Racial Discrimination Inherited in Tea Party (Re-Post)

FINAL UPDATE/RE-POST:
Before I even begin this I have to say Thank You to Keith Olbermann for using his forum to say this. I know that there will be Republicans, Conservatives & Tea Party folks who will only see the name or read the title without listening completely and dismiss or deny what is being said. But I’ve been saying this since September 2008 on here with example after example. I’ve taken my own advice and honestly tried to consider the concerns and perspective of all of the people who associate with the GOP in one way or the other. I’ve repeatedly written that there are some good people in the party, but I have also repeatedly challenge you to address one issue. Each time I repeatedly have no Republican, no Conservative, no Tea Party supporter honest or open-minded enough to sincerely consider the challenge.

All I ask of you to do is to JUST LISTEN.

I have warned several times to Republicans to do something about the cancer that is killing the party and the response is silence. I know the post is being read, because the numbers spike each time I’ve asked these questions far beyond any other topic. So I have only one other group within the Republican Party to address, but I believe they to will continue to remain silent. I may be a Democrat, I may be Black, but I am first an American. I’ve taken so much crap from and tried to explain it to you in such a way that all can understand that now I give up on you and can only ask people to pray. But I can’t ask that either, because the venom has gone beyond just politics and back into the pews of the church. I know it’s not all churches, synagogues, temples or mosques. I personally know it’s not all White Conservatives, but you’ve got to address this issue, because it is going to kill the Republican Party.

So I THANK YOU Keith Olbermann. Yes he is a Democrat, but he is one of the few if not the only  White Man who has the forum to speak exactly about this issue. I don’t know if those of you who are Republicans, Conservatives or support the Tea Party activities are of the mindset to truly comprehend what is being said by Keith and others and has been said by myself on here, but I pray that you do.

UPDATE: 03/11/2010

Perhaps some of my critics may be kind enough to respond to this GOP presentation accidently left behind after a GOP Finance Meeting in  FL a few days ago.  I’ll wait for your response.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2010/03/crist-and-rubio-on-rnc-fund-raising-memo-insert-cricket-sounds-here.html

I’ll make it easier and give you the link to the presentation, now in PDF for the web. Enjoy

http://www.politico.com/static/PPM136_100303_rnc_finance_leadership.html

How about this article from Tampa Bay, FL
http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2010/03/jim-demint-on-the-rnc-fundraising-memo-and-jeb-bush-for-prez.html

Perhaps you use AOL, maybe this one may be easier to understand. It’s difficult to believe that the GOP would use Fear of a Black man to stir up votes. Say it ain’t so Joe.
http://www.aolnews.com/the-point/article/fundraising-memo-reveals-gop-plan-to-exploit-fear-of-obama/19383182

UPDATE: 03/22/2010

For those who continue to not understand or take all of the warnings seriously, perhaps this one is more overt for you.

Examiner – 03/21/2010 “Tea Party protesters shout Nigger and spit on lawmaker”

Now one may wonder who could these so-called patriots dare do this to? Rep. John Lewis (D-GA). The same John Lewis who was beaten first on Bloody Sunday (03/07/65), the same John Lewis who is the only living speaker who was on the roster to speak  on 08/28/63 in Washington DC (March on Washington. I know most of the people who are apart of the Tea Party don’t know or care about history, so I’ll give you a hint. It’s the same day Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered “I Have a Dream”. I’m sure that’s all most will know about it.) But it’s not about race, right.

FINAL UPDATE/RE-POST:
This is what I’ve been talking about for more than two years. It’s not all Republicans, but if Republicans who do understand what’s going on within their party don’t speak up and speak against the people with a hateful agenda who is taking over your party then they will destroy it. You don’t need me to tell you that, but it appears that some do. We may disagree on issues of policy or political method, but hate is our common enemy. What do you think there’s so few people of any color except for White in the GOP? All of them are not suddenly Democrats. It’s the hate that they see and the racism both unconscious and overt that essentially places a sign outside the door saying “For Whites Only”. Yes, I’m speaking figuratively, but those who are aware get the point. These are not ‘isolated incident’ or ‘people getting stupid’. This is a pattern of hate, discrimination and isolation that has become the New Republican Party. I’m not so partisan that I want to see you destroyed by hate. We, Republicans & Democrats have a love/hate relationship, but for me I love you a percent more than I hate you. Do something about this problem within the GOP or you will soon see the end of its relevancy in modern politics.

