GOP Insanity and Tail Chasing

The completely ’bat crazy’ GOP is exceeding all levels of complete insanity.  If I am reading it correctly, we have GOP members of Congress comparing the ACA provisions for free contraception for women, effective August 1, 2012, with Pearl Harbor and 9/11. Think Progress Linked

On the other side of the Cuckoo’s Nest, we have Republicans in Congress working to pass anti-abortion laws, even in the care of rape and incest. I Acknowledge Class Warfare Exists Linked

Now, I am not always the ‘sharpest knife in the drawer’, but my mind senses a dichotomy in GOP ‘whining‘ and wasteful energy.  If someone can help with my lack of understanding, that would be a good thing.  If the women who can benefit from the free contraception were denied the benefit, some may have gotten pregnant. Things Happen!  Human beings procreate and procreation leads to impregnation.  If the impregnation is an undesired state, for reasons of health, personal choice, or thought to be ill-advised, the GOP would deny the mother opportunity to make a decision that directly affects her (first); First, before consideration of the embryo.

Does the GOP fail to understand that their authoritarianism could bode poorly for the undesired child as the child grows through early life?  Does the GOP not have one iota of compassion for the women who was raped. They would force the woman to carry (for months) the horror of her rape?  They would force incestuous rearing of a child, and to what end?

One would think the GOP would have followed their lies about seeking office with seriously focused on jobs to improve the economy. They work in solidarity to obstruct jobs, and spend (waste) our taxpayer dollars and their growing totalitarian ways?

Again, I must ask, who elects these people?

Ann Coulter says , if we don’t get Christie, we lose"

Well……….!!!!  Is this proper protocol for a supposed leader and an elected official. New Jersey, are you serious?

Seriously?

Right Wingers Deserting The Political Ship!

Cross posted from The Liming Liberal Democrat

A lot of people seem to be coming to their senses and are taking their leave of what some of them are describing as the “Craziness” that they seem to believe has infiltrated much of The Right Wing in today’s political climate.

Some of the expatriates of The Far Right Wing of politics are reporting that they feel as if their comfortable old Party of No has gone off the deep end in some cases and might be suffering from some sort of mass hysteria or paranoia or has simply begun to lose touch with reality.

Some of the reports I have read from those who have “Deserted” Conservatism are saying that part of their problem revolves around a perception that modern Conservatism is short on actual facts when it makes arguments or that it is in the business of revising facts to make them fit desired illusions.

Others remember more reasonable times when compromise was the nature and character of Conservatism and the deserters are unhappy with the unreasonable, set-in-stone immovability of  many of their  contemporaries who punctuate their often  unbendable demands with what they interpret as vicious, hateful screaming, virulence and vitriol. They report, in many instances, on being uncomfortable with that hard-headed stubborn approach and feel that it is somehow non -productive.

Read More About this departure from the ideology of Conservatism in the following link:

http://www.alternet.org/teaparty/155592/Why_I_Stopped_Being_a_Right-Winger_–_Modern_Conservatism_Has_Become_a_Form_of_Mass_Hysteria/

Posted by John Liming as part of his continuing Diaries of Political Opinions.

Picture Credit  - The picture used on this blog post is by permission of MARIO PIPERNI  to whom we are most grateful for the privilege.

Related articles

• Radicals Driving Conservatives Away In Droves!

  ---

• Another Conservative Has Left The Building

  ---

• Why I Stopped Being a Right-Winger — Modern Conservatism Has Become a Form of Mass Hysteria

  ---

• Conservatism Is A Mental disorder?

  ---

Limbaugh: The Ideology Leader of the GOP taken down in Philly

Cross posted from the Daily Kos…..


MON JUN 25, 2012 AT 10:22 AM PDT 
Rush Limbaugh Off Air in Philadelphia 
by  scottiex2 

Limbaugh has been a mainstay on the CBS owned station in Philadelphia for at least 20 years. 

Today he was replaced by Michael Smerconish with the intro “forget the anger, reason is back”. 

I called the station manager to confirm that it was in fact a permanent and to congratulate him on his public service. 

This is one station, but it is a major market that is replacing hate speech one 

program at a time. Hannity was dropped last year. 

Of course it is all about money and proof that the boycott worked. 

 

The Daily GOP Ignominious: Yet another example of Right-Wing disrespect against President Obama! (VIDEO)

Hand in pockets, no notepad, no camera, no tape device….really Daily caller. now really?

The backdrop and stage….

A landmark announcement on immigration and human decency for people who had no control over their early lives.  They can join the military, they can work, they pay taxes (If practical and not deportation inducing), they shop, and they hide from the authorities in many cases.

