When the Tea Party wave crashes into D.C. wall
When last we checked in with the Tea Party movement, it had claimed victories throughout the nation in the midterm elections and served notice on Republicans and Democrats alike that things in Washington were going to change. No more earmarks. No more secret negotiations. No more deficit spending. No more lobbyists running Congress.
So where are we now?
Dana Milbank of the Washington Post reports on the education of Tea Party darling Kristi Noem:
“When the good people of South Dakota voted last month to send Republican Kristi Noem to Congress, they probably believed that she would give no quarter to the lobbyists and special interest groups who enjoyed, as she put it, “throwing money at the feet of a member of Congress.”
But since she defeated Democratic Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (in part by making an issue of Herseth Sandlin’s marriage to a lobbyist), Noem has hired as her new chief of staff . . . a lobbyist! And on Tuesday afternoon, she was the guest of honor at a “Meet & Greet” with Washington high-rollers at the powerhouse lobbying firm Barbour Griffiths Rogers. Once these boys start throwing money at Noem’s feet, she’ll soon be chin deep in lobbyist greenbacks.”
Closer to home, the folks over at Peachpundit note that anti-earmark fervor already seems to be waning among some:
Here is Senator Saxby Chambliss precisely one month ago:
“I have consistently voted for the elimination of earmarks in the past and will support the earmark-moratorium resolution today.”
And here he is today:“I recently voted in support of an earmark moratorium to help reduce federal spending in the next Congress. As I have previously stated, while this is not the answer to our budget woes, it is a good start.”
Why, then, Senator, do you personally have 42 earmarks in the Omnibus Spending Bill?”
Johnny Isakson, for the record, requested 24 earmarks in the bill. Among other things, the two sought $5 million to support dredging in the Savannah River, $1.25 million for a “biofuels, biopower and biomaterials initiative,” $2 million for “Atlanta environmental infrastructure” and $300,000 for “meth prevention and awareness.” They were joined in many of those requests by Democrats in the Georgia House delegation.
The Financial Times notes that no more 30 House Republicans are expected to oppose the tax-cut compromise with Obama, even though the deal reinstates the estate tax, adds to the deficit and maintains unemployment benefits at the 99-week maximum, items that have angered Tea Party activists.
(Oh, and the deal was also negotiated secretly behind closed doors by the White House and the very same Republican congressional leaders who had campaigned on openness and transparency, and had howled about “backroom deals” on health-care reform.)
“The idea that this massive tax and spend bill has not yet even been written but may be voted on by the Senate . . . is appalling, and has rightfully drawn the anger of Tea Party activists, an anger that will not be diminished,” said a blog posting by the Tea Party Patriots group.
RedState.com, another conservative blog, blasted the inclusion of – and Republican support for – ethanol subsidies in the tax bill. “If Republicans lack the will to strike out at the heart of the dependency and welfare state after a stunning electoral victory, then when will they?” it said.
However, the FT also quotes Adam Brandon, spokesman for FreedomWorks, the corporate astroturf “handler” of much of the Tea Party, as claiming that the deal is good, that “we – the small government conservatives – rolled the president. Let’s take our victory.”
I think that’s the most telling comment of all. Having helped to gin up the Tea Party movement, FreedomWorks is now selling it out in defense of the Republican establishment. After all, you can describe the tax compromise in many ways, but calling it a victory for small-government conservatives takes some fancy spinning indeed.
–Jay Bookman
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439 comments Add your comment
Sid Farcas
December 16th, 2010
10:03 am
Kamchak, Landry will be in for one term if he holds to those principals. I know, why don’t you start holding your party accountable for their actions. Start with your man in the WH. You must be one of the many pi**ed off liberals because he is not carrying out his far left agenda like you all wanted.
Granny Godzilla
December 16th, 2010
10:03 am
jm
you have that whole fixed thing backwards don’t ya?
SmittyATL
December 16th, 2010
10:03 am
This just goes to show that politicians cannot be trusted — or at least can’t magically change the inside-the-Beltway culture. Politicians are not the Tea Party. The real Tea Party is all about citizens’ right to oppose an out-of-control government machine.
Just as Obama couldn’t change the way Washington works, it appears that Stephanie Herseth Sandlin doesn’t have super powers either.
