Medicaid Expansion: GOP-RED States Bash America's Poorest

Score card as of March 30, 2014:

• 23 states are not expanding Medicaid in 2014.
• 23 states (includes DC) are expanding Medicaid in 2014.
• 4 states are expanding Medicaid in 2014, but using an alternative to traditional expansion.
• 1 state with Medicaid expansion waivers pending approval from CMS.

From The Hill, in part:

There are more than 15 million uninsured or under insured people living below the poverty line in the 23 states that have refused to expand Medicaid under Obama-care, according to a new study by The Commonwealth Fund.  Many of these states have among the highest rates of uninsured or under insured people in the country, the study states:

“Without Medicaid expansion, this vulnerable group will remain at high risk for access, health, and financial problems. The vast majority of people struggling to afford health care are low- and middle- income, and exactly the people the Affordable Care Act was designed to help. This report demonstrates that the health reform law was accurately targeted toward the needs of the uninsured and under insured. However, if all states don’t expand Medicaid, millions will still go without health insurance and health care.”

For example, in Texas, nearly 40 percent are uninsured or under insured.

Florida, Idaho, Montana, Mississippi, Louisiana, Wyoming, Georgia and North Carolina also rank near the top of the list of uninsured or under insured.

However, Republican-led state legislatures and GOP governors in those states have so far refused federal dollars to expand Medicaid.

The question is why – why is the GOP so harsh on the people with the most health care need?

So, let's debate it shall we. That should be the American way. 

So, consider these points:

The federal government would pick up the tab for most of the Medicaid expansion when it is implemented in 2014, but states would be required to pay for 10 percent of it by 2020. 

Though a countrywide expansion would provide coverage for some 17 million Americans who otherwise do not qualify for Medicaid, some states, including Florida, Mississippi, Colorado, and Pennsylvania, say that paying for even 10 percent of the expansion is too much for their tight budgets.

Proponents of the health care law say that in the long-term, the Medicaid expansion will save both state and federal governments money while extending health care coverage to millions of lower-income Americans. 

Opponents say it is just another example of government overreach and that it is up to the states to determine whether they can afford such an expansion.

Is Medicaid expansion good for the states? Here is the Debate Club's take (see the responses at the link here).

White House official site for Obama-care facts - if you dare to read honestly. That's where the middle is: It needs a chance to work, and adjustments can be made later, just like all good programs need adjusting ... not repealing.

I am not a Kool Aid drinker, but I honestly believe we need to all stop the rabid partisan politics about this issue and pitch in and help make it work ... it is best for the country, but most-importantly, best for the people who need affordable, decent health care - think of it in those terms.

Stop by later for updates and do your own research, too. 

Georgia, Georgia: The Whole Day Through — Guns on My Mind

New Law 

(But, probably without much order)...

Sing Along

(Destined to be a big hit and right on target)

The insane just went crazy as seen in this clip and shown in the above slide:

The view of an all-GOP run America: Armed to the teeth and ready to engage anyone anytime anywhere.

So, to the women in America: It's decision time:

GOP WANTS TO CONTROL THIS:

BUT, GOP WON'T COME CLOSE TO THIS

(at least now in Georgia)

Newly Discovered Weasels in Red States: Never Been Hungry

Red Weasels Favorite Pastime

Home of Most RED Weasels

Introduction from here (msnbc.com) — a 7-minute segment:

A new study finds Republican-leaning states (the RED ones) were more likely to have a greater percentage of residents reporting they struggled to afford food in 2013, while at the same time the GOP pushes policies that would cut from the safety net even further. w

Watch below

To be factual - FYI. 

Hardcore Weasels and Misinformation from Hardcore Textbooks

Hear, Speak, and See Nothing Factual

Raise Your Hand, Don't Ask, Just Listen

Public money for voucher program – that is for private or religious-based schools is on the rise. Have you ever wondered why and what do they teach or what textbooks they use – like where are they produced – where do they come from and what do they contain? I have – take a look here at a few eye-brow raising facts:

The books and the “facts” that they supposedly contain come from at least one big time Christian publisher, named A Beka Book.  A Beka was founded in 1972 by Arlin and Rebekah Horton, thus the origin of their name: “A. Beka.”   

