65% of voters who participated in the South Carolina Primary yesterday were identified as Evangelical Christians, social conservatives who comprise a significant slice of the Republican Party. For these voters, marriage, including what kind, and family takes precedence over all other issues and many of these voters will persistently vote against their own economic interests to support a candidate who espouses those values. With Newt Gingrich's victory yesterday, it's now crystal clear the candidate need not adhere to those values, just repeat them in an endless loop while lobbing bombs at anyone who has the duty and temerity to question the hypocrisy of his words and deeds.
A person close to me was diagnosed with Leukemia more than a decade ago. She learned during an initial hospitalization, that her husband was carrying on an affair, while she was trying to cope with the scariest news of her life. The marriage ended shortly after, and I instantly cut this man, who I had known for years, out of my life, and never spoke to him again. Every marriage has its problems and, sometimes, divorce is the only viable option, but you don't leave a spouse alone in a hospital, contemplating a cancer diagnosis, to cavort with someone else. It's sick, it's inhuman and Newt Gingrich has done this, not once, but twice, with 2 different wives.
Newt Gingrich's life stands in direct opposition to the values, not just of social conservatives, but most Americans. He managed the Impeachment proceedings of a President who lied about an adulterous relationship, as he was carrying on his own and railing about the President's depraved morality. He shut down the Government, admitting later, in part, because of a personal snub, throwing Washington into chaos. 84 ethics violations were charged against Newt Gingrich, as Speaker of the House, marking the first, and only time, in the history of the United States a House Speaker was reprimanded and, later fined, for ethics violations. His own party was so disgusted with unethical, tyrannical behavior THEY forced him out as Speaker.
In the years since he left Congress in shame, he setup shop in Washington and became a creature of beltway cronyism, claiming to be a Historian, or analytical advice provider when he was lobbying for special interests, particularly Freddie MAC and the health insurance industry. Gingrich has a record going back years supporting an Individual Mandate, yet lies and denies what still appears on his Health Care Initiatives web site, supporting that mandate. Gingrich has made millions saying one thing while lobbying for the only interest which ever mattered....himself!
If Newt Gingrich were a Democrat, the Republican Party would have sentenced him to Life at Rikers Island. But Newt is a smug, bomb-throwing thug who takes glee in inflicting pain, be it women, the children he left behind, the Congress he shamed and the current President he wishes, not to bloody, but to knock out!
Social conservatives are intent on joining in an unholy alliance with the Devil, because this election has nothing to do with family values and everything to do with winning with a candidate who has spent a lifetime mocking them and everything they profess to believe!
America can never be defined by Newtered values. We are so much better than this and our humanity, decency, ethics and integrity must prevail!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Santorum Runs for President as Daughter Battles Terminal Disorder
Now that former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum virtually tied Mitt Romney in the GOP Iowa Caucus, hard questions which were never asked of Santorum as a cellar dweller in the GOP Presidential Polls until 2 weeks ago, are about to come flying and here's mine. As a father of a young child with a terminal disorder, why is Rick Santorum, a long time champion of strong families, putting his ambition ahead of his daughter, Isabella (Bella) Santorum and what is the impact of that ambition on a wife, also caring for 6 other children, who appears to be assuming all responsibility for Bella's constant care, as Rick campaigns daily to attain the highest office?
Rick Santorum's youngest daughter "Bella," has a genetic disorder called Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards Syndrome. 90% of children with this disorder die within a year. Bella is 3 1/2 and is considered an outlier, representing 1% of children who have defied death this long. A miracle, to be sure, and my heart and prayers go out to the Santorum family. There is no cure or effective treatment, Bella's time here is limited and medical episodes are ongoing. In a Washington Post article in November (link at bottom), the Santorums had 2 such situations with Bella, when Rick "moved" the family to Iowa for 3 weeks during the summer to campaign and he told the Post about the tough decision he had to make on whether to go out and campaign or stay in the hotel and care for his daughter. More disturbing, during the Las Vegas GOP debate in October, Santorum referenced flying a red eye home afterwards as his daughter had undergone a "procedure." The procedure was an operation and it's unfathomable to me that a father would not be there for his little daughter, particularly in light of her fragility, let alone to comfort and support his wife.
