Hypocrisy of the "Right" (Wrong?)

The Income and Tax Disparities that Republican Voters Don't Care About (and Republican Politicians Don't Want you TO!)

2012-01-21T21:35:00.011-05:00

On Religion and the Religious

2012-01-21T21:18:00.024-05:00

Political Signs, Posters, and Bumper stickers

2012-01-21T20:41:00.045-05:00

History of the USPS and the manufactured crisis to end it

2012-01-21T20:31:00.001-05:00

Our beloved founding father, Benjamin Franklin, became the first postmaster general of the USPS. It was created all the way back in 1775. In one fell swoop, the 109th Congress, in 2006, enacted a bill that, essentially, was designed to kill it. That is what has been happening since George Bush signed it into law--the slow death of the USPS. I am going to post a petition in the next few days to try and save, at least a small faction here in FL. Please, if you live in FL--sign it. Everyone else--please do what you can to let our administration know YOU want to save this, very old, very distinguished, institution, which is based in the very founding of our country.
From Wikipedia:
The United States Postal Service (also known as USPS, the Post Office or U.S. Mail) is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States. It is one of the few government agencies explicitly authorized by the United States Constitution. The USPS traces its roots to 1775 during the Second Continental Congress, where Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first postmaster general. The cabinet-level Post Office Department was created in 1792 from Franklin's operation and transformed into its current form in 1971 under the Postal Reorganization Act.
The USPS employs over 574,000 workers and operates over 218,000 vehicles.[2] It is the 2nd largest civilian employer in the United States.[2] The USPS is the operator of the largest vehicle fleet in the world.[3] The USPS is legally obligated to serve all Americans, regardless of geography, at uniform price and quality. The USPS has exclusive access to letter boxes marked "U.S. Mail" and personal letterboxes in the United States, but still competes against private package delivery services, such as UPS and FedEx.
On December 5, 2011 the USPS announced it will close more than half of its mail processing centers, eliminate 28,000 jobs and end overnight delivery of first-class mail. This will close down 252 of its 461 processing centers. On December 13, 2011 the USPS agreed to delay the closing of 252 mail processing centers as well as 3,700 local post offices until mid-May 2012.[4] The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PAEA) (HR 6407), enacted on December 20, 2006, obligates the USPS to prefund 75-years' worth of future health care benefit payments to retirees within a ten-year time span — a requirement to which no other government organization is subject.
The USPS has not directly received taxpayer-dollars since the early 1980s with the minor exception of subsidies for costs associated with the disabled and overseas voters. Revenue in the 2000s has been dropping sharply due to declining mail volume,[5] prompting the postal service to look to other sources of revenue while cutting costs to reduce its budget deficit.[6]
H.R. 6407: Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act
109th Congress: 2005-2006

"To reform the postal laws of the United States."
Sponsor: Rep. Thomas Davis [R-VA11]
This bill became law. It was signed by George Bush.
Status:
Introduced Dec 7, 2006 Referred to Committee View Committee Assignments Passed House Dec 8, 2006 Passed Senate Dec 9, 2006 Signed by President Dec 20, 2006
Last Action:
Dec 20, 2006: Became Public Law No: 109-435.
Other Titles:
-- Postal Civil Service Retirement and Health Benefits Funding Amendments of 2006
Related:
See the Related Legislation page for other bills related to this one and a list of subject terms that have been applied to this bill. Sometimes the text of one bill or resolution is incorporated into another, and in those cases the original bill or resolution, as it would appear here, would seem to be abandoned.
Votes:
Dec 8, 2006: This bill passed in the House of Representatives by voice vote. A record of each representative’s position was not kept.
Dec 9, 2006: This bill passed in the Senate by Unanimous Consent. A record of each senator’s position was not kept.
(from: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-6407)

Email Response from a Florida "Representative" to an anti-Citizens United petition letter

2012-01-21T20:29:00.000-05:00

THIS WILL BLOW YOUR MINDS! I received this email in response to a letter I signed online and which was distributed to leaders in my state:
Message body Dear Ms. Robrahn,

Thank you for your communication regarding corporate personhood. I must advise you that I serve in the Florida House of Representatives, and therefore have no authority in the U.S. Congress.

... However, your opinion might have merit when unions cannot use union funds to support candidates.

Sincerely,

Bill Proctor
State Representative
District 20
900 State Road 16, Suite 2
St Augustine, FL 32084
My response to "Rep." Proctor:
(If you can improve on my response, please do. I will, happily, send another email to "Rep." Proctor.)

Rep. Proctor;

Unions represent their members, who are individuals. When unions support a candidate or a cause, it is with the approval of the rank and file. To me this is the true definition of Democracy.

When corporations throw millions ...of dollars at a candidate or a cause, they are only representing themselves, they do not need to seek approval or concensus from anybody else.

Unions support candidates for political reasons, which is as it should be. Corporations do it with their bottom line as their only consideration.

The point being, Corporations only represent themselves. Unions represent individuals.

It is obvious, from your response, whom YOU represent. (And it is not individual constituents).

Sincerely,
Joanne Robrahn

Florida Republicans Introduce Bill That Would Keep Privatization A Secret From The People

2012-01-21T20:27:00.000-05:00

From Addictinginfo.org

Florida Republicans Introduce Bill That Would Keep Privatization A Secret From The People
January 18, 2012
By Stephen D. Foster Jr.

