Georgia Republicans believe themselves invulnerable
In politics as in sports, it’s dangerous to get cocky.
And Georgia Republicans have gotten cocky. They have come to feel invulnerable and complacent, convinced that their constituents’ intense dislike of Democratic policies at the national level has given them a free hand to do as they wish here in Georgia, without consequence or backlash.
Ethical missteps, bad judgment, failure to govern — they believe that none of it matters as long as those magic words “Barack Obama” retain the power to distract and anger Georgia voters.
Want proof? Let’s review events just from the first eight months of 2011.
The year kicked off with the revelation that House Speaker David Ralston had taken his family and staff on a $17,000, all-expense paid holiday trip to Europe, courtesy of lobbyists for a high-speed rail company. In our much-reviled Congress, such behavior would result in severe censure or even removal from office, but here in Georgia it barely raised an eyebrow. In fact, Ralston continues to argue that limits on lobbyist gifts to politicians are not necessary given the fine, upstanding character of those we elect to public office.
There were also no repercussions when the chairman of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee, Jack Murphy of Cumming, was sued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for being grossly negligent in his role as a director of a failed bank in Alpharetta. Murphy is now barred from involvement in any FDIC-insured institution, but inexplicably, he has been allowed by his fellow Republicans to retain his role overseeing the state’s banking industry.
Murphy’s counterpart in the state House, Banks and Banking Committee chair Greg Morris, was also fined $5,000 this year by the FDIC for violating regulations as a director of an Ailey bank. He too has been allowed to stay in his leadership role overseeing Georgia’s deeply troubled banking industry.
Not surprisingly, neither Morris nor Murphy has shown interest in investigating why Georgia continues to lead the nation in bank failures or whether the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, charged with regulating state-chartered banks, failed in its duties. Given that 17 of the nation’s 68 bank failures in 2011 have occurred here in Georgia, costing the FDIC a total of $1.549 billion so far this year, their studied avoidance of the problem is appalling.
But again, they feel no public pressure to do better, so why should they?
Then there was the scandal in June, when the executive secretary of the state ethics commission was given her walking papers and her sole investigator stripped of her job. Those events occurred immediately after the two sought to subpoena records from the 2010 campaign of Gov. Nathan Deal. Again, there were no repercussions. Overall, GOP leaders have slashed the commission’s budget by 42 percent since 2008, even as they have burdened the agency with new record-keeping duties. They have also stripped the agency of rule-making powers available to almost every other agency in state government, all the while claiming to be horrified at alleged abuses of power in Washington.
I haven’t even mentioned the coup against Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle by his fellow Republicans in the state Senate, which basically left that body rudderless, or the embarrassing financial shenanigans of Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers and his business partner, U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, or the continuing efforts of GOP legislators to empower themselves at the expense of local government officials. And who knows what the rest of the year will bring?
Once politicians feel themselves unaccountable, there’s no telling what they might do.
– Jay Bookman
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1,210 comments Add your comment
jm
August 23rd, 2011
9:07 am
Um. Which group finally brought an end to Congressional EARMARKS? Hmmm, let me think now.
For the daft, here’s the answer: the Tea Party.
Which group is trying to reign in our parabolic debt and deficit? Answer for the clueless: the Tea Party.
The Tea Party has some warts. But it should be embraced as a force for good in America.
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
9:07 am
“The Tea Party is saving America from long term financial armaggeddon. Fact.”
Do they have a plan? Is it written? Is it something we can look at? Does it list specific programs? You know, all the stuff they demanded of Pres Obama to take what he said seriously.
Or is it all slogans and signs and sound bites?
I will give them credit for bringing unnecessary spending to the top of the discussion pile. But to say they are saving the US from financial armageddon is a stretch. Bringing attention to something is one thing, having a plan is quite something else.
WOODSTOCK MIKE
August 23rd, 2011
9:09 am
My neighbor is an extremely nice guy, father of 4, gets up every morning around 6am to get to work and gets home around 6, has a beautiful house, a very friendly guy, helps his neighbors out anytime they need it, has some fantastic children that are excelling in school and college….
Wait, this guy told me he’s a Republican, how can this be?? He must be an evil thug because he’s a Republican!!
You guys on here have truly gotten worse and worse to the point now it’s comical…
Judging another human being because they vote politically a certain way is just downright pathetic.
