Ga. legislators face starvation on $100-a-meal limit
Most Georgia voters are appalled by the realization that under state law, there is literally no limit on the value of gifts that a lobbyist can bestow upon a state legislator. And while many of those voters would prefer a limit of zero, as many other states have, they would accept a $100 gift limit as a compromise.
Unfortunately, a lot of state legislators don’t see a $100 limit as a compromise. They see the very concept of a limit as an undeserved, media-driven attack on their God-given prerogative to be wined, dined and entertained lavishly at lobbyists’ expense. In fact, it’s revealing to see them fight so hard to cling to gifts that they simultaneously claim to not really want much in the first place. Their behavior negates their rhetoric.
In the interest of good government, however, I’d like to try to ease fears under the Gold Dome by taking a few moments to explore what life under a $100 gift limit might look like.
Let’s imagine that you’re a legislator and it’s the opening week of the first legislative session with a $100 gift limit. Let’s further imagine two totally unrelated events: One, you’ve just been appointed to the House Banking Committee; and two, a banking industry lobbyist has just become a close personal friend eager to share the bounties of his expense account.
What impact would a $100 gift limitation do to that burgeoning bromance?
(For the record, I’m assuming it’s a bromance, and not a romance, because there may be legislative spouses back home reading this and well, you know.)
So let’s see how the imaginary workweek might go, shall we?
– On the first day of the session, my lobbyist gave to me: A round of golf at Chateau Elan.
Golf, we are told, is a great bonding experience. Total value of a weekday morning round at Chateau Elan’s championship golf course is $60, which leaves $40 to be spent in further bonding at the 19th hole. (As a certain legislator from Columbus learned the hard way, a designated driver might be a good idea for the trip home.)
– On the second day of session, my lobbyist gave to me: Two tickets to Monster Truck Jam.
Total value of two club-level seats, $100. (It turns out that’s a very popular freebie — last year, legislators accepted $1,350 worth of Monster Jam tickets. Apparently they like watching big things roll over and squash smaller things.)
– On the third day of the session, my lobbyist gave to me: dinner at Rathbun’s restaurant.
According to the menu at Rathbun’s, one of the city’s finer eating establishments, an entree of elk chop served with a blueberry demi-glace over a foraged-mushroom goat-cheese polenta would be $40. Not exactly meat-and-three prices, but not exactly meat-and three either.
You would need a full-bodied red wine to stand up to the flavor of that elk — may I suggest a glass of Terra Valentine cabernet sauvignon, 2009 vintage, at $19 a glass? Add an appetizer of hot smoked salmon tostadas habanero with crème fraiche for $9.95, and finish it off with a fine after-dinner scotch — let’s try the Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or at $17.25. Grand total? $86.
(I’ve heard it seriously argued by opponents of a gift limit that Georgia legislators aren’t paid very much (which is true) and that lobbyist-provided meals help them stretch their daily per diem of $173. But clearly, one can keep body and soul together quite nicely while remaining under the proposed $100 limit.)
– On the fourth day of the session, my lobbyist gave to me: a black silk tie from Neiman Marcus.
(Because you see, last night at dinner some of that “foraged-mushroom goat-cheese polenta” fell on the tie I was wearing, and we all know how hard polenta stains are to remove. So my lobbyist pal stopped by Neiman’s and picked out a brand new Robert Graham textured-stripe silk tie, just $98!)
– On the fifth day of the session, my lobbyist bought for me: A box seat at tonight’s Braves game.
And not just any seat. It’s in Section 113, right behind the Braves dugout and close enough to ask Freddie Freeman how his new contact lenses are working out. Total price: $91.65 for the ticket, plus $6.50 for a beer, equals $98.15.
By opposing a $100 gift limit, legislators and their leaders are in effect saying that the gifts described above — meals, activities and purchases that most Georgians will never experience — are just not good enough for them, and they want better. I’m sorry, but I find that remarkable.
