost minimum wage, cut taxes By Thomas Ferraro

Legislation to provide the first increase in the federal minimum wage in a decade won final U.S. congressional approval on Thursday, and headed to President George W. Bush to sign into law.

Democrats promised the pay boost for millions of America's lowest-paid workers in capturing control of Congress in last November's elections from Bush's Republicans.

The measure would increase the minimum wage over two years to $7.25 per hour from $5.15, and -- to avoid a threatened Bush veto -- provide $4.84 billion in small business tax breaks over 10 years to help pay for it.

GREAT News!! They did what they said they would do. WE have to celebrate. The Minimum wage is going up. Great victory for the Democrats. Notice the wording? It makes it seem as if it was unrelated and on it’s own.

After months of wrangling, the legislation was tucked into a hotly contested bill backed by the president to fund the Iraq war. The House of Representatives approved it, 348-73, and the Senate then gave its needed concurrence with 80-14.

"This package will help millions of American workers better cope with the rising cost of living while helping our businesses expand and hire new workers to keep our local economies vibrant," said Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, chairman of the House Ways and Means committee.

"Tucked into a hotly contested bill" "Gotcha" Great news. Way to go Charlie.

The tax provisions include an extension of existing tax breaks for investments in new equipment and for hiring veterans and people with special needs. The cost would be offset by changing rules on interest and penalties, and on treatment of investment income for dependent children. It would also raise fees for bad checks to the tax-collecting Internal Revenue Service.

Wait a second. What is this?

Passed just hours before Congress headed off for a Memorial Day recess, the sweeping spending bill would provide about $100 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and another $20 billion for a variety of domestic programs.

Oh yeah it was part of that, but never mind about that. This even is good for the poor Farmers.

It includes additional money for farmers who lost crops due to weather damage, increased funds for poor children's health insurance, another $1 billion for homeland security and about $4.1 billion in hurricane disaster relief.

The increase in the minimum wage was the first major Democratic campaign promise to win final congressional passage.

Those still pending include ones to reduce the cost of education and prescription drugs, roll back some tax breaks for big oil companies and move toward energy independence.

{Laughing} This is a great day for the Democrats. Look at all they are accomplishing. Notice how this does NOT say Hillary, Obama, and others voted NO on all this? What they should have done is voted yes, then say things like, "I voted FOR the Minimum Wage increase. I voted FOR the $1 Billion for Homeland security. I Voted FOR the increase in funds for poor children’s healthcare. I voted FOR the $4.1 Billion in hurricane relief. I did not vote yes for the Iraq spending, but I had no choice. What I voted for was these other things that are great for this country. Make no mistake about it. I am still committed to surrendering,, I mean bringing out Troops home, and I will continue to work toward that goal."

But they voted NO. This is going to be a major problem for them in the upcoming days, months, and yes, even the election. They can take NO credit for this whatsoever. Watch the Spin pick up.
Peter