Republicans never made it out of Toddler stage

Since President Obama took office, the republicons made a determination that they would vote no on any legislation placed in front of them during session. This includes any bills that were sponsored by republicons in the past, such as the bill that gave tax breaks to small businesses(jobs bill), would open up loans to small businesses by giving local banks access to funds(unlike Bush's TARP bill which only helped large global banks). But many bills that assist middle and working class, besides veterans have been dashed and then the 'cons go on TV, screaming about "the deficit" or how the Dems are a "do-nothing congress". Well, lets see about the Dem's bills:

Senator Franken’s Anti-Rape Amendment to the Defense Appropriations Bill - Makes it so that women raped overseas while working for foreign contractors have the right to have their case heard in an American court instead of having their case mediated by the company they work for.Only Republican men voted against this, but it passed. So, rape is just fine as long as XE(Blackwater renamed), Haliburton and other republicon contributors aren't affected by silly little laws.

Benefits for Homeless Veterans- Would have expanded benefits to homeless veterans and homeless veterans with children. Republicans blocked this. Well, these cannon fodders made it back--and we're supposed to support them NOW?!?!!?  Just cuz they fought a way for this country???? How silly.

Health Care- Prevents insurance companies from discriminating against you on the basis of "pre-existing conditions". Requires that insurance companies spend 85 cents of every dollar that you pay on your actual health care. Limits health insurance companies profit margins.Republicans blocked this for months before it finally passed. Oh, I know, I know--its just horrible that this bill addresses the doughnut hole that insurers have been raping seniors since the republicons kept that bill open until 3 a.m. to get enough votes, addresses Medicare fraud and republicon friends and contributors will have to be legal to get funds...and this also keeps Medicare solvent for an extra 9 years, without changing any other laws, but its horrible that Americans will have to have health insurance like every other industrialized nation.

Health Care for the 9/11 First Responders who got sick from being at Ground Zero- Would provide billions of dollars in health care to help the 9/11 First Responders who were at Ground Zero on 9/11 and are now sick because of it. Republicans blocked this. You know, its ok to use the 9/11 first responders to keep people scared enough to vote against their best interest....and vote republicon--be skeered! be skeered! Vote us in so we can bomb the rest of the world(and line our pockets with millions while doing it).

The Jobs Bill- Offsets the payroll tax for 1 year for companies that higher new employees, or people receiving unemployment insurance. Also gives other tax incentives to companies hiring new employees. Republicans attempted to block this. Its a bad idea to give tax incentives to hire people....the middle class may come back and we need them poor and stupid!!!!

Small business lending bill- would give LOCAL, community banks access to billions of dollars to loan to small businesses. Republicans blocked this.

Financial reform- Puts stricter regulations on the banks, preventing them from becoming "too big to fail". Curbs reckless spending practices that caused the banking crisis. Republicans attempted to block this.
Why should we regulate banks? They've been doing just fine and if we make them pay attention to laws(like the rest of us have to), they might not be able to line our campaign funds as much! It would be horrible if our banksters didn't make 400 times as much as their employees, unlike other industrialized countries(think Europe, Japan) whose CEO's only make....oh.....40 times what the employees make.

Stimulus Bill- Pumped billions of dollars into state and local Governments to prevent us from sinking into a second Great Depression. Republicans opposed this but now want to take credit for the parts of it that we know are successful.

Oil Spill Liability- Raises the liability on what companies can be made to pay to clean up after an oil spill. Republicans blocked this. Cuz, why again would we want to hold Oil companies liable for their poor performance? Their bad decisions?

Political Ad disclosure bill- Would have required all donors to political campaigns to reveal themselves. Republicans blocked this. Again, why would we want the public to know who is funding the negative ads? I don't think it'd make too much of a difference, because Americans, in general, don't actually research the lies, but it'd still be nice for us thinking people to know where the money's coming from and, it would be up-front--what's wrong with being honest? Oh. yeah. That'd mean when The Chamber of Commerce or one of Rove's or Army's fronts, they'd have to admit their lies.

Immigration- Republican suggested comprehensive immigration reform until Obama supported it. Now they're rabidly opposed to it and even voted against their own legislation. Republicans blocked this. Remember, King Ronnie was the amnesty giant...and he also changed the laws to make it easier for businesses not to be charged with hiring undocumented workers.

Unemployment Extension- Would provide additional aid to the millions of Americans still on unemployment who are just trying to support themselves and their familes. Republicans blocked this bill for 8 weeks before it finally passed. Republicans blocked this for 8 weeks before it finally passed.

