Sagacity

Ads & Endorsements

2012-01-20T13:42:00.005-05:00

This is the "political" portion of my Irish Eyes blog entry about advertisements and endorsements:

The worst of the ad lots are products promoted by celebrities. I can't think of anything less influential or less credible than a celebrity endorsement. Who wouldn't hawk a product if they were paid gobs of money to do so? The product or cause could be a load of crap for all we know, and I'm not willing to spend the dough to find out otherwise - no matter who is at the advertising helm. I've been a fan of The Rolling Stones for decades, but I definitely would not buy a product endorsed by Mick Jagger or his band mates just because they insist on its goodness.

The same applies to celebrities endorsing political candidates. Who cares what they think, for God's sake? Their opinions are no more viable than anyone else's, even if they try to lead us to believe they have insight into their particular candidate. To me, it's just another example of the high and mighty who believes American masses are nothing more than a tribe of idiots with no thoughts of our own. Of course, there are idiots among us (including the high and mighty), but for the most part we are all quite capable of understanding the political spectrum and arriving at a decision on our own.

I care as much about political candidate endorsements as I do the right-wing opinions of my neighbors. I'm just not interested. I'm old enough to know my own preferences, and I've heard all the arguments many times before.

And that's all I have to say about that…

Clown Show

2012-01-03T13:28:00.012-05:00

I've tried to keep my mouth shut about the assortment of clowns vying to be the GOP party candidate for President, but I can no longer bite my tongue.

Let's get real. None of the right-wing candidates inspire a great deal of confidence. In fact, I find most of them to be a major joke, some less than others. It's not my intention to unleash personal attacks per say, but please....can you imagine the robotic Ken-doll Mitt Romney as leader of the free world? Or Michele Bachmann - who likens herself to Margaret "Iron Lady" Thatcher - sitting in the Oval Office? And honestly, do we need another gunslinger wanna-be (Rick Perry) running the country? The scenarios are laughable, plain and simple.

All of them refuse to acknowledge the work President Obama has done, hiding their true feelings of ugly racism by attacks on his policies. I don't care how often or how vigorously they try to deny it, most wealthy (eg: white) people sitting in the right-wing echelon will never accept the President. We have the virtually non-functioning and aggressive blockage of Congress as a case-in-point. The right-wing mantra of Christian values et al is a load of hooey, conveniently used to suit their purposes in the moment.

I had to laugh out loud the other night when one of the candidates - can't recall which one - said it was time "to take our country back." Back from who, or what? If one of "them" is elected, does it mean we are to return to the destructive policies of George W. Bush via the demented Dick Cheney?

Who are they kidding?

Credit History & Employment

2011-11-29T08:36:00.003-05:00

One of many sore points in today's economy is an employer's ability to check the credit history of job applicants. This is an outrageous invasion of privacy and should not be allowed. It stands to reason an applicant's credit history might be spotty if he/she has been out of work for a period of time or experiences a financially catastrophic medical procedure.

Individual credit histories should not be made available to employers who might use the information as a hiring qualifier. To state the obvious, job skills and credit histories have nothing to do with one another.

In addition, just as employees are often required to give a two-week notice before quitting a job, it should be mandatory for employers to give the same notice prior to layoffs or closings.

Truth Emerges

2011-11-05T11:32:00.010-04:00

Former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich appeared on the Ed Schultz Show yesterday, where he hit the nail on the head regarding our current state of immovable affairs:

What the Republicans want to do is keep the unemployment rate as high as possible because history has shown it's the best way to make sure a president is a one-term president.

Reich, who is also a UC Berkeley Professor, went on to say: "President Obama needs to make sure the public understands what republicans are doing, what they've been doing for more than two years with their just say no attitude, which is to sabotage the presidency and to undermine the economy."

Related commentary from Reich's web site: "The disconnect between Washington and the rest of the nation hasn't been this wide since the late 1960s. The two worlds are on a collision course: Americans who are losing their jobs or their pay and can't pay their bills are growing increasingly desperate. Washington insiders, deficit hawks, regressive Republicans, diffident Democrats, well-coiffed lobbyists, and the lobbyists' wealthy patrons on Wall Street and in corporate suites haven't a clue or couldn't care less."

In essence, GOP hatred of President Obama far outweighs their concern – or lack thereof – for the American people. Their number one goal is not jobs or fixing the economy, but getting rid of President Obama come 2012.

Click here to see Friday's video with Reich from the Ed Show (MSNBC).

Cut Congress Benefits (CCB), Part One

2011-11-05T11:04:00.010-04:00

Job security is a constant source of worry and stress for most Americans. Unlike members of Congress, we don't have assured benefits at the end of our working lives. Some of us have to make choices between paying rent, buying food or obtaining medicine, much less deciding what to do with a pension.

The perks enjoyed by members of Congress appear to rival those of a financially thriving corporation. While the base salary of a junior member of Congress is $174,000, they also have access to an "allowance" that helps fund their office staff. For instance, House members are allotted more than $900,000 to pay the salaries of up to eighteen employees. On top of that, they receive $250,000 for travel expenses and mass constituent mailings (also known as "franking"), the cost for which is borne by the taxpayer. Worse yet, Senators receive $3.3 million for office expenses. Some senators also receive $500,000 to hire up to three legislative assistants.

According to a report from the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) and Our Generation (OG) advocacy groups, "Federal legislators earn 3.4 times more than the average full-time American worker and are among the highest paid legislators in the industrialized world."

Furthermore, the report states: "Congressional salaries and benefits are compared with what private sector workers receive, and with those of foreign legislators. Members of Congress receive an annual salary of $174,000 - which alone puts them in the highest-paid 5 percent of U.S. workers. They also, however, receive a host of additional benefits that put their total annual compensation at around $285,000. By comparison, the average full-time American employee earns just $50,875 annually."

David Williams, president of TPA, says: "Congress has run up a $14.3 trillion debt and a $1.5 trillion deficit, yet they are still among the best compensated employees in America. It is time to hold our representatives in Washington responsible for their job performance. With the high salaries Congress is collecting, we don't think it's too much to ask that they do their jobs and get our economic house in order."

The TPA also points out that that if congressional salaries were cut to $100,000 taxpayers could save $39 million each year.

Current annual salaries for top positions in the House and Senate:

• Speaker of the House ($223,500)
• House Majority Leader ($193,400)
• House Minority Leader ($193,400)
• Senate Majority Party Leader ($193,400)
• Senate Minority Party Leader ($193,400)

Many of us would be more than grateful for just a fraction of such salaries, willing to work our fingers to the bone to earn the money. That's more than can be said of our legislators at the moment.

Members of Congress also enjoy an annual cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA), unless Congress votes against it. Why not leave constituents to vote on whether members of Congress receive annual COLA’s instead? Because congressmen and senators know they would never be granted raises if they let us decide the issue.

If members of Congress faced the same level of financial and healthcare insecurity the average American deals with every day, perhaps their voting consciences will take a direction for the better. Most important of all, perhaps the sense of urgency and panic many of us feel will be experienced by those in power and will propel them to set aside the poison and acrimony now polluting Washington D.C. and get down to business.

Pay cuts for members of Congress should be implemented, above and beyond any wage freezes currently in place. Since the rest of us have to live within our means, right in line with the virtually non-moving Cost of Living index, so should members of Congress. If they cannot live on their wages, so be it.

Denial Mode

2011-10-12T14:16:00.004-04:00

I was listening to NBC's Jamie Gangell interview Mitt Romney with Chris Christie the other night, and was struck by a comment made by the New Jersey governor: "Romney is our best chance of taking back the White House."

Take it back from what, where or who? Take it back to the disastrous times of George W. Bush? Do Republicans really think the general populace has forgotten what Bush did to the United States in eight short years?

Or perhaps right-wing politicians are living in convenient denial, in their minds truly forgetting what their party did to our country.

Speaking for myself, I have daily reminders of their handiwork in the cost of food, healthcare and the consequences of their current non-action, not to mention just trying to survive in general.

I doubt I'm the only one.

Onwards & Outwards

2011-10-08T10:11:00.003-04:00

As mentioned in my blog post Media Skim, I was rather puzzled by the lack of coverage on the Occupy Wall Street movement. However, it's hard to ignore when people are assembling in every major city to make their displeasure known, including the bloody place where I live at the moment.

Local news channels in my current place of residence are not known for their impartiality. In other words, it's fairly obvious to which political side they lean on any given day. It's one of the reasons I tend to look to the web or cable news, in particular MSNBC, to get a reality check and to shed the feeling that I live in a veritable Twilight Zone.

I was surprised when people gathered at the capitol nearby to carry on their own Occupy Wall Street demonstration, and even more stunned when local news channels reported the event. It was peacefully organized and well-attended, but resident senator Orrin Hatch naturally cast his own brand of alarmism into the mix:

"We are going to have riots in this country because of what these people are doing."

"These people" are tired of carrying the burden for everyone in America, which is something right-wing extremists like Hatch will never understand. I'm sure he would be perfectly happy if we all just sat back and swallowed the financial inequities that have nearly crippled our country.

