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Politics for Partisan Sake
Author: BobR
Date: 09/02/2009 12:18:12
Surely we deserve better. As a child, I remember learning about our political system, and how parties played into it. It used to be the Democrats pushed for change, and the Republicans tried to slow it down, and we would make slow assured progress. Both parties had the essentially the same goals but one varied only in the speed with which they wanted to get there. At least - that's how I remember it was supposed to work.
For the past 20 years or so, what I see instead is a Republican party that automatically knee-jerk opposes anything the Democrats propose, and will stop at nothing to prevent them from accomplishing anything. Generally, this means a combination of smears, lies, and propaganda, and all done so in admirably unified fashion. The latest health care reform debate is a perfect example.
South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint famously said of the health care reform bill "If we’re able to stop Obama on this it will be his Waterloo. It will break him." This is what is known in poker as "showing your hand". It's a clear indication that the Republicans are more interested in "breaking" President Obama than they are in ensuring all Americans have access to affordable health care.
They are already loading their guns in anticipation of a big showdown:
So the Republicans are essentially saying they want to stop the bill completely to undermine the President, but if they are unable to that, they will try to make the bill a huge waste of time and resources. Good to see they are spending our tax dollars wisely. This is political posturing at its worst.
Republicans are good at the posturing, though. When the House recently changed the "on hold" music for the phone system from good ol' patriotic tunes to "lite jazz", you'd think they'd passed a resolution praising Satan and making puppies one of the four basic food groups:
Outraged?... Outraged??... Do these guys have any reaction other than outrage? Reality calling - please pick up the phone...
So what's going to be the next outrage on the House floor (or FOX News)? Perhaps it will be President Obama hosting a Ramadan dinner. After all, he's a "muslin", right? He's following in the traditions of all his fellow "muslins" like... um... George W. Bush:
Or perhaps it will be his recommendation that everyone get a swine flu vaccination shot. That's all part of his socialist plot to Nazify America by... um... protecting everyone's health (despite the fact that 50 Emory students are currently quarantined because of a swine flu outbreak).
Democrats must hate America if they want us to be healthy. At least - that's what the Republican leadership would have you believe these days...
For the past 20 years or so, what I see instead is a Republican party that automatically knee-jerk opposes anything the Democrats propose, and will stop at nothing to prevent them from accomplishing anything. Generally, this means a combination of smears, lies, and propaganda, and all done so in admirably unified fashion. The latest health care reform debate is a perfect example.
South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint famously said of the health care reform bill "If we’re able to stop Obama on this it will be his Waterloo. It will break him." This is what is known in poker as "showing your hand". It's a clear indication that the Republicans are more interested in "breaking" President Obama than they are in ensuring all Americans have access to affordable health care.
They are already loading their guns in anticipation of a big showdown:
Sen. Judd Gregg has hundreds of procedural objections ready for a health care plan Democrats want to speed through the Senate.
Gregg (N.H.), the senior Republican on the Budget Committee, told The Hill in a recent interview that Republicans will wage a vicious fight if Democrats try to circumvent Senate rules and use a budget maneuver to pass a trillion-dollar health care plan with a simple majority.
[...]
Republicans, however, warn that if Democrats attempt the maneuver, their healthcare bill will end up looking like Swiss cheese.
Gregg said that Republicans could file “hundreds” of points-of-order objections to the bill, each one requiring 60 votes to waive.
So the Republicans are essentially saying they want to stop the bill completely to undermine the President, but if they are unable to that, they will try to make the bill a huge waste of time and resources. Good to see they are spending our tax dollars wisely. This is political posturing at its worst.
Republicans are good at the posturing, though. When the House recently changed the "on hold" music for the phone system from good ol' patriotic tunes to "lite jazz", you'd think they'd passed a resolution praising Satan and making puppies one of the four basic food groups:
The House switched its on-hold telephone music back to patriot tunes Tuesday after a three-week experiment with smooth jazz and elevator music was judged to be offensive.
Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) was so outraged that his constituents were subjected to more anodyne jazz selections that he wrote a letter to the office that oversees the music selection asking for the situation to be reversed.
Outraged?... Outraged??... Do these guys have any reaction other than outrage? Reality calling - please pick up the phone...
So what's going to be the next outrage on the House floor (or FOX News)? Perhaps it will be President Obama hosting a Ramadan dinner. After all, he's a "muslin", right? He's following in the traditions of all his fellow "muslins" like... um... George W. Bush:
The White House has held annual Ramadan dinners since November 2001, when President George W. Bush began the tradition.
