There isn’t much left to the Republican Party name that fits anymore except “old”. They certainly aren’t grand any longer, and right now it seems they have no idea how to behave except obstreperously. Other terms that come to mind are outdated, obstinate, out of touch and obstructionist.
In the midst of the worst economic crisis since the 1930s, GOP congressmen continue to rant that the stimulus package laid out by President Obama and the Democrats is too costly and does not address the issues that would stimulate the economy.
Did I mention short-term memory loss?
How about the first bailout when then President Bush and his Secretary of Treasury Henry Paulson insisted, absolutely insisted, that handing great gobs of money to banks & Wall Street with no restrictions would jump start the economy in no time. And they were correct. In no time, none whatsoever, did it do anything except line the pockets of the banks and Wall Street executives who just gave themselves $18 billion in bonuses with the money, and have not given out any loans to distressed homeowners and businesses to jump start the economy.
Republicans appear to be out of touch with reality, playing partisan politics while our economy continues to stagger under the loss of 65,000 jobs this week alone, insisting they have a much better plan.
And what exactly is that plan? Well, hmmm….ahhh. Can they get back to you on that?
There is one outdated idea they continue to bring up. Tax cuts, tax cuts, and you guessed it, more tax cuts, particularly for businesses. Exactly how are tax cuts going to stimulate the economy? We have tried that for the last eight years and look where it has gotten us.
Representative Virginia Foxx, Republican of North Carolina, said that former President George Bush’s signature tax cuts in 2001 had created years of growth but that the nation’s problems started when Democrats regained majorities in Congress in the 2006 elections. (NY Times)
Let me add delusional and fictional, to the list describing the GOP.
Tax cuts will not fix our crumbling infrastructure that has been neglected since the 1950s. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently gave our nation’s infrastructure a “D”, and the Federal Highway Authority rated 26% of our bridges “structurally deficient” or “functionally obsolete.” In other words, dangerous. (Concrete Construction Online)
Funneling money to repair aviation, bridges, dams, drinking water, energy systems, hazardous waste, navigable waterways, parks and recreation, rail, roads, schools, security, solid waste, transit, and wastewater management, which is what the ASCE defines as our infrastructure, would also create a multitude of jobs and businesses which would, in turn, help the economy.
While President Obama was trying very hard to work with the Republicans to come to an agreement on the stimulus he told them in a meeting “you can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done.”
And speaking of that gasbag, he has loudly and clearly stated he hopes President Obama fails. This from a man who called then candidate Obama unpatriotic for not wearing a flag lapel pin? (which by the way John McCain did not wear during the debates) Isn’t it even more unpatriotic, in fact practically treasonous, to state that you want your president to fail?
But coming in on a close second for top windbag status behind Limbaugh would be Rep. John Boehner of Ohio. In response to part of the stimulus that would expand federal Medicaid coverage of family planning services he said, "How can you spend hundreds of millions of dollars on contraceptives? How does that stimulate the economy?"
Gosh, I don’t know, by maybe avoiding unwanted pregnancies of unwed mothers with no jobs who end up on welfare and in the emergency room because they have no insurance?
Can we add obtuse to the list?
The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the provision laid out in the stimulus package would actually save the government $200 million over five years by reducing pregnancy and postnatal-care expenses. (NY Times)
Republicans also opposed the Lilly Ledbetter Act signed into law Friday by President Obama requiring equal pay for equal work regardless of gender or race. John McCain said it would “lead to more lawsuits.”
Here’s an idea; how about making sure everybody you hire gets equal pay for equal jobs, then you won’t have to worry about a lawsuit.
To appease the Republicans in the House, the Democrats dropped several provisions from the package including money to restore the Jefferson Memorial, which again would provide jobs, and the family planning programs. President Obama met with them privately, listened to their concerns and asked them to work together in a bipartisan manner on this crucial bill. He even invited them all to a cocktail party at the White House following the vote.
Rep. Boehner told his colleagues that he was going to oppose the bill and encouraged them to also. Obstructionist. Trying to stop an important – no, monumental - bill to get our country started on the right track, and he gets hung up on toeing the party line.
