Insure Tennessee Failed, But Lawmakers Doing Great

Folks in Tennesse remember this:

 "... the public has the right to know the Medicaid expansion program is going to bankrupt Tennessee.…..Now we’re taking it out to where the public can see it. As long as everyone is doing the right thing and following free-market principles they should have nothing to worry about.” http://www.knoxnews.com/news/state/americans-for-prosperity-planted-roots-in-tenn_83024661

Well, the public can see this and the hypocrisy emanating from it: 

"More former and retired Tennessee state legislators are covered by the state employee health insurance program than are current members of the General Assembly — including some who have moved on to other public office, others who haven’t served in more than 30 years and some who were convicted of crimes, state records show."

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/state/more-former-legislators-on-health-plan-than-current-members_09068609

Can't have the ordinary citizens and taxpayers footing the bill (subsiding low incomes) for these poor folks health insurance. Wouldn't be prudent. They need "some skin in the game." Or to quote a Tea Party member comment: 

"... doesn’t justify spending money we don’t have and forcing other people to pay for the medical care of people they do not even know." 

But as long as you've ever served the state of Tennessee…in any capacity for any amount of time….and are no longer there, for any reason, the taxpayer can foot YOUR insurance premiums. And the state can subsidize part of it, just like ALL employer-funded plans do.

"Former state Sen. Edgar Gillock of Memphis is enrolled; he left the Legislature in 1982 after being convicted of taking $130,000 for his influence in awarding government contracts."

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, defended the state health coverage for sitting lawmakers Wednesday. But didn't seem to know the whole story: "That’s something I’ll have to check into and get back with you,” he said.

Yes, let's get it out there where the public can see it. Not that it matters. This Republican run state does exactly what it wants anyway…..voters be damned. 

"They (Americans For Prosperity) have a full-time staff, they've poured in a lot of money indirectly and directly," said Ingram, who was registered to lobby last session for a pro-Insure Tennessee business group. "It's largely to push whatever agenda they have and influence, frankly, our elected officials, our issues, disproportionately more than any of us as individual voters can.

But that's another continuing story….

Color Me Surprised…...

Tea Party member Senator Tom Cotton, author of the infamous "we're telling you Iranians not to deal with that Muslim-Kenyan usurper in our White House" letter signed by 47 senators, presented to the leaders of Iran…...translated into Farsi so they "can understand it"……..has a strong military background and he's not afraid to use it.

Tomorrow, 24 hours later, Cotton will appear at an “Off the Record and strictly Non-Attribution” event with the National Defense Industrial Association, a lobbying and professional group for defense contractors.                                             http://tinyurl.com/obyqx6z

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist."        Dwight D. Eisenhower

This is the same senator who pushed legislation that would "punish any family member of those people, [who committed civil rights violations associated with the Iranian government] to include a spouse and any relative to the third degree," including, "parents, children, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, grandparents, great grandparents, grandkids, great grandkids," …

http://tinyurl.com/ozo73vl

And just for added insight: http://tinyurl.com/ppxzvmt
Jeepers, where do they find these people?

OMG!!!

East Tennessee was treated to the Tea Party Take Our Country Back Palooza yesterday. (No, I opted for a root canal and having all my fingernails pulled out instead……..)

"Each [speaker] in turn brought the tea partiers to their feet repeatedly with hot-button lines and anti-Obama rhetoric. The speeches touched a nerve of anger that permeated the room."

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2014/jun/26/palin-calls-for-tea-partiers-to-take-back-the/?partner=popular

But…have faith in those that live around Knoxville. Read the comments. And if you live in this area….or anywhere in the south, actually……GET OUT AND VOTE THIS NOVEMBER. I know, the speakers at this TP revival are has-beens but they are still spreading their poison. (We still have Lamar Alexander, Marsha Blackburn, Bob Corker, Stacy Campfield, Scott DeJarlais, and all the rest of those GOP folks in the state to contend with also.)

