-
It's that time of year again - our ISP is asking for money. If you have some spare change, please click the Donate link... Thanks!
- About Us
- Search
- Need Help?
- Donate
- Login/Register
Latest Entries
Actions Menu
Blog Roll
- 4F Facebook Page
- Turn Up The Night with Kenny Pick
- Stephanie Miller Show
- The Tim Corrimal Show
- The Rachel Maddow Show
- Angry Americans with Paul Rieckhoff
- Thom Hartmann Program
- Turnips! Fans of Turn Up the Night Facebook Page
- Snopes.com
- Factcheck.org
- Official White House Page, if you must.
- The Brad Blog / Green News Report
- The Poorly Written Political Blog (Joe Santorsa)
Politics and Power
Author: BobR
Date: 11/10/2010 13:30:39
Politics in the U.S. is a strange animal. It seems that winning is more important than doing, and power is more important than than money (at least to the candidates). The most recent election, and the stories swirling in the eddies that any election creates (both prior and post) are no exception.
Leading up to the election, the meme from the Republicans is that they were the antidote to President Obama's "leftist agenda". As always, the Republican marketing machine worked very well, and even some Democrats were distancing themselves from him. The Democrats were never able to sell all the positives that they accomplished, nor counteract the Big Lies coming from the Republican smear machine. The American public may be catching on and having buyer's remorse already, though, since Obama's approval numbers are on their way back up.
Another odd story in terms of approval comes from the Republican side. You would think that after taking back the House and making serious inroads into the Senate, that Republicans would be happy. Apparently not. There are moves in the party to replace Micheal Steele as chairman. Perhaps they wanted even more power than they got, since they think he may not be up-to-snuff for the 2012 election:
I find this astonishing considering all the money that went into PACs like the U.S. Chamber of Congress. In fact, the amount of money spent in this election has been jaw-dropping (I wrote a blog a couple weeks ago about how $4 Billion dollars was being spent nationwide on campaigning). Meg Whitman spent $140 million of her own money in a failed effort to get elected. From a financial standpoint, that's a really poor investment. Is the power really worth that much?
And - did voters get what they wanted? Did they know what they wanted? Oklahoma voters approved a ballot measure to ban Sharia law - in Oklahoma. Was that really a problem to be concerned with? Or was it just a cheap trick to get right-wing voters to the polls? Ultimately, the joke may be on them, because of the vague wording in the law, it may also outlaw the Ten Commandments from being considered in Oklahoma courts. Of course, considering the 1st Amendment, why would the Ten Commandments be considered in court in the first place?
Most voters (from what I can gather) voted for Republicans because they wanted the deficit reduced, taxes cut, and they wanted more jobs (3 things that cannot occur at the same time). Considering the bang-up job the Republicans did last time, it seems that the memory of the electorate is not very deep.
Republicans also campaigned on shrinking government and stopping the waste of government dollars. If they wanted to stop the "socialist agenda" of the Democrats (yet another lie), then they got what they wanted. Government is about to come to a complete standstill. Exhibit 1: Darrell Issa
Now THERE'S a good use of our tax dollars - witch hunts for partisan posturing.
Which leads us back to the original premise: Winning and power are more important than governance, and Republicans know how to market themselves. If you think the Clinton blow job investigation was a waste of time and money, you ain't seen nothin' yet.
Leading up to the election, the meme from the Republicans is that they were the antidote to President Obama's "leftist agenda". As always, the Republican marketing machine worked very well, and even some Democrats were distancing themselves from him. The Democrats were never able to sell all the positives that they accomplished, nor counteract the Big Lies coming from the Republican smear machine. The American public may be catching on and having buyer's remorse already, though, since Obama's approval numbers are on their way back up.
Another odd story in terms of approval comes from the Republican side. You would think that after taking back the House and making serious inroads into the Senate, that Republicans would be happy. Apparently not. There are moves in the party to replace Micheal Steele as chairman. Perhaps they wanted even more power than they got, since they think he may not be up-to-snuff for the 2012 election:
The moves against Mr. Steele are a result of a perception that has been developing for months among the party’s seasoned political hands in Washington. His critics say Mr. Steele has performed poorly at the helm. They argue that his fund-raising was lackluster and point to comments he made that at times proved distracting and were at odds with Republican orthodoxy, as when he said the war in Afghanistan was “not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in.”
