The Speaker Can't Get Coverage & Russert Shills For Him

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Luke Russert ‏@LukeRussert37m

Boehner attempts to signup for Obamacare, it didn't go well: http://www.speaker.gov/general/my-attempt-sign-health-care …

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NBC News ace super star reporter Luke Russert Tweeted a link to Speaker Boehner's web site  in which the man with tan recounts his attempt to sign up for coverage with the DC Health Care Exchange and according to the Speaker it did not go well.

The diligent Mr. Russert did not offer any independent verification that this actually happened.  It could have have been staged by the desperate Republican leader.


A number of things could have happened along the way that could have caused John Boehner some problems.

1. John Boehner is a resident of Ohio and does not qualify for Health Care with the DC Exchange.
2. Mr. Boehner's income is too high for coverage and he does not qualify.
3. Mr. Boehner gets his health care paid for by his employer and does not qualify.
4. Was Speaker Boehner sober?
5. Why was John Boehner doing private and personal business on his employers time and using his employers computer.  That is grounds for firing in the private sector.
6. The system was having one of its glitches.

Perhaps Luke Russert will offer a more full report tonight on the Evening News......or not.

U.S. House of...........

The cover page headlines of the New York tabloids are usually pretty clever.

Today The New York Daily News takes it up a notch and sums up John Boehner and his Republican controlled House of Representatives quite accurately!

Congressman Dent Leading - Glad to See It!

Could this be the act of leadership from Congressman Charles Dent that I have been looking for his entire career?  According to reports and his office our GOP Congressman is urging his colleagues to go along with the Senate and fund the government through a truly clean continuing resolution.


As you know the government is set for a partial shut down at midnight tonight unless a bill makes it through both chambers and is signed by the President.  The Democrats in the Senate will only pass and the President will only sign a free and clear straight forward spending bill.  The House is being held hostage by it's extreme right wing and the Speaker is so weak and powerless that he is unable to lead.


So, into the vacuum steps my Congressman Charlie Dent.  I have not always been kind to Mr. Dent but I do always acknowledge when he does the right thing.

Everyone always says what a great guy Mr. Dent is and how nice he is.  I don't really care if he is nicer than what Pope Francis appears to be what I want and expect from our Congressman is leadership.  Mr. Dent has always seemed to be happy being a back bencher and going along to get along.  My theory is why enter politics unless you are ready, willing and able to lead.  To this date the Congressman has shown little inclination in that direction.  I may not always agree with where Mr. Dent is headed but I just want him to show some guts and stand up for what he thinks is right.

Last week Mr. Dent issued a statement claiming he was from the governing wing of the Republican Party and was opposed to shutting down the government, even as he went along with legislation that would have in the end done just that.  But, I didn't comment about it because I was hoping he would be a man of his word.

I am pleased to see that Congressman Dent is just that; a man of his word and is working to ensure the federal government does not shut down.

Good on you; Congressman Dent

Not Much GOP Love For Ted Cruz

Tennessee Senator Bob Corker is critical of Ted Cruz .


Could this be the beginning of the end of Ted Cruz?  Demagogues have come and gone in American politics but they don't usually have public critics within their own party this soon into their fame arch.  Joe McCarthy lasted a few more years than this.
 

With Senators Bob Corker, Tom Coburn, John McCain and even Lindsey Graham coming out against Cruz's antics could his influence already be waning?  Even the loathsome Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has decided to stand up to Cruz.


McConnell has a teabagger opponent in the primary next year even though throughout the Obama Presidency he has lurched further and further to the racist right in order to avoid a primary fight.  Since this has failed he has decided to be a statesman and has refused to support Teddy C and his wackjob supporters attempt to bring this nations government to its knees.

When Ted Cruz gets blamed for the government shutdown and then blamed for the default a few weeks later how much longer will his words matter?  How much time after these event occur will he become more irrelevant than Sarah Palin & Michelle Bachman?


