COMMENTARY...UNEXCUSED ABSENCE

This past Saturday morning, the US Senate voted on two separate bills which would partially extend the Bush-era tax cuts. The raw details for each were:

1. Extend the tax cuts for everyone but individuals making more than $200,000 annually and couples making more than $250,000.

2. Extend the cuts to everyone making less than $1,000,000.

Not surprising, neither received the necessary votes to pass. The Republicans had vowed to keep the cuts for the wealthiest Americans, no matter the cost. And, while I disagree with their position, I support their right to it. What I do find inexplicable is the disrespect for the Senate and the American people that some Senators displayed.

When the role was called, ten (and then eleven) Republican Senators decided that it wasn't their duty to participate in the process. It seems to me that they are paid well and get sufficient time off, so the only reasons I can find are defiance and arrogance and they deserve to be called out for this action. Please contact them and express your dismay.

The Senators are as follows:

Senator Jim Bunning (Kentucky), 202-224-4343
Senator Richard Burr (North Carolina), 202-224-3154
Senator Saxby Chambliss (Georgia), 202-224-3521
Senator John Cornyn (Texas), 202-224-2934
Senator Judd Gregg (New Hampshire), 202-224-3324
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas), 202-224-5922
Senator James M. Inhofe (Oklahoma), 202-224-4721
Senator Johnny Isakson (Georgia), 202-224-3643
Senator Jeff Sessions (Alabama), 202-224-4124
Senator David Vitter (Louisiana), 202-224-4623
Senator George V. Voinovich (Ohio), 202-224-3353 {Voted on one bill}

To exacerbate the situation, Senator Cornyn tweeted a comment about "a very lame" session. Senator, the only lame that applies is to your excuse for not performing your duty as a United States Senator. It's also shameful that neither of the Senators from your state, Texas, found it important enough to tend to the peoples business. (The same can be said for the state of Georgia.) Therefore, I respectfully ask you and your colleagues to resign your positions, clear your desks and go home. I am sure Senator Bunning will appreciate the head start. I ask everyone who reads this post to contact the Senators and express your disgust. You might even ask them to resign.

Senators, although none of you represents my state, you do represent America. As an American, and therefore your boss, I find your absence to unexcused. Please do the honorable thing immediately. This country's business is too important to be left in the hands of slackers.

You can read more about the event here Ten Republicans duck out on tax vote [The Washington Examiner]