2010

Ornstein on Self-Executing Rules

ArchPundit March 16, 2010 No Comments

Republicans whining about self-executing rules are being hypocritical.

Any veteran observer of Congress is used to the rampant hypocrisy over the use of parliamentary procedures that shifts totally from one side to the other as a majority moves to minority status, and vice versa. But I can’t recall a level of feigned indignation nearly as great as what we are seeing now from congressional Republicans and their acolytes at the Wall Street Journal, and on blogs, talk radio, and cable news. It reached a ridiculous level of misinformation and disinformation over the use of reconciliation, and now threatens to top that level over the projected use of a self-executing rule by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In the last Congress that Republicans controlled, from 2005 to 2006, Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier used the self-executing rule more than 35 times, and was no stranger to the concept of “deem and pass.” That strategy, then decried by the House Democrats who are now using it, and now being called unconstitutional by WSJ editorialists, was defended by House Republicans in court (and upheld). Dreier used it for a $40 billion deficit reduction package so that his fellow GOPers could avoid an embarrassing vote on immigration. I don’t like self-executing rules by either party—I prefer the “regular order”—so I am not going to say this is a great idea by the Democrats. But even so—is there no shame anymore?

It’s not quite as dumb as trying to equate reconciliation with the nuclear option that was promoted by Bill Frist to make appointments not subject to the filibuster.  The Democrats aren’t doing anything atypical in this process.  They are using tools that Republicans used when they were in power.  The problem is that Washington is full of fools who aren’t smart enough to call Norm Ornstein or Sarah Binder or other expert when they don’t understand a procedural argument.

While most are bemoaning the loss of comity, there is another outcome for parties becoming ideologically consistent–party government with the party in power being held accountable.  Everyone can whine and carry on and try to worry about equivalency of different acts or we can move on to dealing with different parties being in power having policy consequences that they are held to account.  It will be nasty and mean from time to time, but it will also produce results instead of only gridlock.

That said, some rules have to change under these conditions and the first one is the filibuster needs to go all together.

Making Fun of Parkinson’s Victims Not Only For Rush Anymore

ArchPundit March 16, 2010 No Comments

You have to go over to Columbus Dispatch to see the video, but Tea Party types start heckling a guy with a sign saying he has Parkinson’s and then one guy throws dollar bills at him.

Class.

I’ve seen lots of misbehavior at these events by all sorts of people, but I’m always befuddled by this kind of nonsense and how people can take a political disagreement and lose all human compassion for the other side.

On a More Serious Note

ArchPundit March 16, 2010 No Comments

You should really read David Koehler’s interview in Peoria Magazines

I excerpted a bit about his background in the previous post, but he has a really fascinating background and is incredibly articulate.

After graduating from college in 1971, I enrolled in seminary. I first attended Payne Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio. Payne Seminary is an African Methodist Episcopal seminary and was part of a five-seminary consortium directed by a former Yankton College professor, Dr. Frederick Kirschenmann. He was my mentor and the reason I went to Payne Seminary. The program was called “Seminary without Walls” and was designed as a non-traditional educational program for ministry.

I had a growing interest in interning for the National Farm Worker Ministry, which worked to improve conditions for farm workers. It was this interest that led the ministry to assist Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Union (UFW). I actually graduated from another of the consortium seminaries, the United Theological Seminary, a United Methodist Church affiliate, in Dayton, Ohio, on June 14, 1974. I was ordained into the ministry of the United Church of Christ at my home church in Yankton on June 16, 1974.

I continued my work with the National Farm Worker Ministry and spent a short time in Arizona before moving to Cleveland to direct the UFW Office, where we worked with community, church and union support groups. It was in Cleveland that I met Nora Sullivan, my wife. She was a student at Cleveland State University and wanted to do an internship with the UFW for her social work degree. We fell in love and in 1976 were married by my father at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ on Cleveland’s near west side.

After Ohio, I was sent to New York City to direct the boycott office there. We lived in Manhattan on the Upper West Side, on 184th Street. The office was a five-story brownstone apartment where we also lived. Most of the staff, however, lived in a closed Catholic High School building in Bedford Stuyvesant in Brooklyn. Our daughter Kate was born at Roosevelt Hospital that spring.

