House GOP caucus still likes their pork
posted at 8:40 am on November 21, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Two successive national-election losses still hasn’t clued Republicans into the need for dramatic change in their direction. The House GOP caucus rejected a plan by John Boehner and Eric Cantor to impose a unilateral moratorium on pork-barrel spending, even a short term freeze:
Minority Leader John A. Boehner of Ohio and Eric Cantor of Virginia had unveiled late Wednesday a moratorium on GOP earmark requests through Feb. 16 while a new panel of Republicans comes up with proposals for permanent restrictions and disclosure requirements for earmarks
But Todd Tiahrt of Kansas, an appropriator, offered an amendment to strip the requirement for an earmark moratorium. And Tiahrt’s moratorium-killing proposal was approved by the full caucus, said several GOP aides. The amended rules package was then adopted.
Tiahrt has been a staunch defender of earmarks, and has been a rival of outgoing Republican Study Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling of Texas, one of the strongest proponents of a permanent earmark moratorium for all Republicans. Tiahrt lost a bitter head-to-head race against Hensarling for the chairmanship of the RSC at the start of the 110th Congress, and later opted to leave the conservative faction.
Boehner and Cantor just won election to leadership posts (re-elected, in Boehner’s case) in what was supposed to show a decision by House Republicans to firm up their message. This shows that flabbiness remains in style among Republicans on Capitol Hill. Last year, conservative activists tried to get the caucus to adopt a year-long unilateral moratorium in order to regain the mantle of fiscal responsibility. This time, they just wanted a commitment that would last three months, and still didn’t get it.
What does this say about the newly-elected leadership? Cantor was a particularly popular choice among conservatives as someone who could get the GOP back to its limited-government roots. It appears as though the House GOP elected Cantor as a figurehead, having no intention on following through on the promise for reform and focus on providing a rational difference for voters.
So what’s the strategy now? Pray that Democrats overreach so badly that people will vote Republican in 2010 out of spite? That’s not a strategy, that’s a hubris all on its own.
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With these morons in office, if the Dems are smart, all they need to do is sit back and be quiet. These RINOs will hang themselves.
AubieJon on November 21, 2008 at 8:44 AM
Anyone not realize that the people who we sent to D.C. do not care a tinker’s damn about anyone outside their little, sometimes ignorant , constituency.
MNDavenotPC on November 21, 2008 at 8:47 AM
I was stunned when I read that story yesterday. I thought the GOP leadership would at least make a pretense at reform. I think the GOP is toast.
Bugler on November 21, 2008 at 8:47 AM
Sigh… That whole building needs a good purging.
BadgerHawk on November 21, 2008 at 8:47 AM
Goodbye America. Nice knowing you.
D0WNT0WN on November 21, 2008 at 8:48 AM
Maybe the GOP needs another asskicking in 2010 before they really get the message.
What’s next? They cave in and support the auto bailout?
Doughboy on November 21, 2008 at 8:52 AM
They are more interested in their individual political futures than the future of the country.
ProfessorMiao on November 21, 2008 at 8:55 AM
Thank you Cantor and Boehner! I think you should have the GOP caucus vote for or against this EVERY WEEK. Maybe at some point they’ll remember the conservative values that got most of them to Washington in the first place.
hawksruleva on November 21, 2008 at 8:55 AM
I fired off emails and FAXes yesterday to all my congress-critters and the RNC reminding them that conservatives and republicans, in general, will have long memories for the next election cycle. If they want to stay on the good side of the electorate that goes to primaries, they need to let the dems have sole possession of the bailouts and if they want ANY monetary support in the future they better show the electorate that they aren’t Dem-lite.
It looks like the RNC and house repukes haven’t gotten the message yet, or they are just arrogant and the hubris demonstrated shows they belong in a different party affiliation or they need to go back into private life.
belad on November 21, 2008 at 8:56 AM
The stupid Republicans think they can outspend the dems. They think if they bring home the pork, they will be re-elected.
Well here is some news…the economy is in the tank, and by the time they wise up, others will be in line that are fiscally conservative and these little porkers will be out in the street.
The campaign slogan: “I brought home the pork, but bankrupted the country”…won’t be a very effective slogan.
right2bright on November 21, 2008 at 8:58 AM
Sorry, Ed; I know this is the “conventional conservative wisdom”, but it makes no sense whatsoever. If the electoral problem for the GOP is pork, then how can the answer possibly be more Democrats?