The Rose Garden of the White House
The beautiful chirps of birds in the background
A warming sun
A great audience


The occasion

President Obama announced on yesterday that he would sign an Executive Order that would temporarily stop deportations of non-citizens who came to their country as kids and who are now under 30 years of age.  The Executive Order allows the affected people to work in the United States.

Ah, alas, there is a cancer a midst.  As is the case in many open forums these days, if a conservative can gain entry, it will lead to ‘Rights Principles’ like actions.  Today’s disgust was from a person reported to be a blogger for the “The Daily Caller”.  So, The Daily Caller has catapulted a ‘dweebish hero’ across the conservative universe.  Those who relish his actions, rest assured he will get plenty of air-time on Fox News.  The real question is how, so-called Independents feel about his actions. A veritable Andrew Breitbart on the White House lawn.  What a disgusting episode of disrespect and UN-American behavior.  The scene was very much like that Orkin pest control commercial. If you leave the door open, vermin will ease across the threshold.

Fox News host are noted for such. It seems the Caller felt it time to garner a bit of readership via a tactic that conservative America generally feels is a “high-five” action.    From O’Reilly’s interruptions to Brett Baier’s all too frequent interruptions, America’s Right-wing public relations media continues its stellar work in disrespecting the President of the Untied States of America.

I hope you notice notice the restraint and civility exemplified by President Obama. 

Can you imagine such with George W. Bush. Ronald Reagan, or Richard Nixon? Frankly, did we see similar with Clinton and Carter?  I cannot help but feel I have narrowed the difference down to its lowest denominator.  And, America does not even clamor about the behavior.

….And the Band Plays On…..

Pay Equity and clear evidence that some do not like calling ‘war on women’

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is again attacking the rights of working people.  His latest foray into human deprivation strikes women and minorities while also impacting older white males. 

The first piece of legislation signed into federal law by then newly inaugurated President Obama was the Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay Act.  A few words about Ms. Ledbetter from Wikipedia.

Lilly Ledbetter was a supervisor at Goodyear Tire and Rubber’s plant in Gadsden, Alabama, from 1979 until her retirement in 1998. For most of those years, she worked as an area manager, a position largely occupied by men. Initially, Ledbetter’s salary was in line with the salaries of men performing substantially similar work. Over time, however, her pay slipped in comparison to the pay of male area managers with equal or less seniority. By the end of 1997, Ledbetter was the only woman working as an area manager and the pay discrepancy between Ledbetter and her 15 male counterparts was stark: Ledbetter was paid $3,727 per month; the lowest paid male area manager received $4,286 per month, the highest paid, $5,236.^[4] This pay disparity led to further inequity in her “overtime pay, contributory retirement, 401(k), and social security.” ^[5]

As a professional who worked well over a quarter century in Human Resources Management, rest assured Ledbetter does not stand alone as a victim of corporate America.  Corporate America and the ‘guardians’ of secrecy and illusion relative to pay are very adroit at practicing their craft.  They are the ‘bosses’ (supervisor, managers and directors) who foster, maintain and nourish systems of pay inequity, the Human Resources professionals who allow such discrimination, and the corporate entity (itself) that has existed with sanctioned inequities towards women and minorities.  

When asked by an MSNBC show host how she learned of the pay inequity Ms. Ledbetter indicated she was given an anonymous note. Whether she is covering for someone of not, pay inequity was discovered and eventually litigated.   She found out about the pay inequity (discrimination) because someone recognized the ’wrong’ and took affirmative steps to alert the victim.  Think of the millions who know of such practices (and other discriminatory practices) and do not speak-out or come forth. They sit and reap the benefits of victimization of another; thus they are also enablers. 

Pay discrimination is as real as the 9AM to 5 PM workday.  Pay is an area that is, by policy cloaked in secrecy and is very difficult to discover and prove than other forms of discrimination against women.

One glaring example of corporate discrimination against women was in promotion and hiring rates.  Until recently the number of women who held top level leadership positions  (CEOs) languished in the realm of three (1) percent.  The number today approaches three to four (3 to 4) per cent, but when factored against the fact that 46% to 52% of the workforce is female, event that 10% figures is a red flag. Those figures can only represent some form of discrimination even if it is as simple as the ‘good ol boy’ network.  While the percent of top level executive is one obvious and easily verifiable statistic, pay inequity is, but another monster.  If you have worked for any company in America, you know the sharing rates of pay is an unforgivable infraction on policy. Well, there are many and serious reasons for hiding pay rates.  One reason facilitates pay inequity.  There are many other reasons, but differentiation in pay is only possible if people are forbidden from pay comparison.