This blog is more of a joke these days than a forum for educated discussions.
AmVet
August 23rd, 2011
9:09 am
“You had your turn…”
And there in four little words, is the ultimate justification for this repugnant party-wide disease of criminals and corruption.
Even the mafia must be impressed with such loyalty…
“If anything unlawful has occurred…”
Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. (11th Commandment Republicode for See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.)
But for the ultimate in Republi-red herring breakfasts and the height of criminal coddling confusion, I give you:
“Oh Jay, you poor poor pitiful wanker. Just because your boy Obama is tanking in the polls and continues to ruin any prospects for recovery.”
Followed closely by that 2nd 8:33 and 2nd 8:38…
Pathetic…
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
9:09 am
Normal
“The Tea Party doesn’t know it’s arse from a hole in the ground. Fact.”
Kinda like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bfe6CgYbH8
Peter
August 23rd, 2011
9:10 am
HA HA HA.Funny stuff…… “you answer the question….do you really think republicans are different?”
The Republican’s came up with “Cost Plus Contracts”..Yes they are different !
Terd Fergesun
August 23rd, 2011
9:10 am
August 23rd, 2011
9:01 am
“What you liberals ignore is that we in the Tea Party will vote out Republicans who are not fiscally responsible. You liberals will stand by a bad democrat and basically let them eat their young.”
Really, Terd? So Tom Graves and Chip Rogers will be defeated in the GOP primaries? David Ralston won’t be speaker any longer? The Tea Party will demand the resignation of Jack Murphy as Banking Committee chair?
Really Jay, if we have a Tea Party candidate that makes sense to run against them then they will. If not, then they will have no chance to raise money from our side. Accountability of both sides is what we are about. Not the racist tea baggers that “journalist” like you paint us as. Your credibility is right their with a Rangle and Pelosi. You are battling a losing war that in 2012 your losses will be beyond comprehension and you will blame Bush, the Tea Party and white men for your losses. Never looking at your man in the WH or in the mirror.
WOODSTOCK MIKE
August 23rd, 2011
9:10 am
How about you take a look at which politicians in America are presently under investigation for ethics violations?
Guess what, you will find some Democrats, oooohhhhh, can you believe it, you guys are fools…
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
9:11 am
“I see, jm.
Hope and change, huh?”
Can’t wait to see THAT sign at a Tea Party rally!
Aquagirl
August 23rd, 2011
9:11 am
One would hope.
Oh, the teanuts are now the hopey-changey party? Or did I miss the Teanut demonstrations demanding Jack Murphy be removed from the Banking Committee?
Manchurian-Kenyan Candidate
August 23rd, 2011
9:12 am
Cocky? You want cocky??
Cocky was 10 years ago when the Dem controlled legislature drew that ridiculous doughnut shaped district to pack it with Democrats…..now THAT was cocky. This stuff by Repubs is typical “to the victor goes the spoils”
Remember….”Elections have consequences”…..now, I wonder who said that……hmmmm…..can’t quite put my finger on that one….
“Hope and Change is now……NOT MY FAULT!!”
Partisay
August 23rd, 2011
9:12 am
Libertarian….or they could be like the republicans in Cobb….and raise taxes……BWHAHAHAHAHAHAH
jm
August 23rd, 2011
9:13 am
Jay 9:05 – you got it
Current status quo on most fronts blows (national, state, etc)
Throw the bums out!
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
9:13 am
The Tea Party has NO SEATS anywhere. The Tea Party doesn’t exist as a party, only as a far right wing of the Republican Party. They are loud and obnoxious, but they are a minority of the party and do not have their OWN party. They are, as Michele Bachmann probably thinks, just infiltrating.
Misty Fyed
August 23rd, 2011
9:13 am
Debbie,
We are not powerless. We just have to break the addiction to limiting ourselves to only two schools of thought and replace the current “politicians” with real citizens who serve out of duty, not out of ambition.
Aquagirl
August 23rd, 2011
9:13 am
Ugh, attempting italics before coffee = fail.
Sally
August 23rd, 2011
9:13 am
I lean Republican, but have to say I agree with you. And the sad thing is, you have only covered the things that have happened so far this year. To say the Georgia Republican Party in power has been a disappointment is a wild understatement.