This company churns out a significant number of the textbooks used by voucher schools and a good many Christian-based schools, too. About 43% of the religious voucher schools that responded to a 2003 Palm Beach Post survey said their curricula for the classrooms were based on textbooks published by either A Beka or the Bob Jones University Publishing.

A Beka Book estimates that around 9,000 schools utilize their books. What follows here are some titled of the subjects taught ... a full explanation and more can be seen at the link.

I want to be perfectly clear – I have no problems with school choice, home-schooling, or religious or church-based schools – none whatsoever, but I do have a problem with tax dollars going to those schools. Since it does, the façade is “parents are taxpayers and they have a choice as to where their tax dollars are used” along those lines.

The link and list examples of what they teach from those textbooks can be seen here:

1. The Great Depression: Made Up to Spread Socialism
2. Nazis: Brought to you by Karl Marx and Charles Darwin
3. The Post-WWII Era: A Time of Crusades and Constant Praying
4. The '60s and '70s: Everything Goes to Shit, Mainly Because the State Stops Killing Born People and Starts Killing Pre-Born Babies and... Freud.
5.  Freedom of Speech: Gateway to Porn
6.  Justice Clarence Thomas: Greatest Example of Black American Achievement Yet
7.  The Clintons: Draft-Dodging, Economic-Crisis-Creating, Joint Presidents

8.  George W. Bush: Awesome President Invades Iraq and Saves Mid-Born Babies

9.  Barack Obama: Great for the Homosexuals

Sadly, many people ask and wonder if we have become so dumb that all public schools have failed and only A. Beka textbook supplied schools are the answer, or as George W. Bush once asked: “Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?”  — Florence, SC, January 11, 2000

I rest my case.

How Much Are Female Weasels Paid Compared to Male Weasels

Women in America vis-à-vis Men in America

(Tell me this is fair)

I caught this segment today, on MSNBC's Morning Joe when co-host Mika Brzezinski highlighted the need for a national conversation on the gender wage gap and called on Republicans to either come to the table on the issue or be quiet. I totally agree her.

However, such a turnaround will be difficult while FOX News remains the communications arm of the GOP, and as the network consistently perpetuates sexist rhetoric and dismisses workplace inequality as a myth not worth covering, rather than reality.

More from here: A recent report from the American Association of University Woman (AAUW) found that, one year out of college, women on average are paid just 82 percent of what men make and noted that the gap tends to grow over time. According to the report, this discrepancy between men and women's earnings has not improved in the past decade. 

A 2012 report from the Institute for Women's Policy Research explained that “women's median earnings are lower than men's in nearly all occupations — whether they work in occupations predominantly done by women, occupations predominantly done by men, or occupations with a more even mix of men and women.” 

As Think Progress has reported, women make less than their male peers regardless of their education level, industry, job, or location.

Project: Try and find GOPers in Congress who can support this —  good luck with that.

Weasels Need to Eat — Not With SNAP or WIC — Lucky Them

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Line Only 

(Congressional Program Cutters Wait in Your Limo Outside)

Let's review the SNAP or Food Stamp Program, shall we, to put it in perspective truthfully. First, some facts here, in part:

The actual annual report (2012 data) from the United States Department of Agriculture shows:

1. About 45 percent of food stamp benefits went to children under 18, totaling about 20 million youngsters. 
2. Nine percent of recipients were age 60 or older.
3. Nearly 10 percent were disabled adults who were under 60. 

Two more bad parts: Cuts to WIC and active duty Military families (about 5,000 families by DOD count) use Food Stamps that total about $104 million. Plus nearly 1 million Veterans in all categories use food stamps and other public assistance for their housing.

Back a few months when House Republicans argued for a food stamp cut of between $20.5 billion and $39 billion, the White House threatened to veto both of those proposals. However, the President did not say in February, when he signed the Farm Bill into law, whether he was satisfied with the final $8.7 billion cut, in fact, he did not even mention the cuts at all. Instead, he praised the food stamp program and said that the final Farm Bill preserved much-needed benefits.

