Among the things that happened this weekend was a primary. Our Velveeta posted about it yesterday morning. I don't think it was as snarky as she intended. Newt is a really rotten guy.

We know about his wives, we know about his getting drummed out of the position of Speaker of the House. We know he shut down the Government because he didn't get a good seat on Air force one. We know he has a strange fascination with that Saul Alinski guy.

We know a lot about Newt. Today, I would like to take a look at just one of the many things he's actually saying. On the campaign speeches and in debates, he's said the following: Is that Racist? I would argue with a very refined debate strategy of HELL YES. For me, and for others, there is no debate to be had here. It's damn racist. It's hateful. It's more than a small shame that in this day and age it needs to be explained to people WHY it's racist. I don't have the stomach to explain it myself today. I will let Congressperson Clyburn speak for me when he says: Let's stop for a moment and get beyond the obvious racism of all of this. Let's take a good look at what Gingrich is NOT talking about. Let's talk food stamps. For many people, it's known as SNAP and it's short for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Let's take a look at a few of Newt's food stamp facts, which are -- frankly-- bullshit. Not that any of this should matter, to be quite honest. That said, it's because of people like Newt that it still matters.

As stated above, SNAP is a social safety net for people who need it during times of financial struggles. Here are a few facts that Newt- and those that voted for or are supporting him don't seem to understand:
1) A large and growing share of SNAP households are working households
2) SNAP responded quickly and effectively to the recession.
3) Today’s large SNAP caseloads mostly reflect the extraordinarily deep and prolonged recession
4) SNAP has one of the most rigorous quality control systems of any public benefit program
5) SNAP’s recent growth is temporary.

Save that link. Mostly for this chart:

I would like to see a country where we no longer have a need for such a program. Until then, I am glad that we have programs like this that give a hand to those that are in need. Newt, in his attack on the president also attacked the very people he claims he wants to represent-- Americans. These are the very same Americans who are still struggling to recover from a tattered economy left upon all of us by his fellow Republican, the man who was in the office before President Obama.

This isn't about Bush -- this is about a man who claims to have gotten forgiveness from his God while shitting upon the neediest among us. To add insult to injury -- he made it racist. He's a wretched horrible man. Forget his affairs for a minute. Forget his FBI investigation and his ethics --or lack thereof. Forget that while he is on his third wife, he's also on his third religion. (For those wondering, Lutheran, Southern Baptist and now, Catholicism.) What I find most horrible is his lack of caring for his fellow Americans. A Person who wants to be president should NEVER show such utter contempt and vile towards the people he wants to represent. Even George Bush (the first AND the second) understood that. Newt puts a stake in the heart of compassionate conservatism.

I don't care what percentage of white people use SNAP as opposed to people of color. We have all heard those statistics. That isn't the point for me. The point is we have people running for the Office of the President of the United States showing utter disdain for people in need in our country. I wish more people would see what I am seeing here. I have long said that ONE of these people would eventually win the GOP nomination. That Newt Gingrich is considered a frontrunner right now is unbelievable. 15 years ago he was kicked out of his speakers position under a very serious ethics violation. Today he's being embraced by the GOP electorate. That's stunning. He hasn't changed, he is exactly who he has always been and here he is -- leading the pack.

There are seven words to describe this man: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.

None among us is innocent from having committed one or more of these sins at one time or another. Newt appears to receive great pleasure from them. Arguably -- profit as well. He's walking proof that not all sins are deadly -- but when one lives a life that embraces those seven things -- it makes a person rotten. It's apparent when he talks about his disdain for people in need.


SNAP.

and
Raine