Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Politics Rep. Paul Broun makes everyone on Twitter uncomfortable with Obama, socialism talk during State of the Union
Posted by Thomas Wheatley @thomaswheatley on Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 8:10 AM
What'd you do during last night's State of the Union address? Drink? Weep? Catch up on episodes of "Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura?"
You should've stopped by Congressman Paul "It's a trap!" Broun's Twitter account! The Republican from Athens basically spent the entire speech tweeting GOP talking points — not to mention what's arguably the online equivalent of "You lie!"
How is political discussion in this country ever going to improve if our elected officials don't say what they really feel?
Comments (39)
Showing 1-39 of 39
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dislikeclassy fellow. Maybe they should collect phones at the door like teachers do in today's classrooms
Yes, I believe in some Socialism which apparently Broun don't. Does that make him a better American than me.
Since he thinks I'm not a good American, maybe he should come get my Silver and Bronze Stars and my Purple Heart from the Korean War.
I really craved some smoked salmon after the speech.
As for Broun's little "Look ma, I can tweet" schtick? *rolls eyes* Won't give it a comment other than that.
Also Linden's comment is amazing--thank you for your service.
Really? He tweeted or twated that? Really? Think about it he's basically accusing the president of being treasonous.
Everytime I see people post this crap on these message boards about the President being a socialist or being against the constitution I always think they are asses to make such an inflammatory and baseless claim.
Now i've got a Georgia Congressman saying this crap during the State of the Union Address? What an Ass he is.
And its all the more outrageous in light of the attempt by most of the Representatives last night to set aside this kind of destructive BS in recognition of the the shooting of Rep. Giffords.
I'm calling his office
Washington D.C. Office
Phone: (202) 225-4101
Fax: (202) 226-0776
Athens District Office
Phone: 706-549-9588
Fax: 706-549-9590
BTW, believing in concepts that may be shared with socialist principals - such as social security - is far different than what these far right nut jobs are saying when they accuse a government official of being against the Constitution and for Socialism. They are basically sending a message to that element of their supporters that said Socialist Anti-Constitution official is an enemy of the state. That America needs to be "saved" from that person. I understand one can reasonably argue its not Hate speech but I think it is and I think I have a reasonable basis for that belief.
The Constitution makes no claim as to what sort of economic system the nation is to have--socialist, capitalist, etc. It gives Congress the power to make laws. If those laws happen to be socialist and passed through the proper means, they are perfectly acceptable.
That said, Obama is far from a socialist. He's sucking from the same corporate teat as all the other hacks in Washington as far as I can tell. I still have some hope of a double cross against his corporate masters, but I'm not holding my breath.
This Congressman's just ranting about socialism because it's taboo to just say "shut up n----r", which is what he's really thinking.
I'm so glad I don't follow him on Twitter. Missed that ugliness, but alas wasn't entirely immune to what was going on online - given that I do follow Erick E.
Can you teach me that mind reading trick? "Racism!" - the new "Wolf!"
Obama can be accurately described as leaning toward socialist ideas. He's not a card carrying, overt socialist, and he's definitely not in his mind, but it is not far fetched or nutty to say he tends that way. The guys across the aisle who say "He's a socialist" are not helping their cause and should stop it if they had any sense.
Fun with irony: The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner hosts a lavish state dinner for the dictator who has imprisoned the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Obama not only has no corporate masters, he has no master at all except his own own, overblown self-important image of himself as an historical leader. I'm not reading his mind, here, but his actions and his writings. Two autobiographies before he basically did anything. "...Radically transform" the country. Just damn.
to have his phone collected at the door he would have had to attend the speech...he was tweeting from his office
I'm constantly amazed by people who talk about the constitution as though it contains detailed, wide-ranging principles from which politicians can draw when making decisions. The constitution is primarily the legal framework within which the government acts. It isn't a Holy Bible of US Thought full of philosophical nuggets you can 'believe in' the way you would adhere to a philosophy. Where did this constitution-as-Bible business come from?
Oy he was offered an advance while in Law School due to write a book due to the uniqueness of his situation.
I wouldn't call it ego for a "starving" law student to accept an advance in exchange for putting your story on paper.
I don't think I have a large ego - in fact that's may be my weakness - but if someone wants to offer me a couple hundred thousand I'm more than willing to write something about myself.