On an unrelated note, I'm doing my damndest to get out of the place where I currently reside. I realize the political and economic climates are the same everywhere in the United States at the moment, but to get away from a community that tries to control what we view on television or attempts to foist their religious views non-conformists is a good start.

Media Skim

2011-10-03T10:27:00.004-04:00

I fully support the views of the Occupy Wall Street movement. I knew sooner or later people would grow tired of class and financial inequity; the constant burden placed on them even as they lose their jobs, benefits and homes with no signs of relief in sight.

However, I'm not sure what to make of the disparity in media coverage. I didn't realize the demonstrations had spread to other US cities until a headline at the UK’s Daily Mail caught my eye: Occupy Wall Street protests spread across U.S. to Boston, Los Angeles and Chicago as cities brace for more demonstrations.

One glance at my usual news source, MSNBC, displays not one mention of the incidents as of this morning. Why is that? It's certainly not typical for people to take to the streets in America. When they finally do take action, it's NEWS. I've heard brief mention of the demonstrations, but nothing as intense as the boringly ridiculous coverage of celebrity weddings and split-ups. If I'm gleaning reports from the wrong source, where do I go to find decent coverage – other than a British online newspaper?

Think Progress and Wonkette have been tracking the various protests (re: A Complete List of National Politicians Who Have Embraced the Occupy Wall Street Protests), but I'm flummoxed as to why major media outlets skim over the topic.

Is every money-making machine in the hip pocket of Wall Street these days?

In my opinion, the protests are long overdue. Hard-working people are weary of footing the bill as the wealthy virtually get away scot-free.

Catching Up

2011-09-11T09:55:00.005-04:00

A computer crash and a death in the family have kept me away for quite awhile. I hope to get back in the political swing of things shortly.

My estranged husband, who was still my best friend, passed away on September 2. Rather than go into all the details, I wrote about him on my primary blog Irish Eyes. Click here to read the entry. I've been helping his brother with arrangements and other details, so the last week has been like a blur and quite difficult.

The day before my birthday last month, my computer literally sizzled inside the tower and gave up the ghost. There was no reviving it, I'm afraid. I dragged out my old computer (Windows XP, last updates from 2007), and managed to work with that for a short time. I now have a newer system. Just yesterday I finished re-loading all my essential software programs and documents. I hope everything holds out until I strike it rich! ;)

Today I will be spending some time watching the commemoration events for 9/11 victims. It's hard to believe ten years have passed by so quickly, yet the memories are still fresh. In fact, it was right around this time ten years ago that Wilbert and I began to date.

Today is sad for many reasons.

True Colors

2011-08-07T18:17:00.003-04:00

Come next election time, I don't think people will forget how the "Repugs" were willing to sacrifice them just in order to make President Obama "look bad." If the right-wing's lack of concern for their constituents or the American people in general wasn't obvious before, it surely is now. Their rabid hatred of the President seems to override all else, even common sense and basic compassion.

Them Girlies

2011-06-27T13:42:00.007-04:00

Sarah Palin and Michele Bachman have given women in politics a terrible name, lending credence to "air head" theories sometimes perpetuated by men in similar positions.

Being a woman, I'm likely to support a female candidate if she makes sense on issues and doesn't seem to be primarily driven by self-advancement (and little else).

Palin and Bachmann are both major embarrassments, frankly.

I can only think of three female candidates I could in all conscience vote for if they ran for the highest office after President Obama's second term: Hillary Clinton, Claire McCaskill and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz.

Big Surprise

2011-06-06T17:14:00.001-04:00

Oh, for crying out loud! Both political parties have their equal share of perverts and idiots. Let's just get back to the business of governing already.

Well-Said

2011-05-26T09:23:00.007-04:00

A remark from Dublin Taxi about President Obama's recent visit to Ireland:

I can say that after listening to the words of Mr. Obama you have the future in a safe pair of hands.

Well said.

Tenderfoot Slash

2011-04-10T02:00:00.003-04:00

Here's a novel idea: Let's cap congress/senate salaries at 40K per year; limit their pension amounts and force them to find and pay for their own medical insurance coverage instead of sponging off the taxpayer.

Who'd run for office then? Only those truly motivated by the needs of their voting districts.

Pay Freeze

2011-04-07T15:46:00.004-04:00

Typical:

> Who gets a paycheck in a shutdown? Congress

If there's going to be a government shutdown, the first pay freeze should occur in Congress. They don't deserve their exorbitant salaries in the first place, and it's their fault the shutdown is looming to boot. Why should they get paid?

GOP Tripe

2011-04-05T13:45:00.015-04:00

Who on earth do they think they're fooling?

> GOP Budget Plan

I listened to MSNBC while Republicans rattled off their plan, irritated by their misguided implications that President Obama is at fault for our current financial woes. Where were these people when Bush was spending like a drunken sailor? Why didn't they publicly gripe when Wall Street fell in 2008, yet again with Bush at the helm?

The right-wing has no real concern for the common people. Don’t be fooled by their patronizing rhetoric. If they truly wanted to help the American people they’d make a sincere effort to take away tax cuts for the rich, just for starters. As history has shown, doing so swings the deficit the other way and creates jobs.

God forbid!

Playing Catch-Up

2011-04-02T09:16:00.021-04:00

I've been so bad about posting blog entries in the last few months. Finishing an eight-part anthology kept me rather busy for quite awhile. However, I'm slowly but surely making my way back into the real world.

This morning I spent some time browsing the articles at Think Progress. A few of them caught my eye (articles are linked while my comments follow the links):

Rep. Trent Franks Warns 'I Don't Know That The Country Can Survive' If President Obama Is Reelected: Who is this numb-nut, and where was he when Bush was President?

Bar-Owning GOP Montana State Representative Says Stricter DUI Laws Are Destroying A Way of Life: Only a drunk would defend drunk driving. Trust me, I know. Alcoholism runs on both sides of my family, and my second husband was a souse. They defend drinking in any form, on any level. Drunk-driving is a deadly serious matter and not to be taken lightly. And no, I'm not a lush despite my bloodline.

In 2010, CEO Pay Went Up 27% While Worker Pay Went Up 2%: One of the things I'd like to see change in America – aside from bigotry, animal-cruelty and poverty – is the sense of self-entitlement certain people seem to have in their jobs and various walks of life. I worked for a corporation many years ago, and was disgusted daily by the behavior of CEO's and other executives. It wasn't just the ridiculous amount of money they received; it was the arrogance and implication of the "I'm better than you" mentality that offended me. Nothing seems to have changed in the present, but the system desperately needs an overhaul. Didn't we once fight a well-known war for independence to get way from narcissistic and imperial superiority?

Several GOP Senators Take Credit For Infrastructure Funding They Voted Against: Typical phooey from the GOP. They haven't accomplished much of anything since the overblown election last November, and now they want to hitch a ride whether they agreed with H.R.1 or not.

Indiana GOP Rep Says Women Will Pretend To Be Raped To Get Free Abortions: First of all, I don't know much about Indiana politics. However, I do have strong opinions about the abortion issue. Ultra-conservatives don't want abortion to be legal, and they'd love to see Roe v Wade reversed. The issue they often rally against – having the opinions of others rammed down their throats – is the same thing they are trying to do to anyone who doesn't see life from their angle. Anyone can believe what they want, but I'd rather not have conservative views or the right-wing perception of morality forced on me, either. If they decry the views of others being heaped upon them, why turn around and do the same? Contrary to popular belief, conservatives are not at the right-hand of God.

White House Blog: Health Reform One-Year Anniversary: I've always been a proponent of healthcare reform and was supremely happy when President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law last year. Having been through my fair share of medical issues, including problems with my insurance company and financial crisis despite the coverage, I fully support the law. I just wish public option had been part of the plan. I still believe members of Congress should relinquish their benefits while the rest of us struggle in the current economy or fall victim to the selective caginess of insurance companies. If Republicans are so intent on saving money over basic healthcare – which is a right, not a privilege – they should start in their own backyards.

Finally, I think President Obama is doing a wonderful job. The man has faced nothing but obstacles – foreign and domestic – since he stepped into the White House. He has dealt with the hurdles with great aplomb, decisive action and unruffled tenacity.

Irrelevant right-wing loudmouths – we all know who they are - need to take a powder and fade into the sunset.

Books & Stuff

2011-02-26T07:49:00.016-05:00

My publisher added Passion Forsaken to Amazon (Kindle). Here's the details:

Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NEVSWS

Quixotic Crossings, part two of the Collective Obsessions anthology, will be coming out next month. Saints preserve me! I don't know how much more excitement I can stand...

Slim Peckings

2011-02-03T16:49:00.003-05:00

Since last October, I've received multiple publishing contracts for books written under one of my fiction monikers Deidre Dalton. Needless to say, I'm over the moon about my good fortune. I've worked long and hard for many years on my writing. To receive one publishing contract is incredible, but to have six in hand is a dream come true.

However, it leaves little time for anything else at the moment. Editing and finalizing several books for release in 2011 requires a great deal of focus, and it's where my head has to be for the foreseeable future.

I'll try to "political blog" as often as I can, which might not be much in the coming weeks.