What if you woke up one morning and your government job was being eliminated by a corporation? What if you woke up to find that Wall Street now controlled Medicare, Social Security, and public education? What if you woke up to find that every single government service had been privatized overnight and that the prices for those services had skyrocketed because of corporate greed? Now imagine that the government kept this change a total secret. Well it looks like Florida is heading in that direction.

Florida Republicans are desperate to privatize the prison system in the state, which had been stalled by a judge in Tallahassee. So, they have introduced SB 2036 and SB 2038 to do just that. The measures would allow the state government to privatize prisons in secret and would also allow the government to secretly outsource the work of other state agencies. In other words, citizens could literally wake up one morning and find that their government by the people, for the people, and of the people has been given to corporations that don’t give a damn about what the people have to say. But that’s not all. The measures also give agencies the option of not reporting the privatization of a program until after it has already been done. So citizens won’t even have a chance to object. The bills also give the state legislature the power to privatize any government function it wants.
Imagine this on a federal level. Let’s say Wall Street secretly negotiates with the Social Security Administration or Congress to privatize the Social Security trust fund. Basically, the deal can happen without anybody saying a word to the American people. We could all wake up one morning and discover that our retirement money is no longer guaranteed by the government, but being gambled away on Wall Street by greedy fat cats.
The reason Republicans want to privatize everything is because they claim the private sector is less expensive. But they are wrong as usual. It’s either that or they’re lying. Privatization is costlier than the public sector. Take education for example. Each year, every American pays a few dollars in taxes to fund public schools. If you send your child to a private school, it will cost you thousands.
Now let’s look at health care. There’s a reason why medical services are cheaper in countries that have government run health care. It’s because the private sector doesn’t have a role. Government is not a profit driven organization. Obviously the government wants to take in more than it spends but it isn’t a greedy private sector company that needs profit to survive. Private companies have one goal: to make money. To make that money and pay their CEO’s massive salaries, they must keep prices high. You see, government, unlike private companies, does not have to pay insane salaries. Government workers make considerably less than private sector workers. And no government worker makes a million dollars a year. Not even the President.
Private contractors also cost more money. Contractors often overcharge for their services. Ever heard the one about it costing the government $5,000 for a hammer, $20,000 for a toilet seat? Yeah, that happens when government uses contractors. All the hidden costs and fees nickel and dime the taxpayers out of millions of dollars. That’s why the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan cost us so much money. It wasn’t the wars as much as it was the contractors. The point is, privatization is just another way of saying that corporations want what rightfully belongs to the people. The people own the government by Constitutional right, and all the services it provides. That means the people own their health care, their education, their transportation, their environment, their defense and everything else government does. So why would we want to surrender what is rightfully ours to a corporation that doesn’t answer to us? It’s not like we can elect new corporate leaders if they screw us over. But with government, we have that capability and accountability.
These Florida bills are an alarming threat to transparency and democracy. They serve as a model for Republicans on the federal level. And you know they are considering the option. If Republicans can’t convince the American people to give up what they own to the private sector, they’ll pass a bill so that they can take it from us while we sleep.

To ALL Americans

2012-01-11T19:50:00.009-05:00

You do not have to believe in everything that Liberals believe, but if you are: gay, lesbian, transgendered, transsexual; if you are female; if you are a person of color (other than white--is that a color?); if you are non-religious, or anti-religious; if you believe in any or all rights; if you believe in choices; if you are not independently-wealthy; if you are unemployed, under-employed, have no health benefits, no retirement benefits; if you belong to a union; if you DON'T believe that corporations are people or that money equals speech--and you vote Republican--you are voting against your own best interests. I've been there and done that. The Right-wing rhetoric regarding Liberals not being capable of keeping us safe is untrue )just look at Obama's record!). The rhetoric about Liberals taking your hard-earned money and handing it over to welfare recipients, is just that--rhetoric. These have been the, main sound bytes, the oft=repeated talking points for Conservatives for decades and they are, merely, the disinformation and over-blown, exaggerated un-facts of desperate politicians who know what sells to their audience. Do some extensive research, reading--open your minds, widen your knowledge-base. You might be surprised at what you discover.

America and Europe: Saving the Rich and Losing the Economy

2011-09-27T16:27:00.000-04:00

America and Europe: Saving the Rich and Losing the Economy

The Chamber of Commerce Speaks for WHOM?

2011-04-01T16:53:00.004-04:00

This completely false, deceptive, and misleading ad made by the Chamber of Commerce in Florida, leads people to believe it's not fair to have a union representing your best interests, getting you fair wages, benefits and being able to bargain with your employers for better wages and benefits. Who, exactly, does the Chamber represent???????

It was only a matter of time before Governor Rick Scott followed along with the rest of the Zombies on the Right to spread their lies against unions. And people in Florida are stupid enough to believe it, after all--they voted for Rick Scott, didn't they?????

Drive to End Hunger – NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon & AARP Foundation Fight Against Senior Hunger

2011-03-03T18:38:00.000-05:00

Drive to End Hunger – NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon & AARP Foundation Fight Against Senior Hunger

Richard Dawkins -- The God Delusion

2011-02-20T23:11:00.000-05:00

POLYATHEIST

2011-02-10T22:16:00.000-05:00

POLYATHEIST

Giffords Shooting - Right Wing Media & Politicians To Blame?

2011-01-11T21:10:00.000-05:00

Did Sarah Palin Encourage the Shooting of Congresswoman Giffords?