USinUK
December 16th, 2010
10:04 am
“This is Not Ross Perot. Different time in our country”
yeah. cuz this time they MEAN it
Logical Dude
December 16th, 2010
10:04 am
Logic doesn’t win elections….the perception of a false reality does
It’s so hard to work against that false reality!
Left wing management
December 16th, 2010
10:04 am
What the rise (and fall?) of the Tea Party illustrates more than anything is the increasing need on the part of the right wing to employ a politics of pure theater to keep the masses narcotized and impose a continuation of its failed economic status quo, which has brought utter disaster in the 2008 financial collapse.
The question is, was the Tea Party ever anything independent of the right at all, did it ever have anything genuinely independent and new to offer, or was it spawned from within the right simply as a cynical ploy to provide an ingenious diversion from the fact that the American right wing emperor has no clothes, a diabolical effort to convert its moment of absolute defeat into its greatest triumph by masking once and for all the terminal stage of American capitalism.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 16th, 2010
10:04 am
I perceive, in the absence of comment about democrats, that our host’s message today is that “even if all democrats are thieves, and at least a few republicans are both democrat-like thieves and hypocrites.” No news there. It is a simple tautology – those who compromise with democrats are thus compromised, no better than the worst of our society. There will always be weak-brained moderate republicans, people with no principles or standards. That is a cost of democracy.
Bosch
December 16th, 2010
10:04 am
Del,
“I don’t recall conservatives on here or anywhere loudly cheering when Ted Kennedy passed away.”
Yeah, they were too busy calling him a murderer.
Dave
December 16th, 2010
10:05 am
Poll finds voters not impressed with Republicans’ House takeover that hasn’t happened yet
“With Republicans still 20 days away from taking control of one chamber of Congress, the House of Representatives, the Washington Post could no longer resist delivering the polling news that Americans are not yet convinced the GOP is the party for them.
The bold headline: “Public is not yet sold on GOP”
Imagine, waiting for the 63 new House Republicans to actually take the oath on Jan. 4 and perhaps find their seats before polling on what dismal failures they are. With Democrats controlling merely the presidency and the Senate, the newly elected Republicans have yet to accomplish a single meaningful thing. And clearly the public knows it.
As a result, “just 41%” of those polled by the Post-ABC News survey regard the GOP takeover as a “good thing,” 30% say it doesn’t matter and 27% have already decided it’s a “bad thing.”
Next week’s media poll: How pathetic the 2012 Republican presidential nominee already is.”
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2010/12/republican-house-takeover-new-hampshire.html
BW
December 16th, 2010
10:05 am
Realtalk
Which freedoms? Both parties are responsible for that…the usual stuff from the left about guns and healthcare and from the right the Patriot Act and all the others mechanisms that are there for our “protection”. So which group is more offensive to you? You want to bash the left for impinging for your liberty and freedom that’s fine but don’t pretend that both parties aren’t the same game.
AmVet
December 16th, 2010
10:06 am
ken r, that is true. And that is why I’ve written on this very forum repeatedly why I have supported the concept of the supposed “grass roots” genesis of it. Due to the corporate and media funding of it, it is a shame that is is really almost anything but, but in theory it is a very good thing, which I fully support.
And ironically, VERY un-Republican.
People organizing? To address issues that adversely affect them? What next, an end to the neo-con’s blind and irrational hatred of labor unions???
But alas, it is patently clear that they are the lunatic fringe of the GOP’s lunatic fringe. To wit, a much higher percentage than can be found anywhere else, think Obama is not a US citizen. In this regard, as in many others, they are generally dismissed as laughably misguided…
As for your invitation to a red herring breakfast regarding the sins of others, especiallyt he Uppity Muslim, which I have addressed at length here, I’m not hungry…
Jefferson
December 16th, 2010
10:06 am
The majority of republicans are weak brained and weak spined, so what’s new…
Bill Orvis White
December 16th, 2010
10:07 am
Wrong. Tea Party Patriots are angry and watching. Oversight Offices are being set up to watch both the Socialist-Democrat Party and the Republicans.
While I love your Senator Chambliss, he is just plain wrong on the earmarks, but I’ll forgive him. Why? Because the Honorable Senator Chambliss and rightful Republicans only want to do what’s best for a pro-growth/pro-business agenda. They just kind of lose their way sometimes and that’s OK.
