Guest Post On Mike Castle
May 20th, 2010 by David Anderson
Mike Castle – Fiscal Responsibility Fact Check
On his website Mike Castle claims to be Fiscally Responsible. I decided to do some Fact checking. I thought, maybe I’m WRONG about Congressman Castle. Maybe he IS a budget hawk. This is what I found:
FACT – Castle voted for TARP (the $700 Billion bailout of the financial industry in 2008
FACT – In 2008 the American Conservative Union and Club for Growth (Fiscal conservatism) rated Mike Castle at 28% and 26% respectively.
FACT – Castle voted FOR the Auto-bailout that resulted in GM being owned by the unions and taxpayers
FACT – American for Fair Taxation rated Mike Castle as a -1 against the FairTax measure
FACT – Castle Voted FOR permanently raising taxes on businesses
FACT – In 2008 the National Tax Payers Union gave Congressman Castle a D rating
FACT – AGAINST making the Bush tax cuts permanent, capping discretionary spending at $973 billion and imposing a moratorium on earmarks
FACT – Congressman Castle supported the interests of the National Small Business Association 60 percent of the time from 2007-2008
FACT – Castle voted FOR the Obama Omnibus spending bill that increased spending 8% on TOP of the Stimulus packages
Castle’s website states:
Economic Stimulus – Mike Castle has supported the federal initiative to return millions of taxpayer dollars back to individuals and families, spur business investment, and expand refinance options for homeowners.
The $787 Billion stimulus package (which is projected to cost $3.27 Trillion) has resulted in $514, 012, 482.38 in Delaware dollars or put another way 6 one hundredths of one percent of the total stimulus package (assuming $787 Billion is correct). The Stimulus package has resulted in 1,174 jobs gained however; by December of 2009 Delaware had lost 11,400 jobs which resulted in a net loss of 10,226 jobs. Home foreclosure filings are still averaging 13 per day.
The website also states:
Financial Services Committee: Mike Castle serves on the House Committee on
Financial Services, which has jurisdiction over banking and the securities and
insurance industries. In this capacity, he has worked to ensure the viability of
low income housing programs and has introduced legislation to shield consumers
from identity theft.
This committee failed to stop Fannie and Freddie from bringing down the entire national housing system, failed to properly regulate and evaluate the banking industry and is largely responsible for the financial services bailouts (which Castle voted for).
Finally, Castle’s website states:
Budget Reform: One of the reasons Mike Castle first ran for the United States
Congress was to bring to the federal government the same principles of fiscal
responsibility that he practiced as Governor of Delaware. Castle has fought for
solid budget reforms in Washington, including a presidential line item veto,
rainy day accounts, pay as you go for both tax cuts and spending, and a
no-excuses balanced budget process.
Despite this statement Mike Castle has voted against PAYGO (pay-as-you-go) amendments. The most recent of which was on February 14th 2010. He has a 2008 rating of 26% from the Club for Growth and has voted AGAINST making the Bush tax cuts permanent, capping discretionary spending and imposing a moratorium on earmarks 3 times since 2005. He’s also voted FOR Cap and Trade, the auto bailouts, cash for clunkers, the 2008 stimulus package, the Omnibus spending bill (increased federal spending 8% ABOVE stimulus package) and believes that Social Security works relatively well despite the fact that it owes more than $14 TRILLION in unfunded liabilities and is the second largest budget item in federal spending (2nd only to Medicare/Medicaid which he has also praised).
Congressman Castle is CLEARLY not fiscally responsible with the people’s money. He has time and again voted in ways that go against what is “fiscally responsible”. His votes tend to contradict his campaign promises in the area of fiscal responsibility.
The opinion expressed is that of the author, Evan Queitsch who is solely responsible for the content and accuracy.
Congressman Castle’s voting record speaks for itself. I’ve stopped listening to him long ago because what he says simply does no line up with his actions and this has been happening a long time. Wise up Delawareans and smell the roses or in his case the feces.