Bitter Leavings

2010-12-20T20:13:00.007-05:00

I was watching Hardball on MSNBC this afternoon when host Chris Matthews did a segment titled "Whatever Happened to John McCain?" He quoted extensively from a Time Magazine article written by Joe Klein, in regards to McCain's opposition to the Dream Act and his crusade against repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

McCain distinguished himself doubly this weekend, opposing the Dream Act and leading the opposition to "Don't Ask," despite the very public positions of his wife and daughter on the other side of the issue. I used to know a different John McCain, the guy who proposed comprehensive immigration reform with Ted Kennedy, the guy--a conservative, to be sure, but an honorable one--who refused to indulge in the hateful strictures of his party's extremists. His public fall has been spectacular, a consequence of politics--he "needed" to be reelected--and personal pique. He's a bitter man now, who can barely tolerate the fact that he lost to Barack Obama. But he lost for an obvious reason: his campaign proved him to be puerile and feckless, a politician who panicked when the heat was on during the financial collapse, a trigger-happy gambler who chose an incompetent for his vice president. He has made quite a show ever since of demonstrating his petulance and lack of grace.

I've felt that way about McCain for many years, but didn't quite know how to verbalize it effectively. Bravo, Joe Klein.

For more, read the entire Swampland blog entry written by Joe Klein titled Two Dreams, One Dead.

Healthcare Parity

2010-12-15T11:33:00.012-05:00

I've always been an advocate of Congress relinquishing their benefits as Americans struggle to survive in the current economy. As lawmakers make or block decisions that affect millions, why should they reap the benefits of healthcare, hefty salaries and pensions as their constituents flounder? See Collective Ineptitude, Power to the People, Malice McCain and Healthcare Foes.

I'm glad to see someone has taken it a step further by creating a petition:

Repeal THEIR healthcare: GOP leaders want to repeal health reform? Let the hypocrites start by giving up their OWN government sponsored care.

Credo Action's petition reads:

Senator McConnell and Congressman Boehner, I am calling on you and your fellow Republicans in Congress to practice what you preach, and to give up your government-sponsored health care.

For two years, you opposed any effort at reasonable reform and derided attempts to help tens of millions of uninsured Americans as "socialist." And yet, you seem to have no problem at all accepting government-sponsored health care for yourselves.

Practice what you preach, and stop being hypocrites. You want to repeal health care reform? Fine, start by repealing your own.

Signing the petition certainly can't hurt. Nothing else seems able to spurn the right-wing into action.

Uphill Spread

2010-12-06T19:21:00.005-05:00

How sick is the current atmosphere of "compromise" being conducted in Washington DC? Right-wing legislators will now cave on extending unemployment benefits only after President Obama agrees to extend Bush tax cuts for the rich.

What the hell? Why not take the money saved from denying tax cuts to the rich and giving it over to the common folk who can't find jobs?

When I saw the sour-faced Mitch McConnell on Meet the Press on Sunday, I had the strong urge to vomit. This sorry excuse for a man went on about the voters "having spoken" during the elections last month. Where were the Republicans when the voters spoke during the 2008 election? Did they listen to the voters then? No, they did everything in their power to block everything President Obama tried to do to help the American people.

I detest prejudice in every form, but I can say without equivocation that I hate the Republicans and all they stand for. Their party needs to be abolished, or better yet, taken down by angry public mobs. The GOP doesn't deserve to be taken seriously. Their self-serving agenda is enough to turn normally rational and decent people into snarling, livid beasts.

Wing Nut Clog

2010-11-05T22:13:00.007-04:00

I think it's the right-wing media's plan to clog the airwaves with garbage. By highlighting ridiculous stories, they probably hope to keep President Obama and his administration so busy debunking rumors that his agenda will not be carried out.

Attacks on President Obama Going to Asia: A Long Trip from Reality

Why didn't anyone raise a fuss at the cost of George W. Bush's 160-plus excursions to his private ranch in Texas during the eight years he was in office?

Paid for with tax dollars, I might add.

Memory Loss

2010-11-03T07:49:00.002-04:00

Most of the election results are a huge disappointment, and prove the voting public has short memories.

Hopefully the tide will turn by the time the Presidential election rolls around two years hence. It took folks two years to erase facts in regards to Republicans causing our current economic mess. Perhaps it will take another two years to jog their memories to what happened the last time right-wingers were in the majority.

It's bound to end in a reversal in 2012. Republicans have no intention of addressing the needs of common people across the country. They just don't give a damn, and never have. Their non-actions will surely reawaken the general populace in due course.

Down to the Wire

2010-11-02T17:33:00.001-04:00

Similar to my thoughts from last Friday:

Obama: Agenda 'all at risk' in any Republican romp

And on a lighter note:

Five Signs Your Campaign Is Toast

Enjoy or bemoan at your leisure.

Ad Weary

2010-10-29T13:44:00.001-04:00

I'm so sick and tired of campaign ads on television, prerecorded telephone calls from various local and national candidates and an influx of crap – yes, I said crap – flooding my email inbox at the moment, I could care less who wins the various elections anymore.

And what difference will any of the elections make, really? As long as there are Republicans in the mix, nothing of great importance will get accomplished in Congress anyway.

If people used their brains instead of their silly prejudices as a basis for voting, the common folk might stand a chance.

However, we're all screwed in the current political environment.

On the Job

2010-10-08T12:51:00.002-04:00

Some folks are making a big to-do about the fact that several figures in the Obama administration have resigned recently.

If they paid attention to history, it shows many key personnel resigned after a few years in almost every presidential administration. People burn out, plain and simple. Not many can keep the pace of twenty-hour days without time off to rest. Most of the resignations have nothing to do with internal division issues, but rather with personal well-being and other, less stressful, opportunities.

If only the rest of us had such problems.

GOP Frothing

2010-09-22T20:34:00.002-04:00

How can the GOP claim to have solutions for job creation and spending control when it was one of their own - namely George W. Bush – who got us into the current mess in the first place?

In addition, their plan to repeal President Obama's healthcare law will only intensify problems with the economy as more uninsured people show up in emergency rooms for general care.

The right-wing's overreaction and overreach is symbolic of their inability to address serious issues facing America. They make a big to-do about solving problems and then sit on their hands and accomplish absolutely nothing. The sickest aspect of their display is that certain types of people follow their every word as if it were gospel, frothing at the mouth and seizing on any excuse to discredit the president and his agenda.

Block FOX

2010-09-09T14:56:00.006-04:00

A very worthwhile place to visit:

From the site:

We don't have to let Fox's attempts to stoke fear and hate shape our country's politics and culture. It's easy to turn off Fox News in our own homes — but when TVs in public places are tuned to Fox, that also spreads fear, division, and misinformation. Turn Off Fox is about ordinary people and small businesses working together to reduce Fox's influence in their own communities and across the country.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Foes of the People

2010-09-09T11:52:00.006-04:00

After almost two years of offering little in the way of alternative solutions, the GOP finally gives their best:

GOP Claims $50 Billion For Infrastructure Is Too Pricey, While Pushing $800 Billion Tax Cut For the Rich

According to Think Progress' Wonk Room:

In fact, extending the Bush tax cuts provides just 10 to 40 cents in economic activity for every dollar spent, compared with up to $1.20 for a dollar spent on infrastructure. As CBO said: "a permanent extension [of the Bush tax cuts] would entail large revenue losses after the recovery is over, so its effects on output and employment in the next few years per dollar of total budgetary cost would be much lower."

In typical selfish fashion, Republicans opt to protect their own interests rather than those of the constituents who elected them. It also shows blatant mockery of the level of public intelligence, which is erroneously and yet gleefully touted as
"the will of the people."

More Hand Sitting

2010-08-24T08:30:00.004-04:00

Rather than do the jobs they were elected to do, this best describes the goal of the right-wing in Congress for the next few years:

Rep. (Jim) Jordan: If GOP wins the House, we won't get anything done except frame the 2012 election

They've been doing that already, the minute Barack Obama walked into the White House as President. The republican members of Congress have accomplished absolutely nothing since 2008, so why should the next two years be any different?

However, they do like to spread lies and innuendo, sit on their hands when it comes time to help the American people, and generally disdain those who voted them into office.

Why formulate good policy when they can lull their constituents into voting for them, therefore allowing non-action and the collection of huge paychecks/pensions/health benefits from the taxpayers?

More Right-Wing Kaflooey

2010-08-21T16:51:00.001-04:00

What kind of reality are these nut jobs living in?

Maybe Obama Should Go To Church More Publicly So People Know He's Christian

If possible, the right-wing just keeps getting freakier.

Last Linkage

2010-08-12T14:57:00.004-04:00

I really hate the new layout at the MSNBC web site. It's not exactly new – perhaps a month or two old – but the more I use it to read or to reference a political article, the more I dislike it.

The pages are slower to load, probably due to increased graphic advertisements. In the past, MSNBC displayed articles on one page with reference links to additional and related information. Now articles are displayed in portions if they are a tad overlong, with the option of "show more text." Frankly, showing more text just provides MSNBC with the opportunity to force in videos and yet more advertisements.

Since I don't particularly care about the happenings in my local area, I'll continue to get my news from MSNBC-TV because I find them to be a highly credible source (as opposed to the blatant deceit perpetuated by Fixed News).

