Why I Like Michael Steele
Besides being a heck of a nice guy, the Republican former Maryland Lt. Governor isn’t afraid to stand up to his party, and he is critical of Chip Saltsman for his “Magic Negro” mailing. After candidates for GOP Chair debated party issues at the National Press Club, Steele was direct when he spoke with Think Progress.
TP: A big theme on the panel today was how to get the GOP to embrace minority voters. Do you think that Mr. Saltsman’s CD that he released to the RNC members helps or hurts that effort?
Steele: Oh it doesn’t help at all. Absolutely, it reinforces a negative stereotype of the party. […] And so now we have a opportunity to step in the breach and clear that up and make sure that people appreciate and know that look, this is not representative of the party as a whole, this is not a direction that we want to go in or a system that we believe.
You like Michael Steele because he is not as big an idiot as this ‘Chip’ dude? You must like a lot of people! ;^)
January 6th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Well said Steele. I guess…
January 6th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Steele has always been up front about his views. His opinion about Saltsman is true and about parts of GOP in general. Nixon in 1972 got 35& of the black vote counting myself. CLINTON,GORE,KERRY and OBAMA over 90% of the black vote. If the GOP wants me,they need to change bigtime. I am open minded to give the GOP a chance,but major changes have to be made.
January 6th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Michael Steele for President. Would’ve rather had him as the first black president!
January 6th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
The black face of lies, hypocrisy, and destroying the middle class. Yes, the GOP rolls out their token. No thanks.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
It’s refreshing to hear you voice a positive statement about someone in the party you are opposed to. Being Openminded requires that both sides of the fence need to change and accept each others differences with respect and grow from it. Neither party is the sole proprietor of Honesty or Decency.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
He does that all the freaking time, Erica. I don’t remember hearing Hannity or Rush EVER do that, however.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Um,This is the first time, I have heard him being this positive, (But in all honesty, I do not come here that often). Having said that, Whenever I do come here I notice comments from you, and Admit I look forward to them. Your comments are always interesting and thought provoking. Hope you have a good New Year.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
He gets bagged on all the time by liberals because he isn’t crazy over the top obnoxious like Rush is (and to a lesser extent Hannity). He has people w/ opposing views on his radio show all the time, and is *always* respectful (even to Klan type people who deserve no respect from liberals OR conservatives).
Thanks for the nice comment about my posts!
January 6th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I try my best ERICA to be open minded. I agree both parties need to take a little from 1 another. Saltsman and right wing talk radio is a total turn off. Mean snob and race baiting and accepting blame. I love the ideal of lower taxes and less gov,t,but using GOD in gov,t is a turn off. Anti gay bashing has to go as well. Wedge issues.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Ya know, I am really overly tired of folks assming if you are a member of the GOP that you are a gay bashing, racist bigot with no sense at all.
Maybe I need to start labeling liberals based on the actions of the nuts on their side?
January 6th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Sorry, but if you are a republican, I got no use for you.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Well, if you are that closed minded and hateful I “got no use for you” either.
January 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
People like you Mason turn me off from the party. The GOP is filled with it. My state,20% of the white voters refused to vote for Obama because of color. Just say you are running for office and you want my vote and need my vote. What would you say and do? You are a angry woman fussing with liberals on a liberal blog expecting a rose garden. Have i ever called you a racist? A necon 1 time. You are extremly closed minded as well. Atleast i consider voting GOP and voted that way before even in local elections. To assume me and you don,t even know what kind toilet paper i used to wipe my ass. Or the toothpaste when i brush my teeth. If you can,t stand the heat in the kitchen lady,then leave. I bet you vote GOP all the time without reason for your blind hate towards liberals.
January 6th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
What exactly prompted your rant CARDS? I am not angry at all. I am quite blissful. And i do not expect a rose garden AT ALL.
YOu say you considered voting GOP. Have you ever? And for your info sir, I have voted for several democrats in my lifetime. Can you say the same for republicans? Or do you have blind hate toward a party that you claim is full of it?
January 6th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
And for the record, I don’t need or want to know what kind of tp you use.