On the other hand, even with all her baggage, Christine O’Donnell is the obvious choice for the senate. I have spoken to her and believe she is being completely truthful on the issues. When I look at her I see a woman that has has financial issues because she is not rich and this lack of finances has lead to most of her other problems.
I am not voting for Castle and I understand that Christine is growing and taking responsibility and desperately wants to do the right thing for Delaware.
Growing and wanting to do the right thing for Americans is something Mike Castle gave up on a long time ago.
MAKE YOUR CHOICE DELAWAREANS AND STICK WITH IT. IS SAY GIVE HER CHANCE AND VOTE FOR HER AT THE PRIMARY AND FIRE THIS RINO WHO HAS LOST HIS WAY
“I am not voting for Castle and I understand that Christine is growing and taking responsibility and desperately wants to do the right thing for Delaware.”
What in the world does that mean ? Do you mean she used to not take responsibility ? Are you talking about her personal life ? How is she growing ?
From what I see, she is a train wreck.
OMG. If this blog was any more useless it would be on cinder blocks Frank’s front yard next to his rusted out washing machine.
Mike Castle is your candidate. For the love of Skydad, get in line and shut up.
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Okay, a liberal state (VT,MA,CT,NY,RI,NJ,MD and DE has a liberal senate candidate. Shocking.
If I were Christine I’d launch an independent candidacy based solely on pro-life and social conservative issues, lock up endorsements from the church ladies and the Rose And A Prayer people, and sit around until some Republican donor offers a buyout or a cushy no-show job in exchange for dropping out.
“When I look at her I see a woman that has has financial issues because she is not rich and this lack of finances has lead to most of her other problems.”
The average American, and certainly the vast majority of conservatives, if faced with financial problems, go out and get whatever job they can to pay their bills. I know people who are under-employed, I know people who are working jobs they hate, and they do it because that’s what responsible people do.
Now, if you want to excuse her in election years when she’s running for office, whatever, but what is the excuse for her continued unemployment in non election years? And please don’t blame the economy, this was going on well before the economic “collapse”.
She’s running for Senate to create one job — hers.
Castle voted against the Obama $787 billion stimulus (all R’s voted against it). Your post wrongly implies that he voted for it.
As to TARP, would it have been better to allow the big banks and insurance companies to simply fail? We’re in a bad recession, but had that happened, it would have been an utter economic disaster. Sometimes we don’t like the medicine, but it’s necessary. Sometimes government is necessary. We just need to limit those times.
David who is the guest posting?
The wacked out voices in his head.
David who is the guest posting?
It’s at the very end of the post, but I figured it out in the familiar, opening paragraph.
The DLers are speaking to him??
“It’s at the very end of the post, but I figured it out in the familiar, opening paragraph.”
Thanks Smitty, I missed it because of the lack of calling Castle a sex fiend for hiring the Dover Hi School Band.
As usual, the Castle defenders totally ignore the facts in the post and go for personal attacks on the person posting and Ms. O’Donnell. Is there just one of you that would dare to argue the facts? No? Why? Because everything Evan posted about Mike Castle is fact. So the little brains come out and sling mud. Grow up, some of you make great cases for your point of view on other issues. But when it comes to defending the indefensible you start sounding like that third grader whose parents aren’t home, so he gets on the computer and practices his stand-up routine.And jason just so you know the washing machine is in the back yard fool, everybody knows that the really up town white trash keeps it in the back yard. Do you actually go up stairs to get your snack, or just call up from the basement for your mother to bring you more cheesy-poofs?
Stossel-fan “Castle voted against the Obama $787 billion stimulus (all R’s voted against it). Your post wrongly implies that he voted for it.
As to TARP, would it have been better to allow the big banks and insurance companies to simply fail? We’re in a bad recession, but had that happened, it would have been an utter economic disaster. Sometimes we don’t like the medicine, but it’s necessary. Sometimes government is necessary. We just need to limit those times.
