Nebraska AG Jon Bruning Compares Welfare Recipients To Scavenging Raccoons

[meegbear]

Source: TalkingPointsMemo.com

Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, a frontrunner to win the GOP nomination against Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), compared poor people to scavenging racoons in a speech this week.

In a video captured by the liberal group, American Bridge 21st Century, Bruning makes the comparison as part of an elaborate metaphor originally focused on environmental regulations. He describes a requirement that workers at a construction project gather up endangered beetles by luring them into a bucket with a dead rat in order to release them elsewhere. But the plan is thwarted when hungry raccoons then eat them straight out of the rat-infested bucket. Which, according to Bruning, is a perfect image to illustrate how welfare recipients receive their benefits.

"The raccoons figured out the beetles are in the bucket," Bruning said. "And its like grapes in a jar. The raccoons - they're not stupid, they're gonna do the easy way if we make it easy for them. Just like welfare recipients all across America. If we don't send them to work, they're gonna take the easy route."

The incident recalls similar language from South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer (R), who apologized in January 2010 for saying in a speech on America's "culture of dependency" that he learned "as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed."

Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/nebraska-ag-jon-bruning-compares-welfare-recipients-to-scavenging-racoons.php?ref=fpblg

[ck4829]

1. Yeah, people are tired of being told that tax cuts will create jobs, and these jobs never come about

If you want to 'send them to work', then create an employer of last resort.

[RKP5637]

2. WTF is wrong with these people, WTF. The sociopathic republican party, scum of the earth! n/t

[66 dmhlt]

42. Well, there's a clear Cause & Effect reason for it ...

[RKP5637]

49. Yep!!! Thanks!!! So true!!! n/t

[Ian David]

3. So then we will all have to compete with former welfare recipients for jobs that aren't there...

... at wages low enough to be attractive only to someone who isn't allowed to be on welfare anymore.

[InkAddict]

17. That's already happened ...

Employers in my state got bonuses for hiring previous welfare-to-work students trained on taxpayer dimes. No bonus was given if the job candidate wasn't previously on welfare, the one who paid tuition/books/etc. out of pocket for their training while paying taxes (joint return). Guess who got the job? So much for the level playing field. That was then ('90s); outsourcing/off-shoring, foreign 3rd parties shipped in to bust wages are now!

[defendandprotect]

4. Sounds like the new Goebbels' ... "rats running in the gutters" ....

which they used to demonize Jews in Germany!!

Maybe we should have different drinking fountains for those on "Welfare" -- ???

[RKP5637]

7. Yep, like the old days, same model, same bigots, updated signs. n/t

[Bandit]

5. I'm sure Ben Nelson would agree completely with him.

I doubt there is little difference between the two men..

[avaistheone1]

6. The Scavenging Raccoons actually are the predatory corporations and banksters.

:grr:

[AlbertCat]

13. The Scavenging Raccoons actually are the predatory corporations and banksters.

Yeah Those would be the scavenging raccoons with private jets and swimming pools.

I don't begrudge anyone a jet or pool...but then don't come to me all bent outta shape about what the poor get.

Aren't you sick of people worried about some student or unwed mother getting food stamps that maybe they don't really need... but the same people don't have any concern about huge multibillion dollar companies that pay no taxes and also get refunds and government handouts? What is wrong with these people? I just love how they think requiring Exxon and Alcoa to not contaminate the drinking water and air, or requiring Goldman Sachs and Bank of America to not use your money in some wild speculation without your permission, is somehow intruding and trampling on THEIR personal freedoms. What a bunch of dumbfucks.

[alp227]

30. +1. I was thinking about a good comparison to CORPORATE welfare recipients nt

[stockholmer]

8. Send them to work where? The USA's true unemployent is well over 20%. Many Masters and PhD holders

can't find jobs.

http://www.shadowstats.com/alternate_data/unemployment-charts


The seasonally-adjusted SGS Alternate Unemployment Rate reflects current unemployment reporting methodology adjusted for SGS-estimated long-term discouraged workers, who were defined out of official existence in 1994. That estimate is added to the BLS estimate of U-6 unemployment, which includes short-term discouraged workers.

