Video: Romney's Not The Solution, He's The Problem

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Watch Sequel: Mitt Romney: Asking for Apologies While Launching Attacks

Only A Racist Would Imply African-Americans Want Free Stuff

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Romney on NAACP Booing:
"Remind them of this, if they want more free stuff from the government tell them to go vote for the other guy -- more free stuff. But don't forget nothing is really free."

But the other guy's stuff isn't free. Just ask Americans For Prosperity. In their latest anti-Obama health care ad, they depict a couple who appear completely put out with the idea about paying for their own health care insurance - what Romney calls free stuff. So which is it, Mittens? Is it free or do we have to pay for it? Or maybe the race-baiting Romney and the AFP think only white people pay for everything - and blacks get it for free. Maybe that's why Romney condescended, "don't forget, nothing is really free."

Somebody should also ask the AFP if we'll have to take some responsibility and pay for whatever they mean by "patient-centered" health care reform - or is that free stuff too?

AFP Ad: But Mittens Said It Was Free!?

Walker's Deer Czar Uses Reform Or Perish Technique

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I couldn't believe how much double-speak Scott Walker's deer czar, James Kroll, finessed in throughout while explaining his report to the media.

In this article by the Associated Press, Kroll obviously guarded against using his more direct politically charged Tea Party rhetoric that he is known for and instead uses a "reform or perish" technique to fearmonger acceptance for his proposal. It's not easy to imply that "we're going to have to do this," while at the same time claiming, "his plan offers the two sides a chance to compromise and save Wisconsin's hunting traditions from disappearing." That's pure double-speak at Paul Ryan's Heritage Foundation level.

I was also impressed how Kroll panders for political support by backhanding praise towards DNR workers (they're professionals just doing their jobs) and then frames traditional Wisconsin hunters as expecting too much from government. He warns that if both sides (DNR and hunters) can't agree on his recommendations and resolve their conflict (Kroll must assume the DNR will embrace his proposal), the state's rich hunting tradition could vanish. The sky will fall. Nevermind that Kroll's proposal would officially change the state's rich hunting tradition into something completely different.

It's sort of like how Paul Ryan intends to end Medicare as we know it, but still call it Medicare.

Kroll knows he's not dealing with ill-informed populations in Wisconsin, but he still accomplishes exactly what he was paid to do. He claims sweeping reform is needed. He gently brings in his Tea Party ideology by scolding one side (hunters) for their reliance on government. He attempts to win support from government - the unelected DNR. He paints his proposal as the "compromise," deregulates the CWD issue, breaks down government control of the herd and opens the door to privatization. He does this all under the premise that if hunters won't embrace his proposal, lawmakers in Wisconsin will be left with no choice but to punish Wisconsinites by legislatively destroying (more government) the rich deerhunting heritage they enjoy today.

Local Red State Group Begins Illinois "Kick To The Shin" Campaign

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Empty of any innovation, expansion and job creating ideas of their own but buoyed by access to state and local treasuries, the hyper-partisan collectivists of the Rock County 5.0 are wasting no time spreading Walker's divisive rhetoric beyond the state line into Illinois.

According to their publicist, the Janesville Gazette and with blessings from county government, the divide and conquer group will begin an ad campaign in Chicago promoting tax credits for relocating businesses into Wisconsin.

JG Excerpt:
The advertising is not intended so much as a "sharp stick in the eye" but a "kick to the shin" to Illinois, said Forward Janesville President John Beckord. And Rock County wants it to sting.

Sharp stick in the eye? WTF?? What's the source and intention behind the "kick to the shin" rhetoric? And, why do we want it to sting? Why would Wisconsin want to put a hurt on another state? What did Illinois ever do so badly to Rock County to provoke such a revengeful attitude?