Now and you won't believe this: some states are looking for ways to not cut the program by moving their own money around to protect the hungry and less-fortunate. But, old House Speaker, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) and others basically saying that they are outraged and even told reporters that he (Boehner) and they (the House GOP) want Congress to “try to stop this cheating and this fraud from continuing.” Even Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), who helped write the relevant legislation, wants a full congressional investigation and new measures intended to guarantee food-stamp cuts.

How about a little shame here, from all sides? Shame, ha. Not with this lot – the GOP has no shame, and they remain shameless. However, despicable does come to mind. 

Reince Priebus — Not a Toyota Car Wash: The RNC Chairman

Okay, Okay, 10 Debates, But Not Any More

Take a quick look back at the 2012 GOP presidential selection process, if you dare. Try keeping the RNC Chairman’s most-recent proposal in mind: “I think a traveling circus of debates is insanity in this party. We're proposing to have fewer than 10, and this time around, we're going to pick the moderators.”

The story is here:  Priebus said he is proposing to hold just 10 debates for the would-be GOP nominees in 2016, compared with the 27 they held in 2012 when produced former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the GOP's nominee.  His reasoning? He seems to think with the headlines, and I guess, believes that the “Fewer Debates Will Strengthen Our Party...” Figure that one out.

His rationale, if we can call it that: “We don't want to discuss too many things too much, but we do want to keep our base in tow – so, remember to vote GOP, Okee Dokee?” 

That message, not so subtle, appears to be somewhat subliminal means: “The more debates we have the worse it would be for our side. Besides, the more that the voters are enlightened, the worse it could be for us like in 2012. But fear not, we will turn out our base and whoop some DEM ass. So, oh, yeah. So, are you with me?”

“Well, all righty then” (Jim Carrey voice-over).

Willie Horton in Swift Boat Heading for the White House Kenyan

Two Weasels Pictured in the Story 

 The Third One 

(The NT: nasty trio)

The base story is from here Smear Merchants Launch Super PAC and it's a good one. The highlights:

Three conservatives behind some of the worst political smear campaigns in history have started a Super PAC  — I call it our national “äwë shït” moment.

Background the NT:  This Super PAC includes Joseph Farah, founder of the fringe conspiracy site WND; Jerome Corsi, a leading member of the Swift Boat and Birther campaigns; and Floyd Brown, producer of the infamous racist Willie Horton ads.

Their motto: “To win elections and take our country back from the liberals and socialists.” They exhort their potential donors. Their advisory board is seen here.

They also say: “If you're tired of putting your money to work for turncoats and traitors, join us.”

They claim that liberals want to “...eliminate: the right to privacy, the Second Amendment, religion, and then permanently enslave the American people with Obama-care and entitlements, and ultimately desire a tyrannical dictatorship.”

Oh, boy ... and wow. All that fear and expected tons of money. Folks we are in for a huge, huge shock and awe moment as I said. 

Natch, others will say this is just fellow Americans expressing their right of “Free Speech.” Perhaps is it but one also has to ponder does "free" speech necessarily equate to honest and truthful speech - oh, hell that doesn't matter as long as the message sells, the crap sticks, and the money flows. 

So, this ultra whatever fringe is about to be on full display with their version of the “Big Lie” – no surprise there.

Dark Dick and Marathon Paul: Earned this Medal — Congrats

Hero of the Old USSR Days

More pro-Russian and anti-Americanism from the GOPers — the more prominent, the better, right? Story from here.

Dark Dick:  Cheney attacked President Obama's foreign policy when asked about Putin's recent actions, saying:  “I think that Barack Obama has conducted himself in a way consistently for the past five years that conveys a real sense of weakness.”  

Marathon Paul: Ryan on FOX (where else as usual) blamed the Russian invasion on President Obama's foreign policy, saying: “Mitt (Romney) was right, I think the president was incredibly naive on his Russia policy. His reset has been a total failure and I think this is what happens when a superpower projects weakness in its foreign and defense policy, aggression fills that vacuum and I think that is what is happening right now.” 

Wear the Medals proudly you two. You earned them.