Or perhaps it will be his recommendation that everyone get a swine flu vaccination shot. That's all part of his socialist plot to Nazify America by... um... protecting everyone's health (despite the fact that 50 Emory students are currently quarantined because of a swine flu outbreak).
Democrats must hate America if they want us to be healthy. At least - that's what the Republican leadership would have you believe these days...
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Scoopster on 09/02/2009 12:19:40
Scoopster on 09/02/2009 12:19:40
Morning all! 
Some food for thought.. Unlinking it tho cuz it keeps throwing it into a flashvid window.
Some food for thought.. Unlinking it tho cuz it keeps throwing it into a flashvid window.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 09/02/2009 12:27:45
wickedpam on 09/02/2009 12:27:45
Morning 
Comment by wickedpam on 09/02/2009 12:47:35
wickedpam on 09/02/2009 12:47:35
ummm - unless my eyes are playing tricks on me .....but where did the comments go?
Comment by 
Random on 09/02/2009 13:14:03
Random on 09/02/2009 13:14:03
*sneaks in and steals a few donuts*
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 09/02/2009 13:19:56
Good morning, bloggers! Excellent post, BobR!
Today's Republicans are not my grandfather's Republicans -- there would likely be little or no room for people with the ideology of Thomas E. Dewey, Dwight Eisenhower or Richard Nixon.
Pam, I had the same problem with the comments but it seems fine now.
Will in Chicago on 09/02/2009 13:19:56
Quote by wickedpam:
ummm - unless my eyes are playing tricks on me .....but where did the comments go?
Good morning, bloggers! Excellent post, BobR!
Today's Republicans are not my grandfather's Republicans -- there would likely be little or no room for people with the ideology of Thomas E. Dewey, Dwight Eisenhower or Richard Nixon.
Pam, I had the same problem with the comments but it seems fine now.
Comment by Scoopster on 09/02/2009 13:22:06
Scoopster on 09/02/2009 13:22:06
Ooooh now we've got the date & time goin' 
Comment by Scoopster on 09/02/2009 13:22:46
Scoopster on 09/02/2009 13:22:46
Random!
Comment by Will in Chicago on 09/02/2009 13:24:42
Will in Chicago on 09/02/2009 13:24:42
Warming Oceans May Cause the Earth to Tilt
So, do the global warming deniers STILL want to play Russian roulette with the only habitable planet known to us?
So, do the global warming deniers STILL want to play Russian roulette with the only habitable planet known to us?
Comment by wickedpam on 09/02/2009 13:27:00
wickedpam on 09/02/2009 13:27:00
Yeah! I can see! I can see!
Comment by Will in Chicago on 09/02/2009 13:31:31
Will in Chicago on 09/02/2009 13:31:31
It looks like we are making progress, but I am seeing the following instead of Date and Time
NaN/NaN/NaN 00:NaN:NaN
It does make slightly more sense than Glenn Beck. ;)
NaN/NaN/NaN 00:NaN:NaN
It does make slightly more sense than Glenn Beck. ;)
Comment by wickedpam on 09/02/2009 13:33:03
wickedpam on 09/02/2009 13:33:03
Hey dummy - if you have an illness that now cost 600 a month to maintain then a high percentage of that is from paperwork and crap from the insurance company - you streamline it and it suddenly become more affordable for people to get better and get off meds.
Plus, there is the preventative side of healthcare that's being ignored by the right. If there everyone has healthcare they are more likely to go to the doctor where they would end up having a complete set of medical records. So if you have a family with a history of say breast cancer or diabetes your medical records would reflect that and a doctor could talk preventative measures, in the end costing the patient and the insurance company LESS.
Plus, there is the preventative side of healthcare that's being ignored by the right. If there everyone has healthcare they are more likely to go to the doctor where they would end up having a complete set of medical records. So if you have a family with a history of say breast cancer or diabetes your medical records would reflect that and a doctor could talk preventative measures, in the end costing the patient and the insurance company LESS.
Comment by 
BobR on 09/02/2009 13:33:28
BobR on 09/02/2009 13:33:28
oof - first the stored procedures disapear, and now the dates are not formatting correctly. I'll look into it.
Comment by 
TriSec on 09/02/2009 13:42:22
TriSec on 09/02/2009 13:42:22
Hey folks. Checking in illicitly this morning. Anyone got a link to a station with Ms. Miller? (Yes, I can stream again! 