Conservative pundits love to use this issue as a bludgeon to beat spending-whore Republicans, but those very same politicians are still more fiscally conservative than anyone in the entire Democrat party.
If this is an issue, it is because the conservative punditry has joined up with the lying liberal MSM to depress the GOP vote. As much as I agree that reckless government spending is a huge problem, you guys who cite this as a reason why people are voting Democrat are absolutely dead wrong.
Use some logic.
Jaibones on November 21, 2008 at 8:59 AM
Ed, I know you’ve expressed sentiments that suggest you’re against the internecine warfare, RINO Hunting mentality. But doesn’t this show that we need exactly that?
D0WNT0WN on November 21, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Whaddyaknow he’s a social conservative only. Kinda like most of the rinos.
Socmodfiscon on November 21, 2008 at 9:00 AM
This is further evidence that the current House Repubs needs to be purged and solid conservatives put in their place.
VACalbear on November 21, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Its obvious aside from a handful of true conservatives like Mike Pence and others the rest of these so called conservatives dont get it even after losing two elections!
They deserve what they got but the trouble is we dont deserve what they got us!
HoosierCon on November 21, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Anyone not think that if given the chance, most all of these senators would like to arrive in Washington on their own personal jets?
And a couple of senators that wouldn’t go along, would be ridiculed.
One more salient thought…is there any doubt now as to why the senators are not pointing fingers at which senators was the cause and at the helm of the economic chaos…these guys are more interested in taking care of their “business” then our business.
right2bright on November 21, 2008 at 9:01 AM
There’s plenty of other flavors of RINO.
D0WNT0WN on November 21, 2008 at 9:01 AM
Thank you Jeb Hensarling for at least truly wanting some type of reform. At least someone has a clue. If Boehner and Cantor want to be the leaders of the party, then maybe they need to try leading. If there is nothing to be gained from this (even if it is just self-respect) then why even bring it up? This party is really starting to tick me off.
XWing5 on November 21, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Republicans suck so bad…
There needs to be a way to destroy them without ceding more power to Democrats.
Lehosh on November 21, 2008 at 9:02 AM
Now that I have read the few comments on your post, it sounds even funnier. Here we have liberals doing what they do – vote for the most liberal candidate available. The mushy middle is looking to the right and saying “why would I vote for a Republican? Their own base hates them.”
And the conservative voters (see above) are all saying “we need to purge the party of this scum” and “These guys are worse than Democrats”, all of which is simply absurd.
Get a grip, people. If you wonder why we will soon have a socialist President who doesn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground – look in the mirror. W.T.F.?!
Jaibones on November 21, 2008 at 9:03 AM
Jaibones, the Democrats don’t run on smaller government. They run on larger government and more federal control. Pork fits consistently in that approach. Republicans argue for smaller government, and then use federal dollars to pay for local projects.
It’s hypocrisy. That’s why it’s a much bigger problem for supposedly small-government Republicans.
Ed Morrissey on November 21, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Guess I’m voting libertarian then.
lodge on November 21, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Bingo. Same reason sex scandals hurt us more.
D0WNT0WN on November 21, 2008 at 9:06 AM
You are using logic. The general voting electorate does not. Look at this election. The “lesser of two evils” for this center-right nation was John McCain, but out of frustration with Mac or the GOP in general, people were either voting in “change” they didn’t understand or didn’t vote at all, thereby ensuring far-left O got named President. So while your argument may make sense to us, that is just not how it plays out.
XWing5 on November 21, 2008 at 9:06 AM
I will not be withholding contributions of time or money as some have suggested. I’ll simply be restricting them to conservative candidates in the primaries. And I will be donating to conservative candidates outside my district. Like any true conservative who opposes Tiahrt.
D0WNT0WN on November 21, 2008 at 9:09 AM
The logic is this (and I was against it 6 months ago, but have turned).
Liberal Republicans will just re-enforce the effect of liberal democrats. We will hang on saying, at least we have some Republicans, but they will water down the effectiveness of our conservative breatheran, and shore up the liberal dems.
Better to have the dems, now, just take the ball and let them run us to the ground.
Then have the conservative movement (the real movement) come in with the right alternative.
If you think Specter (or Leach, or Chafee) is going to lead us to a conservative party “use some logic”.