I find this astonishing considering all the money that went into PACs like the U.S. Chamber of Congress. In fact, the amount of money spent in this election has been jaw-dropping (I wrote a blog a couple weeks ago about how $4 Billion dollars was being spent nationwide on campaigning). Meg Whitman spent $140 million of her own money in a failed effort to get elected. From a financial standpoint, that's a really poor investment. Is the power really worth that much?
And - did voters get what they wanted? Did they know what they wanted? Oklahoma voters approved a ballot measure to ban Sharia law - in Oklahoma. Was that really a problem to be concerned with? Or was it just a cheap trick to get right-wing voters to the polls? Ultimately, the joke may be on them, because of the vague wording in the law, it may also outlaw the Ten Commandments from being considered in Oklahoma courts. Of course, considering the 1st Amendment, why would the Ten Commandments be considered in court in the first place?
Most voters (from what I can gather) voted for Republicans because they wanted the deficit reduced, taxes cut, and they wanted more jobs (3 things that cannot occur at the same time). Considering the bang-up job the Republicans did last time, it seems that the memory of the electorate is not very deep.
Republicans also campaigned on shrinking government and stopping the waste of government dollars. If they wanted to stop the "socialist agenda" of the Democrats (yet another lie), then they got what they wanted. Government is about to come to a complete standstill. Exhibit 1: Darrell Issa
California Rep. Darrell Issa is already eyeing a massive expansion of oversight for next year, including hundreds of hearings; creating new subcommittees; and launching fresh investigations into the bank bailout, the stimulus and, potentially, health care reform.
Issa told POLITICO in an interview that he wants each of his seven subcommittees to hold "one or two hearings each week."
"I want seven hearings a week, times 40 weeks," Issa said...
Now THERE'S a good use of our tax dollars - witch hunts for partisan posturing.
Which leads us back to the original premise: Winning and power are more important than governance, and Republicans know how to market themselves. If you think the Clinton blow job investigation was a waste of time and money, you ain't seen nothin' yet.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 11/10/2010 13:58:09
wickedpam on 11/10/2010 13:58:09
Morning 
I miss old-fashioned cloth-coat Repubs - they used to have commonsense, but your right I do think its about the power certain people thirst for to simply be bullies. I see that with the new people who "joined" our HOA board all the way up to these past election and beyond.
Its sad.
I miss old-fashioned cloth-coat Repubs - they used to have commonsense, but your right I do think its about the power certain people thirst for to simply be bullies. I see that with the new people who "joined" our HOA board all the way up to these past election and beyond.
Its sad.
Comment by 
Raine on 11/10/2010 14:13:23
excellent blog this morning, Bob.
I was thinking about this yesterday as well -- they act like winning an election is a sport. They forget that it requires governance and keeping promises -- or at least trying to.
It's been one week, and they STILL have not revealed any plans -- except tax cuts, and even then -- there are no specifics.
One other thing I would like to know, Regarding Darrell ISa (and the entire house for that matter) is this, if he wants 'each of his seven subcommittees to hold "one or two hearings each week" won't that require them to work 5 days a week?
If I recall correctly, back in 2006, when the Dems took control they were none too please at that prospect. Yes actually they were pretty upset
I'd make a money bet they are going to cut there work week again.
Raine on 11/10/2010 14:13:23
excellent blog this morning, Bob. I was thinking about this yesterday as well -- they act like winning an election is a sport. They forget that it requires governance and keeping promises -- or at least trying to.
It's been one week, and they STILL have not revealed any plans -- except tax cuts, and even then -- there are no specifics.
One other thing I would like to know, Regarding Darrell ISa (and the entire house for that matter) is this, if he wants 'each of his seven subcommittees to hold "one or two hearings each week" won't that require them to work 5 days a week?