)
)
Comment by 
Raine on 09/02/2009 13:55:58
Raine on 09/02/2009 13:55:58
When bob is able to get back -- he can look into the date and time...
Good Morning!
Good Morning!
Comment by Will in Chicago on 09/02/2009 13:56:07
TriSec, try KTLK 1150 AM in Los Angeles.
Will in Chicago on 09/02/2009 13:56:07
Quote by TriSec:
Hey folks. Checking in illicitly this morning. Anyone got a link to a station with Ms. Miller? (Yes, I can stream again!
TriSec, try KTLK 1150 AM in Los Angeles.
Comment by Scoopster on 09/02/2009 14:03:49
Heya Tri! Incognito today eh?
Scoopster on 09/02/2009 14:03:49
Quote by TriSec:
Hey folks. Checking in illicitly this morning. Anyone got a link to a station with Ms. Miller? (Yes, I can stream again!
Heya Tri! Incognito today eh?
Comment by Random on 09/02/2009 14:07:32
shhhh.
Random trying not to be noticed.
Random on 09/02/2009 14:07:32
Quote by Scoopster:
Random!
shhhh.
Random trying not to be noticed.
Comment by TriSec on 09/02/2009 14:21:18
TriSec on 09/02/2009 14:21:18
Dammit, I finally get a chance to listen for the first time in *months* and it's a freakin' guest host?????
Someone will pay for this outrage.
Someone will pay for this outrage.
Comment by 
velveeta jones on 09/02/2009 14:23:58
velveeta jones on 09/02/2009 14:23:58
Morning all.
Great post BobR. And its one of the reasons that I used to believe that the two party system could work. Things were balanced somewhat. I no longer believe they are anywhere near balanced and as I continue to be resentful of the republicans for their knee-jerk, play the fear card, stir-up-the-stupid-people ways, I also tire of the Dems for not having any "balls" (to be colloquial).
Great post BobR. And its one of the reasons that I used to believe that the two party system could work. Things were balanced somewhat. I no longer believe they are anywhere near balanced and as I continue to be resentful of the republicans for their knee-jerk, play the fear card, stir-up-the-stupid-people ways, I also tire of the Dems for not having any "balls" (to be colloquial).
Comment by Raine on 09/02/2009 14:35:21
Raine on 09/02/2009 14:35:21
Hey Where are teh Donuts?
RANDOM!!!!!! ::Shakes fist as sky::
Just kidding nice to see you!
RANDOM!!!!!! ::Shakes fist as sky::
Just kidding nice to see you!
Comment by wickedpam on 09/02/2009 14:40:00
little difficult to do around here - Hey Random
wickedpam on 09/02/2009 14:40:00
Quote by Random:Quote by Scoopster:
Random!
shhhh.
Random trying not to be noticed.
little difficult to do around here - Hey Random
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 09/02/2009 15:00:34
Randon, there is no need to sneak in and steal doughnuts here. We have the best selection of doughnuts flown in from around the continent. Where else can you get Dunkin, Krispy Kreme. Montgomery, Tim Horton's and Kane's breakfast rolls all in one place? Seriously we take care of the fried dough needs of our bloggers. You ask, we get. Hell Random if you want fresh from the grease funnel cakes made with the finest organic ingredients we will get the Wicked Sisters in here pronto (I've had one of their funnel cakes, yes made from organic ingredients, DELISH!)!
Mondobubba on 09/02/2009 15:00:34
Quote by Random:
*sneaks in and steals a few donuts*
Randon, there is no need to sneak in and steal doughnuts here. We have the best selection of doughnuts flown in from around the continent. Where else can you get Dunkin, Krispy Kreme. Montgomery, Tim Horton's and Kane's breakfast rolls all in one place? Seriously we take care of the fried dough needs of our bloggers. You ask, we get. Hell Random if you want fresh from the grease funnel cakes made with the finest organic ingredients we will get the Wicked Sisters in here pronto (I've had one of their funnel cakes, yes made from organic ingredients, DELISH!)!
Comment by Mondobubba on 09/02/2009 15:03:44
Mondobubba on 09/02/2009 15:03:44
Hey I kinda like "NaN/NaN/NaN 00:NaN:NaN" for the date and time stamp. It is kinda soothing. I don't agree with Will, it doesn't make more sense than Glenn Beck, it makes more sense than Sarah Palin.
Comment by Raine on 09/02/2009 15:16:41
Raine on 09/02/2009 15:16:41
Seen on Reddit:
So today I went to a town hall meeting hosted by republican representative Peter Hoekstra, I got to ask him a direct question afterwards, it went like this:
me: "Insurance companies' bottom lines are their profits, the government's bottom line is serving the people, so why should I trust insurance bureaucrats over government ones?"
