Hey, remember during the health care debate how Republicans over and over would say “Americans are against this bill”? Remember how they ignored the fact that many Americans opposed the bill because it lacked a public option, and insisted that work on health care stop immediately because of, again, public opinion?
Well the public is speaking again — this time clearly — and strangely the GOP doesn’t want to listen anymore. Much like in the health care debate when the Republicans ran interference for insurance companies, the party is again doing the work of big business, preventing debate on stricter financial regulations because that might not be such a great thing for their rich buddies at the banks.
From the Washington Post today:
About two-thirds of Americans support stricter regulations on the way banks and other financial institutions conduct their business, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
Majorities also back two main components of legislation congressional Democrats plan to bring to a vote in the Senate this week: greater federal oversight of consumer loans and a company-paid fund that would cover the costs of dismantling failed firms that put the broader economy at risk.
Well that’s nice, America! That’s adorable that you think your opinion matters just because you’ve been hearing for months that it does! But it doesn’t. Just ask mean old Richard Shelby (R-AL).
Senator Shelby said on Sunday that his party was still prepared to block debate of the bill as he fought for additional changes, including what he described as tight guarantees against future taxpayer bailouts of banks.
Told that the two sides seemed close, Mr. Shelby said it wasn’t clear. “Inches sometimes are miles,” he said.
Oh, silly America. Don’t you know your opinion only matters when you’re a multi-national corporation?
