Maine Senator's Daily Voting Record
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by seeker1
Report for Day 588
I was appointed to The Government Oversight Committee, which has jurisdiction over, among other things, Congressional procedures I expect to present my concern with Congressional secrecy for consideration there. That is a first step toward revising secrecy practices.
Votes
6/30/2009 Impose a trade embargo on Hungary No
I consider this a dangerous act of war. Our government appears to have made no contingency plans in case Hungary acts in a hostile way against us in response. This need not be military action against us. It could be economic or other action against an ally. I certainly do not know that anything will happen. I do believe that the possibility should be considered before we act.
My statement of position in Congress:
seeker1
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Re: Embargo Hungary
« Reply #18 on: Today at 07:00:50 pm » Quote Modify Remove
So, you want to go to economic war (and who knows how Hungary &/or its allies may respond) because your determination to eliminate or severely reduce tariffs brought "cheap iron" into this nation. Some of us have been suggesting that such radical and unilateral changes in tariffs would necessarily cause other nations to export extremely inexpensive goods to the eUS. We also warned that such exports would harm eUS companies.
You responded by suggesting that no nation could undersell us; by suggesting that it would not matter because if our companies could not survive such competition, they were inefficient and deserved to fail; and by saying that if harm to the economy (which you refused to define) happened, you would reverse the policy. In other words, you threw out any statement that occurred to you to justify your actions.
During the past week or so, you amended those statements, saying that nations that refused to engage in "free trade" by eliminating or substantially reducing their tariffs should be embargoed to force them to do so.
So we are exactly where I suggested we might be. We embargo Hungary. If, as seems likely, we do that, Hungary may respond. Will they attack us? Will they attack one of our allies? Will they embargo one of our weak allies? None of you has bothered to address the question "What happens then?"
I like fighting a war as much as anyone, but does anyone have even the slightest idea about what may happen next? I hope we have sufficient contingency plans to enable us to "win" whatever the Hungarians decide to do, if anything.
Will vote no.
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Daily? Are you serious? Hell no, go weekly at the most.
>I consider this a dangerous act of war. Our government appears to have made no contingency plans
indeed
Not only that,, as an average joe citizen,, this was thrust upon us without advance warning!
I had no idea something like this,, especially an EMBARGO,, was even in contention!!
I am shocked on how the voting went down on this,, ONE SIDED!
Where the hell was the debate on this?!?
Our leadership may thrust us into WAR purposely ignoring the court of public opinion?!
Is this proper protocol in here?
Rhane: I like writing while things are fresh in my mind. By doing it daily, it's easy. I do not have to try to remember why I decided what I did. Also, I think people in Maine have a right to know what I am doing so they can contact me immediately if they want to commet.
Aatticus: I can add nothing to your comment. And someone else will have to answer your questions. I have no idea.
I support your vote of "no" as per the Hungarian embargo. Using an embargo to manipulate commodities is a big step down the road of fascism. The remedy is, and always has been, to raise our iron tariffs to a responsible level. Not to commit an act of war.