2011-01-08T21:05:00.006-05:00

Sarah, how's that target on the Democratic politician thingy goin' for ya?

The hatred and vitriolic demonization of Democrats/Progressives, the Liberal agenda, and the policies of the Left, by those irresponsible politicians and "pundits" on the Right, has finally reached one person who decided it was time to, "take a stand." We, the thinking, seeing, intelligent, correct-minded individuals know where the fault lies, and yes, there is much fault and blame to be assigned. The fault lies with those politicians who allowed and encouraged the lies, innuendo, and vitriol coming from their supporters and those in the, so-called, Tea Party; the hate-speech and lies spread and incessantly repeated by FOXNews "pundits" and those given platforms on the radio. They saw fit to continue, never curbing, never toning their rhetoric down on the off-chance something violent could occur. There have been episodes which were signs of, "things to come." Many Congress and Senate hopefuls had their headquarters/offices vandalized, including Congresswoman Giffords'. Will the hateful spewing of venomous talk end now? Will they pull back, back off, control themselves? Sad to say, I doubt it very much. I doubt very much that that is a part of the Right's agenda.

The New Freshman Class of Extremist Senators

2010-11-05T17:20:00.000-04:00

Repeating History

2010-10-28T14:26:00.000-04:00

Poll about FOXNews

2010-05-24T20:44:00.000-04:00

PFAW Articles about Newt and other stuff

2010-04-09T19:06:00.004-04:00

Fighting the Right
Gingrich: Let’s Shut Down the Government Again
By Miranda | April 9, 2010 - 4:22pm
In a how-to talk to the Southern Republican Leadership Conference last night, titled “Becoming the Party of Yes,” Newt Gingrich advocated the proactive step of shutting down the federal government.

Talking Points Memo reports:

"Stage one of the end of Obamaism will be a new Republican Congress in January that simply refuses to fund any of the radical efforts," said Gingrich. "Now I say this because our friends in the news media said, you know it's realistic to talk about 'repeal and replace,' because after all he's gonna be president for the next three years and he'll veto a repeal bill. And I think they forgot that once upon a time, that I used to be Speaker of the House, and I actually understand the legislative process."

Gingrich continued: "And the truth is, the truth is under our Constitution we simply -- the Congress doesn't have to pass the money. If EPA gets no budget, it can't enforce cap-and-trade. If HHS gets no budget (applause)..."

Yes, we remember “once upon a time” when Gingrich was Speaker of the House and tried the exact same thing. How’d that work out?

Click on title to go to PFAW page with more.

The Most "Radical" President

2010-04-09T18:12:00.011-04:00

I was just listening to Newt Gingrich at the Southern Republican something-or-other, calling Obama the most radical President ever.

It amazes me, because he must also think that Reagan, Nixon and Bush were "radicals," as well, because as far as Obama's recent reduction of nuclear arms(by 30%)-Reagan proposed the identical "radical" idea. Health care--Richard "Radical" Nixon. And Obama is continuing Bush's wars and going along with much more of the status quo of the Bush/Cheney "regime." So, why do people like Newt use the word "radical" to describe Obama? To stir up the Right, the Tea Baggers, the wing-nuts. Is it a complete misrepresentation? Obviously! Do the people on the Right care? No! Are they smart enough to know that they are being fed lies and misrepresentations of the truth? Absolutely, not! I've said it before and I'll say it again....if the Conservatives didn't have lies, they'd have NOTHING!

Why these people continue to amaze and surprise me on a daily basis, I don't know. I guess I feel they can't possibly top their last lie and they continuously do so, on a daily basis.

Wow--Will the GOP Stop at Nothing?

2010-03-29T17:49:00.005-04:00

Oh, this is just too yummy and to be expected... the Conservatives are claiming that Dems are now committing acts of violence and making threats against Republican politicians. Have they NO shame?????? I haven't seen any proof of this like I have in all of the cases of threats (telephone recordings, letters, emails), violence (bricks through windows, spitting racial and homophobic epithets shouted) against the Dems. So I tend to think these are more in the imaginations of Republicans and probably thought up by the Conservative think-tanksters. They saw the positive effect it had on the Democratic base and decided--"Hey, we want in on that!"

The Dems have also been accused of purposely bringing this on themselves by walking through the crowd of tea-baggers to get to the Capital building. Gee, I guess they should have all gone in the back door to avoid stirring up the crazies.

2010-03-29T17:40:00.001-04:00

There is Too Much Going On on the Right

2010-03-26T00:18:00.008-04:00

HATE, IGNORANCE, MISINFORMATION
Let's see.....
I haven't written anything in awhile because the climate with the Health Reform has been so tense and laden with vitriolic fervor on the Right that I have been way too busy following all the silliness of the tea baggers; the do-nothing, lying politicians; and the violent, inciteful rhetoric of the wing nuts and then disseminating all the rigamarole, then sending out emails, signing petitions, donating more money to all the Democrats and Progressives running against Conservatives in November, etc., etc. Donating, as well, to Republicans running against tea baggers and neo-cons.
I have been watching tea baggers "protesting" outside Congress, showing their true (racist and homophobic) colors, while some wing nut Congresspeople egged them on, while the childish Senators refuse to do business anymore after losing the Health Reform argument--all nasty faces of the political theatre. Even the racist element doesn't explain this horrible, hideous, and heinous behavior. It must be the racist/anti-left/anti-(make believe)Muslim element that really has the fires stoked under these easily-combustible individuals (and I use that term lightly-because they are mobs, not individuals at all!). Yes, President Obama is half black, no he is not a leftist and no, he is not a Muslim. We, the people, elected him and that, my friends, is how America works. No, EVERYBODY isn't against Health Care Reform. I will grant you I DID want the Public Option, no matter what any of you "loud talkers" say. I have to keep reiterating: just because you keep repeating lies, does not make them true.

