Specter: “I don’t have any requirement to be here”
posted at 12:15 pm on August 11, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Things got a little heated at the townhall forum held by Senator Arlen Specter (R er, D-PA) this morning after a curious decision not to allow people to ask questions live from the floor. One constituent had to initially be restrained when he found out that he couldn’t ask a live question, but Specter handled the incident well by giving the man his say — and admitting that his office needed to do better in adopting a process that allowed for live interaction in his meetings. He then angered the crowd all over again by reminding them how lucky they are to be in his presence at all, as this video clip by The College Politico shows at the end:
SPECTER: I’m encouraging constitutional rights. I’m encouraging constitutional rights by coming to Lebanon to talk to my constituents. I could be somewhere else. I don’t get any extra pay — I don’t have any requirement to be here. But for somebody –
CROWD: [Angry murmuring] You work for us! You report to us!
SPECTER: Okay, okay, number — well, I am reporting to you …
Putting aside the risible notion that holding townhalls are required for “encouraging constitutional rights,” lecturing Pennsylvanians on their good fortune to have an audience with their lordly Senator seems to be right in line with the Democratic approach to democracy these days. Specter doesn’t get any “extra pay”? He makes $174,000 a year for a job that requires him to be at the office four days a week when Congress is in session, which is only about 2/3rds of the year. He has a gold-plated medical and dental package that Specter certainly won’t surrender for the ObamaCare system he’s pushing. Thanks to his 30 years in the Senate, he’s eligible for a pension that will pay 80% of that salary and keep his benefits package in place until he dies.
How many of his constituents have that kind of job? How many do you think will be impressed that Specter deigned to receive his subjects without getting a bonus payment to do it? What a great example of Beltway arrogance — and what a great opportunity for Pat Toomey.
Blowback
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Arlen needs to join the ranks of the unemployed. ARROGANCE has been the hallmark of the Democrats in Washington since 2006. Just ask Madame Pelosi, who is currently grinding her teeth because she won’t get her personal fleet of Gulfstreams.
GarandFan on August 11, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Culture of Deception, they’ve even deceived themselves into thinking they are gods.
kirkill on August 11, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Yes, go give your existence meaning by getting your daily Obamacast. You’re cranky and need your soma.
And when he tells you to jump, make sure to ask him “onto who’s face?” and “how hard?”
Good Lt on August 11, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Neuschwanstein. Yes, both are nice.
Johan Klaus on August 11, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Steve Cohen (from Memphis) lied to Greta last night. He flatly said that abortion funding is not in the bill. Email or call him to set him straight.
SouthernGent on August 11, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Most likely. Odds are he’s just a 15-16 year old punk who gets breaking news from MTV.
In his world, all conservatives are sucked away somewhere leaving only the liberals to inherit the world. (Oddly enough, something similar occurrs in Revelations…) Problem is, once the productive class leaves, the taker class slowly starves to death.
As Meatloaf said “…I’m praying for the end of time…”
BobMbx on August 11, 2009 at 1:17 PM
You just know that he wanted to say: “Number one, I don’t work for you”, but he thought better of saying that out loud.
Vashta.Nerada on August 11, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Did anyone ask why if the People’s Plan is good enough for us why it’s not good enough for him and the rest of the crooks?
Blake on August 11, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Um, the problem is he’s hiding how he feels now. You know he wants single-payer. We know he wants single-payer. We both know that if he’s honest his plan won’t stand a chance in hell.
BadgerHawk on August 11, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Blake on August 11, 2009 at 1:22 PM
We’re all equal, but Democrats are just a little more equal than you and I.
And the day Barack Obama precious daughters stand behind 10 illegal immigrant kids to get treated for the flu, will also be the day they start attending the public schools Democrats tell us are so wonderful for our kids.
NoDonkey on August 11, 2009 at 1:28 PM
I love the delicious irony of the old geezer currently enjoying socialized medicine (Medicare) screaming about the perils of socialized medicine to Specter.
dcwvu on August 11, 2009 at 12:18 PM
I love the delicious irony of the old geezer Spector pushing a Socialized healthcare system that HE wouldn’t get within ten feet of.
NJ Red on August 11, 2009 at 1:28 PM
I love the fact that old Specter joined up with the donks just in time for this socialized medicine debacle!