My post does NOT imply he voted for it. This…Economic Stimulus – Mike Castle has supported the federal initiative to return millions of taxpayer dollars back to individuals and families, spur business investment, and expand refinance options for homeowners. is directly from Castle’s website. My following comments simply relay the consequences of his involvment in returning taxpayer dollars to Delaware.
As to TARP, I believe that the Federal Government shouldn’t have caused the problem in the first place by creating Fannie and Freddie and pushing the banks to lend to people who couldn’t afford the loans. I believe that the banks would have been force to retool and rebuild without the TARP funds and like many economists, I see the Government’s “backstop” as being just a speed bump. We will eventually hit the wall no matter what. TARP was unnecessary and just because it was a Bush/Paulson idea (thought up by Geithner by the way) doesn’t make it a good one.
On a separate note, since this post is receiving a good number of views, I’d lik to publicly apologize to Prissy Rakes (sorry Priscilla but I like the nickname for yah) for some of my venemous comments the other day after the convention. I was caught up in the moment and lost my principles. While I still firmly believe she has hit below the belt, is the one who shouted out during Diane’s speech and leaked information to the News Journal, my language was far too harsh. For that I am sorry. She deserves more respect than that just for being a human being.
Frank, Delaware is a liberal state; O’Donnell will never win an election for statewide office. Never.
You need to consider moving to Nelsonia, if for no other reason, to avoid a heart attack.
“Frank, Delaware is a liberal state; O’Donnell will never win an election for statewide office. Never.
You need to consider moving to Nelsonia, if for no other reason, to avoid a heart attack.”
Keep telling yourself that Rick…what’s your basis? Joe Biden and Tom Carper?
Biden was alone as a liberal in our congressional delegation for DECADES and our Governors were conservative from Dupont until Minner (yes, Castle governed as a conservative but has since moved FAR left, Carper also governed as a fiscal conservative)
I think what you mean to say is that most of Delaware is not the social conservative fire brand state that say, Oklahoma is. Maybe not but there are many pro-life people or at least pragmatic pro-choice people in the state. In fact, Delaware is actually one of the most FISCALLY conservative states in the country. Polling in Delaware trends WAY up on the Fiscal Conservative scale. The problem is we are a small state which falls victim to political incest, populism and electing someone you know…much quicker and more easily than a large state.
You better check your facts. Delawar is a right of center state and conservatism wins. We have to OFFER the option though. We don’t currently. Who is the Conservative option between Coons and Castle? The answer is neither and any honest person would tell you that.
Evan’s idea of “facts” is “whatever I say.” Keep telling yourself what you tell yourself, Evan. Make sure you tell all your followers to sit out the Senate election once O’Deadbeat loses the primary.
“Evan’s idea of “facts” is “whatever I say.” Keep telling yourself what you tell yourself, Evan. Make sure you tell all your followers to sit out the Senate election once O’Deadbeat loses the primary.”
I’m just asking you people who think Delaware is some bastion of Liberal Progressivism to show me proof. Where does it exist? Wilmington? I’d ask you to show me proof in an election on issues, where the city of Wilmington comes down on the side of tax and spend, screw the Constitution and Government takeover of industries….I’ve got polling that says it doesn’t happen…there’s another element to why Delaware has elected more and more liberals to congress and the reason is the choices the people are given. More people sit out elections than vote in them. Why? Because most are like my father and won’t vote for someone they don’t believe in. Period. Others are voting for names they know because they don’t have a grip on the issues. 2010 is a different year. People are more educated on the issues and more people are educated on the issues. More people are taking a stand, siding with a candidate and voting on principles and not parties. From your basement in your underwear you can giggle and criticize anonymously all you want but the reality is that the political class in Delaware is totally missing the point. Septemeber and then November will be rude awakenings.
