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Contract on America
Author: BobR    Date: 09/24/2010 10:25:59

With much fanfare and posturing, the Republicans released their "Pledge to America" yesterday. Oddly enough, it's a pastiche of talking points that we've all heard before, none of which they seemed to be interested in pursuing back in the early 2000s when they were actually in charge. It's also strangely reminiscent of Newt Gingrich's Contract With America. This is more like a contract ON America.

What does it contain? Let's take a look:
  • A plan to create jobs, end economic uncertainty, and make Amerca [sic] more competitive: (yes, they actually spelled America wrong in the table of contents!) How do the plan to do this? Tax cuts. How well has this worked in the past? It hasn't.

  • A plan to stop out of control spending and reduce the size of government: How do they plan to do this? Cut spending. Where? Well, they're none too specific there. They also include a pie chart which shows defense spending as a small sliver. Everyone knows it's over 50%. This is deliberately deceptive.

  • A plan to repeal and replace the government takeover of healthcare: After all their wailing and gnashing of teeth over the deficit, they want to remove a program that the non-partisan CBO has declared will reduce deficits and which most people support? Their document also includes misinformation about the new law.

  • A Plan to Reform Congress and Restore Trust: We already had that - it was the 2006 and 2008 elections when the Republicans were tossed out for being corrupt bums. Just like their plan to "cut spending", their pledge is lite on details.

  • To Keep our Nation secure at home and abroad: Just like they did on 9/11. BTW - how exactly is our nation "abroad"? Isn't that technically some other country?

  • Checks and Balances: excuse me? Isn't that already part of the Constitution?

Of course - this is all pandering nonsense. They're already broken one of their pledges before even getting started:
It didn’t take long for Republicans to break a promise in their new “Pledge to America” to “give small business tax deductions,” Democrats charged this afternoon.

Four hours after the GOP rolled out its new campaign manifesto, a bill containing $12 billion in tax cuts for small business passed on a 237-187 vote in the House. Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) was the lone Republican to vote for the measure.

“By breaking one of their top pledges within hours of making it, Republicans proved that you can put as much stock into their promises as you can a promise made at a Lindsay Lohan probation hearing,” snapped Democratic National Committee spokesman Hari Sevugan.

Democrats have a competing plan; whether anyone pays it much heed remains to be seen. Considering that everyone's taxes are lower than when the Republicans were in charge, that health care is more accessible than when Republicans were in charge, that less Democrats have faced legal scrutiny than Republicans, and that less people have died from terrorist attacks than when Republicans were in charge, it seems a no-brainer that going Republican this election is a step in the wrong direction.

The Republicans have put a contract on America - it's our duty to see that it doesn't get carried out.

 

55 comments (Latest Comment: 09/24/2010 22:29:39 by Raine)
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Comments:

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Comment by BobR on 09/24/2010 11:18:13
Friday Bonus Click: At least the arguments between the Dems and the Reps aren't like this

WARNING: Picture at link NOT SAFE FOR WORK

Comment by wickedpam on 09/24/2010 13:05:28
Morning

Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 13:09:17
Good morning Blog-etnam!

Comment by TriSec on 09/24/2010 13:22:03
Greetings, comrades!

T-9 hours and counting....first pack meeting is tonight!

We've recruited hard this year, I have at least 15 new scouts coming to join tonight. Looking good.

And it's looking like a good weekend...I'm heading up to NH tomorrow morning for Brother TriSec's bachelor weekend...wedding coming up in 9 days.



Comment by TriSec on 09/24/2010 13:25:08
Point to ponder on the "small business" meme that Keith has going.

Bechtel is a "small business" according to the Republicans.

Bechtel was the lead contractor on the Big Dig.

'nuff said.



Comment by wickedpam on 09/24/2010 13:26:43
arrgggghhhhh - anyone know when this Broad Street Bullies comes out on dvd - its not listed at netflix at all!

Comment by TriSec on 09/24/2010 13:46:30
Say, did I show you the pack's new website?

Alas, we used to have a board on IPB for the Pack, too.



Comment by wickedpam on 09/24/2010 13:48:40
Quote by TriSec:
Say, did I show you the pack's new website?

