Barrasso "No" vote on bailout

bI just got this from Barrasso's website:

Senator Barrasso Votes No

Statement on Rescue Package Vote

October 1, 2008

Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo) voted against the $700 billion dollar rescue package. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo) also voted against the package.

Barrasso issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON– “As I have said from the beginning of this debate, providing a $700 billion rescue package to our financial institutions is a significant risk to taxpayers. Any government assistance must protect taxpayers – not reward failure.

This rescue package did not meet my three core principles - accountability, oversight and taxpayer protection.

Strong oversight, accountability and transparency are essential. I will continue to fight for folks in Wyoming who work hard for their money and deserve to have their tax dollars used wisely.”

Senator Barrasso, Live

In last week's Kemmerer Gazette I wrote a column on Senator Barrasso's live town hall meeting he held over the telephone. Yes, telephone and our home phone number was one of the number's that was randomly selected, I guess, to participate. The call started with a recording of Senator John Barrasso and that led to my call being transferred into a live town hall meeting with an obviously "live" Senator Barrasso taking questions from all across the state of Wyoming. You can read my Kemmerer Gazette article here.

This morning my phone rang and to my delight, a voice said, "Is this Karla Toomer? This is Senator Barrasso and this is not a recording." I got a good morning laugh. He called to say he enjoyed the article. We had a very brief conversation. I am quickly finding that my time talking with or listening to Senator Barrasso is never enough. (I bet his wife Bobbi feels the same way)

I wished him good luck with all he does. And, I meant it.