Olbermann: U.S. government for sale - Countdown with Keith Olbermann- msnbc.com

2010-01-21T23:09:00.000-05:00

I'm sharing this frightening information while I am still allowed to.

Olbermann: U.S. government for sale - Countdown with Keith Olbermann- msnbc.com

Daily Kos: Tim Tebow Turns Super Anti-Abortion Crusader

2010-01-17T17:17:00.000-05:00

Daily Kos: Tim Tebow Turns Super Anti-Abortion Crusader

» 2009 » October Disillusioned Words: atheism, art and politics

2010-01-14T23:48:00.000-05:00

» 2009 » October Disillusioned Words: atheism, art and politics

'Avatar': Why do conservatives hate the most popular movie in years? | The Big Picture | Los Angeles Times

2010-01-06T21:41:00.000-05:00

'Avatar': Why do conservatives hate the most popular movie in years? | The Big Picture | Los Angeles Times

Bob Cesca's Awesome Blog! Go!: Convenient Patriotism

2010-01-02T05:15:00.000-05:00

Bob Cesca's Awesome Blog! Go!: Convenient Patriotism

Disappointment in Obama

2009-10-31T15:40:00.003-04:00

If Barack Obama goes with a trigger for the Public Option, I am going to be extremely disappointed in the man. This will be the fourth time I have had doubt in his agenda.
First, was not closing Gitmo, second, not doing away (immediately) with, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and third, not prosecuting the members of the Bush administration for war crimes and the numerous other charges that could have been leveled against them.

Where art thou, brother?

3/19/2010 Update

Well, it looks like DADT will be a thing of the past, relatively, soon. On the health care front, there is no public option to trigger. No public option, no single-payer. Some day, maybe, but not now. And I have no idea what is going on with Gitmo.

Support Governor Don Siegelman : Learn, Give, Act

2009-10-26T18:05:00.001-04:00

Support Governor Don Siegelman : Learn, Give, Act

Homosexuality in the Bible?

2009-10-25T22:50:00.007-04:00

This is also commentary related to the "Conservative Bible Project."
Click on title.

A Congressman With Guts: Alan Grayson

2009-10-23T00:41:00.000-04:00

A Congressman With Guts: Alan Grayson

Jesus WAS a Socialist!

2009-10-15T13:48:00.015-04:00

"It would be easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

Wow. And Republicans believe in the man who said shit like this and promote this guy as GOD?

Jesus did NOT hold the rich in high regard. That fact is fairly obvious to people who have eyes with which to read and a brain with which to think. He LOVED the poor, the needy, the have-nots, the sick, the destitute, the unloved and unloveable. That, too, is fairly obvious. He travelled around the Middle East trying to help those people whenever and however he could. I think in his absence he was hoping, with his words and deeds, to inspire the rich to take over after he was gone.

The closest we have ever come to Christ-like in this country, over the past 200 and some-odd years, is hippies. Hippies, who Conservatives vehemently abhorred and denegrated. I mean the REAL hippies--the ones who went to live on communes, who wanted to affect nature as little as possible, who grew their own food and shared it, who helped their neighbors and loved them like themselves. Republicans called them "Pinkos" and "Commies." Well, if that's what they were, then so was Jesus.

How is it that the biggest proponents of Jesus are the least like Jesus would have wanted them to be? Uncaring, money-grubbing, commandment-breaking, selfish mother fuckers who only share with their churches because they think that will lead to their salvation. No, that won't cut it, sorry, Buckos!

It's just unfortunate that it will be too late when you find out what happens after you die. If the teachings of Jesus and his biographers couldn't convince you to do the right thing in this life, I'm certainly not going to be able to do it.

P.S. Mr. Schlafly,
Changing the words and the meaning of the Bible to fit your conservative, anti-liberal, capitalist manifesto will NOT put you in good with Jesus. It only makes people think you must really not believe in Jesus and are just using the Bible for your political agenda.

P.P. S. For all those racist Christian Conservatives out there--Jesus WAS black. People are black in the Middle East. Some are fairer-skinned, but they are black. Probably, originally emigrated from Africa over a land-bridge. Sorry.

Revolutionary Road...: Editor's Note:Heed the call of the Iranian people

2009-10-15T05:37:00.000-04:00

Revolutionary Road...: Editor's Note:Heed the call of the Iranian people

Open Letter to Chauvinistic, Conservative Christians (Republicans)

2009-10-13T05:13:00.011-04:00

Chauvinism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Chauvinism, (pronounced /ˈʃoʊvɨnɪzəm/), in its original and primary meaning, is an exaggerated, bellicose patriotism and a blind belief in national superiority and glory. [1] By extension it has come to include an extreme and unreasoning partisanship on behalf of any group to which one belongs, especially when the partisanship includes malice and hatred towards a rival group

______________________________________

As a group, I would have to ask, when categorizing yourselves as "religious," where, exactly does that enter the picture? I've heard from the 'Right' that those who follow the religion of Islam are violent and hateful. If that were so, have you all decided that that is what you wish to emulate? And when you show such hatred toward another faction of your own countrymen, how do you justify that and how do you square it with your religious beliefs?

