Bob Wire Has a Point (It's Under His Cowboy Hat)
House GOP: Out There Where the Buses Don’t Run
Is it just me, or is it getting bat-spit crazy up in here?By Bob Wire, 2-15-11
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Back in November, when Montana Republicans swept the House on a wave of Tea Party anger and frustration with the lack of swift improvement under a Democratic majority, the GOP used the faltering economy as a platform to launch them to power.
“Why were we sent to Helena? Those issues were economy, economy, and jobs,” now-House Speaker Mike Milburn told KRTV in Great Falls the day after the election.
House Majority Leader Tom McGillvray added, “I think we just got a clear call from the folks of Montana to limit the scope of government.”
Okay, sounds good. More jobs, less government. But now that the session is underway, the Republicans members of the House are acting like contestants in a radio contest who’ve won a five-minute shopping spree at a Safeway. They’re running up and down the aisles, filling their carts with frivolous, morality-based bills, working furiously to get the most bang for their buck during their short, two-year stint in office. Their promises to provide jobs and revive the economy are long forgotten.
Literally the first order of business for the House Republicans was to propose a pay raise for themselves, by way of an increase in their own health coverage payments. (I’m betting they didn’t call it “Obamacare” in the proposal.) This came in the same breath where they vowed to cut spending on education. Oh, and can they all have shiny new laptops? Reaction from Democrats and other logic-equipped humans was predictable: are you shitting me?
So from the very first day of the 62nd Legislature, the GOP made it clear that their own personal agendas would be serviced, the real needs of the Montanans they were elected to serve would come a distant second, if at all.
Their approach thus far is exceedingly reactionary. They are introducing few, if any, new ideas, seemingly dead set against moving Montana forward in any respect. Their only interest is in repealing and denying legislation and social progress that’s already on the books. They have nothing new to bring to the table, they just want to sweep the table clear of what’s already there, because it doesn’t match up with their conservative/religious/moralistic/self-serving (take your pick) attitudes. And with the Tea Party shouting their white noise of relentless anti-government hatred from the sidelines (or from their Medicare-funded scooters), House Repubs are not even bothering to mask their greed and Puritanism.
Screw the voters, they say. We’ll do what our handlers want us to do. House Bill 280 would have required women to have an ultrasound procedure before they could have an abortion. Even several Republicans saw this draconian bill as Earl Long-level crazy, and it was voted down before any more national attention could give our state a bigger black eye.
No matter, there are plenty more crack-brained bills on their little crazy train. How about a big dollop of homophobia? Montana Republicans’ official platform website states that they “support the clear will of the people of Montana expressed by legislation to keep homosexual acts illegal.” Homophobia is a stubborn fear for some people, like Rep. Kristin Hansen (R-Havre), who is trying to find sponsorship for LC1865, yet another outsider attempt to repeal Missoula’s anti-discrimination ordinance. Hey, Rep. Hansen, what if someone from our big scary college town full of gay hippie enviros introduced a bill that said all women in Havre have to use the men’s room after 6:00 PM in the Pantheon Restaurant? You’d be crapping down both legs of your pantsuit and squalling about the violation of your civil rights, lady. Wise up.
Breeders, you’re not immune to the Republican Morality Hammer. House Majority Leader Tim McGillvray of Billings is working to introduce HB438, which would require pre-divorce counseling for couples with children. Why don’t you just send the National Guard across the state to slap every woman in the face? Sorry if your marriage is in the crapper, sir, but don’t take it out on the rest of us with one of those unfunded mandates your party swore they wouldn’t decree.
They are trying to alter the Montana Constitution to declare life begins at conception. They’re anti-abortion, and they insist that you are too. Another Constitution-bruising nugget: they want to amend the statement that guarantees “a clean and healthful environment” for all Montanans, to add “and economically productive.” While the two aren’t mutually exclusive, the intent is clear: if we have this wording in the state’s Constitution, the extractive industries can get their foot further in the door. According to their platform, Republicans “oppose all effort to restrict or obstruct environmentally sound uses of land and water.” Environmentally sound uses of land and water are fishing, camping, boating, hunting and hiking. Not “stopping short of the Earth’s magma core when we dig.”