If I recall correctly, back in 2006, when the Dems took control they were none too please at that prospect. Yes actually they were pretty upset
"Keeping us up here eats away at families," said Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), who typically flies home on Thursdays and returns to Washington on Tuesdays. "Marriages suffer. The Democrats could care less about families -- that's what this says."
Time away from Washington is just as important to being an effective member of Congress as time spent in the Capitol, Kingston added. "When I'm here, people call me Mr. Congressman. When I'm home, people call me 'Jack, you stupid SOB, why did you vote that way?' It keeps me grounded."
Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.), who had intended to retire this year, only to be persuaded to run again, wondered whether the new schedule was more than symbolic. "If we're doing something truly productive, that's one thing," he said. "If it's smoke-and-mirrors hoopla, that's another."
Senate leaders have not set their schedule, but the upper chamber generally works a longer week than the House, though important votes or hearings are usually not scheduled on Mondays or Fridays.
House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), one of the architects of the lighter workweek, put the best Republican face on Hoyer's new schedule.
"They've got a lot more freshmen then we do," he said of the Democrats. "That schedule will make it incredibly difficult for those freshmen to establish themselves in their districts. So we're all for it."
[...]
Setting a calendar that satisfies 435 members is impossible, said the current majority leader, Rep. John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), who will become minority leader in January. "Between the travel issues, the members' work schedules, the family and district issues, it was a Rubik's cube," he said.
I'd make a money bet they are going to cut there work week again.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/10/2010 14:23:32
wickedpam on 11/10/2010 14:23:32
of course they are - a 5 day work week is too tiring for them while the rest us put in 40+ hours a week just to get the bills covered
Comment by Raine on 11/10/2010 14:40:34
Raine on 11/10/2010 14:40:34
Mala-- this should make you feel better about your Association...
The Arizona Republic reported this weekend about the intense debate surrounding a change to the community's garbage collection services. Currently, Fountain Hills' 25,000 residents can choose between five different collectors. Under the new system, the community has hired a single trash collector to meet the town's garbage hauling needs, collection days will be reduced to once-a-week, and curbside recycling services will be added. ABC15 reports that Town Manager Rick Davis estimated "total savings to reach about $1,000,000 a year," and that officials also hope the changes will cut down on pollution, noise, and traffic.
Tea Party groups have come out strongly against the measure. The Republic reports some people have dubbed it "trashcare," as if it were the local, municipal waste-related cousin of "Obamacare." Fliers were distributed that read "The Hills Will Have Eyes," and which raised the specter of a "Fountain Hills Green Police" poking around citizens' garbage bins. On its website, Arizona Campaign for Liberty warned that "The Fountain Hills Mayor & Town Council is attempting to restrict resident's choice in trash services by forcing residents into a single payer system!" The Fountain Hills Tea Party's website reads, "Once more, government is trying to interfere with free market economics."
The Town Council took up the measure last Thursday. And after a nearly five-hour public hearing and council debate, the council finally approved a five-year contract with Allied Waste Services with a 4-3 vote. (ABC15 reports that even Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio attended the meeting and expressed his opposition. [h/t HuffPo]) But the fight is not over. A "Talkin' Trash" town hall has been organized by the Fountain Hills Tea Party for November 16. Fountain Hills' mayor, town manager, and three of its councilmembers are scheduled to attend.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/10/2010 15:00:55
wickedpam on 11/10/2010 15:00:55
holy crap! So let me get this straight - this town employed 5 different trash collection companys so the residents could chose what they liked. But now to save the town money (1mil) they've signed a contract with 1 company who will do pick up of trash and recycling. 
So instead of being happy that the town is saving money so they can fund other things the town needs they are whining about losing the chance to choose 1 of 5 trash companies
In Manassas we only have 1 trash company, it works effectively and is very response to the towns needs without chaos of residents having to figure out who to call. And we like it that way, by gum!
