Texas Gov. Rick Perry doesn’t just pander to religious-right extremists. He’s also a big favorite of “tea party” folks (many of whom, in Texas anyway, are also religious-righters). So we weren’t surprised when Gov. Perry suggested last year that maybe Texas should consider seceding from the Union. Now he says Texas should be able to leave the Social Security system. Gov. Perry had this to say on MSNBC today:
“Why is the federal government even in the pension program or the health care delivery program? Let the states do it.”
Oh yes, because Texas has done so well on social policy in other areas like health care (highest percentage of uninsured) and sex education (third-highest teen birth rate in the nation). We think senior citizens in Texas might be more than a little concerned about Gov. Perry’s newest idea. Interesting that he didn’t mention it during his re-election campaign, yes?
We all did a poor job, nation-wide, of fighting these bastards. We are going to have to find new resolve, and convince more people to get involved.
Elections have consequences. Dire consequences.
Djawl hear? That Obama boy’s trip to India is gonna cost the American taxpayer $999,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. We really got a deficit now boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a bunch of Christmas desserts.
Hi, Charles. Sorry, must correct you that was $999,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.01.
Solid information. It came from Beckkk’s sources inside the White House inner circle.
Why!!! I think you must be right on that David. That extra penny deserves an impeachment trial. We’ll take the peaches right out of that boy—now won’t we (hearty slap of the knee).
Fruit…well…you know.
How exactly would this work? Or is this just public posturing?
A metaphorical image a friend gives about what the working voter did: kicked himself in the groin and shouted, “Take that, Obama!”
Democrats did not publicize the tremendous accomplishments the Obama administration already has. We let the Republican lying machine dump misinformation into citizen’s minds without countering with Obama’s great accomplishments–even in creating jobs!
Thanks Donald, I needed a good laugh.
You’re right, we’re going to have to stick together, and remember the numbers. We lost a lot of seats by just a couple of percentage points. The GOP is taking this victory to be a massive mandate for draconian measures, it looks like they’re bound to overreach.
I saw today that 700 scientists had started a new program to combat the climate deniers. It’s a good time to push against the anti-science forces.
The problem is that the anti-science crowd is also the religious crowd – who has a great deal of support from big moneyed interests – such as the Brothers Koch. Corporateworld is NOT interested in the environment, nor is the anti-science crowd. That is the LAST thing Corporateworld is interested in, besides employees.
The problems with Democrats are multiple but here are my first two impressions:
(1) Democrats did not have the financial support of big-moneyed interests: banks, multinational corporations, etc. The biggest money all funded the Republicans, thanks to the corporate-bought Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case. I think it’s pretty obvious why Business favors Republican candidates. Republicans want to deregulate everything, from protections for the environment to protections for employees, leaving Business a bigger profit.
(2) Democrats were sabotaged by pseudo-Democrats (DINO’s), such as Bart Stupak and many others. Obama lacked the support of enough of his own party. I guess you can’t blame the DINO’s though; they are subject to their conservative constituents that they have to satisfy to win their next election. It’s just the nature of the game and the nature of the American electorate who is VERY conservative. Last week we found out just how conservative. The middle class [once again] voted against itself.
As for the GOP takeover of the House, it’s going to be very interesting to see the squabbling emerge between the Establishment Republicans and the Tea Party Republicans. There is enough daylight between them that they could become their own worst enemies – just like the Democrats fought against themselves as explained above in (2).
As for the original message above re: Gov. Perry: Wouldn’t a “pull out” of Social Security be dependent on an established succession? I don’t see how termination of Soc Sec could happen any other way. I think he is pandering to Texas successionists as well as showing where his heart truly lies: becoming the first president of the Republic of Texas.
Are you sure Perry isn’t going for being the first “King” of Texas? King Perry….. hmmm…. he will one up ol’ Georgy boy on that one!
Breaking news, a little off topic. The deficit commission has just issued a press release:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHHJsXH3BiU&fs=1&hl=en_US]