No one has been a bigger defender or proponent of "Traditional Family Values" than Rick Santorum, and no one has made more public speeches or introduced more legislation to dictate those values to the American people, who often hold other views. He and wife Karen have brought 8 children into this world. They lost one within 2 hours of birth and will lose another far earlier than is right, fair or understandable. Until then, they've been blessed with Bella, who needs constant care, will have continual setbacks and worse, and my family values dictate Rick Santorum should be focused not on an unfilled desire for an elected office he will not attain but on Bella, his wife and the rest of their children.
Why isn't he?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/gop-hopeful-rick-santorum-campaigns-with-a-seriously-ill-daughter-at-home/2011/11/28/gIQAMWdHAO_story.html
Rick Santorum's youngest daughter "Bella," has a genetic disorder called Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards Syndrome. 90% of children with this disorder die within a year. Bella is 3 1/2 and is considered an outlier, representing 1% of children who have defied death this long. A miracle, to be sure, and my heart and prayers go out to the Santorum family. There is no cure or effective treatment, Bella's time here is limited and medical episodes are ongoing. In a Washington Post article in November (link at bottom), the Santorums had 2 such situations with Bella, when Rick "moved" the family to Iowa for 3 weeks during the summer to campaign and he told the Post about the tough decision he had to make on whether to go out and campaign or stay in the hotel and care for his daughter. More disturbing, during the Las Vegas GOP debate in October, Santorum referenced flying a red eye home afterwards as his daughter had undergone a "procedure." The procedure was an operation and it's unfathomable to me that a father would not be there for his little daughter, particularly in light of her fragility, let alone to comfort and support his wife.
No one has been a bigger defender or proponent of "Traditional Family Values" than Rick Santorum, and no one has made more public speeches or introduced more legislation to dictate those values to the American people, who often hold other views. He and wife Karen have brought 8 children into this world. They lost one within 2 hours of birth and will lose another far earlier than is right, fair or understandable. Until then, they've been blessed with Bella, who needs constant care, will have continual setbacks and worse, and my family values dictate Rick Santorum should be focused not on an unfilled desire for an elected office he will not attain but on Bella, his wife and the rest of their children.
Why isn't he?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/gop-hopeful-rick-santorum-campaigns-with-a-seriously-ill-daughter-at-home/2011/11/28/gIQAMWdHAO_story.html
Friday, December 30, 2011
And the Iowa Caucus Winner is?
If it's January in Iowa, temperatures should be in the teens and worse, but next Tuesday should be almost balmy with temperatures pushing 40 degrees. Not expecting a record breaking turnout, but it should be a very good showing by Hawkeye standards, which reduces the chances of a marginal candidate with many young supporters pulling an upset.
Of the various GOP candidates who have polled Nationally above 3% throughout this contest, only 1 has never surged or tanked. He's the same candidate who can't break through 30% support, but hasn't fallen below 20% either. He lacks rhythm and has no pizzazz, but he's consistent, and that's all it's going to take for Mitt Romney to win the Iowa Caucus.
In at second is the fringe candidate who is in the midst of a surge and will never completely deflate because of a diehard base of supporters. Ron Paul has the right combination of boots on the ground and ad placements to score a close second to Romney. After this result, Paul will be under relentless attack but more on that when we get to New Hampshire.
In third place, it will be Rick Santorum, who's literally been on an upward trajectory for only a week, but it doesn't matter with the boom/bust mentality of GOP Primary voters. The Social Conservatives are still desperately searching for an alternative to Romney and will raise up anyone they believe is one of them, until they realize the person is unelectable, whereby said candidate is left to fall away. For next Tuesday, Santorum will be saved.
Of the various GOP candidates who have polled Nationally above 3% throughout this contest, only 1 has never surged or tanked. He's the same candidate who can't break through 30% support, but hasn't fallen below 20% either. He lacks rhythm and has no pizzazz, but he's consistent, and that's all it's going to take for Mitt Romney to win the Iowa Caucus.
In at second is the fringe candidate who is in the midst of a surge and will never completely deflate because of a diehard base of supporters. Ron Paul has the right combination of boots on the ground and ad placements to score a close second to Romney. After this result, Paul will be under relentless attack but more on that when we get to New Hampshire.
