Greetings!
Here’s another update which
usually falls around the
18th of each month!
We hope you enjoy reading
-REGURGITATIONS-
(Politics move at such a heady pace, we have a tendency to “forget.” It is our own
shortness of memory that has produced such pitiful legislative representation. For weekly
in-depth analysis, merely send us your e-mail address and receive our no-charge
weekly blog, FRICK’S PICKS – This Week’s Snits.
-R
A BIG Quote for the Month!
“Aren’t we put on this earth to help each other?”
. . . attributed to Betty Ford
-R-
I didn’t realize . . .
Or, did you?
By
Roger Carasso, PhD
(Professor emeritus of California State University, Northridge)
Scalia: A Bizarre “Originalist”
While I can appreciate Justice Antonin Scalia upholding some rights for criminal defendants, I am puzzled by his invoking “originalism.” Scalia opposed Roe V. Wade because the Constitution doesn’t mention abortion, but the Constitution doesn’t mention corporations as “persons,” which didn’t faze him one bit in the Citizens United case (2010). He hasn’t questioned the President’s plunging this nation into war, though the Constitution is quite explicit on the exclusive right of Congress to do so. Also, Scalia’s state rights posture evaporated in Bush v. Gore’s intrusion in state elections, thereby giving Bush the presidency. As for the 6th Amendment, it restricts only the Federal government – and not the states. However, the 14th Amendment incorporated most of the Bill of Rights – by judicial decision, not by the original Constitution. Apparently, this did not bother Scalia either. A very bizarre “originalist”
-R-
Don’t do as I do, do as I say!
(“That’s a crock of crap!”)
IF YOU WATCHED THE NEW HAMPSHIRE REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES, you couldn’t miss seeing John Sununu as having sarcastically referred to a reporter’s question as, “A crock of crap.” (This is so typical of partisan politics at its very worst.)
This is the same John Sununu that was - at one time - governor of New Hampshire. This is also the same John Sununu that was at one time Chief of Staff for then sitting President Big Daddy Bush however, after a relatively short time, Big Daddy asked for – and got - John’s resignation. Before the axe fell, John – who seemed to be much heavier at the time but to this day still exudes a vision of self-indulgence - reportedly reveled in the use of taxpayer money to take personal trips. Allegedly, John loved to ski but, insisted on naming ski trips as “official.” Sununu even attended a stamp auction in New York City which required the use of a government limousine and chauffer to get him to Christie’s auction house. The limousine and chauffeur were sent back to Washington - the back seat of that limousine was empty since John opted for a corporate jet which got him back to Washington at a faster clip with is $5,000.00 in purchases in hand while all the travel was paid for by the taxpayers.
This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Back to Sununu’s “crock of crap” statement! Based on the foregoing, that crock was probably filled with strained honey!
-R-
A Salute to Newt!
(What are Newt’s qualifications for office?)
WE HAVE HEARD ALL SORTS OF VITUPEROUS COMMENTS DESCRIBING NEWT GINGRICH but, two such comments have really stuck in our minds. One person said that, “Newt Gingrich has fundamental character flaws.” Another person was more direct when he said, “Newt is a lobbyist and a liar!” In our eyes, both appear to be right and it would appear the two individuals summed-up similar observations yet, utilized different verbiage.
It is a matter of record that one time Speaker of the House Gingrich was fined $300,000.00 by – the usually moribund - House Ethics Committee for being unethical. In fact, Newt’s baggage makes a skycap’s check-in stand at New York’s JFK airport look more like a Girl Scout cookie drive. (It is common knowledge that Newt is/was a close friend of Tom DeLay who is now fighting tooth and nail to avoid a jail sentence. And we haven’t even begun to talk about Newt’s wives plus his baggage cart’s baggage!)
Here’s where the wicket gets really sticky! Reportedly, Newt Gingrich has made a lot of money – so much money he is said to have had – at one time – that infamous half-million dollar line of credit at Tiffany’s, New York – Oh, “Them” Golden Slippers. That was before America’s 8th wealthiest man, Sheldon Adelson – no simple task since 40% of that list is comprised of heirs to the Walmart empire – Las Vegas-based casino billionaire who wrote Newt that now infamous check for millions of dollars! (Apparently Sheldon has had better luck on the blackjack tables than with his campaign contributions.)
Remember when Newt a/k/a “Petulant Percy” was the ill-fated Speaker of the House? It was during this time that “Percy” allegedly got his nose out of joint because he was relegated to riding in the back of Air Force One as opposed to sitting up-front with the President. (Oh, but life has its challelnges/inequities!)
Whatever, Newt Gingrich is fundamentally something or other. Who doesn’t know that Newt signed the Grover Norquist “no tax” pledge? (Newt should be forever pledging allegiance to America. There are many good reasons to consider the Norquist “no tax” pledge as being unconstitutional but that can’t be – can it? So many Republicans loudly proclaim their defense of the American Constitution! And don’t forget, jobs, jobs, jobs - another good reason not to shut down Betty’s Brothel in downtown Wawaka!)
