Search






Jeff's Amazon.com Wish List

Archive Calendar

November 2024
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930  

Archives

“36 House Republicans uphold Davis-Bacon prevailing wages”

Americans for Limited Government:

Americans for Limited Government President Nathan Mehrens today issued the following statement blasting 36 House Republicans for defeating an amendment to an appropriations bill that would have repealed the 82-year old Davis-Bacon prevailing wages mandate for federal contractors:

“Prevailing wages demand that the U.S. Department of Labor set the cost for labor for federal government construction contractors rather than having the taxpayers get the benefit of competitive labor cost bidding. The impact of Davis-Bacon on increasing the cost of government has been so extreme that the 2012 Republican National Committee’s official platform called for its repeal.

“Yet when given the opportunity, 36 House Republicans broke their own party’s promise to do away with these requirements that unnecessarily cost billions of additional tax dollars every year. Apparently, the platform is not worth the paper it’s printed on.”

ALG goes on to list the names of those who voted against their own party platform’s promise, among them, Paul Ryan.

Who I think it fair now to say is precisely as conservative as his voting record, and not as the opportunistic small government conservatism he laces into his speeches and media appearances.

Which isn’t very.

 

 

 

45 Replies to ““36 House Republicans uphold Davis-Bacon prevailing wages””

  1. JHoward says:

    I’m sure wages are tied to quality of infrastructure. Positive. I mean, you know.

  2. Curmudgeon says:

    And here we have the “pragmatic” problem again.

    Who will help defeat the illegal alien scamnesty, like they did in 2006? Why, the Joe Lunchbucket Union types, who often mindlessly vote Demunist but at least wised up on the immigration issue.

    But who wants that Davis-Bacon? Why, those very same Joe Lunchbuckets.

    Who has a good record against the illegal scammers? Why, Paul Ryan.

    What to do?

  3. LBascom says:

    Don’t cry Curmudgeon, at least there was this eminently wise quote:

    “We are a nation of immigrants,” Kemp said in 1996, during his vice-presidential acceptance speech. “We must close the backdoor of illegal immigration so that we can keep open the front door of legal immigration.”

    Whether the actual reform that gets passed reflects this truth is in severe doubt, but at least it’s not completely unknown…

  4. […] America’s For Limited Government President Nathan Mehrens commented [tip of the fedora to Jeff Goldstein]: […]

  5. Curmudgeon says:

    But the point stands I think. There are a lot of great border patriots in the Rust Belt. However, a vote against Davis Bacon in the Rust Belt means you might as well forget the next House ELection and just start packing up your Congress office.

    I am also reminded of the late great Jesse Helms, who fought off a lot of Commiecrat foreign policy disaster (and that was why he was so vilified). Yet when the tobacky subsidies and some welfare programs were up for votes, who always voted yes, lest he give up his seat? Even the NAAC(CC)P gave Jesse Helms a 30% positive (to them) voting record, because he voted for welfare programs.

  6. Curmudgeon says:

    You would think a guy with a blog titled “The Camp of the Saints” would understand the problem?

  7. LBascom says:

    As for the Davis-Bacon act, I think the biggest problem, common to the game, is the name. Like the Affordable Care Act. Who could be against affordable care?

    Same deal with bacon. uummmm, bacon!

    Republicans should try and change the name to the Union Protection Act, and try to repeal it again next year. Might have better luck.

  8. I Callahan says:

    My rep (Candice Miller) voted for the amendment. A big part of her district is auto union neighborhoods (Chesterfield, Macomb Township, etc.).

    Gutsy. At least she voted the correct way.

  9. I saw my NYA (Not Yet Assimilated) congressman in the AYE column, in favor of the amendment. So there’s that.

  10. I grew up near Davis. The bacon there wasn’t any better than at home.

  11. DarthLevin says:

    And of course my pitiful excuse for a representative Pat Tiberi (so-called R-Obama’s Flapping Squeakhole) is on the list. I knew it before I even looked.

  12. William says:

    Paul Ryan is very consistent. He knows how to actually put numbers to our measured decline, and assumes that “job growth” is able to outpace welfare growth cause a chart told him so.

    Strike up the band, forget you’re on the Titanic.

    Me, I think that’s beyond pathetic, but it’s yet another reason this is the only blog I post on…

  13. leigh says:

    I sleep easy knowing my stoic representatives do the right thing.

  14. palaeomerus says:

    Go home America, you’re drunk.

  15. John Bradley says:

    I sleep easy knowing my stoic representatives do the right thing.

    It’d be even more righteous if you could convince them to shoot our less-than-stoic representatives. Dueling within the HoR is still legal, right?

  16. anchovy says:

    36 house Republicans that know what it means when their phones/computers are hooked up to a NSA database.

