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DeMint: I Like Obama, But His Stimulus is A 'Mugging'
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is one of the rising stars in the GOP, constantly prodding Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) from the right while feeling the love from conservative think tanks and bloggers.
And DeMint gave some love back today at the Heritage Foundation, delivering a speech that encapsulates the emerging Republican strategy for dealing with the popular president. He plays nice early on ...
I like President Obama very much. We were elected to the Senate at the same time and we've worked together on a number of common goals. I believe he wants to do what is best for our country ...
... and then he gets nasty.
The stimulus bill that is being championed by President Obama, which was passed by Democrats in the House last night, is the worst piece of economic legislation Congress has considered in a hundred years. Not since the passage in 1909 of the 16th Amendment - which cleared the way for a federal income tax - has the United States seriously entertained a policy so comprehensively hostile to economic freedom, nor so arrogantly indifferent to economic reality. ...This bill is not a stimulus, ladies and gentlemen; it is a mugging. It is a fraud.
DeMint's preferred solution? You guessed it, folks: make the Bush tax cuts permanent. Why add to the deficit to create jobs when you can add to the deficit to mostly benefit the rich?
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Tax cuts, waaa, tax cuts, waaa, tax cuts.
That's all the Republicans say, really.
January 29, 2009 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Conservative domestic policy in a nutshell: "Tax cuts are the answer. What was the question?"
January 29, 2009 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
"taxes" and "government" are euphemisms for "the middle class".
Meaning Republicans want to cut the middle class down to size to where they can drown them in the bath tub.
January 29, 2009 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't get me wrong. I like Obama riding the high road.
But who is going to make them pay?
It's a dirty job but somebody's gotta do it.
January 29, 2009 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ummm, the voters?
January 29, 2009 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama seems sincere on changing the tone in D.C. But he's a politician, and, he's the president, and he didn't just drop into that position over night. I think he's going to be able to use this to back Republicans into a corner, unless they change their tune.
When the White House publishes the state-by-state jobless data, juxtaposed next to the representatives votes, I have a feeling that the public is going to sour even further on Republicans, who are now at Bush-levels of approval.
Maybe I'm just an optimist, but I think yesterday's vote probably made it more possible for Democrats to make more gains in 2010.
January 29, 2009 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, its those nasty things called facts that the republicans keep wanting to ignore. I just don't see them getting any traction in the current environment with their typical nonsense. I'm glad that obama is going directly to the people with information and bypassing the right-wing propoganda machine called the corporate media. People want facts, action and results, not more hyperbole.
January 29, 2009 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
O/T: I like seafood for dinner, too.
Preferably hardshell.
: )
January 29, 2009 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are on. I did not forget by the way. Let's see what the final vote is after the senate games.
January 29, 2009 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cats like seafood? Who knew? :-)
January 29, 2009 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
If he wanted to get personal, he could steer funds around those red states and simple say that their representatives didn't see the need to support the funds so he assumes the state doesn't require Federal assistance which the stimulus was designed help.
January 29, 2009 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
That would send a very powerful message indeed.
One of my reps said:
“Not one person felt his or her district needed to have any of this assistance?” Representative Rosa DeLauro, Democrat of Connecticut, asked of the Republicans. “That can’t be.”
From today's Times.
January 29, 2009 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
DeMint, for all his wrongness on policy, knows how to deliver the message in the only way they'll be able to get away with it: "I like Obama, but..." Right out of "How to Win Friends and Influence People". (Maybe he's an Amway distributor too?)
January 29, 2009 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kind of like when you preface something with the phrase: "This in in your own best interest..." You better duck when you hear that one!
January 29, 2009 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Except that all the silly hyperbole ("worst bill in a hundred years"? Really?) undermines the praise, and just makes DeMint look insincere.
And for all their negativity, I have yet to hear the Republicans offer a coherent alternative. Sorry, but "more tax cuts for the wealthy" just ain't gonna cut it.
January 29, 2009 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
You didn't catch Eric Cantor saying their version of the bill would have created 6 million jobs, much more than the Obama version?