However, I'm through perusing and linking to the MSNBC web site articles.

Manic Diatribe

2010-08-10T09:49:00.007-04:00

See Republican rants up close and personal:

Republicans in their Own Words

Per the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC): "We're sure you've heard about all the extremist Senate candidates the Republicans are running this year. In case you've missed a few, we here at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee - the branch of the Democratic Party dedicated to electing Democrats to the Senate - would like to provide you with an introduction. Read their quotes, and then pass them along to your family and friends. We simply can't let these people gain power."

I wholeheartedly agree.

And another goody:

Meet the GOP

Per J.B. Poersch, Executive Director of the DSCC: "Republicans are running to take our country back. This argument infuriates me. It's as much our country as it is the Republicans'. It's not theirs to take back."

Hallelujah!

More Righty Spew

2010-07-04T09:57:00.004-04:00

I used to like Ted Nugent, and even saw him in concert in Reno a very long time ago, but the man's political views repulse me. He's entitled to his opinion just like anyone else, but its people of his ilk who represent the fanatical element of the right-wing. Frothing at the mouth, you might say, with very little to offer in the way of rationality.

Nugent's recent comment that we have "a clueless, rookie president hellbent on spending like a maniac as unprecedented debt piles up all around him" is hypocrisy in the extreme. Where was Nugent when George W. Bush was spending like a drunken sailor, or when the economy crashed with Bush at the helm?

And to think I wasted my hard-earned money on a few of his albums, not to mention one forgettable concert.

Froth at a Glance

2010-07-04T08:53:00.012-04:00

I've been swamped with work for the past month or so, which is a poor excuse at best for not keeping current with my political blogging. However, in my defense, not much new has been happening in the continuum other than typical right-wing froth and boring attempts to further discredit the president and his administration on all fronts.

There are some days I don't even listen to the news because it seems to be much of the same, day after day. I'm not referring to the oil spill, but to the ongoing and tiresome divisiveness between political parties.

Here are some little treasures that caught my eye this morning:

And is this any surprise?

Bush is the worst president of the modern era, bottom five of all time

He joins illustrious company with Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Warren Harding and Andrew Johnson, who round out the bottom five.

However, the topper last week came from the typically verbose and scarily irrational Rush Limbaugh: "We are now governed by people who do not like the country; our greatest threat is internal." He is also convinced President Obama has no intention of growing private sector jobs because it's "payback" time for years of racial injustice in America.

His babble is suggestive of the Republican mindset. The worst part is people actually listen to him, and believe what he says to be gospel.

I hope to see the day when the GOP has rational representation, although such an event is highly doubtful.

Collective Ineptitude

2010-05-27T17:50:00.007-04:00

If the "real" emergency facing the country is the growing national debt rather than expiring unemployment benefits, as Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has said, why doesn't he and his fellow-lawmakers forego their salaries and benefit packages until every American who wants to work has found a job?

To woo votes, Democrats scale back jobless aid

If Congress wants to scale down or cut off unemployment benefits, why not stop their own salaries first – which we pay, by the way – until every American can put food on the table for their families and children? Why should the so-called lawmakers be allowed to live comfortably off the backs of their constituents while people are going bankrupt, losing their homes or suffering without health insurance?

At this point, every last member of Congress makes me sick. They are socially retarded, out of touch with reality and the common people. Why doesn't someone – anyone - get off their ass and speak the truth for a change?

God forbid they should go without. I'm sure none of them have to worry about where to sleep tonight, or stress over what's going to be on the dinner table for their families.

Tit for Tat

2010-05-27T12:22:00.008-04:00

Republicans have always been ultra-sensitive to the criticism launched at George W. Bush during Hurricane Katrina. Bush's non-responsive actions during the crisis nearly five years ago marked the lowest point of his so-called presidency, aside from engaging the United States in the Iraq War.

Rather than expressing sincere concern about the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, right-wingers such as congressman Mike Pence from Indiana couldn't wait to get on television to bemoan "the lack of response from the Obama administration." Others stated that the oil spill is "Obama's Katrina."

From Paul Krugman at the New York Times:

"…Much of the press floated the idea that this was "Obama's Katrina" despite the fact that the administration responded as quickly as anyone could reasonably have expected, and anyway there wasn't much it could do.

What I didn't quite expect, however, was the extent of revisionism I'm seeing about Katrina itself. Again and again, I'm seeing people claiming that tales of Bush administration failure were just a falsehood spread by the liberal media, that those left-wing crazies were blaming Bush for an act of God…"

For once, I wish the right-wing would display just a smidge of real concern instead of jumping on the "take-a-stab-at-Obama" bandwagon.

They are profoundly pathetic and utterly transparent.

Speaking Volumes

2010-05-23T15:17:00.001-04:00

This man typifies the true right-wing:

Rand Paul/Rachel Maddow interview

Paul is just dumb enough to open his mouth and say what he thinks, unlike some of his GOP counterparts. Most right-wingers at least have the sense not to spew their hateful and intolerant rhetoric, knowing it will repulse the majority of informed voters.

Ironic Truths

2010-05-10T17:38:00.002-04:00

The ironic truth:

What if the Teabaggers weren't white?

Can you imagine the hellacious furor from right wing-nuts if the majority of teabaggers were African-American and carried loaded guns to their public rallies?

Thanks for the link via Rebecca's Pocket.

Post Surgery Note

2010-04-26T11:11:00.002-04:00

My own recent hospital stay makes me wonder, yet again, how people survive in the United States without health insurance.

As I said: Every American who is not living in extreme right-wing denial knows that the money itself is more important to insurance companies than the actual health of individual human beings.

No wonder the rest of the world is appalled by America as a nation "caring" for her people.

Southern Hospitality

2010-04-26T10:50:00.002-04:00

This was bound to happen sooner or later, unfortunately:

Man faces judge after Obama gun scare: Armed 23-year-old was spotted at N.C. airport as Air Force One departed

It figures one of the first nut jobs would pop up in the south.

Money First, Health Later

2010-03-31T11:04:00.010-04:00

Whoever wrote this for French President Nicolas Sarkozy should be given a gold star:

Welcome to the club of states who don't turn their back on the sick and the poor. In reference to the US healthcare hullabaloo.

And:

From the European perspective…when we look at the American debate on reforming health care, it's difficult to believe. The very fact that there should have been such a violent debate simply on the fact that the poorest of Americans should not be left out in the streets without a cent to look after them is something astonishing to us.

More importantly, Sarkozy said:

If you come to France and something happens to you, you won't be asked for your credit card before you're rushed to the hospital.

His words rang in my ears yesterday as I pre-registered for surgery at a local hospital. Almost at once, I was asked for $700. The amount was based on my healthcare insurance deductible and on a percentage of what the surgery will cost. When I informed the admitting clerk I did not have that kind of money, she rushed off to find a "financial counselor."

The issue was finally resolved, but not before the "financial counselor" made the rather cold side-remark of "you should be aware of your insurance and benefits before arranging surgery."

After she left, I turned to the admitting clerk and said: "Would it be easier if I went outside and fell down in front of the hospital in order to get treatment?"

She shook her head. "No. They'd probably just ship you to another hospital."

Nice.

The State of Hell No

2010-03-27T12:11:00.008-04:00

My summary of the GOP:

They do not accept Barack Obama as President even though he won the election in a landslide. However, in order to maintain "appearances" they publicly address him as "President."
They refuse to acknowledge the new law of the land as "healthcare reform," preferring to call it "Obama-care."
Rather than moving ahead to other issues, they are belching "repeal and replace" on healthcare even though they don't have a chance in hell of winning the argument. That's acceptable to them, apparently – they don't have to create their own solutions or work for the people who elected them.
They spread lies and misinformation in order to confuse and anger their constituencies instead of rationally giving them the truth.
They are prime-grade hypocrites: refusing to take stimulus money from the outset, only to perform a quick turnaround when it becomes obvious people in their states need the assistance. Assuredly they didn't eventually accept stimulus money out of concern for their constituents, but rather in fear of re-election failure.
They rant and rave about abortions being funded by the government (another misnomer) because they don't want the self-described immorality of it shoved down their throats. On the other hand, they don't mind shoving their beliefs down the throats of those who are pro-choice.
They incite the less-educated echelon of their constituencies into frenzies over President Obama's legitimacy as a US citizen or portray him as a Hitler-like caricature. In doing so, they reveal that their goal is to reach one of the mentally unsound fanatics in hopes they go off the deep end and actually take a shot at the President.
They offer-up Sarah Palin as their darling even though the woman is as dumb as a rock. If she's the best they have, their hate and denial mode is beyond repair. Just look at the crackpots who attend the "Tea Party" rallies – their glazed eyes and often unintelligible ravings tell the whole story better than anything or anyone else can.
Their new moniker, thanks to John Boehner: The Party of Hell No.

Although a tad unrelated, I'm at an age where I don't want escalating drama in my life. The other day a friend asked me if I would ever date a Republican or otherwise conservative man, and I responded with a resolute "No."

