Earmark Hypocrisy – In the years leading up to their seizure of power in 1994 it seemed that Republicans care about eliminating pork more than almost anything. But after the election, it was a different story. Not only did they not make good on their promise to banish earmarking, they literally sent the process through the roof. Government programs that had never previously contained earmarks became saturated with them. Programs containing only a few earmarks became almost nothing but earmarks. The Labor-Health, Human Services and Education bill went from having no earmarks in 1994 to $33 million in earmarks in 1996, nearly a $100 million in 1998, half a billion in 2000 and more than $1 billion in 2002.
House Republicans will meet today to announce that they are renouncing the use of earmarks. How do you think that’s going to play out this time if they return to power? Any differently?
Conservatives Target 11-Year-Old Boy Whose Mom Died From Lack of insurance – An 11-year-old boy whose mother died after losing her health insurance has become an advocate for health care reform — and opponents of reform are gunning for him.
The image of an 11-year-old boy with a sad story championing the health reform effort appeared to be too much for some conservative commentators, with columnist Michelle Malkin accusing the Democrats of “wielding the human kiddie shield as its last-stand defense for Demcare.” Other Conservatives have also attacked the boy for having liberal connections.
Marcelas Owens of Seattle lost his mother in 2006 after the 27-year-old woman was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, a condition that can lead to heart failure if left untreated. Due to missed work, Tiffany Owens lost her job, and with it her health insurance. Not long after, she died of her disorder.
Owens appeared at a Capitol Hill press conference flanked by the Democratic leadership on Thursday and said, “I don’t want any other kids to go through the pain that our family has gone through,” Owens said. “My grandma and I want Barack Obama and Congress and everybody to come together and to help get the health care bill passed.”
Glenn Beck Wants You to be Scared of Popular Music – Glenn Beck has repeatedly attacked popular music as “propaganda” that is helping to advance a progressive agenda and undermine America. Among his crazy rants:
· Beck and crew call Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” “anti-American.”
· Beck warns viewers that Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” is “about a progressive utopia.”
· Beck analyzes the Beatles’ “Revolution” to illustrate progressives’ plan to slowly institute Marxism.
(Actually, Inside that noggin of his throbs:
· the sound of 4 punk rock bands playing simultaneously,
· what you hear when you spin the dial of an old AM radio,
· the sound of 200 pairs of copulating cats,
· and The Battle Hymn Of The Republic,
All at the same time. – JLV (from a comment on the site))
Conservatives on Texas State Board of Education Want to Teach Fantasy – The Texas State Board of Education is holding hearings on changes to its social studies curriculum that would portray conservatives in a more positive light, emphasize the role of Christianity in American history and include Republican political philosophies. Conservatives argue that the proposed curriculum, written by a panel of teachers, emphasizes the accomplishments of liberal politicians — like the New Deal and the Great Society — and gives less importance to efforts by conservatives like President Ronald Reagan to limit the size of government. (Hint: the New Deal and the Great Society actually happened to some extent, whereas limiting the size of government was only talked about. But, limiting the effectiveness of government under Conservatives actually happened. – JLV)
Health Reform Myths – An article by Noel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman dispelling Conservative lies about health care reform.
It will actually save us money, reduces the Federal deficit, and extends coverage to many who suffer now.
Repent Sinners, or We’ll Shoot! – A web site called “Amarillo Repent†has a heading of “Army of God†and states,
“This site is not designed for non-christians, It is designed as a recruitment tool to call certain Christians to spiritual warfare.â€
It also has photos of guys in battle dress with weapons scattered throughout the text.
They also seem to believe that Earth Day is some demonic Earth Worship, and that you get breast cancer from having an abortion.
(So this web site doesn’t look like it’s designed for Christians to me, not based on the Christ that I know. – JLV)
Regards,
Jim
Andy Hailey