The Nobel Irony, good one. Yes Obama is a pragmatist.
Can one of you rightwing geniuses at least look up the word "socialism"? Can you please just give it a try? If you really think the goal for America under the Obama administration is to create an equal wealth distribution system then that is only through your own delusion, having nothing to do with reality. The actual reality is that the rich ARE getting richer with legislation upheld by Obama. But God forbid he throw the poor & lower middle class a bone every once in a while. Then he's "socialist." Jeeeeeezus Christ.
More backwards-ass Georgia politicians giving our state a bad name through their lack of IQ points.
I wasn't aware of the book offer. I'd do it, too. Still, isn't it a little egotistical to write another so soon? I guess it makes sense. If the first albums a hit, you get right back in the studio and record another that sounds the same.
I don't think he's a monster, yo. I don't think he's a actual socialist. I don't think he's a Kenyan or a Malaysian instead of an American. I don't think he's an illegitimate leader, which is more generous than many of ya'll during the last regime.
I do think his policies are the wrong ones. I think Government ownership, even temporary, of GM and the stiffing of it's creditors in favor of the unions, and the idea that government should control the health care system, are ideas that resemble socialist ideas. If you can't see the similarity, then it's not my definitions that are off.
And your hated capitalism with it's evil corporate masters, has lifted more people from poverty than any other political system ever has. The greatest bone ever thrown to the poor and the middle class was the American revolution. We fought another war to make sure everyone was included. Throw the poor some money and they'll be happy but it will run out and the hollerin' will begin. Throw them a chance to succeed by their own initiative (teach 'em to fish instead of givin' 'em a fish) and that is the greatest gift.
I don't want to radically transform that.
I agree Capitalism is great but it needs regulation because as BP proved all it takes is one greedy board of directors willing to cut corners to screw things up.
Credit to our success also has to go to all the highly educated, Including Ivy League, leaders we have elected .... ;-)
But this article isn't about President Obama. Its about what a bunch of jerks you republicans elect in Georgia. Rep Broun should be skewered by all the "pundits" for his flagrant inappropriateness and his attempts to derail the attempt to do things in a more productive and civil manner.
Broun should apologize for the "hate" (or at least "dislike" if the word hate bothers people) he has spewed and his attempts to destroy any hope of getting things accomplished.
broun is an MD? and has been elected to congress multiple times?
consider my mind blown on both counts.
"Throw them a chance to succeed by their own initiative (teach 'em to fish instead of givin' 'em a fish) and that is the greatest gift.'
Sounds like you believe in universal education, also an "idea that resembles a socialist idea." So I guess oydave doesnt believe in the constitution and is a socialist? (its just like that stupid argument you make that if health care is a 'right' then it means we have a right to other peoples lives or to the property of doctors and nurses or something.. i've never understood this argument. education is a generally accepted right, and also requires teachers, administrators, etc. just like healthcare requires doctors/nurses, etc.)
Or do you not believe in universal education, and you believe that only people that can afford to pay for K-12 education should learn?
I don't hate capitalism; I just don't think it should run unchecked with little to no regulation. During the Bush administration &, unfortunately, into Obama's administation major corporations have so much freedom, they are basically writing policy. That's just not right.
So I guess you just don't realize that SOOO much more $ in welfare is wasted on the super rich/major corporations than the poor in America (?) .....I guess I'm not surprised, as they're not going out of their way to give you that impression on FOX "news."
BloodGimp - I am completely opposed to corporate socialism, subsidies, etc. The circle jerk between Obama's regime and GE is nauseating. I believe reasonable regulations are good, but we crossed the reasonable line long ago.
I think that FoxNews is wanky. But the left had a monopoly on news and media for fifty years. Can't you stand a little competition? I'm glad it's there just for a different slant. If you don't check out both sides, you wind up with an uninformed outlook.
InAtl - I am not a Republican. I've been voting for them lately for the same reason you've been voting for Democrats-lesser of two evils. I think GA Repubs are frequently embarrassing, though it is not hateful or crazy to call Obama's policies socialist. It IS hypocritical to rail against social spending and then demand money for agricultural subsidies. I'm looking at you, Zaxby Chablis.
ethix - I believe government control of education has ruined it. I don't believe that education and health care are rights, but when they are run intelligently, everyone has access. Something different than federal control of these sectors must happen or they will continue their downward spiral.
