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Beltway Bubbles
Author: Raine
Date: 08/02/2010 12:41:21
This morning let's take a look at willful ignorance. Yesterday on Fox News Sunday, House Minority Leader John Boehner said that he doesn't care about the congressional Budget office numbers. He cares about what the people are saying. He accused the host, Chris Wallace of spending too much time inside the Beltway bubble when pressed on how to fix the economic woes this nation still faces.
From Think Progress: Of course they are asking the question, because people like John Boehner have been telling The American people there are no jobs. I will concede that there isn't enough job creation, but this is dishonest.
The American people elect leaders for a reason. They elect leaders to guide the great ship that is this country. They rely on the leaders to provide them information that is truthful. Americans are by and large not economists, and it isn't their job to crunch the massive numbers that consist of our budget and spending. This is why we have economists and analysts. Steve Bennen puts it succinctly:
The GDP is growing. The numbers are right here.
Jobs ARE being created. The stimulus IS working.
55,000 auto industry jobs alone were added since last June. Inaction would have produced the loss of a million jobs.
Can things be better? Of Course, but this tactic by Mr. Boehner is misleading the American people, and then when they react to the lies he tells them, he uses their reaction as proof that the problems are real.
His GOP actually blocked a jobs bill back in May. More recently, his GOP blocked a small business spending bill.
Mr. Boehner needs to listen to ALL Americans, including economists and those people working inside the Congressional Budget office. He needs to realize that at a certain point, the blatant lies will catch up. He DOES need to see the numbers instead of spreading anti-intellectualism in this nation. Ignoring reality and pretending that truths do not exist will not change reality.
If he really was listening to the American people, he would hear that they are asking for help.
They are asking for more jobs.
They are asking for better infrastructure.
They are asking for a living wage.
They are asking to end these wars.
They are asking for better education opportunities.
They are asking for the Bush Tax cuts to expire (As the former president designed them to do).
They are asking for manufacturing jobs to come back to our country.
They are asking for Fair Trade.
They are asking for renewable energy.
They are asking for an end to our oil dependence.
They are asking for banks to start lending again.
They are asking for economic security.
They are asking for better health care.
They are asking for more corporate regulations.
They are asking for clean elections.
They are asking for an end government corruption.
They are asking for honesty and integrity from elected officials.
They are asking for help.
What they are not asking for is pandering to a select group of people to score political points. That hurts us as a nation, only provides more fuel to the fire of those that are not being told the truth. I wonder who he's really listening to. Perhaps it's the very people he has been lying to. Talk about living in a bubble.
& 
Raine
From Think Progress:
WALLACE: Congressman — a number of top economists say what we need is more economic stimulus.
BOEHNER: Well, I don’t need to see GDP numbers or to listen to economists. All I need to do is listen to the American people, because they’ve been asking the question now for 18 months, “where are the jobs?”
The American people elect leaders for a reason. They elect leaders to guide the great ship that is this country. They rely on the leaders to provide them information that is truthful. Americans are by and large not economists, and it isn't their job to crunch the massive numbers that consist of our budget and spending. This is why we have economists and analysts. Steve Bennen puts it succinctly:
the "American people," en masse, lack the qualifications and background needed to make sweeping decisions about complex economic policies. It's why our system is built around the notion that voters will choose sensible representatives to do this work for us -- evaluate a situation, consider the judgment of experts, and ideally reach a wise decision about the way forward.
If Boehner were facing a serious ailment, would he say, "Well, I don't need to see lab results or to listen to medical professionals; all I need to do is listen to the American people"? Maybe so, but at this point, the serious ailment is our national economy, and it affects us all.
The GDP is growing. The numbers are right here.
Jobs ARE being created. The stimulus IS working.
55,000 auto industry jobs alone were added since last June. Inaction would have produced the loss of a million jobs.
Can things be better? Of Course, but this tactic by Mr. Boehner is misleading the American people, and then when they react to the lies he tells them, he uses their reaction as proof that the problems are real.
His GOP actually blocked a jobs bill back in May. More recently, his GOP blocked a small business spending bill.
Mr. Boehner needs to listen to ALL Americans, including economists and those people working inside the Congressional Budget office. He needs to realize that at a certain point, the blatant lies will catch up. He DOES need to see the numbers instead of spreading anti-intellectualism in this nation. Ignoring reality and pretending that truths do not exist will not change reality.
If he really was listening to the American people, he would hear that they are asking for help.