That was yesterday's reason for voting against it. I look forward to today's version.
January 29, 2009 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
True. But, I'm olny being light-hearted about it anyhow. Taking a serious look, DeMint is being melodramatic to say the least. It's one thing to have philosophical differences and defend them, another to be running around like Chicken Little.
January 29, 2009 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, they're not accusing Democrats of treason, perversion or worshipping Satan. That's progress.
January 29, 2009 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jim (crazy as a bedbug) Demint is a rising star in the Republican Party?
LOL!
This is a "mugging"? Interesting choice of words. The worst legislation, ever? Those are tough words to walk back from.
January 29, 2009 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Note the reference to the creation of the Income Tax. "Mugging" is intended to evoke the know-nothing conservative tenet that all taxes are theft; it's your money, and the government doesn't have any right to any of it.
Of course there's no logic to it. In fact, the government has been borrowing money for years and handing it out to a lot of the people at the Heritage Foundation, which would imply that the "commonsense" response is to make them pay it back. The fact that the "it's your money" crowd will never go there just further reveals their basic dishonesty.
January 29, 2009 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think "mugging" is intended to evoke another thing as well, an emotional response. Shoot, I'll just say it -- there is some serious resentment out there that our new president is not 100% of european descent, and I think we'll see a lot more coded/dog whistle fear-mongering about dark people stealing from the "good Americans."
January 29, 2009 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, good point. I didn't catch that.
January 29, 2009 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bingo. That was the first thought I had when I saw the term "mugging."
January 30, 2009 2:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Demint is the holding the line for the true blue south you know. SC has if not the highest unemployment, the second highest. And the big issue here is trying to find out if all 'those people' on unemployment deserve it. You go Demint, protect us all from the 'muggings', please.
All I can say is I am glad I am in Charleston, SC because we went all out for Obama.
January 30, 2009 6:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
A little hyperbole mr. demint. I actually thought that it was the worst proposed law, since, gee the Magna Carta. I don't think that these guys get it and I believe that all this hyperbole is falling on deaf ears. The american people want action, not hyperbole.
January 29, 2009 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mugging? DeMint has the stimulus package confused with what he does in front of the mirror before giving a speech.
January 29, 2009 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm listening to Blago, and aside from being a crook and a pathological liar, he's pretty likable.
January 29, 2009 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Back on topic, if you thought the Republican candidates for President in 2008 were a sad bunch, just wait until 2012.....Demint and Palin just for starters.
January 29, 2009 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is the cardinal characteristic of sociopathy - likability in the service of criminality and lying. A slick sociability. An ability to read people, to play them - for suckers.
January 29, 2009 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's why they're so problematic--the charm.
I watched his long interview with Maddow and thought about sociopaths.
January 29, 2009 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's funny is when they think they can play you and you're onto them. Leads to major rage! A total melt-down!
I suspect the lawyer who left his case may have seen some of that.
The dying blather of a has been - wanting to grab hold of something that's never coming back.
January 29, 2009 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your comment immediately brought Bernie Madoff to mind. Blago is playing in the sandbox compared to that guy....for a chilling read, check this out, where the NYT basically compares Madoff to Ted Bundy. Only difference was Madoff simply murdered people's livelihoods. This will make a heck of a movie someday.....Anthony Hopkins would make a fine Madoff.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/business/25bernie.html?scp=1&sq=talented%20&st=cse
January 29, 2009 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brain tumor--that's the only explanation I can come up with.
January 29, 2009 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the words of Tracey Milman:
DOUCHE!
January 29, 2009 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have this vague memory about a recent repug president waging a make-believe war and was being giving whatever $-amount he asked for without having to justify where the money was going. And it was above and beyond the funds awarded under normal appropriations to boot. Something like free cash out of an ATM machine without having to use your card and the cash received never being deducted from your account.
January 29, 2009 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, but it wasn't in the budget, so it didn't really exist.