It’s far different with a Socialist-Democrat who hasn’t met an earmark that she hasn’t fallen in love with. A Socialist Democrat always wants earmarks for handout purposes that only expand the dependent welfare state.
Merry Christmas,
Bill
Kamchak
December 16th, 2010
10:08 am
Sid Farcas
December 16th, 2010
10:03 am
Start with your man in the WH.
AGAIN—FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME
I supported Juan McSame in the last presidential election, sport.
USinUK
December 16th, 2010
10:09 am
“I don’t recall conservatives on here or anywhere loudly cheering when Ted Kennedy passed away. We didn’t agree with his politics but I don’t recall the few conservative bloggers on here cheering”
holy crap. are you kidding???
BW
December 16th, 2010
10:09 am
mystified
Georgia had their chance with Chambliss. But guess what? No one would challenge him and of course no one is going to vote Democratic in a state-wide election. I saw these same screeds about Chambliss being a RINO in 2008 and guess what…overwhelming re-election margin. Who is even a better alternative? Politicians join a party for a reason and they will adhere to the party line in general if they want the party’s support.
USinUK
December 16th, 2010
10:10 am
Bosch – dude, I’ve been saving this for you!! (and starbuck and apollo)
http://www.rhymeswithorange.com/2010/12/December-15-2010/
jm
December 16th, 2010
10:10 am
Granny Godzi 10:03 – sure don’t.
@@
December 16th, 2010
10:11 am
ken R.:
I’ve come to the conclusion that jay and his left-wingers not only suffer from STDs, they’re into passing them off.
STD=Selectively Transmitting Disease.
eewwwww
Jefferson
December 16th, 2010
10:12 am
Its hard to belive what a fool belives….
Bosch
December 16th, 2010
10:12 am
“Tea Party Patriots are angry and watching. ”
and ready to pounce!
USinUK,
BW
December 16th, 2010
10:12 am
Bill Orvis White
Yes keep blaming the Dems but the reality is that the Republicans have almost unchecked power in this state and will have supermajority status after the gerrymandering I mean redistricting is complete. I don’t even think bashing Dems makes you feel better about the fact that Republicans end up being the same…it’s sad when you think about it. Me…I prefer cynicism.
Sid Farcas
December 16th, 2010
10:12 am
Will this has been fun a usual but, gots to go to work. I am sorry that some of you out there hate the Tea Party and quite frankly don’t understand it. That’s ok however, we are like taxes, we are never going away. And like taxes under dem rule, we will only grow larger. It’s all about the people holding our politicians accountable and if you can’t understand that then I hope you are not raising children. Peace, Love, and Merry Christmas to All…including granny and kamchak.
Doggone/GA
December 16th, 2010
10:13 am
“holy crap. are you kidding???”
Probably not. That’s the beauty of having a VERY selective memory.
Bosch
December 16th, 2010
10:13 am
“STD=Selectively Transmitting Disease.”
Holy crap! Del’s a left-winger? Who knew?
USinUK
December 16th, 2010
10:15 am
Doggone – 10:13 – or, it makes you wonder what they believe is “respectful discourse”
USinUK
December 16th, 2010
10:16 am
Bosch – 10:13 – well, I’M not claiming him
Southern Comfort
December 16th, 2010
10:16 am
Until election finance is overhauled big time, there will be NO change in DC regardless to whether it’s the Tea Party, Coffee Party, Enema Party, or whatever Party. Pull away the one thing that feeds and enables the corruption, and you have a chance to remove the corruption. Until then, it’s all Kung-Fu Theater courtesy of the Bejing Opera Company…
/drive-by
Bosch
December 16th, 2010
10:17 am
USinUK,
If Del is a left winger, then I’ve swung so far left that I’m right!
Adam
December 16th, 2010
10:17 am
Yep, they sure “rolled” the president, by FORCING him to accept tax cuts for the wealthy.
I guess it kind of makes sense from a small government perspective. The government takes less of THEIR MONEY, and tax cuts don’t REALLY add to the deficit if you just move the revenue goal posts….
TaxPayer
December 16th, 2010
10:17 am
Probably not. That’s the beauty of having a VERY selective memory.