I am an informed voter, a political junkie if you will, and I keep abreast of an assortment of issues. With news coming in instant media these days, I cannot imagine anyone else's argument swaying me in either direction because I draw my own conclusions. In other words, I am not interested in a debate over right-wing and left-wing policies and credos because I do remain informed. High drama and screaming matches are a waste of time and accomplish absolutely nothing in my mind, and I have come to the point in my personal life where I will make room for neither. Just ask my three ex-husbands.

That being said, I cannot imagine anyone in their right mind abetting and condoning violence and hate rhetoric the way Republicans do. Blinded by greed and potential political advancement, human life and circumstance means nothing to them.

Eviction Notice

2010-03-23T12:14:00.004-04:00

I truly hope Republicans keep on their chosen path:

United stand on health bill could hurt GOP: While electorate seems skeptical of legislation, some provisions are popular

From the article by Adam Nagourney via the New York Times:

[And] in a week when Democrats are celebrating the passage of a historic piece of legislation, Republicans find themselves again being portrayed as the party of no, associated with being on the losing side of an often acrid debate and failing to offer a persuasive alternative agenda.

Come November, it won't be Americans turning out in droves to validate GOP stance but rather to firmly evict them.

Bitter Ooze

2010-03-22T09:48:00.005-04:00

This man's bitterness knows no bounds:

McCain repulsed by health care bill euphoria

What's he repulsed by? That the insurance companies can no longer cut people off when they become seriously ill or deny them coverage if they have pre-existing conditions? That Democrats are giddy because they managed to sweep by the Party of No to get something accomplished that truly benefits the American people?

Or is he "repulsed" that voters showed him the door during the presidential election in 2008, thereby robbing him of the chance to shine when healthcare reform finally saw the light of day?

If I were John McCain, I'd worry more about the upcoming reelection campaign in Arizona. The fact that he voted against healthcare reform might not sit too well with his long-held constituents, who have also been long-suffering to say the least.

Dubious Blower

2010-03-21T12:39:00.003-04:00

"Historian" Richard Shenkman claimed on MSNBC this morning that the healthcare bill does not compare in historical importance to the passage of Social Security and Medicare.

From under what rock did this moron crawl from?

Suggestion that his rhetoric has been questioned before:

"Historian" Richard Shenkman Distorts History

Although I've never heard of Shenkman before today, I'll bet the lot he's another right-wing fanatic against anything President Obama has a hand in.

How does the historic overhaul of our pathetic healthcare system not rate up against Social Security and Medicare?

True Colors

2010-03-20T22:42:00.001-04:00

The collective mentality of tea baggers, birthers, right-wingers, et al, is finally and irrevocably revealed:

Demonstrators hurl N-word, spit at black members of Congress

True colors will out.

Power to the People

2010-02-28T10:57:00.003-05:00

I reiterate: Until a substantial and legitimate healthcare bill passes, members of Congress should be denied their own medical insurance coverage. Perhaps this would light a fire underneath their seats and force them to get the job done.

I've heard it mentioned by certain commentators on political television sideshows, albeit briefly, and the notion is quickly dismissed. No one wants to explore the possibility of non-coverage for members of Congress, and I don't understand why. As voters, we have the power. Let's hold our elected government representatives feet to the fire until they accomplish something, once and for all.

Perhaps I sound like a raving lunatic, but I know I'm not the only one who feels the frustration and anger at the lack of action in D.C.

I am sick and tired of the time-wasting vitriol going back and forth between members of the Democratic and Republican parties. Each one of them likes to begin their argumentative statements with "The American people want…" They have no idea what the American people want, or they would be doing it instead of prolonging the process with rehashed debates.

Let one of their children or spouse go without health insurance coverage for awhile and see how fast something happens.

Malice McCain

2010-02-25T14:01:00.004-05:00

Against my better judgment, I listened to the Healthcare Summit on MSNBC this morning. It goes without saying I was hesitant to tune-in because my expectations included typical right-wing denial and disagreement.

Of course I wasn't far off the mark, but I was still disappointed. I truly thought the right-wing would pull their fingers out for the public; to at least try and display a smidge of cooperation or a desire to legitimately participate in the summit. Even on live television, the Republicans cannot set aside their hatred of President Obama and work for the people who elected them.

However, there was an entertaining moment in the morning session. So far, it's my favorite scene from the summit:

In [another] sharp exchange, onetime GOP presidential nominee Senator John McCain suggested that Obama had broken his campaign promise to make the legislative process transparent.

"We're not campaigning anymore," Obama retorted to his 2008 presidential campaign rival. "The election is over."

Another irritation was the reference to the health insurance coverage currently enjoyed by members of Congress and federal employees. As taxpayers, we pay for the lot. Why should members of Congress have the best insurance coverage in the nation while others go without?

Perhaps senators and congressmen/women should forego their own health benefits and excessive pensions in order to save the average taxpayer a few dollars. The money saved could be put into a big pot to cover American citizens in need of healthcare rather than the over-privileged and self-involved members of Congress.

Party Face

2010-02-25T13:56:00.004-05:00

Interesting article:

Your Political Party: Written on Your Face

Funny, I also tend to assume someone's political party from their demeanor. I don't mean to boast, but more often than not I get it right.

From the article by Andrew Price:

...Republicans' faces tended to score higher on a measure of "power," based on how dominant and mature they looked. Democrats' faces scored higher for "warmth," as based on their perceived likeability and trustworthiness.

However, I don't assume on "power" or "warmth." To me, Republicans have a particular air that relates to several extreme religions: a blank, glazed stare; holier-than-thou stance; rigidness, and self-styled superiority. None of which exemplifies knowledge and common sense.

Repulsive, yes, but that’s the way of it.

Credit Foul

2010-02-25T13:52:00.003-05:00

This is an issue that defies belief:

Bad credit sidelines some jobless workers

How on earth can one protect their credit rating when they can't find work to pay the bills? Is having an avalanche of unpaid medical bills because of lack of insurance and employment an indicator of job skills or work ethics?

And whose bright idea was it to include credit rating as hiring criteria? It has nothing to do with job performance, and frankly is not the business in any way, shape or form of one's employer.

Media Recoil

2010-02-18T11:03:00.002-05:00

I have reached a point where I avoid television news coverage like the plague.

I am saturated with negative, vitriolic and pointless repartee between political parties. The selfish bastards – Democrats and Republicans alike – are thinking of their own careers and questionable agendas, not of doing the jobs their constituents elected them to do.

It seems as if every bit of "live" commentary rehashes the same old issues, where focus is placed on the ridiculous rather than the serious problems at hand.

I've even stopped listening to my beloved MSNBC as I work at my computer during the day. They have become just as bad as CNN by allowing the flow of nasty back-and-forth.

I'll get my news in quiet internet fashion from now on, or until the hogwash subsides.

To the Curb

2010-02-16T14:11:00.002-05:00

The current sense of glee from certain members of the GOP is a bit premature, if you ask me. Most right-wing numb-nuts think the retirement of several key Democrats in government signals their death knell in the next election.

I have a different position on recent events. The general public is tired of the non-action in Washington, period. It doesn't matter if representatives are Democrat or Republican at this point. When the business of the nation is stalled because of pure obstructionism and self-interest, no one really cares about the nature of the party anymore.

Prediction: Come election time, I believe most incumbents will lose their seats because of their non-accomplishment and newly-elected officials will reflect the opposite party of their opponents.

Put simply, the "people" are sick and tired of being treated like idiots and receiving nothing in return from the people they voted into office. It's time to kick the bums to the curb, no matter how long they have held their privileged seats.

Handy Tea Bag

2010-02-07T11:11:00.005-05:00

Is it any wonder this woman is not taken seriously?

Did Palin write the answers to Tea Party Convention questions on her hand?

She was caught red-handed, so to speak.

I did not watch the Tea Party paid-speech on television, unwilling to listen to more right-wing nonsense or rather more of the same uneducated gobbledygook.

However, of the few hundred present in the room I'm sure there must have been glee in the knowledge they scored Palin - for a fee, mind you.

I believe it underscores the tea-party-goers' deep-seated and bigoted hatred of President Obama more than anything else and not their proclaimed disagreements over his policies.

Swine Club

2010-02-06T10:53:00.008-05:00

The ignorance of this man knows no bounds:

After Calling the Stimulus 'Fiscal Child Abuse,' Sanford Flies To DC to Demand Stimulus Money

I am not a resident of South Carolina and therefore have no real interest in their internal issues. However, since Mark Sanford's "scandal" last year I think he would want to draw as little attention to himself as possible. The man is a joke, both morally and politically. Because of his self-inflicted personal drama, hypocrisy and dubious governing, he has no real credibility – kind of like one of his right-wing comrades.

On that note, last night I found myself watching ABC's "news" program 20/20. It's not my typical viewing choice for a Friday evening, but after a bit of channel-surfing following Medium, I came across Jenny Sanford speaking to Barbara Walters about her marriage.

One word kept coming to mind as I listened to the poor woman talk about her husband and her life with him. Pig. The man is a pig. Not only did Jenny Sanford give up a promising career to marry the dumb bastard, she devoted herself to his political ambitions. In all likelihood, her selfless efforts propelled him into congress and into the South Carolina governorship.