But, he will always have the support of the racist tea baggers and perhaps that and his government salary for the next four years will keep he and his family from starving.

Boehner - Extremists Matter More Than Country

John Boehner has proven to be the worst and weakest House Speaker by capitulating to this . Like many Republicans he has decided that power trumps governing, truth, justice and the American way.


Speaker Boehner has agreed to support Teabaggers in their efforts to allow a government shutdown rather than fund The Affordable Health Care Act.

John Boehner has decided keeping his office is more important than anything else. Historians will write that he has been one of the weakest and least effective Speakers in history but apparently that does not matter to Mr. Boehner.

He has coveted this role for such a long time and he will do anything and everything he can to keep it. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the second in line to the Presidency has decided that the extremists in his party are more important than his country.


There can be no worse political humiliation than being tossed out as Speaker by your own party (ask Newt) and if John Boehner does not bow to the extremists he is in danger of that happening. So, instead of doing what is right for the country Speaker Boehner is falling in line with the people who gave him the Speakership because being Speaker means more to Boehner than anything else.

Is Hawaii Next for Marriage Equality?

Governor Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii has called a special session  of the legislature to address the issue of marriage equality.  The Democratic Governor will be pushing a bill that will legalize marriage equality.

On paper this seems like a slam dunk, Hawaii was an early civil union state.

Also, Hawaii is such a live and let live accepting kind of place.  Many people refer to each other as "Cousin" because it is assumed somewhere in history we are related.  The people of Hawaii are such a mix of cultures and ethnicity's that most people are more than happy to let you live your life as long as you let them live theirs.  The people of Hawaii are also some of the nicest people I have ever met. I keeping asking my guy if we can move there.

If this passes it will make Hawaii the 13th state to decide to make this a more perfect union.

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Governor Humiliates McConnell and Paul

I wish I could have witnessed this.

The Democratic Governor of Kentucky  smacks down his states two Republican Senators.

Kentucky is represented in the Senate by "the worst person on the planet" AKA Mitch McConnell and a man so dumb he thinks he's smart (and what is up with his hair) Rand Paul.


The chattering class is still bad mouthing The Affordable Care Act and still pretending the Republicans have a chance to overturn it. The Republicans are still pandering to the Tea Baggers that they are actually going to repeal a law the Supreme Court has ruled valid and constitutional.  It is not going to happen and Governor Beshear tells us why.

Well Done You! Governor Steve Beshear.

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Wing Nut News From.......Texas and Jesse Jackson Jr.

Extremist Congressman Steve Stockman offers a job to the Obama mask wearing rodeo clown.  He saw nothing disrespectful about what happened in Missouri and people need to have a sense of humor.

Steve Stockman is unfit to sit in the United States Congress because he is in this order a;

1. Tea Party Patriot
2. Texan
3. Conservative
4. Republican 
5. American

But, even Stockman's awful behavior does not compare to the shear lunacy of the former Texas GOP Chair she predicts immigration reform will lead to the end times she also claims that the government will begin to brand us with ID numbers.

Of course, she has never really shown us the words in the Senate's immigration reform bill that say this....because she can't. She just made this bullshit up on the spot because she knows she can't win the argument with the facts so she has to stir up the people who pay attention to the things she says.

She is clearly a clever fool because she knows there are thousands of people out there who will believe her.  But who are the people who believe in what she says and why do they fall for such nonsense? I know that she is talking bullshit and I think that she knows she is talking bullshit but she does it because it makes her famous and raises money to line her pockets.

And in other politicians who have made fools of themselves news:

Jesse Jackson Jr  is sentenced to 2.5 years in prison followed by 3 years probation.  What a shame he could have gone very far in politics.  It's a shame what greed and a sense of privilege will do to a person.

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Is Steve King The Biggest Idiot in Congress?

Iowa GOP Congressman Steve King gets more and more bizarre  by the hour.  Now, he defends dog fighting - but claims he was misquoted and his brilliant logic was taken out of context.