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Illinois afford to do what needs to be done?

Being “in lieu of a national healthcare plan” has been going on for a long time now. I hope the next President of the United States will lead the charge to change that. The last time healthcare reform was tried at the national level was during the Clinton years, and even with a Democratic Congress, it failed.

In the meantime, the states are left to take on the task of reforming the healthcare system on their own. The simple truth is that we cannot afford not to change the healthcare system. Any family or business knows that healthcare costs are the most unpredictable budget item you deal with each year. In Illinois, in one year, over $80 billion is spent on healthcare, both public and private dollars. That’s around $6,400 per person. Shouldn’t we spend that money in a more efficient way so that we can close the gap on the 1.4 million people who have no healthcare insurance? Because the truth is that we do pay for those uninsured people—we pay for them through cost shifting. Wouldn’t it be better to put in place a plan that encouraged early detection so that catastrophic health events are identified through prevention and wellness programs and not in the emergency room?

Another issue regarding healthcare is that many of the costs today are due to lifestyle choices. Heart disease, hypertension and diabetes are just a few of the chronic diseases plaguing our nation. Poor choices are creating a runaway train that will bankrupt us if we don’t stop current practices and change course through education and the provision of screening and healthcare access before issues become major health events.

A downstate guy with real grassroots experience could go a long way in this cycle.  I’m not a fan of the open it up to everyone and their crazy brother method, but if Koehler comes out of this process, I can’t think of a better person to highlight broad differences between the two parties and especially their candidates.

March Madness With References–no not that kind

ArchPundit March 16, 2010 No Comments

I’m surprised there aren’t more like this:

I am not a Democrat. I learn from Democratic ideals of John F. Kennedy’s discussion of “ask not what your
country can do for you but what you can do for your country,” the Peace Corps and advisors in Vietnam,
FDR’s alphabet soup and New Deal of many attempts at solving problems such as the 1935 enactment of
the Social Security Act or the Works Progress Administration or Civilian Conservation Corps doing civil
service activities. I learn from Jimmy Carter’s fireside chats, inflationary activity and problematic helicopter
rescue in Iran as the helicopter crew lost their lives, Clinton’s personal communications and attempts at
debt reduction, Obama’s constant attempts at helping (even though each of these presidents often had
difficulties). Part of what I learn from Kennedy’s words about service is that we use people for the state’s
purposes not their liberty interest.

I learn also from the original 1800 era Republican platform of not taking away the rights of people under
slavery, not enforcing the fugitive slave laws, and how party distinctions do not matter. Lincoln, in part, is
respected for me in terms of his support for that Republican platform established at Ripon Wisconsin in the
mid 1800’s.

I learn too from many party positions from anarchists which had a history in the Haymarket discussion/riot
in negative way, but also in their concern with freedom. What happened at the Haymarket Riot is not clear-
there were police and others there in Chicago at that time. Their contribution to labor law should be
appreciated more. Anarchistic writings are extensive from respected linguist Noam Chomsky to another
anarchist who missed his wedding to show respect for freedom. Proudhon and Tolstoy discussed concern
with mutual aid and concern with family. I admit anarchists seem to have been historically discriminated
against (Sacco and Vanzetti, for example or the deportation of anarchists in the early 20th
century), but I just learn from the philosophy of concern with authority asserting excessive control. Laws after McKinley may make it illegal to actually be an anarchist in the US according to World Book Encyclopedia online accessed 3/13/2010

Judge Maureen Connors supposedly, according to one possibly incorrect website, called a candidate a
LaRouche candidate while running for office to criticize the candidate, but then she violates the rights of
elderly and disabled people who come to the state by using Illinois Probate Law to take away rights to
decide. Our party affiliations do not make us make correct, or even better, decisions often. If I looked at
literature from libertarians, LaRouchites, socialists, conservatives, democrats, Republicans, European,
Indian, African, Canadian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, South American, U.S. politicians I would learn
something from each.

I look at each issue independently and my choices are not controlled by party politics. I see no reason for
party affiliation. We can like both the mascots of an elephant and a donkey, and similarly we can appreciat
the political positions of both.

