WP: GOP Frets Over Public's Economic Worries

[Pirate Smile]

GOP Frets Over Public's Economic Worries

By Jonathan Weisman and Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, April 21, 2005; Page A01

Inflation and interest rates are rising, stock values have plunged, a tank of gas induces sticker shock, and for nearly a year, wages have failed to keep up with the cost of living.

Yet in Washington, the political class has been consumed with the death of a brain-damaged woman in Florida, the ethics of the House majority leader, and the fate of the Senate filibuster.

The disconnect between pocketbook concerns of ordinary Americans and the preoccupations of their politicians has helped send President Bush's approval ratings on the economy down, while breeding discontent with Congress. The problem has yet to grow into a political wave that could sweep significant numbers of lawmakers from power next year, but both parties face risks if they fail to pivot their attention to economic issues.

"There is a lot of frustration," said Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R) on Tuesday, as he was returning from his district in western Michigan. Republican leaders "need some seats from the Midwest and Northeast to maintain a majority, and if we continue at the rate we're going, we may well lose a few seats."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6118-2005Apr20.html

[tofubo]

1. if that it were

and if we continue at the rate we're going, we may well lose a few seats."

[deadparrot]

2. From your mouth, Rep. Ehlers,

to God's ears. And if God's willing, he might not mind multiplying that loss of "a few seats" by, you know, twenty or so. :)

[SammyWinstonJack]

43. Let's hope Rep. Ehlers' seat is lost

The self serving self absorbed :puke:

[katty]

49. ReThugs and 2006 midterms: Start cryin' assholes

[TahitiNut]

3. So, it's only about you, huh Congressman Ehlers???

You self-adsorbed fuck! You indecent piece of elephant shit! As long as you've got yours it's OK? You scum-sucking maggot! :grr:

[PA Democrat]

10. Yes, they are realizing that their attempts to FOOL people

into believing they are better off are not working. They don't care that people are truly hurting, they only care that people REALIZE that they are hurting.

[Dulcinea]

47. We have a winner! *ding*ding*

"They don't care that people are truly hurting, they only care that people REALIZE that they are hurting."

You nailed it.

[leftchick]

16. Well said TN!

The title of the article says is all.... "GOP Frets Over Public's Economic Worries"... they are fretting over our "worries" not the fact that Many are really, truly starving and homeless! Fuckers!

:banghead:

[calimary]

34. Well, fret away, FUCKERS. Perhaps in 2006, you'll find out for yourselves

what those economic worries are, first-hand, when you don't have congressional connections or protections any longer...

Oh, DEAR GOD let this be!

And Democrats, are you paying attention?????

[tinymontgomery]

27. Could you tell

us how you really feel?

[Zorra]

4. We had a republican House, Senate, and WH when the last Depression

occurred in 1929 also.

Hint: It's not a coincidence. Republicans can't even manage their own lunch money.

[Zynx]

9. And they also got blamed for it

If you're going to be stupid, don't do it when you have both sides of the Hill. Bad idea.

See also: Democrats, 1994.

[Zorra]

48. Democrats in 1994 did not promote nonsensical economic policies

that led to a catastrophic economic Depression like republican control did.

If I recall my history correctly, after several years of republican control of both Houses and the Presidency prior to 1929, the US collapsed economically, and it took 3-4 years to sweep both Houses and the Presidency of republicans. Republican policy prior to the economic collapse of 1929 was similar to republican policy of today, notably that businesses monopolized rapidly due to lack of enforcement of anti-trust regulations, and tax cuts were enacted that greatly benefited the wealthy.

Democrats of 1992-1994 basically "cannibalized" the party , many refusing to cooperate on Democratic policies and/or with President Clinton. IMO, their lack of unity, combined with a massive MSM republican propaganda effort (and I suspect that this was when republicans first employed massive vote restriction/fraud effort as well)were some factors which led to republicans sweeping the House in '94.

Democrats sometimes eat their own; republicans eventually eat everybody.

[fasttense]

23. They all want to get filthy rich

and spend their life going from party to party, sex partner to sex partner, like Paris Hilton. They don't care if along the way, in order to fund their idle rich lives, they steal from starving children and old ladies (remember the ENRON calls). And they will throw God's name in there in order to make you hand them over our tax dollars. A pretty good scam they've got going.

[leesa]

5. Will it be enough to rouse the willfully brain-dead Republicans?

Or will Democrats continue to strive to be JUST LIKE THEM.

[stevedeshazer]

6. dupe, oops

[AlCzervik]

7. No shit Vern! Hello congress welcome to real life

when you don't work in the beltway you tend to pay attention to real life rather than judges and feeding tubes.

[Tux]

8. Good

we may well lose a few seats

Maybe I can get a job once these losers are out of work and liberals can fix the economy and get back on the track we had in the 90's. Mmmm progress.