Alas, we used to have a board on IPB for the Pack, too.




very nice - was wordpress easy to use?

Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 13:52:24
Comment by wickedpam on 09/24/2010 13:54:45


you'd think someone would get that when you say "no comment" people pretty much think its true


Comment by Scoopster on 09/24/2010 14:03:04
Morning all & Happy Fridee!

Comment by TriSec on 09/24/2010 14:03:53
Quote by wickedpam:


you'd think someone would get that when you say "no comment" people pretty much think its true


More important, does all that artificial orange leave a mark?

Comment by wickedpam on 09/24/2010 14:11:22
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by wickedpam:


you'd think someone would get that when you say "no comment" people pretty much think its true


More important, does all that artificial orange leave a mark?




EEWWWW!!!! bad thoughts! bad thoughts! bad thoughts! must scrub brain! NOW!

Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 14:13:04
Quote by wickedpam:


you'd think someone would get that when you say "no comment" people pretty much think its true


With someone like Boner?


Comment by wickedpam on 09/24/2010 14:29:23
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:


you'd think someone would get that when you say "no comment" people pretty much think its true


With someone like Boner?



maybe she has a thing of ommpa loompas

Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 14:37:40
Hi Nina! Happy friday!

This is not the first time this allegation has whirled around with regards to the Boner.


and MALA! oompa loompas??

Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 14:38:35
Quote by HouseofNina:
Jus' playin, but I swear I thought of that about a week ago - I just didn't know what to do with it - thanks John! (Hi Raine! Hi Pam!).


Boehner's Boner sounds like a skinamax flick....

Comment by wickedpam on 09/24/2010 14:48:05
Quote by Raine:
Hi Nina! Happy friday!

This is not the first time this allegation has whirled around with regards to the Boner.


and MALA! oompa loompas??



They're the only orange people I know! XD

Comment by TriSec on 09/24/2010 14:48:51
Say now, I just realized I've got a WWII site practically in my backyard here.

It is brother TriSec's bachelor weekend, and they're all heading for Bretton Woods tomorrow am for the zip line/canopy tour. I won't be able to make that, but I am going to meet the gang there.

I'll have some time to kill; I wonder if the resort has any historical stuff kicking around? (And there is hiking, charlift rides, and a smaller racing zipline that I can certainly get on without a reservation.)



Comment by wickedpam on 09/24/2010 14:49:04
Hey Nina

Comment by wickedpam on 09/24/2010 14:55:30
John, hold the phone AWAY from your mouth when you talk

Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 14:56:07
whew. John in Ashville.

Comment by Scoopster on 09/24/2010 14:57:35



Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 15:04:35
I dunno -- I don't know if I like what Colbert did here. IT was a good thing that he did by working as an immigrant for a day. I really really wish he had not gone in Character. On the other hand -- why the EFF did Conyers as him to testify?

He makes some very good points -- but he also made a mockery of a very important issue.

you tell me:



Comment by BobR on 09/24/2010 15:17:32
Quote by Raine:
Hi Nina! Happy friday!

This is not the first time this allegation has whirled around with regards to the Boner.


and MALA! oompa loompas??

Oompa Loompa, doompa-a-dee-do...
I've got an orange Boehner for you...

Comment by livingonli on 09/24/2010 15:34:20
Good morning everyone.

Thanks for the disturbing mental image of someone sleeping with the Boner.

Comment by TriSec on 09/24/2010 15:37:16
Quote by BobR:

Oompa Loompa, doompa-a-dee-do...
I've got an orange Boehner for you...



Say Pam, got any of that brain bleach left over?



Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 15:44:41
Tea Party Convention Is Canceled

Hmm could it be? The folks that keep claiming that they are going "take back their country" in November can't even manage a convention.

Tea Party Nation still draws scorn from some other Tea Party groups, which have raised eyebrows at asking people to spend more than $200 to attend a convention, so it was not clear what this said about the strength of the movement. Tea Party Patriots, a large umbrella for about 2,700 local Tea Party groups nationwide, had criticized the media attention on the convention in February, saying it was not a real representation of Tea Party activism.