They are asking for more jobs.
They are asking for better infrastructure.
They are asking for a living wage.
They are asking to end these wars.
They are asking for better education opportunities.
They are asking for the Bush Tax cuts to expire (As the former president designed them to do).
They are asking for manufacturing jobs to come back to our country.
They are asking for Fair Trade.
They are asking for renewable energy.
They are asking for an end to our oil dependence.
They are asking for banks to start lending again.
They are asking for economic security.
They are asking for better health care.
They are asking for more corporate regulations.
They are asking for clean elections.
They are asking for an end government corruption.
They are asking for honesty and integrity from elected officials.
They are asking for help.
What they are not asking for is pandering to a select group of people to score political points. That hurts us as a nation, only provides more fuel to the fire of those that are not being told the truth. I wonder who he's really listening to. Perhaps it's the very people he has been lying to. Talk about living in a bubble.
& Raine
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 08/02/2010 13:10:44
wickedpam on 08/02/2010 13:10:44
Morning 
Comment by 
Raine on 08/02/2010 13:44:31
Raine on 08/02/2010 13:44:31
The End.
The President will be speaking at Disabled American Veterans annual convention today in Atlanta. He will hilight this.
It's a campaign promise kept. I wonder if people will pay attention to that.
Next up: Let's get the hell out of Afghanistan.
Nearly eight years after he denounced what he called a "dumb war" in Iraq and nearly two years after he won the White House promising to end it, President Obama on Monday plans to mark the formal end of the combat mission there. [...]
By the end of this month, in accordance with the strategy Mr. Obama put in place after taking office, the American force in Iraq will have shrunk from 144,000 to just 50,000 troops. The remaining “advise and assist” brigades will officially focus on supporting and training Iraqi security forces, protecting American personnel and facilities and mounting counterterrorism operations. Those 50,000 troops are due to leave by the end of 2011.
It's a campaign promise kept. I wonder if people will pay attention to that.
Next up: Let's get the hell out of Afghanistan.
Comment by 
TriSec on 08/02/2010 13:45:21
TriSec on 08/02/2010 13:45:21
Fuck the GOP.
(Sorry for the brashness, but that's my new greeting until further notice.)
(Sorry for the brashness, but that's my new greeting until further notice.)
Comment by wickedpam on 08/02/2010 13:51:59
wickedpam on 08/02/2010 13:51:59
If I were on welfare I would be 1000x more depressed then I am now 
Comment by TriSec on 08/02/2010 13:57:46
TriSec on 08/02/2010 13:57:46
Well, finally leaving Iraq, eh?
I'm trying to remember how long I've been writing "Ask a Vet". When did Unfiltered go off the air?
I think it's five years this past April....so Iraq for another year, then a still-undetermined period until we have a plan to get out of Afghanistan.
I don't know that the end is in sight for my little wing of the internets: there will *always* be veteran's issues, I imagine.
I'm trying to remember how long I've been writing "Ask a Vet". When did Unfiltered go off the air?
I think it's five years this past April....so Iraq for another year, then a still-undetermined period until we have a plan to get out of Afghanistan.
I don't know that the end is in sight for my little wing of the internets: there will *always* be veteran's issues, I imagine.
Comment by 
BobR on 08/02/2010 13:58:51
And a good Fuck the GOP to you too...
BobR on 08/02/2010 13:58:51
Quote by TriSec:
Fuck the GOP.
(Sorry for the brashness, but that's my new greeting until further notice.)
And a good Fuck the GOP to you too...
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 14:33:22
Raine on 08/02/2010 14:33:22
How about the Ensign Scandal?????????
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 14:36:16
Raine on 08/02/2010 14:36:16
As Ensign Scandal Heats Up, Media Coverage Cools Down. IOKIYAR?
Rangel is facing a probe from the House ethics committee, while Ensign is under scrutiny from the FBI.
Rangel is facing a probe from the House ethics committee, while Ensign is under scrutiny from the FBI.
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 14:39:11
Nope no racism there at all....
Raine on 08/02/2010 14:39:11
Nope no racism there at all....
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 14:41:47
Raine on 08/02/2010 14:41:47
BTW, this is the guy running For Ohio district 8. The seat currently held by John Boehner.
Cousoule For congress.
Cousoule For congress.
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 14:47:13
Raine on 08/02/2010 14:47:13
You guys are aware that this sudden turn towards all the ethics investigations are the the result of Darrell Issa, right?