And I resent the idea that people protesting SOCIALIZED MEDICINE are against “healthcare” and don’t support “healthcare”. Another phony usage.
clnurnberg on August 11, 2009 at 1:33 PM
I’m sorry, but were is it a Constitutional Right to have the government pay for healthcare?
Tim Burton on August 11, 2009 at 1:39 PM
This my friends is what you call pwnage!
Tim Burton on August 11, 2009 at 1:40 PM
You mentioned the Constitution. Got to jail.
LimeyGeek on August 11, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Senator Spector – November 2, 2009 can’t come soon enough!!
yoda on August 11, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Spector…engine flameout at 30,000 feet…no parachute, and the canopy is jammed, tugging at the stick, sweat rolling down his face.
Spinning himself right into the ground.
The irony is almost overwhelming….he just had to change to a (D) after his name, too. Nobody is going to cover his six now.
coldwarrior on August 11, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Medicare is not socialized medicine. The idea was that people would pay into it over their working lifetimes and then it would be available to them when they could no longer work and get insurance through their employer.
Also, social security recipients are required to register for medicare even if they do not want it.
The liberals never foresee the consequences of their agenda. More people are living longer, there are more treatments for illnesses that would have previously been a death sentence and more seniors are active and want to be healthy so they are using more care to remain that way.
The only reason medicare even still exists is because the government can just run it even though it is broke by printing more money or at a deficit. They control what gets paid and what the costs will be for care.
It’s a far cry from the control that the libs want over health care now.
Jvette on August 11, 2009 at 1:49 PM
According to the libs, the phrase “provide for the general welfare of” is license to do anything and everything they determine to be good for you.
Jvette on August 11, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Senator Arlen Specter (D-Arlen Specter)
Yep, losing this guy was a crippling blow for the GOP.
I predict that before the 2010 election, the Dems will be wishing he was our problem and not theirs.
tsj017 on August 11, 2009 at 2:00 PM
I was really disappointed to see the Dem congresswoman who asked for a show of hands of seniors at a town hall who oppose Medicare and no one did. I would have. Because of Medicare, my employer forced me off the insurance I was pleased with and sells me only expensive supplemental insurance only. My wife also had to start over with insurance with less coverage and higher deductible even though she’s not a senior. Altogether, I am paying more now than I did before and the plan is NOT better. If it weren’t for the govt. taking my money for this Medicare plan, I’d be better off!
Christian Conservative on August 11, 2009 at 2:04 PM
How about a change in the election rules to encourage a few politicians to leave office. If you decide to run for re-election and lose, you lose all or part of your benefits. If you decide to retire and not run again, you keep everything.
rbb on August 11, 2009 at 2:08 PM
I’ve got news for these politicians. The beast is awake, and they have no idea what is in store for them.
I LOVE what is going on in this country right now. Let’s make the stupid Vietnam protests look like a night by the campfire.
RWLA on August 11, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Mein deutsch ist schlect. At least anymore. I loved my time stationed in Bavaria though. Beautiful countryside and the castles were great.
coyoterex on August 11, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Having done some volunteer work for Mr. Specter (back when he was an R) as a volunteer for the Republican party – this kind of comment does not surprise me AT ALL. Specter and his people have felt they were better than the rest for a while now. Interesting side note – I once ran into (almost literally) Arlen Specter while on a tour of the Capitol with a group of high school students. The illustrious Senator (sarc) was walking down the hall toward the rest room, my students were receiving their phones, etc. back from one of the building staff after having surrendered them in order to sit in the gallery for a few minutes. He did not speak to a single one, or myself, nor did he acknowledge their existence with a look or a smile. I wasn’t expecting much, and I got even less, so this I am sorry to say is typical, classic Specter.
Govgirl on August 11, 2009 at 2:22 PM
He invented the single bullet theory. Anyone associated with the death of St. JFK is golden. Well, in PA anyway.
curved space on August 11, 2009 at 2:23 PM
“I’ve got news for these politicians. The beast is awake, and they have no idea what is in store for them.
I LOVE what is going on in this country right now. Let’s make the stupid Vietnam protests look like a night by the campfire.”
Amen.
LtE126 on August 11, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Here you go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib8nH4kHjxk
singer on August 11, 2009 at 2:25 PM
I saw this on Fox News in between meetings today. Laughed my Ass off.
