Defeat Buck McKeon song

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

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CA-25 has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation

The earnest yet hopeless anonymous blogger over at the Defeat Buck McKeon blog has created a defeat Buck fight song. A sample:

HOW CORRUPT IS BUCK MCKEON
THAT NINE-TERM CONGRESS-MAN
WHO VOTES AGAINST YOUR INTERESTS
AT EVERY CHANCE HE CAN

BIG CORPORATIONS GIVE HIM CASH
SO HE CAN VOTE THEIR WAY
SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO CALL IT “BRIBES”
HIS WIFE JUST CALLS IT “PAY”

…

HE DOESN’T WANT THE GOVERNMENT
TO HELP YOU WHEN YOU’RE DOWN
‘CAUSE OUR CONGRESSMAN DON’T GIVE A BUCK
IF YOU SINK OR DROWN

The song does raise a good point in that last verse. California’s 25th District has one of the worst foreclosure rates in the nation (73.1 per 1,000 homes), yet Buck McKeon has voted against nearly every bill meant to help homeowners and regular citizens, while at the same time taking credit for stimulus act dollars that have come back to the SCV and other parts of the district, stimulus act dollars he voted against in February 2009 and continues to trash as a failed program.

It’s hard to imagine how the Tea Party set reconciles its impending vote for McKeon too. These are the folks who rail against the “bailouts.” Well there was no bigger bailout than the TARP program, which McKeon enthusiastically voted for twice in September 2008, telling the media that:

I supported the revised plan because I believe America is facing an unprecedented set of circumstances in which the credit market has essentially frozen and the entire financial system has weakened to a point that decisive Congressional action is necessary. My primary concern is the everyday American and the small business owners trying to get credit.

Back in September 2008 (by all accounts a very scary time), I was proud McKeon did the right thing and voted for TARP, which has been a successful -even profitable- program for the federal government.

But his statement then offers a preview of his next two years in office in which he pretty much only talked about the hardships faced by car dealers and business owners, never regular workers or struggling homeowners. Here he was in 2009 telling the media that his “car dealers are dying on the vine back home” and equating tax cuts on lower-income people to “welfare.”

Just to emphasize the point that he favors tax cuts for wealthy people, McKeon was one of only 93 House Republicans to vote no on taxing the bonuses AIG executives received after the government bailed out the failed insurance giant.

And since McKeon took over as ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, he’s been largely focused on defense issues and foreign matters, policies which do little to help struggling workers in California’s 25th District.

I realize this post is completely in vain, but there is truth in the allegation that McKeon -soon to be a 10 term Congressman in charge of a powerful committee- hasn’t been very helpful to regular working class people in his district during this terrible recession.

Comments (15)

Need for Involved CitizenryOctober 5, 2010 at 9:50 am

McKeon hasn’t been particularly helpful to the citizens in his district even before the recession – unless you call helping the auto dealers and NL&F the “citizens”. The only way I’d consider voting for him is if he could get CEMEX DONE!

cashOctober 5, 2010 at 11:45 am

Bucky darlin is clearly one of the GOB’s about town. The Acura King seems to have direct access to Bucky whenever a favor is needed. Bucky is a member of the 100 club in SCV.

Bill ReynoldsOctober 5, 2010 at 12:29 pm

Yeah that’s it, step out to your backyard (if you have one) on any quiet moonlit night and if you listen closely you will barely hear those hopeful lyrics wafting through the still night air all the way from Pollyannaville through Newhall, past Fantasy Land and on up to Awesome Town… What a joke…

DamageincOctober 5, 2010 at 1:00 pm

What happen to the Status Quo must go?

Bill ReynoldsOctober 5, 2010 at 2:01 pm

You should ask “The earnest yet hopeless anonymous blogger”; it’s his song…

DamageincOctober 5, 2010 at 4:11 pm

That is what he is asking for. I once saw a video of you chanting over a loud speaker in the middle of town. Change your mind?

Bill ReynoldsOctober 5, 2010 at 6:07 pm

Dameged Natie Blazing Monk… since you were there taking video that day surely you realize I was referring to our last City Council election. I appreciate Tim Myers’ comment about Buck McKeon – I too will vote for Buck even though I was against Tarp. FYI: Democrats are dragging us at an extreme accelerated pace into socialism… far more so than are Republicans.

SterlingOctober 5, 2010 at 4:51 pm

Who here knows buck on a personal basis and can verifiably prove they know him on a personal basis?

Berta González-HarperOctober 6, 2010 at 1:15 pm

@Sterling I am not sure what you mean by “know him on a personal basis”. I worked for his family business at their corporate offices and I met him and spoke with him on several occasions during that time. I doubt that he remembers me but I have also had several discussions with him and his wife Pat outside that venue regarding local issues. I find him to be a good listener who asks insightful questions. He also has a great sense of humor…

SterlingOctober 6, 2010 at 1:38 pm

That’s true, he does.

mikeOctober 6, 2010 at 1:50 pm

The only other compliment I will pay to our Congressman is that he knows how to wear a suit. Always. This is in stark contrast with Cameron Smyth, who is the worst-dressed public official that I’m aware of.

Timothy MyersOctober 5, 2010 at 5:54 pm

I know Buck on a personal basis and I will verify that while I disagree with him on many issues I will say unequivocally that he earnestly attempts to represent his constituents’ best interests, and for now his view reflect a majority of those constituents. I also will vote for Buck in 2010 because he courageously voted for the necessary TARP, even though his Republican colleagues were ready to burn the entire house down based on ideology.

