Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
The Amazingly Deceitful Jeb Bradley
By Susan Bruce
By far and away, the most amazing deceit in yesterday’s AARP debate (And Jeb gave us plenty to choose from) was his "stance" on Social Security. First, he told us that he opposed Bush's plan to privatize Social Security. Then in a follow-up question, asked very clearly to learn if he was sincere, he was asked if he supported “carve out” measures. Carve out means diverting some Social Security funds to private accounts. To that, Jeb said that all options had to be on the table, and we needed a bipartisan get together to figure it out. So - within a ten-minute span, he was against privatizing...and then it was an option on the table. I was stunned - and I've heard Jeb Bradley speak more times than I can remember.
During the debate, Jeb said numerous times that Carol had cast the deciding vote on taking the August vacation. Carol pointed out early on that those ads were run in the district of every freshman Congressman - so in other states, a different person cast the deciding vote. Carol finally asked him if he knew that those ads were run in other states with other names, and he weaseled out of it by saying "well you voted for it, so you were part of the deciding."
It was clear from the beginning of the debate that Carol had voted twice against the bailout bill, yet Jeb continued to claim all the way to the end that Carol voted with her party 100% of the time. She listed votes (including FISA) when she went against the leadership, but he continued repeating it. The Republicans sitting in front of me were snickering at his obvious lies toward the end of the debate.
On Medicare Part D, Jeb said he is proud that he voted for it, and spoke about what a great thing it was for seniors. He failed to mention the donut hole, and how great that is. Carol said that seniors certainly needed a prescription drug benefit, but she didn't favor giving the drug companies a bigger benefit than seniors. She pointed out that the bill specifically forbid negotiating for lower prices, the way the VA is able to, which has led to huge increases in some drug prices.
Carol emphasized that the 2006 Congress was stuck trying to clean up the mess Jeb and the previous Congresses left behind. Jeb tried to blame rising unemployment, energy costs, the financial problems etc. on Carol and the last 2 years. I don't think that people bought that. Folks are smart enough to know that we didn't get here in less than 2 years.
Jeb continued to try to blame Carol for nebulous tax increases that he seemed to be inventing as he spoke. For all of Jeb's talk about the need to work together in a bi-partisan way, he certainly wasn't leading by example.
Jeb closed by saying that supporting the middle class doesn't mean supporting a government run health care system. He also said, "I'm glad we could have a friendly debate. You all know me, and you know what I've done - like keeping the Shipyard open." At that point, a group in the back of the room laughed at him.
Jeb has learned nothing in 2 years. He didn't even have a handful of people doing visibility when I got there. He got stuck in talking points, just like 2006, where people in the audience snickered at him. The only difference between 2006 and 2008 is that Jeb has adopted the kind of meanness that John McCain has brought to the Republican Party. He was snide, he told obvious lies, and he was visibly mean spirited. It wasn't pretty. I'm embarrassed for Jeb, who at least came across as a decent guy in 2006. Carol has it right; he said he'd do anything to win. Sadly he's begun to prove it.
By far and away, the most amazing deceit in yesterday’s AARP debate (And Jeb gave us plenty to choose from) was his "stance" on Social Security. First, he told us that he opposed Bush's plan to privatize Social Security. Then in a follow-up question, asked very clearly to learn if he was sincere, he was asked if he supported “carve out” measures. Carve out means diverting some Social Security funds to private accounts. To that, Jeb said that all options had to be on the table, and we needed a bipartisan get together to figure it out. So - within a ten-minute span, he was against privatizing...and then it was an option on the table. I was stunned - and I've heard Jeb Bradley speak more times than I can remember.
During the debate, Jeb said numerous times that Carol had cast the deciding vote on taking the August vacation. Carol pointed out early on that those ads were run in the district of every freshman Congressman - so in other states, a different person cast the deciding vote. Carol finally asked him if he knew that those ads were run in other states with other names, and he weaseled out of it by saying "well you voted for it, so you were part of the deciding."
It was clear from the beginning of the debate that Carol had voted twice against the bailout bill, yet Jeb continued to claim all the way to the end that Carol voted with her party 100% of the time. She listed votes (including FISA) when she went against the leadership, but he continued repeating it. The Republicans sitting in front of me were snickering at his obvious lies toward the end of the debate.