This is just horrendous that people feel its ok to let others lose so much due to the Bush Recession--and the business deals that allowed CA. candidate Fiorina and MI candidate Snyder to outsource tens of thousands of hi-tech American jobs to China.

Fair Pay Act of 2009- Also called the Lily Ledbetter bill. Requires that women receive equal compensation to men for doing the same work. Republicans attempted to block this.

So, the next time someone tells you that the Republicans care about the American people, give them this list of all the bills Republicans voted against, most of which assist middle class -- and we're the ones that have been hurt the most.

http://www.facebook.com/republicansareidiots

Gov't should stay outta their church, but get into others' bedroom---Republicon whackadoodles

Jillian Rayfield reported  that David Barton, a fundie/social conservative...and radio talk show host, wants to "regulate homosexuality". Yessirreee---this whacko would scream to the highest shrill level about corporate regulation, health care regulation, but he has no problem, in fact encourages, private citizen bedroom regulation!

Mr. Barton, who likes to make up history to back up his bigotries, has asserted on his radio show that the gomminent should regulate homosexuality because of his asserted "facts" about it:

Barton was talking about the Health care bill and our government's involvement in the health of Americans when he went off the deep end of intolerance about homosexuality with "research" from the CDC. He continued:

So if I got to the Centers for Disease Control and I'm concerned about health, I find some interesting stats there and this should tell me something about health. Homosexual/bi-sexual individuals are seven times more likely to contemplate or commit suicide. Oooh, that doesn't sound very healthy.

No, no it doesn't sound very healthy...but the only thing I found on the CDC about this was that it was sympomatic of the detrimental, bigoted views of the population, rather than being gay.

 Homosexuals die decades earlier than heterosexuals. That doesn't sound healthy.

Couldn't find this stat anywhere, except in some of the articles about AIDS and those were at least 10 years old, nothing current--so Mr. Fundie also should have the monniker LIAR?

 Nearly one-half of practicing homosexuals admit to 500 or more sex partners and nearly one-third admit to a thousand or more sex partners in a lifetime.

Again, I couldn't find anything that backs up what he says on the CDC site although I did not check out all of the 134 results, only the first 10 or so.....maybe there's something on there from the 70's or 80's.

 He concluded his diatribe by saying that from what he's seen, it doesn't seem very healthy and we should regulate homosexuality...after my research of him and his alleged research, I think it would be much better to regulate his LYING.

Now, this idjit has testified as an "expert" before the Texas Board of Education(ok....yes, that IS an oxymoron), goes on Glen Beck's show with his revisionist history, but also has been very involved in different campaigns such as Marco Rubio, Sharon Angle and John McCain.

And now, we have the crazy whackadoodle running against Cuomo in New York, speaking to Orthodox Jews about homosexuals and how we should not be brainwashed about homosexuality and believes that homosexuality is dysfunctional. He allegedly he only feels that gay marriage is wrong. His remarks came just hours after the news story about the 3 men who had been held against their will, tortured and sodomized because some gang members just thought they were gay.

And these idiots flaunt their religions, along with their bigotry and try to hide behind the first ammendment--when they don't want to take responsibility for their words or even tell the truth.

June 2010--the first 10 days

Its been very hectic and stressful in my life lately, ok, its usually hectic and stressful in my life, but this month, beginning the week of June 6 was unbelievable.

First, my cat, Zeus, was feeling poorly. He couldn't jump like he usually does, not eating well and seemed to have trouble breathing. I make an appointment for him to see the vet. I can get in on Wednesday.

On June 8, I had to get diapers for my granddaughter who was at my home. I drive over to Target, its raining a bit. I pull into the parking lot and start looking for a parking spot. All of a sudden, BAM! someone hit my car! Ms. Lexus was pulling out of the spot and didn't see me. We exchange information, she profusely apologizing for hitting me. I'm ok, no injuries, passenger car door is hit, along with the wheel well in front.

So...Wednesday begins with me first going to Gerber Collision to get an estimate on my car(over $2000 damage) and then rush to the vets....just to be told that Zeus is very ill, he has a mass in his abdomen and really can't be helped...I make an appointment to have him put to sleep on Monday. See, I have to go to Springfield for a meeting this week!

I go home, get packed for my trip and am not sure if I'm supposed to be there today or tomorrow...I call the coordinator, but she's out of the office. That's ok, I'll call the Hilton where the reservation is...I call, give them my name and that I'm with AFSCME Retirees and that I need to know when my reservation is....the gentleman tells me I was supposed to be in town YESTERDAY and that the reservation is still open because it was for 3 days! HUH????? Are you sure this is for Kim ********* from AFSCME? Yes...OH *&()&)_! I coulda sworn it was for just one day.....

