About
BettySutton2010 is a project that has grown out of overwhelming frustration. It started with Congresswoman Sutton’s vote on H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (a.k.a. Cap & Trade). This was the job killing bill that sailed right through the House of Representatives thanks to misguided legislators like Betty Sutton.
According to sources easily available to the representative, Ohio ranks as the second most vulnerable state when looking at the impact of Cap & Trade on jobs and industry. Still, the representative couldn’t bring herself to question the bill.
Here we are in a state that generates more than 87% of our energy from coal, and Sutton votes against the use of it. She voted against the people of OH-13. She voted like her California colleagues who generate less than 1% of their state’s energy from coal.
Sutton’s constituents, myself included, repeatedly called for a no vote on this bill. With party loyalty on the line, Betty couldn’t be bothered with the task of representing the district’s best interests. Instead, the congresswoman traded her vote for status and jumped up enthusiastically in support of the bill by stating:
…the people I represent are facing difficult times. They’re looking for jobs and sometimes they can’t find them the way they used to. The inaction of the past has cost them dearly. There are those who complain that this bill is not perfect. They say it won’t do this or it won’t do that, but we have got to get started and keep acting until we get it right and provide them with the chance that they need for a change in direction. I yield back.
- http://sutton.house.gov/news/floorstatement.cfm?id=68
Leading up to that vote I had very little involvement in politics. But I made a promise to the representative’s staff: If Sutton voted against the district on Cap & Trade, I would do everything in my power to keep her from enjoying another year of Washington parties, and social events.
BettySutton2010 is just one small way I am making good on that promise.