January 29, 2009 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing... As someone who took their bachelors in economics usually I'd would be against this type of thing, but I am not. The Republicans of the last 8 years helped cause this, by so screwing up the credit markets and creating market failure the government has no choice but to intervene unless you want wait a decade or two for the credit markets to fix themselves.
And now they have the stones to become deficit hawks after spending like drunken sailors for 8 years. And with straight faces yet. Sit down and STFU the grown ups are back. Sheesh.
January 29, 2009 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
GOP attack of the day: Stimulus aids illegal immigrants
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D960U4HG0&show_article=1
WASHINGTON (AP) - The $800 billion-plus economic stimulus measure making its way through Congress could steer government checks to illegal immigrants, a top Republican congressional official asserted Thursday.
The legislation, which would send tax credits of $500 per worker and $1,000 per couple, expressly disqualifies nonresident aliens, but it would allow people who don't have Social Security numbers to be eligible for the checks.
Undocumented immigrants who are not eligible for a Social Security number can file tax returns with an alternative number. A House-passed version of the economic recovery bill and one making its way through the Senate would allow anyone with such a number, called an individual taxpayer identification number, to qualify for the tax credits.
A revolt among GOP conservatives to similar provisions of a 2008 economic stimulus bill, which sent rebate checks to most wage earners, forced Democratic congressional leaders to add stricter eligibility requirements. That legislation, enacted in February 2008, required that people have valid Social Security numbers in order to get checks.
The GOP official voiced concerns about the latest economic aid measure on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it publicly.
Republicans have already blasted the package for including what they argue is wasteful spending and omitting tax cuts for wealthier people and businesses they say are needed to jump-start the anemic economy.
Not a single Republican voted for an $819 billion version of the plan when it passed the House on Wednesday.
GOP senators arranged a midday news conference to voice their concerns.
January 29, 2009 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ahhh. Vilification of immigrants.
Want to bet that Republicans may have been hearing from their contituents?
Solution? Change the subject: ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE GOING TO GET YOUR MONEY (money that I didn't think you should have in the first place, but whatever...)!!!@#$!!!!
January 29, 2009 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
essentially, every ill can be blamed on illegal immigrants (read: latinos).
I spent too much time on a right-wing nutter blog last night, and every third nutter comment was about how the housing market collapsed because too many loans were given out to unqualified immigrants due to Barney Frank and Clinton pushing banks to lend to irresponsible minorities.
while they've learned not to say the N-word in public, there's still racism galore in the good ol' USofA and the repugs are skilled at playing to it. fortunately, the country's demographics are shifting beyond a point where such tactics can continue to be effective and the repugs are well on their way to being the afrikaners of the US
January 29, 2009 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really would like to know what dollar amounts are involved in this and the other racist Republican argument, that the tax credits to people who don't pay income taxes are a form of welfare.
I can't imagine that these two provisions amount to more than a drop in a $825 billion bucket. Does anyone know where I can find these numbers?
January 29, 2009 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obviously, the GOP has not come to terms with the makeup of the populace. Once again, shoot the messenger (i.e. Latino voter) who will not forget this type of hysteria.
January 29, 2009 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Am I the only one whose race-baiting bells went off?
"A black man is mugging the American people!!!"
January 29, 2009 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
it was my first thought
January 29, 2009 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
See my comment above. Clearly one of the "arguments" Republicans hope to get the most traction with is that $825 billion of "our money" is going to go to lazy blacks and Mexicans here illegally.
It's what they've been winning elections on since Nixon. Why would they stop now?
January 29, 2009 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
They should stop now, for their own good, because they are approaching the status of the africaners (post-apartheid) with the demographics in this country not going their way. They can't survive as a south-only party and even there they are beginning to dwindle, slowly but surely.
Basically, repugs will have to evolve or they will die.
Personally, I vote for die, and then I'd love to see the Democrats as the conservative party in this country with a solid Green presence to challenge them from the left.
January 29, 2009 6:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, you're not the only one. That was my very first thought.
