Like many of you, I stayed up really late to watch the election returns the other night. The Democrats got trounced. You know it is sad when the best things they can hold up for the night were that they managed to hold friggin’ Delaware and the Senate Majority Leader squeaked past somebody nobody had ever heard of in a state absolutely owned by the unions. Other than that, the Republicans won damn near everything.
I got a real kick out of the AP headline the next morning about how the Tea Party wasn’t as effective as hoped, and how the whole movement was a “mixed blessing.” So… let me get this right, oh wise news media… Your spin is that because a political movement that has only been around for a year didn’t win EVERY SINGLE RACE they were ineffective? Hookay then. Have you ever gone fishing? Did you catch ALL the fish? No? Fail, AP. Fail.
I’m okay with not getting the Senate. It is close enough now to keep them from pushing through anything ridiculous. Congress controls the purse strings, so that enables us to defund healthcare and jump off the train to Marx Town.
OOOOOhhhhhh… But what about Gridlock? Squeals the media.
If every single reach-across-the-aisle compromise keeps on doing the same thing over and over, and the government keeps getting bigger and bigger, then hooray for gridlock!
Everywhere that is not insane, democrats lost en-masse. Why? It sure isn’t because the Republicans are our BFFs forever, it’s because most Americans absolutely despise what the democrats have been doing. My primary hope is that the Republicans remember this. After listening to the Speaker-In-Waiting and DeMint, I think that at least some of them get it, so I’m cautiously optimistic.
Basically regular America came out and said the government is too big, we hate healthcare, quit screwing the economy, and quit spending/borrowing too damn much money.
Yesterday I got to watch the President of the United States say that the reason most of the country is mad about the Healthcare Bill is because we didn’t get it… That if he could only, somehow, explain it better then we’d suddenly be content and not want it repealed. But alas, we’re just too stupid to comprehend the greatness.
No. If anybody doesn’t get it, it is you, Mr. President. We do understand it, and it is stupid, awful, bloated, expensive, fat, ugly, and smells funny. We do not like it, want it, or need it explained better; all we want is for it to go away. It is like you walked up and hit us in the face with a stick.
AMERICA: “The vast majority of us do not want to be hit in the face with a stick.”
DEMOCRATS: “Too bad. You will learn to like it.” WHACK
AMERICA: “Please stop hitting us in the face with that stick.”
DEMOCRATS: WHACK “No. It is really good for you.” WHACK.
AMERICA: “But it sucks and is painful.”
DEMOCRATS: WHACK. “I do not understand. Maybe I need to explain better.” JABS OUT OUR EYE “How about now?”
AMERICA: Drags Nancy Pelosi behind the woodshed and brains her with a shovel. “You feeling me now, assholes?”
DEMOCRATS: Looks at stick. Pouts. “But we were having so much fun!”
FDX then pointed out that there were good things in the healthcare bill that everyone could agree on, like insurance companies not suddenly dropping people, or laws to address those with preexisting conditions, or doctors not randomly cutting patient’s feet off for profit… Yes. There are good things in the Healthcare Bill, but that’s like saying that there is delicious frosting on a giant cake made out of shit.
I do not care if it is the most bestest frosting in the world EVAR, it is a shit cake. Most American’s do not like to be fed shit cake. (Except for California, which just went back for seconds).
Now, on my home state (I consider myself a political refugee from California)… WTF? Really? Yes, Schwarzenegger sucked. That’s because he was a RINO (hopefully becoming an endangered species). That’s what you get with democrat-lite… But Moonbeam? Seriously? Moonbeam? You guys are soooooo screwed.
My main concern now is that the Republicans will get stupid, forget the lessons learned, and go back to being Big-Government-Different-Flavor. In ’94 the Republicans did okay for a bit, then lost their way. I’m optimistic this time around for one big reason that may sound kind of silly at first.
The internet.
No really. The internet was a baby in ’94. As the internet has gotten better, and more people are hooked up to more information faster, the public is informed immediately when something goes down, and we can act while the rage is fresh. Backdoor deal to screw us? Back then it took time for the information to disseminate, and while it did it was folded, spindled, and mutilated by a press that was 99.5% in league with the Democrats until reality could be neatly packaged for our consumption.
Now, fifteen minutes after something goes down, the world knows. There is now a divided media (which is why theyhate FOX oh so much), but more importantly, we have hundreds of thousands of individuals who can formulate and broadcast their opinions from all over the spectrum. People can rally, organize, and act while it still matters.
This is why the media and the democrats just don’t understand the Tea Party. It isn’t a cohesive organization, with leaders, spin, guidelines, rules, a charter, etc. Listen to NPR. They can’t wrap their heads around the fact that it isn’t just the Christian Coalition under some different name. The T.P. is just a bunch of regular folks who can agree on a couple fundamental things, like they really don’t like getting hit in the face with sticks.