So instead of being happy that the town is saving money so they can fund other things the town needs they are whining about losing the chance to choose 1 of 5 trash companies
In Manassas we only have 1 trash company, it works effectively and is very response to the towns needs without chaos of residents having to figure out who to call. And we like it that way, by gum!
Comment by Raine on 11/10/2010 15:01:55
Raine on 11/10/2010 15:01:55
And then there is this:
"The goal of welfare programs should be to help people get back on their feet as quickly as possible rather than simply expanding dependence on government," Price said in a statement. "In addition to saving taxpayers $25 billion over the next 10 years, cutting the emergency fund from the President's failed stimulus package will refocus temporary assistance on its rightful role."
Problem is, the TANF Emergency Fund has already expired, along with the 240,000 jobs progressive economists say it created.
"Republicans claim to be serious about reducing the deficit but yet they roll out a proposal to eliminate a program that no longer exists," said Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) in a statement. "What's next -- claiming savings for cutting New Deal work programs that were terminated over 70 years ago?
"The real question is when are Republicans going to abandon this sort of hollow rhetoric and get serious about the problems facing this country?"
Comment by Raine on 11/10/2010 15:03:25
It's nuts. It totally nuts. people have lost their frucking minds.
Raine on 11/10/2010 15:03:25
Quote by wickedpam:
holy crap! So let me get this straight - this town employed 5 different trash collection companys so the residents could chose what they liked. But now to save the town money (1mil) they've signed a contract with 1 company who will do pick up of trash and recycling.
So instead of being happy that the town is saving money so they can fund other things the town needs they are whining about losing the chance to choose 1 of 5 trash companies
In Manassas we only have 1 trash company, it works effectively and is very response to the towns needs without chaos of residents having to figure out who to call. And we like it that way, by gum!
It's nuts. It totally nuts. people have lost their frucking minds.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/10/2010 15:20:26
I say that every day as I commute too and from work
wickedpam on 11/10/2010 15:20:26
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
holy crap! So let me get this straight - this town employed 5 different trash collection companys so the residents could chose what they liked. But now to save the town money (1mil) they've signed a contract with 1 company who will do pick up of trash and recycling.
So instead of being happy that the town is saving money so they can fund other things the town needs they are whining about losing the chance to choose 1 of 5 trash companies
In Manassas we only have 1 trash company, it works effectively and is very response to the towns needs without chaos of residents having to figure out who to call. And we like it that way, by gum!
It's nuts. It totally nuts. people have lost their frucking minds.
I say that every day as I commute too and from work
Comment by wickedpam on 11/10/2010 16:01:57
wickedpam on 11/10/2010 16:01:57
Only thing a govt shut down will do is make my commute a breeze
Comment by 
Scoopster on 11/10/2010 16:03:13
Scoopster on 11/10/2010 16:03:13
Morning all & Happy Hump Day! 
Speaking of "Fired from MSNBC", guess what Tucker Carlson's been doing?
Speaking of "Fired from MSNBC", guess what Tucker Carlson's been doing?
Comment by Raine on 11/10/2010 16:04:27
Raine on 11/10/2010 16:04:27
this is awesome:
Comment by Raine on 11/10/2010 16:12:50
What a damn idiot.
Raine on 11/10/2010 16:12:50
Quote by Scoopster:
Morning all & Happy Hump Day!
Speaking of "Fired from MSNBC", guess what Tucker Carlson's been doing?
What a damn idiot.
Comment by 
BobR on 11/10/2010 16:17:46
wow - what a douche. I wonder if Keith has any legal recourse?
BobR on 11/10/2010 16:17:46
Quote by Scoopster:
Morning all & Happy Hump Day!
Speaking of "Fired from MSNBC", guess what Tucker Carlson's been doing?
wow - what a douche. I wonder if Keith has any legal recourse?
Comment by wickedpam on 11/10/2010 16:18:01
professional is as professional does
wickedpam on 11/10/2010 16:18:01
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
Morning all & Happy Hump Day!
Speaking of "Fired from MSNBC", guess what Tucker Carlson's been doing?
