FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Here we go again. Yet another example of our representatives in Washington not listening to what the people want.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/27/art.brown.jpg caption="Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) talks with reporters after a vote on financial reform. Senate Democrats failed to bring legislation to the floor for debate in a 57-41 vote, unable to gain the 60 votes needed to overcome the threat of a Republican filibuster."]
Despite the fact that two-thirds of Americans support tougher regulation of banks and Wall Street... Republicans have already voted unanimously to block financial reform from reaching the senate floor - and they might do it again minutes from now when another test vote happens.
A new ABC News/Washington Post poll shows 65 percent of those surveyed want stricter financial reform. 31 percent are opposed.
The poll also shows majorities back two key parts of the senate bill... including greater government oversight of consumer loans... and a fund - paid for by the banks - that would help dismantle failing institutions. According to this poll, the public is split on letting the government regulate complex financial instruments knows as derivatives.
Also - by a double-digit margin, Americans trust Pres. Obama more than the Republicans in Congress to handle financial reform...
Not a huge surprise when you consider how the GOP is handing this. Although Republicans say they want a bill to pass... they say it needs to be "substantive" and they insist they won't be quote "rushed on another massive bill" by the Democrats. Top Republicans remain optimistic they can come to a bipartisan agreement.
Meanwhile, Majority Leader Harry Reid - who called another vote for this afternoon - says the Democrats won't tolerate efforts to water down the reform.
Here’s my question to you: Why are Senate Republicans blocking financial reform legislation when two-thirds of Americans want it done?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Pat in Michigan writes:
Jack, I am a Democrat and I have to agree with the Republican Party on this. I want real reform, not window dressing for the November elections. They appear to be so anxious to take away the stink from health care that they want anything passed, just to be able to say "Hey, we have your best interests at heart."
Mike in Oklahoma City writes:
Because the 1% of the population whose interests the Republicans care about do not want them to.
Rahn in Minnesota writes:
Jack, I have one question for you: Can you define the term "financial reform"? Just like the new health care law that the hospital I work at is STILL trying to decipher, this bill's definition of "financial reform" may be something that you may just not want after you read the whole thing. Just because you slap a populist label like 'financial reform' on a bill does not make the details any more agreeable once you get past the title.
Carol writes:
I would like to see financial reform, BUT (1) the problems of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not addressed in this bill – WHY NOT? (2) No more bailouts – period. (3) I don't want another government agency – it will just come in over budget and not do its job. (4) I am sick and tired of the antics of the Democratic Party playing "chicken little – sky is falling – must be done now" politics.
Todd writes:
Both sides of the aisle are pathetic juvenile imbeciles in this instance and so many others. It happens to be the GOP's turn. They all want the football no matter what the consequences are for their constituency and the country as a whole.
Luke in Knoxville, Tennessee writes:
The GOP wags their tails when Wall Street tells them to. If you haven't figured this out yet, give up and go home.