He really is the gift that keeps on giving.

He makes Sarah Palin seem sane...............................................


Well not really

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Congressman Farenthold is a Silly & He's From Texas

Not very bright birther  Congressman Blake Farenthold of Texas (of course) claims there are enough GOP votes to impeach President Obama.

Bring it on you stupid man....

The American people take the impeachment of their elected President very seriously!

Bring the charges and see how the American people react - the last time the GOP impeached a President they lost seats in the next election and Newt Gringrich lost his job.

So, go ahead impeach him - try it!

What a horses ass, I mean really on what issue would they impeach this President?

And yet, the thought of impeaching Dick Cheney never crossed their mind?

What's even worse is that this moron will no doubt be re-elected.

Why do I still have hope for this great nation?

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The Week in GOP Wing Nuttery

Wow it has  been quite a week in Conservative / Republican Wing Nuttery

Lindsay Graham the prissy Senator from South Carolina has called for yet another war.  I have to wonder what is it about Sen.Graham that makes him love war so much.  I know that Senator Graham has served this nation well as an active and reserve Air Force member he has served as a Judge Advocate the entire time.  He was wrong on Iraq and wrong on the way Afghanistan was fought so he wants us to trust his judgement as he tries to lead us into war with Iran.
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2013/07/23/2343871/graham-iran-war-authorization/?mobile=nc

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Later term abortions that are performed to save the life of the mother are really just "A matter of convenience".  According to GOP Representative Brian Nieves
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/23/brian-nieves_n_3640587.html?ref=topbar

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Kyle Tasker Republican of New Hampshire has a long history of odd public statements - this time he claims he needs booze in order to talk to Democrats.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/23/kyle-tasker-new-hampshire_n_3640196.html?
ncid=txtlnkushpmg00000037

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The always foolish Steve King of Iowa claims that most immigrants are trying to smuggle "Weed".
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/ia-gop-rep-for-every-dreamer-brought-to

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Republican Senator Mike Lee from Utah is willing to shut down the entire government in order to stop ObamaCare.  He prefers women paying more for insurance, he prefers that care is limited by a persons ability to pay, he prefers that people are denied care because of a pre-existing condition, he prefers that a young person who can't afford insurance does not get it.  Mike Lee prefers that people without insurance use emergency rooms for basic care and if they can't afford the care so be it...he prefers that the local hospital passes on the cost of that coverage to you and I.

 Let this sink in.... Sen. Mike Lee, Republican of Utah is ready to shut down the entire government to stop millions of his fellow citizens from affordable health care.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/22/mike-lee-obamacare_n_3634456.html?ref=topbar

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And then there is this jackass...... Glenn Beck  - The President not using a teleprompter last Friday proves he is committed to dividing the nation.
http://freakoutnation.com/2013/07/23/glenn-beck-obama-not-using-a-teleprompter-in-his-speech-is-proof-that-hes-an-expert-in-divisive-politics/
From his own blog
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/07/22/its-his-lifelong-passion-beck-weighs-in-on-one-significant-detail-you-may-have-missed-in-obamas-race-relations-speech/

It was quite a week

Congress - There is an app for it

I am like a pig in shit over this app "Congress" by the Sunlight Foundation.

With just a touch you will be able call his/her office, research the voting record, learn about committees he/she serves on, get instant access to his or her website, see what bills or lack of bills your member sponsored and view a map of the district.  You will also be able to look up other members.

I predict hours and hours of nerd fun in my future.

http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2013-07/sunlight-foundations-app-perfect-yelling-your-congressperson?src=SOC&dom=tw

Gohmert, Bachman and Palin Oh My!

