For a list of his votes:http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/b001262/votes/
On March 20, The Augusta Chronicle incorrectly listed me as a "yes" vote on House Resolution 1586, the AIG bonus tax, and I'd like to take this opportunity to clarify my vote for my constituents.
While I appreciate the timely correction that ran the following day noting my opposition and "no" vote on the bill, I believe this important vote, which carries serious constitutional concerns, warrants further explanation.
I share the outrage of hard-working Georgians that AIG would use taxpayer dollars to award executive bonuses during this economic crisis. However, the bill to enact a 90 percent tax on AIG employees is nothing more than a legislative cover-up to divert attention from the truth that congressional leaders made these bonus payments possible. The AIG bonus-tax bill was hastily pushed through Congress with the intentions of correcting a mistake that could have been prevented in the first place.
Congress instead should address the problem that got us here: the lack of transparency. The original so-called stimulus bill that contained the bonus provisions was 1,000-plus pages long. This enormous bill was made public in the middle of the night and then steamrolled through Congress only hours later -- all without adequate public or congressional scrutiny.
In addition to the lack of transparency, I also have serious constitutional concerns about our government targeting such a narrow group of citizens with a retroactive tax hike. Regulating the pay of thousands of private citizens because of a mistake made by the leadership in this Congress starts us down a slippery constitutional slope.
All of these reasons are why I voted "no" on H.R. 1586, the AIG bonus-tax bill.
U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, M.D.
Athens
(The writer represents Georgia's District 10 in the U.S. House of Representstives.)
Comments
For a list of his votes:http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/b001262/votes/
Seems to be doing a great job. However, I disagree with him about battlefield protection. We should protect our battlefields, Civil War, 1812, and Revolutionary War.
I find Rep. Broun's use of MD after his name, when having left the profession to become a politician, to be an objectionable indication of elitism. There are several thousand (perhaps millions) of doctors; there are only 435 representative in Congress, the use of Rep. before his name should take precedent over the unnessary (at this time) title. Having stated the above, frankly, I don't give a darn how Rep. Broun votes. GGpap
I'm glad I voted for U.S. Rep. Dr. Paul Broun in his first run to replace the honorable and late Charlie Norwood, and I'm glad I voted for him again in this last election. I believe he is doing a great job representing my interests and beliefs in the congress.
So when a doctor retires, he can no longer call himself doctor either?
pap..a little Dr. envy there?.........Dr. Broun got it right and you didn't....end of story.
Paul Broun's conservative libertarian approach to politics is right on target...again. Stay consistant Rep. Broun, this country needs many more just like you.
gpap, he worked hard to get that degree, and has earned the right to use the letters md after his name any time he would like to.
I wish there were 434 House members like Rep. Broun. I believe our nation would be much stronger, responsible, less intrusive, and more respected around the world.
he earned the title of Dr. whether he is a practicing physician or not. He still has the right to use the title at his discretion.
signal always-what has broun said about the battlefields i haven't heard that one.
GGAP, Listen if I went thru what those people have to go thru to be a doctor, MD would be behind my name til I die and then on my gravestone.
Dr. Broun is a is a fiscal and social conservative, he is not a libertarian. He earned the right to be called Doctor and if he is proud to call himself that then more power to him. I think the distinction should come in when one is no longer practicing or licensed. For example, Senator Coburn of Oklahoma is a practicing physician, while the late Representative Norwood was not. I don't know if Dr. Broun still practices or keeps his license current. Hard to believe he would have the time given the demands on elected officials.
Just another political crook that voted no because we would be getting help anyway and this is his way to set on top of a fence. I really believe the congress and senate should be the determining factors about getting aid, those that vote no get nothing, those that vote yes get help. Oh well now he will have 100% of his time to devote to stopping illegal immigration. He has stated his opposition and it is time to attack that cancerous malignancy eating away at america and the real cause of job loss. Wonder what his position is in that area?
"those that vote no get nothing, those that vote yes get help." ........ in other words, "those who beg, get money, those who don't beg, don't."
dbs, it's in the link I provided. I can't link directly to it. I was just perusing through it last night.
I find Rep. Broun's use of MD after his name, when having left the profession to become a politician, to be an objectionable indication of elitism. There are several thousand (perhaps millions) of doctors; there are only 435 representative in Congress, the use of Rep. before his name should take precedent over the unnessary (at this time) title. Having stated the above, frankly, I don't give a darn how Rep. Broun votes. GGpap
Posted by GGpap on Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:41 ....Dr Braun EARNED the right to use M.D. after his name until the day he dies, much like the President, once out of the WH is STILL called Mr President. The same for military titles of Colonel and General. Has nothing to do with elitism (unless it's just your envy).
Just another political crook that voted no because we would be getting help anyway and this is his way to set on top of a fence. I really believe the congress and senate should be the determining factors about getting aid, those that vote no get nothing, those that vote yes get help. Oh well now he will have 100% of his time to devote to stopping illegal immigration. He has stated his opposition and it is time to attack that cancerous malignancy eating away at america and the real cause of job loss. Wonder what his position is in that area?
Posted by disssman on Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:36 AM....Don't worry Dissmal, the unions and ACORN got paid.
Nope, no "title" envy here. I could actually put several initials and/or abbreviations after my name but, never have, never will. IMO titles are worthless signs of snobbery in many cases. GGpap
The only people I have problems calling DR are the non-medical types. Regardless, AIG shouldn't have received a dime of bailout money. And neither should anyone else. If your business is failing, you fix it. You don't use the government to artificially prop it up so the same problems can resurface again in a few months. All this 'stimulus' crap is just more vote buying nonsense.
This issue is not important, and amounts to just another tempest in a teapot. The fact that Congress retroactively taxed the bonuses is not right. But the important thing to realize is that while the world is in flames, Congress and the Paul Brouns of the world are fiddling about the constitutionality of retroactive taxes. Of COURSE the vote to tax was just a show of feigned outrage, to make the gullible think that Congress cares about WE THE PEOPLE. And it gave Broun an opportunity to shine as a just and righteous defender of constitutional principles. That's nice. Now let's see what tangibles he can actually accomplish, instead of just making political hay like the rest of them.
jedex, in America, a junior Representative from the minority party seldom sets the agenda, especially with a psycho like Pelosi running the chair for the National Socialist Workers Party.
Great job, Dr. Broun. I wish we had 434 more House of representatives and 100 senators who think and vote just like you!!!!
I wish more politicians were like Rep. Broun. What should have happened is that AIG should not have been given any money and should have just been allowed to fail. The strong shall survive. No companies or individuals should be bailed out. If that breaks the country then oh well maybe the next government will fix the real problems. The best thing for the country is to enact what my name says FAIR TAX NOW. No more April 15 being anything other than a regular day.
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