– Jay Bookman
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
773 comments Add your comment
Fly-On-The-Wall
June 13th, 2012
10:12 am
I don’t see a way to fix the problem. Corruption is always going to be there and the more rules we make to stop it the more ways they’ll find around it. Now that does NOT mean I don’t want rules/laws in place to control or stop it. At some point we have to elect people that don’t see this as a gravy train for themselves. I still feel a full-time body is what we need and then pay them enough to live on so there is little enticement for this corruption. Plus, doing that might actually give us a chance to get some people with more than half a brain.
the cat
June 13th, 2012
10:13 am
I’ll bite. Please list Romney’s economic plan. Thanks.
Butch Cassidy
June 13th, 2012
10:13 am
Mighty Righty – “Democrats just can’t handle the truth about this president and must deflect with stories like the pidling amount being spent by Georgia Lobbyists”
Great, then what are your thoughts on my 10:10a?
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 13th, 2012
10:14 am
“Republicans just can’t handle the truth about their presidential nominee”
there … fixed yonder typo
Mighty Righty
June 13th, 2012
10:16 am
you’re right – Romneycare covered abortions, illegal immigrants AND had a public option
There was another huge difference. Romney care was approved by a state which made it legal as opposed to the “Unaffordable Obamacare” which is unconstitutional.
Common Damn Sense isn't Very Common
June 13th, 2012
10:19 am
Obamacare vs Romneycare argument
I will give that a 10 because of the double flip and a triple twist.
That is the winner
Thomas
June 13th, 2012
10:19 am
What can’t be decided and/or discussed over a cheeseburger and a couple of beers isn’t worth doing.
Maybe the taxpayers should open a “Taxpayer Cafe”- “You incredible rep. from Waycross- order what you want to- it is all free”
then we wouldn’t need to buy so much vaseline as we are having it stuck up our…… on a daily basis
Keep after the prima donnas Jay- you and the AJC do great work on local gov’t
Joe Hussein Mama
June 13th, 2012
10:19 am
Righty — “you’re right – Romneycare covered abortions, illegal immigrants AND had a public option”
ZOMG SOSHULIZUM
How can you possibly want such a man in the White House?
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 13th, 2012
10:20 am
“There was another huge difference. Romney care was approved by a state”
and the Obama plan was approved by Congress.
or did you miss that day in class?
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:20 am
Dekalb comments:
You look it up yourself. I realize libs are lazy but I’m not about to do work that you could do yourself. Google welfare in Georgia. You’ll have thousands of hits… LOL… As far as me working I just happen to be intelligent enough to do my job and blog at the same time. It’s called multitasking…
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 13th, 2012
10:20 am
JHM – he’s killing teh babbeez!!!!
the cat
June 13th, 2012
10:21 am
I just don’t understand how Romney was for AHC and now he is not for AHC. Apparently the residents of Mass. love the plan and all its benefits. What gives? Did Romney sell out to the insurance companies? What is the reason for his total reversal?
That Black Guy,
June 13th, 2012
10:21 am
Jay, you political hack, you didn’t blah blah blah… (I couldn’t finish that with a straight face)
GREAT piece Jay.
This IS about parties.
If the repubs want to claim they stand for morals and the high ground, then they need to show that the high ground DOESN’T run through a lobbyist wallet.
Mighty Righty
June 13th, 2012
10:22 am
Butch:
A mistake made by Purdue,Okay. I thought you guys favored government bail outs. Guess I was wrong. I know Democrats never make a mistake at least not a small one.
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:22 am
Dekalb comments:
Since you’re a lazy lib here’s a link to ponder…
http://dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS-DFCS/menuitem.8237042e9dbda3aa50c8798dd03036a0/?vgnextoid=f8066d5153212010VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=6eb807b35414ff00VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD
stands for decibels
June 13th, 2012
10:22 am
Romney care was approved by a state which made it legal
That’s right, UnU. It’s unfair to say it simply “covered abortion.”
Massachusetts residents were required to fork over FIFTY whole dollars for the co-pay, for their abortions-on-demand. Which Romney signed into law.
Fifty bucks is a lot of money to murder your unborned child! So don’t be using slick librul rhetoric to make it seem like Romney made ‘em free.