And now, completely off topic, the finest band in the land, Nashville Pussy, tomorrow night at Masquerade. Look 'em up on YouTube and if, like me, you like hard guitar, come have a cold one with me and transcend politics for a few. I'll try to find an Oy shirt so you can buy me a beer for turning you on to such a great band.
Apologies, Thomas, for trashing your thread. Come to the show and I'll buy YOU a beer.
Funny how socialism is mentioned so often in connection with TOTUS. I wonder why not one "Journ-o-list" would just asks TOTUS straight out whether he would like to see America become more like a socialist country, or just ask him if he is a socialist. But alas - sadly TOTUS would never accept such a question and would likely give my favorite response of "were buying shrimp here guys".
I believe that Socialist or Communist principles are diametrically opposed to the principles of self-government and limited government outlined in our Constitution.
I think it would be really neat to see our TOTUS college Transcrips and Final Thesis.
No: Occidental College records, Columbia College records, Columbia thesis, Harvard College records. Just seems odd to me.
"the left had a monopoly on news and media for fifty years."
Please explain Oydave, because it's obvious that you're confusing "left" media with the standard concept of journalism. You see, once upon a time there didn't need to be a slant - reporters could just report news.....but that was before rabid republican operatives began their frenzied whining, basically destroying journalism altogether. You're so accustomed to being inundated with far-right leaning propaganda that when you see or hear anything that doesn't mimic republican talking points, you consider it "left."
By the way, InAtl has a good point: if the media were so liberal-leaning or whatever, the disgraceful Paul Brown text would be an actual story, which it should be. Yet I don't even see in on CNN's homepage.
I'm happy to explain.
Ever since Vietnam, media in general and news in particular, sees itself as an adversary to the "Establishment." Establishment-conservative. News-adversary to conservative.
Every survey that has ever been done of members of the media shows that over 90% of them vote Democrat and come down as liberal/left on issues. I'm happy to acknowledge any info to the contrary.
Paul Broun is not a story because, on the national scene, nobody cares about Georgia. We're a bunch of retarded cousin fuckers to most of the country, so Broun is business as usual, dog bites man, not a story. I say again, to call Obama's policies "socialist" is not hateful or crazy. It may not be completely accurate but it's not outrageous.
And I inundate myself with propaganda of all kinds, left and right, as well as that which is presented as actual news, then I make my judgments. You have to listen in on Rush AND NPR, Hannity AND Hardball. The Wall Street Journal AND Creative Loafing. See? Are you just exposing yourself to one side? You can still be a happenin' dude but it's much more difficult without all the info. I call 'em like I see 'em.
I don't think there's any news outlet anymore which is 100% neutral.
Except that you didn't really explain anything related to reality. I've mentioned this before, but major cable news outlets rely heavily on sponsorship from major corporations (pretty much the "establishment"). They will not and do not put those relationships into jeopardy by exposing certain truths. They gain tons of $ by siding with major corporations, and gain only integrity by reporting on "liberal" issues. Which one do you really think major media outlets would prefer? How is it not clear that major "news" networks ARE part of "the establishment"?
And it's interesting (more depressing actually) that you equate Rush Limbaugh with NPR as if NPR is the liberal version of Rush's show. That couldn't be farther from the truth and pretty much tells me all I need to know about your perspective on the issue of media bias.
Equate? No, I said listen to different perspectives, that's all. None of them really equate to each other, everything is unique, to my reckoning. If you say Rush is right wing, but won't admit NPR is left wing, then what do you consider left wing? Do you even realize you are listening to left spin when you hear it? BTW, The Daily Show is the left wing version of Rush's show, if you have to name one, and it's damn good. I almost never miss it.
To the left, there is no left. There is only the center, which is them, and the far right.
"Paul Broun is not a story because, on the national scene, nobody cares about Georgia. We're a bunch of retarded cousin fuckers to most of the country, so Broun is business as usual, dog bites man, not a story. I say again, to call Obama's policies "socialist" is not hateful or crazy"
Problem is he went beyond that - during the State of the Union where members were trying to show they could get along for the good of the country Broun was twating that the President didn't believe in the Constitution and instead believed in Socialism. Which we all know are code words used often.
