Guest Commentary by Ken Rietz
Originally published for the March, 2009 edition of the Middleburg Eccentric

Seldom has a national political figure demonstrated the kind of pure arrogance as has House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. " We won the election" was all she said as Republicans wondered why they had been completely shut out of the drafting stage of the Stimulus Plan , the most expensive  legislative measure ever. Pelosi had no hearings. No debate. She invited no Republicans to the closed door discussions.

The result was a 1,100 page Bill that Members of Congress were expected to read, dissect, understand and vote on, within a few hours.

When asked how many Members of Congress would actually read this historic legislation,  former House Speaker  Newt Gingrich predicted "4 or 5 per cent".

The merits of the legislation aside, this is no way to run a Congress or even a railroad. It is no wonder that recent polls show that less than 20 % of Americans approve the job Congress is doing and almost 60% of Independents disapprove of the so- called Stimulus Package.

In addition to "We won the election" Pelosi's other mantra is to blame Bush for everything. But it was Pelosi and the Democrats who took control of BOTH, the House and Senate, in the 2006 elections. After all, it is the House and the Senate that appropriates the money. Shouldn't they share the blame ? Remember Pelosi's 100 hour plan ? Then her 100 day plan ? Probably not. Neither led to much.

Pelosi's most obnoxious power play was her refusal to join Senator Harry Reid at a press conference to announce agreement on the Stimulus Package. Apparently she had not been 'adequately consulted' on press conference participants. There was Harry Reid surrounded by colleagues and the cameras rolling and no Pelosi. No Pelosi..no press conference. Lots of egg on Harry's face.

In the legislative process, Pelosi undermined promises made by President Obama.
He promised NO EARMARKS. It included billions in pork and political payoffs. Obama promised TRANSPARANCY and PUBLIC ACCESS to the Bill. The 1,100 pages were NOT available for view by anyone prior to the vote. Obama promised BI-PARTISANSHIP.  The only bi-partisanship in the House was the vote against the Stimulus Package with 7 Democrats joining the Republicans.

It would be great theatre to watch if it wasn't the Taxpayer's money. At this rate however, with Pelosi's help,  Republicans will regain control of the House sooner than expected. Americans voted for and expect change. Instead, Pelosi is giving them strong arm tactics, backroom dealings and the same old, same old.