In spite of all the concessions, every Republican in the House voted against the stimulus package.
What is it about the GOP that chooses to ignore human decency? What makes them think that by being hard nosed and more conservative they will endear themselves to the American public when they have been told very loudly and clearly that is not the case?
Obsolete. The Grand Old Party has become obsolete. They just haven't figured that out yet.
To celebrate their solidarity against the stimulus plan, the Republican consortium, made up primarily of old, white men, headed off for a weekend retreat in Virginia, and maybe try to revive the “party” in Grand Old Party (eww…I’m getting a really unpleasant visual here) all puffed up about their “power.”
Let’s just say they won’t need to turn on the heat at the resort because it’s already full of hot air.
Cheri Cabot, Politics Correspondent
Cheri’s column, “Personal About Politics,” published every week, will reflect on how the life of a 59 year-old, middle class woman is affected by politics, policy and the current state of the nation - a look at the personal aspects of politics. Her column is part of Gather Essentials.
Cheri is a freelance writer, living in Southern California. She has two grown children, one in Iowa and one a recent graduate of Columbia University, and is the proud grandmother of two. Cheri is also a purveyor of fine coffee, warm chatter and dry wit.
You can find all of Cheri’s columns on Personal About Politics at www.personalpolitcs.gather.com, or www.ccabot.gather.com
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Comments: 70
I would love to see that in my life time.
But now, frankly, I am so sick and tired of talking about this crazy madness I could just spit!
What needs to happen is WE THE PEOPLE need to hold every hand that took the BAIL-OUT Money ACCOUNTABLE . . . and that holds true for those who VOTED FOR IT. period. Plain and simple.
Get their pictures posted on the MOST WANTED LIST -- post them up on CNN, MSNBC, FOX NEWS, and keep them up 24/7 until the money is returned. The Media should follow them around until they can't take it any more. Shuttle them to the unemployment lines, homeless shelters, soup lines, and then SEE if WE have a TRUE CHANGE around here!
Everyone should just keep writing to ALL THE NEWS CHANNELS via email . . .
WHERE IS THE BAIL-OUT MONEY?!!!!!! -- NON-STOP.
That's my suggested solution.
This is an excellent write! It is just excellent! I've been speaking to friends about this, many of whom are concerned about the actions of the Republicans. My response was pretty much the same thing to each and every one of them.
"Picture this: a majority of a Country, an Electorate, and the entirety of the WORLD who hates, who despises, who loathes them, primarily due to the actions of
George W. Bush
and
Dick Cheney,
brought to you, by
The Puppetmasters
But now, there is a new person at the helm. The same people --
the majority of a Country,
the majority of the Electorate,
and the entirety of the WORLD
sees this new man at the helm -- Barack Obama -- doing what he said HE would do; he's extending his hand in conciliation and negotiation OUT TO YOU,
ALTHOUGH HE NEED NOT DO SO -- HE WON!!!
HE ALREADY HAS THE VOTES!
Billions of people see YOU jerking your hand back in rejection of any negotiation,
and/or compromise. You do not want peaceful solutions; you want to fight, even when it is illogical, irrational, and a fight is not necessary!!!
Billions of people are seeing or hearing of this!
They see this. What else do they see? Easy!
George W. Bush,
Dick Cheney, and
The same ole Puppetmasters.
So then, who looks the FOOL?
Who IS the FOOL!
Then, your plan is to bring out new some BLACK guy as your Chairman.
Watch out! For, the only people's intelligence that you have insulted -- again -- is your own! Don't you just see African Americans, and Hispanics running in droves from Obama to (can't recall his name -- he isn't important), the new Republican Party Chair! Way to go, GUYS, and I DO mean it literally . . .
Way to go, GUYS!
Back to Republicans -- the OLD Republicans. I've many Republican friends. I cannot see them staying in this Party for much longer though, not with what goes on now. Each one of them supports Barack; after all, supporting Obama was logical.
Who comes out SHINING -- the world has still NOT stopped celebrating!
The person who "WINS" is President Obama.
Although, we all realize that no one wins.
Eventually, these crippled horses shall be put out to pasture for good; they are worthless.
