I have received some criticism for partisanship and have even been accused of fomenting hatred toward Republicans. This does not surprise me, because I take pride in my partisanship, but unlike Republican politicians and pundits, I recognize that I am not entitled to my own facts. My commentary is honest in that I document the factual data upon which I base it. I do not shy away from criticism of my own side of the aisle, when the situation warrants it, and it often does. Telling the truth is not hateful. Intolerance of hatred, bigotry, lies, racism and greed is not hateful. And assigning responsibility is not hateful, because unless we understand how and why something is broken, it is difficult, if not impossible to fix it. The S&P debacle is a perfect example.
This should be highlighted again and again, because it is very simple, very logical and very, very damning:
A Standard & Poor’s director said for the first time Thursday that one reason the United States lost its triple-A credit rating was that several lawmakers expressed skepticism about the serious consequences of a credit default — a position put forth by some Republicans.
Without specifically mentioning Republicans, S&P senior director Joydeep Mukherji said the stability and effectiveness of American political institutions were undermined by the fact that “people in the political arena were even talking about a potential default,” Mukherji said.
“That a country even has such voices, albeit a minority, is something notable,” he added. “This kind of rhetoric is not common amongst AAA sovereigns.”
These statements have caused tea party Republicans to bleat, but, notably, it apparently hasn’t caused any of them to reflect on their positions. What the S&P director is saying here makes perfect sense. If the government of a nation publicly questions whether its debts should be paid, then it stands to reason that investors should be more cautious about presuming those debts should be paid. If politicians begin to mutter that perhaps those debts should be "ransomed" for political favors, then by definition those debts are less safe than they were before… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Daily Kos>
Now, Republicans are fast to say that this did not mention Republicans, specifically. However, the people saying that the debt should be held hostage, and/or that the debt should not be paid were all Republicans.
Frankly, I believe that all people are redeemable, no matter what they have done. I bear no ill will against Republicans. If they, like the prisoners with whom I volunteer, were willing to change and become pro-social members of this society, I would be the first to support them for so doing. My only interest in opposing them is to stop the horrific harm they are causing this nation.
10 Responses to “Republican Responsibility Is Now Undeniable”
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Becoming Socialized is precisely the one thing they hate and fear above all else! They have repeatedly stated in huge signs and small actions that even considering the needs or concerns of others is the greatest evil they know of. The difference between them and the prisoners you volunteer with is the number of decimal points in the cost to society of their crime. Break a window and steal a hundred dollars and you are a felon, steal billions and devastate the countryside and you are a captain of industry.
I once knew a “reformed” thief who figured out in prison that some crimes would get the attention of the cops and others were simply not done by folks with a working gag reflex, but not specifically illegal and became a very “successful” businessman. As I offered neither threat nor promise, and make a habit of not over reacting, he rambled on about his relationship with the really bad ole days in El Salvador that were the current days at the time and his “friend” at the head of the secret police who made a lot of very profitable business deals for him, at one point offering a choice that a second person buying bulk rags in the US and selling them there as clothes, be either killed or just run out of the country, with no third option being considered or offered.
While such openness is rarely encountered, the mindset bleeds from every pore of many who are similarly “successful” and see every dollar that goes to someone else as a personal affront. Particularly if that person is of lesser value then their own inflated ego. To even suggest that such thinking is causing such terrible damage and really aught to change brings immediate fears of “Socialist Re-Education Camps” made to brainwash you into accepting their socialized way of thinking. That of course is the original point of ordinary prisons.
You raise an excellent point, Bill. Convicted criminals require much less work to rehabilitate than elected criminals.
Just a few of the Repubicans who are damned by their own words on hostage-taking and wanting a default:
♦ Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), August 3, 2011: “I think some of our members may have thought the default issue was a hostage you might take a chance at shooting … it’s a hostage that’s worth ransoming.”
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/whos-really-responsible-for-us-debt-downgrade.php?ref=fpblg
The sad thing is that you have exposed only the tip of the iceberg.
Would any of us lend money , or anything , to another who openly states , not paying back what is owed is a good option ? Would Sears extend credit to someone who fills out an application for credit from someone who says they may not pay that bill ?
Would any car dealer give a loan to a buyer – who tells the dealer “I have no intention of (paying ) to raise the debt ”
Of course Republicans will say that you can’t use personal finances to compare with nations’ finances, even though they do just that daily.
TomC, don’t know what prompted this blog, but forget it. You are known to us as a fair and thorough researcher, who makes his point in a thoughtful and even-handed way. Well, maybe a couple of those self-created cartoons were questionable.
Might even say the actual facts drive the opinions, rather than dreaming up statements to support an opinion. Reminds me a very crude old saw, “Opinions are like assholes, everyone’s got one.” To have a REASONED opinion, based on something other than a 2,000-year old religion, coupled with critical thinking skills and ability to rigorously challenge conventional wisdom is what separates the men from the boys. Keep up the fine work.
Ann, what promoted it is a variety of comments at a variety of places. For Republicans to falsely accuse us of what they are doing themselves is a standard page in their playbook. I am not the only intended victim of these attacks. I felt that a strong defense was needed for all our sakes. Thany you for your trust and confidence.
My cartoons, like most, use humor, satire. and/or hyperbole to entertain, often making a point in the process. Cartoons should never be taken too literally.
Yeah! The sorry SOB’s, the Republicans, are who caused this mess and some Democrats that enabled them, too! When are they ever gonna learn? The Democrats have a magnificent opportunity to take over big time in 2012, if they will all get on the same page and stop letting the Republicans and the news media frame the debate and lay the blame squarely on them, where it belongs! 😡
Excellent points, Johnny.