[Erika]

11. Our standard of living is tanking

under Bush.

[genieroze]

12. They should lose all of their seats. eom

[Kimber Scott]

13. It's all about "Majority Rules" while us real people go belly up.

At the rate they're going they better lose a lot of seats, or we're going to lose everything... house, car, insurance, something to eat...

[Voltaire99]

14. Are you listening, Howard Dean? Turn this party around!

Enough surrender-monkey stuff from you about how we need to change our tune on abortion rights.

People are suffering. They're hurt and they're mad. Get the lead out on issues of economic populism, which can be the salvation of this nation and our party.

[Bob3]

15. I'm reminded of the scene in Blazing Saddles

When Mel Brooks says
"Holy Smoke! We have to protect our phony baloney jobs Gentlemen."

[Hamsta1]

31. Harumph!

"if we continue at the rate we're going, we may well lose a few seats."

"I didn't get a harumph out of that guy!"

[cornermouse]

17. If you think for one moment that they give a flying flip about us,

you are mistaken. If they cared, they wouldn't have passed the last 4 years of garbage.

[wellst0nev0ter]

18. What They Said

I only feel sorry I have to share in their masochistic misery.

[calimary]

35. No SHIT. I did everything I could to prevent it from happening.

And I still get to help pay for it, anyway.

Those of us who knew the truth and saw The Light and did the smart thing at the polls should all get a waiver for this, and let those who wanted this take the punishment for it. THAT would be true justice. I am PROUD that I wasn't fooled.

[truthisfreedom]

19. the thugs haven't even noticed that "uniter" bush has kept them completely

focussed on wedge issues and not accomplishing any of the work of this great nation... except emptying the National Treasury into bushco's crony's pockets.

[spooky3]

20. Reporter on pub radio last night said the gas prices increase

alone has wiped out the average American's pay increase from last year.

[Lindsay]

21. Assuming they had a pay increase,

which many didn't.

Meanwhile, the oil & gas companies are making record profits and getting an $8 billion bonus in the house energy bill.

Ain't life grand in Bush's America?

[seasat]

22. Exactly, if they look at median wages US workers lost wages.

The average includes the very wealthy who have done very well under Shrub Inc. The distribution of wages is not normal so a median is better representative of the typical US citizen. Median wages adjusted for inflation have been stagnant under Shrub Inc.

[SammyWinstonJack]

45. Oh but Murica is the bestest country on the face of the earth!

Doncha know? :sarcasm:

[calimary]

39. Or maybe also that fabulous cure-all GAWD-given tax cut that

bush said was gonna be the magic fix-it for everything from flatulence to the heartbreak of psoriasis? How far has that tax cut taken Joe NASCAR Dad at the gas pump, 'eh?

[JerseygirlCT]

24. Terra alert! Watch for it, it's coming now for sure

Can't have people actually thinking.

[Patiod]

25. My dittohead brother lost his job, and I hear the tune changing

He was just up for a visit, and he kept complaining about the economy and "off-shoring", and I'm a nasty person, so each time he did, I reminded him "hey - you voted for this".

[MountainLaurel]

33. Good on you

Never let them forget they voted for their own economic ruin. Oopsy!

:rofl:

[calimary]

40. Check post #4 here - it's a STELLAR history lesson to offer:

The republi-CONS owned the House, Senate, AND White House when the GREAT DEPRESSION HIT...in 1929.


"Hint: It's not a coincidence. Republicans can't even manage their own lunch money." - DUer Zorra, post #4 - GREAT REMINDER, GREAT LESSON. It wouldn't be you rubbing your brother's nose in it. HISTORY would be doing that.

[Hand]

50. Well done!

:nopity: to anyone who voted for their own downfall. The operating advice for them is "GET A BRAIN! MORAN." :evilgrin:

[Infomaniac]

51. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

I have a brain-dead conservative in my family who got laid off recently. After I heard him complaining about having kids in college and no money, I said, "Hey, you voted for this. Isn't your tax cut enough?" I just can't resist.

[calimary]

53. What was the response? Anything? Or did he just blame Clinton?

I bet that's what some of 'em start doing. They have nothing else to fall back on. Certainly no original, logical, or analytical thought.

[Infomaniac]

54. His response?

A sheepish grin. Our grandmother always told us we'd never be rich enough to vote Repug. Some people need to learn the hard way.

[calimary]

57. Well, you could suggest if he gets too far behind he can always file for

bankruptcy...

Oh yeah. Um... gee... er... I guess THAT'S not an option anymore...

But by all means, KEEP ON VOTIN' republi-CON, 'eh?

[Infomaniac]

58. Not to worry

I plan on working that one into the conversation. I also plan on saying things like, "Yeah, but TG because of the people like you who voted last November, gay people can't get married. Too bad about your job." He really is screwed financially unless he can pick up a job fairly quickly.