Who are the better people in this country, overall?

Conservative Christians, who are referring to the members of the Democratic Party, and especially our President, as Nazis and Fascists; using demeaning and violent rhetoric and images; carrying guns and using threats and intimidation; sending racist emails which include veiled and blatant threats of assassination; writing articles and using talk shows to further the hate-mongering and lies? Conservative Christians who are always trying to push their beliefs, their way of life on others and want to define how everyone else should live their lives? Conservative Christians who beat the bible yet constantly and blatantly break its commandments? Conservative Christians who judge, when the bible says not to judge; who condemn, when the bible says not to condemn? Conservative Christians who don't give a damn about their fellow man if it means raising their taxes, or if those who are less fortunate are foreign or unemployed or homeless or black. Conservative Christians who don't give a damn about the environment or protecting animals, who deny global warming (or choose to ignore it)? Conservative Christians who care more about money and making sure they make it, have it, keep it. Conservative Christians who claim they don't want to leave the national debt for their children and grandchildren, but don't give a damn if there is a planet left. And the lying, cheating, stealing--don't even get me started.

Or are the Liberals the better people? Liberals who don't even need to believe in a higher power to do good? Liberals, who care about their fellow man, the environment, animals' rights, the poor, the underprivileged, causes that don't even, necessarily, directly involve them? Liberals who feel empathy, who have hope and optimism, who are ridiculed and derided as "tree-huggers" by the "good," "religious," "Christian" Conservatives? Liberals who won't stoop to the same dirty tricks or nasty words that others hurl at them? Liberals who are better at, actually, 'turning the other cheek' and 'loving their neighbors as themselves,' than "Christian" Conservatives?

I don't know. It's pretty clear to me who the better people are, who I'd rather align myself with. Maybe I've generalized too much, oversimplified, maybe I've gone too far? I don't think so. Let me know if I'm wrong.

There is Something Seriously Wrong Here

2009-10-11T17:17:00.013-04:00

First of all, I never knew there was a Conservative version of Wikipedia, called Conservapedia (wow--how did they ever come up with that name?). Second, I guess when you refuse to follow the teachings of the Bible, yet want everyone to think you are a Christian Conservative, what do you do? Change the Bible.

It has always been the religious Right's modus operandi to interpret the bible to whatever they wanted it to mean, but I guess that has become trying and tedious (and most people don't fall for it because they can read, too). What to do next? Change the wording of the Bible to skew it to what you want it to say--so it fits your beliefs, not the other way around.

That is precisely what a group, calling themselves 'The Conservative Bible Project', is doing.

Why do we need to "love our neighbors like ourselves"? What if those neighbors are black or gay? Screw that! We just need to change that. Why should we "turn the other cheek" when we own guns. That's gotta go. Jesus going into the marketplace and throwing out the money-changers? Nope, that will never do for our Capitalistic agenda.

Why don't we just scrap the original Bible and rewrite the "New Conservative Testament." Make sure that 'C' Street weighs in on it so they can let their religious constituents know that it is okey dokey to cheat on your wife, pay off your whores, steal money and call it politics as usual, and fuck people over at every opportunity. It is alright as long as it suits your needs. Right? And as long as your cohorts are doing it. And as long as your 'religious leader' gives you his blessing.

There needs to be a much stronger word for all these misdeeds and misrepresentations of religion--hypocrisy just doesn't cut it.

For more on 'C' Street, you can find some articles here: http://gawker.com/tag/c-street/ or go to the Rachel Maddow Show.

2009-10-09T19:37:00.008-04:00

Have you ever seen the movie with 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper about aliens living among us called, 'They Live?"

Since President Obama was elected I feel like I am living in that movie and that I am seeing Republicans and conservatives for what they
truly are for the very first time.

Since day one of Obama's presidency, they have been nothing but negative, hateful, and racist. Now I realize how very anti-American they are as well.

These people who fly their flags, wear them on their lapels, and worshipped the Presidents Bush, (pere et fils), as if they were demigods; these great Americans who put down any and all protests of the Bush regimes, calling the participants anti-American; look at them now. They protest everything and anything that FOX News (and Dick Armey) tells them to, they criticize the President on each and every item on his agenda, on everything he does, says, or indicates as a possibility. They cheer when the United States loses its bid for the Olympics. They downplay and naysay the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to our President, saying he doesn't 'deserve' it. Simply for being a politician in this country, surrounded by these hateful, vitreolic, bigoted morons, and getting elected to the highest position in this land, makes him more than worthy in my book!

We no longer need the glasses to see Republicans/conservatives for what they are. "They Live!"

GREAT BLOG Re: Alan Grayson Apologize?

2009-10-03T19:43:00.001-04:00

Click on title to take you to blog

The Latest in Hypocrisy

2009-10-02T00:54:00.003-04:00

Alan Grayson, in a regular session of Congress, with his easel by his side, told his fellow Congressmen what he believed the Republicans' Health Care Plan for America was:

1) Don't get sick.

2) If you do get sick....

3) Die quickly.

Well, now the Republicans are pretending to take offense and are requesting that Mr. Grayson apologize, ala Joe Wilson. They are equating what Joe Wilson did last month, before what was neither a regular session of congress nor was a standard operating procedure for a congressman. If you were out of town that day, I am referring to Joe Wilson shouting out, "You lie!" at our President in a special Presidential address to Congress, which is neither normal, proper, or accepted in this society, unless you are a Southern, racist, conservative.

