The U.S. Senate voted on Wednesday to soften a "Buy American" plan in its $900 billion stimulus bill after President Barack Obama expressed concern the original language could trigger a trade war.

Senators, on a voice vote, approved an amendment requiring the Buy American provisions be "applied in a manner consistent with U.S. obligations under international agreements."

The change gives Canada, Mexico, the European Union and certain other major trading partners some comfort they would be exempted from a strict requirement in the bill that all public works projects funded by the stimulus package use only U.S.-made iron, steel and manufactured goods.

It's early morning and maybe I'm confused. But Repubs voting against "American" is weird.

Now if the Europeans want to let their taxpayer money create American jobs, we'll be delighted to talk about how to end protectionism.

These amendments are there because Americans cannot trust American corporations to create jobs in America when given money by American taxpayers.

Aren't the Europeans making enough from our consumer purchases?

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

What was interesting was that while they seemed at least sort of upset by the "Buy America" provisions, they mentioned that they really like Democrats and not so much Republicans. Someone pointed out that Mondale had an approval rate of 85% and Reagan 15%.

Solution? Shed the South and merge with Canada.

How ya gonna hold down the ringing rhetoric over the airwaves that passionately asks "Why are they taking OUR TAX DOLLARS and buying steel overseas to bring back home to fix our bridges and roads? Where's the stimulus in that? BUY AMERICA!" Just use your imagination and put yourself in the shoes of a family with no money for food, heat or gasoline, and think how you would react to a "Buy America" campaign.