On Medicare Part D, Jeb said he is proud that he voted for it, and spoke about what a great thing it was for seniors. He failed to mention the donut hole, and how great that is. Carol said that seniors certainly needed a prescription drug benefit, but she didn't favor giving the drug companies a bigger benefit than seniors. She pointed out that the bill specifically forbid negotiating for lower prices, the way the VA is able to, which has led to huge increases in some drug prices.
Carol emphasized that the 2006 Congress was stuck trying to clean up the mess Jeb and the previous Congresses left behind. Jeb tried to blame rising unemployment, energy costs, the financial problems etc. on Carol and the last 2 years. I don't think that people bought that. Folks are smart enough to know that we didn't get here in less than 2 years.
Jeb continued to try to blame Carol for nebulous tax increases that he seemed to be inventing as he spoke. For all of Jeb's talk about the need to work together in a bi-partisan way, he certainly wasn't leading by example.
Jeb closed by saying that supporting the middle class doesn't mean supporting a government run health care system. He also said, "I'm glad we could have a friendly debate. You all know me, and you know what I've done - like keeping the Shipyard open." At that point, a group in the back of the room laughed at him.
Jeb has learned nothing in 2 years. He didn't even have a handful of people doing visibility when I got there. He got stuck in talking points, just like 2006, where people in the audience snickered at him. The only difference between 2006 and 2008 is that Jeb has adopted the kind of meanness that John McCain has brought to the Republican Party. He was snide, he told obvious lies, and he was visibly mean spirited. It wasn't pretty. I'm embarrassed for Jeb, who at least came across as a decent guy in 2006. Carol has it right; he said he'd do anything to win. Sadly he's begun to prove it.
Friday, October 10, 2008
McCain's supporters reveal the dark underside of humanity
Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin are dangerous. They've moved beyond being mere liars and crooks to stoking violence and fascism.
In viewing this video I was immediately reminded of film clips I've seen of Hitler's Brown Shirts. McCain is intentionally appealing to peoples' most base fears and prejudices, inciting hatred and creating an incendiary atmosphere that borders on treasonous.
One can only hope that wiser heads in the Republican Party exert pressure on McCain to halt his destructive campaign before it erupts into tragedy. Otherwise, all Republicans will be held responsible for the acts and behavior of these frightened people fueled by the inflammatory rhetoric of the leaders of their party.
Send a link to this to your family, friends and neighbors, whether they be Democrats, Republicans or Independents. We must stop McCain's and Palin's assault on civility and the rule of law and encouragement of a mob mentality.
In viewing this video I was immediately reminded of film clips I've seen of Hitler's Brown Shirts. McCain is intentionally appealing to peoples' most base fears and prejudices, inciting hatred and creating an incendiary atmosphere that borders on treasonous.
One can only hope that wiser heads in the Republican Party exert pressure on McCain to halt his destructive campaign before it erupts into tragedy. Otherwise, all Republicans will be held responsible for the acts and behavior of these frightened people fueled by the inflammatory rhetoric of the leaders of their party.
Send a link to this to your family, friends and neighbors, whether they be Democrats, Republicans or Independents. We must stop McCain's and Palin's assault on civility and the rule of law and encouragement of a mob mentality.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The American Insult
By Lynn Lagasse
While the focus of attention, debate and criticism continues to center primarily around Sarah Palin, the real issue remains obscure and less tangible to many voters, that being John McCain’s selection of a Vice-Presidential running mate. His motivations stridently defended are a thinly veiled disguise for political grandstanding intended to bolster up a floundering campaign.
Palin’s nomination while pandering to the base, targeted disaffected Hillary supporters yearning for a woman on the ticket and a means to defuse the groundswell of criticism and suspicions of elitism over the discovery of McCain’s eleven or so houses. (Really, after the first five or six does it really matter how many he has?) In this ill advised, unprepared and inappropriate choice, John McCain has dealt the American electorate the ultimate insult and in doing so has revealed his true colors. Motivated whole-heartedly by self-promotion and personal aspirations, John McCain chose marketing over substance, selling out his party, his constituents, his supporters and the American people, not to mention Sarah Palin herself, who is in way over her head but too afraid to blink.