James
August 23rd, 2011
9:14 am
Hmm, Jay, never remember seeing you write something similar about the Ga. Dems over the past 150 years.
spaceman109
August 23rd, 2011
9:14 am
@ matthew
Matthew
August 23rd, 2011
8:32 am
Oh Jay, you poor poor pitiful wanker. Just because your boy Obama is tanking in the polls and continues to ruin any prospects for recovery.
i see you frantically waving your arms in the air to try and distract people from the screwup g.o.p. in this state.
Matthew
August 23rd, 2011
8:33 am
Adam – The moves only save 10 billion over 5 years. 2 billion per year – big whoop.
if a g.o.p. president hhad done the same thing, you would be wildly celebrating and calling those moves the start of something big.
you are truly a talented comic.
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
9:14 am
Peter
“The Republican’s came up with “Cost Plus Contracts”..Yes they are different !”
So now the career federal acquisition employees are identified by one political party?
Peter
August 23rd, 2011
9:15 am
Gosh WOODSTOCK MIKE…. silly stuff ! you guys are fools…
By the way your neighbor who is Republican, sounds like a nice guy….now why wouldn’t he be ?
Partisay
August 23rd, 2011
9:15 am
“Judging another human being because they vote politically a certain way is just downright pathetic.”
Yeah….a republican would NEVER do that. Would they? Tell us woodstock mike…would they?
jm
August 23rd, 2011
9:16 am
Paul 9:07 oh I’ll grant there’s no detailed plan from TPers, they just intuitively and intelligently know more debt is bad and our fiscal trajectory is unsustainable. And they know more government is bad. Now, it takes leaders to translate that into a real plan. Of course, that will never come from the current administration.
Bosch
August 23rd, 2011
9:16 am
“The Tea Party is saving America from long term financial armaggeddon. Fact”
Bullshyt.
Fact. They will slink back into their oblivion when a Republican gets back in the White House.
carlosgvv
August 23rd, 2011
9:16 am
jm
Congressional members of The Tea Party were more than willing to let America go into default, which would have caused a major financial disaster. And yet, you say they should “be embraced as a force for good in America”. Whose good are you talking about? Russia’s, China’s, Al Quida’s?
Peter
August 23rd, 2011
9:17 am
Hey Paul……..to this comment…….So now the career federal acquisition employees are identified by one political party?
Perhaps you have not been paying attention…….that was directly from Dick Cheney’s office……. the concept of paying too much for lesser work….but hey why not bilk the US Treasury if you can……legal robbery.
tothepoint
August 23rd, 2011
9:18 am
Jay, the lack of education produces an ignorant voter. This has now led to the Repub’s endorsement/morphing into the Tea Party. Basically, poor critical thinking skills and no understanding of History is the fault of our collective leadership at the local level. Turn off the TV and start reading!
Bosch
August 23rd, 2011
9:18 am
“Which group finally brought an end to Congressional EARMARKS?”
They did? Really? There are no more earmarks?
Gee, if I didn’t know better, I’d say that was a false blanket statement.
Granny Godzilla
August 23rd, 2011
9:18 am
“Um. Which group finally brought an end to Congressional EARMARKS? Hmmm, let me think now.”
That thinkin’ thing…..don’t hurt yourself…
“But buried deeply in these 359 pages of ugly surprises is a provision that would mean one community in America would do a lot better than all of the others. The legislation added an estimated $450 million for a particular bit of defense spending that the Department of Defense did not ask for and does not want.
The item is a down payment that would obligate the federal government to future payments that could well be three or four times the increased spending added to this particular piece of legislation, with a big portion of the funds flowing to two cities in Ohio—Cincinnati, where Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) grew up, and Dayton, the largest city in his congressional district.
The money will go to pay the costs to General Electric Co.’s General Electric Aviation unit and the British-owned Rolls Royce Group for their development of an engine for the new Joint Strike Fighter aircraft—money that looks, feels, and smells very much like an earmark.”
February 13, 2011 Center for American Progress
Even though Senate Republicans banned earmarks in November, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) promised yesterday afternoon that he will find a way to circumvent that ban in order get his pet project funded, even if it means voting against the short-term continuing resolution Congress is now considering to fund the government:
Graham said there are plans to put language in the continuing budget resolution for the current year authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to spend some of its own money so the study is not delayed further.