The Republican Tea Party

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Notice — This one is long, but I think you will enjoy the laughs unless you’re a Republican. Then you may not find the humor in it. J

Disclaimer — Before I even start this one I must ask some of you reading this to please excuse my play on certain words and phrases, but I can’t resist this one. I will be as cautious as possible. For those who don’t know what I’m referring to don’t worry about it.

Let’s begin…

*I’m walking to the podium now for the TI&S Press Conference regarding the activities going on today with the so-called Republican Tea Party.*

Republican T-Bagging

Who’s bright ideas was this and what in the Hell were they thinking?

If you’re going to have a protest that you’re attempting to reference history there has to be a connection, truth in your reference. I will spare the American history lesson, but to summarize the revolt that is known as the Boston Tea Party that occurred in 1773 you got to consider the conditions that sparked that revolt. The phrase many of you’ve heard of before, taxation WITHOUT Representation was at the heart of this protest.

What the Republican Party is doing is the opposite and still confuses me why this?

Taxation with Representation

Alright let’s have a three minute lesson about basic American History. The original premise of the Boston Tea Party was the right for our own representatives to make decisions about our Tax policies not Great Britain.

Now I know this is difficult for the organizers to fully comprehend, but let me help you understand it better. You see back in the 1970’s there was a video by Schoolhouse Rock called “No More Kings” that really helped me understand the Boston Tea Party maybe you can have this video ran on FOX News.

Silly Scare Tactics

The ridiculous cry of socialist doesn’t fit. Do you realize how you participate in the dreaded socialism? No you probably don’t, because you’re grabbing hold to the claims of a delusional Right-Wing Radio Talk Show Host and the equally erratic hosts on FOX News to base you claims of Socialism, Liberals, Fascism and Marxism.

So I thought that I help you out on this one.

Who in the crowd today knows the definition of socialism?

No. One at a time.

OK big guy in the back… Um that’s incorrect.

Yes, you with the cheese sandwich… WHAT! No the Bible has nothing to do with this.

Let me help you out.

Socialism is a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. So to offer a real-life definition for you, it’s like the program you as taxpayers contribute to and will participate in when you retire; Social Security, Medicare. So for those with parents of retirement age, this means your momma is a socialist.

If you disagree with me ask your Republican member of Congress to publicly denounce Medicare or Social Security and let’s see what happens.

Alright, next question. Who can tell me what is liberalism?

Um Sir, there’s no need to curse. Calm down. OK, you can call me uppity, but you’re too scared to say the rest. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, please sit down.

Yes you, the gentleman the corner with the stuffed animal in your hand. Do you know the answer?

OK, someone who hasn’t been drinking or indoctrinated by Rush Limbaugh and FOX News.

Alright the older lady with the t-shirt on.

I thought I recognized you. NO, the President is not an Arab. Ma’am, please take your medicine.

Anyone else…

<Big Sigh> My goodness, this is ridiculous. Seriously, how did you graduate?

Liberalism is a political or social philosophy advocating the freedom of the individual. That sounds like something like various arguments we’ve heard from Republicans. A nonviolent modification of political, social, or economic institutions to assure unrestricted development in all spheres of human endeavor, and governmental guarantees of individual rights and civil liberties. Hmmm… Where have we seen this before?

So since this is suppose to be a peaceful protest of an economic institution [IRS] doesn’t this mean you all are Liberals? Hey, I’m just looking at the definition of the word and comparing it to your actions and words. Don’t get mad at me.

The Fringe of Sanity

Each time someone makes the ridiculous notion that has been proven false by the state of Hawaii of the citizenship of the President it weakens the credibility of your entire group. If you really want to get at the heart of your fear I can, but I don’t think you want to go there.