For you, perhaps. Here are the facts: the two biggest vote-getters in Delaware history are Mike Castle and Tom Carper, moderates both. You can call them center-right if you like, but then, you folks think YOU’RE center-right.
The only rude awakening in September will be yours. You have shown all too often what you treasure — somebody who talks the talk but cannot walk the walk. Christine O’Donnell is a fraud, plain and simple, and she’s made her “living” for several years now conning clowns like you. Congratulations.
Evan,
1. You post implies that Castle voted for the stimulus bill. You state that Castle supported “the federal initiative” and then you immediately talk about the stimulus bill. Perhaps your implication was unintended, or perhaps it was just a mistake, but the implication is there. Just own up to it for Pete’s sake.
2. As to TARP, you seem awfully inconsistent in your points. On the one hand, you complain that it was the federal govenment’s encouragement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and other poor oversight, that made TARP necessary. I think all R’s are frustrated by that, particularly since it was the D’s, led by Dodd who blocked reform, and it was D’s cronies who made millions in bonuses from Fannie and Freddie, yet the press blames R’s (there’s a surprise). In any event, though, once the crisis occurred, I think it would have been absolutely irresponsible to just let financial institutions fail, thereby causing an economic disaster of untold magnitude. So, with that background, then, is it your position that TARP should not have happened or not? You’re starting to sound like a politician by trying to have it both ways…
3. Finally, you owe the good Ms. Rakestraw a much better apology than what you’ve offered so far. To be clear, she was not the one who yelled out at the convention. Talk to the folks in the Sussex delegation, they’ll tell you it wasn’t her because it came from the second (or third, I forget which) row there. Of course, your insult was so over the top disgusting that I think you ultimately made yourself look like a real ass and that sort of insulting behavior only leads people to conclude that you have nothing of substance or importance to say.
1. You post implies that Castle voted for the stimulus bill. You state that Castle supported “the federal initiative” and then you immediately talk about the stimulus bill. Perhaps your implication was unintended, or perhaps it was just a mistake, but the implication is there. Just own up to it for Pete’s sake.
It’s a direct quote from HIS campaign website. Now, they’ve CHANGED the website since this post went out on my blog May 19th. The direct quote from his website on May 19th was: “Economic Stimulus – Mike Castle has supported the federal initiative to return millions of taxpayer dollars back to individuals and families, spur business investment, and expand refinance options for homeowners.”
Think what you want but that is the absolute truth. I realize going back to his page that it’s been changed since then but it doesn’t change the fact that everything on this post was factually present on his website when I wrote the post. It also doesn’t change the fact that Mike Castle continuously claims to return money to Delaware, bring jobs to the state and help families when in reality, it was his ineffectiveness (and that of his Delaware colleagues in Washington and Dover) that failed to save the jobs at two auto-plants or replace them with an equal number of jobs. They’ve failed to spur much of anything and at least in Delaware the “stimulus packages” and related federal spending increases have resulted in ZERO net gains in employment. In fact we’re in the hole 10,000+ jobs and none of them, as I can see it, give a damn. It’s all about Mike and how it benefits him. He voted with the liberals 55% of the time in 2009 and 65% of the time in 2008. Republican budget hawk indeed…He is what he is…the Arlen Specter of Delaware.
Stossel-Fan (wow would he be real impressed with this guy..lol)
2. As to TARP, you seem awfully inconsistent in your points. On the one hand, you complain that it was the federal govenment’s encouragement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and other poor oversight, that made TARP necessary. I think all R’s are frustrated by that, particularly since it was the D’s, led by Dodd who blocked reform, and it was D’s cronies who made millions in bonuses from Fannie and Freddie, yet the press blames R’s (there’s a surprise). In any event, though, once the crisis occurred, I think it would have been absolutely irresponsible to just let financial institutions fail, thereby causing an economic disaster of untold magnitude. So, with that background, then, is it your position that TARP should not have happened or not? You’re starting to sound like a politician by trying to have it both ways…
Mike Castle failed to stop Fannie and Freddie throughout YEARS of bad deals and excessive risk. Only NOW, in 2010 does he start questioning the validity of two programs that failed catastrophically. I’m sorry but that’s a little like telling someone who died of Cancer 3 days ago that he could have cured himself by taking a pill. It’s too little too late. TARP should NOT have happened. I’ve been clear about that. I don’t see where it’s done anything to actually STOP anything from happening, all it’s done is prolong the inevitable.