SterlingOctober 5, 2010 at 6:28 pm

Well stated Tim, I would agree with you. It’s really hard to take issues at face value and then make a declarative judgment about a persons motivations when it comes to congressional reps. Yes, many make it easy to do so but until you’re in their shoes and understand the complexities involved in their actions/decisions it’s not genuine to castigate a rep like Buck. I think he puts much more into his job then some would want to believe. A lot goes on in our district and in Washington that isn’t as simple as one would think. Buck is a honorable person. I didn’t say perfect (who is?) but he is honorable.

mikeOctober 5, 2010 at 7:49 pm

I’m also voting for Buck. I’ve forsaken third party candidates and gimmicky write-ins, so it’s between two. His challenger seems like a joke, more so than Buck. One way or another, this will be the last time he wins an election to represent the Santa Clarita Valley.

SFC PerezOctober 7, 2010 at 11:53 am

I received this in email today and thought SOOOOO TRUE! “One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you, I’m doing community service this week.’ The florist was pleased and left the shop. When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a ‘thank you’ card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door. Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you , I’m doing community service this week.’ The cop was happy and left the shop. The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a ‘thank you’ card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door. Then a Congressman came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, ‘I can not accept money from you. I’m doing community service this week.’ The Congressman was very happy and left the shop. The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut. And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it. BOTH POLITICIANS AND DIAPERS NEED TO BE CHANGED OFTEN AND FOR THE SAME REASON!”

Need for Involved CitizenryOctober 5, 2010 at 9:50 am
McKeon hasn’t been particularly helpful to the citizens in his district even before the recession – unless you call helping the auto dealers and NL&F the “citizens”. The only way I’d consider voting for him is if he could get CEMEX DONE!
cashOctober 5, 2010 at 11:45 am
Bucky darlin is clearly one of the GOB’s about town. The Acura King seems to have direct access to Bucky whenever a favor is needed. Bucky is a member of the 100 club in SCV.
Bill ReynoldsOctober 5, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Yeah that’s it, step out to your backyard (if you have one) on any quiet moonlit night and if you listen closely you will barely hear those hopeful lyrics wafting through the still night air all the way from Pollyannaville through Newhall, past Fantasy Land and on up to Awesome Town… What a joke…
DamageincOctober 5, 2010 at 1:00 pm
What happen to the Status Quo must go?
Bill ReynoldsOctober 5, 2010 at 2:01 pm
You should ask “The earnest yet hopeless anonymous blogger”; it’s his song…
DamageincOctober 5, 2010 at 4:11 pm
That is what he is asking for. I once saw a video of you chanting over a loud speaker in the middle of town. Change your mind?
Bill ReynoldsOctober 5, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Dameged Natie Blazing Monk… since you were there taking video that day surely you realize I was referring to our last City Council election. I appreciate Tim Myers’ comment about Buck McKeon – I too will vote for Buck even though I was against Tarp. FYI: Democrats are dragging us at an extreme accelerated pace into socialism… far more so than are Republicans.
SterlingOctober 5, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Who here knows buck on a personal basis and can verifiably prove they know him on a personal basis?
Berta González-HarperOctober 6, 2010 at 1:15 pm
@Sterling I am not sure what you mean by “know him on a personal basis”. I worked for his family business at their corporate offices and I met him and spoke with him on several occasions during that time. I doubt that he remembers me but I have also had several discussions with him and his wife Pat outside that venue regarding local issues. I find him to be a good listener who asks insightful questions. He also has a great sense of humor…
SterlingOctober 6, 2010 at 1:38 pm
That’s true, he does.
mikeOctober 6, 2010 at 1:50 pm
The only other compliment I will pay to our Congressman is that he knows how to wear a suit. Always. This is in stark contrast with Cameron Smyth, who is the worst-dressed public official that I’m aware of.
Timothy MyersOctober 5, 2010 at 5:54 pm
I know Buck on a personal basis and I will verify that while I disagree with him on many issues I will say unequivocally that he earnestly attempts to represent his constituents’ best interests, and for now his view reflect a majority of those constituents. I also will vote for Buck in 2010 because he courageously voted for the necessary TARP, even though his Republican colleagues were ready to burn the entire house down based on ideology.
SterlingOctober 5, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Well stated Tim, I would agree with you. It’s really hard to take issues at face value and then make a declarative judgment about a persons motivations when it comes to congressional reps. Yes, many make it easy to do so but until you’re in their shoes and understand the complexities involved in their actions/decisions it’s not genuine to castigate a rep like Buck. I think he puts much more into his job then some would want to believe. A lot goes on in our district and in Washington that isn’t as simple as one would think. Buck is a honorable person. I didn’t say perfect (who is?) but he is honorable.
mikeOctober 5, 2010 at 7:49 pm
I’m also voting for Buck. I’ve forsaken third party candidates and gimmicky write-ins, so it’s between two. His challenger seems like a joke, more so than Buck. One way or another, this will be the last time he wins an election to represent the Santa Clarita Valley.
SFC PerezOctober 7, 2010 at 11:53 am
I received this in email today and thought SOOOOO TRUE! “One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you, I’m doing community service this week.’ The florist was pleased and left the shop. When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a ‘thank you’ card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door. Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you , I’m doing community service this week.’ The cop was happy and left the shop. The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a ‘thank you’ card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door. Then a Congressman came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, ‘I can not accept money from you. I’m doing community service this week.’ The Congressman was very happy and left the shop. The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut. And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it. BOTH POLITICIANS AND DIAPERS NEED TO BE CHANGED OFTEN AND FOR THE SAME REASON!”