Congressman Pete Hoekstra: "Here, name me ONE government organization that functions."
me: "Well sir, you work for the house of representatives, a government organization, are you implying that you don't function properly?"
... I think he wanted to hit me.
Comment by Mondobubba on 09/02/2009 15:21:24
Oh that Sarah! BTW did you read any of the comments? My favs so far: I heard Sarah puts on a strap on whenever Todd says "drill baby drill & What do Betty Crocker's frosting and Bristol Palin have in common? They both spread easy.
Mondobubba on 09/02/2009 15:21:24
Quote by Raine:
Did Sarah Want to keep Bristols baby a secret?
Oh that Sarah! BTW did you read any of the comments? My favs so far: I heard Sarah puts on a strap on whenever Todd says "drill baby drill & What do Betty Crocker's frosting and Bristol Palin have in common? They both spread easy.
Comment by wickedpam on 09/02/2009 15:23:49
I nearly choked on my coffee!
wickedpam on 09/02/2009 15:23:49
Quote by Raine:
Seen on Reddit:So today I went to a town hall meeting hosted by republican representative Peter Hoekstra, I got to ask him a direct question afterwards, it went like this:
me: "Insurance companies' bottom lines are their profits, the government's bottom line is serving the people, so why should I trust insurance bureaucrats over government ones?"
Congressman Pete Hoekstra: "Here, name me ONE government organization that functions."
me: "Well sir, you work for the house of representatives, a government organization, are you implying that you don't function properly?"
... I think he wanted to hit me.
I nearly choked on my coffee!
Comment by Scoopster on 09/02/2009 15:28:54
OMG that's fkin priceless!
Scoopster on 09/02/2009 15:28:54
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Seen on Reddit:So today I went to a town hall meeting hosted by republican representative Peter Hoekstra, I got to ask him a direct question afterwards, it went like this:
me: "Insurance companies' bottom lines are their profits, the government's bottom line is serving the people, so why should I trust insurance bureaucrats over government ones?"
Congressman Pete Hoekstra: "Here, name me ONE government organization that functions."
me: "Well sir, you work for the house of representatives, a government organization, are you implying that you don't function properly?"
... I think he wanted to hit me.
OMG that's fkin priceless!
Comment by Mondobubba on 09/02/2009 15:33:54
Government organizations that work: Police, fire & rescue. For a small fee in property taxes (if you own a home) each month they are there when you need them. Public libraries, there are no fees to use the services, just if you keep your books too long.
Mondobubba on 09/02/2009 15:33:54
Quote by Raine:
Seen on Reddit:So today I went to a town hall meeting hosted by republican representative Peter Hoekstra, I got to ask him a direct question afterwards, it went like this:
me: "Insurance companies' bottom lines are their profits, the government's bottom line is serving the people, so why should I trust insurance bureaucrats over government ones?"
Congressman Pete Hoekstra: "Here, name me ONE government organization that functions."
me: "Well sir, you work for the house of representatives, a government organization, are you implying that you don't function properly?"
... I think he wanted to hit me.
Government organizations that work: Police, fire & rescue. For a small fee in property taxes (if you own a home) each month they are there when you need them. Public libraries, there are no fees to use the services, just if you keep your books too long.
Comment by Mondobubba on 09/02/2009 15:45:45
Mondobubba on 09/02/2009 15:45:45
Comment by BobR on 09/02/2009 15:53:42
BobR on 09/02/2009 15:53:42
okay - I got the date thing fixed. Apparently, the copy of the stored procedure I put back in was a little old. I believe this may have something to do with the move to a new server by our ISP.
On the plus side, this should make things faster...
On the plus side, this should make things faster...
Comment by 
livingonli on 09/02/2009 16:00:31
livingonli on 09/02/2009 16:00:31
A belated good morning to everyone. 
I must have been really tired last ight since I just woke up a half-hour ago,.
I must have been really tired last ight since I just woke up a half-hour ago,.
Comment by Scoopster on 09/02/2009 16:00:31
All glory to the Bobber!
Scoopster on 09/02/2009 16:00:31
All glory to the Bobber!
Comment by BobR on 09/02/2009 16:26:10
BobR on 09/02/2009 16:26:10
LOOKING FOR HELP
Raine and I are going to be out of town visiting family and need a flew of the blogs to be picked up. Specifically:
Fri: 9/4
Mon: 9/7
Wed: 9/9
Sorry for the short notice, but it kind of snuck up on us.
