December 21, 2009 01:47 AM UTC

Betsy Markey: True to……Betsy Markey

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• by: madmike

I read this in the Sunday Denver Post (12/20/09) in the section, Colorado Votes:

H.R. 2847 – Jobs and Benefits: Voting yes: DeGette, Polis, Salazar, Perlmutter

Voting no: Lamborn, Coffman, Markey

H.R. 4313 – U.S. Debt Limit Voting yes: DeGette, Polis, Salazar, Perlmutter

Voting no: Lamborn, Coffman, Markey

Now, maybe I could understand Rep. Markey’s decision, as a newly anointed “Blue Dog” Democrat to vote against extending the federal debt limit.  I get that she needs to reinforce her image as a fiscal conservative for the voters in her district.  It was in Republican hands for many years.  And the thought of a return of Marilyn Musgrave is enough to make me wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat.  So Betsy has to be careful about how she votes.  I’ll give her that.

But come on!  How do you justify calling yourself a Democrat and voting against extending jobless and healthcare benefits to unemployed people in your district, many of whom voted for you?  I don’t care what kind of bullshit excuse Rep. Markey cares to offer in her defense.  That vote, had it gone in her favor, would have done just one thing – hurt people in her own district who are already suffering.  I call that shameful.

It’s bad enough that Lamborn and Coffman consistently put their party ahead of their country by routinely voting against any legislation put forth by Democrats, offering no solutions, and scorning any attempts at bipartisanship.  My expectations of them are zero when it comes to their making any kind of thoughtful, reasoned contributions to our national discourse.  But Markey goes one step further.  She puts herself ahead of her party and her country by refusing to have the courage of her convictions.  Maybe it’s time for the Democrats in District 4 to find a real Democrat to give her some competition next year.