Well, Now.....

When Chuck Todd starts admitting the truth.....it doesn't look too good for the GOP/Tea Party.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/14/chuck-todd-ted-cruz-shutdown-nbc-poll_n_4097167.html

THIS!!!!!

Pretty much says it all.

Thanks, Paddy & Laffy  http://thepoliticalcarnival.net

It's About Time....not that it matters

We've heard ad nauseum what the old white conservative Republican men think women should be able to do concerning their bodies, and what their reproductive health rights should be. We've seen what they do to ANY woman who dares contradict THEIR beliefs....with facts, in governmental settings no less. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/12/sarah-slamen-interview_n_3585739.html

FINALLY there is some objection from those in-the-know about such matters: The American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG)

"That’s why we’re speaking to the false and misleading underlying assumptions of this and other legislation like it: These bills are as much about interfering with the practice of medicine and the relationship a patient has with her physician as they are about restricting women’s access to abortion.."

http://www.politicususa.com/2013/07/12/ob-gyns-texas-gop-out-exam-rooms.html

They of course, will be shouted down, called out, ignored.......presented as "toadies for the Left." NOTHING stands in the way of the Tea Party, the Koch Brothers, ALEC, and hateful Republican men on a mission. This whole agenda has NOTHING to do with fetuses, embryos, babies, abortions or women's health: it is all about control..........the Right is going to get it ALL, come hell or high water. The Talibaptists, I heard someone call them.

I'm sure Jesus told them so.......

UPDATE:

Now, to add insult to injury, women are being "frisked" for carrying concealed feminine hygiene products. Talk about idiocy.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/12/tampons-confiscated-texas_n_3588177.html

A WELL-INFORMED ELECTORATE.....not

In case you're wondering how FOX NEWS is handling the revelation (well, it's NOT news to US.....) that the IRS was NOT just "targeting the Tea Party groups in their quest for tax exemption (er....not having to reveal their donors...) this might give you a clue:

• IRS Chief Says Targeting of Groups Spanned 'Broad Spectrum'   
• VIDEO: Did IRS Target Truly Vulnerable Groups? 

Clicking on the link for the first story will get you this: 

Page Not Found

The page you are looking for has either moved or is no longer available, but you may be interested in the content below.

But they do have a nice little story to put out there in it's place:

'INSIDER THREAT'?

Order Urging Fed Workers To Tattle Raises Concerns

"Calling all those “concerned” Tea Partiers and Republicans who cried foul that the IRS targeted Conservative groups. Can you hear me? Are you out there?"
http://ezkool.com/2013/06/wheres-the-manufactured-outrage-now-irs-targeted-progressive-groups-too/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wheres-the-manufactured-outrage-now-irs-targeted-progressive-groups-too

Respect For Governing, Southern Style

An article from one of the esteemed (?) columnists in the Knoxville News this morning. (Hope you have your Mimosa ready to gulp....):

A couple of Tennessee Republican congressmen this week questioned officials involved in the Gestapo-esque targeting of groups disloyal to the Fuehrer, er, president, by the Internal Revenue Service. 

Rep. Scott DesJarlais, remembered high school government classes. “We were told what a great country we are because of the freedom we have — the freedom of the First Amendment, the freedom of speech, the right to hold elections without the fear of tyranny or being oppressed,” DesJarlais said. 

 Besides the stonewalling, Obama’s IRS Heroes, like the leader they’re protecting, project a smug, self-righteous disdain for conservative members of Congress,.....http://tinyurl.com/pddayao

You all may remember Scott DesJarlais: a Tea Party member, Family Values conservative who is also a doctor. (You with me so far? ) He also had a little problem with bullying his ex-mistress and forcing her to have an abortion. That last part isn't true he said, because she really wasn't even pregnant.....but he forced his soon-to-be-ex-wife to have two.

Then another mistress told of how he would write prescriptions for recreational pharmaceuticals for whomever he was dating...