As a campaign strategy, Sarah Palin’s obvious appeal is her astounding success story juxstaposed on a backdrop of “everyman” credentials complete with small town upbringing, beauty queen good looks, working-class lifestyle and family values. When this well woven storyline began unraveling over a daughter’s teen pregnancy and a quarter million dollar annual income the campaign managed to diffuse attention from these facts, by shifting greater focus to Ms. Palin’s maverick credentials, feisty attitude and tomboyish appeal as an avid hunter and outdoors enthusiast. While her well documented hunting exploits are especially appealing to sportsmen, I do not personally know a single hunter whose experience includes hunting from an airplane, helicopter or any other aerial device short of a tree stand, which most real hunters find far too exotic and elitist.
Sarah Palin’s role is more spokes-model for the McCain campaign, providing the perfect vehicle for connecting with average folks by delivering up a brand of plain speak and homespun zingers that John McCain could not possibly pull off. As a matter of fact, Sarah Palin barely gets away with it but she seems to combine all the right qualities of base appeal, gutsy feminism and “uncut gem in the rough” to turn out crowds of so-called supporters but I wonder how many are really supporters or just curiosity seekers.
Hell, I’d be tempted to attend a rally if she came to town just for the sheer novelty of seeing her in person. Chances are I probably wouldn’t find the marketing of Sarah Palin as deeply offending if there were a substantive, informed, prepared Vice-Presidential nominee behind the façade or if she were not so “in your face” with the sassy, girl-next-door, plain speak which I am positive has been coached to grating perfection on the Straight Talk Express.
The last time I heard the expression “Golly-gee,” was on a rerun of the Andy Griffith Show or Gomer Pyle and I can honestly say, I’ve never heard those words used in real life until they came out of Sarah Palin’s mouth. The gosh darnit, geewiz, down-home, back-slappin’, “gettin’ folksy with ya’ll” routine was already wearing thin on me when the final blow was delivered.
An apparent attempt to connect with us common folk down here on Main street, at the kitchen table or wherever else we ordinary people are storied to be found, the McCain campaign has come up with catchy nicknames for the American electorate which Sarah Palin used in addressing us during last week’s debate when she said, “for all you Hockey-Moms and Joe Six-Packs”. My blood immediately began to boil not because of the words used per-se, but because their meaning disclosed the darkest of truths about the McCain campaign. In those words a revelation of how John McCain and the Republican Party view the average American citizen became crystal clear.
These one-dimensional, unsophisticated, over-simplified characterizations describe who the McCain campaign thinks they are speaking to when they ask for your vote. To anyone who remains undecided I say, John McCain does not deserve your respect for his politics, your consideration for his candidacy and least of all your vote for our country’s highest office.
As a registered Independent for 30 years, I voted for John McCain in the 2000 primaries, considering him a man of principles, representing higher ideals in government and non-partisan politics. Admittedly a liberal leaning voter, I enthusiastically became a registered Democrat two years ago and now have absolutely no regrets, remorse or second thoughts about not supporting John McCain. How could anyone support a candidate who would trade our future, our security and our country’s best interests for personal gain, ego and self-promotion? John McCain is an insult to the intelligence of a nation and the dignity of its people.
My support and my vote goes to the candidate that respects the American voter and respects us enough to be honest, clear and straight forward about our circumstances and the difficult choices and sacrifices we will all have to make in the days ahead. The “Dumbing Down” of America encouraged and exploited by the current administration tells us that “The world is a scary place, we should fear evil doers and terrorists who would harm us - but not to worry, go about our business, live our normal lives, don’t be concerned with the war, the economy – they’ll take care of everything”.
Great leaders instead are straight with people, inspire people, ask people to participate in the solution, enabling everyone to be part of the process. I believe that Barack Obama is one of those great leaders who possess the qualities that inspire, unite and build up. In that, there is only one choice for us to make at a time where change in leadership is so desperately needed and only one candidate that can deliver on that tall order – our Democratic Presidential Nominee, Barack Obama.
While the focus of attention, debate and criticism continues to center primarily around Sarah Palin, the real issue remains obscure and less tangible to many voters, that being John McCain’s selection of a Vice-Presidential running mate. His motivations stridently defended are a thinly veiled disguise for political grandstanding intended to bolster up a floundering campaign.