I keep wondering, “where’s the beef!” Now I know. This selective memory compassionate conservative crowd has eaten every last bit of it, even the stuff that was plainly marked, “Abby Normal”, due to the detection of that bovine spongiform thingie.
ty webb
December 16th, 2010
10:18 am
the “Enema Party”? Now that’s a movement I could get behind!
Bosch
December 16th, 2010
10:18 am
ty webb…bad.
@@
December 16th, 2010
10:19 am
Bosch:
And your circle remains unbroken. Hygiene dictates that you wash your hands, you silly little twit.
Normal
December 16th, 2010
10:19 am
Del,
I never said anything about cheering over anyboby’s death. As to down below, the only Military leader I see who is opposed to DADT is Commandant Amos of the USMC…and he looks gay to me.
The repeal will harm no one and will make our Military stronger in the long run.
BTW, I don’r brag or even like to talk too much about my combat experiences, but I will say that I served in ‘Nam from early ‘67 to late ‘69 as part of a USN SEAL Support team. I learned real quick and real thourghly that war sucks, so if anyone at all, Black, Red, Yellow, white, Female, Gay, straight, Christian, Jew, Muslum, Buddist, Hindu, Peagan, or whatever wants to join that brotherhood, then I say welcome.
All jokes aside, if he wants to be there, I don’t care what he is, I want him there.
Adam
December 16th, 2010
10:19 am
AmVet: As for your invitation to a red herring breakfast regarding the sins of others, especiallyt he Uppity Muslim, which I have addressed at length here, I’m not hungry…
Well said. Love it.
USinUK
December 16th, 2010
10:21 am
um, SoCo … I don’t think I want to go to any of your parties …
Toga, Now that's a real party!
December 16th, 2010
10:21 am
the “Enema Party”? Now that’s a movement I could get behind!
You might want to get out in front of that crowd but if you’re really interested, check with Dave R. He’s the local chapter leader of the Constitutional Party.
ty webb
December 16th, 2010
10:22 am
Bosch,
dang moderator got me. Sorry…I must admit, that pun was sh*tty.
AmVet
December 16th, 2010
10:23 am
ex-pat and Doggone, even the hint of an assertion that the ecstatic venom from the hateful fringe wasn’t overflowing the day T. Kennedy died, is just plain idiotic.
Andy and many of the other trolls here, drive by as well as the regulars, had a freaking field day! Notwithstanding the puerile denials.
I have a good friend who repeatedly sent my far right wing emails. I endured them for a long while, but eventually I asked him, a couple of times, to stop sending them to me. They continued. And the day after TK died, he sent me one with the most viscous hatred I have read in some time, and I sent him a very forceful response. And he got the message and the emails stopped, with a quasi-apolgy. Though still long time friends, my respect for him dropped enormously that day…
barking frog
December 16th, 2010
10:23 am
jm
December 16th, 2010
10:01 am
Term. Limits. Term. Limits….
————————————————–
Is two months enough?
Haywood Jablome
December 16th, 2010
10:24 am
The Tea Party seems to be made up of a bunch of gullible rubes.
What a shock!
USinUK
December 16th, 2010
10:26 am
or, as Bugs Bunny said … “what a gulla-BULL”
Palin fan
December 16th, 2010
10:26 am
The Tea Party is moving forward with it’s agenda to make America great.
We are fighting Obama socialism by getting Obamacare declared unconstitutional.
Tea Party: 2
Obama: 0
USinUK
December 16th, 2010
10:26 am
braving the weather … later taters!
Jefferson
December 16th, 2010
10:26 am
Only the GOP will eat a crap sandwitch, knowing its a crap sandwitch but say its better than a dog crap sandwitch…
Del
December 16th, 2010
10:27 am
“holy crap are you kidding”.
No I’m not kidding…you can count on one hand the the regular conservative bloggers on here. Quote their posts, since you’re so certain, you should be able to accomplish quoting and identifying them by memory. Once again, regular conservative bloggers.
Paul
December 16th, 2010
10:28 am
“When the Tea Party wave crashes into D.C. wall”
Another case of ‘welcome to reality.’ The administration experienced it, this group of cons is experiencing it. I suppose the question isn’t if they will bend, but how much.