It will not mention Charleston specifically or include a dollar amount but Graham says corps officials told him they could put in between $50,000 and $100,000.
“The state is ready to write the check for the rest tomorrow. We just need to get the corps authorization to spend the money,” he said, adding he will oppose any continuing budget without the provision.
3-15-11 Think Progress
jm
August 23rd, 2011
9:19 am
carlosgvv – I never said the Tea Party was flawless. But to blame the fire alarm for alerting you to a fire, even though it is noisy, annoying, and sometimes obnoxious, doesn’t mean you just go turn off the fire alarm.
Instead, you go put out the fire.
Mr. POTUS Punt hasn’t done anything of the sort.
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
9:19 am
jm
As I said, I give them credit for bringing the issue to the forefront. But, as so often happens, pushing further and further turns non-TP support to alienation.
Did you see the WSJ editorial posted earlier on the differences in attitudes regarding the economy and government over the past few years? Those were some very good points to consider.
Paddy O
August 23rd, 2011
9:20 am
Bookman is of course, correct. But, the alternative is far worse – knee jerk, bleeding heart, arrogant, elitest, intolerant, nanny-state benevolent tyranny offered by the liberal democrats. I still hitch my wagon to republicans. Gingrey has done a great job for me personally, but I’d like to get rid of my state Senator, who is a turd no matter what way he turns. So, all you old democrats out there – still think getting rid of the Rebel Battle flag was a WISE maneuver for YOU or your voters? What a bunch of maroons.
Terd Fergesun
August 23rd, 2011
9:20 am
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
9:13 am
The Tea Party has NO SEATS anywhere. The Tea Party doesn’t exist as a party, only as a far right wing of the Republican Party. They are loud and obnoxious, but they are a minority of the party and do not have their OWN party. They are, as Michele Bachmann probably thinks, just infiltrating.
Adam, that kool-aid is going to taste real bitter in November 2012 for you. have the Suicide Hot Line Number handy, you will want the help. Obama, the gift that keeps giving to Republicans everyday.
Jay
August 23rd, 2011
9:20 am
Hmm, Jay, never remember seeing you write something similar about the Ga. Dems over the past 150 years.
Well, James, you misremember then. When the Dems held power here, I was a harsh critic of their actions on ethics and other issues. Speaker Murphy, for example, would not talk with me, and Roy Barnes and I had several memorable disputes on matters such as the Outer Perimeter and other things.
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
9:21 am
jm
Didn’t finish. Regarding a plan, seems to me when one has a political movement, not just an individual, but a movement pouring money and resources into getting ‘their’ candidate elected, that they have a responsibility to do more than complain. Like say, specifically, how we fix things. Especially when they ridicule their opponents (like Pres Obama) for not living up to their standards.
Paddy O
August 23rd, 2011
9:22 am
daedalus – please explain how the previous 5 DECADES of Democratic controlled Georgia did so much better? BS, buddy.
Peter
August 23rd, 2011
9:23 am
Hey WOODSTOCK MIKE……do you ever read Kyle Wingfield’s blog ?….he did a piece on the under age sex trade in the Atlanta Area….. seems the culprits have a distinct demographic.
Rich older Republican males….. he said it not me !
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
9:23 am
Terd: Adam, that kool-aid is going to taste real bitter in November 2012 for you.
I don’t drink kool-aid. But it seems to me you are drunk on the TEA.
spaceman109
August 23rd, 2011
9:23 am
hey turd….while i cannot prove it without access to insider information, i am absolutely convinced that the tea party is wholly owned and operated by karl rove’s group…..american crossroads.
Manchurian-Kenyan Candidate
August 23rd, 2011
9:24 am
Thought I repost my moderated comment since Jay has let me play again…thx Jay
Cocky? You want cocky??
Cocky was 10 years ago when the Dem controlled legislature drew that ridiculous doughnut shaped district to pack it with Democrats…..now THAT was cocky. This stuff by Repubs is typical “to the victor goes the spoils”
Remember….”Elections have consequences”…..now, I wonder who said that……hmmmm…..can’t quite put my finger on that one….
“Hope and Change is now……NOT MY FAULT!!”