These guys are the reasons we are where we are, they deny the rightful place of conservative Republicans.
right2bright on November 21, 2008 at 9:10 AM
I concede that larger point. But are these particular pigs running on “fiscal conservatism”? I doubt it. Isolate them, because clearly, for the last several years, there is no generic “platform” that you can say the GOP stands for, like “smaller government”.
Certainly Bush, as our party leader, doesn’t stand for smaller government.
Jaibones on November 21, 2008 at 9:11 AM
I saw the PJTV clip of Michelle and InstaGlenn discussing a Kos convention for the Right. They both liked the idea and so do I. Only I think there needs to be more focus on the primaries. More focus on KILLING (politically speaking) Republicans who give the party a bad name. Like Norquist says “ratheads in a Coke bottle”.
D0WNT0WN on November 21, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Maybe the GOP could sweeten the deal by having a coalition of their own people push for reinstating the gun ban.
Ooooohhhh that’s right….
Bishop on November 21, 2008 at 9:14 AM
We get the government we deserve. Americans keep voting in these pathetic politicians.
robblefarian on November 21, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Many committed conservatives, recognizing that neither party reflected their views, stayed home. Many moderates voted for Bambi because a GOP dominated by RINO’s can’t make a sound argument why anyone should vote for them. I voted against the Bambino, but I didn’t vote for anybody. I feel ashamed that I voted GOP. The GOP is unworthy of my support. They won’t receive it again.
Bugler on November 21, 2008 at 9:16 AM
If republicans would run on deferring social issues to the states while focusing strictly on fiscal conservatism and strong defense they would win big.
They don’t have to deny social conservate agendas just campaign that the legislation of morality (which is exactly what social conservatism is) should be conducted solely within the individual state governements.
Then you would see independents crossing the aisle in droves.
Socmodfiscon on November 21, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Ed, don’t get me wrong – I agree with the criticism 100%. I am a conservative, not a Republican.
XW5, that’s exactly right. But I’m obviously no electoral strategist. I think the voters are all idiots, so I have no opinion on how to win elections. Pander to the idiots? Maybe – or better yet, stick to your principles. I am certain that I criticized the conservatives who railed on this point during the primary last spring – they were right and I was wrong.
R2B, I have no quarrel with what you said. You are right.
Meanwhile, we have little dickeaters like Mark Kirk in the leafy north suburbs of Chicago leading the charge to ban “assault weapons”, trying to stay to the left of his Democrat challengers. Good luck with that, Mark. You putz.
Jaibones on November 21, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Many committed conservatives, recognizing that neither party reflected their views, stayed home. Many moderates voted for Bambi because a GOP dominated by RINO’s can’t make a sound argument why anyone should vote for them. I voted against the Bambino, but I didn’t vote for anybody. I feel ashamed that I voted GOP. The GOP is unworthy of my support. They won’t receive it again.
Bugler on November 21, 2008 at 9:16 AM
I agree 95%. I am not yet to the point where I would cede government to socialists rather than support this band of imbeciles, but I’m getting closer by the moment.
3,250,000 of my fellow conservatives beat you to this point by two weeks, sorry to say.
Jaibones on November 21, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Good lord.
CP on November 21, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Socmodfiscon on November 21, 2008 at 9:17 AM: Bingo
Mark30339 on November 21, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Obama and most democrats get elected to their prospective positions for promising every “free give-away” to the masses even while the country’s wealth is going down the tubes—-And “rino-hunting” is the best we can do? The sad fact is a major portion of the electorate just wants their “fair share” and could care less about the fiscal stability of our government. Even Obama’s inauguration cost are a slap in the face—-and yet there is still the “let them eat cake” mentality.
Rovin on November 21, 2008 at 9:24 AM
Me: Yeah, them RINO’s love their earmarks
The voice in my head: But John McCain crusaded against earmarks.
Me: But John McCain was a RINO sumb**ch, but he fought earmarks and waste while other TC’s loaded up on pork *head explodes*
Squid Shark on November 21, 2008 at 9:25 AM
And that is a great point. If the GOP says that it will represent fiscal conservatism and become a party of the people (who want gov to control spending in the same way we are asked to), then they need to follow-thru. I think that a lot of them don’t even know what their principles are anymore. It is beyond frustrating.
XWing5 on November 21, 2008 at 9:26 AM
If “conservatives” really wanted to get things right they would walk away from the Republican party and all its attendant baggage and either join or form another party and start fresh. Something like the Constitution party maybe.