He's from Texas (of course) He's a Republican (of course) He's a Tea Party favorite (of course) and he is the gift that keeps on giving -Rep. Louie Gohmert claims that DOMA ruling voids polygamy laws ............... and his intellectual peer Rep. Michele Bachman agrees but says a lot of pray will make it all better.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/28/louie-gohmert-doma_n_3517882.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay%20Voices

The other leader of the "Stupid Caucus" Sarah Palin say's she is open to leaving the GOP - I wish she would just leave us and go back to her home planet.
http://dailycaller.com/2013/06/29/sarah-palin-floats-idea-of-leaving-republican-party-video/

Well Done You! Congressman Charles Dent

My Congressman Charlie Dent, who is often a huge disappointment to me, voted Nay on the "Pain-capable Unborn Child Protection Act" he was one of only 6 Republicans to do so.

The Republicans who have done nothing about jobs, nothing about the economy, ginned up fake scandals and every now and then accuse The President of United States of all kinds of awful things have decided that they would pass a bill through the House of Representatives that has not chance of being enacted into law. 

But, they are doing the people's business.  It just happens that it does not actually help the female people of this country.

They run for public office because they don't believe in governing.  Explain that one to your grandchildren.

They think women who are raped can't get pregnant.  Explain that on to your daughters.

They think there are various degrees of rape, some are legitimate and some are not and only some are bad.  Explain that to your nieces. 

They think abortion is wrong because male fetuses are masturbating and should not be disturbed. Explain that to me.

This GOP written bill will outlaw abortions at 20 weeks.  It violates the Roe vs Wade but why should the  Republican members of the United States Congress concern themselves with following the law.  

The original male manager of the bill said some typically stupid things last week so the leadership turned the bill over to a Congresswoman to manage.

The bill passed today by a vote of 228 - 196 with 10 members not voting. 

I may disagree with my Congressman on most issues of public policy but he has not joined the Republican War on  Women and for that he deserves a...

Well done you! Congressman Dent. 

What Will The Mighty Bob Casey Do?

Some Democratic Senators have decided to walk in the true light of justice. Why?  Either they have truly looked into their hearts and have seen the way forward or they have seen polls that tell them it is better to be pro rather than con.

Either way I welcome this latest rush of announcements from Democratic, mostly moderate to conservative Senators in support of marriage equality.

But where is my Democratic Senator?

I certainly have no expectations that my Republican Senator (and former Allentown bar owner & high paid lobbyist) Pat Toomey would ever betray his rigid, extremist, right wing ideology and stand up for truth, justice and the American way.

My Democratic Senator Bob Casey has been a pretty descent "left of center" Senator.  He votes the right way on many of the issues that I care about both economic & cultural.  He has been OK on the "gay" stuff - closer to Chuck Schumer than to Orin Hatch.

Having watched Senator Casey and the entire Casey family for years I have found that they are not politically expedient people, they do not seem poll driven and I believe they always try to do what is right.  I may not always agree with the stands on issues like Women's choice or gun restrictions but I think his and for that matter his father's views come from a genuine place and their deeply held beliefs.

He is struggling with the marriage equality issue, he is in favor of Civil Unions, which I was too as long as they were recognized with the same rights and privileges as marriage both at the state and federal levels.

I think Sen. Casey wants to do the right thing but he is devoutly Catholic and opposing his church does not come easy to someone named Casey from Scranton, Pennsylvania.

So when The Mighty Casey comes to the plate on the issue Marriage Equality will he strike out or will he hit a home run for justice and equality?

Hillary Schools Congress

"Secretary of State Clinton showed up to answer tough and sometimes ridiculous questions regarding the deadly September 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. In the process, she offered a tutorial for today’s young women.

Key points:

1) When a man asks you a question and then refuses to look at you as you answer, just keep going. Don’t let his rudeness silence you.

2) When he interrupts you, return the favor.

3) When he says things you know are not true, correct him. Repeatedly.

4) When he attempts to bully you, mow him down with facts.

5) And whenever possible, smile. Nothing rattles an angry man like a woman who looks happy to annoy him."