Peter
June 13th, 2012
10:25 am
A mistake made by Purdue.. yes he gets a pass by Joseph, but that is not the only mistake is it ?
stands for decibels
June 13th, 2012
10:25 am
It would be irresponsible to point out that $100 would limit a person to only two (2) Romneycare-subsidized abortions.
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:25 am
the cat:
Simple Romney’s plan was implemented on the state level supported by the people of Mass. Obama forced it on the federal level not supported by the people. Of course there are differences in both plans but you will simply ignore that as libs do.
Joe Hussein Mama
June 13th, 2012
10:26 am
SfD — “Massachusetts residents were required to fork over FIFTY whole dollars for the co-pay, for their abortions-on-demand. Which Romney signed into law. Fifty bucks is a lot of money to murder your unborned child! So don’t be using slick librul rhetoric to make it seem like Romney made ‘em free.”
Wow, it sounds like MA made a whole lot of money off abortions while Romney was Governor. Wonder why Operation Rescue is silent on this?
Common Damn Sense isn't Very Common
June 13th, 2012
10:26 am
Joseph
you left out baby daddies in your screed
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
June 13th, 2012
10:27 am
Oh I saw last night that the expectation was that the right wing was going to play wedge games with Clinton Carville and Obama based an another of those “Shrodinger’s Quotes”…..and right on time!
Mighty Righty your masters play you like a stradivarius.
Joe Hussein Mama
June 13th, 2012
10:27 am
SfD — “It would be irresponsible to point out that $100 would limit a person to only two (2) Romneycare-subsidized abortions.”
Gift certificates? They’d make *perfect* holiday stocking-stuffers!
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 13th, 2012
10:27 am
dB – 10:22
I love how “approved by the state which made it legal” seems to gloss over all the state laws that have been ruled unconstitutional …
oy to the vey.
stands for decibels
June 13th, 2012
10:28 am
it would be even more irresponsible to link to this screechy antichoice site’s appraisal of Mitt Romney’s record on baby-killin’.
http://prolifeprofiles.com/mitt-romney-abortion
Brosephus™
June 13th, 2012
10:28 am
Joseph
Since you’re a lazy lib here’s a link to ponder…
Since you’re a lazy **insert rhetorical label here**, here’s a link for you to ponder…
http://tinyurl.com/
stands for decibels
June 13th, 2012
10:30 am
They’d make *perfect* holiday stocking-stuffers!
See, if Luckovich was half the hard-lefty some claim him to be, Mitt would be trying to figure out how to put the fetus-skewers into the stocking along with the gift card.
Peter
June 13th, 2012
10:30 am
Obama forced it on the federal level not supported by the people
Can you prove it ?
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 13th, 2012
10:30 am
“it would be even more irresponsible to link to this screechy antichoice site’s appraisal of Mitt Romney’s record on baby-killin’.”
shake-shake-shake
shake-shake-shake
shake your etch-a-sketch …
shake your etch-a-sketch …
(with apologies to KC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgZOYt5kH9Q
Thomas
June 13th, 2012
10:31 am
Audit: Tax districts fail to help some struggling Atlanta areas
Also from the AJC- big issue on oversight of the TADs
Peter
June 13th, 2012
10:32 am
By Slim Margin, Americans Support Healthcare Bill’s Passage
Independents evenly split in their basic reactions, but more are “angry” than “enthusiastic”
by Lydia Saad
PRINCETON, NJ — Nearly half of Americans give a thumbs-up to Congress’ passage of a healthcare reform bill last weekend, with 49% calling it “a good thing.” Republicans and Democrats have polar opposite reactions, with independents evenly split.
Mighty Righty
June 13th, 2012
10:32 am
I thought you lefties liked Obamacare. Whats the big deal about Massachusetts. I have no problem with the Romney plan in Massachusetts. Frankly, I don’t know anything about it and don’t care to know anything about it. I don’t want that cr-p forced on the nation at my expense. Got it? Now if Romney becomes president and opposes Obamacare while okaying it in Massachusetts that is fine with me.