I wish you had posted this to We the People. I definitely would have featured it. The items you outlined in this article are not going away any time soon. I know it because I have come to realize that the OLD Republicans just aren't that smart.
The ones that are my age, and speak to me about their politics are not at all like those mentioned in your article. It's why I believe that won't be staying in the GOP for very much longer. I've already seen some leave. Others are sure to follow.
heck of job!
Isn't it funny how the party of "Just Say No" has a drug addict like Limbaugh as their voice?
I'm so sick of John Boehner (Boner) and the people in this state that vote for his kind.
I'm at the point I just try to ignore anything that spills out of the mouths of our Republican "leaders". The were lousy followers under the Bush/Cheney regime (especially if it was going to involve "direct deposit" into their pockets. The Republicans can no longer lead. They can no longer follow. Why are they still in the game?
As always their ideas.
Today on the local news - an ABC affiliate - they shared that most of that 18 billion in bonuses went to the employees whose jobs were salary plus commission. The term "bonus" is used improperly. The commissions were what they earned for sales made. (Yes, I'm sure some of the 18 billion went to exec bonuses, but it is not as much as we were made to believe, and Obama is dead wrong to take back commissions these people earned or to stop them in the future. He'll be cutting their pay in half or worse.)
Building roads and bridges? How does that help the economy? Cutting business taxes allows businesses to grow and thrive. Increasing their taxes forces them to look for other more business friendly countries where they can move.
I'm glad the Republicans have stood against the pork in the so-called stimulus package presented by Obama and given the rubber stamp by the Democrats. Good for them. That's what conservatives want.
Gosh, I DON'T know...perhaps we should ask some people who are still around from the last Great Depression. There are High Schools in Tampa FL that are part of the National Registry and were built by the WPA. once again...you buy them books and they just eat the covers!
spartan....you are so right...you can't make them read. sigh
"Building roads and bridges? How does that help the economy? Cutting business taxes allows businesses to grow and thrive. Increasing their taxes forces them to look for other more business friendly countries where they can move.
I might be able to provide an answer. My brother is a construction manager
I thought it was only home construction, but apparently not, because he's been talking to me about
the SF Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge.
He told me that I do not need to be on either one any more than necessary. He's worked both, and there are REPAIRS NEEDING TO BE DONE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DONE!.
In other words, we need MONEY!!!
MONEY!!!
for repairs, daily upkeep, and maintenance of existing roads, highways and bridges.
The problem may already be solved with the Bay Bridge -- the new Bay Bridge.
And please do NOT laugh at my beloved California bridges. We were once the State with the best highways in the Country. Just because my brother hasn't worked on YOUR structure does not mean that it is any safer; do you REALLY know?
Do you want to cut corners on this as well?
CHANGE is on the horizon,
and NOTHING,
NO THING can stop the shape of things to come!
I have many friends who are conservative Republicans and I went to a college undergraduate school that espoused Republicans, and early saw what to me a Radical were the faults in that party and also the faults in the Democrats. They were't fiery enough. They both watered down ideas like they watered down bills with personal crap.
WITH a three-party system, Republicans handling banking, religion, and wars, and Democrats handling education, health, and progress, and RADICALS looking at both and interfering with their inside dealing, we could eventually have a country as envisaged by Jefferson.
What were the hallmark characteristics of the Republicans? Fiscal conservatism -- The 6 years of Republican Congress with Bush added almost 5 trillion to our national debt, which was more than all previous administrations added, combined. And the other characteristic they were so proud of -- Smaller government. But, GWB provided the greatest growth of government through discretionary spending, since LBJ's Great Society in the early 60's.
Even the midwest farmers who voted Republican because the Republicans wrapped themselves in religion and the flag, recognize now that their Republican friends sold them out by legislating the opportunity for agri-business to collaborate to lower prices to squeeze the little guy out, before raising the prices back up again.
If the GOP truly wishes to avoid "Socialism", they'd better permit some sort of economic growth.
Your article said it all SO well.