In third place, it will be Rick Santorum, who's literally been on an upward trajectory for only a week, but it doesn't matter with the boom/bust mentality of GOP Primary voters. The Social Conservatives are still desperately searching for an alternative to Romney and will raise up anyone they believe is one of them, until they realize the person is unelectable, whereby said candidate is left to fall away. For next Tuesday, Santorum will be saved.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Republicans found a tax cut they hate!
House Republicans killed the 2 month payroll tax cut extension passed by the Senate just days ago, and bolted Washington, leaving in their midst 160,000,000 WORKING Americans who face an average tax hike of $1000.00 for 2012, not to mention 1.5 Million Americans who will lose long term unemployment benefits on January 1, without this extension.
Why did House Republicans do it? Because they are outraged that almost half the country doesn't pay Federal *Income* Taxes. Why? Because their wages are so low, that combined with earned income tax credits and standard deductions, they are too poor to pay the income tax. And Republicans have done a damn fine job convincing their supporters that these Americans are scofflaws, slackers and worse, while refusing to acknowledge they are paying every other tax in existence. Since none of the other taxes are progressive, as a percentage of income, their bite effects the poor most.
A year after President Obama came into office he proposed, and Congress passed, a modest reduction in the PAYROLL tax, which EVERY worker pays, on their first dollar of earnings. As a percentage of income, who are the biggest beneficiaries of the payroll tax reduction? The working poor. Every employee pays the same 6.2% rate and the tax is capped at just over $100,000/year. A low wage employee who makes $20k/year pays the payroll tax on the entire $20K, whereas the high wage employee, who makes $500K, pays the tax only on the first $106K of earnings.
Without divine intervention, the former payroll tax rate will go back into effect on New Year's Day. To someone making $500K, a thousand dollars is negligible. All bills will be paid, contributions will continue to savings and investments and discretionary spending won't change but, for at least 80,000,000 Americans, that $1000.00 tax increase will mean varying degrees of pain in this still fragile economy, effecting product demand and businesses far and wide.
While House Republicans consider the Bush tax cuts, which overwhelming benefit the wealthiest Americans, sacred, pledging to retain them until death and into the afterlife, there's no such affinity for a tax cut they deem 160,000,000 working Americans don't deserve. They hate it, don't give a damn about the average worker and left town to prove it. There's an election next November. You've got your chance to do something about it. Vote them out, because that's what THEY'VE EARNED!
Why did House Republicans do it? Because they are outraged that almost half the country doesn't pay Federal *Income* Taxes. Why? Because their wages are so low, that combined with earned income tax credits and standard deductions, they are too poor to pay the income tax. And Republicans have done a damn fine job convincing their supporters that these Americans are scofflaws, slackers and worse, while refusing to acknowledge they are paying every other tax in existence. Since none of the other taxes are progressive, as a percentage of income, their bite effects the poor most.
A year after President Obama came into office he proposed, and Congress passed, a modest reduction in the PAYROLL tax, which EVERY worker pays, on their first dollar of earnings. As a percentage of income, who are the biggest beneficiaries of the payroll tax reduction? The working poor. Every employee pays the same 6.2% rate and the tax is capped at just over $100,000/year. A low wage employee who makes $20k/year pays the payroll tax on the entire $20K, whereas the high wage employee, who makes $500K, pays the tax only on the first $106K of earnings.
Without divine intervention, the former payroll tax rate will go back into effect on New Year's Day. To someone making $500K, a thousand dollars is negligible. All bills will be paid, contributions will continue to savings and investments and discretionary spending won't change but, for at least 80,000,000 Americans, that $1000.00 tax increase will mean varying degrees of pain in this still fragile economy, effecting product demand and businesses far and wide.
While House Republicans consider the Bush tax cuts, which overwhelming benefit the wealthiest Americans, sacred, pledging to retain them until death and into the afterlife, there's no such affinity for a tax cut they deem 160,000,000 working Americans don't deserve. They hate it, don't give a damn about the average worker and left town to prove it. There's an election next November. You've got your chance to do something about it. Vote them out, because that's what THEY'VE EARNED!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
The Trashing of the Republican Primary
We are about 6 weeks away from the Iowa Caucus, the kickoff to the 2012 Presidential race, and I keep coming back to the same question...What the hell has happened to the Grand Ole Party? Lincoln and Roosevelt can be seen shaking their storied heads from Mt. Rushmore. Eisenhower and Reagan are furiously tossing and turning in their graves. Americans, regardless of affiliation, are watching this freak show unfold in horror, wondering when it will end, and if a legitimate candidate, worthy of our highest office, will emerge from this trash heap.