CPAC 2014: Highlights & Low Beams from Burned Out Pols

Passing the Baton

Four Top Waiters

Looking Towards Canada

Top Speeches

Supreme Court Rep Spreads the Word 

More at various sites on this recent gabfest in Maryland like from here: FOX, Day 2:

And from here, too. It all ends Saturday, March 8, 2014. 

I wonder if Ginni Thomas will share with Justice Thomas her thoughts about "The Obama team providing material support to terrorists in Benghazi" — you know: pillow talk??? I imagine Rep. Issa will look into that, eh!!!

GOP-Right Wing: Longing for the Good Old Days

Heavy Medal for the GOP

My Hero...

I'll make this simple, based on the following posts and all the praise I have seen and heard heaped on Vladimir Putin about his leadership while bashing President Obama every single day for a lack of it, I recommend we dig up the old "Hero of the Soviet Union" medal (seen above), mass produce it, and make it ready to award to a whole bunch of folks. I am sure they would be honored to receive one.

First example: Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, naturally on FOX and talking with Neil Cavuto, had this to say, in part:

“He (Putin) makes a decision and he executes it, quickly. And then everybody reacts. That’s what you call a leader.” In the same breath Rudy Gee then next compared Putin’s decisiveness to President Obama’s leadership saying he found our president lacking it this way:

“President Obama has gotta think about it, he’s got to go over it again, he’s got to talk to more people about it,” Mr. Giuliani joked.

Joked?

Joked? This is no joke, but Mr. Giuliani thinks it is right along side so many others who spew their obvious hatred for Mr. Obama while heaping praise on Vladimir Putin.

So the first, old “Hero’s” medal I recommend go to Rudy Giuliani.

At CPAC: Insanity Redefined by NRA (Nitwits Я Anile) Official

Ken Blackwell - NRA Official at CPAC

Story here from Media Matters, in part from Mr. Blackwell (pictured above).

Speaking at the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference, conservative columnist Ken Blackwell, who also holds leadership positions at the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Family Research Council (FRC), used health care reform to compare the Obama administration to a “totalitarian, authoritarian regime” and conspiratorially claimed that Obama-care was designed to “destroy the family and silence the church.” 

Blackwell then further spoke of a “deliberate strategy by the Obama administration to fundamentally take over that section of our economy” just before he compared it to an oppressive regime.

You will note how more frequently GOP-Right Wingers use the word “regime” to bash Mr. Obama about everything. Boy, do they fear him.

Also, note that word was used over and over by the Bush team whenever they spoke about Saddam Hussein while whipping up hype and frenzy to gain support for going to war to remove that “regime” from power as a threat to us.

That is a pretty despicable use of the word today. But, hey, that’s a page from the new, old GOP playbook.

Memo to Anti-ACA & Anti-Obama Everything Weasels: STFU ®

GOP Hates Signs at Demonstrations, Don't They (smile)

The heart of this post is simple: Mr. Obama is working hard to serve all Americas. Cite:

He said yesterday: (paraphrased to fit my style): 

“If you like your old plan, then I am extending the ACA rule for 2 years to allow you to keep that plan if your state says okay.  That will give your company time to fully comply with the new ACA law. Now you can be happy with it as you have been in the past, but please remind your company that they must come into full compliance within 2 years. Good luck in the meantime with the plan and coverage – stay healthy, too.”  

The key: The administration said it would be up to individual states to allow the extension, and whether to include both individuals and small group members in the waiver or just one category. Thus we are NOW going to see who actually wants to help people or not.

But, keep this in mind as you hear a ton of GOPers say: “That Obama, playing politics again for 2014 and 2016.” That.... the GOP again voted March 5, 2014, for the 50th time, to REPEAL the ACA. And, they have the unmitigated gall to say Mr. Obama is playing politics? Give me a break.

It is not politics, and I know that actually helping people is foreign to GOPers, but Mr. Obama is bending over backwards to help everyone despite or in spite of the GOP tactics – which need I say are pretty low.

Some success stories can be seen here and you can even post one, too – enjoy.