Since Democrats such as Andrew Jackson were involved in the loss of many Native Americans, there is
nothing wrong with saying that you can learn from Democratic philosophy while also learning from other
philosophy as well.

He’s an author. Even published.  Self-published.

Thank you Illinois Democratic Party for making your first foray into online politics being a giant scream to “BRING OUT THE GADFLIES!”

Have you previously held elected office?

If so, which one(s)?

Only the director of a not for profit 501c3 museum A French American Museum of Chicago and director of a
small business Dinosaurs Trees Religion and Galaxies Inc. which makes sales all over the world in the form o
books. I have done a number of patent applications which show the value of human creativity without
necessarily precluding others from using the ideas. These jobs as director may actually restrict me from
being Lieutenant Governor legally; one cannot be in government at the same time as holding the L G job. I
am not sure what is meant by not being allowed to hold a government position-does being a NASA
contractor without contracts mean that you cannot hold the L G job? My mother wanted me to be her
limited guardian, but her election wishes were not followed.

I used to work at Roosevelt University managing the archives, doing bibliographic instruction, assisting
students, selecting books, building handouts for 9 years, NU Galter Library for 6 years and IIT working in the
library for 8 years. Holding elected office is good experience, but not necessary for the Lieutenant Governor
job. We get elected in small elections to do certain jobs, so these are small election results.

I am also a registered DOD, NASA, NIH contractor, but I have not gotten any contracts. Some ideas like
reuse of old missions, space junk checks on reentry, concern about size of the station on reentry, and
colliding objects with asteroids are related to my work. I do not know what effect being a NASA contractor
would have on the prohibition from holding the Lieutenant Governor job while holding another government
job.

What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing the State of Illinois and areas of greatest
opportunity?

Greatest challenges.  ]

The state should NOT take away the rights and resources of persons under guardianship, should let elderly
and different persons get fresh air away from second hand smoke associated with over 500,000 deaths at
nursing homes, should let people go to religious services, consent to treatment and go home, know
chemicals used on them, use phones, be visited, get mail, medical records, go to zoos, museums, listen to
music, see movies, and go to reunions. Taking over someone’s rights and resources is really like slavery; in
Illinois we should be morally concerned with taking away rights and resources with simple conditions like
happiness, sadness, fear, heart disease, ulcer, hernia and different speech or expression. The state of Illinois
takes away the rights of people with differences under guardianship more than any other state.

Illinois, it’s like slavery!

There’s a lot more, but feel free to read it all the way through.  I’m pretty sure he has a tin foil hat and can explain it in sentence fragments that produce run on fragments.

ArchPundit Endorsed

ArchPundit March 16, 2010 No Comments

It’s the least I can do for a regular commenter Stuart Shiffman

4.  What strengths would you bring to the ticket? I am very Lincolnesque. Like Abe I was not born in
Springfield. Like Abe I am not very good looking. Unlike Abe, I am not  tall

You can add the endorsement to your form…I’m sure it’ll help. Oh, and your resume has been funked up–probably some Microsoft problem.

March Madness Continues

ArchPundit March 16, 2010 No Comments

Now, with a couple serious candidates even.

From David Koehler:

Please tell about your background, schools attended, family life, etc.

I grew up in South Dakota. My dad was a minister with the Congregational church, which is now known as the United Church of Christ. I was born in Parkston, South Dakota, just south of Mitchell, which is home of the Corn Palace. We moved to Beresford, near Sioux Falls, a few years later and then to Chamberlain where I started grade school. In 1959, our family made a big move to Phoenix, Arizona, where my dad was involved in starting a new church. In 1962, we moved back to South Dakota, where I finished high school in Huron, South Dakota.

My in-laws live in Southwestern Minnesota and we get there on Interstate 29 and I keep trying to stop at the Corn Palace.

Other fun bits:

Today Yankton College is no more. In the early 1980s, a sharp decrease in the number of students forced the school into bankruptcy and the campus was sold to the federal government. Today it is known as Yankton Federal Prison Camp, a minimum security prison. I always am very carefully when I list the years I was at Yankton, due to this fact.

That’s where Scott Fawell went.