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 23rd, 2011
9:24 am
So, all you old democrats out there – still think getting rid of the Rebel Battle flag was a WISE maneuver for YOU or your voters
Boy that’s telling us….why I remember Sonny promised to bring it back….how did that work out for you?
It was a smart move then and remains a smart move…and yet you continue to fall for the silliness of the Republicans that knew it was a smart move, but played you and then failed you…..
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
9:24 am
Peter
“Perhaps you have not been paying attention……”
You might want to be careful with tossing that about.
“.that was directly from Dick Cheney’s office”
To which office are you referring?
Don't Forget
August 23rd, 2011
9:24 am
The original tea part was a single act. It made a statement and then the participants melted back into society. The current “tea party” bears little resemblence to its namesake.
Jefferson
August 23rd, 2011
9:25 am
So where are the good GOP ? Why do they allow this?
Peter
August 23rd, 2011
9:25 am
Hey Paul….where do you think those contracts came from ?
Who’s office wrote those ?
Why would I be careful about stating a fact ?
jm
August 23rd, 2011
9:26 am
Everyone sitting in the I-285 parking lot is sure wishing that outer perimeter had been built…..
Paul 9:21 – of course one can’t just complain. But can Joe Plumber articulate, and write legislation saying how Medicare needs to be fixed and reformed? Of course not.
Paul Ryan put a plan forward and all he was given in return was a constant roasting. Don’t preach to me how there are no plans. Plans have been put forward but head in the sand liberals seem to think the party never ends and spend like drunken sailors on Obama supplied cocaine.
Paddy O
August 23rd, 2011
9:26 am
Paul – YOU REALIZE that Texas VOTES every year whether or NOT to remain in the union, no? Texas was previously an independent country, so secession there is not so far fetched.
Jay
August 23rd, 2011
9:28 am
Paddy O, the people now in charge of Georgia as Republicans are in effect the same people — in fact, given that Nathan Deal and Sonny Perdue were once Democrats, they are LITERALLY the same people in many cases — who ran Georgia prior to 2000.
Not much has changed except changing D to R and ending the power structure’s unhappy, temporary marriage of convenience with black Georgia Democrats that the previous system forced upon them.
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
9:28 am
jm: Paul Ryan put a plan forward and all he was given in return was a constant roasting
1) Is Paul Ryan part of the Tea Party? It’s really hard to tell sometimes who is and who isn’t
2) So if a plan is presented, and rejected, stop trying?
USinUK
August 23rd, 2011
9:29 am
“still think getting rid of the Rebel Battle flag was a WISE maneuver for YOU or your voters”
doing the right thing does not always = doing the popular thing
changing the GA flag was then and is now still the right thing to do.
even Denmark Groover said so before he died.
philosopher
August 23rd, 2011
9:29 am
The Georgia state motto: “Don’t confuse me with the facts.” I simply cannot understand such an incredible allegiance to ignorance. I understand the good ol’ boy” politicians reliance on it…it keeps them in power and in control…I just don’t get WANTING to remain completely and totally clueless and uneducated.
Darwin
August 23rd, 2011
9:29 am
You get the type of government you vote for. Georgia and the rest of the deep south has become Texas. White voters care only about two things: Low taxes and keeping their guns. The Repubs understand this psyche only too well. As long as the “other” party stays inclusive to all races, the Repubs will continue to dominate. Does this sound racist? You be the judge.
jm
August 23rd, 2011
9:30 am
Plans:
1. Obama’s Deficit Commission plan (DOA after Obama himself ignored it)
2. Paul Ryan reform
3. Gang of Six plan (delayed but irrelevant after POTUS pulled the rug out from under them)
4. Obama’s informal deficit team prior to debt ceiling raise: result, pathetic immaterial changes and more punting
5. New 12 member deficit team; prognosis: not good
Why so much of this garbage? Because the POTUS doesn’t know how to lead on issues of huge importance. He’s just Bush 2.0: hand out more goodies (ARRA, Health “reform”) but don’t do anything to fix our financial situation.
Sean
August 23rd, 2011
9:30 am
Humm..
Yeah… but all these indiscretions are dont really effect people. Also they are Republicans.. so the only way they will be voted out are the following..