January 30, 2009 3:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
After the vote yesterday with zero Republicans supporting the stimulus package, and stupid comments like the report above, it is fairly obvious that the Republicans are determined to bury their party for good. It is not going unnoticed that they told the American populace yesterday to go to hell. I for one, am happy about it and hope they keep it up. Arrogant assholes that will end up looking small and selfish, which they are.
January 29, 2009 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sometimes fate hands us foreshadowing metaphors:
The Titanic 2 years before WWI.
9/11 in the ninth month of the Bush presidency.
Then the Miracle on the Hudson on the very day
Bush gave his farewell address (yet failing to mention the exploits in his address).
The airplane itself is a metaphor for Bush and the Republican party. By some strange work of fate, the Plane crashes, the people (a metaphore for the nation) all scramble off, and then the plane sinks to the bottom.
January 29, 2009 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hate to say it, but this bill sucks. And yes I voted for Obama. Its a mish mash of crap. Obama could have easily made this HIS bill by giving those in congress, both right and left, an ultimatum. Bring me a clean bill that has huge investments in infrastructure starting at no less than 600 Billion for roads, Bridges, Water/Sewer lines, Electric Grids, and govt purchase of renewable energy including tons of hybrid vehicles for any govt transportation. Add 185 Billion for high speed rail. Throw in Tax cuts for anyone making less than 60k, and any couple less than 100k. End it right there. Nothing more. Any crap gets in, veto it and make them do it again. Send the message to everyone that personal earmarks are unacceptable. I sincerely hope this works, but looking at it from a short term incentive and long term boost, its not going to get there. And if he really had balls, he'd go even bigger than that. All he has to do is beat the repubs once and they are screwed. He knew they were going to vote against it, so shoot for the moon. When it comes time to sign it, make a nice neat statement about how we are now spending as much in the US as we've spent in Iraq.
January 29, 2009 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Frankly, though I agree with your analysis, it is Washington, and I think those days are long gone. Also, time is critical. I do think more money will be needed and at that point I hope a more concise and well thought out package will be forthcoming, however, not holding my breath.
January 29, 2009 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. I don't think Obama wants to be picking fights with Congress in the first week. He knows how politics work; you need a certain amount of pork to grease the skids.
January 30, 2009 3:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
BTW, I totally agree with you on high speed rail. I was really disappointed that was not in this package. It is SO obvious that it is desperately needed.
January 29, 2009 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
It may be needed, but there's no possibility of any spending on high-speed rail beginning in the next two years. Projects just aren't close to being ready. This is a stimulus bill, not a transportation bill.
January 29, 2009 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree, but it is part of infrastructure. And if you don't push this while the mood is positive and accepting, it will not ever get done.
January 29, 2009 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
No you must not understand. If it won't stimulate the economy it shouldn't be in the bill. High speed rail can be taken care of with more focus later in the year. This needs to be more speed and investment orientated. I hear more infrastructure is coming our way, that excites me indeed.
January 29, 2009 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
California is ready to roll now with high speed rail. Lots of jobs will come from it, during construction and after. Check my link a few comments down...
January 29, 2009 6:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
my concern is if they don't push it through now with guaranteed money, it won't get done. It would be easy to strip it or underfund it in a transportation bill. Especially if the economy doesn't get well soon enough for Americans to be comfortable putting more money on the table.
Its probably a pipe dream anyhow, lots of pols talk a good game with high speed rail, none seem to follow through.
January 30, 2009 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know, I know. But I would rather see that then the other christmas tree ornaments that were in the bill.
January 29, 2009 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think California is ready to spend hi-speed rail funds now
January 29, 2009 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly correct.
January 29, 2009 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
to elaborate, CA voters passed a high speed rail proposition in November, but it will take matching federal funds to get it done
January 29, 2009 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, a mugging is contracting out the government to your private, incompetent friends!
January 29, 2009 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
A douchebag from South Carolina talking about a black President mugging the American people.
Huh.
January 29, 2009 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dear Sen. DeMint:
I've been "Mugged", subjected to repeated Fraud and Corruption - by Halliburton for the last 7 Years!
Can I please get my money back - for that unnecessary War in Iraq - especially for those servicepeople Electrocuted by Halliburton.