The U-3 unemployment rate is the monthly headline number. The U-6 unemployment rate is the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) broadest unemployment measure, including short-term discouraged and other marginally-attached workers as well as those forced to work part-time because they cannot find full-time employment.

[jwirr]

16. What is Nebraska's UI rate?

[stockholmer]

45. based on a comparison to national, and using Williams's methodology, I would say 8 to 10%

much lower than national average

[jwirr]

51. Nebraska is a very rural state and much of the employment is ag

related. Unless you lose your farm you are still employed.

[truthisfreedom]

9. His metaphor is broken, to start with. The raccoon fix is easy... just put metal mesh on the bucket

big enough for beetles but too small for raccoons. His suggestion that tax money is the same as an endangered species is ridiculous.

These people have half-baked ideas and no real insight into reality.

[tpsbmam]

39. As someone who watched with fascination and some bemusement her grandfather's

Rube Goldberg contraptions to keep the raccoons out of the garbage (which were sunk in the ground), it ain't that easy!

:rofl:

As for the comparison, unadulterated ReTHUG revulsion and hatred the little people. Sad how blatant it is these days, isn't it?

[awoke_in_2003]

43. racoons are clever little creatures. nt

[TalkingDog]

52. His metaphor is purposeful and geared to his audience. Every person there knows the shorthand slang

for raccoon is "coon".

You obviously haven't lived around these types your whole life.

[Dawson Leery]

10. I am sorry, but this reflects very poorly upon the majority of Nebraskans.

As Bruning was elected unopposed, his election reflects poorly upon the citizens of the state and should be judged as such.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Bruning

[cutlassmama]

11. If there were decent jobs less people would be on welfare

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

12. Certain AGs are just like pedophiles. Just sayin'. nt

[hay rick]

23. You owe an apology to pedophiles.

[awoke_in_2003]

44. No, I think that is one group...

that is impossible to insult.

[jwirr]

14. Oh good he is going to make a great replacement for the Blue Dog. nt

[Hubert Flottz]

15. Hard to believe it but I think their front runner really is worse than

Ben Nelson. Made me ill to type that. Nebraska might be a good place to dump that nuclear waste.

[Judi Lynn]

18. "If we don't send them to work, they're gonna take the easy route."

Send them to WHAT work?

What a stunted, hate-crazed a-hole. Just the kind of guy you would expect Mike Huckaby to back.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com.nyud.net:8090/_Zm6JXvXXze4/TRMrYGUV1-I/AAAAAAAAPOs/OApB3UsX4mE/s1600/JonBruningNE.jpg

Attorney General Jon Bruning

[plumbob]

28. My god, the man has enough forehead for two people.

And it only took 42 years for him to become this bigoted and stupid.

I'll never hire another Cornhusker if this is what they turn out.

[Moonwalk]

33. And doesn't he just add insult to injury there by suggesting that being on welfare is easy?

Yeah, I'm sure those on welfare just love it. It's a walk in the park, a spa day....

:sarcasm:

[KamaAina]

19. Oh, lighten up. He said *rac*coons.

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

:grr: :banghead: :argh: :nuke:

[chollybocker]

35. No doubt.

At the foot of his master of code words, Pat B.

[liberal N proud]

20. First they knock you down, then they kick you to make sure you stay there

Next they throw their shit upon you.

And if that is not enough humiliation, they call you names because you are no longer able to partake in society like others.

I hate these people who think they are better than the rest of us.

[SteveM]

21. "Dead rat?" THAT explains the smell whenever a GOPer walks by.

:puke:

[cheapdate]

22. Kudos to TPM for providing a reasonable amount of context

for understanding Bruning's remarks. His remarks are no less disgusting in context, in fact, they are more so. Unlike the right-wing media, TPM actually provided the context of the remarks and described the meaning of Bruning's metaphor. The right-wing media would just run with headline and use it as a jumping off point to whine about how they're not loved, or are misunderstood.

[underpants]

24. "Upper west side elites" = Jews |||| "welfare"/"personal responsibility" = black people

know their language to better understand them

[madrchsod]

25. i`m not sure he`s a human...

