| Republican Opponent Jim Buhrmaster Just Doesn't Get It At The Forum
Democratic candidate for Congress Paul Tonko reiterated his strong words from yesterday on the financial crisis in general, going specific today on the $85 billion bailout of fallen financial giant AIG. In a nutshell, Tonko says what should be crystal clear by now: the de-regulations that were supposed to "save" American money trumpeted by conservatives and Republicans have ended up costing us a lot more:
"The bailout of American Insurance Group last night and the resulting market turmoil is further proof that there is a place for regulations that protect consumers and workers from corporate greed and mismanagement.
"Because the American economy as a whole bears so much of the risk of Wall Street firms, it is absolutely necessary that we put responsible regulations in place to prevent these companies from exposing themselves, and us, to unnecessary risk.
"It has now become painfully obvious that the politics of deregulation have, again, failed to serve the best interests of both business and the American people. As a direct result of this crisis, it is becoming more difficult and more expensive for consumers and businesses to get home loans. In order to protect our economic future, we must enact responsible regulations of the financial industry that will prevent the widespread financial malfeasance that lead us to these problems in the first place."
Emphasis added
Yesterday, Tonko faced off in his first forum with his Republican opponent Jim Buhrmaster, who spouted the same old Republican line about that those with the ability to reason realize got us into this mess in the first place:
During questions from chamber members from Bethlehem, Guilderland, Colonie and Schenectady, Buhrmaster peppered his comments with digs at Tonko for what Buhrmaster called "RST" -- plans he says Tonko supports that call for too much regulation, too much spending and too many taxes.
If I had a nickel for everytime a Republican tried to tell me that "too much regulation" was a bad thing, I would have been able to bail out AIG myself. But Paul Tonko had a better response to the Burgermeister's hooting and hollering:
"You can't always sit there and create drama," said Tonko, who defeated four Democrats in the Sept. 9 primary. "What you really need are results."
So instead of the Republican's "money for nothing, checks for free" plan, Paul Tonko states clearly "That ain't workin'". That's the way you do it. We need someone in Congress who actually understands the failed politics of de-regulation, not someone who purports the same policies that resulted in these dire straits.
On the Web: Paul Tonko on ActBlue. |
