I believe myself to be fairly intelligent and somewhat rational; but sometimes I just cannot figure out how Republicans come up with the things they say--or the straight faces with which to say them.1. Defunding the ACA
Two weeks ago, Senator Marco Rubio, (R-Florida) said that the Republican Party should shut down the federal government unless Democrats agree to defund the ACA. Seventeen Republican Senators, including House Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), immediately jumped on this ultra-conservative bandwagon. There was lots of bad press after which some Senators quietly disembarked. Other, more realistic Republican Senators spoke up to agree with Senator Richard Burr (R-No. Carolina) who called the idea "The dumbest idea I've ever heard of."
Fast forward two weeks. Upon hearing that President Obama vowed to veto any spending bill that does not fully fund the ACA, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) said in a radio interview: "What the President's basically saying is that 'If you don't fund Obmacare, I won't sign a bill that funds the government.' So he's the one that's threatening to shut down the government, not us."
what eye thynk: What in the hell is this man talking about?
2. Energy Efficiency Ratings
The House has passed a bill forbidding the federal government from enforcing energy efficiency standards for ceiling fans, light bulbs, refrigerators and freezers. Their rallying cry was that the Obama administration is creating a Nanny State and is overstepping by requiring energy efficiency for home appliances of any kind.
Representative Martha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) sponsored the bill saying, "Nothing is safe from the Obama administration's excessive regulatory tentacles." Perhaps Ms. Blackburn needs to be reminded that the first bill regulating energy efficiency for home appliances was signed into law by Ronald Reagan in 1987. Someone should also point out to her that ceiling fan efficiency rules were passed by both the Republican led House and the Republican led Senate and signed into law by then President George W. Bush in 2005. Ms. Blackburn voted in favor of the bill.
what eye thynk: And if Republicans are really so against "regulatory tentacles", they might consider keeping their hypocritical nanny nose out of the business of excessively regulating my vagina.
3. Ryan's One-note Budget Gloat
The 112th Congress cut the federal budget's discretionary spending by $1.5 trillion. This was before the Republicans forced billions in additional cuts through sequestration. Economists on both sides of the aisle, (at least those not bought and paid for by the Koch brothers and big business), agree that the sequester is holding back our economic recovery.
Now the House is beginning to unveil more draconian cuts in its new budget bill causing Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) to brag about the low spending levels by saying "It's about time we cut some spending around here."
what eye thynk: Paul Ryan has become "Poor Johnny One Note". Does he really think no one is aware of or has forgotten about the cuts already made?
What I am about to say is guaranteed to fire up some of your readers. Especially those readers who support the extreme right wing ultra conservative conspiracy groups. Pocket Parties' funded by some very very wealthy corporations.
ReplyDeleteIf you go to the library and hit the references section, ask for any book on German History from 1925 through 1932.
Then another on Herr Goebbels and his masterful development, and usage, of propaganda, you will see a very clear parallel of what is going on in today's ultra conservative republican party.
That, now defunct, German Political party was known as National Socialist Party.
And, that aligned itself with Benito Mussolini's Dictatorship and their common political enemy was the Soviet Union's Socialist party.
We all know how that turned out and I see no need to go into detail. If you don't know how that turned out you're a fucking idiot.
I grew up in an America that was all about democracy. Democracy. Freedom from political tyranny. A two party political system that was the best in the world. The best!
Here I am an old man, and I see youngsters playing in the House of Representatives. Playing like they are playing in a schoolyard playground. They are playing with the lives of millions of Americans.
This thirty-something group of young (insert childish) warriors (insert buffoons) are a lock-step group of paid lackeys without a conscience. And WE put them in office.
To come full circle, from where I began, I see a very scary political horizon. Unless we can find a way to turn this political stampede around, it will over run everyone thing and evey one in its' path. Yippee Ki-aye America. Saddle up.