The Definition of a Blue-Dog Democrat

Yes, once again, we have our good Congressman John Tanner playing the ends against the middle.

The 'Guest Columnist' insertion in the local paper was a piece submitted under Rep. Tanner's name (seriously, friends, listen to the guy talk; hard to believe he can write anything of this length with correct grammar).

The title? Drum-roll, please! We Must Restore Fiscal Responsibility

The Honorable Member then explains how everything that has gone wrong was the fault of the evil Republicans; easy to do, since a lot of it can be laid at their feet. He intones that 'The borrow-and-spend policy down which our country has begun poses at least two serious threats', and goes on to name the spectre that the Chinese might not want to buy our T-bills(They expect to get paid back!), and our weakened place in the world and its foreign policy implications.

So, this would be a reason to not vote for the TARP, the 'Stimulus' and a budget that runs well over ONE TRILLION in deficits into the endless future, right?

WRONG! He then goes on to explain that despite all these things, he just had to vote for the 'Stimulus Bill'--he had already voted for the TARP(he just 'had to', you know), and signalled that he would be voting for the 2010 budget.

And, indeed he did!

So, what's the definition of a Blue-Dog Democrat?

He howls at the moon, declaring his fealty to the conservative values of his district. But when his masters(Pelosi, Frank, Reid, and Obama) command, he rolls over and plays dead.

Check his congressional home page:

Cries of outrage against the mounting national debt, and never a mention of his votes that make it possible.

Our grandchildren will curse our memories for allowing him and his to get away with this.