The Republican party as it is now is hopelessly broken IMO, with incompetent and arrogant lackwits ensconced up and down its food chain, and I’m doubtful even a ham handed Dem administration will manage to restore any luster to the name. More likely people will just become so disgusted with both parties we’ll see a revolt of some sort.
Sugarbuzz on November 21, 2008 at 9:27 AM
+1000000
But the problem is that the socialcons WANT the federal govt to legislate morality. The problem is that it is a two way street. If you let the states handle it, you will get wackos on both sides running certain states. But nothing will get forced into the national court, as gay marriage will be very soon.
Squid Shark on November 21, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Can anyone think of a better argument for term limits? It’s all about protecting their turf.
And look where experience has gotten us.
While we’re at it, let’s get the FairTax passed and get rid of the IRS. http://www.fairtax.org
gov.sarahpalinrocks.us
kyslugbug on November 21, 2008 at 9:30 AM
How many lost elections will it take for the Republicans to understand that they must be conservative in order to win? My question is how many times must conservatives be screwed by Republicans before they leave the party? I am a Libertarian. I know that many on this site and many conservatives will not become libertarians, however, I believe that there is a HUGE GAPING HOLE just waiting to be filled by a conservative, small government, fiscal libertarian like party. There is a large college aged Ron Paul movement that could be easily recruited to this movement and all of the hungry-for-conservatives Republicans would, I believe, gladly leave the Republican party if a VIABLE third party emerged. I am so tired of the Bill Kristols, David Brooks, John McCains, and Lindsey Grahams telling me why I am wrong to want a conservative/libertarian.
How many times will you allow the Republican Party to treat you like b&^ch before you leave?
King of the Britons on November 21, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Take it from someone who knew Tiahrt long before he made it to the House, he is and always has been scum. He cares about only one thing, and that is shoring up his power base back home to ensure his continued reelection. The only thing conservative about him are his pious, holier-than-thou religious views, but when it comes to a choice between enriching himself or solid, fiscally-responsible principles, it’s a no-brainer. I would happily give up another seat to the Dems to see him gone.
Nekulturny on November 21, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Blech. I’m so disgusted with these so-called ‘leaders’ I could puke.
redfoxbluestate on November 21, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Should we be surprised? Boehner and Cantor voted for the bailout.
Pence should be the leader. That guy is a social, fiscal, and national security conservative. Whip should be Michele Bachmann. These two are real conservatives.
jencab on November 21, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Totally agree with your points…however until you get some recognizable names to defect from the established parties OR you manage to get some celebrities and big money types involved backing it you will never see a viable third party.
Sugarbuzz on November 21, 2008 at 9:41 AM
Pork gets people re-elected, just look at Rep. Murtha.
tyrfing on November 21, 2008 at 9:42 AM
You know who this helps? Ron Paul.
lodge on November 21, 2008 at 9:44 AM
You know who is still clinically insane?
Ron Paul
Squid Shark on November 21, 2008 at 9:46 AM
Until we can make pork – both the request and the receipt – a repugnant matter of shame, that’s true. Too many people believe that the job of people in Congress is to bring home the bacon.
We need to do a much better job of educating people. How do we increase our influence to achieve that?
beatcanvas on November 21, 2008 at 9:47 AM
The party lacks a leader who can articulate the doctrines that underlie conservativism while calling out fearful, wussy and intransigent renegades and persuading them to toe the line.
whitetop on November 21, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Most of them don’t even care about that. Good God but we need term limits.
crazy_legs on November 21, 2008 at 9:52 AM
Vote Democrat until it hurts! Toast ‘em. Starve ‘em. Stop them!
Griz on November 21, 2008 at 9:54 AM
You know what’s funny?
You’re both right…
Jaibones on November 21, 2008 at 9:59 AM
I also like when they discussed how we need to work on the things that unite us, and spending like drunken democrats is at the top of the list.
Laura in Maryland on November 21, 2008 at 10:03 AM
The Voice is right. He was exactly what the pundits keep telling us that the GOP needs to be: fiscally conservative, belligerently bipartisan, national defense oriented, and “green”.
He got killed.