Republican Taxusations

What you fail to understand about President Obama’s tax plan is beyond me, because I can’t see how it can be said more elementary than it has already been said. Let’s see if we can make it so easy that even Joe the Plumber can understand it.

• Click Here to see the Tax Policy Center’s 2008 Comparison of Obama & McCain’s Tax Proposals and decides if your accusations prove to be accurate of President Obama.

• Click Here to view FactCheck.org’s research of then Presidential Candidates Obama & McCain tax plans.

• Chick Here to view The White House overview of President Obama’s tax agenda.

If you can read and comprehend English you can understand this. The claim of President Obama raising taxes are false and the carryover from the McCain Campaign. The lie has been proven false by factcheck.org. Your ‘outrage’ is foolish at best unless everyone protesting makes $250,001.00 or more a year. If so, I can understand your outrage.

Republican T-Bagging

I guess we’ll see who’s standing over whom when this over. My guess is that this is going to backfire, but let’s wait to see who’s going to be on their knees.

I’m trying to hold back, but I think I’m gonna… talk about the people at the center of this one. Oh tell me it isn’t so, Sen. David Vitter, Newt Gingrich and Dick Army. Oh this is too good. This should help me reach the climax of this blog post. But I can’t forget the media mouthpieces for the T-Bagging with FOX News’ Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity’s excitement over the event.

Perhaps the biggest Nut of them all comes from Neil Cavuto’s defense of FOX News covering the spectacle. “We are going to be right in the middle of these tea baggers because at FOX we do not pick and choose these rallies and protests. We were there for the Million Man March”.

OH REALLY. FOX News was there in Washington DC October 16, 1995 for the Million Man March. You’re making this too easy, but since I like kicking a man when he’s down lets see what a simple Google search comes up with shall we.

WHAT! FOX News has been in operations since October 7, 1996. (Source) How can that be, that means either the Newscorp website is wrong or you do not have a proper understanding of time. You see that was practically a year before you came on the air. It’s OK, my 4 year old son made the same mistake.

Final Analysis

I know you all are upset. You feel used. During the last election McCain/Palin basically t-bagged their morals for political gain and conservatives got screwed again. This demonstration is entertaining, because I’ve enjoyed myself. Listen, I only want you all to get off your knees and stand-up. Stop falling for the same old tricks. Who’s leading you?

Do you understand exactly what you are protesting and from whom are to blame for the tax increases? I don’t believe you do, because if you did you all would be Democrats.

Conservative Charlie Brown Moment Side-Note

As many conservative bloggers are still wiping the Easter egg off of your face from this past weekend when they called President Obama weak and a pantywaist I hope you rethink your involvement or cover of your latest Charlie Brown moment. Maybe this time you’ll be able to actually kick the football, since President Obama snatched the football away by ordering the Navy Snipers to shoot to kill the Somali Pirates.

President Obama gave you a clear hint between him and the Republican paper leaders, “I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak.”

Its OK Charlie Brown at least you tried.

Oh don’t bother him Snoopy, Charlie Brown’s upset right now. Stop laughing Woodstock.

Who’s Participating

Besides the misinformed Republican lawmakers and governors have signed on to speak at local events so you’ll know the individuals who’s promoting this to bring them into question.

• Former Rep. David Davis (R-TN)
• Representatives from Sen. Bob Corker’s (R-TN) office
• Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT)
• Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT)
• Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS)
• Representative from Rep. Sam Graves’ (R-MO) office
• Rep. John Fleming (R-LA)
• Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL)
• Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH)
• Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ)
• Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ)
• Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC)
• Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL)
• Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
• Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC)
• Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT)
• Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA)
• Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL)

Let’s hope this stunt doesn’t prove true and you’re caught on your knees. That’s not a sight I want to see, but enjoy your Tea bagging.

