With no public support and with health insurers actually at the negotiating table, the GOP has decided to stick to its obstructionist ways and sought the advice of Frank Luntz to stop healthcare reform. Luntz is a spin-doctor that comes up with rhetorical devices used to shift public opinion in specific ways. Luntz has drafted a memo for the GOP on the subject of healthcare reform and that memo has been leaked here:
http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/frank-luntz-the-language-of-healthcare-20091.pdf
It's pretty good reading. And yes, the whole point does seem to be to obstruct the inevitable. By dragging down healthcare reform the GOP once again positions itself as the party of irrelevance.
We're going to have to put the GOP down at some point. It can't be saved and it's kicking and screaming all the way to its own slow demise. A very poor showing, all in all. I hoped for some dignity from the party exhibiting so much bravado over the decades.
The GOP now shows its truest self: the whiny, colicky baby.
Showing posts with label GOP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GOP. Show all posts
Monday, May 11, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Krugman Calls Out GOP Hypocrisy
on Job Creation and Defense Cuts
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/04/12/krugman-defense/
In February, only three Republican senators broke party ranks to vote for the economic recovery package. Zero House Republicans voted for passage. Part of their opposition centered around the belief that an increase in government spending would do nothing to create jobs:
...
"Instead of focusing on three major issues — job creation, housing and compassion for Americans who have lost jobs through no fault of their own — to boost the economy, this bill has morphed into a bloated government giveaway." [Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), 2/10/09]
...
Chambliss, in particular, said that he was concerned people in his state would lose jobs if F-22 production was cut, because "when it comes to stimulating the economy, there’s no better way to do it than to spend it in the defense community."
...
KRUGMAN: What’s so wonderful is watching Republican congressmen saying, “But this will cost jobs!” The very same Republican congressmen who were denouncing the stimulus, saying government spending never creates jobs, but cutting defense spending costs jobs. It’s wonderful.
------
Amanda Terkel has more to say at the link, but that's the core of it.
The Grand Obstructionist Party could stop talking out of its ass any time now...
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Twit: Meghan McCain
See it here:
Almost articulate. Socially moderate - not an apparent racist, although I wonder about her in terms of probable classicism.
But she says she loves the GOP. What about it exactly Meghan?
You are barely able to speak to issues on the economy - not unlike your father - and yet what could be more fundamental to a party platform? You come across like an empty little head. A Pretty face for the GOP not unlike your dad's running mate. You want to have important opinions without doing the necessary legwork. What a surprise coming from a daughter of such privilege...
Not a very good showing.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Almost articulate. Socially moderate - not an apparent racist, although I wonder about her in terms of probable classicism.
But she says she loves the GOP. What about it exactly Meghan?
You are barely able to speak to issues on the economy - not unlike your father - and yet what could be more fundamental to a party platform? You come across like an empty little head. A Pretty face for the GOP not unlike your dad's running mate. You want to have important opinions without doing the necessary legwork. What a surprise coming from a daughter of such privilege...
Not a very good showing.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
May it be?
A president worth supporting? A president who is taking incremental step after incremental step in trying to force truly substantive change? I am so cynical and so injured over the many long years that I can't quite bring myself to believe it. And yet, there are signs that Obama is using the memory of his first lackluster "bipartisan" month in office and the increasing urgency of the economic crisis to start implementing a far more radical and progressive agenda. Yes, it's possible to use the "shock doctrine" in the other direction too, D.C. Fat Cats!
------
Obama To Lobbyists: I'm Ready To Fight
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/28/obama-to-lobbyists-bring_n_170724.html
President Barack Obama challenged the nation's vested interests to a legislative duel Saturday, saying he will fight to change health care, energy and education in dramatic ways that will upset the status quo.
"The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long," Obama said in his weekly radio and video address. "But I don't. I work for the American people."
He said his ambitious budget plan, unveiled Thursday, will help millions of Americans, but only if Congress overcomes resistance from deep-pocket lobbies.
"I know these steps won't sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they're gearing up for a fight," Obama said, using tough-guy language reminiscent of his predecessor, George W. Bush. "My message to them is this: So am I."
Some analysts say Obama's proposals are almost radical. But he said all of them were included in his campaign promises. "It is the change the American people voted for in November," he said.
Nonetheless, he said, well-financed interest groups will fight back furiously.
------
I have high hopes for Obama. I hold back because it's hard to believe a moment of political change may actually have arrived. I still can't decide if Obama is the winner in this possible game of clever brinksmanship or if he's just the ultimate, most patient political centrist that has ever lived. Change cannot come quickly enough for me. One good sign is the way the GOP seems to be pulling apart at the seams. If the center is all that's left at the end of the day, we can start pulling from the left a lot harder AND actually getting our way.
Two links worth noting:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/
http://www.recovery.gov/
------
Obama To Lobbyists: I'm Ready To Fight
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/28/obama-to-lobbyists-bring_n_170724.html
President Barack Obama challenged the nation's vested interests to a legislative duel Saturday, saying he will fight to change health care, energy and education in dramatic ways that will upset the status quo.
"The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long," Obama said in his weekly radio and video address. "But I don't. I work for the American people."