(still am)
Arlen, your Senate days a re numbered my friend. I will vote absentee once more in PA “just” so I can vote against you.
hawkdriver on August 11, 2009 at 2:25 PM
I was at the meeting today, but had to stay outside since I didn’t get there by 7:00 am. My friends and I held our signs proudly, though, and chanted “Just say no!” I hope he listens…
Eclectic on August 11, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Oh. And Pat Toomey supported the confirmation of Sotomayer. That will cost him. Toomey is not the answer.
curved space on August 11, 2009 at 2:32 PM
If the democraps are so keen on health care reform don’t they all offer to forego their coverage and pilot why Obamacare for us. The pilot can go for a full election cycle and then, if they have survived it, they can tell us how good it will be.
Hell, if you want to take care of a good portion of the deficit, terminate their healthcare all together, have them pay into a retirement account which is managed by the social security administration and take away their other retirement perks which the average citizen does not have. They are the elitists in our society.
PatriotPete on August 11, 2009 at 2:36 PM
The beauty of Bavaria is breathtaking. I could never tire of visiting there.
TXMomof3 on August 11, 2009 at 2:39 PM
If Pat Toomey can’t beat this nincompoop, then he couldn’t beat Ned in the First Reader.
Joe Pyne on August 11, 2009 at 2:54 PM
As a PA voter I will do everything I can to have this obamantion voted out of office.
I voted for you once back in the early 90′s Spector and I sadly regret that day.
If anyone votes for an incumbent regardless of party you are a fool.
It’s time to RED DAWN this MF’er
On a lighter note..GO BIRDS!
igglesphan on August 11, 2009 at 2:57 PM
dcwvu:
I worked for almost 50 years before I retired. I PAID for the Medicare I’m receiving now. If you’re as clueless about everything else I don’t know how you find your way to the bathroom in the morning.
As an aside, I have a Medicare Advantage plan, and I love it. It works just like regular insurance, I kept my same doctor, and I have no out-of-pocket expense for premiums (Part B takes care of it all). Wouldn’t you know it, Obummer wants to do away with Advantage plans.
JackOkie on August 11, 2009 at 3:03 PM
I just heard a clip on the radio where Spector told the audience that the majority of people support a single payer system? Was he joking? Not the time and place. Is he stupid? Unbelievable!
Blake on August 11, 2009 at 3:05 PM
My dear Senator Spectre:
Please have patience with the illiterate proles who, sadly, are your constituents. They need you. Now more than ever. They need you to explain, in simple terms, how more people can get more healthcare with no increase in taxes or deficits. They need you to explain, in a way they can understand, how the government can provide healthcare with no rationing, when every other commodity on earth is rationed, either through markets or government fiat. They need you to explain, like a teacher talking to toddlers, how pharma companies and doctors will provide more drugs and services for less compensation if we only only believe in Hope and Change.
Most important, Senator Spectre, we need you to win the Democratic primary on May 18, 2010, so Pat Toomey can send you into retirement on November 2, 2010.
Best wishes,
SwampYankee on August 11, 2009 at 3:09 PM
PatriotPete on August 11, 2009 at 3:14 PM
How about term limits where they serve for a limited time (two terms max?) then go back to private life/job, living under the same laws they force on us, with no gold-plated healthcare or retirement. Bring back the citizen servant in “public service”.
IrishEyes on August 11, 2009 at 3:15 PM
I couldn’t believe that either. The crowd didn’t buy it, so he spun it that you can make a poll say whatever you want.
Yeah, right, if you want to go with that.
He’s supposedly up for Round 2 somewhere else in PA soon. I wonder how that’ll go for him.
He and McCaskill are getting punched around today.
BuckeyeSam on August 11, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Small problem:
Tim Burton on August 11, 2009 at 3:55 PM
No, you were taxed for other people’s Medicare. You now are stealing other people’s income and labor (in other words you are a slave plantation owner) to get your free health care.
I’m sorry you and all my previous ancestors post-1933 were stupid enough to believe in a free lunch and were selfish enough to encourage it. Maybe if you weren’t such a selfish turd, you’d worked to not get it enacted in the first place.
The fact of the matter is mises.org has shown study after study that the costs for medical care for the elderly remained the same same out of pocket for the elderly. Rather, the costs went up for everyone else.
Tim Burton on August 11, 2009 at 4:00 PM
This was on the 4 pm local news (CBS) in Philly. They also included an brief interview with Sestak who said he voted for HR 3200 and that Specter just wasn’t explaining it very well. Sestak is having a townhall this week. No doubt astroturfed with union members and ACORN.