They’ve already voted to repeal the Medical Marijuana Act, which was passed by some 62% of the voters. This is shameful and dishonest. They could have worked to amend the Act, but it was so much easier to just throw out the baby with the bongwater. To hell with the thousands of suffering Montanans who’ve found relief from pain in the medicinal herb. Do you think these Reefer Madness cowards see any irony in stomping out the MMA with their jackboots while they pound case after case of loudmouth soup during their session in Helena? Probably not. To understand irony, you have to understand nuance.
Mary Jane isn’t even even the big issue here: it’s the blatant subversion of the very process by which we are governed. Why bother to place items on the ballot if the succeeding party in power is just going to ignore their Constitutionally-mandated responsibility and dig a tunnel under the voters’ will to advance their own party’s agenda?
Oh, but it gets worse. These empty suits are now making noise about “nullifying” federally-directed mandates such as the Endangered Species Act or the national income tax. Whoa, whoa, there, Mr. Until-Last-November-I-Was-A-Rancher. Learn how to color inside the lines before you go all Rauschenberg on us. You know, being able to inseminate a heifer does not necessarily qualify a person to serve as a lawmaker. (Although I will admit I’m not clear on the initiation rituals for incoming Representatives.)
So far, the only jobs that might be added in Montana are those of hospice workers, since the House voted down the death with dignity act, which of course they saddled with the pejorative moniker “assisted suicide,” so they could feel better about quashing it. Who am I kidding? These people don’t feel anything. God forbid any of them have to witness the lingering, excruciating death of a close family member (like I did last year), but it might awaken a kernel of sympathy in their shriveled black hearts.
The aptly named Rep. Walter McNutt (R-Sidney), who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, says the Republican mission is clear: “Our charge this time is to go through and look at things based on merit. Are there things we could live without?” You mean like compassion? Empathy? A soul? Clean water and breathable air? I only hope the handful of Republicans who had the brains and heart to vote down the abortion-ultrasound embarrassment can use the same good judgment on the rest of these sociopathic, heartless abominations being presented as “House Bills.”
A quick peek at their party platform leaves little doubt as to the current Republican frame of mind: Cut services to the public. Fix the economy by lowering taxes on the rich. Screw the environment. Cut education funding. No dignity in dying. Drive the homos out. Circle the wagons at the border. We have two years to grab all the groceries we can. Let’s use TWO shopping carts.
Yes, one bright spot on the horizon is that more jobs will be created when we have to build new rubber stamp factories to keep up with the demand as Gov. Schweitzer starts slapping a big red VETO on all this ludicrous shit. But Montana deserves better than this tedious tug-of-war. We need these Republican Legislators, churlish and giddy with power, to stop acting like secessionist assholes. You’re making us a laughingstock among the other states. Hell, Arizona might as well hang a Kick Me sign on Montana’s back. What’s next? Some old, conservative, white dirt farmer-turned-legislator introducing a bill to end women’s suffrage? A freeze on state income tax refunds until Obama puts his birth certificate on a national tour? Forget laptops. What these clowns need are a copy of the state Constitution and a dictionary.
“You’d better get your head wired to your ass or you’ll be standing tall before the Man.” That line, barked by a field general to Private Joker in the film Full Metal Jacket, needs to be whispered into the ear of every Republican Representative currently darkening the halls of the State Capitol in Helena. For we, the voters of Montana, are the Man. And if you narrow-minded rubes don’t acquire a measure of humanity and start doing what’s right by the people of this state, not by the special interests and GOP bosses and Tea Party hypocrites who hold your leashes, you will be out on your arrogant, clueless asses in twenty months.