Yes, I know....it all caught up with him: he was fined 500 dollars.

"Tennessee authorities apparently believe sexual exploitation of women is less serious than speeding." 

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/other/301685-gop-rep-desjarlais-fined-for-affairs-with-patients

For those of you who have never been intimately acquainted with the old South..this is how it's done. Of course there are LOTS of us doing our best to change that. And CONGRESS these days isn't helping....

Oh, and that bit about the IRS...they are really just pissed about the attention it's drawing TO them. Probably afraid the rest of us will find out about Karl Rove's groups, the Koch Brothers, and.........

Sorry For The Late Notice-

this being Memorial weekend and all.....but if you are rested up and have no plans next week, this might be right up your alley:

IRS Intimidation- Are You Next?

National Town Hall to Review the Situation and Plan Next Steps

Wednesday, May 29th

The Farm, 239 Anderson Ferry Road, Cincinnati, OH  45248

Dinner will be available beginning at 6:00pm

Meeting will start at 7:00pm

http://www.swctp.org/8-events/2-irs-intimidation-are-you-next

I apologize. I just couldn't help myself.

If Only We Had This Guy....

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/page/283280_President_of_Ireland_Destroys_

Instead we have to put up with the likes of Romney, Ryan, Boehner, McConnell, Aiken, McCain, Rove, Norquist, Grassley, King, Hannity, Thompson, Limbaugh, Palin, and all the other Right Extreme ideologues spouting hateful propaganda day in and day out. The America they wish us to live in is nothing more than a fundamentalist (or Mormon) hell. 

In their world:

Women shall remain second class citizens, or just stay at home:

http://progressillinois.com/quick-hits/content/2012/06/06/republicans-say-no-equal-pay-women 

Take us to the back alleys of the 1800's:

http://www.nationalmemo.com/just-like-akin-gop-platform-demands-amendment-banning-every-abortion/

A 53%-majority of Republicans say there is no solid evidence the earth is warming. Among Tea Party Republicans, fully 70% say there is no evidence. Disbelief in global warming in the GOP is a recent occurrence. Just a few years   http://pewresearch.org/databank/dailynumber/?NumberID=1126

They do not care about how we get the sources for our energy or the costs

http://www.policymic.com/articles/12838/romney-ryan-2012-energy-plan-there-is-none

But right now one of the most powerful Catholics in American politics

(Paul Ryan)

 is publicly claiming that church teaching says his plan to take food and health care away from millions of vulnerable Americans is the right thing to do—and the bishops are remaining silent.

http://www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-cohn/102746/catholic-bishops-protest-ryan-republican-budget-cuts-food-stamps-poor

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/03/us/politics/republican-governor-of-florida-says-state-wont-expand-medicaid.html 

These Republicans literally would rather see our nation crumble than allow President Obama to be reelected. I've watched a lot of cynical things with these politicians in my lifetime, but this has to be right up there with some of the worst.

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/sen-sanders-knocks-republicans-refusing-pa

But the faithful followers will NEVER hear or see any of this on FOX. And here in Tennessee....well, you get the picture:

Now You've Done It, Mitt

Did you think all those seniors at the Tea Party rallies were in the beginning stage of Alzheimer's? Did you think they wouldn't remember: 

Did you you think they REALLY meant this in 2008:

Well, I guess we'll just see. You've pegged Paul Ryan as your vice-presidential running mate. He, of the Paul Ryan Budget fame: 

 "The most contentious part of Ryan's proposed budget is what he would do to change Medicare, the nation's insurance plan for retirees and a political third rail. Ryan's plan would eventually transform Medicare into defined payments that seniors can use to buy private insurance or a government plan on an insurance exchange. There would be no limits to the out-of-pocket costs seniors could have to pay in this program, but Ryan assumes that the increased competition between Medicare and private plans would bring down overall costs. The amount of money seniors get to buy their insurance can only grow at a slightly higher rate than GDP each year. (The Congressional Budget Office says this would save the government money, but also significantly increase the amount seniors will eventually have to pay for their own insurance"

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/budget-hawk-closer-ryan-plan/story?id=16985437#.UCbGrULFJ5g

Oh, did you know this little tidbit:

 After his father's  death, he used Social Security survivor’s benefits to help pay for attending Miami University, where Ryan double majored in economics and political science in 1992. But I guess...he wasn't OLD...........