Wethal on August 11, 2009 at 4:06 PM
How many times has any one of us emailed our reps or senators, only to get a generic bloviating form letter or email in return. It’s safe for them, there in D.C., because they don’t have to face the ‘wreched refuse’ that dwells within their districts and states. They press a button, and feel as if that amounts to fulfilling their CONSTITUTIONAL duties to those who’ve elected them.
I’ve got news for them…It doesn’t. Not by a long shot.
Right now, if some plucky little legal-eagle somewhere were thinking clearly, he could start a class action suit against any and all representatives who clearly avoid their constituents, for fear of having to answer to them. They are NOT fulfilling their CONSTITUTIONAL duties, and do not have our best interests at heart. if they did, they’d listen when we say “NO”. Yes, this lawsuit could go all the way to the SCOTUS, and perhaps lay there like a dying fish in the hot sun.
But it would send a clear message….
We, the “mob”, the “manufactured”, the “astroturfers”,…..ARE DONE.
Our states are continually working on their own legislation to reassert their 10th amendment rights, and thus ready their footings for secession, should we find ourselves at that doorstep one more time in our not-too-distant future.
Liberals believe the anger, resentment and frustrations of “Tea Partiers”, “John Galt’s” and others in between, isn’t genuine. They believe we aren’t capable of such frustrations on our own. We don’t have the capacity to read our founding documents and understand what freedoms and liberties we have, and NO LONGER have, and may not have very much longer. They refuse to accept that regular ol’ citizens of this country could possibly comprehend the complex goings-on that they deal with on a daily basis in Washington D.C.
Cry me a river….
They forget where their power comes from….We….The….People.
They forget that they “derive their just powers from the consent of the governed”, and that our frustrations come from that consent being stomped on and betrayed…By many, in both major parties.
I’m reminded of Yamamoto’s quote: “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant …”
Are they listening to us?
Is obama listening to us?
Are his followers listening to us?
If not…They’d better start.
They can only feign ignorance for so long.
The mid-terms are coming fast, and the 2012 general election can’t some soon enough.
Sleeping giant?
You bet your ass.
Talismen on August 11, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Hey Terry,
Why don’t you put your ear to my a$$ and whistle when you hear the unity train coming.
BillaryMcBush on August 11, 2009 at 4:43 PM
“I could be somewhere else.” – Yes, please.
The Zoo Keeper on August 11, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Perfect!
New Campaign Ad for anti Spectre.
Show his comment about not having the be there.
Follow up with this:
Arlen Spectre…This Dipsh!t wants you Democrats to vote him a Senate Seat.
BillaryMcBush on August 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Here it is, I don’t know how to do all that fancy link stuff…..
HornetSting on August 11, 2009 at 4:51 PM
I am so glad he is not one of us. Good riddance to bad rubbish as they say.
ronsfi on August 11, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Hotair should post a video of it. It’s either a blatant lie or Spector is showing signs of dementia.
Blake on August 11, 2009 at 5:02 PM
FIRE THEM ALL!
HBowmanMD on August 11, 2009 at 5:08 PM
That is typical uninformed BS. Are you educated beyond your intelligence? Getting an education using crib notes will always catch up with you and the turd floats to the top of the punch bowl.
Wade on August 11, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Kirkil:
“Culture of Deception”
I love that!
Wish the GOP would pick it up.
It’s like a Rorsatch test:
Deceiving us?
Deceiving themselves (putting on airs?)
All of the above!
jeanneb on August 11, 2009 at 5:28 PM
If I hear one more liberal crowing about those opposed to Obamacare receiving Medicare…
Like we have a choice not to have payroll taxes deducted all our working lives. So apparently that means we have to shut up and take whatever other mess the government wants to shove on us? You have to love the logic. If liberals would stop and think, they wouldn’t use such an argument, lest they remind people of the truth: That the welfare state would make slaves out of all of us.
evergreen on August 11, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Great idea – die and go to Hell. Take the Kenyan with you.
bill30097 on August 11, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Traditionally, the President has had more power when it comes to foreign affairs than when he is trying to do domestic stuff. So its not hypocritical to see that lefty protests against Bush’s foreign policy were stupid while conservative protests of Obama’s socialism are appropriate.