And the last time I checked, healthy debate is a good thing. Unless of course you subscribe to the notion that your life is fuller hearing “atta boy” “your right” “that’s the way it is” “dems are great and always right” everyday of your life.
January 6th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
See what i mean lady. I have stated several times i have voted for the person in the GOP. You did not read my post fully. If you want to label me,it,s fair to say lady i am a independent that leans left. I bash several dems on this site,but i never read anything from you bashing someone from your party. You are angry lady and you hit my nerve with that nut crap. Saltsman is a buffoon and your party is filled with those folks. I realize everyone in the GOP is not like Saltsman. Reading your post every dem is a buffoon and i have not read any of your post saying soomething good. I even agree with you at times lady. Think about it?
January 6th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Hey Cards. The Bucks couldn’t pull it off last night. Oh well, life goes on.
If 20% of white voters didn’t vote for Obama because he is black, then that is wrong. Also wrong are the many black voters who voted of him because he is black.
I never vote the color of ones skin. I vote their ideas and where they want to take this country. I also vote their character.
January 6th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
We should play this song for everyone in America who has not heard it and directly associate Limbaugh and Steele each time while showing the old racist materials that used this term right alongside. If people still think it’s a larf then I’ll put out a comedy album about the stifes of slave ownership because our nation is obviously still a bunch of KKK dudes if this is really what gets people off.
This is how conservatives have survived so long. Pretending to racist and all the while patting a black kid on the head. Talking out both sides of their mouth essentially. If I had my way I’d fine teh living hell out of these guys every time they played that pro-segregation song. I can write them myself serveral Obama-smashing comedy songs that arnt racist. But that wouldn’t incite everyone to talk about and get pissed and blog. Hence rating for Limbaugh and his stupid, uninteliigent show. ‘What will he do next? Maybe tomorrow he’ll talk about the dirty Chinese or the rotten Jews?’ Ya, seriously. This man makes a dripping with sin paycheck every month.
January 6th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Go Cards – 4:46 – I agree with your assessment of Saltsman because it was nasty, unhealthy and completely detrimental to healthy debate. Productive debate can be done in a manner that is not derogatory and nasty. And hopefully, everyone will be able to see a broader picture.
January 6th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
“I have voted for several democrats in my lifetime. Can you say the same for republicans? Or do you have blind hate toward a party that you claim is full of it? Posted by blissfulconservative”
I am young but have never voted for another party, yet. I get the impression from you (based on website interaction) that you you telling us the truth. I am glad to hear it because we need fair-minded folks on both sides very badly. I wanted to vote for a REPUB this time for House seat in CA but Farr’s oppenent was stupid enough to run on “Pro-Prop 8″ and “family values” which is too distasteful for any intelliegent American to support. I am looking for a non-insane Republican to vote for unlike most DEMS. I like Ron Paul more than most his crazed fans. But I also seem to know more about his policy ideas than they do even though I never got a chance to vote for the man.
Both parties are guilty of providing blindfolds for members but we are the ones who strap them on, not the other way around. So next time you feel all DEMS are voting in lock-step take a good look at your party and ask people if they ever voted for DEMS like you did.
You and I are the rare few, BlissCon. We weigh each person as a person and not as a letter after their name. Sadly most Americans are not able to move beyond the simple party lines. Just keep doing what you’re doing and together we’ll do okay.
January 6th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Nixon twice. Fletcher for govoner here in KY. Various members of the GOP in local races. WILLY i am not anti GOP. Mainly a independent that leans left. I know several black people that vote GOP 24/7 and my brother is 1 of them. It,s folks like RUSH,HANNITY,SALTSMAN that joker on WLW-T in CINCY. I hate taxes and gov,t at times like that SEX PISTOL song and ANN THE FREAK COULTER. The SPIN MASTER O,RIELY at times. I don,t like move on.org and the daily kos as well. They don,t represent me. Miss Mason,MRS BILSSFUL hates anything a dem says in my opinion. If the GOP gets rid of folks i have typed in this post i might start voting that way more often. Bush,i won,t go their. Anyway,Texas got buy. I grew up 60 miles south of Cincy and was raised on the REDS and the BUNGELS.
