Hensarling's Amendment is a Dead Birdy

Wow. Rep. Hensarling (R-TX) is a complete idiot. His amendment today on allowing credit card companies to retroactively raise rates on consumers if they give 90 day notices to the affected consumers was very bad - great that the nays had it. The amendment would have subjugated H.R. 627. His later amendment wasn't as bad, but also deserved to - as Rep. Maloney (D-NY) stated - be "black flag dead".

I am all for allowing the marketplace to operate without government interference. However, I am all for government influence int he marketplace. The difference is this: interference is socialism or ownership while influence would be considered common sense regulation or good government spending (such as the stimulus bill).

When government gives money to a private firm (after intensive bidding for such funds on the part of said firms) to complete a project such as roads, healthcare, high-speed rail, etc. I am completely for it. The government provides directly a stimulating effect while simultaneously disavowing any attempt to interfere after the money is delegated. Republicans need to realize this difference and stop stating that the stimulus was socialism - it isn't! The stimulus has not created any public ownership of these companies to which the moneys have (or will) be awarded.