Speedwagon82 on August 11, 2009 at 5:47 PM
You are so right Sen.Specter the only requirement to become a senate is to be stupid and able to lie.I think i will try telling my boss the man i work for senator that i don,t have any requirement to be here when i go to work on wed. Wonder how long my job will last?
thmcbb on August 11, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Uninformed BS? Sorry, but I know more about this topic than you do. Then again, I looked at your blog and realized why you have so many pictures. Reading isn’t a skill you posses. (See, I can do the ad homimem attack too. See, my post wasn’t originally ad homimem, it was just a fact. The people who supported SS were suckers, therefore they were stupid.)
Medicare was sold as a free lunch. They said old people couldn’t afford healthcare, despite the data that showed that hospitals and doctors were more than willing to do it as charity when needed.
Many of these doctors had the elderly for 20+ years and so being on a personal level with the patient was more than willing to help the small amount that couldn’t afford health care.
The fact is that, and I dare you to dispute it. FDR used Medicare and SS’s free lunch as a way to ensure a political position that would keep voters tied to them.
Doubt me, then ask yourself why the first recipient brought in doubt digit amounts more than she paid. She loved the program, because it was a free lunch.
Doubt me, listen to Dr. Woods discuss the free lunch SS was for people.
Wealth Redistribution, Domestic and International Aid.
If that doesn’t work, get it here.
The fact is that the original benefactors of SS received more than they paid in. The person who is 25 today, will pay nearly twice as much as they receive, therefore it is a Ponzi Scheme.
So now that you see the facts of people used it as a free lunch answer me these questions:
1. Since the earlier investors received more than they paid, did they get a “free lunch?”
2. If it was a return on investment, then why did the government deny SS is an investment?
3. If it is insurance, like they claimed, why did they deny it is insurance? (They said you have no right to it like you have a contractual right to an insurance claim).
4. If the older generation is paid more than they put in (since there is no investment, therefore no return on it), then who is paying the extra money that they receive?
5. If the people who encourage added taxes and inflationary pressure in order to continue to receive money that they are not due, does this make them thieves?
6. If not, morally justify their legal theft by government gun as opposed to me taking a gun and receiving money from people I force to take it from?
7. If the people didn’t know that this would happen and that the system would collapse based on a Ponzi Scheme, does this make them stupid?
8. Were they not thinking that it was a free lunch to get more money than they paid in?
9. Is it just to force children to have a lower standard of living so that people who believed the lies of politicians can get “free” checks?
Tim Burton on August 11, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Uninformed BS? Sorry, but I know more about this topic than you do. Then again, I looked at your blog and realized why you have so many pictures. Reading isn’t a skill you posses. (See, I can do the ad homimem attack too. See, my post wasn’t originally ad homimem, it was just a fact. The people who supported SS were suckers, therefore they were stupid.)
Medicare was sold as a free lunch. They said old people couldn’t afford healthcare, despite the data that showed that hospitals and doctors were more than willing to do it as charity when needed.
Many of these doctors had the elderly for 20+ years and so being on a personal level with the patient was more than willing to help the small amount that couldn’t afford health care.
The fact is that, and I dare you to dispute it. FDR used Medicare and SS’s free lunch as a way to ensure a political position that would keep voters tied to them.
Doubt me, then ask yourself why the first recipient brought in doubt digit amounts more than she paid. She loved the program, because it was a free lunch.
Doubt me, listen to Dr. Woods discuss the free lunch SS was for people.
Wealth Redistribution, Domestic and International Aid.
If that doesn’t work, get it here.
The fact is that the original benefactors of SS received more than they paid in. The person who is 25 today, will pay nearly twice as much as they receive, therefore it is a Ponzi Scheme.
Tim Burton on August 11, 2009 at 6:05 PM
So now that you see the facts of people used it as a free lunch answer me these questions:
1. Since the earlier investors received more than they paid, did they get a “free lunch?”
2. If it was a return on investment, then why did the government deny SS is an investment?
3. If it is insurance, like they claimed, why did they deny it is insurance? (They said you have no right to it like you have a contractual right to an insurance claim).
4. If the older generation is paid more than they put in (since there is no investment, therefore no return on it), then who is paying the extra money that they receive?
5. If the people who encourage added taxes and inflationary pressure in order to continue to receive money that they are not due, does this make them thieves?
6. If not, morally justify their legal theft by government gun as opposed to me taking a gun and receiving money from people I force to take it from?