He's been itching to turn up dirt every place he can, and while it is noble to do so, his motives are not so pure.
He's been itching to turn up dirt every place he can, and while it is noble to do so, his motives are not so pure.
Investigations Issa deemed worthy
§ Looking out for Wall Street, Issa wants an investigation into if the White House had prior knowledge about the lawsuit filed by the SEC against Goldman Sachs. He believes the White House filed this lawsuit to gain it leverage in its financial reform attempt. There is no evidence of co-ordination.
§ He wants an investigation into if the administration conditioned its bailout of the auto industry upon their support for tougher fuel economy standards? There is no proof that it did.
§ He lead an investigation into whether the White House improperly fired AmeriCorps inspector general Gerald Walpin, for aggressively going after an Obama ally, Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson, on charges of misusing AmeriCorps money? Despite efforts to find misconduct by the White House, a report put out last fall by he and Sen. Charles Grassley found no real evidence of misconduct.
Investigations Issa deemed unworthy
§ Issa voted against impeaching Bush for lying about Iraq.
§ Although Issa co-sponsored a measure to stop the RNC when it was found to have sent out fundraising letters that look like Census mailers (a practice that they continued even after they were warned), he did not order an investigation.
§ Issa judged the hearing into the Blackwater hearings, in which four mothers, wives, and daughters of four security guards killed in Iraq, to be “politically motivated.” He also asked of the emotional testimony of the women who testified, “One question I have is the opening statement, who wrote it?” Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill apologized to the women for Issa’s question. (According to one senator who had been present at thousands of hearing, it was the first time a witness’ testimony had been questioned this way.)
§ Issa implied that victims of 9/11 victims received too much money, voted against efforts to take care of ground zero workers and called 9/11 “simply a plane crash.” He said of the government’s response that they just threw “buckets of cash,” at New York.
The good news is that Issa's party is in the minority, so he doesn't have the power to compel testimony or subpoena documents. The bad news is that he is a political hack who is not motivated by holding public officials accountable instead he is emblematic of those who abuse this vital function.
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 15:06:22
Raine on 08/02/2010 15:06:22
Let's go back a bit in time.
John Boehner confused the United States Constitution with the Declaration of Independence on Television.
Oh, he did this at a Tea Party Rally last November.
John Boehner confused the United States Constitution with the Declaration of Independence on Television.
Oh, he did this at a Tea Party Rally last November.
Comment by BobR on 08/02/2010 15:08:45
That district has been Republican for decades. Not much hope there...
BobR on 08/02/2010 15:08:45
Quote by Raine:
BTW, this is the guy running For Ohio district 8. The seat currently held by John Boehner.
Cousoule For congress.
That district has been Republican for decades. Not much hope there...
Comment by wickedpam on 08/02/2010 15:12:25
wickedpam on 08/02/2010 15:12:25
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 15:12:37
This district was Republican for decades as well. I'm a hopemonger.
:)
Raine on 08/02/2010 15:12:37
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
BTW, this is the guy running For Ohio district 8. The seat currently held by John Boehner.
Cousoule For congress.
That district has been Republican for decades. Not much hope there...
This district was Republican for decades as well. I'm a hopemonger.
:)
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 15:13:42
Seriously? You know I am a LOT more fearful of Militias than this drummed up Black Panther story.
Raine on 08/02/2010 15:13:42
Quote by wickedpam:
Seriously? You know I am a LOT more fearful of Militias than this drummed up Black Panther story.
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 08/02/2010 15:13:50
Will in Chicago on 08/02/2010 15:13:50
Good morning, bloggers!! I am stopping in between housework, yardwork and other fun things.
I don't think that the GOP has anything to offer. However, a key question will be how will the Democratic Party leaders motivate the base. I think that is a question we will see answered in the coming months.
I don't think that the GOP has anything to offer. However, a key question will be how will the Democratic Party leaders motivate the base. I think that is a question we will see answered in the coming months.
Comment by wickedpam on 08/02/2010 15:32:13
I think the militias really stir the crazy pot more often then other groups
wickedpam on 08/02/2010 15:32:13
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
Seriously? You know I am a LOT more fearful of Militias than this drummed up Black Panther story.
I think the militias really stir the crazy pot more often then other groups
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 15:37:24
I don't know, Will. As long as people are still listening to the GOP, they are offering something.
The question is the quality of what they are offering.
