Liberal think tank gives 4 Utahns F's
Based on their 2004 voting records on 14 bills, Reps. Rob Bishop and Chris Cannon, both Utah Republicans, did not vote correctly on any of the bills, the institute said, and both were given an F grade.
Sens. Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch, also Republicans, received failing grades, with Hatch voting for the middle class 14 percent of the time and Bennett 17 percent.
Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, did slightly better, voting in favor of the middle class 43 percent of the time, but still scored a D grade.
"This is just one of a thousand different score cards, and I am generally dismissive of score cards," Matheson said. "I do not keep score, and I am happy to talk about any individual vote I take. But score cards that take a handful of votes really distort what the voting records really are."
The institute noted that Matheson improved over 2003 when he voted in favor of middle-class legislation 33 percent of the time.
Bennett shares Matheson's perspective. "Senator Bennett doesn't cast his votes in the hopes he'll get a high score from one group or a lower score from another. He votes his conscience and in the best interest of his constituents," said spokeswoman Mary Jane Collipriest.
"We're honored," said Bishop's spokesman Scott Parker. "Anything higher than a zero (from a liberal organization) would have been a disappointment."
As a whole, the Utah congressional delegation's average voting record on middle-class issues was 15 percent.
"The middle class is in danger of being completely overwhelmed by higher prices and stagnant wages, making it even harder for working Americans to climb their way up the economic ladder," said Andrew Young, chairman of the institute. "Yet, the middle class was a casualty of unusually polarized ideological battles in 2004, where party-line votes were the norm and bipartisan cooperation was rare."
The score card, "Middle Class 2004: How Congress Voted," is calculated by giving equal weight to 14 votes on legislation affecting the middle class, based on annual incomes between approximately 200 percent of the federal poverty level and the nation's top 5 percent wage earners, roughly $25,000-$100,000.
"Members of Congress repeatedly promise to support policy that will strengthen and expand the middle class," said Andrea Batista Schlesinger, executive director of the institute. "But our score card shows that Congress chose to prioritize corporate tax cuts and ideologically driven legislation over addressing the concerns of middle-class families struggling with debt and the skyrocketing costs of health care and education."
Comments
- Attempted murder case refiled 1:58 a.m.
- Sports on the air 1:38 a.m.
- This weekend on TV 1:38 a.m.
- Birthdays for Saturday, July 11 1:38 a.m.
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza 1:37 a.m.
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his 1:23 a.m.
- Girl critical after run-in with train 1:23 a.m.
- Probe of death treated as slaying 1:22 a.m.
- Taylorsville man arrested in robbery 1:21 a.m.
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love' 1:20 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Teacher faces new sex charges
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- LDS seminary principal arrested
160 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
136 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
99 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
94 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
I love Millsap, and the Jazz will find a way to move Boozer and match for...
i think its childish to assume that somebody would actually want to get...
Millsap and Boozer need to stay in Utah. Millsap is Boozers backup while he...
Childish and immature? Its always easier being ignorant and presuming things...
can you use words like testimony and church leadership to critisize a...
Bro P really helped me through a tough time in my life when I had him in...
These are only allegations at present, but I hope when he goes to trial, the...
My thoughts are with the Pratt family right now. Michael I hope you are...
It is interesting that everyone who seems to be a member comments on how nice...
You presume, simply because they were gay, that they were trying to "stir...


You can be the first to comment on this story.