Wise Up, Suckers
Ed Gillespie–one of the authors of the Contract with America, on which House Republicans ran in 1994–says, “Our party is still better when it comes to spending than the Democrats…”
Ain’t that the truth? Spend, spend, spend… that’s all the current bunch of Republicans can do these days. Hello record deficits! Oh, and covering up creepy sex scandals…
With absolutely no apologies to Dick Armey or Newt Gingrich, I present to you, the latest campaign rhetoric from the Republican majority… the Amended Contract With America.
Republican Amended Contract with America
As Republican Members of the House of Representatives seeking to retain control of that body, we pledge to maintain it’s corrupt policies, and even more important, to continue to destroy the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives.
That is why, in this era of official evasion and posturing, we intend to evade and posture to an unprecedented degree, and offer a written commitment with plenty of partisan fine print.
This year’s election offers the chance, after over a decade of one-party control, to maintain the status quo and continue to make an even greater mess of the way Congress works. We will continue with government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public’s money. We will continue to degrade and mock the values and faith of the American family.
Like Bush, our current Republican president, we intend to act with reckless abandon, content in the knowledge that we know best how to line our own pockets with your money and erode your civil liberties. To ignore accountability in Congress. To continue the cycle of scandal and disgrace. To make a mockery of the way free people govern themselves.
On the first day of the 110th Congress, we, the Republican majority will immediately pass the buck and take no responsibility, aimed at abusing the faith and trust of the American people in their government:
Within the first 100 days of the 110th Congress, we shall bring to the House Floor the following bills, each to be passed in the middle of the night, with no debate. Each to be given an up or down vote and each to be severely redacted from public inspection and scrutiny, you know, for matters of national security.
Further, we will instruct the House Budget Committee to report to the floor and to increase our budget, beyond the bloat specifically included in the legislation described above, to ensure that our district pork projects like bridges to nowhere remain fully funded.
Laughing derisively at the expense of our fellow citizens as we seek their mandate to continue riding the country to hell in a hand basket, we hereby pledge our names to this Amended Contract with America.
Seriously. This commentary on Rumsfeld is brilliant. As is his closing quote, from Edward R. Murrow. It’s as true today–maybe even more–as when Murrow said it:
“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof, and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear – one, of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of un-reason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful men; Not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were – for the moment – unpopular.”
–Edward R. Murrow
[Via Crooks and Liars]
I’ve seen a lot of press recently about the whole “macaca incident” lately and I’ve found something pretty disturbing to me about it that the MSM doesn’t seem to have really picked up on.
It seems everyone is concentrating on the “macaca” remark and ignoring what I think is a bigger transgression.
For the moment, let’s assume that Sidarth actually had a mohawk (which he doesn’t). Let’s also assume that Allen’s mother wasn’t of French/Tunisian descent where the “macaca” term is used as a racial slur (which she is). Or that Sidarth hadn’t introduced himself by name to Allen earlier in the week (which he did). And let’s give him the benefit of the doubt for not being stupid enough to call a guy you know is videotaping you for your opponents campaign a “shithead” on tape (which is what Allen supporters are now actually claiming).
Yes, if we ignore all that, there’s still a big problem if you ask me. It’s Allen’s second comment, “Welcome to America”. Not that it’s okay for a politician to use a racial slur or to call someone a shithead, but c’mon. In this day and age, to point to someone who has darker skin and “Welcome” them to America??! What the hell is that about? First, the facts show it’s a ridiculous assumption to make: Sidarth hails from the distant, mysterious land of… Fairfax County, Virginia. Second, it shows an incredible lack of judgment, to pander to a rural, mostly (if not all) white audience by lambasting “the immigrant”. With immigration issues and integration issues so at the front of national debate, even if Sidarth were an immigrant it would have been in poor taste.
So the right can defend “macaca” all they want, if you ask me. Maybe it was racist, maybe it wasn’t. We’ll probably never know. But bottom line: it was stupid and inappropriate. And when George Allen made the comment he knew he was being videotaped by his opponent and he still did it. If that doesn’t show you aren’t intelligent enough to serve in the U.S. Senate, I don’t know what does.
Dear Alaska,
I always thought you were pretty cool. I love that “Deadliest Catch” show on Discovery. You’ve got caribou and oil and crabs (the good kind). Wow, is there nothing you can’t do?
Apparently, elect a competent Senator. Seriously, have you *listened* to Ted Stevens lately? Really listened to him? You know, the rest of us down here are beginning to wonder if you’re feeling alright, Alaska. You aren’t yourself lately. This guy is representing you to the whole nation, nay–the world. That whole “Bridge to Nowhere” fiasco, and now this.
Seriously, we like you. We don’t like to see you keep hurting yourself. Ted Stevens may have done some good in the past 37 years, but it’s time you took the keys away from Grandpa before he drives the car off the road again. It’s sweet that you’re all sentimental, but if you don’t act now, he’s going to end up hurting someone seriously–maybe even himself.
I know it’s hard, but you are rugged folk. You know how to make the tough decisions and do what’s right. Get rid of this guy before he makes _Alaska_ look more like the “Nation’s Wang” than Florida.
Sincerely,
Dave!
Jane Siberry gets it. Not only is she a great musician, she’s obviously on the ball when it comes to electronic distribution, too. Her on-line music store offers four different levels to pay:
– Free (A Gift From Jane)
– Suggested Price (.99)
– Pay Later (Download Now, Pay Only If You Like It)
– Pay a “Self-Determined” Amount (More or Less Than Suggested)
You know what? The store stats show that only 17% download for free, while of those paying, 79% paid the suggested price, 14% paid *above* the suggested price, and only 8% paid _below_ the suggested price. And all of this is for MP3s with no “Digital Rights Management” restrictions, etc.
Record companies should take note: people *want* to do the right thing and compensate the artists they love. But they want to be able to use the songs where and how they want. See what happens when artists trust fans? They make money.
[Via Boing Boing]
Prepare to be shocked… Dana Milbank of the Washington post has discovered that our politicians are saying one thing, and doing another!
I am truly, truly gobsmacked.
It’s been three years since the start of the Iraq “War”.
Happy Anniversary, Bush Adminstration!
Has it been everything you’d hoped it would be and more?
Yesterday, the Republican controlled Congress upped the U.S. Credit Limit to 9 Trillion Dollars rather than cut spending or eliminate tax breaks that by their own admission account for 30% of the increase in the Federal debt!
Senator Hip O’Crit (R-LalaLand) said, “Sure, a decade ago we had a contract with America. But clearly, it was a bad deal for us, so now we have to go back and amend it. Thankfully, we’re completely unchecked by these knock-kneed ‘Spendocrats’.”
Asked if he thought it might send the wrong message to the American public, that rather than control spending and get the budget under control, the easy answer is to just keep running up debt, Sen. Backslap McLobbyist (R-Cronyville) said, “What, you want us to belt tighten? Have you seen our pork bellies?! Hey, it’s good to be King! Er, I mean, we wouldn’t want a government shutdown, now would we? Hmm? Are you a terrorist?!”
“This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.”
God, I love Molly Ivins. Finally, someone has articulated my complete and utter frustration with the Democratic Party.