Relevant sources of data:

I. Viteiello Communications Group Data (April 2011)

Statistics show that 76 percent of all American women ages 25-54 are in the workforce; 2 – 3 percent of them are CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. This “leaky talent pipeline” negatively affects the nation’s ability to unlock its full economic potential.

II. Women on Business

New U.S. Women in Business Statistics Released by Catalyst

By Susan Gunelius

Catalyst released some interesting statistics about women in business in the United States this month. Check out some of the information available in the Catalyst U.S. Women in Business report:

• Percentage of women in the U.S. labor force:
 46.3%

• Percentage of women in management, professional and related occupations:
 50.6%

• Percentage of female Fortune 500 corporate officers:
 15.4%

• Percentage of female Fortune 500 board seats:
 14.8%

• Percentage of female Fortune 500 top earners:
 6.7%

• Percentage of female Fortune 500 CEOs:
 2.4%

Here are some statistics from the Catalyst Women CEOs of the Fortune 1000 report:

• Number of female CEOs of Fortune 500 companies:
 12

• Number of female CEOs in Fortune 501-1000 companies:
 10

• Total female CEOS in Fortune 1000 companies:
 22

Looks like the business world has a long way to go to reach anything close to equality in leadership.  Your thoughts?

III. USA Today (Article excerpt)

This year, there were 98 female CEOs of 3,049 publicly traded companies analyzed by research company GMI. That represents 3.2% of the total company CEOs and is just slightly above the 3.1% from last year and 2.9% from 2009. 

Female CEOs represent just about 3% of Fortune 500 company heads. 

In 2009, women held 15.2% of Fortune 500 board seats, according to women’s issues research group Catalyst. In both 2009 and 2010, 12% of Fortune 500 companies had no women serving on their boards.

Two sources of data reflecting Women CEOs occupy less than 5% of all CEOs.  Is it a leap to estimate the African-Americans occupy an equal or probably smaller number?  Although the sources above are careful not to lay the basis of their screeds on discrimination against women, I have far less reticence.  If women occupy close to 50% of the workforce with the number of women CEOs showing less than five percent, the data can be viewed in not other way.


Now, let’s move back to Pay equity.


President Obama made the issue a first step in his administration for a few reasons. Fairness was a catalyst foundation and other reason may have developed from that point. If we contrast our president’s first official act post inauguration with the central issue of this screed the void is deep and it cannot be simply breached by words or rhetoric.


Curtain up on Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s latest attack on working people; in this case specifically women and minorities. Over the past few weeks MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow has reported on Governor Scott Walkers repeal of the Wisconsin Fair Pay Act.   Today’s addition of the Maddow BLOG includes another detailed piece from the very talented Steve Benen.: GOP explains opposition to fair pay laws.

Last week, Pete Hoekstra, the Republicans’ U.S. Senate hopeful in Michigan, called the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay law “a nuisance” that should be stripped from the books. This week in New Hampshire, state Republican Party Executive Director Tory Mazzola, a top Romney campaign, said the law is little more than “a handout to trial lawyers.” 

Other surrogates for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, rushed out to defend Mitt Romney’s record on women’s issues, despite their opposition to the Ledbetter law. 

And then there’s Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), who quietly repealed a state version of the Fair Pay law two weeks ago, and explained his reasoning yesterday. 

Walker defended the repeal in an interview Tuesday with WLUK-TV, saying the Equal Pay Enforcement Act had essentially been nothing but a boon for trial lawyers. His comments came on Equal Pay Day 2012, the day when a typical woman’s earnings catch the pay of male counterparts in 2011. 

“In the past, lawyers could clog up the legal system,” Walker said. “Instead, the state Department of Workforce Development gets to be the one that ultimately can put people back and give them up to two years back pay if there is reason to believe there was pay discrimination in the workforce.” 

So, Walker has decided to take the power out of the hands of women and their legal representatives, and instead put the power in the hands of … the Walker administration.

Benen’s piece also explores reaction from Lilly Ledbetter regarding the GOP and Walker’s obviouslegaltive malfeasance. 

Walker’s horrible discriminatory act further exemplifies how the GOP has little regard from factually evidence the women are paid $.77 for every $1.00 paid to males in comparable positions. Despite clear evidence via the Ledbetter Court case, walker reaches into his bag of ALEC based anti- tort positions against trial lawyers. 

As I close this screed, I reflect on reports that some Democratic lawmakers are less than fond of the seemingly accurate mantra,”GOP war on women”. I would love for one of those Democrats (who are obviously pandering to conservative constituent groups) explain how Walker’s actions can be viewed in any other way.

Join the Party!!!!

There are times when one has to ask..”If you think…..?”