How is it you lefties have forgotten the reason for Obamacare was to reduce medical costs? It has been a dismal failure resulting in increased medical cost which every single rational thinking person knew it would. You have to be an imbecile to think adding twenty million uninsured people to the medicare rolls would reduce medical cost. That thought alone should disqualify anyone from becoming president.
the cat
June 13th, 2012
10:32 am
So Joseph-if Obamacare was put to a vote on a state by state basis you would have no problem with voting for it?
Butch Cassidy
June 13th, 2012
10:33 am
Mighty Righty – “A mistake made by Purdue,Okay. I thought you guys favored government bail outs. Guess I was wrong.”
Don’t know who “you guys” are. And you call Purdue costing the state of GA $750,000,000 in federal payback that is now being hung on the shoulders of small and large businesses a “mistake” ? Wow, how does one get access to that free pass printing press?
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 13th, 2012
10:33 am
“Obama forced it on the federal level not supported by the people.”
someone seems to ignore that CONGRESS PASSED IT – OBAMA DIDN’T MAGIC THIS INTO LAW
criminey, the stoopid is strong with this one …
josef
June 13th, 2012
10:34 am
St SIMON’S
Maybe Pete could take them out for a swiss and mushroom melt?
Common Damn Sense isn't Very Common
June 13th, 2012
10:34 am
USinUK-
Shake-shake-shake
Try this instead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ld9-rPcUuk
Brosephus™
June 13th, 2012
10:35 am
It has been a dismal failure resulting in increased medical cost which every single rational thinking person knew it would.
http://tinyurl.com/6vh8umz
I would love to take a trip in your Delorean sometime.
Erwin's cat
June 13th, 2012
10:35 am
GG…it appears we can credit you for the phrase “Schrodinger’s Quotes”…nice job
Joe Hussein Mama
June 13th, 2012
10:36 am
Righty — ” It has been a dismal failure resulting in increased medical cost which every single rational thinking person knew it would.”
That’s weird, because almost none of its provisions have actually kicked in yet. Maybe you’re just making spit up.
The Ghost of Edward R. Murrow
June 13th, 2012
10:36 am
Okay JayBama – I will ask yet again, would you please demonstrate the same level of transparency yourself that you demand of others by completing the following:
“I, Jay Bookman, am an employee of AJC, which is owned by Cox. The following individuals are registered lobbyists for Cox, and the amounts spend and public officials receiving the benefits are as follows:______”
Hmmm? Why so shy JayBama?
Joe Hussein Mama
June 13th, 2012
10:37 am
Righty — “Frankly, I don’t know anything about it and don’t care to know anything about it.”
It’s the GOP’s 2012 slogan! Quick, someone copyright it! (laughing)
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:38 am
Peter:
Sure. Look at the many public opinion polls. Folks don’t want Obamacare. Look at the vote that passed the legislation. No Republican supported it.. There’s your proof…
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/health_care_law
Butch Cassidy
June 13th, 2012
10:38 am
Mighty Righty – ” It has been a dismal failure resulting in increased medical cost which every single rational thinking person knew it would.”
Considering that the major pieces of the plan including access to state exchanges and tax credits for small businsses don’t come online until 2014, I’m curious as to how you are able to magically see into the future?
stands for decibels
June 13th, 2012
10:38 am
Wow, how does one get access to that free pass printing press?
Dunno, but when you find it, can you have ‘em print me up some of those $50 Romneycare Abortion gift cards?
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 13th, 2012
10:39 am
Common – 10:34 – oh, that’s just sad.
St Simons- island off the coast of New Somalia
June 13th, 2012
10:39 am
yeah! josef – i think a lot of the yuk-yuks would vote for ALEC &
Southern Co bills just for the Jesus on a Unicorn t-shirt…
(can’t do a smiley face, how do you do that?)
Joe Hussein Mama
June 13th, 2012
10:40 am
Alleged Ghost — “Hmmm? Why so shy JayBama?”
if you were actually E. R. Murrow’s ghost, you’d already know where to go look that sort of thing up whenever you wanted to.
Given that you don’t know that and you seem to think that indicates some sort of shadowy conspiracy, it makes it obvious that you don’t have much in common with Mr. Murrow, much less being a spokesman for his spirit or something.