References & Inspirations

Eyewitness to History – “The Boston Tea Party, 1773”

AFP/Google News – 04/14/09 “US Protestors Brew Tea Party Tax Revolt”

Barack Obama for America – “Economy”

Tax Policy Center – September 2008 “Major Provisions of the McCain & Obama Tax Plans”

Let Go The Ego

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Let Go The Ego — I bring this up because a lady asked me this morning, “Why I’m a Democrat?” Now I’m being nice just having a friendly conversation with her about the weekend. I had a magazine in my hand that had President Obama on the cover and I guess working in a very conservative area of town this lady had to ask me a stupid question about politics. Of course she was a Republican, but I give her credit for breaking conservative protocol and having an open-minded conversation with such an evil liberal like myself. That was brave of her.

Now I’m being a little silly, but it helps me from doing what I see many people who does not socialize themselves doing. Assuming the worse or becoming oblivious to life around them.

This subject is something that I’ve come to a clear revelation on and have tried to hold back and it keeps coming back up. It’s not something I want to discuss all the time, but the question this lady brought up really bothered me, because I assume she would have known better. She appeared to be more aware of the diversity around her, but I guess I was wrong.

Since I didn’t have much time to go into it at the time she asked me, because I needed to get to work. But I invited her to visit this blog and I will try to provide a response. I didn’t think it would flow out of me this quickly, but here it is. I hope this does not offend you, but the cluelessness of the question is not just tied to you, but to an ideology.

The brief response I gave her wasn’t adequate and sincerely hope she reads this in full. I invite and challenge others to let go of their egos and consider others.

First I want you to understand that this is not just confined to just Republicans or Conservatives, although I’ve primarily received it from Republicans and Conservatives. This is spills into all walks of life, Democrats as well as Republicans, Christians as well as Jews, Muslims and others, Black, Latino, Asian, Native American and White. I titled this “Why I’m Not a Republican” to give it a title, but it’s not limited to just Republicans.

Now I’ve written about several of the topics regarding politics and have had many responses from people who identify themselves as either a Republican or Conservative. I appreciate the few fair-minded Republicans and Conservatives who take the time to consider what I’m saying even if they disagree or miss the point. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will one person breakthrough the walls built up in opposition to alternative opinions in a day or single post either.

I’m not suggesting that Democrats or Liberals have all the answers either, but there’s a reason why I value Democratic and Liberal opinions over Republican and Conservative opinions. I choose to be a Democrat because of my life experiences. You may choose to be a Republican because of your life experiences, but the question was directed to me. The lack of many Republicans and/or Conservatives willingness to honestly address the many questions I’ve posed to them continues to strengthen my association with Democratic principles, but it’s not limited to them.

Last year during the election season I wrote several articles that asked Republicans and/or Conservatives a simple question and not a single person who identified themselves as a Republican or Conservative would answer the question, but was willing to bring up the single-issues of abortion, taxes and morality. The question was around what they thought about the clear and overt racism that was going on in the McCain/Palin Campaign. I repeatedly ask the question only to be called Nigger, Pompous, Uppity, Boy and many other names. It’s still there, reference posts between mid-August to late October 2008.

I know some will say well the Obama Campaign said this or that about McCain/Palin. Prove it. Night after night all we saw was lily white rallies that grew more and more intolerant of change. The discord within the GOP today on anything President Obama does is a continuation of that. You don’t like anything he does or has to say regardless of the facts. He’s not the blame for your discontent, nor is the Democrats.

When I address the hypocrisy of many Republicans, Conservative Christians and Democrats towards their treatment of our fellow citizens who are Gay or Lesbian all I received was hate. I continuously addressed it and the Republican or Conservative response was silence.

When confronting the issues of abortion, I thought I had a fair assessment on both sides of the coin and all I received was hate and complete closed mindedness. I took it down and wrote Ideological Moratorium a few days afterwards as a response to the hate.

I seek to have an honest discussion about race and was very fair towards Michael Steele’s chairmanship. I even defended him on more than one occasion, but what was he greeted with by his own party, hate. Look back at the post from early February to see for yourself.

I write about Religion and don’t even inject political ideology, but what response do I receive. Politics as usual. What I’ve written about religion, race and inclusion can be applied to political ideology and I have applied it. Many times I am greeted with the same partisan arguments that are bankrupt of any resolution.

