JUST SAY "NO" TO REP. TIBERI

Our 12th District congressman, Republican Pat Tiberi, tells us that his newly announced challenger, Democrat Paula Brooks, "is miles away from the values that the district cares about," according to the Dispatch. 

Brooks, a popular Franklin County commissioner, revealed her candidacy yesterday for the House seat on the ballot in November, 2010.

"Folks from Delaware to Westerville to Newark know I represent them and the priorities of our community," said Tiberi, the four-term incumbent, selectively embracing the GOP-leaning suburbs at the perimeter of his district while ignoring the core (and increasingly Democratic) vote in Columbus and Franklin County.

Here at LICOPAC, we make it a habit to track the voting records of Licking County's two congressmen, Tiberi and Democrat Zack Space (D-18).

That's how we know that Tiberi's core values - which may or may not match that of his constituents these days - can be summed up as "Just Say No" in accordance with Republican Party discipline to oppose all things Obama (or Democrat), regardless of their merit.

Okay, that's not exactly fair.

Tiberi since Inauguration Day has voted to support some spending, as long as it's earmarked for the military or for homeland security.

But since last December, Tiberi has voted against:

• Appropriations to maintain the departments of agriculture, transportation, urban development, education, health, labor and Interior as well as funds for the Food and Drug administration, the Treasury, the judiciary, the Federal Aviation Administration and even the national parks.
• The cap-and-trade energy and environmental bill.  On the other major Obama priority, the health care reform act, Tiberi has expressed opposition to all versions of the measure now approved by House committees.  .
• A bill to modernize, renovate and repair public school buildings nationwide.
• A bill to enable local law enforcement to prosecute hate crimes.
• A national service bill to promote volunteerism.
• Curbs on excessive executive pay at bailed-out banks and financial institutions.
• (See Comment / Correction) 
• A bill to prevent mortgage foreclosures.
• The Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,(i.e. the economic stimulus package).
• Authorization for $15 billion in loans to U.S. automakers

And finally, Tiberi said "No" to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to tighten laws on wage discrimination.  (Actually, he voted NO on this measure in January, then abstained when the bill came back for final approval several weeks later). 

Also in January, Tiberi voted NO on the Paycheck Fairness Act to raise dollar limits on gender-based lawsuits and set in place new standards to discourage such discrimination.

All that in just eight months -- and the congressman is only one-third way through his current term.

But in fact Tiberi and his Republican colleagues are just flexing their "thumbs-down" reflexes after jerking thumbs-up since 2001 for the Bush administration agenda of war, more war, curbs on civil liberties and tax cuts for business and the rich (i.e., the GOP base).

"Frankly, people in the district say they are disappointed in the current member and they want a fresh approach...," Brooks told the Dispatch.

It can't come soon enough.

(Gray Hunter)

Comments

[Diane Donato]

Whose interests do you represent Mr. Tiberi? Your constituents or corporations? The answer is very clear in your statements on the healthcare initiative. If you don't represent the people, please step down and let someone who does.

[Gray Hunter]

CORRECTION:

It's been brought to my attention that Rep. Tiberi voted YES on the tobacco regulation bill. That vote, therefore, should not have been included in Tiberi's list of "NO" votes.