Perhaps the vitriol comes from the time when the co-chair of the group, multi-billionaire Diane Hendricks, lamented that she had to move one of her businesses to Illinois because the state offered growth incentives that were too good to resist. So blame and attack Illinois, huh? Or maybe because Barack Obama considers Chicago his home base? Whatever is the reason for their childish and provocative language, the RC5 and Rock County government are doing this in our name and if Chicago or Illinois retaliate in kind against Rock County, this type of toxic "Ryanesque" us-against-them nonsense can only result in a time wasting zero sum game where our local good will and the wage earning taxpayers will be the only losers.

NOTE: Article not available on Web at time of post.

Polarizing Business Group Looking To Change Image. Not Their Own of Course.

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The Janesville Gazette posted one of their typical damage control messages masquerading as a news article on the front page about the politically motivated local economic development group, the Rock County 5.0, and their newest campaign to "get the word out" about the area's "friendly" business climate.

In addition, the group would like to dispel "negative stereotypes" attached to the Janesville/Beloit area - ummm, but it's not the group's own deeply polarizing and negative red state union busting divide and conquer sponsorship that we've all come to learn about over the past several months that needs dispelling. Instead, they believe the negativity stems from the perception that the area's base was dominated by the auto industry. That's the latest excuse now - it's all a matter of how others perceive the area. In their view, what could possibly be worse for a town than to be perceived as a slice of American Pie. So they're looking to target and rob the Chicago area of a few businesses. That explains their collaboration and friendliness all so perfectly well.

JG Excerpt:
Rock County 5.0 is a public-private organization designed to build economic development collaboration, communication and connections to benefit the county. [...]The marketing and public relations campaign will “get the word out” about Rock County to business and industry decision makers in the Chicago area, Otterstein said. It will run through the summer and into early fall using print, digital media, billboards and bus wraps, for example.[...]The campaign should increase awareness about opportunities in Rock County, Otterstein said. Another goal is to dispel “negative stereotypes” attached to the Janesville/Beloit area — that its economic base was dominated by the auto industry, he said.

What should have been a simple press release by the group is spun into a professionally polished "news" article for everyday local consumption. The Gazette has to do their part of course as a loyal and true ally to their own. They write up the group's story and statements without challenge or record of their latest controversy. But why should they afterall? It's not like the group is a democratic candidate or organization, the teacher's union or some malcontent blogger. Sheesh!

Pope: Health Care IS An Inalienable Right

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On the Affordable Care Act:
“What Ms. Kennedy and others were saying is that this is a new government-granted right." -- Rep. Paul Ryan

TPM Excerpt:
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) said Sunday that ‘Obamacare’ should be repealed because the rights of individuals come from God. I think this at the end of the day is a big philosophy difference,” Ryan told ABC’s “This Week.”

We disagree with the notion that our rights come from government, that the government can now grant us and define our rights. Those are ours, they come from nature and God, according to the Declaration of Independence – a huge difference in philosophy.”

Who do you disagree with congressman? The Pope? Pope Benedict XVI doesn't think government induced or protected health care is a newly granted right.

Catholic News Excerpt: (Nov. - 2010)
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI and other church leaders said it was the moral responsibility of nations to guarantee access to health care for all of their citizens, regardless of social and economic status or their ability to pay.

Access to adequate medical attention, the pope said in a written message Nov. 18, was one of the "inalienable rights" of man.
[...]
The pope lamented the great inequalities in health care around the globe. While people in many parts of the world aren't able to receive essential medications or even the most basic care, in industrialized countries there is a risk of "pharmacological, medical and surgical consumerism" that leads to "a cult of the body," the pope said.

"The care of man, his transcendent dignity and his inalienable rights" are issues that should concern Christians, the pope said.

Because an individual's health is a "precious asset" to society as well as to himself, governments and other agencies should seek to protect it by "dedicating the equipment, resources and energy so that the greatest number of people can have access."

"Justice in health care should be a priority of governments and international institutions," he said ...

There's no point working around the Pope's words or bending them into something they're not. He clearly defined health care as an age-old God-given inalienable right and has asked governments and agencies, not businesses or charities, to administer, secure and protect man's right to health care.