It's like saying something is all natural -- when it contains MSG --Or saying that High Fructose Corn Syrup is all natural becuase it is derived from Corn. You could even go so far as saying that Cocaine is natural because it is made from the Coca leaf.
As long as people believe distortions, the GOP will have something to offer.
Believing they have nothing to offer is a terrible mistake.
Raine on 08/02/2010 15:37:24
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers!! I am stopping in between housework, yardwork and other fun things.
I don't think that the GOP has anything to offer. However, a key question will be how will the Democratic Party leaders motivate the base. I think that is a question we will see answered in the coming months.
The question is the quality of what they are offering.
It's like saying something is all natural -- when it contains MSG --Or saying that High Fructose Corn Syrup is all natural becuase it is derived from Corn. You could even go so far as saying that Cocaine is natural because it is made from the Coca leaf.
As long as people believe distortions, the GOP will have something to offer.
Believing they have nothing to offer is a terrible mistake.
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 15:47:51
Raine on 08/02/2010 15:47:51
Comment by TriSec on 08/02/2010 15:48:05
If Kennedy's seat can flip, then just about anything can happen in politics.
TriSec on 08/02/2010 15:48:05
Quote by BobR:
That district has been Republican for decades. Not much hope there...
If Kennedy's seat can flip, then just about anything can happen in politics.
Comment by TriSec on 08/02/2010 16:02:15
TriSec on 08/02/2010 16:02:15
Believe it or not, it's been 20 years since this whole sordid affair began:
At about 2 a.m. local time, Iraqi forces invade Kuwait, Iraq's tiny, oil-rich neighbor. Kuwait's defense forces were rapidly overwhelmed, and those that were not destroyed retreated to Saudi Arabia. The emir of Kuwait, his family, and other government leaders fled to Saudi Arabia, and within hours Kuwait City had been captured and the Iraqis had established a provincial government. By annexing Kuwait, Iraq gained control of 20 percent of the world's oil reserves and, for the first time, a substantial coastline on the Persian Gulf. The same day, the United Nations Security Council unanimously denounced the invasion and demanded Iraq's immediate withdrawal from Kuwait. On August 6, the Security Council imposed a worldwide ban on trade with Iraq.
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 16:06:49
yup.
20 years. Hard to believe, but the truth is there.
Raine on 08/02/2010 16:06:49
Quote by TriSec:
Believe it or not, it's been 20 years since this whole sordid affair began:
At about 2 a.m. local time, Iraqi forces invade Kuwait, Iraq's tiny, oil-rich neighbor. Kuwait's defense forces were rapidly overwhelmed, and those that were not destroyed retreated to Saudi Arabia. The emir of Kuwait, his family, and other government leaders fled to Saudi Arabia, and within hours Kuwait City had been captured and the Iraqis had established a provincial government. By annexing Kuwait, Iraq gained control of 20 percent of the world's oil reserves and, for the first time, a substantial coastline on the Persian Gulf. The same day, the United Nations Security Council unanimously denounced the invasion and demanded Iraq's immediate withdrawal from Kuwait. On August 6, the Security Council imposed a worldwide ban on trade with Iraq.
20 years. Hard to believe, but the truth is there.
Comment by BobR on 08/02/2010 16:14:59
I don't think the militias are necessarily scared of the New Black Panthers - they're scared of the perceived "black shadow power" behind the panthers (Obama, et al)
BobR on 08/02/2010 16:14:59
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
Seriously? You know I am a LOT more fearful of Militias than this drummed up Black Panther story.
I don't think the militias are necessarily scared of the New Black Panthers - they're scared of the perceived "black shadow power" behind the panthers (Obama, et al)
Comment by BobR on 08/02/2010 16:20:17
BobR on 08/02/2010 16:20:17
Comment by TriSec on 08/02/2010 16:22:45
TriSec on 08/02/2010 16:22:45
Av-Dork and Weather Geek collide today...it's the anniversary of Delta Flight 191 piling it in at DFW from a wind shear.
This prompted the widespread distribution of the then-experimental Doppler Radar, something we all take for granted now.
This prompted the widespread distribution of the then-experimental Doppler Radar, something we all take for granted now.
Comment by TriSec on 08/02/2010 16:28:47
TriSec on 08/02/2010 16:28:47
Oh yes, and happy birthday to Tim Wakefield today!
(He's as old as me, and still playing major-league baseball!)
(He's as old as me, and still playing major-league baseball!)