Jaibones on November 21, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Vote Buying is tested and proven method. There’s no consequences forcing them to change their ways.
eanax on November 21, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Exactly, and until that leader shows up the Republicans are just fighting for the Democrat’s crumbs, apparently happy to be an irrelevant minority.
tyrfing on November 21, 2008 at 10:04 AM
1. Find a way to get more students into private schools that have more conservative curriculum’s, i.e. religious and military schools. Public school is a breeding ground for liberalism and is filled with teachers that are the same people that spit on the soldiers that came back from Vietnam.
2. A full frontal assault in media. Fox news, blogs, and talk radio are not enough. You need at least one more major TV network in play, and lots of print media in your pocket. These things require lots of money to operate and cannot be easily countered “on the cheap” like blogs and such can.
3. Find a way to make being conservative “cool”. If necessary hire some hotshot PR firms to start crafting your message. As it is now it seems like the party of tight assed old white people. Not a winning sales point for younger generations.
4. Grab some of the Democrat talking points and take ownership of them. I agree with Newt Gingrich that the green movement would be a great place to start. The FUD that gets spread around that “going green” will kill the economy is BS, it will do just the opposite by opening up massive new job markets both domestically and for export of the technologies we come up with. Likewise alternative energy projects. Public opinion on the green movement is firmly in the corner of belief in global warming, that ship has sailed, so take advantage of it and make the best of the situation by owning the issue. The constant foot dragging by conservatives just makes us look like obstructionist, selfish tools.
Sugarbuzz on November 21, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Are these votes on the record? I’d like to know how my rep voted.
FuriousAmerican on November 21, 2008 at 10:07 AM
He got killed because we ran him in a lousy republican year.
Eric Cantor is on Fow talking exactly the way we need to be talking right now.
Squid Shark on November 21, 2008 at 10:11 AM
im torn
im shocked
but i can totally believe it.
perhaps they are into S and M and getting their asses whipped.
blatantblue on November 21, 2008 at 10:19 AM
If everyone of us does what you did, target one liberal Republican, zero in on him and get rid of his *ss or turn him, then we can have a strong conservative party.
Holding your local guys responsible to conservative values will begin to “move up” the ladder and the national leaders will begin to “get it”.
If they weren’t so driven by their bruised ego, the would have seen that was one of the true values of Palin…the hope we had for a real conservative.
right2bright on November 21, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I might as well just leave my pants down around me ankles and put a self-dispensing jar of lube over my you know what.
What message do we need to send to these people so they LEARN something?
Vote them all out. I’d rather spend years in the wilderness than sign up with this band of Jolly Rogers for another Congress.
karl9000 on November 21, 2008 at 10:22 AM
No Fiscal Conservatism = No Vote From Me.
If the Republicans have lost me, they have lost everybody.
gridlock2 on November 21, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I agree, we have sat back and allowed the libeals to take control of areas we are just as concerned with, and have better ideas.
Environment, conservatives want a clean environment, our advantage is we will work with industry to keep them strong and be compliant. We have a huge advantage their. We just need to start our own “Green Work” organization.
right2bright on November 21, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Devil’s Advocate:
Capt. Duncan Hunter II who just took his Dad’s seat refused to stop earmarking. He noted that with Pelosi running the House it’s been the only way Duncan Sr. has been able to get many military expenditures into the budget he considers essential for support of the troops and the War on Terror.
Defense is the Hunter family’s focus but I’d imagine this would apply to any number of issues of local concern to the remaining Republican congressmen. They’ll now be mostly from rural districts. They could likewise see earmarks as their only venue to get funds for projects the urban Democrats won’t give a second thought to.
Reform would have been much more practical when the GOP had control. Now, when they have little chance of being heard in committee banning earmarks could be sawing off the limb they’re perched on. Bismark’s law & sausages comment comes to mind.
rcl on November 21, 2008 at 10:30 AM
There are EARMARKS and there are earmarks…it is an overused term.
I don’t consider building a vet hospital an earmark…but building a memorial museum to the F-15 fighter ejection seat would be.
right2bright on November 21, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Todd Tiahrt needs to be removed as an “appropriator”.
Assign him to some maritime subcommittee that will let Kansas know he screwed up and is useless. Boehner should be able to do this.
Make an example of Tiahrt – let’s find a top quality candidate to run against this Ted Stevens wanna be.
Right_of_Attila on November 21, 2008 at 10:42 AM
“Make them famous”
Can we get a record of who voted against this? Shame them? This is where noise needs to be made.
Count to 10 on November 21, 2008 at 10:47 AM
WWRD?