3. Finally, you owe the good Ms. Rakestraw a much better apology than what you’ve offered so far. To be clear, she was not the one who yelled out at the convention. Talk to the folks in the Sussex delegation, they’ll tell you it wasn’t her because it came from the second (or third, I forget which) row there. Of course, your insult was so over the top disgusting that I think you ultimately made yourself look like a real ass and that sort of insulting behavior only leads people to conclude that you have nothing of substance or importance to say.
You’re overreaching here pal. 1.) I apologized because some of the language I used was improper and that’s all she or anyone else is getting out me. I know what I saw and I don’t care who says different I saw her duck her head behind a man along the far wall and I heard HER voice shout (Pay your bills). Now you can harp on what I said all you want, make it a front page story. The bottom line is I apologized publicly here for the language (but not the accusations) and privately (or semi publicly as much of the DE GOP leadership was copied) as well.
As I told Prissy Rakes (again, this nickname isn’t going away and neither is “Tommy Boy” at least until they make some strides) in the semi-private email, I think she will do anything, go further and do more than just about anyone in the party AND I think that she is willing to compromise her principles in order to win. I think she will do things that are improper, disrespectful and while I’m not sure she’s done anything “illegal” I wouldn’t rule out that she’s done things over the years that are borderline. She’s said as much herself and as I told her in the email, I believe that she and the rest of the Delaware GOP have been so burdened by a string of terrible win/loss records that they have lost sight of principles and tried to focus only on winning. And THAT is why they continue to lose seat after seat. That’s why only the national political winds ever change anything in Delaware, because the State Party is blown by them (or by the way they THINK it’s blowing). I think it’s a shame that people who were so intimately involved in electing perhaps our greatest modern President, a man who began his life in one party and migrated to another, who lived the liberal and conservative lives and who showed us that principles matter. I told her that I hoped one day she and others like her would return to those principles, put aside that “anything for the party” mentality and learn to work for the party without corrupting it.
Evan,
Must be great knowing your never wrong. I guess we can lay all the blame on Castle for not reforming Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac thereby leading to TARP; and, although not entirely clear, it seems as though you are arguing that TARP should not have been passed, notwithstanding the crisis at the time. Very responsible.
As to Priscilla, I’m glad you know her so well, and have dealt with her so much, that you can recognize her voice across the very crowded convention hall. Give it up. It was not her. You are flat wrong (although, since you never admit to being wrong, and seem to have a pathalogical belief that everything you say is gospel truth, I know I’m wasting my time pointing out what is so clearly obvious to everyone else). By the way, I know her voice too, and not only is the location of the shout wrong, but it wasn’t her voice. Give it up. Suck it up. Be a man and apologize like you should.
By the way, you point out the the party has lost seat after seat over the years. Wasn’t the great Christine O’Donnell herself a candidate 2 years ago, and didn’t she get trounced? Moreover, in doing so, she demonstrated that she was a lousy candidate who had no clue about how to run a campaign. Moreover, she failed to file timely campaign finance reports (that’s election law 101, by the way), and the reports she did file make clear that she has no qualms about reimbursing her own personal expenses even as she stiffs her staff and her campaign is in debt. I don’t question your right to prefer another candidate to Castle, but the fact that you would prefer O’Donnell makes me question your judgment.
I guess we can lay all the blame on Castle for not reforming Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac thereby leading to TARP; and, although not entirely clear, it seems as though you are arguing that TARP should not have been passed, notwithstanding the crisis at the time. Very responsible.