On a related note, was going thru the AM dial and tuned in to Hannity. Couple days later I tuned into the top-rated local DFW radio talk show. In both cases they had on conservative politicians. The questions and answers were all general ’spending bad, taxes bad, gotta cut.” Absolutely at no time did either host ask “okay, you campaigned on that, you got elected on that, Republicans swept the House and made a huge gain in the Senate. Now… specifically… by program and amount… just what are you going to cut to balance the budget?”
And the listeners suck it up….
Normal
December 16th, 2010
10:30 am
Jefferson,
The GOP don’t eat crap sandwiches…they don’t like bread…
Adam
December 16th, 2010
10:30 am
I should also mention it’s a ridiculous argument to suggest that “we shouldn’t do DADT/DREAM-Act/anything-else now because ECONOMY!” GOP, you’ll have your chance to fix the economy. You are already getting the tax breaks for the wealthy, that supposedly fix the economy all by themselves. Relax.
Toga, Now that's a real party!
December 16th, 2010
10:31 am
Someone mentioned earlier that Kyle had written a piece about this topic but I do believe that he wrote about his concern that the tea partyers were not up in arms against the budget legislation — NOT the tax cut legislation. Slight difference there since we all know from “facts” (i.e, word of mouth) presented by the conservatives here that tax cuts increase tax revenues and so they represent a win-win for everyone, unlike budgets which consume all those revenue dollars created by the tax cuts. That’s bad. So bad. Really bad.
jm
December 16th, 2010
10:32 am
barking frog 10:23
Probably….
jm
December 16th, 2010
10:34 am
Regarding The Rich Escaping a Tax Increase- for those of you who hate the rich and want them to pay more. Let we forget. The Rich already got a tax increase during the healthcare overhaul. They’re getting that Medicare tax hike, which they will never receive the benefit for or use. Just a reminder from your friendly tax analyst….
Bobby D
December 16th, 2010
10:34 am
lobbyism system of government, all the freedom money can buy. I just hope the GOP can keep these useless wars going. After all the control of oil is what backs the dollar. Some people want to go back to the gold standard but oil is what you spend your gold on. The earmark BS, the gay BS, the immigration BS just smoke to keep the sheep from waking up. We should be OK because the body guards of Big oil is paid in dollars and oil is trade for on the world market in dollars. The oil man Mr Cheney said debt don’t matter he may be a killer but he’s not a fool. The dollar is back by oil and the world is taking all the dollars the fed is pasting out. Peace on earth ,all I want for xmas is oil stock.
Del
December 16th, 2010
10:35 am
Normal, you left out General Casey U.S. Army and the Chief General U.S. Air force. As for Amos, what physical features identify him as a homosexual?
two cents worth
December 16th, 2010
10:37 am
Jay, the incoming Reps and Senators have not even taken office yet; the complete disregard for deficits, fiscal restraint, and good common sense being displayed in this lame duck session is exactly why the November elections were historical………….
Adam
December 16th, 2010
10:39 am
two cents worth: They’ll keep introducing measures that increase the deficit. The only measures you’ll see coming from GOP and Tea Party alike are measures that control the deficit by cutting spending on entitlement programs only, as well as INCREASING spending on defense, and reducing revenue by cutting taxes.
Hannah
December 16th, 2010
10:40 am
Why does TH always say the same ignorant thing every day?
jm
December 16th, 2010
10:40 am
2 cents – historic… not h-al
ken R
December 16th, 2010
10:42 am
Dear Congress, please vote on this bill so I can go on vacation again, I only have two more years to enjoy all these perks.
Signed, The President
Normal
December 16th, 2010
10:43 am
As for Amos, what physical features identify him as a homosexual?
Why, he’s a Marine…
Jack Nicholson
December 16th, 2010
10:43 am
Calculations from the Congressional Budget Office say last week’s tax deal will cost the Treasury $858 billion over the next decade in lost revenues and extra spending.
But the CBO was already forecasting $6.3 trillion in deficits over that period. The latest deal will take that to $7.1 billion. And it will take the national debt to about $17 trillion — not even counting the money owed to government trust funds, such as Social Security.
Furthermore, the CBO is only counting two years of tax relief. What will happen in 2013? Do you really think the Republicans will then agree to let all the Bush tax cuts expire? Hardly. And if those cuts persist beyond 2012, the CBO warns they could add another $4 trillion or so to the debt by 2020. It’s possible the national debt would hit 100% of GDP.