It's going to be a VERY interesting three months....

Making The "R" Word Work 
or using "otherness" against your opponent without getting called out.


I know..this is 2012 and we are WAY past all that nonsense.......NOT. But apparently we've got a long way to go......or a segment of the population is not on the same road we're on. For example:

"The language of GOP racial politics is heavy on euphemisms that allow the speaker to deny any responsibility for the racial content of his message. The code words in this game are “entitlement society” — as used by Mitt Romney — and “poor work ethic” and “food stamp president” — as used by Newt Gingrich. References to a lack of respect for the “Founding Fathers” and the “Constitution” also make certain ears perk up by demonizing anyone supposedly threatening core “old-fashioned American values.”
http://thehill.com/opinion/columnists/juan-williams/207295-2012-racial-code-words-obscure-real-issue

The latest is this, a political ad from an anti-Obama Super PAC:

 "Implying that whites are too stupid to have honest disagreements with the president without being racist is, in and of itself, racist against whites," the narrator says.

"Mr. President, you ran as the candidate of change," the ad's narrator says in conclusion. "But one thing has not changed—your tacit defense of racism against white folks, despite receiving nearly half the white vote to win the presidency."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/03/obama-racism-super-pac-web-ad_n_1739800.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics

OK, soooooo maybe Romney has NOT said "I approve this message" but you can be sure that a lot of the extreme Right Wing have...as well as the Tea Party People. Remember all those signs a couple of years ago?


When you have a Republican Representative coming right out and saying "diversity has never worked in this country", you know for SURE we're NOT on the same path.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/02/steve-king-english-language_n_1734431.html


We need to be very careful or we're going to become one of those country's we're always rushing to: helping them become"more democratic." From what I've seen lately concerning women's reproductive rights, voting rights, immigration, insisting that "Christianity" be first and foremost in this country, bigotry, back-handed racism, and scorn on those less fortunate..........some other more developed countries are going to be COMING HERE next.....

ANOTHER TEA PARTY BOONDOGGLE

Well, looks like the Tea Party people have a problem with taking attendance, among other things. The group was being addressed by Alan Keyes here in my fair town last night. (OH JOY.) The newspapers reported a count of 8000 people there. Hmmmmm....

Nutter Center (aptly named, yesterday) at Wright State University holds 3000 comfortably (according to their website) and can be made to hold 12,500 if needed.

Now, look at these pictures: http://projects.daytondailynews.com/cache/galleries/News/Local/041310teapartyrally

I'm so sick of their pathetic lies. That's all I have to say.

WHY FURTHER EDUCATION?

Sunday morning Tucker Carlson made a few comments on Fox News, it's been reported to me, about college students becoming more liberal as they continue their education and especially after they graduate. He then proceeded to suggest that not all people need to go to college, or at least get government help to do so, I assume. Hmmmm, I wonder what the correlation might be here.........( to see Fox News discussion http://bit.ly/bXNBLG )

At any rate, I believe this is what the outcome of THAT would be:



Lord have mercy on this country.....

UPDATE: Well, the trend continues: The state of Utah is considering abandoning the 12th grade, and the Republicans agree. They say that students "just fritter away their last year anyway." Now Colorado believes they can no longer provide higher education for their students; they'll have to go to private college, it seems. Who can afford THAT these days? Maybe these young people will just get sick, and since they'll not have health insurance to help with medical bills, they'll just forget about even trying. That'll make those on the right really happy!