GOP Corruption and Obstruction

Rithrandil · May 20, 2011

Haha, I was confused for a bit. I don't really like special interest group contributions either (esp. from oil companies), but I'm not sure how you could reform the situation w/o running into constitutional issues.

Thrasher · May 20, 2011

I just don't think we should be giving companies the same rights as individuals. The current laws doing so are not in the constitution.

dteowner · May 20, 2011

Thrasher said:
I just don't think we should be giving companies the same rights as individuals. The current laws doing so are not in the constitution.

I agree with you on both points. Yeah, that hurt a little bit.

Rithrandil · May 20, 2011

Indeed. Corporations shouldn't have the same level of protections as individual citizens do (at least when it comes to things like the Bill of Rights).

Thrasher · September 7, 2011

Here's a fun article from a ex-GOP staffer who left DC in disgust (source: de codex)

http://www.truth-out.org/goodbye-all-reflections-gop-operative-who-left-cult/1314907779

To those millions of Americans who have finally begun paying attention to politics and watched with exasperation the tragicomedy of the debt ceiling extension, it may have come as a shock that the Republican Party is so full of lunatics. To be sure, the party, like any political party on earth, has always had its share of crackpots, like Robert K. Dornan or William E. Dannemeyer. But the crackpot outliers of two decades ago have become the vital center today.

Republican Party would use the debt limit vote, an otherwise routine legislative procedure that has been used 87 times since the end of World War II, in order to concoct an entirely artificial fiscal crisis. Then, they would use that fiscal crisis to get what they wanted, by literally holding the US and global economies as hostages. The debt ceiling extension is not the only example of this sort of political terrorism. Republicans were willing to lay off 4,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees, 70,000 private construction workers and let FAA safety inspectors work without pay, in fact, forcing them to pay for their own work-related travel - how prudent is that? - in order to strong arm some union-busting provisions into the FAA reauthorization.

A couple of years ago, a Republican committee staff director told me candidly (and proudly) what the method was to all this obstruction and disruption. Should Republicans succeed in obstructing the Senate from doing its job, it would further lower Congress's generic favorability rating among the American people. By sabotaging the reputation of an institution of government, the party that is programmatically against government would come out the relative winner.

Yep, Repubs say government doesn't work. Then get elected and fuck up. Imagine that.

Jhari · September 11, 2011

You know, I'm a registered Republican, and I'm noderate in my view, leaning toward being fiscally conservative and socially liberal.

I cannot, in all honesty, defend the actions of my party for quite some time now, and it appears that things are getting worse. The party ha gone hard right and driven off most of the more centrist members. It looks like it's going to be another "choose the better of the bad" candidates presidential election.

zahratustra · September 12, 2011

Jhari said:
It looks like it's going to be another "choose the better of the bad" candidates presidential election.

Since Rick Perry is still favorite it seems that your plan isn't working Jhari is it? Or do you think that he IS "better of the bad"?

Couchpotato · September 12, 2011

Thrasher said:
I just don't think we should be giving companies the same rights as individuals. The current laws doing so are not in the constitution.

Finally someone says it but I'm sad to say the corporations own are asses. Money controls the world and just look at apple they worth more than the government. The corporations control the politicians with money and backroom deals.

BillSeurer · September 12, 2011

If corporations have the same rights as individuals they have the same obligations, too. Jury duty for GE? Draft for BP?

Michael Ellis · September 12, 2011

Jhari said:
leaning toward being fiscally conservative and socially liberal.

Perhaps you should become Libertarian.
http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz/

Thrasher · October 11, 2011

Looks like the GOP is bound and determined to hurt the economy to score political points.

http://news.yahoo.com/senate-republicans-likely-kill-obama-jobs-bill-123504198.html

dteowner · October 11, 2011

I knew that was coming when I read the article earlier today. I notice that you're kinda glossing over the reasons why people on both sides of the aisle don't support this particular bill, but I guess that's to be expected.

Thrasher · October 11, 2011

The reasons are pure obstructionism and you know it , DTE. You can put lipstick on pig, but it's still a pig.

dteowner · October 11, 2011

Let's see. We're in debt up to our eyeballs. Obama wants to spend $460B we don't have for Stimulus v2.0, after Stimulus v1.0 had limited (at best) success. Why would anyone oppose that? Must be obstruction.

Thrasher · October 11, 2011

dteowner said:
Stimulus v1.0 had limited (at best) success

Except that is a lie DTE. But go on ahead flouncing ideology rather than reality.

dteowner · October 11, 2011

If you're going to use the word "lie", I'd like to see some conclusive proof, champ. Preferably not Michael Moore, but if that's the best you can find, I might be willing to accept even that.

Thrasher · October 11, 2011

Since you said otherwise first, it's up to you to prove that what you said isn't horseshit. But if regurgitating Rush Limbaugh, the Daily Caller, or Faux News is all you have, then I wouldn't be surprised.

dteowner · October 11, 2011

What measure do you like?

Unemployment went UP.
Economic growth showed no significant bounce.
Public service (teachers, police, fire) employment did not increase.

Shall I continue?

Thrasher · October 11, 2011

Because it wasn't enough. You'd be out picking trash cans if it hadn't happened.

But seriously unemployment would have been worse, economic growth would have been worse, and public service would have been worse without the stimulus DTE.

Stupid points, DTE.

dteowner · October 11, 2011

So, your documentation is unsupported supposition about "what would have been"? I give you numbers and you give me fortune telling. And on this basis, you're going to call me a liar?

GOP Corruption and Obstruction

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