You know what is really funny? Before Obama was even elected I made a prediction on this blog that he would shove through as much socialism as possible, as fast as possible, on a kind of brazen-suicide charge to change America, KNOWING that it was his only chance, because he’d get destroyed in the mid-terms, and then be a one term president. So… My prediction is running at about 100% accuracy so far.
Fingers crossed on that last bit. 🙂
EDIT: See also Lab Rat’s open letters to both sides: http://www.atomicnerds.com/?p=4065
You know the only reason, the Healthcare Bill was so friggin big was that it was the only way to get the shit through. If they actually tried to break it up into seperate pieces, we would have had health insurance reform (needed) and not gotten more taxes and mandating that everyone carry health insurance.
my favorite part was the la times article describing nancy pelosi as a great leader who just had a bad run of luck
I’m glad the Dems have the Senate. First, gridlock. Second, it’ll be harder for them to play the “Evil republican fuckers who control Congress” card.
But Mike, they have already been playing that card even before the Republicans got a majority in the House. They have been complaining about the evil nasty Republicans stopping them, even though they had a majority in the House and Senate for the past 6 years.
I was baffled by the USA Today headline, Voters Send Angry Message
Angry?
Really their still playing that record? Anyone who disagrees with the President or Democrats is angry (with the words white redneck republican popping into everyone’s head, because that’s what the media has been chanting for the last little while.)
Oops, spelled ‘they’re’ incorrectly.
“That if he could only, somehow, explain it better then we’d suddenly be content and not want it repealed. But alas, we’re just too stupid to comprehend the greatness”
He wants us to understand it? Then why was it 2,000 pages long? Seems like the same strategy as the Patriot Act. It’s such a huge task to read it that it discourages those who would try, and they settle for the talking point of “no more pre-existing conditions.”
Seems to me like they would make the bill that big because they DON’T want people to read it, and when a few did, and said, “Hey we don’t want this!” Obama then says, “But you don’t understand!”
Divided Gov’t = Good
No more Sotomayor’s = Good
Conciliatory President = Good
Scared Politicians = Good
Baffled Press = Good
I have zero faith that the Republicans (new or old) are going to do anything other than try rob us blind – All the while mouthing words about small gov’t and reform. That aside, the above list makes me smile.
“That if he could only, somehow, explain it better then we’d suddenly be content and not want it repealed. But alas, we’re just too stupid to comprehend the greatness.”
Didn’t Pelosi say they had to pass the bill to find out what was in it?
How could Obama explain something his own party leadership didn’t understand?
People that wanted understand what was in the bill before it was passed, well, they’re just morons.
That the democrats are out of power is fantastic. But until the republicans do something meaningful like I don’t know repeal the health care bill, then they’re just a lesser evil.
Its the difference between the country going to hell on a rocket ship or going to hell on a tricycle. The destination is the same. Every government, every empire in history has failed and collapsed. In the last 40 years I’ve only seen us getting closer to the end. What scares me most is what comes next.
It’s funny to see that a few people on both sides aren’t getting the message.
-That Obama and many Dems don’t get it goes without saying. They still think that Obama didn’t talk enough, or that their party didn’t turn to the left enough. Which is fine by me. Continue in your delusions and we’ll throw a few more of you lot out.
-However, the Republican establishment also is not getting it, especally the Senate Republicans. According to them, those Teabaggers made it impossible for them to take back the Senate because they promoted ‘weak’ canidates in the primaries. No, just no. Many of us voters would rather loose an election running a real conservative rather than win with a RINO.
I am not looking forward to the next month-and-a-half. A Congress full of limping aquatic birds can do a heck of a lot of damage with no repercussions to the individuals.
its long been my opinion that they shouldnt be allowed to be carreer politicians… it puts them out of touch with reality, the reality that we the people live in. it should be a law that you must have minimal 10-20 years of public service, either as a cop, a firefighter, emt or military service prior to running for a public office.
yeah, problem 1 with the health care bill, the Hill is exempt from it… if it’s so great, why are you exempt???
Baffled Press:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgINkTs3y1Q
OMG, a politician dodging a question? HERASY!!! !!! !!!
Testify, my bruthas and sistas! Testify!
Just keep their feet to the fire and hold them accountable for every move they make. Now let’s start on 2012 elections asap and keep the TP thang gaining momentum until we are all finally heard loud and clear.
BTW…over 680 state senate and rep seats are now republican Mr. and Mrs. liberal news media! Oh yes, and 26 more state have republican governors! Not effective my arse! The Dems just got their butts handed to them in an OFF year election. Just wait until the big general election in 2012…I smell deep-fried Liberal a cooking!