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 13th, 2012
10:40 am
“No Republican supported it”
as opposed to aaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllll the other things they’ve supported during the last 3+ years …
ohsweetjeebus, you are truly on a biscuit today …
Brosephus™
June 13th, 2012
10:41 am
Butch @ 10:33
I think the first mistake was that he “thought”.
http://tinyurl.com/bq96ky5
josef
June 13th, 2012
10:42 am
Polling on Obamacare…
I’m polled as one who doesn’t like it and counted in that column. WHY don’t I like it? It’s a two-stepping, half-assed measure. I’m for socialized health care…everybody covered, no questions asked…
Lord Help Us
June 13th, 2012
10:42 am
‘No Republican supported it’
Didn’t one or more of the following vote for ACA…Brown, Snowe, Collins??
n
June 13th, 2012
10:42 am
We need to pay the legislators a decent salary, comparable to what other states pay for the same amount of time per session.
Has anyone made the slightest effort to compare GA’s pay per service time with other states and produce a ranking?
The ridiculously low salaries are an embarrassment and an incentive to grub money from any outstretched hand.
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 13th, 2012
10:42 am
okay, Joseph … I’ll play –
Gallup says the opinion is split
http://www.gallup.com/poll/152969/Americans-Divided-Repeal-2010-Healthcare-Law.aspx
(cue duelling banjoes)
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:42 am
the cat:
I didn’t say I would vote for it. That’s the liberal mindset. If a dem puts forth legislation you must be for it. No I will research what it entails and come up with a decision as to how I will vote…. Same as with President. Some people may differ with Romney on the issues but there is no one in their right mind that could say Obama has done a good job and been a great leader.
Butch Cassidy
June 13th, 2012
10:42 am
Apparently in Mighty Rightys world when a Republican Governor makes bad financial decisions, costs taxpayers money and hurts business, it’s just a mistake. But when a Democratic President does it, it’s the end of the civilization as we know it.
Interesting.
Joe Hussein Mama
June 13th, 2012
10:43 am
Joseph — “Folks don’t want Obamacare.”
Actually, they do.
When you poll on the *individual provisions* in the ACA, every one of them but one gets at least 60% support. People WANT the provisions in the ACA.
What’s the odd man out? The insurance mandate. And that was a REPUBLICAN idea.
Brosephus™
June 13th, 2012
10:44 am
josef
Why are you trying to throw a wrench in the simplistic thinking machine??
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 13th, 2012
10:44 am
Lord Help Us:
House Democrats were thrilled by the passage of their major health care legislation, but perhaps no development on Saturday tickled them more than winning the vote of a single Republican: Representative Anh “Joseph” Cao of Louisiana.
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/health-bill-earns-one-republican-vote/
has anyone heard from him since? I wonder if Grover Norquist had him “disappear”
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:44 am
USinUK – pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
I love that you base your argument on one poll… I have many that show otherwise…
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/obama_and_democrats_health_care_plan-1130.html
stands for decibels
June 13th, 2012
10:45 am
WHY don’t I like it? It’s a two-stepping, half-assed measure. I’m for socialized health care…
Thanks, josef. Next time I’ll get that one for ya.
(granted, I’m sure that if one were to phrase the question differently, you could get me to say “Aye” to the ACA. Like, “does it represent an improvement over the status quo”? Maybe even “was it the best deal Obama/Reid/Pelosi were likely to get in 2009?” — but that’s a big “maybe.”)
josef
June 13th, 2012
10:45 am
St Simon’s
I want to know who’s got my car keys…
and smiley
space : no space – no space ) space
the cat
June 13th, 2012
10:46 am
Joseph-you are on this blog a lot. Say your employer noticed this and fired you. Would you be able to afford COBRA insurance or would you go uninsured?
stands for decibels
June 13th, 2012
10:46 am
Poor Joseph. Nobody told him that RCP is a right wing site, and that their polling averages, while useful for trend analysis, are always going to have a house effect.
Jay
June 13th, 2012
10:47 am
Ghost, as an employee of a privately held company, I have no more access to such information than you do.