It is said that Newt’s campaign manager is former Rep. J. C. Watts (R-OK), dubious legislator, Baptist preacher, and had cast a vote for Clinton’s impeachment – although J. C. himself lived in a glass house constructed from very thin panes. J. C. has since retired from Congress and manages an eponymous Washington lobby firm. These combined with J. C.’s work
for Newt, is a shining example of ‘type casting.”
-R-
Another Hall of Shame Nominee!
(Corporate America marches on!)
McDonald’s (home of the Big Mac) is considered a worthy nominee for alleged influence peddling and alleged predatory marketing to children that results in the deadly epidemic of diet-related diseases. It is said that such diseases are devastating communities globally and said to be resulting in the eventual breakdown of the entire food system.
-R-
The American citizens’ knee jerk response!
(Careers in Politics)
How many times have you head, with the finality of a vasectomy, “Congress is so awful – I’m not going to vote for ANY incumbent.” This is the same “knee jerk” attitude that put us into the mess we are in. Remember when we voted for the person that told us what we wanted to hear? It is the same voter that created this mess since we were too lazy to vet? (What else could it be?)
Another downside to this problem is the distinct chance that in our zeal to “clean house” we are going to sweep-out some badly needed good when getting rid of the bad. There are a good legislators in Congress – legislators that want to truly abide by that “of the people, by the people and for the people” mission. That old saying comes to mind, “Let’s not cut off our nose to spite our face.”
It just makes for common sense that we divest ourselves of the blinders of partisanship and start thinking in terms of “national welfare” – which ultimately is YOUR welfare. To simplify our vetting process of any congressional aspirant, we refer to the signers of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, 112th Congress. It’s easily available by merely entering into your computer’s search engine, “Grover Norquist Tax Pledge List.” Once you have reached the sight, click on the entry, “The Taxpayer Protection and Pledge, 112th Congress List.” Presto! You have at your disposal a good beginning for your personal legislative vetting. Happy informative printing!
It is OUR opinion that any elected representative that is willing to sign any pledge created by a Washington Lobbyist – a man that is not elected by THE PEOPLE – is in essence placing party ideology ahead of citizen welfare! It is party ideology that has contributed much to our current mess! Add this to an individual legislature’s tenure in Congress, voter decision-making should be simple. Too many Congressmen have made a career out of politics!
-R-
2011’s Class Act!
(They still exist! Aren’t we fortunate!)
THERE ARE TWO CLASS ACTS CONSISTING OF SERGEANT DAKOTA I. MEYER AND SERGEANT 1ST CLASS LEROY PETRY. Both of these men became Medal of Honor recipients during separate White House ceremonies last summer. Both Meyer and Petry did extraordinary things – extraordinary things that involved personal security for ALL of us - they are true heroes! (What a comparison when compared to Mitt Romney - who has no record of service for his country yet his response to a reporter’s question as to the Romney family’s involvement with serving their country was to the effect that his sons had no record of service for their country but they did serve their country by working on their father’s Presidential campaign. It is extremely doubtful that any member of the Romney family will ever be a recipient of a Medal of Honor.)
2010 – class act was Sgt. Sal Guintaanother venerated Medal of Honor recipient.
2009 - Wilson Bradshaw, President of Florida Gulf Coast University who turned-down a contact calling for an automatic increase of $70,000.00 . At the time, Bradshaw stated to the effect that, times were rough and he had no entitlement to the increase when faculty and staff members had to go without.
We consider these to be CLASS acts - acts that historically march on!
-R-
Guest Commentary
by
Mukhtar M. Ali
Tea Party Republicans are for Business and
Against the People!
Congress is unwilling to pay for the services it has authorized the government to provide by collecting taxes and deferring payment to our children and grandchildren. This is wrong. Notice that I said, Congress is not willing to collect taxes. Nowhere have I suggested an increase in taxes. Congress is not collecting taxes using the gimmick of tax loopholes and giving handouts (subsidies and tax breaks) to corporations and the wealthy. It is insane to tax blood and sweat income (wages) at almost twice the rate as the Wall Street income (interest, dividends and capital gains).
Some interest income is tax free. To add insult to injury, the wage earners are asked to pay for the Wall Street bailout. Some estimates suggest that Congress should be able to collect more than three trillion dollars, which would pay for all government services and more, by simply eliminating tax loopholes, corporate handouts and having hedge fund manages pay ordinary income taxes. If you think rich have earned their wealth (except a few like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, . . .), think again. Most of them became wealthy by dodging taxes and thereby burdening the rest of us with inflated taxes.
-R-
They Say, We Say
TS – they say
WS – we say
-R-
TS: Why do so many people refer to Sarah Palin as “Cross Hairs” Palen?
