"It is a bunch of old white guys. Unfortunately, a lot of them are fat like me. We need to basically broaden the base. We need to have more women. We need to have more Latinos. We need to have more African Americans."
In a Pew Research Center survey conducted in early October, 57% of lower-income Republican and Republican-leaning voters said the government does too little for poor people. Just 18% said it does too much.Interesting, right? The Dems are trying to save the poor and they... They join the Tea Party, the group who consistently vote against their own interests. And, they are mad at the government for not caring enough? Somebody give me a drink while I try to understand this mess.
By contrast, higher-income Republicans took the opposite view; by roughly two-to-one (44% to 21%) Republicans with incomes of $75,000 or more said the government does too much, not too little, for poor people.
This is not to say that lower-income Republicans have a better view of the federal government generally. They are just as distrustful of government and angry at government these days as are higher-income Republicans. But in a December 2011 poll, lower-income Republicans expressed a decidedly different view about the fairness of the economic system than did those with higher incomes.
"You know I've been losing weight. As I shed that weight, I've been taking pictures. I don't remember taking this particular picture but I'm not gonna say I didn't take it. I'd tell you if I remembered taking the picture but I don't."
Another GOP insider who said the party should avoid the issue explained, "We haven't come to a consensus on this issue but the country is changing so rapidly that it will a non issue in a few years. A confrontation now would just delay the inevitable."Although the poll surveyed 105 people, it's telling that times are slowly, but surely changing.
1) Curtailing Abortion Rights
A top priority for Republicans, H.R. 3, "The No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act" is on its way to passage in the House after successfully maneuvering through the Judiciary and Ways And Means Committees.
2) Defunding Planned Parenthood
The House last month approved a measure 240-185, sponsored by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), to cut off all $317 million in Title X funding for Planned Parenthood and all other health care providers that offer abortions.
3) Defunding NPR
In the wake of James O'Keefe's highly edited video sting that defamed National Public Radio executives, House Republicans last week called an emergency session to push through legislation that eliminates taxpayer funds to the radio-based news agency. It passed 228-192 on a partisan vote, winning over no Democrats and losing 7 Republicans.
4) Investigating American Muslims
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King (R-NY) held a controversial hearing two weeks ago about the extent of radicalization within the American Muslim community.
5) Declaring English As America's Official Language
Liberating Americans from ever needing to learn another language, Republicans this month introduced the "English Language Unity Act," which would declare English as the official language of the U.S.
The bill declares that "all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States made in pursuance of the Constitution."
6) Reaffirming The "In God We Trust" Motto
The House Judiciary Committee last week approved a GOP resolution reaffirming the motto of the United States as "In God We Trust" -- you know, just in case people forgot what America was all about.
"My Republican colleagues...know that the true effect of this letter is to prevent the Senate from acting on many important issues that have bipartisan support. With this letter, they have simply put in writing the political strategy that the Republicans pursued this entire Congress: Namely, obstruct, delay action on critical matters, and then blame the Democrats for not addressing the needs of American people. Very cynical, but very obvious. Very transparent."Let's hope the Dems can move pass this foolishness. And I hope Obama just override their mess and continue with the repeal.
According the poll, Republicans are divided on whether to allow open service by gays and lesbians -- 40% of Republicans favor it and 44% oppose. Perhaps as important, key groups likely to have an influence on Republican policies are even more opposed to allowing open service. The Pew report notes that among those who said they "agree with the Tea Party" only 38% favor and 48% oppose allowing open servece. Similarly, only 34% of white evangelical Protestants favor and 48% oppose allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly. Lack of Republican support could prevent the Obama administration from ending the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, especially if Congress doesn't vote on ending the policy before the end of this year's lame-duck session.
Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican considered a critical vote on the issue, says she will support legislation that would repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.Collins is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which was expected to vote Thursday on whether to include the repeal provision in the 2011 defense authorization bill.
Great Susan, now get the rest of your party on board.
Kirkland, a Vietnam veteran, said of his time in the military: "I can tell you if there were any homosexuals in that group, they were taken care of in ways I can't describe to you."Really? They took care of stuff like that... That's going to win you votes, guys. Well, this sparked a backlash and groups like The Tennessee Equality Project is demanding an apology.Smith, who served in the first Iraqi war, added: "I definitely wouldn't want to share a shower with a homosexual. We took care of that kind of stuff, just like (Kirkland) said."
"The question has been raised about whether or not our president is a socialist. I am sure there are some people here who believe it. But in the technical sense, in the economic definition of a what a socialist is, no, he's not a socialist. He's a corporatist. And unfortunately we have corporatists inside the Republican party and that means you take care of corporations and corporations take over and run the country."
Ron telling the Southern Republican Leadership Conference that Obama's not a socialist.
The emergence of official tea party candidates would be very welcome news in the Obama White House. All at once, a powerful and energetic counterweight to the Democratic establishment would become a splinter group, destroying the unified opposition it has helped to create. A potential electoral majority on the threshold of victory would become two minority factions almost certain to share in defeat, and a movement inspired to stop the big-government agenda would suddenly become its tool.
There's a well-worn path of third-party movements in American history, and it leads straight to a dead end. A cause gathers strength, and its message speaks to millions; then, amid the excitement, a new political party is born, only to perform poorly on Election Day and disappear a cycle or two later.
Dan says no to the Tea Party
“Marriage is a religious institution. The federal government has no business redefining what it is. Governments should not be in the business of promoting a behavior that’s proven to be destructive to our society. It would be bothersome to me just personally because I consider it immoral.”
That's cretin, Jim DeMint from SC.