What would Rahm do?
How about strong-arming, dropping a multitude of F-Bombs, and getting anti-pork Conservatives to run against some of these bozos.
danking70 on November 21, 2008 at 10:53 AM
My personal view is most conservatives oppose the green movement because it has been primarily espoused by celebrities and other such note worthies that most consider to be giant liberal douchebags. Or alternately they conjur up some mental picture of birkenstock wearing unshaved hippies as being the only people associated with green goals.
I’ve yet to see one cogent argument from anyone on how their personal life will be negatively affected by having cleaner air and water, and better food. This issue should be especially pressing to you if you have children.
Sugarbuzz on November 21, 2008 at 10:55 AM
“House GOP caucus still likes their pork”
Absolutely! The majority is as bad as the Democrats. We probably will see a continued weeding out of Republican congressmen, mostly those who don’t speak with a pig accent.
burt on November 21, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Sadly predictable.
Leadership did not change, why did you expect there to be a change of direction?
Romeo13 on November 21, 2008 at 11:11 AM
That’s one of the least hacky, most honest things I’ve heard from the right and it also makes me realize that I don’t really understand Republican voters. What is so offensive about a celebrity or a berkenstock wearing hippie that it caused an entire segment of the electorate to ignore a message we all should be invested in. Clean air, water etc. Is it resentment that people you don’t like are organized around these things? Is it just not likeing to be told what to do? I honestly don’t get it.
DeathToMediaHacks on November 21, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Good Morning. I just turned 73 and figure it’s time to do something contructive. When I moved here to Az. 3 years ago I changed from Rep. to Independant I have NEVER voted Dem. but I figured maybe someone in a 3rd. party might catch my eye.( Voted for Perot, what can I say) anyway I will register again as a Rep. and see if I can work in their elections offices here, maybe kick a little a$$ probably get kicked out but at least I can say I tried. God helps those who help themselves. Any advice?
concernedsenior on November 21, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Get ready for another electoral defeat in 2010.
The longer we are inconsequential, the more the democrats will implement their socialist agenda.
Once that gets in and entrenched, that will be all she wrote.
Freedom will die.
psv on November 21, 2008 at 11:40 AM
What is Fow?
Jaibones on November 21, 2008 at 11:47 AM
It’s all good. We’ll just keep going hat in hand to Arab thugocracies for financial aid to be used by Congress critters to buy votes from their constituencies. Until nobody wants to give us “Aid” anymore. We’re watching the twilight of American greatness. As seen by the National Intelligence estimate which predicts the end of American primacy in the next quarter century. It was nice while it lasted, huh? See you in line for the Soylent Green, all.
quikstrike98 on November 21, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Sigh… your showing your preconceptions.
Most on the Right ARE Environmentalists, but we want to USE the world we were given… not ABUSE, but use.
I’m one of those people who actualy go around picking up trash. I’ve cleaned up entire campsights in the Sierras that were trashed. I’ve even gotten out of my car at red lights to give someone back the trash they just threw out their window (really suprises em…).
The Far Left Greens don’t want us to use at all. Why? I can’t figure out.
We can, and do, drill cleaner oil wells here than anywhere else in the world. In the Mid East, their drill sites are environmental nightmares. Any yet, they’d rather we buy oil from there, instead of drilling CLEANLY here.
They make no sense. The way to clean up our environment is to be SMART in our use…
And please don’t give me the CO2 crappola, its already been scientificly disprooven… science does not work off of “consensus”, politics do…
Romeo13 on November 21, 2008 at 12:34 PM
You are blaming the wrong people. WE want our pork. WE as a people demand things from our representatives. WE want OUR roads, bridges, museums, farmers, crops, schools etc, etc, etc, to be funded. WE are all represented by some type of lobbyist. WE hate congress as a whole but reelect the majority of our individual congress members.
WE are to blame. Members of congress are responding to our requests. They are judged, in most cases, by how much they bring home. Ask Elizabeth Dole here in NC. She was rated as the 93rd most effective Senator, in part because she did not bring enough $$$$$ home. And that cost her the election.
The Opinionator on November 21, 2008 at 12:40 PM
McCain might have fought the earmarks, but he was a RINO in other ways.
I used to think Newt was OK, but now that he’s conceded some on APGW, he’s toast in my mind.
Who’s left? When will a leader with some balls stand up & fight for what’s right? Give it to the voters straight up?