7. If the people didn’t know that this would happen and that the system would collapse based on a Ponzi Scheme, does this make them stupid?
8. Were they not thinking that it was a free lunch to get more money than they paid in?
9. Is it just to force children to have a lower standard of living so that people who believed the lies of politicians can get “free” checks?
Here let me answer them for you.
1. Yes.
2. The government called it an insurance program, not an investment.
3. From their own website:
Therefore it isn’t insurance.
4. The younger taxpayers who are working.
5. Yes, by forcing a person to give another person money, against their will is force. Giving money to government to protect you ala the military is not theft, whereas taking money from Peter to pay Paul is.
6. Number five is morally wrong, therefore, I don’t need to justify 5.
7. Absolutely, if you believe in a free lunch, you are stupid.
8. Absolutely, that was one of the selling points. You are 50 and if you push for this program you can get free money after you turn 65 and a short term of return.
9. No, it is not just and it is the generations from 1933 to today that will have stolen the wealth of this country and will have harmed their children in ways they can’t imagine, if not in 2018, it 2040.
Read the best thread you’ll ever read in breaking down the Social Security system.
Tim Burton on August 11, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Tim Burton:
I know Social Security and Medicare aren’t really insurance. Perhaps I missed the part where I could opt out of the system. For you to assume I was in favor of, or “pushed for” the system is pretty arrogant. I was one of four founders of a business that ended up trading OTC. I also socked money away in a retirement plan. Unfortunately my stock options are pretty much in limbo at the moment, but there’s always hope.
I assume you are not paying FICA yourself? Kiss my a$$, you arrogant a$$hole.
JackOkie on August 11, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Actually I think Specter handled that very well. The guy got in his face and all (can’t blame him) but Specter at least stood there and took it…where was that backbone when he was in the GOP?
Anyway, these people in Congress wouldn’t have folks all ticked off at them if they weren’t lying their a$$es off, ignoring and sidestepping the real questions people have.
Dr. ZhivBlago on August 11, 2009 at 6:53 PM
Specter looks like he’s kind of morphing into some evil caricature of Jimmy Durante.
“Elephant? What elephant?”
12thMonkey on August 11, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Dr. ZhivBlago:
What some folks are missing is that a lot of the heat being directed at the congresscritters isn’t about health care, it’s about the crapola already pulled, like porkulus, and cap&tax, and not reading the friggin’ bills, and not posting them for five days like Dear Leader said he would, and the auto industry bailouts. Why should we want them screwing around with our health care system with such a disastrous track record? It has more to do with them being incompetent, or liars, or both, than just health care.
Some people got their panties in a twist when Palin used the term “Death Panel”, but after reading Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel’s articles, and seeing what happened to that woman n Oregon (no money for treatment, but money for assisted suicide), “Death Panel” is not far-fetched. It may not be in the original bill, but after the private health care system is dismantled, it would be pretty easy for the dems to add it then.
JackOkie on August 11, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Specter is a spectre and an increasingly mere ghost of his former self. Still alhough I feel some pity for this man I would urge to spend his last years in retirement, his behavior and political actions cannot be condoned. I feel more sorry for our country having to fight this Socialst Spectre than for the ghost named Specter. Therefore, if he`s gonna stay in the arena, he had better be prepared to take it and like it. Otherwise, I really urge him to get out of the arena while he retains some semblance of himself. These illiberals have been caught in a big lie and we will see more outburts of frustration and incoherent behavior from THEM. Did you catch Hillary going ballistic on that soft-spoken reporter? That man confronting Specter on the other hand was expressing a healthy anger. But be careful, under illiberals anger is always a sign of mental illness, unless it is their own illiberal hate. America used to be run by squares and protested by hippies. Now it it run by hippies and protested by good decent squares. Count me in with the squares, folks!
Sherman1864 on August 11, 2009 at 7:25 PM
The problem is: if you defeat Specter in the primary, then you have to defeat Joe Sestak in the general election (a much harder thing to do). Best to crossover to Democrat and reregister now, vote for Specter in the primary, then vote him out next November. Kill two birds with one stone (metaphorically speaking, of course)…
Khun Joe on August 11, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Definitely and I’m well aware of that. Look, I’m not a Specter fan by any stretch of the imagination and am one of thousands who emailed him about voting on that stimulus package when he was still in the GOP…and am very happy he went to his rightful party. But, he did what he was supposed to do in letting that gentleman speak, and I can respect that as that is ‘normal’ or what it’s supposed to be in this country any more.