Faith In Public life Excerpt:
First the Pope specifically rejects the Ayn Rand-ian, free-market vision of profit-driven self-interest producing the best results for all of society:
From Caritas In Veritate:
Profit is useful if it serves as a means towards an end that provides a sense both of how to produce it and how to make good use of it. Once profit becomes the exclusive goal, if it is produced by improper means and without the common good as its ultimate end, it risks destroying wealth and creating poverty (21).
...
Therefore, it must be borne in mind that grave imbalances are produced when economic action, conceived merely as an engine for wealth creation, is detached from political action, conceived as a means for pursuing justice through redistribution(36).

I encourage everyone regardless of your politics, religiosity or secularism to read Caritas In Veritate. Not in any attempt to indoctrinate on my part, believe me, but just to be aware for a discovery that Catholic Church teachings are built on the health and care of the body, mind and the human spirit and are far away from whatever "understandings" Paul Ryan discriminately abused for his "Catholic" marketed government budget proposal.

Paul Ryan is right on Ayn Rand. He's wrong on Catholicism and he's wrong on the Declaration Of Independence and the U.S. Constitution - that puts him on the outer edges of the far, far right.

ADDITIONAL READING:

Blogging Blue - Why I Think Paul Ryan Is A Terrible Catholic

Democurmudgeon - Ryan Thinks We Don't Need Government For Rights ...Only God

Cognitive Dissidence - Paul Ryan Knows Nothing

Ryan's Hometown Health Care Providers Say SCOTUS Ruling Is Good News

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JG Excerpt:
Setting political arguments aside, Gruber (Mercy) and Craig Samitt, president and chief executive officer of Dean Health System, said the Affordable Care Act is a step in the right direction.

Throughout the article, leaders working within the area's health care sector repeatedly confirm and describe how the Affordable Care Act "moves the nation in the right direction," "improves access to health care" and is "vitally important that that care is managed and coordinated."

As has been the case for more than a decade, there's a tremendous chasm between what the folks on the ground have to say and what party-line statist and reality-disconnected Paul Ryan has to say. Ryan says the ruling is nothing but bad news. More here>>>.

When will people start voting for their own best interests?

RomneyCare: Tax Penalties Instill Responsibility

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USA Today Excerpt:
“Our experience also demonstrates that getting every citizen insured doesn't have to break the bank. First, we established incentives for those who were uninsured to buy insurance. Using tax penalties, as we did, or tax credits, as others have proposed, encourages "free riders" to take responsibility for themselves rather than pass their medical costs on to others. This doesn't cost the government a single dollar. Second, we helped pay for our new program by ending an old one — something government should do more often.” – Mitt Romney, March 22, 2011

Running Away From His Own Principles, Romney Fails Leadership 101.

Here's Romney again:
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED INTERVIEW)

MITT ROMNEY: It's not a tax hike. It is a fee. It is an assessment. The great majority of employers in Massachusetts are assessed this fee right now. There's a small subset that has not been assessed this fee and that subset is those who don't provide insurance to their employee.

LIASSON: So, this is what the Democrats point to as they defend themselves against the tax charge. They say health care is a character issue, a leadership issue. Romney is running away from his health care plan. The president isn't running away from his.

Then we have our own mentally challenged congressman, Paul Ryan, who argues for statism and said Obama’s health care reform law should be repealed because rights come from “nature and God,” not the government.

But Paul, why does God refuse to give North Koreans their rights?
Why does God refuse to give Saudi women their rights?
Why does God refuse to give Iranians their rights?
Why does God refuse to give his own gay children rights?

COMALite J Comment Excerpt:
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the multinational megacorporations, and unto the hedge funds and derivatives investors, and unto the SuperPACs that they doth fund that in turn fundeth the candidates that doeth their will; that some thereby mightest “trickleth down” unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.