1) They would have to kill someone
2) They would have a baby out of wedlock
3) They would have to suggest a tax increase
4) Support a rail line
5) Be seen smiling in a picture with gay people.
6) Support someone to have an abortion
After that no one cares. The 1.4billion the FDIC had to bail out to GA banks.. well its all funny money.
AmVet
August 23rd, 2011
9:31 am
FINALLY!!
It only took several dozen deflections, non-apologies, misdirections and red herrings but FINALLY a Republican with the courage to admit the obvious and with a backbone to speak the truth about the abysmal failings of these imperious frauds..
Sally, you are a breath of fresh air upon a squalid sea of non-conservative b*llsh*t.
Thank you.
(Way to man up all you Republican men.)
Paddy O
August 23rd, 2011
9:31 am
carlos – you can argue a maybe point all day long. If they were so willing to allow default, they would have voted against the deal in masse, did not happen – so perhaps you have bought the propoganda. Why do you dems think that deficit spending is OK?
USinUK
August 23rd, 2011
9:32 am
Sean – said by a Democrat, but still applies: “the only way I can lose this election is if I’m caught with a dead girl or a live boy”
àrmy vet
August 23rd, 2011
9:32 am
Sad that republicans are above the law of doing the right thing.
(ir)Rational
August 23rd, 2011
9:32 am
Paddy – the imperial federal government has proven in the past, when challenged on Constitutional matters, like whether states had the right to govern themselves, that they will fight to preserve their ideal of one unified government that has control over everything you do. Of course, history has been rewritten in much of the country to change the issues of 150 years ago to something else, but that doesn’t change what was the root cause. Lincoln picked a fight, and nearly lost it several times, yet because he didn’t, the people that were defending their rights were the ones branded as traitors. Well, like they say, history is written by the victors.
Oh-well. Who is John Galt?
jm
August 23rd, 2011
9:32 am
Oh yes. Forgot. Coburn’s $9 Trillion in deficit cutting plan also came out.
The reason nothing gets done is Senate Dem roadblocking do-nothing cro-magnons (Reid among others). Oh, and a do nothing POTUS.
USinUK
August 23rd, 2011
9:33 am
“Why do you dems think that deficit spending is OK?”
ever heard of Ronnie Reagan??? Patron Saint of deficit spending.
Peter
August 23rd, 2011
9:33 am
Hey Paul, Why don’t you tell us what happened at the Energy meetings when Enron and the cronies showed up to create the Energy policy for America ?
There was allot of transparency there wasn’t there ?
Jefferson
August 23rd, 2011
9:34 am
The current flag is the flag of the Confederacy…
Talking Head
August 23rd, 2011
9:34 am
“ever heard of Ronnie Reagan??? Patron Saint of deficit spending.”
So that would make Obama the All Mightly One of deficit spending
Paddy O
August 23rd, 2011
9:34 am
Jay – that is SOMEWHAT true. Many of the repubs were here prior to the flag change that removed the veil from yellow dog democrats’ eyes. Also, if you genuinely believe that statement, then your article is actually arguing that the repubs need to flush the old repub-dem guys down the toilet & elect genuine repubs, yes?
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
9:35 am
Peter
When you said cost-plus contracts came out of Dick Cheney’s office, I asked ‘which office’? He’s held several..
Your 9:25 attempt at diversion indicates you really haven’t a grasp of the fact.
Cost-plus contracts go back decade. They were widely used in WWI (and Dick Cheney was not SecDef then, as we didn’t have a Defense Department then). So it couldn’t have been that office. They have their place, as do firm-fixed price. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
You can read more about them in the Federal Acquisiton Regulation (FAR).
https://www.acquisition.gov/far/
You’ll have to go to earlier versions, or check other sources, if you want more historical background.
And you’ll find it didn’t originate in Dick Cheney’s office.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 23rd, 2011
9:36 am
Who is the Tea Party? The Daily Show explains!
carlosgvv
August 23rd, 2011
9:37 am
jm
Being more than willing to let America go into default is not “alerting you to a fire”. It is letting the building burn down.
jm
August 23rd, 2011
9:37 am
ok, gotta go now that I’ve refuted a few liberal lies
cheerio
Jay
August 23rd, 2011
9:37 am
Larry, if you want to debate the issues, please do so. But don’t make it personal.