And what does she get in return? A self-involved philanderer who had the utter bloodlessness to declare his mistress "soul mate" in front of the world after he was caught out in his lies. Instead of honoring his wife's loyalty and devotion to him, Sanford tromped on her like she was a piece of garbage instead of returning the respect she was due.

Self-entitlement and moral ineptitude is not confined to the right-wing. At the moment I'm also disgusted by the behavior of John Edwards, although he was never at the top of my choice of presidential candidates.

I'm not one to tout anything done by members of the right-wing, but the actions of Jenny Sanford following the scandal made her different from the rest. Instead of "standing by her man," she left him in the dust - which is where he belongs.

For that she should be applauded.

GOP Charity

2010-01-24T01:48:00.001-05:00

The right-wing definition of humanity:

SC Lt. Gov. compares people getting government help to stray animals that breed because they don't know better

When will the people who keep voting for Republicans get the message?

Stating the Obvious

2010-01-24T01:45:00.001-05:00

Yikes! Another "news flash" from the right:

Hatch Admits Hypocrisy: "A Lot of Things Weren't Paid For" When Republicans Ran Congress During Bush Years

Although I don't care for the man or his policies, at least Orrin Hatch admits GOP failings and hypocrisy. Perhaps a bit of his late friend Ted Kennedy rubbed off after all.

Pins & Needles

2010-01-19T12:57:00.010-05:00

Although I don't live in Massachusetts, I'm keeping an eye on the Senate election there with great trepidation.

There has been enough brainwash and outright lies from the right-wing to perhaps sway some people away from the left at this point. It's hard for me to fathom that anyone would want a Republican in an office held for decades by a Democrat in one form or another, much less allowing right-wing policies that are proven failures into the mix.

I understand people are frustrated by the lack of jobs and the enormous amounts of money being thrown at various social issues. The fractured healthcare system, as it limps along, is not much help, either.

However, those same people seem to have forgotten that the current troubles originated with the Bush regime and have little to do with President Obama. Our current President was stuck with the mistakes and poor governing of the previous administration, and yet in the one year he has held office he has devoted his energies to fixing the serious problems afflicting the United States.

The quandary is he cannot fix all of the massive and complicated issues overnight. No one could. Unraveling eight years of failed policies will probably take his entire term as President, and then some.

Here's a bit of history on the Massachusetts Republican candidate from Think Progress:

If the people of Massachusetts vote a Republican into the US Senate, the issues and problems will only become muddied by venomous rhetoric and non-action. The right-wing record stands on its own: the Party of No will continue to block progress, not caring one whit for the welfare of the American people but rather in furthering their own political agendas.

Nuts Afloat

2010-01-13T15:37:00.001-05:00

It figures this nut job would appear on Fixed News:

Pat Robertson Cites Haiti's Earthquake As What Happens When You Swear A Pact To The Devil

The right-wing bats are out in full force. How can anyone in their right mind assume an entire country deserves ruination and death for any reason?

Southern Discomfort

2010-01-04T12:59:00.002-05:00

This display is the result of uneducated people who have too much time on their hands and ignoramuses who allow generational hatred to continue:

Secret Service investigating effigy of President Obama hanged in Georgia

Any sort of "message" to be derived from the twisted exhibit is that certain echelons of people in certain parts of the nation give credence to the common perception about them: toothpick-chewing country bumpkins who have no sense of human decency and who are easily led by the wide array of right-wing nuts surrounding them.

And yet they still wonder why the mainstream population never takes them seriously.

Boomerang Effect

2009-12-31T12:38:00.003-05:00

From MSNBC:

Limbaugh rushed to hospital

Is he faking it? Moreover, who cares?

I'm sure many folks will be inclined to give Limbaugh the same compassion and respect he displayed toward Michael J. Fox.

What goes around comes around.

Truth to the Point

2009-12-31T02:06:00.004-05:00

I just love James Carville:

"Wild-Eyed Mob: If you ask me, 2010 is going to be the knockdown, drag out campaign of all time. Tea bag wing nuts, delusional birthers and all sorts of right-wingers are frothing at the mouth about the President's agenda for moving America forward and swimming in cash from some of the country's biggest corporate interests. Their all consuming obsession is to take down President Obama and take over Congress by any means necessary. We know Republicans have zero interest in taking on the big challenges facing America."

The statement comes via Carville from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and couldn't be more right on the money.

Denial Mission

2009-12-26T03:09:00.010-05:00

The pathetic truth from the White House blog, dated 24 December 2009 and written by White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer:

Once the [healthcare] bill hit the Senate floor, Republicans passed up the chance to offer constructive amendments. Instead they chose to obstruct votes and offer six separate motions to essentially start from scratch.

The sad truth is that Congressional Republican leaders decided early on that their best move was to "delay, define, and derail" reform – not to find common ground on a bill both parties could support. They made clear their hopes that health insurance reform would be President Obama’s "Waterloo" and that it would "break him" politically.

In the process, they lost sight of the fact that this was never about President Obama – it was about the families struggling to keep up with skyrocketing premiums; the small businesses forced to choose covering employees and staying afloat; the 15,000 Americans who lost insurance every day this year. Today's vote was a victory for them.

It's the bitter and embarrassing truth.

Anyone rallying for the GOP in their demented mission of denial should be ashamed to call themselves true Americans.

Blither Blather

2009-12-21T12:58:00.004-05:00

This man will go bitter to his grave over last year's election loss:

McCain hits Obama for failing to reach out to Republicans, while Snowe praises Obama for it

The "Maverick" dogs the President at every turn, no matter what the issue is. If Obama said the sky was blue, McCain would claim it was red. The man is as obvious in his resentment as the day is long.

McCain's fake smile abounds, but what has he really accomplished since the election besides a load of codswallop rooted in jealousy and bitter disappointment?

Posturing Anew

2009-12-16T14:49:00.003-05:00

And it continues:

GOP Slowdown Effort Underway

Does the GOP think drastic statements validate their "concern" about healthcare reform? That if they are willing "lay down in traffic to stop the bill" that their opposition has genuine merit? Perhaps in the minds of those easily swayed, but not with the general public.

Where was the GOP when thousands upon thousands were queuing for the free healthcare clinics?

The right-wing's only interest is in protecting insurance company profits, and therefore their own pockets, rather than the welfare of the American people.

In the Dark

2009-12-16T13:17:00.003-05:00

These people are desperately uninformed and nonsensical:

Kentucky Tea Partiers tell Senator Bunning's staff their concerns about Fascism, Muslims, & Taxes

On the other hand, their lack of real knowledge is embarrassing which in turn makes them scary. They actually believe what they spew.

Money Pit

2009-12-14T12:13:00.003-05:00

Here we go:

Citigroup to repay $20 billion in bailout funds

I'm of the opinion that institutions suddenly paying back Uncle Sam think such actions will justify their multi-million-dollar executive bonuses.

In other words, now that they've repaid their federal debt they can begin the process anew that helped get us into an economic mess in the first place.

Right Wing Bubble

2009-12-09T02:49:00.001-05:00

Is it just me, or is the lack of right-wing purpose growing instead of dissipating?

New Childish Republican Obstruction Tactic: Refusing To Use Their Assigned Cards In Order To Delay Votes

Good grief – the GOP needs to get over it, already!

Grains of Duplicity

2009-12-05T02:38:00.002-05:00

Oh, the hypocrisy of it:

Hatch: If GOP Controlled Government, We Would Get This Country Under Control

Where was the GOP during the Bush years? Off in la-la land with their heads buried in the sand?

Another Call Out

2009-11-28T18:01:00.003-05:00

White House response to Charles Krauthammer's article in the Washington Post:

Reality Check: Column Ignores Facts about Health Reform

I've never thought highly of Krauthammer or his illogical observations, so the article is not such a surprise. Besides, he commentates for Fixed News. That says it all.

Witty Thanks

2009-11-28T17:33:00.002-05:00

This is very funny but also very accurate:

27 Reasons to Give Thanks

My first laugh-out-loud reason was: "We're (not) thankful Dick Cheney has elected to move from his undisclosed location to the media spotlight."

Happy Holidays…

Church & State

2009-11-22T11:47:00.005-05:00

In a perfect world, religion has no place in politics:

Rep. Kennedy barred from communion

Patrick Kennedy has been barred from receiving communion at a central Rhode Island Catholic church by its bishop because he supports abortion rights. However, Kennedy can receive communion elsewhere (re: in another state).

I was born and raised Catholic, but do not agree with the Church's position on abortion. (See my post Pro Choice from 04/22/09). No religious body or individual has the right to direct another person's medical choices, plain and simple.

People who claim to be against abortion are given the right to their own views, so please return the favor.

Cloture Vote

2009-11-22T11:19:00.012-05:00

Finally, the Senate makes a bit of progress:

Historic health care legislation moves forward for debate in the Senate

Mind you, this is just a vote to debate healthcare legislation, not an actual vote on the legislation itself.

To see how your own senator voted on the issue, have a look at the MSNBC map below:

I don't understand why the right-wing objects to a mere debate on healthcare. Trying to send a message, are they? The only point I receive from their stupidity is they will object to any and all Obama-related legislation even as it hurts their constituents.