Palin’s nomination while pandering to the base, targeted disaffected Hillary supporters yearning for a woman on the ticket and a means to defuse the groundswell of criticism and suspicions of elitism over the discovery of McCain’s eleven or so houses. (Really, after the first five or six does it really matter how many he has?) In this ill advised, unprepared and inappropriate choice, John McCain has dealt the American electorate the ultimate insult and in doing so has revealed his true colors. Motivated whole-heartedly by self-promotion and personal aspirations, John McCain chose marketing over substance, selling out his party, his constituents, his supporters and the American people, not to mention Sarah Palin herself, who is in way over her head but too afraid to blink.
As a campaign strategy, Sarah Palin’s obvious appeal is her astounding success story juxstaposed on a backdrop of “everyman” credentials complete with small town upbringing, beauty queen good looks, working-class lifestyle and family values. When this well woven storyline began unraveling over a daughter’s teen pregnancy and a quarter million dollar annual income the campaign managed to diffuse attention from these facts, by shifting greater focus to Ms. Palin’s maverick credentials, feisty attitude and tomboyish appeal as an avid hunter and outdoors enthusiast. While her well documented hunting exploits are especially appealing to sportsmen, I do not personally know a single hunter whose experience includes hunting from an airplane, helicopter or any other aerial device short of a tree stand, which most real hunters find far too exotic and elitist.
Sarah Palin’s role is more spokes-model for the McCain campaign, providing the perfect vehicle for connecting with average folks by delivering up a brand of plain speak and homespun zingers that John McCain could not possibly pull off. As a matter of fact, Sarah Palin barely gets away with it but she seems to combine all the right qualities of base appeal, gutsy feminism and “uncut gem in the rough” to turn out crowds of so-called supporters but I wonder how many are really supporters or just curiosity seekers.
Hell, I’d be tempted to attend a rally if she came to town just for the sheer novelty of seeing her in person. Chances are I probably wouldn’t find the marketing of Sarah Palin as deeply offending if there were a substantive, informed, prepared Vice-Presidential nominee behind the façade or if she were not so “in your face” with the sassy, girl-next-door, plain speak which I am positive has been coached to grating perfection on the Straight Talk Express.
The last time I heard the expression “Golly-gee,” was on a rerun of the Andy Griffith Show or Gomer Pyle and I can honestly say, I’ve never heard those words used in real life until they came out of Sarah Palin’s mouth. The gosh darnit, geewiz, down-home, back-slappin’, “gettin’ folksy with ya’ll” routine was already wearing thin on me when the final blow was delivered.
An apparent attempt to connect with us common folk down here on Main street, at the kitchen table or wherever else we ordinary people are storied to be found, the McCain campaign has come up with catchy nicknames for the American electorate which Sarah Palin used in addressing us during last week’s debate when she said, “for all you Hockey-Moms and Joe Six-Packs”. My blood immediately began to boil not because of the words used per-se, but because their meaning disclosed the darkest of truths about the McCain campaign. In those words a revelation of how John McCain and the Republican Party view the average American citizen became crystal clear.
These one-dimensional, unsophisticated, over-simplified characterizations describe who the McCain campaign thinks they are speaking to when they ask for your vote. To anyone who remains undecided I say, John McCain does not deserve your respect for his politics, your consideration for his candidacy and least of all your vote for our country’s highest office.
As a registered Independent for 30 years, I voted for John McCain in the 2000 primaries, considering him a man of principles, representing higher ideals in government and non-partisan politics. Admittedly a liberal leaning voter, I enthusiastically became a registered Democrat two years ago and now have absolutely no regrets, remorse or second thoughts about not supporting John McCain. How could anyone support a candidate who would trade our future, our security and our country’s best interests for personal gain, ego and self-promotion? John McCain is an insult to the intelligence of a nation and the dignity of its people.
My support and my vote goes to the candidate that respects the American voter and respects us enough to be honest, clear and straight forward about our circumstances and the difficult choices and sacrifices we will all have to make in the days ahead. The “Dumbing Down” of America encouraged and exploited by the current administration tells us that “The world is a scary place, we should fear evil doers and terrorists who would harm us - but not to worry, go about our business, live our normal lives, don’t be concerned with the war, the economy – they’ll take care of everything”.
Great leaders instead are straight with people, inspire people, ask people to participate in the solution, enabling everyone to be part of the process. I believe that Barack Obama is one of those great leaders who possess the qualities that inspire, unite and build up. In that, there is only one choice for us to make at a time where change in leadership is so desperately needed and only one candidate that can deliver on that tall order – our Democratic Presidential Nominee, Barack Obama.
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