"The term "bonus" is used improperly. The commissions were what they earned for sales made. "
That's simply not true. CEOs, COOs, and CFOs aren't salesmen. Here's a little tip for you buttercup: They ran not only their companies but their entire industry right into a ditch and LOST billions! How would you consider losing BILLIONS something that entitles them to a commission even if you were right?
"...and Obama is dead wrong to take back commissions these people earned or to stop them in the future."
He didn't take them back. He called it "shameful", as he should have! Couldn't do anything about it since Booshie gave them the money without any oversight. If they did so well, where's your outcry about letting the free market handle it? Why does the taxpayer have to pay them their "sales commissions"? You're not even thinking! Sales commissions aren't usually MORE than the income generated from sales.
"...He'll be cutting their pay in half or worse."
Well, since WE are the ones paying, do you suggest their crappy work entitles them to a raise? Especially when the country has people cutting houors and workdays (and pay) to prevent even more lay-offs!
"Cutting business taxes allows businesses to grow and thrive. Increasing their taxes forces them to look for other more business friendly countries where they can move."
That's never been true. Ever.
"That's what conservatives want. "
No it isn't. They want HUGE deficits. They want HUGE government. They want NO services for citizens and for millions to suffer and die without healthcare while we shovel more and more money into the medical-pharmaceutical industries. They want ONLY to obstruct progress and to detest anything associated with the Democratic party. They want to make the criminals in their party, from G. Gordon Liddy, to Oliver North, to the criminal, corrupt deserter-in-chief, George "I will commute the sentence of anyone who covers up for the outting of Valerie Plame" Bush.
And they prove it every time they open their mouths (without some young, male Senate page in the room).
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
Was it?
Eight years of such short-sightedness have given us a view to the future: trillions of debt for years and years to come.
Here's an idea: improve our health insurance so many of these GOP short-sighted morons can get a pair of glasses.
Alex De Tocqueville in his famous 1835 work “Democracy in America”, wrote: “They all attributed the peaceful dominion of religion in their country mainly to the separation of church and state. I do not hesitate to affirm that during my stay in America I did not meet a single individual, of the clergy or the laity, who was not of the same opinion on this point.”
The founders were much more influenced by the Age of Enlightenment going on in Europe than they were by the Bible. John Adams wrote: “The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example of governments erected on the simple principles of nature; and if men are now sufficiently enlightened to disabuse themselves of artifice, imposture, hypocrisy, and superstition, they will consider this event as an era in their history. Although the detail of the formation of the American governments is at present little known or regarded either in Europe or in America, it may hereafter become an object of curiosity. It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven, more than those at work upon ships or houses, or laboring in merchandise or agriculture; it will forever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses.”
You have to keep in mind that the GOP has a distinct constituency and it is as different from the Democratic constituency as one can get. The wealthy, the upper level corporate salary earners, the clergy and similar others are served by the GOP.
The working class is what is served by the Democratic party. Their is a place for the GOP and to those they serve best, they are a "Grand Old Party!"
Unfortunately, the working people have been deluded too often by the GOP, into believing that the GOP is going to serve the ends and needs of the working class, but this has not, in my memory, ever been true! The GOP success at election time depends on their delusion of the common people.
America was birthed to be a free nation! Not a Christian nation. Note the quotes cited by Robert A.
It was actually the GOP, primarily Karl Rove, who injected religion into politics. He realized the party could recruit the working, blue-color voters by appealing to religion and other very basic emotional issues such as abortion and gay rights. You will notice they have pounded on those issues over and over and over again, never really giving any worthwhile platform. They have blatantly used the working class to propel their agenda while all the while not giving them anything in return. They have been so successful in this ploy that they have made people believe they are the party of religion, practically claiming ownership of God. Case in point the comment above. In other words, if you are not a Christian it is un-American.
It was particularly telling when President Obama pointed out in his inaugural address that we are a country made up of Christians, Muslims, Buddists, and non-believers. He very succinctly pointed out that we are NOT a country just for Christians, as Bush & CO. wanted the world to believe, but a country for all. If we insist that this country is only for Christians then we are right back to the reason our forefathers left their homelands.
I am a Christian, but I respect the beliefs of the others, and firmly believe it has nothing to do with their patriotism, support and love of this wonderful country.