FOX: Fair and Balanced ® — Does Not Mean Truthful However

Gone from Fox & Friends — Still on the Lineup

Great rundown here about Fox's anti-Union tactics that are factual, raw, unfair, and unbalanced. These examples underscore how extensive and focused their well-funded PR machine (or propaganda apparatus) really is. The bottom line as they say: Fox can’t handle the truth, so spin the opposite.

FOX MYTHS: Unions Caused the Detroit Auto Industry Collapse

Fox Host Andrea Tantaros:  “The UAW Essentially Bankrupted Detroit and the Auto Industry.” On the February 18 edition of Fox News, America's Newsroom, co-host Bill Hemmer and fellow Fox News host Andrea Tantaros used an unsuccessful unionization vote at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, TN to attack the UAW. Tantaros stated that the union “essentially bankrupted a lot of companies in Detroit.” [Source: Fox News on 2/18/14]

Fox co-host Clayton Morris: “UAW Failed Because We Know What Happened in Detroit.” On the February 16 edition of the Fox & Friends Sunday, co-host Morris invited Sean Moss, a Volkswagen employee, who did not support unionization at the Volkswagen Chattanooga facility, to discuss his choice to vote against joining the UAW. Moss expressed concerns that the UAW would ignore the wishes of employees and noted that the UAW is “tied to Detroit, whether or not it's a hundred percent accurate” to which Morris responded “we know what happened in Detroit.” [Fox & Friends Sunday on 2/16/14]

Fox Correspondent John Roberts: “Chattanooga Could Become the Next Detroit.” On the February 12 edition of Fox News Special Report, Fox correspondent John Roberts discussed the opposition to UAW attempts to unionize workers at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, noting that opponents have warned “that Chattanooga could become the next Detroit.” [Fox Special Report on 2/12/14]

FACT: Unions Didn't Cause Detroit Auto Industry's Struggles

From the Economic Policy Institute (EPI): “Detroit Auto Industry's Struggles Stemmed from Decades of Mismanagement, and UAW Influence Almost Irrelevant” states Ross Eisenbrey of EPI, and he criticized the media's willingness to accept what he called the “false history” that the UAW undermined Detroit's auto industry by demanding unsustainable high wages and benefits for union workers. According to Eisenbrey at the EP, the “auto industry's problem stemmed from decades of mismanagement,” rather than from UAW contracts. [The Economic Policy Institute, Working Economics Blog, 5/24/12] 

More can be seen at the link above if you are interested in the facts and the truth and not FOX’s propaganda containment policy, which I see as their feeble attempts to undermine the country as much as possible for their own agenda.

GOP Battle Plan Against Poverty: Find, Blame, Attack the Poor

Ryan Greets GOP Supporters While Waving Goodbye to the Poor

(what a dichotomy)

On the Heels of the Vetoed AZ Plan: These are Next

Then add this to the GOP Recipe

Update of an update (March 4, 2014):  — I call it the: “The Hits Just Keep on Comin’ ...” with this headlines to this story source:  FOX News is providing ample, uncritical airtime to hype Representative Paul Ryan's (R-WI) report on the alleged ineffectiveness of government anti-poverty programs (all the background follows this update), despite condemnation from numerous economists that the report is misleading and inaccurate. 

This update comes from Mother Jones (March 4, 2014) about the latest from the GOP House Budget Committee (Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) Chairman).

Ryan's 204-page .pdf report falls on the heels of the AZ disaster about the GOP effort to legalize discrimination for religious reasons. This report on poverty is a blatant attack on the poor designed to "help them overcome being poor."  I call this another GOP WTF moment. Taken together, these two events by the GOP are about to cook their proverbial goose.

First is this excellent rundown and review on the "Ryan Plan" plan seen in this 11-minute segment.

The comments of the GOP speakers are most-enlightening, in their own words.

Finally, this gem: Ryan is not only a jerk, but a pretty lousy one at that. In this rundown he gets caught with his drawers down and both feet firmly in his big mouth as he argues that federal programs have contributed to the nation’s high poverty rate and “created what’s known as the poverty trap.”

His own report argues wherein he says, “Federal programs are not only failing to address the problem. They are also in some significant respects making it worse” is full of gaping holes as reflected in these 16 examples of how the government he blasts actually can and have helped lower-income Americans make ends meet.