Why repeat what hasn’t worked expecting a different outcome? Unbind yourself. This goes for Democrats too. Think! Think about what you are doing. Not in terms of how it may benefit you or your agenda, but how does it benefit others. Here I go back to this same question posed by Jesus and more recently by Dr. Martin King. What are you doing for others?

Stop with the nonsense of I’m a Christian if you are unwilling to act like Christ. Stop living in vain. IF you make it into Heaven there’s going to be people who were Democrats there. There will be people who may have had an abortion there. I’m sure you’ll find some of the same people you call illegal immigrants chillin’ with Christ there too. There’s going to be tax collectors up there, I believe Jesus hung out with one if my interpretation of the Bible serves me correctly. And while I’m at it, there’s going to be someone who was Gay or Lesbian up there too. Yeah GET MAD AT ME.  Who are you to judge?

You see that’s the point right there, who are you to judge. I believe that’s Matthew 7:1. How is the evil that you’re doing any better than the evil you accuse other of?

The point is that YOU’RE NOT GOD, so stop acting as if you are God judging everyone. Republicans as well as Democrats will go to Hell. America is not the center of the world and Conservatives isn’t the core of American values, nor is Liberalism.

You don’t know the life experiences people go through. Just because your parents, grandparents or uncle is or was a Klansman doesn’t mean you as a White woman can’t love a Black man. Just because a White man called you a Nigger and did everything within his power to hold you back doesn’t mean you can embrace that White man with sincere love. The Mexican man who is willing to work to support his family here and back home in Mexico day in and day out and endure discrimination from Blacks & Whites isn’t a criminal. Respect him or her. Just because you’re a Christian doesn’t mean that the Muslim is bad, embrace him or her has your friend and stop making them your enemy. Again, if you proclaim to be a Christian why do you hate your neighbor?

So what she had an abortion, treating her as if she was trash doesn’t help her feel any better about herself. Ask her what lead her to have an abortion and then LOVE HER for who she is, not what you want her to be. Terrorizing the doctor who performs the procedure is no better than remaining silent as the jury convicts the young Black kid to life in prison. If you’re pro-life why are many pro-death penalties? There’s a place for it and not everyone is rehabilitatable, but look at what you’re doing.

I am not a Republican, because I don’t trust the ideology. That’s not to say I believe all Republicans are bad as many of them accuse me of. All Democrats are not as evil as you believe they are. I’m just like you.

Last thing. Lay off President Obama. You may not understand or even care what he represents, but just like you told me back in 2000, GET OVER IT. He’s the President. What President Obama represents is not just a more united state of America, but the dream of America. That even the oppressed is worthy and can rise from the narrow confines that many place them in. The oppressed have managed to place themselves into this mind frame.

You and I are not as bad as some think or say we are. Never allow anyone regardless of who they claim or think they are telling you any different.

Everyone will not like what I have to say and for the first time I really don’t care if you like it or not. I say this because someone has to. I’ve come to a point in my life that it’s not about making you appear wrong for me to appear right. I’m tired of the crap we feed each other about one another. You may choose to believe or perpectuate the lie, but I’m choosing to approach it truthfully. Not trying to score any points or to make friends. You don’t have to believe what I believe for me to be friends with you. Talk ill against me if that makes you feel better. I just want us to do better. If we’re ever going to succeed at life we got to put down our egos and humble ourselves. Consider and accept others as you want them to accept you.

Hate is much harder to maintain than love. Simplify your life by embracing it openly and honestly in everything you do. We all mess up, but don’t give up.

I apologize for this running long. I’m talking about golf tomorrow. Lighter subject.

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Joe’s Tax Monkey Wrench

Joe the Plumber is not license as a plumber, so I guess this is a side hustle. I wonder if his daytime job is being an operative for the Conservative Radio Talk Shows & FOX News.

Why is Joe worried about his taxes, because obviously he doesn’t pay his taxes.

Joe Wurzelbacher is your typical “White Working-Class” guy who often is the target of the GOP. Joe was in attendance at an Obama rally near his home when he asked Barack whether his tax plan would keep him from buying the business that currently employs him, which earns more than $250,000 a year.