Dobbs-o-phobia

2009-11-20T03:08:00.003-05:00

Is this man completely out of his mind?

Lou Dobbs Might Run for Senate, White House

I certainly did not intend to go on about this windbag of a loser, but can anyone honestly imagine the words "Senator or President Dobbs"? Good God!

However, importunate nuts from the right-wing might just be stupid enough to take Dobbs' delusional rhetoric to another level.

That's okay, though, as the more Limbaugh-Beck-Cheney-Palin types they throw into the mix, the better for the Democratic Party.

Healthcare Notes

2009-11-16T10:58:00.002-05:00

The program Sick Around the World is a real eye-opener for those who still have doubts about healthcare reform in the United States.

From Frontline/PBS:

In Sick Around the World, FRONTLINE teams up with veteran Washington Post foreign correspondent T.R. Reid to find out how five other capitalist democracies - the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Taiwan and Switzerland - deliver health care, and what the United States might learn from their successes and their failures.

Another illuminating phenomenon is the National Association of Free Clinics program that took place over the weekend in New Orleans, to be followed by stops in Little Rock (11/21/09) and Kansas City.

The long lines of hundreds and thousands desperate for medical attention are just more examples that demonstrate the need for universal healthcare in this country.

Dobbs Be Gone

2009-11-11T23:23:00.007-05:00

Oh boo hoo: Longtime anchor Lou Dobbs leaving CNN.

I doubt anyone believes the claptrap that Dobbs chose to leave CNN without a prod from the top. He was probably not given a choice in the matter, but considering he was at CNN for such a long time they more than likely allowed him to "leave" before his contract expired in order to save face.

A bloody liar and hypocrite to the bitter end…

POSTSCRIPT 11/16/09: Dobbs says CNN departure was amicable and CNN paid Lou Dobbs $8 million to quit.

Bull's-Eye

2009-11-05T15:48:00.004-05:00

I couldn't have said it better myself:

"I got mine, you get yours" seems to be the creed by which today's Republican Party operates. And, it is this Republican Party that has opposed every initiative, every policy and every program President Obama has proposed since assuming office in January.

The paragraph was included in an e-mail newsletter from Rhode Island representative Patrick Kennedy via the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Please Read!

2009-11-04T02:24:00.003-05:00

Will the people brainwashed by GOP propaganda PLEASE read this?

10 Recovery Act Myths

Please, please read it!

Bits & Pieces

2009-11-03T11:57:00.006-05:00

I can't believe so much time has passed since I last posted, but I've been rather busy. Besides, the political news – especially coming from the right – has been consistently redundant and nothing to write home about.

However, these headlines at Think Progress caught my eye this morning:

Despite Rhetoric About Preexisting Conditions, Boehner's Health Care Plan Doesn't Bar Denials

I recall seeing Ohio representative John Boehner on television recently, wielding the 1,000-page-plus Democratic healthcare plan as if to imply it was impossible to decipher because of its size.

To begin with, the healthcare issue is complicated and requires great attention to detail. Second, isn't that the job Boehner and his right-wing cohorts were elected to do – craft legislation to meet the needs of the American people? Does he have something better to do? Perhaps actual work-time might cut into his allocation at the press podium, where he continually spouts nonsense rhetoric?

So it stands to reason that the GOP's alternative healthcare plan "will not prevent insurance providers from barring clients based on preexisting conditions."

And another headline:

Why Hatch Is Really Blocking Health Reform: Americans Will Love The New System And Vote Democratic

God forbid we should benefit from a healthcare system that treats everyone, and not just the privileged few. If everyone were to vote Democratic, cutting loose a bunch of useless GOP representatives and senators would not be such a great loss.

Perhaps the prospect of losing their own premium healthcare coverage and having to look for a real job might make them think twice about their actions in the future.

Media Dreamscapes

2009-10-13T13:23:00.007-04:00

This would be a dream come true:

Lou Dobbs heading to Fox Business?

Let's get all the bigots and blowhards together on one network. What a road and pony show that would be, and might be worth watching if only briefly for a quick laugh. All Fixed News needs to do now is get Limbaugh on board and their vaudeville routine will be complete.

Last year I wrote a blog entry about various political analysts, party strategists, campaign advisors, journalists and other commentators' during the election campaign via television. This is the comment I penned about Lou Dobbs at the time:

There is only one phrase for this self-proclaimed "independent." He is nothing but an overblown windbag with a pink face and up-in-the-air-Republican nose who cannot hide the fact that he hates Barack Obama.

Click here to read the entire blog entry (Long Media Season).

On a similar note:

Fox News operates as a wing of the Republican Party

I'm glad someone in a visible position at the White House finally came out and acknowledged that Fixed News is not a legitimate news source. Or, as White House communications director Anita Dunn said: "But let's not pretend they're a news network they way CNN is."

Moot Mob

2009-10-10T13:05:00.001-04:00

I am disgusted by Republican reaction to President Obama's receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize, although I shouldn't be. Their typically unpatriotic response to anything Obama isn't a surprise, but there is always hope looming deep in the soul that the right-wing mob will finally see the light of day.

But, as I've said before, when a group of people remain in denial and spread hatred and lies to promote character assassination, it's hard for them to change paths. Since they have nothing to offer otherwise, I suppose it's a moot point.

Anti-American

2009-10-05T23:55:00.002-04:00

This pretty much says it all:

Republicans are rooting against America

In what other country would one political party be happy about losing an Olympic bid? The right-wing are so completely frozen by their own vitriol not only can't they do their jobs, they jump on a frothing bandwagon that makes them appear not to have America's best interests at heart.

Is that really a surprise to anyone? The GOP's non-action in regards to legislature and their aimless rhetoric paints them as anti-American in almost every sense, and they keep digging themselves into a deeper hole as each day passes.

Angry Stir

2009-10-05T23:51:00.001-04:00

I will never understand certain people. While it is obvious the right-wing is desperate to keep the current healthcare system in place in order to keep the money flowing in their direction, how can the average American not see the corruption and furiously demand answers from their legislators?

I'm of the firm opinion that the collective legislative bodies see their constituents as uneducated and uninformed, and therefore easily led, deceived and decidedly susceptible to fear-mongering.

Why do people put up with it? We elect legislators to office, meaning they are sent to Washington to do a job and not to further their own interests. When are people going to say enough is enough and start taking control of their destinies?

I hope I live to see the day.

What do we really have to lose at this point but a slew of useless politicians who amply compensate themselves with hefty salaries and top-quality healthcare while the rest of us flounder?

Call Out

2009-09-30T11:36:00.008-04:00

Democrats.Org has a feature entitled "Call 'em Out" which includes debunking lies spread by the right-wing.

The header of the page contains a quote from the President:

"I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it's better politics to kill this plan than improve it... If you misrepresent what's in the plan, we will call you out.”

So far, there have been call-outs on House Minority Leader John Boehner and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

Both men have perpetuated lies about healthcare reform, and have been duly called out for it.

The White House Blog also frequently clarifies right-wing fallacies about healthcare reform.

Good Giggle

2009-09-30T11:31:00.004-04:00

This was good for a laugh:

Gibbs reacts to Steele's Olympics criticism: 'Who's he rooting for?'

Foot-in-mouth RNC Chairman Michael Steele remains a public joke, but at least the White House is able to make light of his remarks.

Since they have so far resisted all attempts to ease the plight of average Americans, it's no surprise the GOP dismisses the possibility of creating 315,000 new full-time jobs in America.

Two-Faced Guise

2009-09-26T02:26:00.004-04:00

I was never impressed by Rudy Giuliani. Plain and simple, I don't like him. Not just because he is a Republican mind you, but because his behavior continually smacks of contrivance, even during the horrors of 9/11.

So I found this You Tube video interesting, as presented by New York City firefighters:

Giuliani Gets Exposed As Fraud by Firefighters

I was irretrievably turned off by Giuliani during the Republican convention last year, when he mocked the fact that Barack Obama was once a community organizer. Leave it to a right-wing nut to degrade work that helps those less fortunate in society. To me it was just another example of the low-class ethics and false sense of undeserving entitlement from the right.

Besides, what kind of man is content to be estranged from his own children, for God's sake?

Sunday Reads

2009-09-20T12:47:00.009-04:00

What I read this morning with my first cups of coffee:

As for President Obama skipping Fixed News as part of his weekend interview schedule, I'm assuming he prefers to talk with legitimate news sources to clarify serious issues. Many people have become confused and angry by the goings-on in Washington, in part due to Fox Noise and their misrepresentation of the facts.

The right-wing clamors for more definition of the President's policies, saying he has not explained himself well enough. Now that he has appeared on multiple television programs to clarify his position on the issues, the conservatives are bleating that he is "overexposed." There's no making them happy, so why waste any more time trying?

Take from it what you will.

Class & Glimmer

2009-09-19T11:23:00.006-04:00

There is one word that defines the glaring difference between President Obama and his heckling, right-wing opponents: class.

While the President is calm, measured, respectful and articulate, his right-wing counterparts come off as deranged and uneducated country bumpkins with serious racial overtones.