The Congressman Who Shit on His Constituents (Click on Title)

2009-09-23T16:30:00.004-04:00

Why is D-Representative Mike Ross going against his party?

Why is he against the Health Care Reform Bill?

Why does he want to protect drug companies from having to negotiate drug prices?

Watch Rachel Maddow and reach your own conclusions.

If you are a Democrat, you are either with the President or you are against him. If you are against him, you might as well be a Republican. Next time, do us all a favor and show your true colors so we know where you stand in advance.

Remedy for Obamaphobia (or How I Learned to Stop the Madness and Embrace the Dems)

2009-09-16T18:09:00.011-04:00

I used to watch FOX News, exclusively, for four years and, practically, 24/7. So, bear with me because I do know what I'm talking about.

When I watched FOX, George W. Bush was President, 9/11 was fresh in everyones' minds, and one could find a safe haven in FOX. It was all Bush, all the time. All Republican, all Conservative, demonizing Democrats for their vile peace-loving ways.
I did notice that there was mostly negativism, hate and denegration going on. But since a Republican was in office, all was good with the world. We felt safe with Bush and Cheney taking care of us.

What FOX is selling is fear, hatred, racism, anti-Democratic rhetoric. All negative values. It was great when we were told to live in fear of terrorists and terrorism, but doesn't quite cut the mustard anymore, even if there were another attack tomorrow.

Now, I've done a 180. It's funny--there was a short period of withdrawal, when I stopped watching FOX and wondered, "what am I going to do now, without my FOX Daddies telling me what to think, telling me how I should react and to what I should be reacting?"

Since the world has now moved on and there is a new sheriff in town, in order for all the Bushies, Truthers, Tenthers, all those teabagging, racist, right-wing fruit loops to feel more secure in this country's citizens' choice for the Presidency--here is the answer:

My solution for everyone out there, who has a fear, hatred, distrust, or other problem with Barack Obama being our President, is--turn off FOX, don't listen to Limbaugh, stop talking and listening to your Right-wing friends and family, and turn on MSNBC.

When I began watching MSNBC, it took some getting used to, hearing a whole other side of the political agenda. I had always known while I was watching FOX that it wasn't, really, "fair and/or balanced" and I knew that there, actually, WAS a "spin zone" surrounding Bill O'Reilly. (I couldn't watch Billo, even though I was indoctorinated in the Rupert Murdoch way of thinking, his nasty, hateful animosity made me a little sick to the stomach. Mind you, this was before Glenn Beck.)

Don't worry--the hosts on MSNBC aren't as "touchy-feely" as you'd think. They don't carry on endlessly about the environment, animal rights, nor do they go around hugging trees. If you miss your good ole boy, Beck--Ed Schultz will help you transition. If you miss the temperament of O'Reilly--Keith Olbermann goes off the edge quite often. But Rachel Maddow is the REAL "no spin zone." If she ever makes a mistake, she WILL admit it on air and ASAP. And there will be humor.

When you watch MSNBC you will be given "Truth, Justice and the American Way" and an abundance of intelligence, (which is sorely lacking on FOX). I can recognize truth and intelligence now that I've experienced it. Try it--you may like it.

Who Are the Real Fascists?

2009-09-14T05:21:00.007-04:00

The following definition is from WordIQ.com:
--------------------------------------------
"Fascism (in Italian, fascismo), capitalized, refers to the right-wing authoritarian political movement which ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943 under the leadership of Benito Mussolini. The word fascism (uncapitalized) has come to mean any political stance or system of government resembling Mussolini's, as further discussed below."

Definition
The word fascism has come to mean any system of government resembling Mussolini's, that

-exalts nation and sometimes race above the individual,
-uses violence and modern techniques of propaganda and censorship to forcibly suppress political opposition,
-engages in severe economic and social regimentation,
-engages in corporatism,[1] (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?tocId=219369)

The word comes from fascio (plural: fasci), which may mean "bundle", as in a political or militant group or a nation, but also from the fasces (rods bundled around an axe), which were an ancient Roman symbol of the authority of magistrates.

Historically, corporatism or corporativism (Italian corporativismo) is a political system in which legislative power is given to corporations that represent economic, industrial, and professional groups.

Today, corporatism or neo-corporatism is used in reference to tendencies in politics for legislators and administrations to be influenced or dominated by the interests of business enterprises (limited liability corporations). The influence by other types of corporations, such as those representing organized labor, is relatively minor. In this view, government decisions are seen as being influenced strongly by which sorts of policies will lead to greater profits for favored companies. In this sense of the word, corporatism is also termed corporatocracy. If there is substantial military-corporate collaboration it is often called militarism or the military-industrial complex."

...many critics of free market theories, such as George Orwell, have argued that corporatism (in the sense of an economic system dominated by massive corporations) is the natural result of free market capitalism."
-------------------------------------------------

We'll take this part line by line:

1) "exalts nation and sometimes race above the individual"

This sounds like the conservative, right wing racists.

2) "uses violence and modern techniques of propaganda and censorship to forcibly suppress political opposition"

Hmmmm.....sounds like FOX News and Dick Cheney's modus operandi. This is also exactly how you would describe the actions of the teabaggers and the few crazies shouting everybody down at the town hall meetings and standing by with their guns outside.