That list is here ... Rep. Paul Ryan should be ashamed of himself, but I doubt he is.

Fox in the People's House — Or Weasel's Burrow — Same Thing

FOX's Mascot: Always Looking for the Truth

(ha ha ha ha ha ha)

Looking and Finding the Truth: Not Always the Same

(admitting a wrong takes time, why???)

Smugness is an Issa Thingy, right???

Major Update (March 3, 2014):  Rep. Darrell "Mr. Witch Way" Issa (R-CA) disputed two four-Pinocchio ratings given to him by Washington Post fact checker Glenn Kessler (see below). That caused Mr. Kessler to retry the cases and re-award the eight Pinocchios. (Note: 8 is unheard of - congrats).

This long over due story appeared on FOX News Sunday today (March 2, 2014) as reported on here from Media Matters in part:

FOX News host Chris Wallace admitted that FOX's “stand down order” narrative about the 2012 Benghazi attacks was false, but still allowed disreputable source Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) to desperately try and redefine the debunked claim into a new attack on the Obama administration.

Fox News has persistently pushed the myth that the administration had issued a “stand down” order to stop reinforcements from coming to the aid of American diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya during the September 11, 2012 attack. Though the claim was rapidly discredited, by June 2013, the network had repeated the charge at least 85 times in prime time segments, and the allegations didn't stop there. In early February, a House Armed Services Committee report and a bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report put the myth to rest.

On the March 2 edition of FOX News Sunday, host Chris Wallace admitted that the Senate report had thoroughly debunked claims of a “stand down” order and reported that The Washington Post Fact Checker had given Issa “four Pinocchios” — the rating it issues for whoppers — for Issa's suggestion that "Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to stand down, and we all heard about the stand-down order for two military personnel. That order is undeniable."

We all know now that the so-called “Order to stand down is in fact undeniable because it never existed, period.” End of story, or maybe not. We had better ask Rep. Darrel Issa first. Be prepared though, you probably won't like his answer, then just like now.

The entire GOP and FOX, their cheerleader-in-fact have been in lock-step about this issue, and that is shameful yet both of them remain shameless. That record and the truth will hopefully be validated in November — wait and see.

Food Stamps: GOP's Biggest Target No Matter Who Needs Them

GOP Hypocrites: Defending the Indefensible

(But, never ignore your base)

GOP Hypocrites: Ignoring 900,000 Vets

(who use SNAP/Food Stamps)

The ugly, nastiness displayed by the GOPers about how easy it is to cut Food Stamps is mind boggling to say the least as seen in this short clip and in past remarks (see below):

Former Speaker and 2012 Presidential Candidate, Newt Gingrich, best illustrates the GOP's strategy to paint anyone, everyone in fact, on Food Stamps as just another “Welfare Queen,” (remember that old line the GOP used for years?).

Gingrich made this statement: “... more people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any president in American history.” He made that claim on January 16, 2012  in a Republican debate in Myrtle Beach, SC. His campaign organization quickly inserted the snippet in a new 30-second TV ad that began running in South Carolina. 

Gingrich would have been correct to say the number now on food aid is historically high. The number stood at 46,224,722 persons as of October 2011, the most recent month on record. And it's also true that the number has risen sharply since Mr. Obama took office. 

But, Gingrich goes too far to say Mr. Obama has put more on the rolls than other presidents. The U. S. Department of Agriculture (Food and Nutrition service) as asked for the facts (some month-by-month figures going back to January 2001). They show that under President George W. Bush the number of recipients rose by nearly 14.7 million. Nothing before comes close to that

Even GOP Dogs React to the 2014 Midterm Election Plans

Bark, Barf, Gag, Ralph

Here is one typical GOP candidate’s speel as he runs for a Senate seat:

“We now know the sad reality of Obama-care: (1) lose your insurance, (2) lose your doctor, (3) lose your job, (4) five million Americans face insurance cancellations, (5) the president’s own estimates predict that tens of millions more will lose their plan, plus (6) many more are losing access to their family doctors, specialists, and local hospitals, and (7) even the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects Obama-care will cost the equivalent of at least two-and-a-half million full-time jobs.”