Their acceptance and encouragement of imperceptive behavior, blatant disrespect for the office of the President and their perpetuation of vile public demonstrations shows the GOP – finally – for what they really are.

In essence, those who identify with the current rabble signal they are not interested in patriotism. They could care less about the average man, woman and child walking down Main Street. More importantly, they have no real concern for those Americans living without health insurance who may, in some cases, die from lack of coverage. The right-wing protest against healthcare reform simply validates what most of us already know: as long as people have their own insurance security, they don't give a damn about anyone else. The sentiment reeks of anti-Americanism.

Addressing the race issue is now a moot point. It's as obvious as the day is long. However, those citizens who reject Barack Obama as their President for such reasons, despite the overwhelming election in his favor, have since stated their case as unpatriotic Americans who don't have a Christian bone in their bodies.

President Obama's natural high class is not comprised of empty rhetoric or false understanding of the issues at hand. He remains above the fray because he is a decent human being who wants to improve the lives of Americans rather than crush their hopes or fan their fears with lies and scare tactics. His intelligence and grasp of the work to be done is essential not only for the success of his Presidency but for the betterment of the nation as a whole.

Class and decency are not words commonly associated with certain members of the Republican party. Ethical character flaws and hints of bigotry aside, one might think the real needs of the American people would be paramount to the GOP and the extreme right-wing rather than the blatant attempts to destroy the moral values and good intentions of our President.

Given the last few months of acrimony, outright lies and mostly-feigned anger at summer town hall meetings, I would be reluctant to trust a member of the GOP legislative body at the moment.

However, if they were to pull themselves out of the bitter and hateful mire of their own making there still might be time for Congress to work in harmony to engender practical solutions for the American people on a myriad of issues. It sounds crazy, I know, but one can always dream. And dreams are free.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but the glimmer of hope is fading fast.

More Duplicity

2009-09-19T10:40:00.002-04:00

An article well-worth the read:

Duplicitous' Campaign of Insurers to Charm the Public While Secretly Killing Reform

The piece is the third installment in Think Progress' series Meet Your Insurance Company Executive.

Voice of Truth

2009-09-15T23:36:00.003-04:00

Former President Jimmy Carter hit the nail on the head:

Carter: Wilson comments based on racism; he says outburst was part of a disturbing trend in national debate

And it's bound to continue as long as the right-wing nuts continue to purposely add fuel to the fire.

Is that the kind of America people really want? I don't think so.

More Right-Wing Bunk

2009-09-15T13:37:00.002-04:00

The right wing can't even tell the truth about their little rallies:

Freedom Works Inflates Attendance at 9/12 Rally by Over 2,000 Percent

The initial claim that 1.5 million attended the ludicrous Beck-driven event was typical bunk. I might accept that "tens of thousands" showed up, comprised of mostly white people, but it is still an irrelevant faction of the 300 million-plus Americans in the United States who want real healthcare reform.

Freaky Saturday

2009-09-13T11:19:00.005-04:00

I will never understand why people listen to Beck or watch his television program:

Beck fan and 9/12 protest attendee explains why Obama will oppress white America

Has all logic and reason fled a certain portion of the population?

And more to the point:

Radical, Racist Signs Featured At 9/12 March

Is it a surprise most of the "marchers" were white and hail from the south? And despite Senator Jim DeMint's statement that attendees were "informed and outraged," they were anything but.

Willingly brainwashed is more like it.

If residents of select southern states are so unhappy, why not do what they have threatened for years and just secede from the union and be done with it?

We would all be better off for it.

Hot Collar Backlash

2009-09-10T12:44:00.011-04:00

Here are a few comments floating around about the behavior of Congressman Joe Wilson, the moron who shouted out during the President's congressional address last night:

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) responded to Joe Wilson's heckling of the president last night by saying that Wilson 'took our state's reputation to a new low.' "I thought Mark Sanford had taken it as low as it could go, but this is beyond the pale," said Clyburn. (From: Think Progress).
The most effective part of Obama's speech last night might not have been what he said but rather what Joe Wilson yelled: "You lie." It could be an incredibly important moment for the president and the congressional Dem leadership because it does a couple of things: 1) paint a picture of the Republicans as ornery and hard to work with, and 2) remind conservative Democrats that they may not want to line up with folks like Joe Wilson when casting votes. Let's be honest: Wilson did more to undermine the GOP's efforts to come across as reasonable opposition as anything any conservative cable host has done in the past few months. In short, he gave voice – literally - to the president's attempts to paint some of his opponents as shrill. (From: First Read).
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, predicted that Wilson's outburst would have consequences. "The person who said it will pay a price," Durbin said. "I think the average American thinks that the president and the office deserve respect, and that was a disrespectful comment. They'll pay a price in the court of public opinion." (From: Politico).

I was still hot under the collar when I posted my Piggy GOP entry earlier (or rather late last night), but I still think right-wing legislators are completely useless. They are not working for the American people, obviously. Instead, they are obsessed with bringing down the President with falsehoods, hate-speech and barely-veiled bigotry no matter the cost to their own constituents and other citizens in the United States.

Their lack of respect is appalling and disgusting, and merely confirms my opinion that members of the GOP are nothing more than the lowest class in the dregs of society.

Besides, they are currently in the minority. Why do they assume that any of their clouded demands should be met or even considered?

Piggy GOP

2009-09-10T03:31:00.004-04:00

This is the sickness that is known as the GOP:

GOP Lawmakers Treat President Obama's Joint Address To Congress Like A Town Hall Protest

While I felt President Obama's address to Congress was moving, inspirational and a shot in the arm for healthcare reform, the typical ugliness of the Republican party was made evident by the sour and piggish presentations of old, white men in their undeserved and stinking seats.

They reek of southern racism and bigotry in general which is decidedly un-American and definitely non-Christian. The majority of them do not belong in the public eye, much less in public service for the American people.

If anyone should be booed off the political stage, it is the right-wing adult schoolchildren with wrinkled and bitter faces who hold dear their useless careers rather than the wishes of the people who elected them to do a job.

At this stage in the game, no one is really interested in their deliberately obvious distractions of twisted and blatantly malicious playground antics.

Thursday Dose

2009-09-03T15:21:00.006-04:00

As the folderol over healthcare and President Obama in general continues, I am more convinced than ever that America is the shameful home of a consistently growing number of bigots, racists and non-Christian religious fanatics.

In all truth, bigotry and racism has been scarcely banked for decades and is now coming fiercely to the fore disguised as displeasure with the Obama administration and its plans to benefit the American people.

How can anyone who wishes death on the President or dismisses the plight of others profess to be a true Christian, or a real American for that matter?

Disabled Woman Heckled at Health Meeting: A woman in a wheelchair is heckled at a New Jersey town hall meeting on health care while she expresses her concerns over health costs. [Video].

The ever-increasing desensitization, selfishness and priggishness of the Republican party is embarrassing. Is it any wonder that America is mocked and derided by other nations as the right-wing displays its true colors in full view of the world?

The days of rational discussion and logical debate between parties are over. The divide has always been there, but since President Obama's election the gulf has increased beyond repair. None of the divisiveness is President Obama's fault, however. He has tried repeatedly to bring members of the right-wing into ongoing issues but they will have none of it. It has become par for the course.

In my own life, I have a high disregard and distrust for people who squirm out from the right-wing woodwork. They cannot be trusted, frankly. I will not make room for the intolerant, the bigoted or the self-serving. Part of this stems from my own experience with people, while most of it comes from the aforementioned unbridgeable gap between political parties that does not allow for reasonable discourse.

The latest propaganda about President Obama's upcoming speech to schoolchildren being presented as nothing more than indoctrination is another sign of the instability and massive paranoia of the right wing.

Where are the lucid voices of the conservative political party? They are lost in a sea of hatred, bigotry and self-serving maneuvers where working together for the common good is not even an option.

Top 5 Lies About Healthcare Reform

2009-09-01T00:55:00.001-04:00

Please pay attention:

The Five Biggest Lies in the Health Care Debate

The article may even crack the brainwash encasing those seemingly too far gone into right wing nuttery.

Pulpit Madness

2009-08-31T12:36:00.002-04:00

I'm all for freedom of speech, but this freak needs to be placed in a psychiatric hospital for observation:

Radical Arizona preacher hopes God strikes Obama with brain cancer so he can die like Ted Kennedy

And here I thought all nut jobs spawned from the south…

Dip Stick Anchors

2009-08-30T03:47:00.004-04:00

More proof that the right-wing is comprised of a complete array of dip-sticks:

Anti-reform town hall attendees are unable to locate Iraq on a map

Gee, is such a revelation a true surprise?

Don't these people ever become embarrassed by their own lack of education, basic incredibility and excessive bigotry?

Irish Funny Bone

2009-08-30T03:31:00.003-04:00

My favorite part of the Irish wake held for Senator Kennedy yesterday:

Former Senator John Culver, D-Iowa, shares childhood memories of a harrowing sailing excursion with Ted Kennedy for the guests at Kennedy’s memorial service.

I laughed so hard listening to John Culver that tears were streaming down my face by the end of his sixteen-minute eulogy. It was an example of a perfect Irish wake.