3)"engages in severe economic and social regimentation"

Well, not for the companies they take money from or own part or all of, but for the rest of the country, its citizens without wealth--I would say this is the Republican way. Keeping the poor, poor and the rich, rich (and richer and richer).

4)"engages in corporatism,[1] (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?tocId=219369)

The modern meaning of corporatism is:

"...used in reference to tendencies in politics for legislators and administrations to be influenced or dominated by the interests of business enterprises (limited liability corporations)"

Such as Enron, Halliburton, the oil companies. Gee, who has been deeply entangled in these enterprises and many more like them? Not to name names, let's just say--Republicans.

So, in summing up....the real fascists are the Republicans--those who choose to live their lives worshipping money above all else, worshipping our nation (at the expense of others), worshipping the white race (except for those few anomalies who happen to be black and Republican), and "uses violence and modern techniques of propaganda and censorship to forcibly suppress political opposition."

Frightening that they are calling someone like President Obama a Fascist, when it is so obvious they are describing themselves.

Pro Health Care Option Op Ed by George McGovern

2009-09-14T05:09:00.003-04:00

Click on title to take you to blog.
Posted by Down with Tyranny

David Gill, MD-- A Progressive Response To Obama's Speech

2009-09-10T06:45:00.001-04:00

Original post by Down with Tyranny

How Can I Call Them Hypocrites?

2009-09-09T23:38:00.014-04:00

S. Carolina Governor Mark Sandford, ran on "family values," was a harsh critic of Bill Clinton when it was found that he had an affair and called for his resignation......
Admitted to his affair with an Argentinian woman (after he left his state unattended for five days), and claims "God is on my side." Refuses to resign his position. Squeaky clean "values," Governor.

Tennessee State Senator Paul Stanley, Republican, highly Christian conservative, Sunday school teacher, who supports abstinence because he doesn't "believe young people should have sex before marriage," and sponsored a bill to prevent gay couples from adopting.....
In a sworn affidavite, admitted to having "a sexual relationship" with a 22-year-old female intern and taking nude pictures in provocative poses of her in his apartment. You call those "values," Senator?

Senator John Ensign (R-Nevada), played a key role in demanding the resignation of Larry Craig, Ensign called Craig "a disgrace" after his arrest in an airport men's restroom for disorderly conduct charges, considered a 2012 Presidential bid.....
Admitted to an affair with a woman who worked for, both, his reelection campaign and his Battle Born leadership political action committee.

David Vitter, Republican U.S. Senator from Louisiana, ran on "family values" ......
Tied to the D C Madame scandal, frequented a Louisiana brothel. Good "values," Senator.

Assemblyman Mike Duvall, Republican, Yorba Linda, California, ran on "family values" ......
bragged on tape about having sex with two Sacramento lobbyists. Nice "values," Assemblyman. (At least he had the decorum to resign).

And speaking of Yorba Linda:

Richard M Nixon
"I am not a crook"

Censure Congressman Wilson

2009-09-09T21:58:00.012-04:00

President Obama's speech tonight, before Congress, was precise, intelligent, biting and revelatory. Somehow, one Congressman thought this was a forum for debate and shouted from the floor of Congress, in the middle of President Obama's speech, " You Lie!"

Well, Congressman--you are a large part of the problem in this country right now. You, obviously, have NO respect for the hallowed halls of Congress, the office of the Presidency, or for your country.

I hope Congress takes it upon itself to censure this arrogant, disrespectful, hooligan. He should not hold such a distinguished office if he can't control his outbursts in such a moment or venue as tonight's.

It's so very heartening to know that no sooner does the President request of Congress that everybody try to work together, than one lone voice cries out from the wilderness, "You lie!"

Congressman, YOU are the liar. You are pandering to the fringe or are one yourself. You are lying to your constituents (the normal ones who don't go in for all these bullying tactics). The President said illegal aliens will not be covered by the government option and you chose to show your lunatic fringe element how much of a rebel you are. Shame on you, Congressman Wilson.

Do Conservatives Even Know What They Believe?

2009-08-25T17:00:00.012-04:00

Tom Hammer writes, on the NARAL wall on FaceBook: " I support choice for women. Abortion and birth control are (sic) a very personal decision for women. Government should not be involved. It is ironic that the conservative movement is behind taking away this choice. Conservatism used to be about keeping government out of all of our lives as much as possible."

Well, bravo, Tom. Well, said.

The problem with the oxymoronic, (moronic being the operative part of that word), behavior of the "Right," (the wrong), is their religion and how they feel it belongs in governmental decisions (see #2 in my blog: "Messages to the Rest of the Country"). One of their main and most vehement rants against President Obama is that he wants "big" government to take over their lives, yet, who stepped in and took the decision out of the family's hands in the Terry Schiavo case, because of the religious beliefs on the part of politicians?

There are times when the government taking over is appropriate and can make things better. Take, for example, Hurricane Katrina. Oh, that's right-Bush/Cheney's "small" government had no responsibility for all of those residents of New Orleans. I can see why Conservatives believe government should have a "hands-off" policy. It's crystal clear. When there are the poor and/or blacks being victimized and there is no money to be made, or worse, it will COST money, then hands off. When they feel that there is a religious element -it is their, absolute, duty to interfere.

Why I believe in abortion

2009-08-25T15:45:00.007-04:00

The Grandparents might never have procreated.
(click on Title)

Messages to the Rest of the Country

2009-08-24T16:47:00.012-04:00

OK- time for a few fun facts...