  17. happyfeet says:

    after Paul Ryan’s dismal performance in his debate against the formidable Joe Biden and his Susan B. Anthony crotch-sniffing escapades he became just another congresswhore to me

  18. LBascom says:

    Happily, for what it’s worth, my Rep voted Aye. Go Nunes.

    Also, down in town, the first Hispanic mayor (historic!) decided Tuesday that despite the town being the only one in California to endorse prop 8, she would take it upon herself to proclaim June fudge-packer, labia licker, sexually confused and uncertain month. She may have called it something else, but the upshot was the entire city council told her they weren’t signing on, and by the time the packed chamber of citizens all had their say, the mayor was crying…and crying hard. She blubbered something about wanting to bring the city together, not divide it, but after consideration I figure she’s a liar not stupid, and the tears back me up. Total female manipulation.

    I swear, the world is getting too ridiculous to take seriously anymore.

  19. LBascom says:

    Oh, it was the first Hispanic FEMALE mayor. I forgot the crucial historic part.

    Just so we’re clear, I wouldn’t care if a month was declared gay, lesbian, bi, transgendered, transsexual pride month, if there was a million months in the year, and there was also a proud I can drink beer through my nose month. But since there’s only 12 possible months to be proud of something, I’m against being proud of an unnatural sexual behavior pride month being one of them.

    I was glad to see it wasn’t just me.

  20. leigh says:

    Nunes is my mom’s rep,, too.

  21. Spiny Norman says:

    For once, I agree with ‘feets.

    Shocking, or depressing, I can’t decide which.

  22. LBascom says:

    “Shocking, or depressing, I can’t decide which”

    Ryan, or agreeing with ‘feets?

  23. John Bradley says:

    But since there’s only 12 possible months to be proud of something, I’m against being proud of an unnatural sexual behavior pride month being one of them.

    3% of the general population: they get a week, week-and-a-half of prideyness, tops. For the fairness.

    Now, “Hooray for Darkies Month” (or whatever they call it) is seriously ripping-off the Black Community, as numerically-speaking, it should be at least two months long. I blame whitey.

    And of course, there’s the tremendous problem that the aforementioned white folks are so selfish, they’re walking around being all prideful ‘n’ shit without anyone even telling them when they’re supposed to do so. I’d be willing to bet that some honkey-ass motherfuckers are walking around being all proud of space shuttles, computers, the rule of law, and Coca-Cola during Black Historical Awareness Pride Month… once again, stealing from the brother.

  24. Spiny Norman says:

    Lee,

    ‘feets: both

    Ryan: depressing, but not surprising

  25. Pablo says:

    3% of the general population: they get a week, week-and-a-half of prideyness, tops. For the fairness.

    “Look, Ma! I’m taking it in the ass! Aren’t you proud of me?”

  26. Blake says:

    lbascom, I’m not sure why the woman was crying. Sounds like everyone rallied together. Granted, the town rallied against the Mayor, but still, the Mayor should take comfort that she brought people together.

  27. LBascom says:

    I didn’t see it Blake, I just got third person accounts (there is video at iporterville if you’re interested), but I didn’t think of that angle.

    I’m thinking she didn’t either…

  28. Curmudgeon says:

    “Look, Ma! I’m taking it in the ass! Aren’t you proud of me?”

    One wonders why, with the normalization of deadly disease prone behavior, the deadly disease has not made a comeback. Unless it has and the usual media suspects are hiding it….

  29. bh says:

    And of course, there’s the tremendous problem that the aforementioned white folks are so selfish, they’re walking around being all prideful ‘n’ shit without anyone even telling them when they’re supposed to do so.

    Don’t you ever change, John.

  30. LBascom says:

    Wait for the next republican to get the white house Curmudgeon. Not only will HIV reemerge dramatically, but Afghanistan war deaths, homelessness, child malnutrition, senior abuse, dirty air and water, minority unemployment and foreign policy gaffs will all make dramatic comebacks.

  31. John Bradley says:

    bh: Hey man, if I can make just one person laugh…

    …then I totally suck as a comedian, and should find some other hobby.

  32. The Monster says:

    Just the other night I was talking with recently-retired black economics teacher about the perverse effects of minimum- and prevailing-wage laws and told him about the testimony in Congress that got D-B passed: jobs were going to black construction workers (from Southern companies, which had historically hired them) who were willing to underbid the Northeastern companies with all-white crews. And that just couldn’t be allowed.

  33. Curmudgeon wrote: You would think a guy with a blog titled “The Camp of the Saints” would understand the problem?

    Indeed, I do. The time for Pragmatism is over. The national government is so corrupted by the Leftist Cancer that it is terminal — the patient cannot be saved.

    As for what the Legislators should do, I have always agreed with Edmund Burke that: ‘Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion’ — to do anything else is to violate your Oath Of Office and your duty as a Free Man.

    Pragmatism exercised on the part of Republicans and conservatives and Classical Liberals has allowed the Left to incrementally take control of all of our institutions. History clearly shows that, in any compromise with the Left, the Left ultimately wins.