*Looks down at shiny clean Springfield XD .45 Caliber Tactical Pistol*
*Gently raps a snooping gnome on the head*
*Cradles XD and smiles*
I love happy beginnings!
Ray
You hit it on the head concerning the internet as a means of sharing information and spreading the word on things.
Which is exactly why we’ll see legislation under some ‘anti-terrorist’ something or other to control it in some way. Can’t have all the common folk banding together and getting in the way of our new {insert item/law/decree here}.
SandPine
With the Republicans back in power in the house, they can go back to not pretending like they care about the Constitution.
We would have had even better results if the GOP hadn’t submarined some of the better candidates. Rand Paul won despite their best efforts to prevent him from becoming a candidate, but they successfully submarined O’Donnell and Angle. The GOP is a lot like the NRA – they’d rather lose than have the best possible outcome.
Wow. Found you via the Weird and Pissed Off blog. You are hilarious. I’ve never been so entertained by such a long “about me.”
This post also nails it with the shit cake. Yeah the dang frosting don’t matter.
I read over at Instapundit about one important but largely overlooked fact: GOP took more state seats in this election than they have since the ’20’s.
But yeah. I have zero faith in them and we all got a lot of work to do. A lot of new feet to be holding to the fire.
I’ll be back to read more.
Cheers!
Linda
“You hit it on the head concerning the internet as a means of sharing information and spreading the word on things.
Which is exactly why we’ll see legislation under some ‘anti-terrorist’ something or other to control it in some way. Can’t have all the common folk banding together and getting in the way of our new {insert item/law/decree here}. ”
They are already foaming at the mouth and drawing up bills about it…just waiting for the right time to introduce them.
Besides the antiterrorist tack they are going to take, they are also whining about how “unfair” it is that anonymous individuals can say anything they please, and how it might be “untrue!”. The worse thing is while the public might not be swayed much by the anti-terrorist justification, the public, judging by the people I’ve talked to, doesn’t see a problem with bringing those nasty anonymous Bloggers and Youtube video posters to task and control what they say…
Love it!!! One of the best “can’t see the forest for the trees” rants I’ve read in a LONG time.
Wow. That has got to be the single funniest bit of political commentary since the elections. America vs. Democrats was a riot, but shitcake – and Cali’s recent return for seconds – had me wiping tears.
Great post!
tweaker
Well how would you fix the health care system (without shooting anyone?)
1. Repeal the recent pile of crap totally.
2. Write a 10 page bill that allows insurance companies to compete across state line. Competition will improve service and lower price.
3. Do what the NASB has been asking for twenty years for, and allow groups of small businesses to pool resources for competitive bidding advantage.
4. #2 will take care of the people with pre-existing conditions, also take care of any stupid BS on the insurance companies part, because if they drop people in their time of need, their competitors will take their business, but if not:
5. Pass a small bill dealing with insurance companies dropping people while being treated and pass another small bill dealing with rules pertaining to pre-existing conditions. (I don’t think this will be neccesary though, because no matter how bad of a driver you are now, somebody will give you car insurance, because there is COMPETITION)
6. After that, do everything possible to get the government out of healthcare entirely. They make everything more expensive and cumbersome, just by being present. OUT.
If points 2,4 and 5 work, more power to you!
Funny thing is if the Repubicans get elected next election and do nothing or more of the same than people will go back to wishing that the Democrats wherein power. It’s interesting to see how short term the memories of voters are. The Reps pretty much screwed up a lot of things such as the economy imo and votess expected Obama and the Dems to fic 8 years of finanacial mismanagement in 1 year.
As for the Health Care bill it’s not really about the length or size of the bill it comes down to one universal truth. Everyone wants to have something for nothing.. Sure they want Health Care like we have in Canada. Yet unlike up hear where we realize that to have it free we need to pay for it to stay that way in the USA imo they expect someone else to foot the bill. No such thing as a free lunch.
Actually, quite a large number of people in the USA do not want anyone else to pay for our health care (except for the insurance companies who we choose to pay money to if we need medical care).
I think that, for a large number of us, it comes down to what you believe government’s job is. Is it the feudalistic view that the government (the lord of the manor) has an obligation to take care of the needs of its subjects. Or, do you believe that it is government’s job to encourage individuals to assist others.
For myself when I go vote I tend to go with a party that I beleive in yet also one that if voted in to power also does something for me in terms of a better economy. More job employment across the board etc. One that actually does something as oppsed to one that goes “thanks got the vote don’t expect anything from us”
Which is why in the first time in may years I will probably vote Conservative next time. The Libera;s to me just seem impotent. The NPD just too out thier and the Parti Quebecois just too foucsed on seperating from Canada. Or to put it another way I am a mix of both Republican and Democrat. Too bad the US does not have a party that would have a mix of both elements imo.