— Hillary Schools Congress and Teaches Girls by Connie Schultz on Creators.com - A Syndicate Of Talent (via immlass)

Dylan Ratigan Got Me Thinking

I sometimes find Dylan Ratigan difficult to watch but this link is worth watching and he accurately sums up the frustrations I have with politics. This frustration may be the ultimate reason I have had it with politics.

There is no one willing to make the hard choices that need to be made.

This includes the American people.

Are we really willing to sacrifice? Are we really willing to do the right thing? Are we really willing to find common ground? Are we willing to give something of ourselves for the greater good? There is little evidence that we are.

After 9/11 President Bush and Congress asked us to give up some of our civil liberties and we said OK.

A universal military draft would force all mother's and father's to sacrifice their son's. How fast would we have been out of Afghanistan & Iraq if these wars had been fought by every one's sons.

President Bush did not ask us to pay for his wars, instead he took out loans from the Chinese and the Saudis. He did not include the cost of the wars in his budgets instead he created a separate accounting line so that the cost would not be counted as part of the budget deficit he was running up. Did we complain? Did way say "What can we do to help?" No, we just went about our business and pretended it was not happening. Of course the Republican opportunists are now ignoring their own culpability and blaming it all on Barack Obama.

We are a nation on the edge of fiscal ruin and no one is really doing anything about it. The Republicans only cared about this once the people elected the black guy President. They do not want the wealthy to chip in and help. They seem quite happy to sacrifice our nation's commitment to the least of us and to ask they expect the middle class to foot the nations bills.

The Democrats big chant "Tax the Rich" is so strident and so loud it seems as if the world oldest organized political party hates success.

Whenever I hear a Congressional leader say "The American People do not..." it makes my skin crawl. Does anyone in Washington really know what the American people want? We know that they know what the K Street People want.

I have slowly come to the realization that the only solution to our nations problems may be a do over.

I would have said revolution but that may bring the FBI to my door.

Here is the Dylan Ratigan link

http://binged.it/vZnVnJ

Congressman Dent's Brave Vote

I would like to thank Cong. Charlie Dent for his brave vote confirming the expression "In God We Trust" remains the official slogan of the USA.

It took a lot of guts for Mr. Dent to stand up to the forces of evil that are trying to destroy this nation and I know that it was a difficult vote for our Congressman. It was so important that it was the major focus of Mr. Dent's party this past week.

God Bless you Mr. Dent, I know that this brave vote will create a lot jobs and make our economy stronger. Mr. Dent's leadership on issues like this job creating piece of legislation should be admired.

Still Waiting For Leadership

If anyone sees Congressman Charlie Dent will you please ask him when he is going to introduce a piece of legislation that will create jobs. He told us in the last election that job creation was his priority.

When will Charlie Dent lead?

Not A Leader

In an interview after last week’s State of The Union address our Congressman said he did not think the spending freeze the President called for went far enough in cutting spending. Yet Congressman Dent never offered an alternative. Clearly it is easy for Mr. Dent to criticize but it appears it is difficult for Mr. Dent to lead. A leader, man worthy of election to high office should do more than criticize he should offer alternatives and Charlie Dent has chosen to continue do what he has done his entire career. Play it safe and offer little platitudes to the various constituencies that have kept him in office.

What would you cut Mr. Dent? And please be specific. If you say waste and fraud we will all know that you are not a serious thinker and will never really be a leader.

What programs will you cut? Would the cuts come from education? Would they come from senior citizens programs? Would you touch defense spending? Should medical care be cut back for our returning troops? Would you cut NPR? How will Medicare be affected by your suggestions? Should funding be slashed to medical research projects? Would you cut funding to farmers and after school programs? Should we not spend money to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure?

Mr. Dent only has one vote among the 535 members of House and Senate which is very comfortable for him; he can hide behind everyone else.

The time has come after a very long career as a legislator for Charlie Dent to show some leadership skills.

I have a few books sitting around the house on the topic of leadership and I am more than happy to share them with our Congressman.