Wow – that sounds awful doesn't? That is until you look closer. The GOP's sad approach over reaches, and by a good deal, too. FYI:

1.  Many canceled plans offered coverage too sparse to protect against financial hardship.

2.  Plans and regulations to enhance the law's flexibility and permit consumers to retain access to a favored doctor are in place.

3.  The CBO study predicted the equivalent of 2.5 million fewer jobs says many of the lost work hours would be forfeited voluntarily by people who are no longer tethered to their job for the sake of insurance - the GOP got caught big time in that lie.

A great location to track the ACA enrollments and statistics directly input from the states can be seen here.

In short, the GOP game plan is enough to even gag a maggot.

GOP-RW Conservatives: Take this Maggot Off Your Guest List

Ted Nugent: GOP/Rightwing/NRA/Conservative FAV

This headlines here from Media Matters (February 24, 2014) is very disconcerting:  

“NRA's Nugent Warns of 'Power Struggle Between the Different Races' as U.S. Becomes Like Nazi Germany”

WTF??? Tell me, why do so many people just like Ted Nugent keep getting the national spotlight and sucking all the oxygen out of the air with this kind of coverage? This same question also applies to the likes of a Sen. Ted Cruz, or Sen. Rand Paul, or Sen. Marco Rubio, or Rep. Louis Gohmert, or Gov. Nikki Haley, or Gov. Bobby Jindal, of Gov. Scott Walker, or the Koch brothers, or most others cut from that same cloth who appear mostly on FOX and rightwing Talk Radio. Truly, why do we tolerate them and their garbage speech?

Most will say it’s “Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Speech,” and that is fully understandable and I totally support both. But, what the hell ever happened to responsible speech and non-inflammatory speech. In short, it’s slanted opinion, for sure, and yes, we all have strong opinions, but whatever happened to facts and honesty vs. this kind of Nugent crap.

The exposure they constantly get is irresponsible and has one purpose as far as I can determine: divide and keep the country on edge with uncertainty. What does it say about us as a people and society? Um ... most will say: freedom to speak anyway one wants, but I ask again: Why do we tolerate such a low standard over national airwaves.

Never mind, and well, alrighty then. The story stands as is. 

VA Department Weasels' Favorite Pastime: Back Logging

VA Report Stat

Short clip follows here — some good news, then more bad.  The VA needs a huge house cleaning ASAP.

Some day we face more wars, but no one will show up.

Weasels in Judicial Robes Can Be the Worse Kind

GOP Alternative to Bayer Aspirin to Prevent Rape
(assumes that only they hold the key to success or failure)

Updated (February 20, 2014): Posted in part from here: This will probably turn your stomach - it did mine. Cited from the piece, these two “nuggets” of total nonsense:

1.  Last year, a Louisiana parish argued that it should not be held liable for the rape of a 14-year-old girl in a juvenile detention center because the victim “consented” to be sexually assaulted by a 40-year-old corrections officer at the facility. Court documents alleged that “former guard Angelo Vickers could not have engaged in sexual relations within the walls of the detention center with the victim without cooperation from her. Vickers did not use force, violence, or intimidation when engaging in sexual relations.”

Commenting on the case, an anonymous parish official remarked that the 14-year-old should share the blame for her assault, saying, “These girls in the detention center are not Little Miss Muffin.”

2. The most-disgusting: Around that same time, Judge G. Todd Baugh said he believed that a 14-year-old student who was repeatedly raped by her 49-year-old teacher, Stacey Dean Rambold, “acted older than her age,” thus making her complicit in her rape. Judge Baugh further stated that teacher Rambold should not serve time in prison for the rapes because “he had suffered enough during his trial.

The teen victim took her own life before the case was concluded; Baugh is currently facing the prospect of being removed from the bench.

Separation of Church and State is a Strong Solid Principle

Just for the Record

A very good review on this subject can be seen in the short segment from MSNBC the NOW show with Alex Wagner that follows:

A review is in order on this topic from Cornell law here

ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE

The First Amendment's Establishment Clause prohibits the government from making any law “respecting an establishment of religion.”  