Comment by 
livingonli on 08/02/2010 16:28:52
livingonli on 08/02/2010 16:28:52
Good day everyone. Took forever to fall asleep last night so I didn't want to get up this morning. Then again, I do have to go to work tonight. Vacations go by much too quickly.
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 16:32:48
Raine on 08/02/2010 16:32:48
Comment by wickedpam on 08/02/2010 17:10:36
they do indeed
wickedpam on 08/02/2010 17:10:36
Quote by livingonli:
Good day everyone. Took forever to fall asleep last night so I didn't want to get up this morning. Then again, I do have to go to work tonight. Vacations go by much too quickly.
they do indeed
Comment by TriSec on 08/02/2010 17:19:11
I just can't get over how foolish the Right is in continuing to deny everything when the evidence is right there.
This is starting to take on a whole Luddite/Flat Earth air.
What I think may be starting to happen is that the Republicans are starting to move off the stage, and like those that technology and society has passed by, they don't like it and are resorting to every trick in the book to remain "relevant".
It pisses us off, for sure....but I wonder if any future grandchildren of mine will even have the GOP as an option to vote for? (Javi is turning 9 this week.)
TriSec on 08/02/2010 17:19:11
I just can't get over how foolish the Right is in continuing to deny everything when the evidence is right there.
This is starting to take on a whole Luddite/Flat Earth air.
What I think may be starting to happen is that the Republicans are starting to move off the stage, and like those that technology and society has passed by, they don't like it and are resorting to every trick in the book to remain "relevant".
It pisses us off, for sure....but I wonder if any future grandchildren of mine will even have the GOP as an option to vote for? (Javi is turning 9 this week.)
Comment by livingonli on 08/02/2010 18:05:19
livingonli on 08/02/2010 18:05:19
Just like how the GOPers like to deny the science of Global Warming and want Creationism to be taught in science classes even though it's not science.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/02/2010 18:12:14
Perhaps it would be better if I had said nothing to offer but the same old remedies that failed during the Bush era, with a tremendous helping of fear and hate.
Maybe it is all the GOP have to offer, but the Democrats are going to have to show what they have to offer to the public as well.
Will in Chicago on 08/02/2010 18:12:14
Quote by Raine:I don't know, Will. As long as people are still listening to the GOP, they are offering something.Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers!! I am stopping in between housework, yardwork and other fun things.
I don't think that the GOP has anything to offer. However, a key question will be how will the Democratic Party leaders motivate the base. I think that is a question we will see answered in the coming months.
The question is the quality of what they are offering.
It's like saying something is all natural -- when it contains MSG --Or saying that High Fructose Corn Syrup is all natural becuase it is derived from Corn. You could even go so far as saying that Cocaine is natural because it is made from the Coca leaf.
As long as people believe distortions, the GOP will have something to offer.
Believing they have nothing to offer is a terrible mistake.
Perhaps it would be better if I had said nothing to offer but the same old remedies that failed during the Bush era, with a tremendous helping of fear and hate.
Maybe it is all the GOP have to offer, but the Democrats are going to have to show what they have to offer to the public as well.
Comment by TriSec on 08/02/2010 18:50:18
TriSec on 08/02/2010 18:50:18
Listening to KofB...really loud.
I miss playing. Maybe I'll remember why I started in the first place. I should dust off the horn and see if I can still produce a tone and play a major scale.
I miss playing. Maybe I'll remember why I started in the first place. I should dust off the horn and see if I can still produce a tone and play a major scale.
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 22:01:04
Raine on 08/02/2010 22:01:04
Sarah Palin wouldn't know a Cajone if it hit her in the face.
Just sayin' ...
Just sayin' ...
Comment by Raine on 08/02/2010 22:01:41
Raine on 08/02/2010 22:01:41
Sarah thinks Jan Brewer has more *cajones* than Obama. I propose a Faceoff.
Comment by 
Scoopster on 08/02/2010 22:34:23
Scoopster on 08/02/2010 22:34:23
Heya guys.. how goes it?
how goes it?
Comment by Will in Chicago on 08/03/2010 00:08:55
Will in Chicago on 08/03/2010 00:08:55
Good, Scoopster! I hope that you are well.
Comment by wickedpam on 08/03/2010 02:13:06
wickedpam on 08/03/2010 02:13:06
Quote by Raine:
Sarah Palin wouldn't know a Cajone if it hit her in the face.
Just sayin' ...