But Ms. Kinnison said in her e-mail that “the various large ‘other’ Tea Party organizations have slid in their participations and donations across the country, and their events are free.”


Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 15:47:52
Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 15:56:47
Oh Noes! Think Progress found a missing page from the GOP Contract on Amerca



Comment by wickedpam on 09/24/2010 15:59:49
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by BobR:

Oompa Loompa, doompa-a-dee-do...
I've got an orange Boehner for you...



Say Pam, got any of that brain bleach left over?




we need to restock the blog supply cabinet

hows this?

http://flavorwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/puppychair.jpg


Comment by Mondobubba on 09/24/2010 16:15:48
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Raine:
Hi Nina! Happy friday!

This is not the first time this allegation has whirled around with regards to the Boner.


and MALA! oompa loompas??

Oompa Loompa, doompa-a-dee-do...
I've got an orange Boehner for you...


:goes through mental pull down menus, stops. Hits mental delete key furiously:

The Boner's boning a lobbyist! Who woulda thought something like that could ever happen. My faith in him is shattered! Shattered I say. :fristy heels, clickity clack, fainting couch, etc.:

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/24/2010 16:27:10
Hey Livin, your our resident TV nerd. What is up with Kabletown (with a K) rebranding itself as Xfinity?

Comment by TriSec on 09/24/2010 16:36:49
It's Dick Bong's birthday today. (KIA, 1945)

Bonus points?



Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 16:52:31
now THIS is an awesome political campaign ad.



Comment by wickedpam on 09/24/2010 17:07:31
WOW! That was awesome!

Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 17:16:26
OK, these tea party people are just thugs.
A fight among audience members broke out toward the end of the forum as Reid supporters tried to leave while Angle was still speaking.

Kelly Tanaka said an unidentified man pushed her over and punched her friend Thursday after the forum. The man was detained by school officials.

The 27-year-old Tanaka said the fight occurred because she walked past the man, not because she supports Reid and he backs Angle.


http://s3.mediamatters.org/static/images/item/LVSun-20100924-Anglefight.JPG



Comment by BobR on 09/24/2010 17:19:07
Quote by TriSec:
It's Dick Bong's birthday today. (KIA, 1945)

Bonus points?


He invented the water pipe?

Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 17:22:10
and don't look TOO close at that teabagger.... no. really. don't....

Comment by livingonli on 09/24/2010 17:22:55
Quote by Mondobubba:
Hey Livin, your our resident TV nerd. What is up with Kabletown (with a K) rebranding itself as Xfinity?

I think it's a marketing strategy. The rebranding is mostly in areas where they have ramped up their HD and digital selections as they are moving to all-digital lineups. I think the rebranding is most aggressive in areas where Comcast is facing competition from FiOS or U-Verse since they can poach subscribers who might have not considered satellite. TV.

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/24/2010 17:25:28
Quote by BobR:
Quote by TriSec:
It's Dick Bong's birthday today. (KIA, 1945)

Bonus points?


He invented the water pipe?


Fighter pilot in the Pacific theater, most kills of any America ace in the Pacific (I think)

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/24/2010 17:33:58
Quote by TriSec:
It's Dick Bong's birthday today. (KIA, 1945)

Bonus points?



You know who else was born today? Lou Dobbs, Phil Hartman, Alan Colmes, Sir Arthur Guinness, & Fats Navarro.

Comment by TriSec on 09/24/2010 17:58:06
Leading American ace, period. 40 kills, all in the Pacific.






Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 18:42:20
and this is where Colbert won me over.



Comment by TriSec on 09/24/2010 18:49:41
What's *not* in the GOP pledge

Below is a list of words and phrases and the number of times they are each mentioned in the 45-page "Pledge."

Wall Street: 0
Bank: 0
Finance: 0
Mortgage crisis: 0
Derivative: 0
Subprime: 0
Lobbying: 0
Lobbyist: 0
K Street: 0
Campaign finance: 0
Campaign contribution: 0
Campaign donation: 0
Disclosure: 0
Climate change: 0
Environment: 1 ("political environment")
Alternative energy: 0
Renewable: 0
Green: 0
Transportation: 0
Infrastructure: 0
Poverty: 0
Food: 0
Food safety: 0
Housing: 0
Internet: 0
Education: 0
College: 0
Reading: 0
Science: 0
Research: 0
Technology: 0
Bush administration: 0

That list is as telling as the actual contents.