What the hell are you talking about?
A new electric grid/ green economy.....is that better now kids? modernize and bring the country up to code....just like FDR did in the 30s....and then tackle health care.....which goes hand in hand with the economy....THINK BIG guys!
After a 75 year history of the Democrat party lying to its liberal supporters, one would think that they would catch on.
So, let me suggest that the time of liberals could be spent more profitably on cleaning up their own party than on criticizing an opposition party that they will never understand. Those who continually campaign for bigger and bigger government and more and more government programs (to add to the list of the thousands that have already failed us), cannot possibly understand the concepts of liberty, freedom, and the personal responsibility of "we the people" that inspired our founders over 200 years ago to create the miracle that is America.
And those same concepts inspire me to agree with Bill Cobbs that we need the healthy tension of two strong political parties to "keep the republic out founders gave us" in the words of Benjamin Franklin.
Let me suggest that we now have two parties of professional politicians who have learned that they can get elected by lying to "we the people" and then governing as they damn well please. Our precious country is in danger because we have allowed these corrupt men to usurp the power the founders gave to the people, and we find ourselves economically bankrupt (and still spending in an attempt to buy our votes), politically corrupt (with the best Congress that money can buy), and morally adrift.
So let me politely suggest that you clean up your party while we clean up ours, and we can go back to arguing again when our work is done and country is again prosperous, trustworthy, and moral. Republicans are repudiating the party of Bush, just as you should repudiate the party of Clinton.
or perhaps a racial one....look who's calling the kettle black?
or perhaps you should see the the only corrupt men who have usurped our precious country have been doing it under the republican label for the last 30 years....follow da money baby.
you should repudiate the party of reagan and become again the party of lincoln!
Marilyn clearly needs an education!
> "Building roads and bridges? How does that help the economy?"
DUH!
Is it possible for someone to be that out of touch with reality and not realize it? Please tell us Marilyn... How does putting a crew of men and vehicles to work hurt the economy? How does purchasing gravel, tar, renting the trucks and equipment to do the work NOT help the economy? I find it hard to understand how people this stupid are allowed to vote! Putting people to work puts more money in their pockets to pay for the things small businesses sell! Is it really that hard for you to see the connection?
Over the years the repugs found key words that stimulate their so-called base: "tax cuts" (to favor only the rich and big corporations); "joe-the-plumber" who really wasn't a plumber or a small business man; they've turned a good words into bad: liberal* (see definition below); and turned good ideas into bad: health care for all is a bad idea? For whom? Not for you and me and every man and woman fortunate enough to be returning from Iraq.
Please Marilyn... and all republicans... please explain for us how you defend the fact that your republican party socialized our banking and insurance systems by throwing huge gobs of cash at them with no accountability. I thought you guys thought socialism was a bad thing.
Repugs have a proven track record of messing up our economy, rewarding the rich with bonuses & praise they don't deserve ("Heck of a job Brownie"), socializing our banking and insurance systems, messing up our relations with our allies and enemies alike, completely messing up our justice system and Justice Department, making our FDA & Environmental protections impotent, handing away precious land right next to our most important National Parks, and giving billions away without forcing some kind of accountability. For the past 8 years hey have been on an unchecked forced march to rape our country every way possible.
With facts like this, from my POV, anyone who calls themselves a republican is shameful and anti-American. They've ruined our economy - and by extension the global economy - they murdered hundreds of our young men & women & thousands of Iraqi's, they've socialized banking & insurance, they handed out truckloads of cash in Iraq, again, with no accountability, and they continue to block any new ideas to get us out of this mess.
Wake up Marilyn! The repugs are anti-small business - if we had some kind of national health care plan then the burden to pay for health care wouldn't fall to the shoulders of small businesses. If everyone does well - and not just the rich and their corporations - we all do better. Is it really that hard to see the connection?
Does anyone remember the brilliant repug plan to tell everyone to invest their IRA's in the stock market? How can any adult with a brain and an internet connection still claim to be a repug? it's downright anti-American!
LIBERAL = open-minded or tolerant, free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant, favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression, favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, favorable to progress or reform.
