Moore, Oklahoma

In the aftermath of a tornado whose magnitude defies adjectives, I'm stunned to read that Senator Tom Coburn will refuse to vote for tornado relief—that is, without offsetting those funds with budget cuts.  Can you believe it?  This Republican represents Oklahoma in the Senate.  He's a doctor, for heavensake.  "Do no harm" should apply to tragedies like this, too.

 

  

Senator Coburn apparently had no problem with paying for the war in Iraq.  Check out Igor Volsky's piece at Think Progress:   http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/05/21/2039981/oklahoma-senator-wont-support-tornado-relief-without-budget-cuts/

 

 

Wonder how he voted on tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans?  Looks like he voted "no" on extending the Bush tax cuts for all except the wealthiest Americans.  Apparently that was a symbolic vote, since tax bills must originate in the House.  Later, Coburn voted to extend all the Bush tax cuts.  If he had voted for the very wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share,  we could have gotten some decent  revenue without holding tornado relief funds hostage today.   Shame.

 

 Many in the tornado's path have lost everything—from homes and cars and businesses to the ultimate loss of a child or other loved one.  Senator Coburn is showing himself to be stubborn and heartless when his constituents need someone with less ego and more compassion advocating for them.  Especially today.   But that's right; he doesn't need to pretend to care.  He's not running in 2016!

 

I hope the citizens of Oklahoma elect a Democratic senator in the next election!  I don't care how red the state—  I believe they might just decide that Democrats have greater compassion and common sense, as a rule.  No doubt they could use a senator with a good heart as well as a good head.

 

Prayers for Oklahoma and all who have been affected by yesterday's tornado.