[calimary]

59. Yeah. And God Bless America.

Sort of gives you that empty feeling, doesn't it?

[Dawgs]

26. I have a problem with this line...

"but both parties face risks if they fail to pivot their attention to economic issues"

I agree that Democrats should put focus on the economy, but ALL of the blame needs to be put on the Republicans. They are the ones that convinced America to vote for them. They are the ones that claimed they would fix our economic problems. They are the ones that have gloated about having full power.

This blaming the Democrats shit needs to end. Yes, the Dems need to get there shit together and take back Congress, but until they do it's the Republican's fault.

[Toots]

29. How many democrats voted for the tax cuts?

IMHO Every single one who voted for both the tax cuts and the war need to be replaced whether Dem or republican.

[calimary]

41. YES it's primarily the republi-CONS' fault. They own it ALL. So the ball's

been in THEIR court. THEY'VE been the ones calling all the shots and setting the agenda. Yes, our guys have been spineless and fearful and enabling, but caving to THE rEPUBLI-CONS.

ALL the blame has to be placed on the Grab Our Pensions/Grab Our Paychecks party. ALL OF IT. EVERY LAST DROP. We can quibble about who Neville Chamberlained them from our side LATER - AFTER we've taken power back.

But THIS message just absolutely MUST be hammered home AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

THIS.

IS.

WHAT.

YOU.

GET.

WHEN.

YOU.

GIVE.

IT.

ALL.

TO.

THE.

rEPUBLI-CONS.

[Beetwasher]

28. "but both parties face risks"

:eyes: There's that liberal media for ya, bending over backwards to be "fair".

[DemBeans]

30. huh

And the economic issues that have been addressed thus far have done little to help the average person, but have done a lot to stuff oodles of money back into the pockets of the big campaign contributers - like the bankruptcy and prescription drug bills. Pure giveaways to big business. We could pin a lot of misdeeds on this congress had Democrats not helped enable these bills. We need to shut any more of this kind of stuff down - hard - before the midterms. The horrible energy bill would be a good place to start.

[KansDem]

32. "we may well lose a few seats"

Huh? What happened to the Diebold Magic Tabulator? Is it not working? Is the "flip D to R" feature malfunctioning? Won't it be used for the 2006 midterm elections, or is it being saved for the really big 2008?"

[rodeodance]

36. Economic Worries Not Resonating on Hill (A Darkening View)

Great graph at the site (last year results also).

Economic Worries Not Resonating on Hill

Both parties face risks if they fail to pivot their attention to economic issues, but the stakes are especially high for Republicans as an election year approaches.

• Post-ABC News Poll Shows Darkening View

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/daily/graphics/mood_042105.html?referrer=email

A Darkening View

• Rising Consumer Prices Outpace Gains in Wages

[orwell]

37. Stating the Obvious

Rising Consumer Prices Outpace Gains in Wages

So what else is new. That has been going on for most of my lifetime.

[Tace]

38. Same Here -- And I'm 49

[calimary]

42. Kick!

[Yavin4]

44. Enter War In Iran

This is why I believe that next year's political dialogue will be about going to war in Iran. The economy will only get worse by next year, not better. Higher interest rates, along with higher gas prices, will become the norm. So, the Repigs will need an issue to run on next year, and Gay marriage won't be it.

So, for all of next year, all that you will hear about will be a huge push for going to war in Iran. Look for an Iran War Resolution vote in October 2006.

[AnneD]

46. just wait....

until the Bankruptcy Bill takes effect. Let's recap some of the Republican 'stellar' laws to aid the average voter...the Bankruptcy bill, the 'tax cuts' (I don't know about you, but I am not making more but have had to pay at filing the last 2 years), the changes to the over time laws, repealing the inheritance laws (which serves only to stratify wealth in this country). Let's look what they have NOT done, address the AMT, tax loop holes that encourage outsourcing, and shown fiscal responsibility and restraint. If I were a GOP facing re-election, I'd be craping in my pants if this economy continues to tank (which it is). I sleep very well at night knowing I voted in America's best interest and I look forward to 2006.

[Infomaniac]

52. Amen! nft

[byronius]

55. Conservatives only see out as far as their own needs extend.

They are always astonished when everything goes sour because of this myopic mindframe. See what happens when you don't use reason, logic or history? Uhhh...

[calimary]

56. Yeah, but you need reading and independent thought for that.

When your god doesn't bother to read and has his "cherubim and seraphim" like limbaugh and Pox "news" to spread his message for him, why bother with reason, logic, or history? Besides, "we'll all be dead by then," 'eh?

[byronius]

60. I truly dig your tag-line, there. Abbie would approve.