Also yes re Smitty's point that even if someone was a socialist they could believe in the constitution. though Obama does not believe in Socialism and the utter rudeness and bomb throwing nature of such a twat would have been major news if a black politician or liberal made an inappropriate leftist claim. The fact that its expected for our State is all makes it all the more newsworthy since the media loves to play up stereotypes. Nope the problem is the so called liberal media really isn't very liberal - and they are controlled by corporate interests that are certainly not liberal.
Oy - Nashville Pussy certainly has energy and nice guitar work - though my basketball league is tonight - and they kinda scare me - I'm kind of wondering if this is what a Tea Party meeting on Acid and Jack Daniels would look like ;-).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC2dNp90blQ and this is from Paris..wow
Nice use of the word twat.
I prefer to call tweeting while one is at work "tworking".
I-Man - I can personally assure you that 90% of the Tea Party would recoil in horror at the sight of Nashville Pussy. I say again, the right is not a monolith. I don't join them in Mayberry but I join them at Valley Forge. Catch the band next time. They live here but only manage a couple of local shows a year because they are in such demand worldwide.
As for corporations owning the media and sponsoring shows, how does it follow that all corporations are right/conservative? To start with, corporations aren't people so we are talking about the people who control them. Often slaves to happiness of shareholders, they bow down to trends, public mood, all kinds of things. Someone like the Koch brothers can marshal the resources and clout of their privately held companies, but rarely does someone put their corporate reputation in either a right or left light because they realize that customers and consumers come in all flavors and they don't want to alienate anyone. Also, corporations are some of the biggest recipients of "socialism" in America. "Corporate socialism" all over the place, from agricultural subsidies, to energy subsidies, to narrow sector tax structures, it's all over the place and it's sickening to me. All of that crap needs to go. Make no mistake about, evil corporations are more likey to be "liberal" in outlook and action than "conservative." You think Bill Gates is liberal or conservative? How about GM? Blood G you see where I'm coming from, now?
As for this civility bidness, it's all BS. Civility is the new code for "Republicans and right wingers shut up." Even the prez himself said at the memorial about whether rhetoric contributed to the shooting, "It did not." Why wasn't that the end of it? Why is the left still flogging this? It's an opportunity to score points. The only people who are upset by Broun's gum flapping and thumb twatting are partisan campaigners who are thinking, "I have a golden ticket." It's all BS. And the stupid Repubs fell for it. Sitting together...that was so the new majority wouldn't seem so obvious as they sat on their hands during the focus group approved applause lines.
Ideology is not spelled out in the constitution, it's true smitty, but since the goal and result of socialism is collective or government ownership and control of property and the means of production and economic activity, it sure seems incompatible to me.
Damn, this is fun.
Oy - reading your posts has made me feel proud to stand beside you! You are dead on! And the subsidies need to end big time! We are broke - we must have severe governmental cuts now. There are lots of Military bases around the world that we need to get out of. Our Military needs to redefine what "protect our borders" really means constitutionally.
Our Education system needs a big overhaul! We are #2 in the world on dollars spent per pupil and what return do we get? We cannot even grade our educators on merit - we cannot define how to grade a teacher or fire the really bad ones. This is because of unending Government influence on a sector of our economy that has nearly been rendered useless and at best a large waste of money.
And you are right about liberal media. Our Media elites all vote democrat and puff up their side at every chance while bashing anyone on the right for any minor offense to endless degrees. Why can they not just report the facts without putting their left leaning touches on every word they type?
As a liberal, I hardly find the media to agree with my views.
Rush v. NPR? Really? Who thinks NPR is liberal? I listen to it, and they are very careful to not take political stands. As before mentioned, reporting facts that are not politically skewed and happen to go against the establishment does not make a news agency liberal. Just honest.
"Ideology is not spelled out in the constitution, it's true smitty, but since the goal and result of socialism is collective or government ownership and control of property and the means of production and economic activity, it sure seems incompatible to me."
I think you're confusing a communist government with socialist economic policies. I like government run schools, roads, militaries, space programs, and many other things. I would hate to live in some free market city state society where cash and guns are the laws of the land.