The definition of liberal speaks to the BEST of what America is. So if repugs think being liberal is a bad thing that only proves they are anti-American at heart.
Go on repugs... prove me wrong....
--a proud liberal!
Sure you can dredge up the worst elements of Democratic administrations to make it seem like the Republicans are not so bad by comparison, but most presidential terms last four years, and during that time there are pluses and minuses in any term. Take Carter for example. He was responsible (not Reagan) in large part for bringing down the Soviet Union, by baiting them into Afghanistan (check the CIA's role there prior to the Russian invasion), but at the same time our support of the Mujahideen in Afghanistan led to more organized terrorist groups, so was that good, or bad?
If we’re going to dredge up history, we ought to look at what’s relevant for the public. Clinton and Monica was barely more than tabloid sensationalism in the way it affected the public. How about looking at something like job creation? Since Truman (including Truman), every single Democratic administration had a better job growth record than the best (in terms of job growth) Republican administration. That’s just the way it was, but that doesn’t mean the trend will go on forever, either.
I’m pretty disgusted with the Democrats, but appalled at the Republicans. Here was a party that, just a couple of years ago, was saying they’d be in power for the next 30 or 40 years. What happened with that? I’ll tell you... They became drunk with power, the halls of Congress started spinning, and they threw up all over their new clothes. They sold out their principles and values and replaced them with flag lapel pins and exclamations about how they were all about “God.” They bought into the Rovian system of campaigning and the Straussian system of governing. Their reverence to those philosophies of political science had them manipulating the ignorance of the public through deceit, propaganda framing, and the "noble lie." Eventually it caught up with them.
No, this isn’t about cleaning up both parties, although they both could use some re-thinking of who they and we are and where we are going, it’s about first making it a two party system with the Republicans leaving the PR behind and getting back to substantive philosophy and policy.
*Here's my disclaimer: I'm not a Democrat, and from my perspective, the most serious problems we face as the American identity -- were created, mostly over that last 60 years, by both Democratic and Republican administrations. And today, neither one of them will even acknowledge that those issues exist.
If you are going to spout off history, it is important to know history!
How to fix the mess Bush and his criminal cartel created? Raise Taxes!
Why?
1. We have to pay for the cost of having a society (infrastrucure, government services, law & order, defense, etc.) and America has not been paying for the cost of their society, that is why there is a massive deficit and public debt. Pay your bills!
2. Tax cuts only make the rich richer, they actually make the rest of us and society as a whole poorer. Government provides services (education and health care) and social safety net (employment insurance, welfare) that enrich the common people's lives. The only people who don't need government services are those rich enough to pay for everything themselves, which is about 1% of the population. Having first class governments services costs more money, requires more taxes to be paid, but makes for a wealthier, healthier and more equitable society.
3. Everyone understands that "you get what you pay for", but no one applies this to government services and social needs. It is true there as well as in the consumer goods and servides market. For $20,000 you can get a car, but if you want a better car you will have to pay more than that. Paying more taxes gets a better society: one not in debt to foreign countries; one with top notch infrastructure; one with good public transit systems; one with universal health care for all its citizens; one with the best education system possible; one with proper equipment, services, supports and medical care for soldiers when they return from combat; one with a justice system that is not bogged down with procedural delays and which denies justice to those who can't afford to buy it. If the United States of America cannot have these things for its citizens, then what is the use of being the richest and most powerful nation on the planet?
4. High government debt is bad for the economy. It tightens up the credit market by absorbing a lot of the liquidity in the market. Deficit spending for major infrastructure work, that can and should be amortized, or to deal with cyclical downturns is one thing, and defensible. Running enormous government debt during economic boom times is stupid.
Time to take responsibility and pay your bills and stop putting them off for the next generation to pick up. Time to stop insisting on "me, me, me" and start thinking about "we, we, we". Time to put aside the childish obsession with instant gratification and always wanting more and start paying for what we have avoided paying for for far too long. Time to reject the ridiculous neo-conservative attitude that the government is spending your money and realize that the government is spending our money and they are doing it to pay for our needs.
"I've got mine, screw you!"