Republicans! Can’t live with ‘em. So, Heeere’s Johnny! Dang it, I mean, You can’t Handle the Truth.
jm
December 16th, 2010
10:43 am
ken R – I’m not sure being Pres is the hardest job in the world. But its pretty damn hard. I don’t think he’ll be taking many vacations. And most vacations are working vacations anyway….
The Apple Falls From The Tree
December 16th, 2010
10:43 am
Anyone that supports the Dems way of thinking is just plain STUPID!
Adam
December 16th, 2010
10:44 am
Hannah: Because repetition always trumps everything. See “The Republican Handbook.”
Left wing management
December 16th, 2010
10:44 am
There’s a fascinating discussion right now on the Diane Rehm show (unavailable on Atlanta airwaves, see website) on the so-called No Label movement.
My judgment of this whole “third way” or “No Label” type of movement: thumbs down
Jay
December 16th, 2010
10:45 am
jm, help me out here. How does thinking that the rich can afford to pay higher taxes — especially given our financial situation — equate to “hating the rich?”
I don’t know many rich people, but those I do know seem perfectly fine people. I certainly don’t hate them, as individuals or as a class.
Again, we can disagree about the economics and policy implications of tax hikes, etc. That’s fine. But what’s your justification for the claim that it’s driven by hatred of the rich?
jm
December 16th, 2010
10:45 am
I hate, or very very very much despise our politicians….. they collectively are ruining our country in the interest of staying in office.
barking frog
December 16th, 2010
10:47 am
Del
December 16th, 2010
10:35 am
As for Amos, what physical features identify him as a homosexual?
——————————————–
You’re not supposed to ask and he’s not supposed to tell.
AmVet
December 16th, 2010
10:48 am
F. Sinkwich
December 16th, 2010
9:50 am
Name one, AmVet.
As always, you lose.
Bud Wiser
August 26th, 2009
9:19 am
This is a little more on topic here: Well, well, well. Teddie died, and most of the world is rejoicing, er, I mean, in mourning. A fruit basket arrived early this morning from Mary Jo Kopeckne’s family, welcoming Teddy to join their daughter in The Great Dirt Nap.
Del
December 16th, 2010
10:48 am
The slime ball left wing Dem’s in Congress who’re either about to be demoted or out the door want to take a parting shot at the voters who repudiated their agenda last month. Need to move on (no reference intended). Y’all have a great day and if you’re driving stay safe.
Normal
December 16th, 2010
10:48 am
Del,
This from the Navy Times and mentions only Amos as opposed. McCain does say he’s opposed to a cultural change while fighting two wars, but I say, “Then let’s bring them home. They don’t need to be there anyway.” That time is long passed.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/12/ap-house-takes-up-repeal-of-ban-on-gays-in-military-121510/
Lord Help Us
December 16th, 2010
10:49 am
George Soros is rich. Who hates him…
jm
December 16th, 2010
10:49 am
Jay – well, a fair number of the folks here seem to hate and despise the rich, although they may not have said so outright. Claiming most of them are crooks, don’t deserve their fortune, yadda yadda, which some of them undoubtedly are, but nowhere near the majority. There are certainly a good number of folks here that have a very Greek mentality and just outright have class envy.
I may have overstated my point earlier. But I still think it holds….
Southern Comfort
December 16th, 2010
10:50 am
AmV
That one doesn’t count although I’m sure there are plenty to choose from.
Paul
December 16th, 2010
10:51 am
jm
“They’re getting that Medicare tax hike, which they will never receive the benefit for or use. Just a reminder from your friendly tax analyst….”
Tax analyst? You sure? Medicare is not income-dependent. You get SS, you get Medicare. If you meant Medicaid, that is income dependent. But Medicare isn’t.
Adam
December 16th, 2010
10:52 am
Normal: That’s a good point.
IMeanWhat
December 16th, 2010
10:53 am
What’s with all of the crying in The White House? Read more @imeanwhat http://imeanwhat.com/canyoubelieve/the-blubbering-republicans
ken R
December 16th, 2010
10:53 am
Bosch & USinUK, I don’t recall conservatives cheering when he died either, please show some examples and then I will be a believer.
Just Mary Jo Kapechne died when he was probably intoxicated, and when she probably had a large air pocket to survive if that fat pig would have tried to rescue her rather than trying to get his relative to take the fall for it, does not make Kennedy a MURDERER.