Nobody does that. They all double-speak. They’re all full of $hit.
So we try & try & keep trying.
Libertarian is sounding better all the time.
Badger40 on November 21, 2008 at 12:44 PM
What we need is the Modern Whig Party. Check it out: http://www.modernwhig.org/index.html#action
sayabule1 on November 21, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Every one remember this the next time Rush, Laura, and Hannity are hyperventelating about how you MUST vote for the GOP! Remember that they are as bad as the rats!
sabbott on November 21, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Did you bother reading their platform?
2nd amendment right out the window as Localities can regulate guns anyway they want.
Fed Gov to give State Govs Fed taxes back??? Uh, why not just lower the Fed tax burden in the first place, and let states decide on their tax rate?
What they call “common sense” is nothing more than a mishmash of single issue positions, with no underlieing philosophy.
Romeo13 on November 21, 2008 at 1:12 PM
A good plunger
entagor on November 21, 2008 at 1:24 PM
People have those preconceptions for a reason, because Repubs/conservatives have been utterly dismal in getting the message out there that some of us care, and are not selfish pigs that choose to prioritize our personal comfort level over the quality of the environment.
Sugarbuzz on November 21, 2008 at 3:08 PM
An enema…
rhodeymark on November 21, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Does FRUSTRATION come with the package when you’re a Conservative, or is it just me? I feel like smacking each one of these morons with a spike paddle. I think we might have to vote Democrat so we can boot out every non-Conservative and reelect Conservatives to take charge.
jacobnyc on November 21, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Get with your local elected officials, particularly R’s who just won their elections or reelections. The help they needed, or need, is fresh in their minds.
These people also know tons of other people, so they are a natural starting place to get in the local network.
RushBaby on November 21, 2008 at 3:39 PM
“How many elections do they have to lose”
Uhm, pork is what keeps you in office, not what gets you thrown out. Murtha is the porkiest politician in the world and his district loves him for it. Everyone hates everyone else’s pork but they love it when a politician brings some of that federal spending to their home district.
Pork never got anyone voted out of Congressional office.
crosspatch on November 21, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Its unfortunate to say, but Tiahart is supposed to be my congressman. I havent’t always agreed with him, however I voted to keep him based on his no votes on the bailout. Guess I’m going to have to rethink that.
Time for another strongly worded letter and a phone call.
Ganryu on November 21, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Solution is simple, ignore the Democrats, let them govern with their majority and target the RINOS in our own party. Cantor has to get aggressive here, as does Boehner. Outside voices such as Gingrich and RNC hopeful Michael Steele need to join them. Name names, kick ass. The only way to reform the Democrats and ultimately washington, is to first reform our own party from within.
Daemonocracy on November 21, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Though this can be true, a cadidate can also win an election touting fiscal responsibility. If an Incumbent turns away pork or at least limits it to a minimum, he can run as one of the more fiscually responsible congressman in the house. In these tough economic times full of unpopular bailouts and runaway spending, that message is just as powerful as using pork as a bribe for votes.
Daemonocracy on November 21, 2008 at 6:04 PM
All this purging business sounds good, but how do you do it? Some of these so called congressman have no one running against them, and when they do the party supports the one in office. Remember Arlene Specter. And how many members, despite their faults, got reelected? Everyone wants to change the mess up there but it never gets done. What we need is a group of men and women who take a pledge to run on the same platform nationwide. We need to try and run a conservative in every single statewide election. Sure it will be tough, but it’s the only way we’re going to make headway. We also have to get out for these people. Here in the 24th district of NY, we ran a very good candidate against Arcurri, a Dem. toady, but Hanna had little national party support until it looked like he might win. He lost by the slimmest margin of any race in the US. Oh, maybe it’s all pie in the sky anyway. Even the best of them change when they get there so maybe, rethinking, we should all just stand fast and refuse to pay the bills. How many of us can they throw in jail at one time? A million, two. You go first and if it works, I’ll follow.
Amazing Grace on November 21, 2008 at 6:53 PM
RushBaby
Thank you for your imput, I will wait till after the holidays but that gives me some good places to start. Its either that or join the Minutemen at the border. I sure don’t know what the answers are it seems like most Reps. in power are just complacent or scared. NEED SOMEONE WHO WILL BUCK THE SYSTEM.
concernedsenior on November 21, 2008 at 7:14 PM
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