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
9:37 am
jm: That is a crap argument on leadership. Not only have you forgotten any of the other plans Obama offered that were accepted and helped (some of these in his “list of accomplishments”) you also assert he has done nothing to attempt to fix our financial situation.
On jobs, Obama has helped to increase job creation.
On finances, Obama has set up a Consumer Protection Agency (which Republicans are blocking LEADERSHIP of).
On business, Obama proposed WAAAAAAY back to eliminate useless regulation, and now is making good after the study was completed.
On foreign policy (ignoring for the moment the idea of “the ends justify the means”) Obama has employed a strategy called “leading from behind” by his OWN TEAM, and it worked way better than the Yosemite Sam tactic of Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, he authorized the mission to kill Osama bin Laden, in a way that was suggested to him be advisers as the most definitive way to deal with the problem. Both were decisions that were decisive.
The list goes on, and to say he has NO leadership is just intellectually dishonest.
USinUK
August 23rd, 2011
9:37 am
Talking – not quite. heck, neither Obama OR Uncle Ronnie hold a candle to W (who also left his dad in the shade when it came to racking up debt)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_debt_by_U.S._presidential_terms
lovelyliz
August 23rd, 2011
9:38 am
It’s becasue the Republicans screw up/commit fraud with the correct version of Jesus in what should be their hearts so it’s all forgivable.
Tech '10
August 23rd, 2011
9:38 am
Dang and it’s only August… Looks like what is needed more is for voters to pay more attention to what their elected PUBLIC SERVANTS are up to… but that would be asking way to much, huh?
jm
August 23rd, 2011
9:38 am
carlosgvv – ah, so a minority of the Republican party is at fault for potentially letting the government default? right……
out
Jay
August 23rd, 2011
9:38 am
Paddy O, Perdue and Deal are as genuine as any other Republicans.
Bosch
August 23rd, 2011
9:39 am
“ok, gotta go now that I’ve refuted a few liberal lies”
Some people are such champions in their own minds.
Granny Godzilla
August 23rd, 2011
9:39 am
“If they were so willing to allow default, they would have voted against the deal in masse, did not happen –”
66….a mess or en masse?
Libertarian
August 23rd, 2011
9:39 am
“changing the GA flag was then and is now still the right thing to do”
Ah, yes….and they changed it from one confederate flag to another. People are just too ill-informed to realize that fact.
Peter
August 23rd, 2011
9:39 am
So Paul what you are saying is the “Cost Plus Contracts ” for the Iraq War were not created in Dick Cheney’s office ?
Or are you saying that bilking the Treasury was a thing they did in the past, so Republican’s should feel badly about repeating it ?
USinUK
August 23rd, 2011
9:39 am
Bosch – 9:39 – well, someone has to love jm … it might as well be him.
Talking Head
August 23rd, 2011
9:40 am
USinUK,
The national debt has increased $4,247,000,000,000 in just 945 days. That’s the fastest increase under any president ever.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2011/08/obama-national-debt.html
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
9:40 am
(ir)Rational: that they will fight to preserve their ideal of one unified government that has control over everything you do.
Hyperbole much? Do tell me how you don’t benefit from a national currency, national military force, national commerce (think Amazon and any business that wants to export to other states), LOCAL and state police and LOCAL fire, etc etc.
Paddy O
August 23rd, 2011
9:41 am
USinUK – HOW? Because in your asinine idealist world you convinced YOURSELF (please tell us when your relatives responded to call by THEIR STATE to arms, and how many were killed in that effort!) that the symbol was a symbol for hate & oppression? Most white folk, yellow dog demos believed it was for heritage – once the moron Barnes spit in their face, they put their boot so far up his ass, he still walks funny a decade a later. YOU seem to like to win a pyrrhic victory while losing the war – that constitutes leadership in your liberal universe? (It would explain Obamas victory)
jm
August 23rd, 2011
9:41 am
Adam 9:37
Only a liberal could possibly think “leading from behind” is leadership. how funny
I was referring to the tough financial issues. Not the pass punt easy issues Obama has nominally taken on. Easy to hand out candy. Obama hasn’t served up any vegetables yet. And that’s what leadership is about.
Politi Cal
August 23rd, 2011
9:41 am
Georgia Democrats held Georgia in an iron grip for decades and decades. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, boy, how them Dems can yell!!