After having read through most of these things, his is the most interesting so far.  And he isn’t a lawyer or substitute teacher…

But seriously, take a look at the article here.  He’s a pretty amazing guy

In other fun:

I am a highly intelligent (member of Mensa) and well read person that takes a keen interest in
all areas of society, beyond that which only affects me.

I have found that the ability to listen to others is a positive strength. When I considered running
for Mayor of Chicago, I would ask what people were concerned or worried about, and they
willingly shared their problems with me and were glad to have someone to listen.

One applicant is named Larry Lawrence Sr.   Seriously, he passed along that name.

Two areas of great opportunity right now are opening the markets of Cuba to our farmers and
strengthening the E85 corridor (that is the production and use of E85 in Illinois).  Corn, and the people
who grow and refine it, is one of our state’s most important assets.  The city of Chicago must be
integrated into this program, and I will push for E85 busses for the CTA and city taxis.  Now is the time
for the people of Illinois to lead the country in these two policies.  My knowledge of Spanish, Central
America and the Caribbean region will be a huge asset in negotiations with Cuba.  I will hold city hall
type meeting with farmers to hear their idea of other markets for their products and will work to get
more E85 plants in Illinois.

I think this one got ahead of himself on negotiating with Cuba…

Let me point out to many of the applicants, Why are you a Democrat? is not a yes or no question.


Jose Ruiz for Lt. Governor of IL 2010



Jose Ruiz for Lt. Governor 2010 IL | MySpace Video

Volume people, volume.

I

New CNN Slogans

ArchPundit March 16, 2010 No Comments

It’s pretty safe to say the whole day is going to be NSFW

“The Worldwide Leader in Goat Fucking Child Molesters”
“CNN = Goat Fucking Child Molesters”
“The Best Goat Fucking Childing Molesting Team on Television”

I Need One of Those Warning Bumper Stickers for the Rapture

ArchPundit March 16, 2010 No Comments

Today is the Breitbartocalypse so I could be raptured or something out of existence by the end of the day.  Stay tuned.

In other fine Breitbart news, one of the genius conspiracy theorists came up with a theory that Robert Gibbs was signaling Andy Stern by wearing a purple tie and purple wrist band:

I thought it was odd that Robert Gibbs was wearing a purple bracelet (and a purple tie) during his appearance on “Fox News Sunday” and CBS’ “Face The Nation.”  SEIU president Andy Stern, the top visitor to the White House, wore a similar, if not the same, purple bracelet at one point, too. And in virtually every photo of Stern, he’s wearing SEIU’s purple color.

[…]

The bracelet is kind of a signal to tell Stern that the administration has it under control and ObamaCare will be delivered.  Just a few more Democrats need to be shown the Chicago way.

Am I making too much out of nothing?  Maybe.  Who knows.

You know how Robert Gibbs would ‘signal’ Andy Stern?  He’d fucking call him.  As a someone said to me about Senator Duffy and is entirely appropriate here:

Self righteous prick with a persecution complex, he holds a lot of promise.

Big Red Light Camera Is Out to Get Senator Duffy

ArchPundit March 16, 2010 No Comments

I’m pretty damn glad they didn’t have red light cameras back when I was living in the suburbs because I would have been dead meat.  Of course, I freely admit that and actually love red light cameras since they have a traffic calming effect from what I have noticed.

Senator Duffy though, has a different view of the issue.

* As we discussed yesterday, one of the leading proponents of banning red-light cameras was called out yesterday for not telling the truth about his own red-light ticket. Senate President John Cullerton showed video of Sen. Dan Duffy clearly running a red light. Duffy responded…

“That was an interesting play there. Obviously the president of the Senate and the red-light camera companies are doing everything they can to intimidate me,” said Duffy, who said he won’t stop trying to abolish red-light cameras, even though a Senate panel rejected the idea Monday.

That’s right folks, Big Red Light Camera is out to get him.

It’s not a conspiracy, it’s being better at politics than you are doofus.  There’s a thing called FOIA and if you are going to make a big stink, people are going to use it.

How’s that parking space Senator?

Unanimous

ArchPundit March 16, 2010 No Comments

And the wingnuts think SB 600 will solve all of their problems by having their Congressional Committee persons elected. Democrats already do that in Illinois and ….

Madigan reelected unanimously as Party Chair

Reminds me of….