AmVet
December 16th, 2010
10:53 am
There are plenty of others, Sid. Let me know when you’ve had your fill of crow breakfast…
NRB
August 26th, 2009
9:26 am
One socialist scumb*g down, millions to go.
Ted Kennedy did more harm to this nation than a thousand 9/11s could possibly do.
Good riddance.
ken R
December 16th, 2010
10:54 am
Should read Just because,
ken R
December 16th, 2010
10:55 am
AmVet, 1,000 dittos.
jm
December 16th, 2010
10:55 am
Paul – the tax used to “pay” for medicare was increased for income over $200k.
Under the Health Care Act, beginning January 1, 2013, for individuals earning more than $200,000 per year ($250,000 for per year for married couples filing jointly), the Employee’s Medicare Tax rate will increase by 0.9% on wages earned in excess of those threshold amounts. As a result, those affected will have their Employee’s Medicare Tax increase from 1.45% to 2.35%. There is no increase to the Employer’s Medicare Tax. Self-employed individuals are subject to a similar increase, resulting in an increase from 2.9% to 3.8% on all self-employment income earned over the threshold amounts. However, the amount that may be deducted by a self-employed individual remains at only half of the 2.9% — stated differently, self-employed individuals may not deduct any portion of the additional 0.9% tax.
http://info.swlaw.com/reaction/2010/ALERT_ManagingHealthCareReformAPracticalGuideForEmployers_HTML/ALERT_HCR_FederalTaxRatesforIndividuals_WEB.html
Robespierre
December 16th, 2010
10:56 am
Yes you can! (count on one hand the regular conservative commenters here on the Bookman blog). On the other hand, they’ve got one cross-fingered hand in their pocket and the other is flashing a peace sign. But they Kid Obama. Health Care? The conservatives are checking their list twice, but there’s only one item on that list: Kill the Bill. Why save lives when their god, Pure Capitalism, teaches them how to pray with kinder gentler ways of euphemising collateral damage which is as Kind and Gentle as the five point palm exploding dong technique. The country has finally completed all of the five steps from grief to acceptance since 911. The conservatives have shown their sticky, viral hands like surprise kitten porn.
Hey, we finally know what their doing with the hand in their pocket.
TaxPayer
December 16th, 2010
10:57 am
well, a fair number of the folks here seem to hate and despise the rich, although they may not have said so outright. Claiming most of them are crooks, don’t deserve their fortune, yadda yadda, which some of them undoubtedly are, but nowhere near the majority. There are certainly a good number of folks here that have a very Greek mentality and just outright have class envy.
Some posts from these people to help support your case would go a long way.
Southern Comfort
December 16th, 2010
10:57 am
ken R… See AmVet’s 10:48 post.
In other Tea Party news…
They are indeed upset over the pork-ladden bill. They’ve even said as much…
It sounds like “hyporkrisy” to Tea Party Express Chairman Amy Kremer. Her group backed GOP candidates in the 2010 election who promised to root out wasteful pork-barrel spending in Washington. She warns any republican who supports the measure risks a primary challenge in the next election cycle.
“We will go after them. We’re not going to accept it. We are absolutely not going to accept it. I mean there are all kinds of pork in there,” Kremer told CNN.
In related news, Tea Party Express Chairman Amy Kremer revealed to CNN that her group is nothing more than a subset of the GOP further invalidating the claim of the Tea Party not being GOP in a different dress.
Adam
December 16th, 2010
10:59 am
As usual the House floor is full of the right talking about tax increases (when there is no tax increase involved). Did anyone ever mention to these folks that personal income tax on high earners has zero affect on job creation? That’s corporate taxes you’re thinking of….
md
December 16th, 2010
11:00 am
“And on Tuesday afternoon, she was the guest of honor at a “Meet & Greet” with Washington high-rollers at the powerhouse lobbying firm Barbour Griffiths Rogers. Once these boys start throwing money at Noem’s feet, she’ll soon be chin deep in lobbyist greenbacks.”
So, going to a function is now assumed to mean one will be rolling in greenbacks??