What a damn idiot.
professional is as professional does
Comment by Raine on 11/10/2010 16:55:06
Raine on 11/10/2010 16:55:06
Comment by Raine on 11/10/2010 17:37:03
Raine on 11/10/2010 17:37:03
I'm all for regulation but I think this idea of putting graphic pictures on Cig packs is gross and disgusting.
Comment by 
livingonli on 11/10/2010 17:44:53
livingonli on 11/10/2010 17:44:53
Good day everyone.
Another week of late shifts. Damn, I hate these hours.
Another week of late shifts. Damn, I hate these hours.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/10/2010 17:59:51
wickedpam on 11/10/2010 17:59:51
Hey Liv 
Comment by wickedpam on 11/10/2010 18:01:08
wickedpam on 11/10/2010 18:01:08
Question to those tech/web savvy - is there a way to get a free website that isn't covered with ads and doesn't look like cheap?
Comment by livingonli on 11/10/2010 18:24:15
livingonli on 11/10/2010 18:24:15
Hey Mala. How's the capital region?
Comment by BobR on 11/10/2010 18:25:57
Maybe - depends on what you want the site to do
BobR on 11/10/2010 18:25:57
Quote by wickedpam:
Question to those tech/web savvy - is there a way to get a free website that isn't covered with ads and doesn't look like cheap?
Maybe - depends on what you want the site to do
Comment by Raine on 11/10/2010 18:28:30
Raine on 11/10/2010 18:28:30
Move over Keyboard Cat, GoRemy might be my new youtube obsession.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/10/2010 18:42:34
just for HOA stuff - calender for meetings and events, news, newsletters, and so on
wickedpam on 11/10/2010 18:42:34
Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:
Question to those tech/web savvy - is there a way to get a free website that isn't covered with ads and doesn't look like cheap?
Maybe - depends on what you want the site to do
just for HOA stuff - calender for meetings and events, news, newsletters, and so on
Comment by wickedpam on 11/10/2010 18:43:11
today a little on the warm side how's LI?
wickedpam on 11/10/2010 18:43:11
Quote by livingonli:
Hey Mala. How's the capital region?
today a little on the warm side
how's LI?
Comment by wickedpam on 11/10/2010 18:48:04
wickedpam on 11/10/2010 18:48:04
Quote by Raine:
Move over Keyboard Cat, GoRemy might be my new youtube obsession.
Comment by livingonli on 11/10/2010 18:49:18
A little windy. At least it's not as cold as a few days ago.
livingonli on 11/10/2010 18:49:18
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by livingonli:
Hey Mala. How's the capital region?
today a little on the warm side
A little windy. At least it's not as cold as a few days ago.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/10/2010 18:54:09
nothing like a little Indian Summer to make everyone feel good
wickedpam on 11/10/2010 18:54:09
Quote by livingonli:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by livingonli:
Hey Mala. How's the capital region?
today a little on the warm side
A little windy. At least it's not as cold as a few days ago.
nothing like a little Indian Summer to make everyone feel good
Comment by Raine on 11/10/2010 18:56:41
Raine on 11/10/2010 18:56:41
SEriously I am obsessed:
Comment by Raine on 11/10/2010 20:30:49
Raine on 11/10/2010 20:30:49
Ted Rall is not a Dem --
Comment by 
TriSec on 11/10/2010 20:47:41
TriSec on 11/10/2010 20:47:41
Thpth.
Passing through. Heading for the store in a bit. It will soon be peak, and so I won't be around until February.
It does pay the bills, though.
Passing through. Heading for the store in a bit. It will soon be peak, and so I won't be around until February.
It does pay the bills, though.
Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 11/10/2010 23:12:53
trojanrabbit on 11/10/2010 23:12:53
Judging by the idiotic blather I see on some websites, I think they're using this
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 11/11/2010 00:36:34
Mondobubba on 11/11/2010 00:36:34
Hey all because I am giver, I wanted to remind you what happened on this day in 1975;
Comment by 
velveeta jones on 11/11/2010 02:40:08
velveeta jones on 11/11/2010 02:40:08
Morning! Er......
Well.......
Well.......