[madrchsod]

26. see what i mean

[fascisthunter]

27. this is what the ELITE sounds like

all welfare recipients are like scavenging raccoons... animals. Now, play an old clip of nazis preaching to the crowds about certain folks they hate and or despise. Why do I address them as nazis? Because they are a both cults of sociopaths.

[santamargarita]

29. Attorney General Jon Bruning is a Goddamn Fascist Pig!

Fuck him and the rest of that ignorant, servile scum!!!

[alp227]

31. what does this guy have to say about Ne. farmers who get govt subsidies? n/t

[TwilightGardener]

32. I'm actually glad he said that--he can come across as a reasonable nice guy

in media appearances. Even in Nebraska, this is not an alright thing to say. I think this might hurt him.

[tawadi]

34. whoa

That's a new one.

[lucca18]

36. What a disgusting person....

He should be ashamed of himself.

[valerief]

37. Wow, a Republic dissing big corporations! After all, they're the biggest welfare recipients. nt

[Moosepoop]

38. An "inartful statement," says his campaign manager.

Bruning comment on welfare recipients stirs controversy

The video was posted on You Tube and the remarks stirred stories and/or criticism in the Huffington Post, the Atlantic Wire, Talking Points Memo, the Blaze and a variety of political blogs.

"It was an inartful statement and one Jon regrets making," Trent Fellers, Bruning's campaign manager, said in an email.

"As attorney general, Jon's been a strong supporter of welfare reform and giving welfare recipients a hand up and not just a handout."

Bruning's remarks came at the Heartland Liberty Fest, a Saturday event co-sponsored by the Libertarian Party, Americans for Prosperity and the Nebraska Republican Party.

Of course his remarks were to a mainly Republican audience. Good on the American Bridge 21st Century folks for videotaping and publicizing it for everyone to hear.

[Omaha Steve]

40. There are DUers that hope Ben Nelson loses to this guy!!!

I hope they all learn from this!

OS

[Solly Mack]

41. SMACK

[Downwinder]

46. As long as we are making comparisons.

I would compare the Corporate welfare recipients to wolverines. They destroy what they can't use.

[man4allcats]

47. What a jackass!

Hungry animals will find some way to satiate the hunger of themselves and their children.

Hungry people will find some way to satiate the hunger of themselves and their children.

Hungry people will look for jobs to do so, so how about it, you dumb son of a bitch?! Open up some jobs, goddamn it! We really don't care if you do it or Obama does it, but since you brought it up, quit looking after your goddamn rich fucking friends and start doing what the electorate pays you to do, you fucking asshole! Do you think the voters sent you to Washington to look pretty? If they did, they're sure as hell not getting their money's worth! So quit jerking off and do your goddamn job, fuckwad, and don't hand us any bullshit excuses in the meantime!

[man4allcats]

48. Or even if you're not in Washington

you're still a fucking jackass!

[Utopian Leftist]

50. they're gonna take the easy route

Just like welfare recipients all across America. If we don't send them to work, they're gonna take the easy route."

See, THIS (after Terra-ists and them thar scientists) is what TRULY scares the right wing . . . that somewhere out there, someone is getting away with something THAT THEY ARE NOT!!!

Imagine how shocked they are going to be when they discover not only that the "easy route" is a sentence of CONSTANT poverty, but that the "hard road," the one they allegedly walked through (cough, were silver-spoon-fed, cough) is ALSO quickly becoming a sentence of constant poverty. What DOES happen on the day when Joe-ten-dollars-an-hour decides to say FUCK THAT NOISE? Or when he finally has a nervous breakdown after having to work three jobs just to keep a roof over his head? When the wages of common workers force them to suffer the same conditions of those they constantly neglect, those who need help the most, maybe then they will finally wake up and start voting IN THEIR OWN INTERESTS.

I think the Rethugs may be sensing soon that the vultures circling above them . . . are coming for THEM, not the poor they are pointing their fingers at.

[sofa king]

53. It's wealthy people in the bucket.

Because, you see, non-wealthy Americans are going to be starving soon, and rich people happen to be one of the finest possible dietary supplements an impoverished person can hope to find, club over the head in the Fresh Fields parking lot, and eat.

Rare and endangered beetles in the bucket, waiting to be fed upon.