On Thursday, the GOP issued their 21-page "Pledge to America" to make it clear how they differ from the Democrats, and to counteract Barack Obama's continuing claim that his opponents have offered "no new ideas."
Although in fairness, a lot of the GOP's ideas aren't so much new as they are classic...but unused by either party for far too long. The Pledge includes references to reduced spending, lowering taxes, encouraging business, bolstering defense, undoing the damage caused by Obamacare and much more. And on paper, it sounds good.
But those of us who are old enough to remember the GOP's previous "Contract with America" remember that the contract got broken. This being the case, we can't know if the "Pledge to America" is a political stunt or a path to salvation until it's put into place, and the GOP is held responsible to honor their promises.
Meanwhile, the president continues to show confusion about pledges of all kinds. But we shouldn't be too hard on him...after all, he's not from around here.
17 comments:
Well I just blathered away so long that I went over the blather limit. That being so and my blather being easy to misconstrue as unfriendly I won't risk being "Roved" and will move it to my site where I am not constrained by such limits. Below is the first paragraph only. Feel free to click over there should anyone wish to read the rest or retort. My email is available there as well.
Just an occasional spurt of maturity by some of my fellow so-called "conservatives" would be nice. "The contract got broken"? I wasn't a big fan of Newt OR the "contract", but last time I checked there were TWO major parties in this country. At the time of the contract with America there was.... Gosh... wasn't the guy that lives in the Whitehouse...um...what do you call...oh the PRESIDENT....wasn't he a Democrat? Did the Republicans have a 2/3rds majority in both houses and I missed that? I ask because something in "the constitution" seems to strongly imply that is what it takes to override something called a "veto". Believe it or not most congresses don't pass laws they know will be vetoed just so they can brag to the folks back home about their intellectual and political purity. THANK GOD. You know there used to something called the "Freshman Five" which were bills requiring daily Christian prayers to start every school day, the death penalty or long imprisonment for burning the US Flag and 3 others that escape me for the moment but all of which are pointless exercises since various SCOTUS decisions make them so. Nonetheless, new "conservative" congressman liked to put them in the hopper so consistently that someone finally suggested that copies of them will appropriate blank spaces for the Congressman's name, Bill name and some dates etc so these could be written in the bills submitted, saving time and trouble for said freshmen. They could then tell their constituents proudly that they had done so.
Stilton:
The contract with America was broken because people took their eye off Congress, believing that they would live up to their promises. The Tea Party is not so naive as to accept political promises without scrutiny and continued vigilance. I truly believe that Republicans who forsake their pledge will suffer as badly in 2012 as Democrats will suffer this year. Those (R) politicians who think "where else have they got to go" will find out to their chagrin. The "Pledge to America" is not perfect, but it is a start...only a start. The politicians who claim to support this will be held to account should they stray.
Angry - Full agreed. Several (R)s have already found, to their chagrin, that when people don't like you, really REALLY don't like you, you don't survive the primary.
Still and all, it's a good start - pol's pledging to follow the freakin' LAW, and stuff...
Moronpolitics- We don't disagree with what you're saying. The "Contract with America" couldn't be enacted by a single party...but the signatories could have fought harder, and stuck to principle longer, than proved to be the case.
Angry & Pete- Perhaps the greatest significance of the "Pledge to America" is that it's the GOP's way of saying to the Tea Partiers "we hear you." And if they really do, and if they really follow through, it will be a great thing. We're going to do everything in our power to at least give them that chance.
Any President who can't put his hand over his heart during the pledge should be immediately evicted from office.
And to me, the body language of having his hands folded purposely in front of him tells me it was NOT just a "mistake"....
Anyway...I hope the GOP comes through for us this time. No more "politics as usual" PLEASE!
After the R's came out with the Pledge, the first thing I wondered was what Biden's remarks would be. Good old Joe did not dissappoint! He wants the dingy-crats to "Paint a stark contrast..." DAMN! Haven't they been doing that for a couple of years already. Wake up, Joe! While you were sleeping, all your buddies have been busy painting.
Stilton, I read somewhere that the picture of BO not saluting was taken during the playing of "Hail to the Chief," and that's why Scrotus isn't saluting. I don't know if this is true or not, but thought I'd throw it out there. BTW - we should change the name of that song to, "Hail to the Thief."
To add teeth into the Pledge to America there should be a clause stating if the Pledge is broken then all signators who broke the Pledge will not run for re-election at the end of their current term or any time thereafter,and their party affiliate will never-ever endorse, support or provide financial contribution to them for re-election. PERIOD.
Make them put their money where their mouth is and prove to us they are serious about this Pledge. I bet not one of them would sign on because they are all self-centered egotistical sociopathic liars who only seek the power and perks that come with elected office.
I would like to believe the Pledge will work, but I can hold my breath longer than it will take for someone to break it.
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/o/obama-salute.htm
There is video to prove he did not salute during the National Anthem.
Colby- The similar picture you're referring to was actually taken at Arlington, showing all of the military personnel saluting while Obama cups the presidential goodies. And it turns out that this was during a playing of "Hail to the Chief" as Obama took the stage. And that's all considered proper protocol.
But look at the picture above...those aren't military people, and they're not saluting - they're putting their hands over their hearts. There is no protocol or precedent for Americans to put their hands over their hearts for a playing of "Hail to the Chief." Although it's not a bad idea to put a hand over their wallets.
So until proved otherwise, we'll stick with the obvious interpretation of the picture above; that when it comes to patriotism, a bored Barack Obama simply thinks "What-ever..." while pointedly choosing not to participate.
Stilton - I have to comment on the genius of your wit with Johnny Optimism. Its laugh out loud funny!! For any of your readers not following Johnny, they are missing out. My only wish is that it was a daily, like Hope n' Change.
Suzy- I think we posted at the same time! Thanks for sending the link that gives more insight into the picture...it was taken during the National Anthem, and a video version shows that Obama did not let go of "the boys" during the entire song, while everyone else placed hands over hearts.
Bobo- Thanks for the nice comment on Johnny Optimism (who was our guest spokesperson in yesterday's Hope n' Change cartoon). I'm still thinking about making it a daily - and I've got scads of cartoons waiting on my harddrive to be published (hint: over time, things only get stranger). Johnny is my break from politics, and he makes me laugh, too.
I remember seeing that pic during the prez campaign, and it spoke volumes to me. Now here we are, close to the halfway point with him, and ...FINALLY...even people who fell for his messiah-like persona, got chills up their legs like Chris Matthews did, cried and swooned at the sight of him...even THEY are fed up with the economy, obamacare and all his other garbage!
I sincerely hope ALL Americans have learned a lesson here...like some of the posts said...dont take your eye off the ball, and I think the tea party mentality will be there to do just that, because this crap can not continue! God bless America!!
Wasn't that photo of Barack Hussein in front of the flag with Hillary and friends taken before he was elected? I may be mistaken, but I seem to recall that it showed up before the election. I have no regard for the weasel, just the truth.
Anon---the above link says it was taken in August of 2007....so yeah America did have plenty of time to get a clue about who they were about to elect.
Suzy:
We the people are responsible to educate ourselves about the candidates and what they stand for. We deserve most of the blame for not doing so, but the Obama-fellating media owns a piece of the blame for actively hiding his background and cheerleading for him. We must never become so complacent and trusting again.
Readers- Sadly, we've had almost no surprises about who and what Barack Obama really is since his election. It was all there beforehand for everyone to see...but the mainstream media chose to look the other way, while demonizing as kooks and fanatics everyone who raised legitimate questions.
The same way they do today.
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