1) This is, for the most part, a two party country. The Democratic Party is going to win every once in a while. That is just a fact of life. When they have won in the past, the country has NEVER fallen to "Fascism," nor has the government taken over the entire country because it got "too big," nor have they given the country away to any other factions or countries. We are not going to do any of those things this time, either. No matter what Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, or any of the rest of those hate-mongering, Conservative, prodigious liars, tell you. (That is their job and what they are being paid for-to pander to the right and create fear of the left wing.)

On the contrary, the Great Depression took place eight months into the Hoover administration (Republican) and began with the Coolidge administration (Republican). Coolidge, like Bush/Cheney, wanted no oversight with the banks and Wall Street firms. So, a government hands-off policy is not necessarily the best policy. Actually, in many circumstances the country has improved, and greatly so, under Democratic administrations. FDR would not have been reelected to his third term if this were not true. Why is it that when the country hits its deepest, darkest hours, the country goes Democrat?

2) Back when the Constitution was drafted, they used the concept of "separation of church and state." Wikipedia explains this as: " ...most often refers to two principles: secularity of government and freedom of religious exercise." We DO NOT have an official "state religion" like Norway. You have a right to practice whatever religion you want, but that religion should not interfere with decisions or judgments made by the government. That is what this country is founded on. Not Christianity. You have the "freedom" to practice Christianity, but NOT to tell ME that this is a "Christian nation." It is not! We are a "melting pot." I was taught that back in Social Studies in elementary school. We are not only a melting pot of natinalities, we are a melting pot of all of those nationalities' religions, as well. THAT, my friend, is America.

3) There really are some idiots in the Congress and the Senate that, probably, shouldn't have been allowed to graduate elementary school, let alone high school, or college (and, just maybe, should be locked away for their own safety (and ours) with one of those Hannibal Lecter masks over their faces, so they can't spout their nonsense).

OK, that last paragraph may be fact or may be opinion. Who can really be sure?

I WAS A BUSH VOTER

2009-08-24T15:24:00.011-04:00

Let me try to explain myself.

I was raised in a Republican household like many of my family and friends. I respected my father and respected his views.

I have remained a registered Republican, mainly, so I can get to choose the lesser of the evil nominees in any given primary. I am, now, thinking of permanently changing my affiliation after the Cheney, I mean Bush Presidency, and all this vitreolic behavior on the part of Conservatives to overthrow and undermine Obama. I really don't want to be associated, any longer, in any way, with those ignorant, violent, racist people or their party of hate.

Over the years, I became less and less aligned with the Republican ideals. I was NEVER a "conservative," but through the years the few things that kept me a registered Republican, all started falling away, one by one. Now--it's hard to remember why I EVER thought I could be affilitated with them.

Bush got me with the terror threats and raised terror alerts. I didn't feel the Dems would keep us safe. I can't believe I was gullible enough to fall for all that administrations' deceptions. It turns out it was all smoke and mirrors.

Their Brains are Broke

2009-08-23T16:59:00.001-04:00

Frank Schaeffer, appearing on the Rachel Maddow show, paraphrased Bart Simpson, saying, when Obama was elected, the Republicans' "brains broke." This would explain so very much about what is going on today at tea bag parties and in town hall meetings, in blogs, on right wing "news" and talk (shout) shows, and just talking to friends and acquaintances who believe they are the "Right."

They are like some stroke victims: they are saying words, but those words aren't making any sense to non-stroke victims out there. The talk is pure babble and, although they think they are making sense, they aren't.

They, also, can't seem to process information anymore. They spout their nonsense, e.g. " Obama Death Panels," and you explain to them, there are no death panels-merely that the new Health Reform Bill will pay to speak to your doctor about final directives or end-of-life issues. Do they understand--NO.

They spout, "Obama can't produce a valid birth certificate." Numerous people on the news produce a (very) valid "proof of live birth" certificate from the Hawaiian hospital where Obama was born and a copy of the birth announcement in the newspaper, but does it penetrate the void that is their jumbled (broke) brains--NO.

They criticized the Left for protesting the war (see my first blog) and called it unpatriotic, now they do the same to a degree unheard of and uncalled for and call it their patriotic duty. Brains broken.

They are saying Obama is a Tyrant. But can they cite any issues that back up this statement? Only if they tell you what Limbaugh, Beck, O'Reilly, Coulter, or Hannity had to say about the subject.

Is that a sign of stroke-not being able to think for yourself and following other crazy people like a zombie sheep? I'll have to search WebMD and see.

The Hypocrisy Of the "Right" (Wrong?)

2009-08-22T20:34:00.004-04:00

Hypocrisy -A feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion.

When the people protested and spoke out against the Iraq war, in which George Bush embroiled this country, they were informed by the Conservatives that what they were doing was "unpatriotic" to protest and that it was bad for the morale of our troops. So they should stop, And they did.

We are currently embroiled in two wars and nowhere have I heard that the 'tea-bagging," "tea-partying," loud-mouth, gun-toting GOP protesters should stop what they are doing because it is "unpatriotic." Do they not care about the morale of the troops? What is the difference between then and now? What has changed? Oh, yeah--our President is a Democrat and he is black. Which one bothers the Right-wingers more, I wonder? Or is it the combination of the two that has completely driven them over the edge?

(And just a short P.S. Does GOD hate 'fags,' Obama, etc. or is it Christian Conservatives?)