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Comments
What's worse, that encourages political immaturity among those same citizens. When our elected officials play their politics this way, citizens are not called on to think, to consider alternative view points, or demand evidence and sound arguments. Rather, they go for whoever rings the Pavlovian bell of whatever it is they fear the most. Our elected officials should be able to explain issues to the people (like Clinton does--you may not like him but he is hella smart and understands cause and relation, and he is a great explainer!) and give them sound, objective reasons not fed to them by campaign contribution carrying lobbyists. Both parties fail to play it straight, I'm afraid. We expect so little of them.
I cannot figure out why more people are not outraged at the actions of the Montana legislature. It's surreal!
No action on the economy and/or jobs, trying to insert government into every aspect of our private lives, and invalidating the will and the votes of the public.
I don't understand how anybody can agree with what they're doing.
Speaking of nuance. You were quite restrained on this subject...
This information was provided by Jennifer Olsen on her Tea Party website:
"Article V, Section 5, of the Montana Constitution states that the Legislature cannot fix its compensation. They can vote this time to raise the pay next time."
Their health insurance per diem did go up 1.5%, but that was a fixed increase that was extended to all state employees.
I apologize for drinking the Koolaid on that particular story.
I often disagree with the MDT, but cutting their budget 25% below the Governor's just doesn't make any sense. Why would anyone assume that these draconian cuts over the next two fiscal years would suddenly be made up by FY2013 when these legislator salary increases will apply? After all, they want to cut the Dept. of Rev. by 5.9% below the Governor's request. That probably equates to 5.9% less people to gather tax revenues.
Thank you for this great analysis of what is going on this year. Much of the State is stunned by the bills that have been introduced - and then passed! The one thing I fear is that the future broom of accountability is not so broad that the good folks who have been fighting this insanity are swept away next election cycle. Let's remember the few and the proud who have done their best to do the work for the people of Montana this session.
Also, I would love to hear an explanation of why the people who loudly shout "Keep the government out of our lives!" think that legislating morality is a good idea.
And, why does the Republican senate want to subvert the democratic process by overturning citizen's initiatives?
Montana Cowgirl started the competition; but, with the Montana Senate voting to repeal capital punishment, South Dakota has stormed to the lead in the race for stupidest red state legislature by introducing a bill that appears to legalize the targeting of abortion providers for termination.
For states with supposed budget crises, interdiction, enforcement, litigation, and “corrections” seem limitless. Red states have gone to extremes to protect the unborn but insist that after you're born; please, die quickly so we don’t have to spend money to educate you because you’re going to flee the state anyway.
http://interested-party.blogspot.com/2011/02/south-dakota-ahead-in-nutwatch-race.html
First you lie about the pay raise (is that good journalism?)
Then you slam the very things these people were put in there to do.....remember, they were VOTED IN because the liberal democrats were killing us with spending. "Screw the voters?" The VOTERS put them in there.
Sooooo they are doing the job they were sent to do.
1. Get rid of medical pot.
2. Do something with this wolf issue.
3. Decrease spending.
4. Increase jobs.
Rather than sit around and pout like the last legislature, they are stepping up to the plate and taking the issues on. Right or wrong, the job is getting done.
1. Get rid of medical pot.
2. Do something with this wolf issue.
3. Decrease spending.
4. Increase jobs.
Is that how you see the priorities that the voters set?
I see it somewhat differently.
1. Jobs
2. Cut wasteful spending
3. Jobs
4. Get the government out of our lives
5. Jobs
Getting rid of MM was never in my mind an issue.
But whatever you say.
But keep in mind WHO VOTES.
Of course, if you are a pot user, and one of the 70% of the pot users who are abusing the system, then you would say that.
The VOTERS want it out, so live with it.
Redo it, eliminate it, whatever.
When something like 90% of prerelease immates have MM cards, that says that either we have a disease epidemic in prison or someone is abusing the system.
You are gonna have to live with the result regardless, legal or like whats been going on for the past 30 years, illegially.