January 6th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Hey Bliss, you do know what they say about ignorance, don’t you? I have voted for a republican, I voted for Ronnie Raygun. That was my first time and my last time.
The Republican Party is for the rich and the filthy rich. I am a working man resigned to never being rich, so I vote my own best interests.
I wasn’t always so anti-GOP, but from what I have seen over the past 8 years, I got absolutely no use for you or any other republican lying hypocrite thief.
You bastards worked hard to earn my ire.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Rush Limbaugh stated today there is no recession. I’d like to see him tell a man or woman, who has recently lost their job, there is no recession. Of course, to one who flies on their Gulfstream each week-end to a football game – there is no recession.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
bill,
now which party to all those rich kennedys’, clinton’s, rockefellers belong to?
Did you know the wealthiest member of the senate is none other than JOHN KERRY? Or he was as of 2005
Nancy Pelosi was worth 16.5 million in 2005
Of the top 6 wealthiest senators, 5 are democrats.
Looks like there is enough wealth to go around in Washington, and it isn’t as lopsided as you like to think.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I too liked Ron Paul. He had some really good ideas that were not publicized nearly enough.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I listen to Rush at work and 1 time he was talking about leaving from a Indy Colts football game. 50 to 100 plus a game. Both parties have stated,we are in a recession.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Bill
the reason you will never be rich or successful is because you have resigned to be that way. Being successful isn’t about a political party its about working hard making right decisions and not waiting for a handout from the government.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
MK i haved worked all my life. Never asked for handouts and government has gave me greif at times. Some folks cheated,lied and used people to become successful as well. Some folks hvae talent and luck. It,s not that cut and dry. Some folks need a handout and most people are poor and a few breaths away becoming poor. I guess someone should not received a handout if their house burn down and was laid off from their job?
January 6th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
I don’t think all people are waiting for a handout from the government. That argument is old and worn-out. Most folks just want to make an honest living and take care of their family. That mission is becoming harder to accomplish.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
I agree, Anita. Many Americans, I think, would rather work than depend on public aid. Unfortunately, nowadays many people are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet and may have no other choice but to ask for public assistance.
I volunteer at a soup kitchen and it’s really sad to see homeless veterans coming in for food and shelter.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Trust me I have worked all my life as well. cut pulp wood picked up hay cut collards bussed tables pumped gas you name I did it. I bought my first three acres of land just out of high school by hard work and determination.If you get laid off from your job you find another or change career paths. Was their house insured? You get knocked down you pick yourself back up. Blaming everyone else because of their success or failure doesn’t help anyone. I have no problem giving or receiving a hand up to someone willing to earn it but a handout is a different story
January 6th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
True Anita and very true at that. That,s a harsh argument with no sensitivity. Never been on welfare and received unemployment 2 times. Never lived off mom and dad after 18 as well.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
MK,it,s not that cut and dry. Most people are not bums,drug heads and sitting around receiving welfare checks. If you need a loan from the bank,that,s a handout. Receiving unemployment is a handout. Seeking flood releif is a handout. Sometimes people need something to get back on their feet. Sometimes right now and not later.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
TDRO -
I do see folks at the grocery store using food stamps who probably are abusing the system. There are many lazy people who will not turn their hand to help themselves. There are people who keep having children they cannot afford to raise. But, there are good hard working people who have never asked the government, their families or friends for a dime. These folks are struggling to pay the rent, the mortgage, the homeowners insurance, car insurance, medical bills, and etc. These folks are the forgotten people in this society. They are slowly being pushed into the poor zone because they can’t work enough hours to keep-up with today’s economy. It is almost impossible to save money today even while living a frugal lifestyle. However, I don’t hear too many conservatives talking about this sector of society. They only want to bash and bash and bash the welfare recipients. And, say over and over to the point of ad nauseum “work hard and your dreams will come true.” Twenty or thirty years that adage was true but not today. I know people who work seven days a week and they are not living a life of luxury.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
MK. I don’t know who you think you are talking to. I have worked in real jobs since I was 15 years old. I am 48. You certainly aren’t going to tell me anything about life. I had no silver spoons and I have never obtained anything from the Government. I have a Masters Degree which I paid for and that I earned. I also have a house that is paid for and I drive a 2008 GMC Z71 Pickup truck. I am also a single father raising two children.
