by Lefty Libewitz

The Bush administration’s casual brush-off of open hearings on their budget proposal is just the latest example of their irresponsible, behind-closed-doors style of governing.

This troubling trend emerged early in their first term with Vice President Cheney’s energy taskforce, indicating that this administration was not one overly concerned with transparency. Soon after the taskforce debacle, their clandestine manipulation of intelligence embroiled the nation in a senseless war in Iraq.

Apparently not satisfied with jeopardizing the country's energy needs and national security, the administration now extends their reckless secrecy to the entire spectrum of federal spending.

The administration's budget is not one option among many; it is the starting point for all negotiations. Allowing public comment and discussion prior to its release is an unparalleled opportunity to craft a proposal that reflects the values and priorities of all citizens.

This year's budget cuts across all issues and concerns every American. Inflated military spending, irresponsible tax cuts, and the still-slumping economy have pushed the government so far into the red that this year's proposal will likely slash the budgets of our most important services: education, healthcare, and social security. Can we really afford for those critical decisions to be made out of the public eye?

The Bush administration's refusal to discuss openly their priorities for this year's federal budget signals that they have no true commitment to bipartisan cooperation, even in the wake of Republicans' damaging scandals and recent political failures.

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has called for bipartisan hearings to air concerns and seek common ground. That the administration is unwilling even to listen to suggestions can no longer surprise us. It simply cements their reputation as a conservative cabal, stubborn to the point of idiocy.

Congresswoman Pelosi’s contention that the voters of America handed a sweeping victory to the Democrat party is short sighted and divisive. At a time when America is ready to set aside the traditional partisan spite, Pelosi and her colleagues in the House continue to deepen the ideological divide and perpetuate an “us vs. them” mentality. Some other outcomes of Tuesday night’s election that Congresswoman Pelosi failed to mention:

- The election of Republican Bill Bolling as Virginia’s next Lieutenant Governor
- The election of Republican Bob McDonnell as the Commonwealth’s next Attorney General
- The election of Republican Michael Bloomberg to continue serving the city of New York as a highly capable, successful mayor.


Running a country in a time of war is never easy; sometimes we have to make tough decisions to further the security and legacy of America. Republicans in all levels of government are committed to doing what is right for the people, not what is politically popular. If that costs us a few races, so be it. We can sleep well at night knowing that our decisions in governance were just and prudent, regardless of whether they please voters in the short-run.

Bill Thomas
Representing California’s 22nd district
Chairman of Ways and Means Committee
Chairman of the Joint Committee on Taxation

In yesterday's election, voters across America overwhelmingly declared their
support for Democrats and rejected the Bush-led Republican Agenda:

- In Virginia, Democrat Tim Kaine defeated Republican Jerry Kilgore despite
last-minute support from President Bush, a vicious last-minute smear
campaign and a dirty-tricks series of robo-phone calls that misrepresented
Kaine's campaign.

- In New Jersey, Democrat Jon Corzine defeated Republican Doug Forrester in
the face of another string of personal attack ads.

- In California, voters rejected six Republican-backed initiatives that
would have silenced the voices of working Americans, slashed support for key
government programs, restricted the right to choose and enacted a new
districting plan echoing Tom De Lay's partisan gerrymandering of Texas.

Democrats and democratic issues were also supported in Pennsylvania,
Minnesota and Maine.

The trend is nationwide: an new ABC/Washington Post poll shows a generic
Democrat leading a generic Republican in a Congressional election held today
by 15 points:

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 2005. N=1,202 adults
nationwide. MoE ± 3 (for all adults).

"If the election for the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2006 were
being held today, would you vote for the Democratic candidate or the
Republican candidate in your congressional district?" Options rotated.
(Registered voters).

Republican: 37%
Democrat: 52%
Neither: 5%
Don't Know: 6%
Won't Vote: 2%

The message is clear: Americans have rejected the Republican Agenda and
embraced a new Democratic leadership.

Sincerely Yours,

Nancy Pelosi
House Democratic Leader

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- The Editors