What a Jerk!!!
January 29, 2009 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Senate should take all those useless tax cuts out and put that money towards infrastructure.
Over 1,000,000 people without power because of some snow and ice.
And might not get power back for weeks.
Disgraceful.
January 29, 2009 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
DeMint sounds like he's talking code to his racist base:
"That angry black man is trying to mug you. Hide the women and children."
Pathetic.
January 29, 2009 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not sure that's where he was going, but the thought crossed my mind too.
January 30, 2009 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did anyone JUST WATCH MSNBC? You know what a Republican strategist said we should put in the stimulus. "Cut the tax rate to 15% for the top 10% and cut it to 10% for the next 10%, it would be an AUTOMATIC BOOST to the economy." I.N.C.R.E.D.I.B.L.E. It's like these people aren't connected to reality.
January 29, 2009 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lou Dobbs, back when he was relatively sane, once asked a Republican guest who was spouting off about lower taxes creating greater revenue, "And exactly how low do tax rates need to go to balance the budget?" The question was met with dead silence. These people never learn, do they. Candy from strangers, that's what these tax cuts are.
January 29, 2009 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
So DeMint is still fighting the income tax. The Republicans WILL NOT get out of the 20th century; DeMint will not get out of the EARLY 20th century. Wonder if he's got his dial phone yet.
The Constant Weader at RealityChex.com
January 29, 2009 6:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Help! Our black president is "mugging" us with his stimulus! Watch out, next he's going to "rape" our women with health care reform! Let's "lynch" him in 2010 before all is lost!
You gotta love the present-day Republican party.
January 29, 2009 7:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sweet!
January 29, 2009 9:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who's mugging who?
DeMint's star will rise about as far as Mark Sanford's. Remember when there was talk of him being McCain's V.P.? We would have been better off with the hockey mom.
These two are cut from the same cloth, and to experience the effects of their praise-Jesus-and-pass-the-tax-cut ideology just come to South Carolina. Keep in mind, our total tax burden is already 43rd in the nation. Even business groups are terrified.
Sanford continues to mouth his anti-tax, anti-government rhetoric even as per capita income and per capita GDP have tanked on his watch. He has gone on record as saying the state should turn down federal bailout money because it would leave South Carolina "beholden" to the federal government. He held off till the last minute before requesting a loan to replenish the state's unemployment fund, scaring crapless the nearly ten percent of state residents who are unemployed. He gutted property taxes and is now funding public education on consumption taxes. His latest gambit is to eliminate the corporate income tax and replace it with an increase in the cigarette tax.
Senator DeMented has gone along for the whole pathetic ride. His home base, Greenville, has so far been spared the blight taking over the already-depressed rural areas of our state. While he grandstands in D.C. his state is going straight down the toilet.
This guy is a poster child for the Heritage Foundation and a disgrace to his state and the nation. He represents the irresponsible laziness of Republicans who buy votes with tax cuts and dodge the consequences by appealing to "economic freedom."
Please.
January 29, 2009 8:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
There you are Bluemeanie. Isn't this one of yourn? Sorry for the jab. I heard, again, that the US has the highest corporate tax rate in the civilized world and that is why we should cut taxes for the wealthy guys. A while back I heard the response to that was the actual rate paid was --- because of the deductions, loopholes and exemptions. Does anyone know the figures on that?
January 30, 2009 7:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
The corporate tax rate in the United States is second among industrialized nations. Only Japan's is higher.
The flip side is that our personal tax rates are second lowest. Not surprisingly, the only country whose citizens pay less tax is Japan.
You can make a compelling case for simplifying the tax code to eliminate deductions and loopholes for corporations. One of the reasons corporate tax rates are so high is that there are so many ways for corporations to avoid paying tax.
The most common source of these statistics are policy shops like the Tax Foundation that believe taxes are a plague visited on the innocent. Missing from most of these "analyses" is any discussion of how common needs like infrastructure would be maintained in these tax-free utopias.
January 30, 2009 8:59 AM | Reply | Permalink