Comment by Mondobubba on 09/24/2010 18:54:18
Quote by Raine:
and this is where Colbert won me over.



"Migrant workers suffer and have no rights." :cry:

Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 18:59:29
Uh oh -- I heard some rumblings about this with the NYT, regarding the Boner and the Lobbyist....

But about that rumor....
Insiders on Capitol Hill are buzzing about an upcoming New York Times exposé that will detail an alleged Boehner affair. Sources say the Times is looking for the right time to drop the story in October to sway the election, similar to how the Times reported during the 2008 presidential campaign on an alleged John McCain affair that supposedly had taken place many years before and that was flatly denied by the woman in question.

I doubt very much the NYT is looking for the right time at all, to be honest. What I am finding interesting is the slow and steady drumbeat about a few of Mr. Boehner's, shall we say , issues.

MAybe it's because I watched Wag the Dog a few days ago, I dunno. The NYT came out with an article a few weeks ago about his tight ties with Lobbyists. That was pretty damning.

Something is going on, big time.


Comment by TriSec on 09/24/2010 19:08:23


Something interesting from Brazil.

That whole Koran-burning thing may have been about "the gay".


In Gainesville this year, Sept. 11 would have been marked by the season opener of the mighty football team from the University of Florida, the Gators. The metropolitan police would have been reinforcements at the stadium, where openly gay mayor Craig Lowe, who has always advocated for tolerance, would be present.

Unfortunately, pastor Terry Jones, a marginal figure in this university town, made Gainesville more internationally famous than all the Gator triumphs by announcing that he intended to burn 200 copies of the Quran on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks in 2001. Despite his subsequent withdrawal, his attitude attracted journalists from around the world to this city of about 100,000 inhabitants. Vans from major TV networks occupied the lawn of his church, about six miles from downtown.

*snip*

Since the beginning, Lowe led the campaign against Jones. When he ran for mayor and won, Lowe was harshly attacked by Jones. After the election results, the pastor promoted a demonstration in front of City Hall, saying he would not accept a gay mayor, arguing that "homosexuality is a crime."



It's all done here in the US, but if you check out the "Watching America" website, much of the world is still talking about this nearly every day. Damage Done, folks. A very large amount of damage, methinks.



Comment by TriSec on 09/24/2010 19:12:04
Not waiting for "Ask a Vet" with this.

Healthcare reform started to kick in today for everyone except one group.

GOP filibister halts Tricare Reform



Comment by livingonli on 09/24/2010 20:53:47
I do wish a lot of times these days that these right-wingers would just burn in hell.

Comment by BobR on 09/24/2010 21:03:11
From Palin's "Get Organized" site:



http://www.fourfreedomsblog.com/uploads/Organized.jpg




Get organized indeed!

Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 22:28:30
Quote by TriSec:
What's *not* in the GOP pledge

Below is a list of words and phrases and the number of times they are each mentioned in the 45-page "Pledge."

Wall Street: 0
Bank: 0
Finance: 0
Mortgage crisis: 0
Derivative: 0
Subprime: 0
Lobbying: 0
Lobbyist: 0
K Street: 0
Campaign finance: 0
Campaign contribution: 0
Campaign donation: 0
Disclosure: 0
Climate change: 0
Environment: 1 ("political environment")
Alternative energy: 0
Renewable: 0
Green: 0
Transportation: 0
Infrastructure: 0
Poverty: 0
Food: 0
Food safety: 0
Housing: 0
Internet: 0
Education: 0
College: 0
Reading: 0
Science: 0
Research: 0
Technology: 0
Bush administration: 0

That list is as telling as the actual contents.

The Phrase Hyperbolic Bullshit isn't in there either...

Comment by Raine on 09/24/2010 22:29:39
Quote by BobR:
From Palin's "Get Organized" site:

http://www.fourfreedomsblog.com/uploads/Organized.jpg


Get organized indeed!



Paw prints, cawz she's momma grizzly who quits when things get too tough?

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