"Civility is the new code for "Republicans and right wingers shut up."
Just like 'patriotism' was the old code for 'liberals and progressives shut up' after 9/11. And, just wondering, why do you think Bill Gates is a democrat? Do you have any reason you would say this? His campaign donations seem to suggest he is quite independent (http://www.campaignmoney.com/biography/bill_gates.asp)
But just like you say "To the left, there is no left." To the right, everything left of Rush means liberal.
"Who thinks NPR is liberal?" - Are you kidding me, man? I've been listening to NPR since the 70s and they have been unrelenting and constant in their liberal cheer leading. I was WAY liberal back then but I knew it when I heard it. They are more balanced and fair than some liberal "corporate" news sources, I'll give 'em that, and I still listen every day.
To the left, there is no left. Only the center, which is them, and the far right.
"government run schools, roads, militaries, space programs" - I don't think these are socialist ideas. They are collective efforts for the common good, but that's far different from collective/government ownership and control of property and the means of production.
ethix - good one. Hey, I was embarrassed over the zealots on the right during that time. There are jerks all over the ideological map. And for sure there are some for whom even Rush is too liberal. After all, he has a cat and likes rock music. Pansy. I don't feel that everything to the left of Rush is leftist, though. And I don't think Gates is a Democrat. I think he's a liberal, whatever that is. Also, folks on the right will stand up and say, "I'm on the right." Those on the left will rarely cop to it, in my experience.
The Chamber of Commerce is right wing I know they don't speak for all corporations though they are a lobbyist for their interests and supported by them, and by their mission a proxy for them.
In general - yes dangerous generalization - corporate leadership is not in favor of higher taxes - more government regulation - preventing monopolies - and in many instances they have a biz interest in war - see GE/NBC etc. And Newspapers and TV stations love to cover war and corporations love to show a profit so if a president is somewhat popular they aren't going to alienate the viewers by going against a war - at least at the beginning and especially after 9/11.
Me Calling Broun an idiot has nothing to do with saying the shooting was connected to his idiocy. I don't need to go there - So yes Obama said that and yes I'll say I agree to that statement. But Obama also called for what I and many Americans want to see - less stupid dumb ass stunts, less use of code words to incite emotional vs. factual responses. Not to avoid shootings but to avoid gridlock. I'm saying Broun already flipped the bird at the notion of trying to put what's best for the nation first instead of the tired practice of just being a jerk. He used Code Words. He made a statement that had no basis in reality.
It isn't shut up because the Republicans with control of Congress and the 60 vote requirement in the Senate have an equal seat at the table. So being a baby and just throwing mashed potatoes and peas across the room is no longer the appropriate response.
I loved the Liberal Media comparing TOTUS SOTU address as Reagan like! That was awesome over the top worthless leftleaning big government tax and spend ranting! Good one Left leaners! It was no State of The Union Adress - it was a State of our Politics Address which I think we all know where we are on that.
Frank Luntz continung Atlanta Focus Group on Fox! Great stuff - I love the honesty from the Obama voters as they don't believe a word he said.
Left leaners hated Reagan back in the day he was reamed like Bush now they compare Obama to Reagan! Awesome!
Great stuff from D - Jim Moran calling Republicans and all right leaners racists - there you go Left Leaners something you can get behind!
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/virginia-…
PP: Aren't "left leaners" called that because they are "right-leaners" some of the time? If people don't agree with you 100% of the time, does that make them "left-leaners?" Wouldn't that mean that most people are "left-leaners?"
Hey QM - I use the term Left Leaners to define the more liberal elite mode of thinking and policy. And their are varying degrees of the lean, exactly so with right leaners as well.
Typically the left leaners don't agree with me but not 100% of the time and the same can be said of right leaners like me or left leaning positions.
We are all alike on many things and find common ground near the center on many issues, but a few issues tend to really seperate the extreme leans of both positions where little if any common ground can be acheived and this is where majority rule comes in.
I think that by saying most people are left leaners is exactly a left leaning thought because I think too many left leaners believe there is no right leaner that can be agreed with - there is only the left and these people tend to disagree with any conservative or right leaning philosophy because they seem to believe that very elite educated people should make big decisions for the majority of people.
I think that most people are right of center leaning, but most left leaners would never agree to this.
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