If one is going to find the individual guilty, at least wait until they have committed the crime………
Fang1944
December 16th, 2010
11:01 am
Saw John McCain getting all self-righteous about pork on the news this morning then read about the millions in pork that he got for Arizona at http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/06/mccain-earmark/
Remember: earmarks are less than 1% of the federal budget, not that big a problem anyway.
Left wing management
December 16th, 2010
11:03 am
jm: “Claiming most of them are crooks, don’t deserve their fortune, yadda yadda, which some of them undoubtedly are, but nowhere near the majority.”
One’s attitude towards the rich per se is beside the point. The problem is the system that perpetuates an imbalance of advantage and power and concentrates it in the hands of those who own the means of production and who, when they can’t buy politicians outright, can use their money to buy the message (see Citizens United decision, e.g.).
“here are certainly a good number of folks here that have a very Greek mentality and just outright have class envy.”
What is “class envy” exactly? Where did this phrase come from?
Tell me how this term which is thrown around so freely is anything other than an Orwellian right wing attempt to mask class predation behind a seemingly innocuous term (I mean, who wouldn’t want to be free of something so petty and unattractive as envy?) ?
Paul
December 16th, 2010
11:03 am
jm 10:55
True, but the topic wasn’t the amount of the increase. The topic was the rich never receiving the benefit or use from taxes paid.
Your statement was the rich would never receive the benefit of the taxes they paid. Did you not mean they would not receive the benefit because they’d not be able to take part in the Medicare program they’re helping to fund?
If not, what did you mean by ‘which they will never receive the benefit for or use. “
jm
December 16th, 2010
11:03 am
TaxPayer 10:57 – I don’t have the stamina to go hunting around the archives. There’s a good balance of conservatives, moderates, and liberals bouncing around here. But there are some folks who seem inclined to think sticking it to the rich is the best way to go.
I remember having to argue with someone here that even if you increased the taxes on the rich to 100% (and they didn’t quit working miraculously), there still wouldn’t be enough revenue to close the fiscal deficit.
That kind of silly, inane, discussion is only necessary with someone inclined to believe the best solution is stick it to the rich. It displays an appalling lack of understanding of economics, incentives, and ignorance about the federal budget and deficit.
md
December 16th, 2010
11:04 am
“How does thinking that the rich can afford to pay higher taxes — especially given our financial situation — equate to “hating the rich?”
Little Johnny and little Suzzy both get the same amount of allowance………both make totally different choices as to what to do with it…….little Johnny buys all kinds of candy and toys, while little Suzzy chooses to put hers in the bank…………..now it is time for little Johnny and little Suzzy to buy Mom a Mothers Day present……….
Guess which one can afford more to pay for it……………….
We choose everything we do…………
jm
December 16th, 2010
11:04 am
Taxpayer – LWM 11:03 – there’s exhibit A, don’t even need the archives.
Sothebys is for me
December 16th, 2010
11:05 am
If one is going to find the individual guilty, at least wait until they have committed the crime………
Now that’s just damn priceless. I mean it. I just cannot think of an opening bid high enough if you were to put that one up for auction.
Paulo977
December 16th, 2010
11:06 am
IMeanWhat @10:52am
Great link!
ken R
December 16th, 2010
11:06 am
Southern C. I don’t believe AmVet is a Republican and I asked to see proof of earlier posts as 2 people claimed earlier today. I personally hated Ted Kennedy, when I was younger JFK is the first President that I voted for.
I have split my vote for many years, latelly I am a moderate conservative who is really disgusted with both parties. I feel that at least the Tea Party is trying to do something, and that’s to control spending.
TaxPayer
December 16th, 2010
11:07 am
Taxpayer – LWM 11:03 – there’s exhibit A, don’t even need the archives.
jm,
You might wish to consider referencing posts that support your claims. Just sayin’
Adam
December 16th, 2010
11:08 am
ken R: Is the Tea Party really trying to control spending? I wonder.
jm
December 16th, 2010
11:09 am
Paul 11:03 – go do the math. If you think someone who makes $1million per year (not counting the much higher income folks), for 40 years, and pays an extra 1% in tax on said income, will use the $400,000 (not adjusted for inflation at all, and not even counting the other 2.9% / $1.1 million in Medicare taxes they’ll pay ) in health care costs before they kick the bucket, especially when said individual is likely to go use a private non-medicare doctor anyway for any really life threatening issue, well then I can’t help you.