Wow…King of Distortions here…I blame Castle fore Fannie and Freddie because he has the ability through his committee to reform it. TARP should not have been passed, the banks would have worked themselves out, some would have crashed but that crash would be minor compared to the coming fall. I don’t know why this is not clear enough for you but if you cannot understand this…I’m afraid there is no help for you.
Give it up. Suck it up. Be a man and apologize like you should.
I did apologize for those things I believe should have been apologized for. I firmly believe that what I saw and heard is the truth and as such I’m not going to apologize for seeing what I saw and hearing what I heard.
Wasn’t the great Christine O’Donnell herself a candidate 2 years ago, and didn’t she get trounced?
Almost everyone was swept up by the blue wave in 2008. The Party offered no support and yes, she was inexperienced and had an inexperienced staff.
Moreover, in doing so, she demonstrated that she was a lousy candidate who had no clue about how to run a campaign. Moreover, she failed to file timely campaign finance reports (that’s election law 101, by the way), and the reports she did file make clear that she has no qualms about reimbursing her own personal expenses even as she stiffs her staff and her campaign is in debt.
A.) She learned from her mistakes in 2008
B.) Those reports by the way were filed in a timely enough fashion that the FEC considers them a non-issue…soooooo…what’s your point?
I don’t question your right to prefer another candidate to Castle, but the fact that you would prefer O’Donnell makes me question your judgment.
And the fact that you believe everything you read makes me question yours. Besides that, I’m FAR more confident in the voters of the state than I am in the opinion of an anonymous blog commenter who goes by the name “Stossel-fan” and yet clearly stands on the side of the establishment where John Stossel does the exact opposite. Enjoy your experience here on the blogs. I’m off to meet the voters and engage the citizens. Take care now..buh bye then.
Evan,
Everything about your post confirms what I said when I said you believe you can’t be wrong. Priscilla was not the one who yelled out, it was a member of the Sussex delegation, in fact, it was someone who posts regularly here. But, you obviously “know” what you saw and heard, even though it was not Priscilla. How dare someone question you.
I also love how you seem to blame the Republican party for loss after loss, yet when it comes to the lovely Ms. O’Donnell, it wasn’t her fault, she just get swept up in the blue wave. It will be interesting to read what your excuses are after the primary.
And, by the way, my larger point about her campaign finances is what they reveal about her personality: besides multiple late filings, she is paying her own expenses before those of her staff and other creditors, and her campaign is in debt. If she can’t raise any serious money, how can she expect to compete. Coons raised more money in the first three months of this year than O’Donnell has raised in all her various political misadventures combined. You claim she learned something from 2008, I have yet to see what it was, and, in fact, I think she’s done a poorer job in the past 12 months than she did in 2008.
As you say, I’m far more confident in the voters of this state than you. See you after the primary.
Biden was alone as a liberal in our congressional delegation for DECADES..
That was then and this is now.
Who was Delaware’s last conservative governor?
Who was Delaware’s last conservative House Representitive?
When did a conservative last win a major statewide race?
Sussex County is conservative…however, New Castle is liberal. It win be a long conversion process.
The conversion has been going on for years, and not in your direction. Look at the GOP registration numbers in Brandywine Hundred; they’ve been eroding for years in what was once the upstate Republican stronghold.
The appeal of Christine O’Donnell shows how separated from reality some people (Evan in particular) really are — to the point where professional help should be sought.
If you looked at the facts of O’Donnell’s “career” without knowing about her political positions, you would conclude she’s either a con woman or psychologically unstable, depending on whether she knows what she’s doing or is driven by her ideology. There’s not a shred of evidence that she can accomplish the simple tasks of everyday life — earning a living, paying her bills — let alone perform the basic tasks of a US Senator.
To overlook these shortcomings because of her positions on issues means you’re either as psychologically shaky as she is (and from reading your posts, that’s my guess) or you just have a soft spot for con women.