With Friends like these,.......

The Democratic party is in the process of stealing or buying as much power as they possibly can.
Both the House and Senate "stimulus" bills are nothing more than spending bills aimed at their constituencies, ie, more government. Even the Congressional Budget Office has come out against this bill.

Nothing in the bills promotes the idea of free markets and free enterprise. Nothing in the bills enables the power of the American citizenry to move forward in pursuit of the American dream.

The overriding philosophy behind the Democratic party and some Republicans seems to be that too much freedom for citizens to control their own money is a waste. The politicians feel that they can do so much more responsibly: From Senator Kerry:

I've supported many tax cuts over the years, and there are tax cuts in this proposal. But a tax cut is non-targeted.

If you put a tax cut into the hands of a business or family, there's no guarantee that they're going to invest that or invest it in America.

They're free to go invest anywhere that they want if they choose to invest.

The Senate feels that they need 60 votes to close debate. They are seeking Republican cover so that they can declare that this bloated bill was "bipartisan," as if they have ever cared about true bipartisanship before. Republicans have, since Reagan, supposed to have been the party of "less government, more freedom." Whether this has been true in action is a very good question. Many recent acts were passed by Republicans that have been anathema to the idea of more freedom. The past two election results demonstrate the feasibility of Republicans becoming the party of more government and more spending, even if it is in supposedly conservative causes.

So why are Senators Spector, Collins, and Snowe supporting this bill? Of course, they say that they might not vote "yes" on the final bill, but why have ANY Republican fingerprints on this to cover the Democratic party's handiwork? From their own words you may know them:

Senator Spector - "Personally I would prefer not to be on the edge of the pin, as so frequently is the case in this body. But I do believe we have to act, and under the circumstances, this is the best we can do.” (He is under the politician's delusion that something must ALWAYS be done. He voted for it, even though the public has denounced it. The Capitol switch board was swamped with "NO" entreaties.)

Senator Collins - Even before negotiations have started, one influential Republican supporter of the bill, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, is stressing her desire for the cost of the final package to be held to $800 billion. She is suggesting that her support for a final compromise package can't be taken for granted. "I made no commitments," she said. (She just made one. Her "price" is a bill under $800 billion. That's all. Just a measly $800 billion. Of YOUR money. On a Democrat power grab. What's that joke's punchline, "We both know what you are. Now we're dickering on price....)

Senator Snowe - "I want to vote for a package," she said. "I think we are close to being able to do that with some changes, because at the end the worst mistake we could make is to pass a package that has virtually no impact on the economy." (The mistake is thinking that one can remove pork from a bill that is entirely made of pork. How does one remove enough pork from a pig to have a porkless pig? She is looking for any cover that allows her to vote for this package.)

The bargaining of any Republican Senator or Representative to "remove pork" from this bill is nothing more than ammo given to the Democratic party: "See, that evil Republican wants to take your Insert special perk here from you." Better to vote NO on the entire bill out of principle. If you're going to be damned, let it be for something worthwhile. Don't be condemned for petty actions.

Senator Reid even voted NO on his own bill in order to be able to bring it up again. The vote was 58-41. The Democrats want Republican support to prevent a possible filibuster. Watching this bill pass with ONLY Democratic support would be worth forgoing a filibuster. This package is going to pass even if it is filibustered. If these weak kneed Republicans are voicing this much "possible" support, do you truly think that they would support a filibuster?

Unless these three Senators change their votes on the final bill, they should be removed from the party. This bill goes against EVERY BASIC principle of the Republican party. We already are fighting overwhelming forces. Better to have open opponents than a fifth column. Senators like those above are part of the reason we lost this past election.

UPDATE:

Is the Stimulus Bill actually a REPARATIONS BILL?

UPDATE 2:

CBO determines that the recession will end in 2009 with NO ACTION TAKEN

UPDATE 3:

Falling Panda, commenting at Crystal Clear Conservative:
"I think that instead of targeting the three GOP defectors, Republicans should slam the phone lines of the Red State Dems tommorow. Blanch Lincoln, Tester, Begich. But especially Lincoln who’s up for re-eelction in 10."