So after I get packed, I try to call the coordinator again, but can't get hold of her, well, of course, she's probably in meetings. Start the trip to Springfield, IL. Its about 3 hours from my house and I'm thinking I'm gonna need that drive....which was pretty calm, until I got to the hotel.

I park my car in the parking lot and go to the front desk. I say my name and they give me a key for room 1015 after I sign all of the paperwork. I had left my bag in the car, but had brought in my camera case and laptop. I go up to the room and find that someone else's luggage and stuff are already in the room! We always get single rooms, so I thought that maybe something had changed...I go back to the front desk to find out there are 2 Kim ******* and she is the one that has the reservation for 3 days! So, now I just lose it, and start to cry---just too much stress. Can they put me up? Sure for regular prices on the rooms(for over $120 a night)..I don't have that kind of money...but they do assure me that I have a reservation for the NEXT NIGHT. I tell them again, I had called and made sure that there was a reservation under AFSCME for me for tonight. I really felt they should comp me a room, but I was too tired and out of it to really make an issue out of it. Now I have to make the decision on whether I want to ride all the way back and come back tomorrow or find a cheap hotel. I decided I'd look for a cheap hotel.

At the Hilton there is a computer that guests can use to access the internet, their email and some Office programs. I sat down, got on ebates, went to expedia(I actually tried a couple of different sites, but expedia found the best price) and booked a non-smoking room at a Super 8...just a bit farther down the hotel experience, but under $50--which was less than I would pay for gas if I went home and returned the next day. I get over to the Super 8 only to find out that I was given a room on a smoking floor(which I thought were all illeagal since the law changed) because they didn't have any non smoking rooms left! I get into my room, take the filters out of the air conditioner and run them under the tub faucet---they were very nasty! I don't think anyone ever cleaned THAT part of the room! I had to go out and met one of the other customers on the elevator...she had been drinking a bit....enough to make the whole elevator smell like the aftermath of a bachelor's party at a bar---the gin was oozing out of her skin! Then we had the teens with the church group who like to roam the halls....they didn't bother me, just thought it was sort of strange. Maybe they were just trying to get their cardiac in before bedtime.

On Thursday, I decided that since I had extra time in Springfield, I'd go see the Lincoln Memorial and the Veteran's Memorials at Oak Ridge Cemetery. It was the best part of my trip. Have photos, will post when I've completed them. Will continue in another post.

Summer is just around the corner...Farmer's Markets are back!

Yes, it's that time again--farmers markets have started and I'm so excited! I went to the first one this year about 2 weeks ago. Its a smaller one, named a "French" market, rather than farmers and is in Lisle IL. I didn't go overboard, just bought 3 tomato plants(all heirloom) 1 pepper plant(Lilac bell), dwarf sunflower and a purple basil. I also bought some asparagus, but stayed away from the bread and cakes area----way too tempting . I also love looking at the flowers for sale, they are all so beautiful!     I now have the garden planted and was surprised at the difference in plants that cost about the same. I bought 3 heirloom tomato plants at the French Market and 2 heirloom tomato plants at my local Clover's. I'm usually pleased with Clover's because they do buy within the midwest(usually Iowa, Michigan and Indiana, besides Illinois), but the difference in size was pretty easy to see. I couldn't get all of the plants together in one shot, but they are in the raised bed. The 3 tall ones are the ones from the French market($3.50 each or $10 for 3) and the top one is from Clovers--for $2.99! My dog is just a added treat.... The plants that are in between the french market and Clover's buy are "volunteers"--ones that just grew out of the plants from last year, neat, huh? Don't truly know what tomatoes I'm ending up with, but that's just fine by me--I like surprises, specially free ones!

I'm actually not bragging....it just sounds like it....

I had to take my granddaughter to an appointment that I had at the hospital. While there, we were stopped numerous times for people to comment on the beautiful baby, said baby, of course, would smile and "talk" to them...ok, so people are enamored of babies and that happens all over, right? Not when there are three babies in the same vicinity and the only one that is getting the attention is Ms. Beckncall!

Bush official announces, "We have innocent blood on our hands"

In April, while we in America were all agog about tea baggers, Tiger and Palin-tology(the study of stupid), the rest of the world reported on a statement from a former aide of Colin Powell, that alleges that the Bush administration covered up that they knew that hundreds of innocent men were imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay. Not only were Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld aware of these innocent men; they would not release them because they were afraid that releasing these innocent men and children would damage their push for broadening their “war on terror” and invasion of Iraq.