Of the contenders who are registering at all in the Polls, and who have appeared in debates, there is but one who is worthy of consideration. His name is Jon Huntsman and it's my sincere hope that somehow, some way, the former Governor of Utah and Ambassador to China catches fire, because all the rest are sheer embarrassments and worse.
The choices range from Rick Santorum, pining to turn this country into the United Theocracy of America, to Michele Bachmann, a habitual liar, to Ron Paul, an almost octogenarian who would dismantle every Federal agency and program, to Rick Perry, who defines stupidity, to Herman Cain, who is using the campaign trail to book speaking engagements and sell books, to Newt Gingrich, the smug, thrice married, ethically challenged, former Speaker of the House, to Mitt Romney, a man who has no truths, principles or core beliefs.
A dumpster is no place to look for American Exceptionalism. Republicans, the hour is urgent! Clean this mess up!
Of the contenders who are registering at all in the Polls, and who have appeared in debates, there is but one who is worthy of consideration. His name is Jon Huntsman and it's my sincere hope that somehow, some way, the former Governor of Utah and Ambassador to China catches fire, because all the rest are sheer embarrassments and worse.
The choices range from Rick Santorum, pining to turn this country into the United Theocracy of America, to Michele Bachmann, a habitual liar, to Ron Paul, an almost octogenarian who would dismantle every Federal agency and program, to Rick Perry, who defines stupidity, to Herman Cain, who is using the campaign trail to book speaking engagements and sell books, to Newt Gingrich, the smug, thrice married, ethically challenged, former Speaker of the House, to Mitt Romney, a man who has no truths, principles or core beliefs.
A dumpster is no place to look for American Exceptionalism. Republicans, the hour is urgent! Clean this mess up!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Table Talk
Tonight's GOP Presidential debate had a different flavor, with Charlie Rose and the WAPost's Karen Tumulty, at a Table, questioning the seated candidates, making for a less formal, more relaxed debate. And some interesting leftovers...
Michele Bachmann is sure to make headlines again, for yet another outrageous claim, that President Obama told her Medicare is going to "collapse" into Obamacare. Ms. Bachmann better have something to back up this lunacy, otherwise it's the end of her campaign. Herman Cain is claiming a well known economist is an adviser for his 9/9/9 plan, yet no one knows who this person, Rich Lowery, is except that he may be a Wealth Fund Manager. Newt Gingrich is advocating for Fed Chief Ben Bernacke, former Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank to be arrested for the Housing collapse. Not one candidate placed any blame at all on Banks.
Cain insists every independent analysis of his 9/9/9 plan is wrong. Prove that you're right, because you can't! Just telling us it's wrong doesn't make it so. And NO W2 worker pays 15.3% payroll tax, but half that amount with the employer picking up the other half, so Cain's claim that W2 workers would save 6% on their taxes, by paying a National Sales Tax on everything rather than the payroll tax is completely false. The 1.5% "savings" would instantly be negated by a 9% federal income tax with no standard deductions, no Earned Income Tax Credit and no Child Care credit, as well as a brand new 9% tax on food and drugs which no one pays now, The working poor would be clobbered. Speaking of 9/9/9, invert those numbers and we're left with 6/6/6....the devil in those numbers. ;-)
In attacking Romney's plan to lower Capital Gains taxes to 0% on people who make less than $200K, Gingrich admitted that people who make under $200K generally don't have Capital Gains, making Romney's plan pointless and more of the status quo...keep feeding the rich! Romney then went on to claim Obamacare effects everyone who is already insured. More lies! Like Romneycare, it addresses those who are uninsured now, so stop lying and running from your own truth!
Bachmann claimed she spent her "whole life" in the private sector. When? Before she was born again? Tax attorney for the IRS, a State Senator and now a 3 term Congresswoman is Bachmann's resume, wholly dependent on State and Federal Government.