He said his ambitious budget plan, unveiled Thursday, will help millions of Americans, but only if Congress overcomes resistance from deep-pocket lobbies.
"I know these steps won't sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they're gearing up for a fight," Obama said, using tough-guy language reminiscent of his predecessor, George W. Bush. "My message to them is this: So am I."
Some analysts say Obama's proposals are almost radical. But he said all of them were included in his campaign promises. "It is the change the American people voted for in November," he said.
Nonetheless, he said, well-financed interest groups will fight back furiously.
------
I have high hopes for Obama. I hold back because it's hard to believe a moment of political change may actually have arrived. I still can't decide if Obama is the winner in this possible game of clever brinksmanship or if he's just the ultimate, most patient political centrist that has ever lived. Change cannot come quickly enough for me. One good sign is the way the GOP seems to be pulling apart at the seams. If the center is all that's left at the end of the day, we can start pulling from the left a lot harder AND actually getting our way.
Two links worth noting:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/
http://www.recovery.gov/
Thursday, February 19, 2009
GOP: Obstruct, Obstruct, Obstruct!
Federal GOP:
California GOP:
------
I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. But I NEVER vote for Republicans. Not ever.
The GOP is ideologically blinkered and does not in any way represent my interests. And I doubt very much that they either do or even can substantively represent 99% of the people of the United States. The GOP represents the top 1% elite members of our society and them alone.
Maybe they don't represent your interests either. Don't be fooled by "fundy" issues like abortion and other Christian-right issues. You can go hang as far as the GOP is concerned. You will never get your agenda passed. Concentrate on the actual political and economic issues, religious beliefs are best handled on a household by household basis. Your beliefs in the nature of the divine are yours alone and the idea that you will get everyone to agree with you is disrespectful of the rights of others.
Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. You might disagree with that second point, but I defy anyone who has paid attention to the activities of the GOP over the last 50 years to dispute that last point. In short, it's a fact.
I consider the GOP the party of irrelevancy. This new era of obstruction strikes me as pointedly un-american in tone. It's as if the GOP wants to quit the sandbox and take all of its toys home with them - your toys too, if you let them get away with it.
Here's an idea:
Don't!
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
California GOP:
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
------
I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. But I NEVER vote for Republicans. Not ever.
The GOP is ideologically blinkered and does not in any way represent my interests. And I doubt very much that they either do or even can substantively represent 99% of the people of the United States. The GOP represents the top 1% elite members of our society and them alone.
Maybe they don't represent your interests either. Don't be fooled by "fundy" issues like abortion and other Christian-right issues. You can go hang as far as the GOP is concerned. You will never get your agenda passed. Concentrate on the actual political and economic issues, religious beliefs are best handled on a household by household basis. Your beliefs in the nature of the divine are yours alone and the idea that you will get everyone to agree with you is disrespectful of the rights of others.
Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. You might disagree with that second point, but I defy anyone who has paid attention to the activities of the GOP over the last 50 years to dispute that last point. In short, it's a fact.
I consider the GOP the party of irrelevancy. This new era of obstruction strikes me as pointedly un-american in tone. It's as if the GOP wants to quit the sandbox and take all of its toys home with them - your toys too, if you let them get away with it.
Here's an idea:
Don't!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Olbermann on Obama's FISA Fuckup
"Olbermann Scolds Obama Over FISA, but Offers the Senator Ways to Redeem Himself"
Video:
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/video/90151/
-----
I like most of the opinions held and given voice by Olbermann. The guy says some really great stuff from time to time. If he has a political opinion with which I would disagree I haven't heard it yet, but there is this one thing...
He seems to think that if the Democrats win a landslide election that everything will somehow "auto-magically" get better for the USA. As if the Dems weren't up to their eyeballs in corporate funding and favors that must be paid back. As if Obama wasn't basically just politics as usual. Etc.
Olbermann is certainly anti-GOP and I can't disagree with that at all. But I am far more lukewarm on the Dems than is Olbermann. Olbermann comes across as fairly enthusiastic about the Dems while simultaneously kicking them in the balls anyway.
Personally, I just don't trust any political party really. And that's the point Olbermann was making by referencing George Washington.
So why the enthusiasm, Keith? Just kick them in the balls and be done with it.
Video:
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/video/90151/
-----
I like most of the opinions held and given voice by Olbermann. The guy says some really great stuff from time to time. If he has a political opinion with which I would disagree I haven't heard it yet, but there is this one thing...
He seems to think that if the Democrats win a landslide election that everything will somehow "auto-magically" get better for the USA. As if the Dems weren't up to their eyeballs in corporate funding and favors that must be paid back. As if Obama wasn't basically just politics as usual. Etc.
Olbermann is certainly anti-GOP and I can't disagree with that at all. But I am far more lukewarm on the Dems than is Olbermann. Olbermann comes across as fairly enthusiastic about the Dems while simultaneously kicking them in the balls anyway.
Personally, I just don't trust any political party really. And that's the point Olbermann was making by referencing George Washington.
So why the enthusiasm, Keith? Just kick them in the balls and be done with it.
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