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
9:41 am
Libertarian: Ah, yes….and they changed it from one confederate flag to another. People are just too ill-informed to realize that fact.
It’s all optics
USinUK
August 23rd, 2011
9:42 am
Libertarian – this was the GA flag during the Civil War http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Georgia_non_official.svg
while the new one incorporates this flag into the design, I don’t think you can say that it’s the same flag any more than you can say that the Australian flag is the Union Jack.
MPercy
August 23rd, 2011
9:42 am
Surely, Jay, you’re not trying to imply that *only* Republicans have “Ethical missteps, bad judgment, failure to govern”? A host of recent counter-examples says otherwise.
However, I am with you on some of these. Elected officials should be expected to be held to high ethical standards. No elected or appointed official should be allowed to operate outside the law or beyond the ethical standards expected and appropriate structures and measures should be in place to allow the public to be made aware of breaches and penalties for (major, intentional) violations should include impeachment and removal from their position.
This has nothing to do with the party of the politicians.
glacialspeed
August 23rd, 2011
9:42 am
If the Republican Speaker is being bought off by advocates for high-speed rail, I actually don’t think that’s a bad thing. A little more of that kind of corruption and we might get somewhere on transit.
Don't Tread
August 23rd, 2011
9:42 am
Let’s rewind to 2009:
Democrats have gotten cocky. They have come to feel invulnerable and complacent, convinced that their constituents’ intense dislike of Republican policies at the national level has given them a free hand to do as they wish, without consequence or backlash.
Ethical missteps, bad judgment, failure to govern — they believe that none of it matters as long as those magic words “George W. Bush” retain the power to distract and anger voters.
Once politicians feel themselves unaccountable, there’s no telling what they might do.
Paddy O
August 23rd, 2011
9:42 am
Darwin – i realize you need to demonize your opponent, but this perception of your opponent that is SO far off the mark will allow you to continue to be marginalized. Democratic voters rejected Cathy Cos for fat boy Mark. I would have voted for Cathy, not fat boy.
Peter
August 23rd, 2011
9:43 am
OK Politi Cal …. Please tell us all the good things that happened for Georgia while Sonny was in charge….Please hold off on the “Rain Prayer Meeting”….cause I don’t think the rain came because of that !
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
9:43 am
jm: Only a liberal could possibly think “leading from behind” is leadership. how funny
No, only a conservative can take words and twist them into something entirely different.
But do tell me, what does “leading from behind” mean? Seems to me you guys just use it as a phrase, focusing on the idea that any leadership that isn’t the General taking his sword and charging the enemy FIRST is bad leadership.
Winning shows strength. Winning without fighting shows true skill.
Jay
August 23rd, 2011
9:43 am
MPercy, I agree with you on that.
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
9:44 am
jm: I was referring to the tough financial issues.
Such as?
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
9:44 am
jm 9:26
The only Republican plan I’m aware of was Sen Ryan’s, and he’s not a Tea Party elected official.
Tea Partiers backed and won election of a significant number of Congressmen. They’ve been at odds not just with Pres Obama, but with Spkr Boehner.
They’re good at saying ‘no.’ Not so good at giving specifics.
Kinda like Michelle Bachmann.
It just indicates to me they are not ready, have not matured enough, to take the reins of power in a true leadership role.
PaddyO
“Paul – YOU REALIZE that Texas VOTES every year whether or NOT to remain in the union, no? Texas was previously an independent country, so secession there is not so far fetched.”
I do? My fellow Texans do?
What ballot initiative was that I’ve been marking all these years?
And WHERE did you come by this fact?
Jefferson
August 23rd, 2011
9:45 am
Congress spend the money, they have to pass spending. If you have a problem with spending, congress is your target.
Peter
August 23rd, 2011
9:46 am
Isn’t the difference really the GOP always seem to want to mix Religion and politics, along with “Moral Judgement ” ?
WOODSTOCK MIKE
August 23rd, 2011
9:46 am
“On jobs, Obama has helped to increase job creation.”
This comment above shows how dillusional people can really become when talking politics… If a Republican was in office Democrats would say the administration is doing horrible at creating jobs, but when you talk to a Democrat about Obama they say he’s doing very well at creating jobs, so funny…