Dr. ZhivBlago on August 11, 2009 at 8:46 PM
“We’ve just seen a demonstration of democracy.”….? Shouldn’t that be the rule and not the exception? He was gracious enough to let the man speak without a “speaking ration card”? Man, these politicians are so out there. It’s time to reel’em in and take away their toys.
whiskeytango on August 11, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Are you cashing the check? Then you support it. You paid into it? Well, when you get your statement, return anything over the amount you paid in, because right now, you collect more than you paid.
Therefore, you are a thief. Calling me an A$$hole, look in the mirror as you help screw your grandkids. You basically are stealing out of their piggy bank. That makes you a real A$$hole.
I’m paying FICA, but that doesn’t mean I plan on retiring and using it. Why? Because I know it isn’t going to be there for me. I’m already preparing for it.
P.S. You wouldn’t have the courage to say it to my face, isn’t the internet wonderful?
Tim Burton on August 11, 2009 at 8:58 PM
most here on HA would agree that term limits would be a good thing. In today’s Town Hall in Lebanon, PA, Spectre made a disingenious comment implying that the voters could ‘term limit’ him by not re-electing him. The problem with this canard is that Term limits only work if applied to all Senators and Congressmen. If State A were to decide to term limit THEIR representative,s they’d lose power and influence vis a vis State B who continued to NOT impose those same limits, and therefore had Seniority in committees, ets.
Red State State of Mind on August 11, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Spector? Standing up for the Constitution? Why doesn’t Spector stand up for the Constitution and denounce this healthcare bill for what it is, UNCONSTITUTIONAL. NOTHING in Article 1, of the Constitution grants power to Congress to enact this legislation, that’s right, congress, under the Constitution has NO powers to enact healthcare legislation.
“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on the objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” James Madison
Madison is the Author of the Constitution, isn’t it time we started listening to the author?
nelsonknows on August 12, 2009 at 12:54 AM
Arlene Spector, “The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”
Your oath was; “:–”I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of Senator of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
” This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.”
nelsonknows on August 12, 2009 at 1:24 AM
My fear, or rather I should say my belief, is that Republicans feel the same way, and will act the same way if they get voted back in. I don’t think they will have learned a thing from these incidents, other than maybe to work harder to hide their skullduggery and lobbyist connections so they don’t have to deal with the unwashed masses.
Sugarbuzz on August 12, 2009 at 4:47 AM
It isn’t just the 174k, it’s the speeches and other perks..
As you said, it’s only a part time job.
Spector needs to go.
bullseye on August 12, 2009 at 5:16 AM
Yeah, but isn’t the constituion a ‘flawed document’ or something???
Seriously thought, we need an administration, congress and SCOTUS that will weed out every law and regulation that is not authorized by the constitution. My federal tax bill would drop to 10 bucks a week.
bullseye on August 12, 2009 at 5:18 AM
Time for us PA residents to get this idiot out of office.
Conan had a great joke on him last night, counting the number of times he says, “Now wait a minute..” One protester he said it over 12 times.
LOL. I believe his time remaining in DC as a Senator will be short. He made conservatives mad and liberals will not trust him.
rwblake on August 12, 2009 at 9:38 AM
This may be dark of me. But I have to say that I’m enjoying this. Can someone pass the popcorn please!
Scorched_Earth on August 12, 2009 at 10:38 AM
I was at the first townhall meeting with him and sebilius. This of course must have been before the cable news and industry giants were supporting us since i have not received a penny:)
chemfox on August 12, 2009 at 11:17 AM
I am really hoping that Toomey gets in. This guy is a complete buffoon! To say something like he said about not getting extra pay for listening to his constituents shows how out of touch and arrogant he really is. Being there and listening to his constituents is his job. How dare he insult the voters that way! I am so glad these jokers are getting exposed for what they really are.
ReneePA on August 12, 2009 at 3:25 PM
No extra pay for listening to constituents
Is he talking over-the-table or under-the-table pay?
entagor on August 12, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Citizens should be scheduling town halls and inviting the representatives; If this doesn’t embarrass them, nothing will. And it will get the word out and get media exposure.
Cybergeezer on August 12, 2009 at 3:42 PM
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