But the viability of citing his favorite plumber has been challenged by state authorities in Ohio after it emerged that Joe Wurzelbacher does not have a plumber’s license and owes nearly $1,200 in back taxes.

Additional References:

Telegraph.co.uk – 10/17/08 “US Election: John McCain thwarted because Joe the Plumber owes back taxes”

San Francisco Chronicle – 10/17/08 “Story of Joe the Plumber springs many leaks”

New York Times – 10/16/08

Joe the Plumber 2

NOTICE: Before ANY version of Republican or Democrat submits a comment I ask that you READ the entire article. This article is from FactCheck.org an independent non-partisan group that lives up to its name; check the facts of statements from the Presidential Candidates in this case. You can not accuse me of anything in this article, because I did not write this one. You can find this article online at FactCheck.org. I will provide my comments italicize at the end.

********************************************************

Article Courtesy of:

FactCheck.org

Fact Checking Debate No. 3

10/16/2008

John McCain: Joe wants to buy the business that he has been in for all of these years, worked 10, 12 hours a day. And he wanted to buy the business but he looked at your tax plan and he saw that he was going to pay much higher taxes.

Joe’s newfound fame stems from an impromptu encounter Oct. 12, during which Wurzelbacher questioned Obama’s tax plans. Joe has since become a conservative folk hero after telling both Fox News and the conservative Web site Family Security Matters that he thought Obama’s plans sounded “socialist.”

At their encounter, Wurzelbacher told Obama that “I’m getting ready to buy a company that makes 250 to 280 thousand dollars a year,” before asking whether or not Obama would raise his taxes.

If the company is actually that profitable, and depending on how the business is organized legally, Obama’s plan would indeed raise his federal income taxes, and Obama conceded as much during the exchange. As we’ve written before, small businesses commonly are organized in such a way that their owners file business taxes as individuals. So if Joe’s plumbing business earns more than $200,000 per year (or $250,000 if Joe is married and files tax returns jointly) then his taxes would indeed be higher under Obama’s plan than under McCain’s.

It’s worth noting that while Wurzelbacher told Fox News’ Neil Cavuto that he lives “in a simple, middle class home” and portrayed himself as an ordinary working guy, Wurzelbacher’s $250,000 to $280,000 is a bit higher than “ordinary.” In 2007, the last year for which the Census Bureau has figures, the median income for a family in Toledo, Ohio, was $43,553.

Update – Oct. 16: ABC News reported that Wurzelbacher may actually qualify for a tax cut under Obama’s plan, and not a tax increase. ABC reported on its Web site the morning after the debate that one of its reporters, Chris Bury, had spoken to Wurzelbacher and that he “acknowledged that he wants to purchase the plumbing business for $250-280,000, not that he would net that much in profits.” ABC news quoted him as saying he would make much less than $250,000. If that’s correct, then Wurzelbacher based his complaint on a misunderstanding of how Obama’s tax plan would affect him.

Earlier, Wurzelbacher appeared live on ABC’s Good Morning America program and repeated his complaints about higher taxes, but anchor Diane Sawyer did not ask him about his expected profits or question whether his taxes really would go up. We await further clarification.

But Joe the Plumber wasn’t through yet. He made an encore appearance when McCain recycled a bogus claim that Obama would “fine” small business owners who fail to provide health care coverage for their workers:

John McCain: Now, my old buddy, Joe, Joe the plumber, is out there. Now, Joe, Sen. Obama’s plan, if you’re a small business and . . .  you’ve got employees, and you’ve got kids, if you don’t get – adopt the health care plan that Sen. Obama mandates, he’s going to fine you . . . I don’t think that Joe right now wants to pay a fine when he is seeing such difficult times in America’s economy.

McCain raised a similar charge at the last debate. It’s still false. Obama’s plan, which is posted on his Web site, specifically says, “Small businesses will be exempt from this requirement.”

Obama hasn’t defined exactly what he means by “small” but he seems to think Joe would qualify; he repeatedly referred to Joe’s “small business” during their exchange.

Obama’s health plan does mandate that children have health coverage. If Joe doesn’t provide insurance for his kids, he would face some unspecified penalty.

