Here we are – we’ve already made it to “hump day” with the weekend starting to come into sight – and it’s fair season!

Today I write about week three of the cancer funding war between Tester and Rehberg, I take a look at Baucus’ Constitutional Amendment about campaign contributions, and I look at Mitch McConnell’s “much busier” plan if the GOP takes over the Senate in 2013.  There’s more you need to see, so read on…

Cancer Wars 3:

We’re starting week three of the cancer funding war between U.S. Senator Jon Tester and his opponent Congressman Denny Rehberg.  It’s an issue that is sticking around and probably not one that either campaign thought they would be talking about in July 2012.

Lee Newspapers has a new story up about the fight today.  Meanwhile, the argument continues on Twitter, Facebook, and via e-mail with the cries of “false political attacks” and “false cancer attacks” coming from Rehberg’s camp and “cuts to cancer screening” and “Rehberg Cuts Target Cancer Research” coming from the Tester camp.

It’s fun to watch.

Both Rehberg and Tester pretty much side with their political parties in their voting.  Claims of either being an independent voice for Montana in Washington, D.C., should be met with deep belly laughs.  With that being the case, you can bet that these party-line votes have caused them to vote against things (like cancer funding) proposed by the other party because neither person is independent enough to go against their party.

Campaign season is the time when these obscure votes (found through one of my favorite things called opposition research) from the past are brought to the public’s attention.  The person who made these votes must accept the consequences of one’s past actions and fight to get the message out (like Rehberg is doing).  Meanwhile, internal polling is alive and well on both sides trying to determine if the “cancer issue” is changing voters’ minds…

Perfect Timing?

While our country is stuck with unemployment over 8% (with millions of people not even being counted because they ran out of benefits), and with our debt approaching $16 trillion with no plan to repay it, and with a backlog of veterans’ disability claims of over a half a million people, U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) is proposing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would give Congress and the states the power to regulate campaign contributions.

Great googly moogly…

Over his inglorious senate career, Max Baucus has perfected the act of squeezing the last dollar out of lobbyists and contributors.  The fact is that no matter the rules, the laws, or the obstacles that are placed in the way of campaign contributors, someone somewhere will find a way to beat the system.

I believe in electronic full disclosure of all funds/services that go to candidates for public office and for any groups that are trying to sway an election or an issue.  Reports must be posted within 24 hours of receipt on the candidate/group’s website.  There must be very severe penalties to deter those who fail to report these contributions in a timely manner.  Very severe – like take away your birthday severe…

McConnell – “much busier”

On Monday, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell looked at his crystal ball and predicted the U.S. Senate would be “much busier” in 2013 if his side is in charge.

How much busier – he just might make senators work after 6:00 p.m. (probably not on Mondays or Friday though).

With unemployment over 8%, National debt approaching $16 trillion, and with a backlog of veterans’ disability claims of over a half a million people, what do you think the “No. 1 obligation” for Mitch McConnell is if he is the majority leader in 2013?

According to the article in The Hill, it is “to repeal President Obama’s healthcare law.”

Most folks realize that McConnell’s real priority is to rake in enough money in 2013 and 2014 to win his re-election in November 2014.  In my humble opinion, the best thing Republican senators can do in 2013 is to replace Mitch McConnell with someone who can lead…

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