Becky . . . Ludlow, CA
WS: Sarah Palin has frequently talked in ‘gun’ terms – not the least being “.load and reload.” Palin even went so far as to distribute a tasteless mailer using gun-sites to indicate liberal Congressional seats targeted for defeat by the far right.(“SayRah” later said the depicted gun sites were not supposed to be gun sites! Of course not!) When Gabby Giffords got shot in Tucson – in a state where state legislators attempted to get 4th of July sparklers banned because they are dangerous but, carrying a gun isn’t – even in Arizona bars! (On that ‘sparkler’ issue, the people of Arizona put their foot down.) Sarah’s gun analogies have disappeared from her diatribes. But, it is NOT – repeat NOT – true that Sarah Palin wrote the dedication page for Mark Kelly’s – Gabby Giffords’ husband – new book, GABBY. (It would be interesting to know how much money – if any – the NRA has contributed to “Tasteless Sarah.”)
-R-
TS: Recently, I saw Rep. Michael Grimm, (R-NY) on TV. Do you have
any “scoop” on the man?
Lonnie . . . Dothan, AL
WS: You probably know more about Congressman Grimm than we! In a way he doesn’t fit into the usual mold for Congressman. He has an admirable military record – he was a U. S. Marine. He also served with the FBI. At this juncture, our appreciation of Congressman Grimm ends. Grimm represents New York’s 13th District – Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, Grimm talks faster than even Tea Party Darling Joe Walsh (R-IL) and loves to repeat himself. We think we saw the same TV clip on the man which to us says that one can foresee a period of total darkness descending upon America’s congressional scene if some badly needed changes aren’t made - soon.(The total potential pension package is staggering.)
-R-
TS: Does Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Sgt. Sal. Giunta going to make a career out of the military?
Luke . . . Moses Lake, WA
WS: Sgt. Giunta retired from the military and has moved to Colorado with his wife. He retires at about fifty percent of his sergeant’s pay plus $1,000 a month bonus for his being awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama. Sgt. Giunta’s take-home packing amounts to approximately $24,000.00 a year. Compare this to the military bonus that Sen. John McCain receives - approximately $60,000.00 a year! And too, John’s net worth is estimated at approximately $41-mil. Something doesn’t add-up here, does it? (Adding fuel to the fire of ‘inequity,’ Senators inevitably refer to themselves as “public servants.”)
-R-
TS: Do you have an opinion on the recent payroll tax dance reduction
that was so adroitly danced around in Washington?
Arthur . . . Lake Charles, LA
WS: We predict that the outcome will spell the demise for Speaker of the House John Boehner who said - upon being sworn-in as Speaker of the House – in so many words that he had “realized the great American dream!” The humility hour will now convene. It appears that Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) – House Majority Leader - is just itching to take over John’s job and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) – House Majority Whip – is said to be panting at the starting gate to take over Cantor’s resulting vacancy. Oh, but the music plays on! Don’t be surprised to see Rep. John Carasso (R-WY) eager to jump into the McCarthy’s possible resulting vacancy! (All three have a lot in common in this musical chairs exercise - they seemingly never so “no” to a good photo-op!”)
-R-
TS: Are there any examples of “money in politics?”
Maurice . . . Montpelier, VT
WS: We sure do! Here’s but one good example. The Wall Street Journal reported American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS – thanks to founder Karl Rove – hope to spend at LEAST $250-mil influencing the political races to control Congress and the White House. (For the individual thinking voter, this is not the most encouraging nor healthiest news to come roaring down the pike.)
-R-
TS: I think there is too money much in politics. Am I wrong?
Mike . . . Pensacola, FL
WS: Your observation is RIGHT ON! To get a seat in Congress, the Center for Responsible Politics says it is necessary to raise about $1.5-mil in campaign funds. If you want to be a U. S. Senator, you will have to raise even more money A Senator has to raise about $7.5-mil in campaign funds – but senators do get bigger offices with higher ceilings. If you want to be President, the bells of the cash register really ring! All of this money comes from people that WANT something from government and it would appear those ‘wants’ are being fulfilled! This is not what we would describe as a “working democracy of the people, by the people and for the people!”( Since money has so saturated our representation, this may not be considered an adequate response to your question.i
-R-
Next
Regurgitations
Another provocative “I didn’t realize . . .”
(by contributing editor, Roger Carasso, PhD)
Presidential primary aspirant gets blessing!
(It’s not from the Pope!)
“Global warming is a hoax!”
(Guess what senator said that!)
The late Lee Atwater a saint?
(you decide)
What Republican primary Presidential aspirant was listed as “most corrupt?”
(There seems to be so much from which to choose!)
A member of big oil gets fined but good!
(Out of sight, out of mind?)
And – as usual –
there’s more, much more!
-R-
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