I can tell you, however, that a database search of lobbyist records at the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission (they will do anything not to call it an ethics agency) turns up no lobbyist registered to lobby on behalf of Cox, and no lobbyist expenditures on behalf of Cox.
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:47 am
One poll verses dozens. I think I win… LOL… Libs are such fools… You didn’t get the message in Wisconsin that far left policies are shunned. Especially in the Southeastern US…
Ummm.....
June 13th, 2012
10:48 am
@Joseph
According to your own link and a little follow up (didn’t want to be accused of being lazy). Please pay attention the note at the bottom of the page in the link.
http://dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS-DFCS/menuitem.5d32235bb09bde9a50c8798dd03036a0/?vgnextoid=2bea2b48d9a4ff00VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:48 am
stands for decibels:
Poor whatever the hell your name is. A poll is a poll.. There are dem polls there too… Follow the links twit….
Joe Hussein Mama
June 13th, 2012
10:49 am
Joseph — ” I think”
Objection, Your Honor. Opposing counsel is assuming facts not in evidence.
stands for decibels
June 13th, 2012
10:50 am
Apparently the residents of Mass. love the plan and all its benefits.
Especially the $50 abortions!
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:50 am
I remember a time on here where Gallop was touting as a right wing poll… LOL… You freaks just can’t stand being wrong. The American people don’t want Obamacare.. I’ll give you a perfect example. Why is he not trotting around the country touting his signature legislation?
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 13th, 2012
10:50 am
Joseph – 10:44 –
you may want to go back to reading comprehension class … the ONLY polls that show >50% are rasmussen … otherwise, they’re all overing around a 50%
… in other words, the word “majority” doesn’t seem to mean what you think it means …
josef
June 13th, 2012
10:51 am
BROSEPHUS
It’s my job, Mon!
SFD
That’s why I don’t put a lot of credence most polls…depends entirely on how the question is phrased…Do I prefer Obama over Romeny? Yes. Will I vote for Obama? Well, since he evolved, I probably will. If you’d asked me that back before he came out in support of gay marriage? Probably not…
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:51 am
Ummm…..:
Do you understand the meaning of the word might?
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:52 am
Silly libs…
the cat
June 13th, 2012
10:52 am
Joseph-you didn’t answer my COBRA question.
Butch Cassidy
June 13th, 2012
10:52 am
USin UK – “… in other words, the word “majority” doesn’t seem to mean what you think it means …”
Is that like the studies they did on sex panther cologne? ” 60% of the time it works everytime”
killerj
June 13th, 2012
10:54 am
Gee,can you imagine what,s under the table?,funny how people act so surprised,Go Tea Party.
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 13th, 2012
10:54 am
Butch – 10:52 – okay, that made me snort … classic.
josef
June 13th, 2012
10:54 am
JOSEPH
Just for the record, FAR left political parties tend to get more votes in the Southeast than elsewhere in the country. Moderate left, too. Centrists such as the Democrats, don’t do very well, but they’re not exactly shunned, either.
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:55 am
USinUK – pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout:
I’m sure you’re a high school graduate but you must be surly lacking in the common sense area. No one in their right mind would look at these polls and not think the overwhelming majority of the electorate is against Obamacare and want it repealed. Run with that if you want. Republicans would love it….
RCP Average 4/5 – 6/11 — 39.3 49.8 Against/Oppose +10.5
josef
June 13th, 2012
10:55 am
CAT
I’m laying odds he doesn’t know from COBRA. A lot of folks don’t. Talk about a “got you over a barrel” racket…
TaxPayer
June 13th, 2012
10:56 am
Joseph,
Are you a recipient of lobbyist gifts and have you ever received a gift from a lobbyist?
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:56 am
USinUK – pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout:
A 10 point average in polling and I’m stupid… LOL…. Bless you’re heart…
Ummm.....
June 13th, 2012
10:57 am
Joseph…
That should be a question you ask yourself!