This clause not only forbids the government from establishing an official religion, but also prohibits government actions that unduly favor one religion over another. 

It also prohibits the government from unduly preferring religion over non-religion, or non-religion over religion.  

So, if the GOP right wingers (mostly) are such staunch believers in the constitution and less government, how can they also stand for this concept?? Kind of hypocritical isn't it? I'd say so.

Fox Gnus Assessment: Ignore the Facts and Stick with Opinion

A Good Campaign Issue for the DEMS 

In fact, I’d go further and say that this is a great issue for DEMS, however, they can’t rely on any positive coverage from FOX, let alone much coverage at all on this subject or facts surrounding it.

Case in point: This story (my highlights are below) comes from a good piece that FOX totally ignores from and from a  very smart and level-headed guy who really knows this stuff, Ezra Klein. His story is here.

Media coverage of a new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report on the economic effects of raising the minimum wage has largely missed the finding that a $10.10 minimum wage would generate net income gains of $2 billion, Ezra Klein pointed out. 

This month President Obama signed an executive order raising the hourly minimum wage to $10.10 for federal contract workers. According to a CBO study released February 18, the increase could reduce total employment by about 500,000 workers, but would also raise wages for 16.5 million workers and raise 900,000 people out of poverty.

The point I want to reinforce comes from the FOX bunch: They are not covering the positive aspects of this story. Why is that? Oh, I forget. FOX is in bed with the GOP, or should I say that they are leading the GOP, and especially by ignoring this kind of good news or any other good news story instead for their line of BS spin.

This story and contents have good social progressive value and news for low-income/part-time workers and those who work hard in two or three job just to earn a decent salary and a fair shake and share of America ... that’s not asking too much. Just don’t ask FOX about that, you won't like the answer.

GOP Weasels: Best Infighting in the World — Pass the Popcorn

Tag Team Match: Sen. Rafael Edward "Ted" Cruz (R-TX) 

vs. Sen. Mitch "Mr. Peepers" McConnell (R-KY)

Two faces that only a mother could love ... and the smiles: contrived at best; fake at worse.

Story from here (February 18, 2014). Somehow the Grand Old Party thinks they can regain control of the Senate with a specified agenda and promise to the country. But, this can't be on their plate. So, guys, think again:

GOP Senate Minority Leader McConnell was forced to spend a recent weekend defending his debt limit vote and talking up the importance of compromise to being a good leader.

Meanwhile, Cruz did the exact opposite as he publicly torched his own party's leadership for walking the plank and portrayed Republican senators a bunch of liars and cowards who think Americans are “rubes” (his words, not mine).

Tensions between the two are reaching an all-time high (or low depending on your view) as two camps (Cruz's TEA mob and McConnell's whatever) move in opposite directions in preparation for the November congressional elections.

Pull up a chair and pass the popcorn — this is one reality show that FOX won't touch, but I will.

GOP Circle Jerk: Nowhere, No How, Never, Nope, Nada, Nil

Grid Lockers in the Circle of Fear

Party Unity: When They Don't Get Their Way

Two quotes set the scene for this post that come from the GOP retreat held earlier this year (retreat, um ...how apropos):

CAMBRIDGE, MD: GOP hits reset button.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH): “It’s important we show the American people we’re not just the opposition party, we’re actually the alternative party. Republicans have to do more to talk about the better solutions that we think we have that will help the American people grow their wages, have opportunities at a better job, and clearly have a better shot at the American dream.”

and…

GOP House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA): “We believe, and I think the discussion at this retreat is going to be not just about opposing the policies this president has been about over the last several years … but it is to craft an alternative for the people of this country so that we can see an America that works for everybody.”

Boy, do they ever have their PR machine well oiled, well funded, and back in first gear all loaded with catchy sound bytes, slick talking points, FOX-approved tidbits, and tons of money already in play (e.g., the Koch machine). 

But, they don’t have a very creditable record to stand on, unless their 10 percent job approval rating (JAR) counts, and it probably does thanks to slickest political  pros that money can buy who spin the negatives into neat positives (at least they think so).  

We’ll see between now and November, so hang on tight. Keep the Kleenex box handy, it could get very teary-eyed and wet along the way.