    Enough is enough. The time for compromise is over.

    The Left have declared us illegitimate, they have declared us Outlaws. Well then, let’s mount our horses and get ridin’.

    FYI: The name The Camp Of The Saints, while mentioned in Revelations, comes from the Jean Raspail novel of the same name.

    It is the small group that gathers in a small French villa, the last remnants of Western Civilization who have not given into the Leftist onslaught. Though they know the forces of barbarism will eventually come for them and kill them with no quarter, they celebrate all the passing glory and prepare to defend the last outpost of The West.

    “You know how to play taps?” the colonel snarled.

    “Commando specialty, Colonel! That’s what we use to go over the top. Works even better than the
    cavalry charge. Chad! Guiana! Djibouti! Madagascar! Pam-pa-paam, pam-pa-paam … Very impressive.
    Objective? Slaughter! … By the way, the captain sends his regards.”

    “Fine. Give me a round of taps, and try not to flub any notes!”

    They stood by the five tanks of the Second Hussars, Chamborant Regiment, lined up in the garden outside the villa, under the pines. Two drummers, two buglers. Not much of a band. But there in the darkness they were loud as an army. Picture the scene. Moments after midnight, taps blaring out by the light of the moon. Pure theater! “Oh, that tugs at the heart!” moaned Undersecretary Perret, half in jest. The colonel was smiling too. A big, broad grin. Jubilation all around. The ones who truly love their traditions don’t take them too seriously. They march to get their heads shot off with a joke on their lips. And the reason is that they know they’re going to die for something intangible, something sprung from their fancy, half humor, half humbug. Or perhaps it’s a little more subtle. Perhaps hidden away in their fancy is that pride of the blueblood, who refuses to look foolish by fighting for an idea, and so he cloaks it with bugle calls that tug at the heart, with empty mottoes and useless gold trim, and allows himself the supreme delight of giving his life for an utter masquerade. That’s something the Left has never understood, and that’s why its contempt is so heavy with hate. When it spits on the flag, or tries to piss out the eternal flame, when it hoots at the old farts loping by in their berets, or yells “Women’s Lib!” outside the church, at an old-fashioned wedding (to cite just some basic examples), it does so in such a grim, serious manner—like such “pompous assholes,” as the Left would put it, if only it could judge. The true Right is never so grim. That’s why the Left hates its guts, the way a hangman must hate the victim who laughs and jokes on his way to the gallows. The Left is a conflagration. It devours and consumes in deadly dull
    earnest. (Even its revels, appearances notwithstanding, are as grisly an affair as one of those puppet parades out of Peking or Nuremberg.)

    The Right is different. It’s a flickering flame, a will-o’-the-wisp in the petrified forest, flitting through the darkness …

    —Chapter Thirty-Nine, TCOTS

  34. Yikes! Apologies. Can someone close that blockquote for me?

  35. Thank you, Darleen.

  36. The Monster says:

    while mentioned in Revelations

    This is a major peeve of mine, and I must vent now.

    The name of the book in question is “The Revelation of St. John the Divine”, or “Revelation” for short. Many other books in the Bible have names ending in “s” because:
    * They were written about or to groups of people such as Kings or Hebrews
    * They are collections of shorter works such as Psalms or Proverbs,
    * Their names are in the singular but come to English via languages such as Latin and Greek, in which many singular nouns happen to end in “s”.
    However, many other books do not end in an “s”, and Revelation is one of them.

    Also, please don’t add an “s” (perhaps with a preceding apostrophe) to the name of stores like “Walmart’s” or “Target’s”, even though many stores have names like that.

    AND GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!

  37. Curmudgeon says:

    I know this, Bob. And like I said, I want to cry. I am watching a once great country and civilization dying

  38. The Monster says June 7, 2013 at 9:28 am

    Thank you for getting there first. I wouldn’t have expanded on it with nearly the thoroughness you did.

  39. Squid says:

    And like I said, I want to cry. I am watching a once great country and civilization dying.

    This is not the time for regret or despair. It is a time for grim determination, that our little corners of the world will not fall into darkness. We carry our civilization within ourselves, and as long as we have good neighbors with whom we can form a community dedicated to liberty, our civilization will not die. We may suffer terribly, but we owe it to ourselves, our families, and our neighbors to persevere, so that the “interesting times” serve not to crush us, so much as to temper us.

    You are a free man. Your unenlightened neighbors may have granted the State the power to shackle you for a time, but you remain free just the same.

  40. The Monster is quite correct – apologies.

    Now…get off MY lawn.

  41. Eloquently and beautifully stated, Squid.

  42. […] Recently, in a comment over at Protein Wisdom, Squid helped raise my spirits; perhaps he will yours: […]

  43. …Check this out…

    […]you make blogging glance[…]…

Comments are closed.