********************************************************

My Comments: It’s amazing how Joe the Plumber became Joe the Conservative by adopting the standard talking points when talking to FOX News. I think there’s other reasons why he isn’t going to vote for Obama, but I think this is his story that he’s sticking too.

Additional Resource:

NPR: All Things Considered – 10/16/08 “Obama Tax May Not Hit Joe The Plumber” (Audio)

Straight Talk Express is Out of Gas: TAXES

I’m personally tired of hearing John McCain and his McCainiacs repeat this misleading statement about Obama raising taxes 94 times. Obviously CNN & FactCheck were tired of hearing it to.

The Statement:
Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain said at the Oct. 7 presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee, that Democratic opponent Sen. Barack Obama “has voted 94 times to either increase your taxes or against tax cuts. That’s his record.”

Get the facts!

The Facts:
The effort to convince voters that Sen. Barack Obama would support higher taxes is a central part of Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign. McCain and the Republican National Committee have repeatedly cited 94 alleged votes by Obama to bolster their argument.

Factcheck.org, a non-partisan project of the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center, pieced through records to determine just what these 94 votes were.

Key findings:

• 53 were votes on budget resolutions or amendments that “could not have resulted by themselves in raising taxes,” though many “were clear statements of approval for increased taxes

• 23 were against proposed tax cuts

• 11 were to increase taxes on people making more than $1 million a year, to help fund programs such as Head Start, school nutrition, or veterans’ health care

• Seven were “for measures that would have lowered taxes for many, while raising them on a relative few, either corporations or affluent individuals.”

• The total includes multiple votes on the same measures.

Annenberg says a close look at the record reveals that Obama has “voted consistently to restore higher tax rates on upper-income taxpayers but not on middle- or low-income workers.”

Verdict:
Misleading. McCain’s summary ignores the fact that some of the votes were for measures to lower taxes for many Americans, while increasing them for a much smaller number of taxpayers.

A nonpartisan examination also finds that the 94 total includes multiple votes on the same measures and budget votes that would not directly lead to higher taxes.

So why do you continue to use this in your stump speeches?

Once upon a time many people could tout you as a straight talker, but I guess the pothole of public opinion polls has caused the Straight Talk Express to veer too far to the right and now you’ve lost a wheel. Country First, NO. You rather lose your integrity to win an election.

Get your facts straight. I know some will disagree with me or try to point out something else, but I can tell you that the Earth is round and you’ll still believe that it’s flat. That’s why I call you McCainiacs, because you want to believe anything negative about Obama to justify your own fears, insecurities or proof of your own biases.

Sources:

CNN – 10/07/08 “Fact Check: Did Obama vote 94 times for higher taxes”

FactCheck.org – 09/02/08 “A New Stitch in a Bad Pattern”

FactCheck.org – 08/27/08 “Would Obama tax my profits if I sell my home? Would he tax my IRA? Would he tax my water?”

Newsweek – 08/09/08 “More Tax Deceptions”

Forbes – 10/08/08 “Fact Check: Obama, McCain Twist Records”

Dallas Morning News – 10/04/08 “Obama on McCain’s Economic Plan”

YouTube “More Tax Deception”

Now Who’s Taxing Who

Using Lies as Alibis

<INSERT A BIG SIGH HERE>

A few people may remember this line from the song called “Lies” by En Vogue. Well I’m not talking about a song, nor John Edwards, but John McCain.

In response to the latest misleading and ridiculous attack ad from John McCain, Obama Campaign Spokesman, Hari Sevugan responded by saying “…Even though a host of independent, nonpartisan organizations have said this attack isn’t true, Senator McCain continues to lie about Senator Obama’s plan to give 95% of all families a tax cut of $1,000 and not raise taxes for those making under $250,000 a single dime…”

Obviously the McCain Campaign is banking on the notion that many American voters fail to pay attention to the facts and will only believe what you see on TV or even a political commercial as the truth without researching to check the truthfulness of the claims.

Yeah, I know it’s just politics as usual, but I remember hearing Obama make this statement.