Thanks!!
Raine and I are going to be out of town visiting family and need a flew of the blogs to be picked up. Specifically:
Fri: 9/4
Mon: 9/7
Wed: 9/9
Sorry for the short notice, but it kind of snuck up on us.
Thanks!!
Comment by wickedpam on 09/02/2009 16:29:45
I can try to do Wedesday
wickedpam on 09/02/2009 16:29:45
Quote by BobR:
LOOKING FOR HELP
Raine and I are going to be out of town visiting family and need a flew of the blogs to be picked up. Specifically:
Fri: 9/4
Mon: 9/7
Wed: 9/9
Sorry for the short notice, but it kind of snuck up on us.
Thanks!!
I can try to do Wedesday
Comment by livingonli on 09/02/2009 16:35:52
livingonli on 09/02/2009 16:35:52
CNN International is doing a piece on Wachenhut right now. It seems to be doing its own Blackwater-like crap.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 09/02/2009 16:59:32
Raine, I am sharing this with the folks at UNN. Maybe Kris can do a dramatic reading of it on PKRT? ;)
Will in Chicago on 09/02/2009 16:59:32
Quote by Raine:
Profanity Laced Tirade of GOP hypocricy --
Raine, I am sharing this with the folks at UNN. Maybe Kris can do a dramatic reading of it on PKRT? ;)
Comment by 
clintster on 09/02/2009 17:07:54
I'd like to volunteer for Mondee.
clintster on 09/02/2009 17:07:54
Quote by BobR:
LOOKING FOR HELP
Raine and I are going to be out of town visiting family and need a flew of the blogs to be picked up. Specifically:
Fri: 9/4
Mon: 9/7
Wed: 9/9
Sorry for the short notice, but it kind of snuck up on us.
Thanks!!
I'd like to volunteer for Mondee.
Comment by Raine on 09/02/2009 17:21:46
I wish I could be there for it this Saturday! I would love to take turns reading it with him!
Raine on 09/02/2009 17:21:46
Quote by Will in Phoenix:Quote by Raine:
Profanity Laced Tirade of GOP hypocricy --
Raine, I am sharing this with the folks at UNN. Maybe Kris can do a dramatic reading of it on PKRT? ;)
Comment by Raine on 09/02/2009 17:22:17
Raine on 09/02/2009 17:22:17
Thanks Clint and Mala! Any taker s for Friday?
Comment by Scoopster on 09/02/2009 17:26:55
Scoopster on 09/02/2009 17:26:55
Heeeeh.. my new gaming avatar:
Comment by Raine on 09/02/2009 18:14:50
Raine on 09/02/2009 18:14:50
Comment by livingonli on 09/02/2009 18:21:28
Those puppets are smarter than Glenn Beck.
livingonli on 09/02/2009 18:21:28
Quote by Scoopster:
Heeeeh.. my new gaming avatar:
Those puppets are smarter than Glenn Beck.
Comment by Raine on 09/02/2009 18:48:47
Raine on 09/02/2009 18:48:47
Comment by livingonli on 09/02/2009 18:50:30
Like he didn't expose his true self when he began defending holocaust deniers many years ago.
livingonli on 09/02/2009 18:50:30
Like he didn't expose his true self when he began defending holocaust deniers many years ago.
Comment by Raine on 09/02/2009 18:55:37
Did you read the article? He makes it sound like hitler was a pacifist.
It was was everyone elses fault.
Raine on 09/02/2009 18:55:37
Quote by livingonli:
Like he didn't expose his true self when he began defending holocaust deniers many years ago.
It was was everyone elses fault.
Comment by livingonli on 09/02/2009 19:02:47
He sounds just like Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh did in their day.. As was said about his infamous '92 GOP convention speech: "It sounded better in the original German."
livingonli on 09/02/2009 19:02:47
Quote by Raine:Did you read the article? He makes it sound like hitler was a pacifist.Quote by livingonli:
Like he didn't expose his true self when he began defending holocaust deniers many years ago.
It was was everyone elses fault.
He sounds just like Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh did in their day.. As was said about his infamous '92 GOP convention speech: "It sounded better in the original German."
Comment by Scoopster on 09/02/2009 19:31:37
Scoopster on 09/02/2009 19:31:37
Comment by Scoopster on 09/02/2009 19:42:38
Scoopster on 09/02/2009 19:42:38