The statement was submitted in the British court by Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, a topaide to Colin Powell (when secretary of state. Colonel Wilkerson stated that Cheney and Rumsfeld knew that the majority of the first round of detainees (742) sent to Guantanamo in 2002 were innocent and had only been turned in for the money our government was offering. Colonel Wilkerson retired after serving 31 years in the Army.

General Powell, who left the Bush Administration in 2005, angry about the misinformation that he unwittingly gave the world when he made the case for the invasion of Iraq at the UN, is understood to have backed Colonel Wilkerson’s declaration.

The story broke in the UKTimes online:

He added that he had was his view with Secretary Powell and learned that is was not just Cheney and Rumsfeld who refused to let the innocent men return to their country, but also then-president Bush who was “involved in all of the Guantanamo decision making”

So, what happened to the other men, ranging in age from 12(yes, 12 year old) to 93 years old? Tortured, placed in solitary confinement, humiliated. Many, after being tortured by the US “military”(read Blackwater) have possibly, now become freedom fighters—the one we call terrorists…think about it. Canada invades the United States, says they don’t have to follow the Geneva Convention and kidnap your pre teen and your grandfather…what would you do?

And although it is very important, as a country, to investigate these war crimes so, we can once again become the land of the free and show the world, that we not only talk the talk, but walk the walk, there is a more urgent reason to bring these war criminals of the last administration to trial:

If we do not investigate, then we, also have blood on our hands.

Under Bush, we were warned how dangerous those “enemy combatants were that were imprisoned in Gitmo, but now, we know that was a lie. Our legal system, our culture is built on innocent until proven guilty and was something we strived to insure except for the last 30 years. Now, it seems we have forgotten those highest words of our justice system. Now the words first uttered are “they were probably guilty of something” and living in a country that thinks these words are something to treasure is shameful.

And the Hypocrites fall hard again

Rep. Mark Souder, Republicon from Indiana, is resigning from Congress because of an affair he had with a female staff member.

In his statement, Souder brought sin and God into it and said resigning was "the best decision for my family, the people of northeast Indiana and our country."

"In the poisonous environment of Washington, D.C., any personal failing is seized upon, often twisted, for political gain,” Souder said. “I am resigning rather than put my family through that painful, drawn-out process."

Hmmm, methinks thou protests too much. What Rep. Souder fails to remember is how poisonous of a creature he was towards Pres. Clinton's affair with a staff member. I'm not saying that members of the Democratic Party have not had affairs, etc., what I am saying is that we don't jump up and down screaming about someone else's "values" or "failings" while we have the same problem!

When Minority Leader Boehner (R-Ohio) was informed of the affair, he released a statement saying that he's made it very clear that he holds republicon members to the "highest ethical standards"....sure. So, how many hypocrites on their side does this make? You know, the holier-than-thou fire and brimstone seeking congressional members that jumped on the Clinton impeachment boat? The ones that kept screaming about "moral standards" and "family values"

Henry Hyde (remember his "youthful indescretions" with a married woman? When he was 41--that's not youthful, 25 is youthful)

Mark Souder(See Above)

Larry Craig(The man with the wide stance...)

David Vitter (The guy who likes to wear the diapers in the family)

Joseph M. McDade(PA congressional member for 36 years--issued a summons for exposing himself to women)

Mark Foley (And most people probably didn't even really know about the Pages in Congress until this guy) and, remember, this involved a cover up which included Boehner and Denny Hastert.

Jim Gibbons-Nevada dropped out of governor's race after he accused of accosting a cocktail waitress who rebuffed his advances.

Pete Sessions(sex and bondage club in CA)

Newt Gingrich(divorce papers to 1st wife while she was recovering from breast cancer surgery cuz he wanted to marry his girlfriend...whom he has since divorced and married the third in a row--this woman also began with an affair.

Bob Livingston, who was supposed to replace Gingrich as speaker(after Newt was driven out on a rail) who, after he played the family or moral values card also had to resign because of an affair.

Helen Chenoweth, Idaho congresswoman--who exploded at Clinton's infidelity--admitted to a 6 year affair with a married man.

Dan Burton, who again was a vehement critic of Clinton, not only had an affair, but a child with his mistress--whom he paid off to keep her quiet...after what he said about Clinton and Lewinski, the woman stepped up to be honest.
And Sen. John Ensign who faces criminal charges and a Senate investigation over his affair and bribe of Cindy Hampton, a former staff member.

My fingers are beginning to hurt with all this typing and I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of some of the articles, one of which is in Politico which focuses only on the 1994 Congress and a somewhat complete list on Republicons in general--federal, state and local office holders or wannabes; and what's really heinous? How many of these "moral values" people enjoy sex with children...says something about the party?