My Resident Republican (Video)

My resident (office ) republican visited my doorway towards the middle of last week. He generally visits the door-way to rail about Conservative email he has received throughout the day. When he feels he has a good “gotcha” point he comes running to my door way.  Generally, I retort to his points and he flees my office when his email “ammo” runs dry.  Last week I gave him a good listen based on the topic he proudly carried to my office.


He wanted to throw-out, with much glee, the name Rick Santorum as his parties new ‘darling’. I took it easy on his easily defeated, and very shallow perspectives, on American politics.  As a matter of reminder, this gentleman has come to my office on at least four occasions to smile about his ‘email’ consensus ‘darling’.


His visit remarkably resembled the following form Clear Politics: A front runner chart.

First, early on, Herman Cain!.  Now, we both knew (deep down)  that the GOP was never going to have Herman Cain at the top of the GOP ticket in 2012. Let’s not go there.  I entertained his smiling face for a moment and eventually told him about my perceptions of the minstrel Cain.

Next he came by with a very coy and no named prospect. “..what the nation needs is a business man”.  I recognized he remark as CODE for Romney. He never mentioend Romney by name; a telling such of behavior.


A few weeks later he came running with a huge Smile and beamed about Rick Perry.  We debated for a time only to agree that Perry did not have the mental aptitude nor the basic common sense to aspire to the presidency.  I, in fact, declared he was a white knight (not a racial reference but a reference) and predicted he would fail.  It only took three debates to quiet the smiling and beaming office republican. I will admit to rubbing his face a bit with the Perry families; “NIGGERHEAD” ranch entrance sign.  Well, it was factual!


Next, he came visiting with smile about Gingrich.  Two minutes into a discussion of Gingrich Congressional past, scandals, and his use of the race card (food stamp president, and the ‘janitor’ thing), he left the office with tail under butt.


We are now up to date, full circle with his visit of last week.



On Theology
http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/cbsnews_player_embed.swf


On Prenatal Care



On Contraception



On Jobs
http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xjrufv
2012 – Rick Santorum Embarrasses Himself On CNN… by Young_Turks1


I have to assume Santorum is not ignorant.  I know he uses language and words to play to specific audiences and I know he lies to save face.  His remarks about not wanting to take money from people and give it to ‘black people’ was evidence enough of his mindset and his sleazy character.  ”BLAH people?” I find it most interesting that he is now the leading candidate for the GOP nomintion in 2012.


My resident Republican. Well, he reminds me of the following linked graphic.


GALLUP DAILY: GOP Ballot Tracking, Among Republican Registered Voters
The poor man has worn a path to my office door that very much resembles the ups and downs-longitude and latitude of the graph.

The GOP; Its base and rationale for its southern strategy

So, by chance  do you think America has moved from its pre-civil war days. Of course, the official end of slavery and Lincoln’s forced preservation of the Union are irrefutable outcomes.  If you think a bit deeper at our political landscape, clear images develop. People sometimes chide me about throwing a blanket indictment against the GOP.  Why?  

* The GOP’s basic nature of serious aversion to change (the bottom-line definition of conservative)

* Policies which seem to show little empathy for people who have been deprived, or never given an opportunity for the full American experiences.  For those assume I am speaking of African-Americans ONLY, think again. The GOP his little empathy for the poor, children in need of sustenance, and seemingly less than previous acknowledge caring for women in aggregate. 

* The obvious ‘southern-strategy’ the party has deployed since back through Richard Nixon. Wikipedia ”Southern Strategy‘* Clear use of policy, political mantra and obvious pandering to southern states; many of which did not instantly give-up their life-styles after the Civil War. 

 Apparently, there are brilliant people who monitor and study the GOP’s political base.  If Newt Gingrich’s ’food stamp’ president garbage is not enough of a testimonial, look at the illustration below.

* Green (Free States and Territories)                                             Red: GOP Base and Southern Strategy
* Red (Slave States)                                                                            Florida, N Carolina, Virginia
* Light Brown (Open to Slavery)                                                     (Uncommon wins for the DEMS)

So, how far has the GOP moved from ante-bellum America?  The illustration above, speaks volumes.

Food stamps president II: A misguided strategy

…and such strategies always fail. Newt’s efforts to grab this years “Willie Horton”, “swift boats’, or “compassionate conservative” mantra is failing miserably. Or, I should say in

the eyes of discerning people. Newt’s sycophants have little need for the following presentation.

MoveOn.org

Mr. Gingrich, prepare to meet someone who knows what he’s talking about.

Found on Rep. Luis Gutierrez YouTube Channel. Originally submitted by volunteer editor Jayne F.