Herman Cain thinks Alan Greenspan is an example of the kind of Federal Reserve Chairman he would install. I'm trying to think of a better reason not to support Cain than this one because Greenspan was part and parcel of the financial meltdown with his failed policies at the Federal Reserve.
Here is a much more important reason to reject Herman Cain. To date, not one Moderator has asked the question that needs to be asked. Cain is a Stage 4 Colon/ Liver cancer survivor. This awful diagnosis and his treatment occurred in 2006. He claims he's cancer free when the reality is no one with Stage 4 metastasis is. He's in remission and he's now 5 years out, which is a miracle and rare.
While there are no guarantees in life, it's all but certain a Cain Presidency would be fraught with health issues at bare minimum. More probably far worse, and it's a disservice to the American people that this issue is basically being swept under the rug or, as was the case tonight, under a table.
Michele Bachmann is sure to make headlines again, for yet another outrageous claim, that President Obama told her Medicare is going to "collapse" into Obamacare. Ms. Bachmann better have something to back up this lunacy, otherwise it's the end of her campaign. Herman Cain is claiming a well known economist is an adviser for his 9/9/9 plan, yet no one knows who this person, Rich Lowery, is except that he may be a Wealth Fund Manager. Newt Gingrich is advocating for Fed Chief Ben Bernacke, former Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank to be arrested for the Housing collapse. Not one candidate placed any blame at all on Banks.
Cain insists every independent analysis of his 9/9/9 plan is wrong. Prove that you're right, because you can't! Just telling us it's wrong doesn't make it so. And NO W2 worker pays 15.3% payroll tax, but half that amount with the employer picking up the other half, so Cain's claim that W2 workers would save 6% on their taxes, by paying a National Sales Tax on everything rather than the payroll tax is completely false. The 1.5% "savings" would instantly be negated by a 9% federal income tax with no standard deductions, no Earned Income Tax Credit and no Child Care credit, as well as a brand new 9% tax on food and drugs which no one pays now, The working poor would be clobbered. Speaking of 9/9/9, invert those numbers and we're left with 6/6/6....the devil in those numbers. ;-)
In attacking Romney's plan to lower Capital Gains taxes to 0% on people who make less than $200K, Gingrich admitted that people who make under $200K generally don't have Capital Gains, making Romney's plan pointless and more of the status quo...keep feeding the rich! Romney then went on to claim Obamacare effects everyone who is already insured. More lies! Like Romneycare, it addresses those who are uninsured now, so stop lying and running from your own truth!
Bachmann claimed she spent her "whole life" in the private sector. When? Before she was born again? Tax attorney for the IRS, a State Senator and now a 3 term Congresswoman is Bachmann's resume, wholly dependent on State and Federal Government.
Herman Cain thinks Alan Greenspan is an example of the kind of Federal Reserve Chairman he would install. I'm trying to think of a better reason not to support Cain than this one because Greenspan was part and parcel of the financial meltdown with his failed policies at the Federal Reserve.
Here is a much more important reason to reject Herman Cain. To date, not one Moderator has asked the question that needs to be asked. Cain is a Stage 4 Colon/ Liver cancer survivor. This awful diagnosis and his treatment occurred in 2006. He claims he's cancer free when the reality is no one with Stage 4 metastasis is. He's in remission and he's now 5 years out, which is a miracle and rare.
While there are no guarantees in life, it's all but certain a Cain Presidency would be fraught with health issues at bare minimum. More probably far worse, and it's a disservice to the American people that this issue is basically being swept under the rug or, as was the case tonight, under a table.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Orlando Unhinged
Lose the EPA, close the Department of Education, wall off America, distortions, distractions and not one meaningful followup from the Fox News Moderators to non-answers, inaccurate statements, flat out falsehoods and endless ambiguities.
No debate occurred tonight in the Magic City, and we learned nothing from the GOP Presidential candidates that we didn't already know. Pure pep rally with red, white and blue pom poms and not one concrete plan to create jobs. Wax poetic about Ronald Reagan and call it a night.
And slam that door shut!
No debate occurred tonight in the Magic City, and we learned nothing from the GOP Presidential candidates that we didn't already know. Pure pep rally with red, white and blue pom poms and not one concrete plan to create jobs. Wax poetic about Ronald Reagan and call it a night.
And slam that door shut!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