This was passed through a ballot initiative. A majority of the registered voters (62%) voted for the law. The Legislature wrote a crappy regulatory statute.
Fix it but do not overturn the will of the voters. That is what the GOP in Montana is attempting to do.
Other than that, as usual you are full of shit.
another liberal who can't take a dissenting opinion.....
If the Legislature feels so strongly about this they should put a repeal measure on the ballot.
You sure like labels ya right wing conserveatard.
Labels are for morons. There's plenty of stupid and smart ideas on both sides of the isle. Pragmatism is a sign of intelligence.
And we don't even have medical weed yet.
One thing I have noticed. People who don't have /don't want access to wonder weed ( medical or otherwise) can be just as goofy as those that do. Maybe moreso. Many serve in their statehouse. What ARE they smoking in Helena and Cheyenne these days ?
Joe gets up at 6:00 am to prepare his morning coffee. He fills his pot full of good clean drinking water because some liberal fought for minimum water quality standards. He takes his daily medication with his first swallow of coffee. His medications are safe to take because some liberal fought to insure they are safe and work as advertised.
All but $10.00 of his medications are paid for by his employers medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance, now Joe gets it too. He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs this day. Joe's bacon is safe to eat because some liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.
Joe takes his morning shower reaching for his shampoo; His bottle is properly labeled with every ingredient and the amount of its contents because some liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained. Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some tree hugging liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air.
Joe walks to the subway station for his government subsidized ride to work; it saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees. You see, some liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.
Joe begins his work day; he has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation days because some liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe's employer pays these standards because Joe's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union. If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed he'll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some liberal didn't think he should loose his home because of his temporary misfortune.
It's noon time, Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. Joes deposits are federally insured by the FSLIC because some liberal wanted to protect Joes money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Depression.
Joe has to pay his Fannie Mae underwritten mortgage and his below market federal student loan because some stupid liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his life-time.
Joe is home from work, he plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive to dads; his car is among the safest in the world because some liberal fought for car safety standards.
Joe arrives at his boyhood home. He was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers Home Administration because bankers didn't want to make rural loans. The house didn't have electricity until some big government liberal stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification. (Those rural Republican's would still be sitting in the dark).
Joe is happy to see his dad who is now retired. His dad lives on Social Security and his union pension and enjoys the benefits of Medicare and Medicaid because some liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn't have to. After his visit with dad he gets back in his car for the ride home.
Joe turns on a radio talk show, the host's keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. (He doesn't tell Joe that his beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day) Joe agrees, "We don't need those big government liberals ruining our lives; after all, I'm a self made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have".
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jeff e it's your fantasy tell it any way you want.
My mon said the ONLY president worth his weight was Roosevelt. He gave my grampa a job working on Fort Peck Dam when they started working on it. Back then democrats were for the people, and he helped alot of folks at a very bad time in history, no doubt
So times change......
Now we have social programs coming out the wazoo, people making good money doing nothing, immigrants coming here for the benefits, etc. etc.
Out of state interests who don't care a hoot about how people here make a living who try to stop all mineral mining, timber interests, and oil production. All of these industries of course contribute to jobs for people in our state. Those people are the tax payers and the industries they work for pay a large percentage of the taxes paid in our state.
So the legislature tries to cut here, cut there, because thats WHY they were elected. Do something instead of spending for a change.
Take a look at the salaries of people in the top of state government. A few years ago they published the salaries of our beloved leaders in the state. If I remember right, our goverenor was like 20th on the list. What do these people do that costs us all this money?
Guess I can't disagree with the author on some cuts. New legislature, a lot of inexperience. But if you look at what some of these folks are making who work for our state, you might become a republician overnight.
Good points Jeff, I will admit that. Keep in mind that if we did not have the other side we probably would have wound up like the russians, or just about as bad, the canadians. Ask them about their national health care and what is costs them in paycheck reductions and service.