Political storm blows in Washington – Tom Curry – MSNBC.com

Political storm blows in Washington – Tom Curry – MSNBC.com

“The people are not ‘refugees’ — they are American citizens, they pay taxes, they raise their families… and I wish the media would call them American citizens and not refugees which relegates them to another whole status,” said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich.

Political observers in the nation’s capitol were still assessing how the frustration and shock from Hurricane Katrina might change the political environment once all members of Congress arrive back in town next week, as well as how the catastrophe might change the political calculus in next year’s elections.

One campaign theme already seems obvious: some Democrats will argue that the Bush administration and the Republican-controlled Congress is spending too much abroad and should re-focus money on Americans at home.

“The leadership of this nation wants to take freedom and justice all across the world — what about freedom and justice right here in the United States of America?” asked Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio.

“Why is it that the money people pay in taxes is going elsewhere and two (former) presidents are told to go out and collect private funds?” wondered Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif.

I want my tax dollars spent on what they are for, not to go into Halliburton and Blackwater’s pockets.

Enough. Get these crooks out of the government.