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:57 am
TaxPayer:
As a matter of fact I have.. And enjoyed every inning of that Braves game…
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
10:58 am
I can only imagine the foam covered keyboards of the left wing freaks on this blog today… What a joyous though.. LOL…
TaxPayer
June 13th, 2012
10:59 am
Joseph,
Your being a recipient of lobbyist gifts would naturally lead me to assume that you are or were an elected state or local representative. Are you or were you an elected representative in the Georgia legislature? Are you or were you an elected representative in county or city government?
josef
June 13th, 2012
11:00 am
JOSEPH
“I can only imagine…”
It IS your forte…
n
June 13th, 2012
11:01 am
http://www.empirecenter.org/html/legislative_salaries.cfm
A chart of legislative salaries.
Butch Cassidy
June 13th, 2012
11:01 am
What is this obsession that the Right Wing supporters have with “throat jamming” and “covered keyboards”?
Peter
June 13th, 2012
11:01 am
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 9-10, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports.
Not much proof there Joseph…..
the cat
June 13th, 2012
11:01 am
Joseph-do you know what COBRA is? Do you know your monthly insurance payment would equal approximately a house payment assuming you are not living in your parents basement or a mobile home? Are you comfortable with that?
The BOTH suck
June 13th, 2012
11:01 am
Taxpayer @ 10:59
Your leg is about to be pulled off.
I’d take Joseph with a grain of salt at best
josef
June 13th, 2012
11:01 am
TAXI
@10:59
and don’t forget
“Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?”
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
June 13th, 2012
11:02 am
and I’m stupid… LOL…. Bless you’re[sic] heart…
Oh, the irony.
Soothsayer
June 13th, 2012
11:03 am
In order to secure the broad base of support necessary to win elections, neoliberals formed an alliance in the 1970s with the religious right (a move that has forever since confused the terms “liberal” and “conservative”). While this significant segment of the American population had previously been largely apolitical, the counter-cultural revolution of the late 1960s and early 1970s provoked many of these “neoconservatives” to enter the political arena to oppose the perceived moral corruption of American society – a movement that came to fruition with preacher Jerry Fallwell’s so-called “moral majority” in 1978. While neoliberals and neoconservatives may seem like strange bedfellows, the coalition was likely facilitated by religious fundamentalists’ relative indifference towards the material, economic world; according to their extremist Christian worldview, their material interests in this world would be well worth sacrificing to secure the spiritual interests of their nation in the next world. Furthermore, both religious and economic fundamentalists must have found a comforting familiarity in each other’s simplistic extremism (the “invisible hand” of the neoliberals’ free market is eerily similar to the Christians’ God in its omnipotence, omnipresence, and inscrutability).
The Republican Party gathered under its banner these religious reactionaries, as well as those non-religious (largely white, heterosexual, male, and working-class) who simply feared the growing liberation of blacks, gays, and women, and who felt threatened by affirmative action, the emerging welfare state, and the Soviet Union. “Not for the first time, nor, it is to be feared, for the last time in history had a social group been persuaded to vote against its material, economic, and class interests for cultural, nationalist, and religious reasons.” It was this alliance of social fear and economic opportunism that swept arch-neoliberal Ronald Reagan to the White House in 1980 – “…a turning point in post-war American economic and social history.” After a decade-long campaign, the neoliberals had come to Washington.
This is a great, albeit long, read for those interested in the economic history of the United States since 1960.
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 13th, 2012
11:05 am
“No one in their right mind would look at these polls and not think the overwhelming majority of the electorate is against Obamacare and want it repealed.”
okay, now I only minored in political science and economics … but since when is 50% (55% at best) an “overwhelming majority”????
when you take into account the margin of error, that’s what’s known as a statistical tie, my dear…
Joseph
June 13th, 2012
11:05 am
TaxPayer;
I’ll never tell but I will say as I enjoy a round of golf this afternoon that I will think about you libs and the utter hatred ya’ll have for an efficiently run gubmint…..
St Simons- island off the coast of New Somalia
June 13th, 2012
11:05 am
ok, try it
man, hit & run posting today.
meeting, meeting, meeting
clients holding or adding payroll, projects
thank you President Obama
piss on you obstructionist Republicans
if gas goes under 3.00, it will be an even more epic massacre