Tea Party Moments & Their Hosts

Oh, those memories of the Tea Baggers' movement... and their advocates on the Fox Network. Watch and laugh.

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Even though their noise is amplified by Fox, they are a force that should be taken seriously by the ..Republicans. I think they pose a greater threat to the moderate Republicans--the most endagered political species today.  It is unfortunate that the GOP is sliding into an (even more) extreme place in American politics.

Toxic Politics Encouraged by the Republican Party and Conservative Talking Heads

It's not about free speech--a principle we must defend. It's not about the right to hold any opinion. It's about time to put an end to stupidity and ignorance. Our polity doesn't improve if we remain silent about the fear mongering, the peddling of superstition, and bigotry. 

This is an excellent editorial by Bob Herbert in the NYT. Here are some excerpts:

 

At some point, we have to decide as a country that we just can’t have this: We can’t allow ourselves to remain silent as foaming-at-the-mouth protesters scream the vilest of epithets at members of Congress — epithets that The Times will not allow me to repeat here. 

It is 2010, which means it is way past time for decent Americans to rise up against this kind of garbage, to fight it aggressively wherever it appears. And it is time for every American of good will to hold the Republican Party accountable for its role in tolerating, shielding and encouraging foul, mean-spirited and bigoted behavior in its ranks and among its strongest supporters.

For decades the G.O.P. has been the party of fear, ignorance and divisiveness. All you have to do is look around to see what it has done to the country. The greatest economic inequality since the Gilded Age was followed by a near-total collapse of the overall economy. As a country, we have a monumental mess on our hands and still the Republicans have nothing to offer in the way of a remedy except more tax cuts for the rich.

This is the party of trickle down and weapons of mass destruction, the party of birthers and death-panel lunatics. This is the party that genuflects at the altar of right-wing talk radio, with its insane, nauseating, nonstop commitment to hatred and bigotry.

Glenn Beck of Fox News has called President Obama a “racist” and asserted that he “has exposed himself as a guy, over and over and over again, who has a deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture.”

Mike Huckabee, a former Republican presidential candidate, has said of Mr. Obama’s economic policies: “Lenin and Stalin would love this stuff.”

The G.O.P. poisons the political atmosphere and then has the gall to complain about an absence of bipartisanship. 

A party that promotes ignorance (“Just say no to global warming”) and provides a safe house for bigotry cannot serve the best interests of our country.

A Historic Day for the US: The Dems Affirm that Health Care is a Right Not a Privilege!

Finally, a very important step in making the US a more compassionate, rational, and progressive country. Watching this old video gave me goosebumps. Ted Kennedy summed it up eloquently in his speech back in 1978! Yes, it's been a very long journey while many of our fellow citizens died and suffered unnecessarily.



Obama was elected on a ray of hope. This is one of many important pieces of legislation he promised. A slow start, but maybe he's learned that leadership won't happen if he seeks collaboration with, and support from the conservatives who think they're in the Dark Ages and act accordingly.

It's a Simple Question: Is Health Care a Right or a Privilege?

I can understand why certain special interests are against it, but how can so many of our fellow citizens have fallen for crap like "government takeover," "socialism" and whatever nonsense circulates out there.  Yet, the more stunning discovery for me was the answer to this question: Is health care a right or a privilege? I was shocked to hear so many people saying it's a ..privilege!

The GOP and all the nuts from various organizations like the Tea Party, Americans for Prosperity, etc, have nothing meaningful to propose for reform that would make health care affordable, provide universal coverage, end the death panels (insurance agents who decline coverage), and reduce the unsustainable costs.

Watch this video and see Chris Matthews making excellent points. I wan to add: if I had no insurance, in need of treatment I couldn't afford, I'd welcome my government taking care of me. The other option would be to die.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 

Public Safety and Consumer Protection IS the Job of Our Government

One way to reduce the government is through deregulation, but when regulation is about ensuring the public safety and consumer protection, then it's necessary. All liberal democracies try to balance equality with freedom. Maximum freedom is desirable unless it's damaging to others and the commonwealth.

When we talk about equality in this country, we usually mean equality of opportunity not outcome. Also, equality under the rule of law. Having the opportunity to be fleeced by this bank or that bank isn't much of a choice. Credit cards are absolutely necessary in our society. For years I was using only my debit card and paid cash for my transactions, but, guess what, when I began the process of applying for a mortgage I was told that my score had suffered! Never mind that I didn't have any debts. I wasn't using credit! So, now I use my credit card a lot more frequently, and paying the whole balance at the end of my billing period. 

I was disgusted by the practice of banks that could charge any rate for interest and change at will at any time, apply unreasonable fees, have universal fault clause, and have bill due dates on days without mail delivery.  I was fed up. Of course, I welcome regulation that prevents consumer abuse by the banks.

There are attempts at reforming the banking system but the industry is lobbying against it and the Republicans are, well, shills for it. Please follow what long-time consumer advocate, Elizabeth Warren, has been saying on this subject of consumer protection.

The main difference between the progressives and the reactionaries is that the former want to use government, when necessary, to protect and empower the people. The tea baggers are angry folks who may be justified in certain criticisms of the government but totally wrong as to the solution. The solution is not to get rid of our government but to reclaim it. 

Note to Obama: They'll Never Let You in the Car... They're Just Messing With You.

It has become more than obvious that it's a waste of time to try to negotiate with someone who has nothing good to give you. Obama's effort to be a team player has fallen on deaf ears because the Republicans aren't interested in being on the same team, not even support the positions they had recommended before!

They will keep calling Obama a "socialist" even though the most money he has given so far has gone to the banks, Wall Street, and big business!

Here's a great clip from the Rachel Maddow show on the hypocrisy of Republicans titled, "They Are Not Embarrassed."

Sara Palin's Irony.

Tea Party darling Sarah Palin just admitted that she and her family received frequent socialized medicine in Canada. What a brave woman she is to risk the death panels and socialism!  Yes, Sarah, it is ironic.

We do have the best medical system in the world... we're told by the Republicans. After all, there are so many foreigners who come here to get the best treatment. Can you imagine if we passed comprehensive health care reform and made it accessible to all? Those Canucks would freeload on us.

 

Welcome

It was about time to have a response to the Tea Baggers. This will be the place for reasonable adults who can maintain an intellectual discussion and explore ways to improve our country's polity.

If this country was a company, wouldn't be reasonable to assume that management should act in the interests of the shareholders?

The government is of, by, and for the people. Let's not forget this.