EckerNet.Com

The irony of being a Democrat. Back in 1994, when the Republicans had control of the House

In a July 8, 2004, news release, Hoyer railed against GOP leaders for extending a 15-minute vote to 38 minutes in order to defeat a spending amendment offered by former Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

\”House Republican leaders proved once again today that they will stop at virtually nothing to win a vote, even if that means running roughshod over the most basic principles of democracy such as letting members vote their conscience and calling the vote after the allotted time has elapsed,\” Hoyer said.

\”They ought to be ashamed of themselves, but when it comes to holding votes open and twisting the arms of their own members they clearly have no shame,’’ he went on. “These back-alley tactics have no place in the greatest deliberative body in the world. They might be the lifeblood of the tin-horn dictator, but not a world leader. It\’s an embarrassment.”

Now the Democrats have control of the House, and when their first close vote comes up, does Hoyer stick to the \”basic principles of democracy\”?? If you said yes, you are not only naïve, but also wrong.

When asked by a reporter if they would stick to the time limit, Hoyer \”pointed out that many votes can run a few minutes longer for various reasons\”. The only time limit he would offer is less than 3 hours.

Can Hoyer now be considered a \”tin-horn dictator\”? Is Hoyer using \”back-alley tactics\”? Does Hoyer have any shame? Is he worried about running \”roughshod over the most basic principles of democracy\”???

Don\’t bother asking him. His answer will change depending on the political situation.