Well, we do have a party that mixes some of the Democrat Stuff and some of the Republican stuff, it is called the Libertarian Party. However, they keep on running nut jobs with a tenuous grip on political reality. So, they never really get anywhere. That’s the reason you will see some people refer to themselves as small ‘l’ libertarians. They believe in the libertarian philosophy, but not the political party.
Sureshot,
Better turn off teh American news TV, and do a little research into what actually happened in America.
I’ll just address one. . .
“8 years of finanacial mismanagement”
Well, first of all, the economy that Bush inherited wasn’t exactly the rivers of cream running through islands of strawberries it is often made out to be.
You see, not only did the Clinton Administration tweak the books (primarily by changing how government debt was being financed, so it looked good in the short term, but faced inevitable issues) to look good, but it turns out the economy was on a downturn when Bush took office. (The “Internet Bubble” started collapsing in mid 1999, for instance.) (And of course, the Democratically controlled House kept spending more money than even the HUGE revenue increases of the Reagan tax CUTS brought in. Yes, properly done, tax CUTS increase tax REVENUE. . . it worked for Kennedy, Reagan, Clinton, etc. . . )
Clinton took a growing economy (turns out the mild recession he rode to teh White House was over even before teh election in 1992), let it coast on the accomplishments of Reagan (despite the damage being done by the Democratically controlled House the whole time – from 1955 through 1995, the Dems controlled the House, and also controlled teh Senate except for 1981 – 1987, where teh Repubs peaked at 54-46).
When Clinton left office, the US was actually on a mild downward swing already.
Bush took office, and the economy started back up. . . until 9/11, where, frankly, more money than the Canadian GDP was effectively evaporated from the US economy in about 17 minutes. Also keep in mind that Republican control of the Senate diappeared 5 months into Bush’s term. Also that the Repubs practicallyturned effective control of the Senate over to the Dems during the five months they still had supposed control in a misguided attempt to be “fair”.
Also keep in mind that, since 1961, whenever the Dems have had a majority, it has ALWAYS been greater than Republican majorities have been — contrast teh Democratic SMALLEST majority of 54/44 in the Senate and 242/192 in the House, versus the RepublicanLARGEST majorties of 55/44 and 231/202 (both Republican highwater marks lasted only 2 years). SO, even in the brief periods they were out of power, teh Dems have enjoyed considerably more power than the Repubs
Then, the economy started to bounce back. . . but Bush basically turned domestic policy (and spending) almost ENTIRELY over to the Democrats, in an attempt to get them to agree to fund the war. So, Teddy Kennedy wrote No Child Left Behind, and then Dems beat Bush over teh head with it, all while screaming they weren’t spending enough on it, and STILL the Dems opposed any support for teh military (aside from propaganda hits on teh administration).
For Bush’s presidency, he didn’t have a Republican majority in teh Senate for teh first twoyears (very critical years) of his administration, and he lost Republican control over both houses during teh last two years of his administration.
Almost as soon as teh Dems took control of both houses, the economy (which was puttering along), suddenly started to go downhill. The final straw in 2008 was initiated by the mortgage crisis — CAUSED by the DEMOCRATIC plan of making cheap loans available to poor people with crappy credit, and OPPOSED by Republicans all along. Hell, even Saturday Night Live (not a hotbed of Dittoheads, Tea Partiers, or Grizzley Mommas) took shots at the Democratic leadership in 2008 when teh Dems tried to blame Bush.
Over the last TEN years (Obama and the Dems cannot play teh “Well we just GOT here, it isn’t FAIR to expect us yto do aything!”card anymore), the Dems have held controlover one or more houses of Congress for SIX of them, and have held complete control of BOTH houses for teh last FOUR years.
CONGRESS, not the President, ultimately controls the checkbook. The President can only spend like a drunken Marine at a strip club the day after payday IF Congress allows him to. But they can pad his budget and then earmark the funds for their pet projects (ever wonder why EVERYTHING paid for with federal dollars in West Virginia is named either “Rockefeller” or “Byrd”?), and all he can do is veto the budget.
Note that when Republican presidents make noises about vetoing Democratic bills bloating the budget, the REPUBLICANS get blasted by a nearly monolithic media as “imperial overreach”, “heartless plutocrats starving children and old folks” or “theocratic superstition” or such. When Democratic presidents threaten to veto Republican bills that try to reduce the budget, the REPUBLICANS get blasted for shutting down government.
Of course, what the Hell do I know? I only live here, and have only been following politics and media bias for nearly 30 years (yes, I was a political geek as a kid. . . going to kindergarten while Marxist goons shouted crap at your Army officer Dad will do that and make you very aware.)