I am much better off than most. I also know what is and has been going on in this country. And I don’t like it and I don’t particularly care for you either.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Me thinks MK is a little too condescending. I have a problem with folks who put all their eggs in one basket before learning all of the facts.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
“”Of the top 6 wealthiest senators, 5 are democrats.”"
Who cares? Good on them.
Do you think when someone like Bill M says the GOP is a party for the rich he is talking about a few hundred or a thousand politicians?
I would think he is talking about the POLICIES of the GOP that favour the richest 5% of americans which is MILLIONS of millionaires and HUNDREDS of uber-rich billionaires – at the expense of the rest of Americans!
And the GOP has won elections by diverting the attention away from these policies by stirring up support by attacking abortion, gay marriage, the Reaganesque ‘welfare queen in her cadillac’ ETC ETC
It has nothing to do with the fortune of a few politicians! This is more Faux News garbage.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
To Bliss:
Thats because we are getting rid of the republican slimeballs slowly but surely.
The wealth of congress people has little to do with the policies they support. When it does, we get em out of there as that is corruption.
Democratic policies benefit working class people and small businesses. Republican policies send jobs overseas and destroy the middle class.
But you know this already, you are just trying to (being nice) blow hooey. It is what republicans do.
You may convince some of these people here that you have some honorable intent by being here, but you and I know better. Odds are that you are a paid shill of the RNC. However dishonest, this is one of their less evil tactics. You see I have been debating you people for a long time.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Receving no gov,t help. My sick leave been reduce to 3 days. Taking plan b instead of plan a on my insureance. Food prices going up. Gas and heating biil climbing each year and not asking for gov,t help,but i am quite sure i could get it. I don,t want it. Maybe it,s my pride. The nursing home i am working at has shut down services till March because the state survey team came and cited our records because a few nurses failed to do the correct paper work. Reason why i am still working. I know the building and helping remodel this nursing home somewhat. I have no ideal what the fat cats that run the company i work for is going to do next. They may closed the place. Living on a very broken wing.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
OK who is moderating here? Seems I can’t say what I really think. Same post gone twice.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Well Bill I believe I was talking to you I think I put your name on the header. I don’t care what your education level is or what kind of car you drive or how many kids you have or how old you are. You don’t have a clue to what going on in this country. You have so much hate built up in you I don’t know how you see to drive that 271 or z71 you have. You make outlandish statements and don’t expect anyone to disagree with you.
how do you know if you like me or not we have never met but you can make that statement after one paragragh on a blog.
I really hope you get better or learn to be more patient with people we are all americans lest you forget.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Oh, and I have received one thing from the Government, my honorably discharged veteran status.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Anita not sure what you mean please explain
January 6th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
MK
I don’t care if you disagree with me. I know what I know and I can only enlighten you. You make the choice to not believe truth. That is your decision.
I don’t like you because of these preconceived notions you have. You think that anybody that doesn’t like republicans is a welfare cheat and a cad. You are very young and very misinformed.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Great post BADMRFROSTY. Wedge issues 24/7 and meeness from it and nasty vile. The past presidental election. Both sides where negatived,but the vile from the McCain camp was unreal at times.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
MRFROSTY:
You are not bad at all. You are correct. TYVM
January 6th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
MK-
Your statement “waiting for a government handout.” You appear to assume that all people are waiting for a handout. “Taint so.” In today’s society there are too many self righteous, pontificating, conservatives making this assumption about the faltering, hard working middle class. They preach without taking a look at the facts. They don’t give a tinkers damn about folks who work hard as you say you do. They judge and judge and totally omit discussing the people who actually paying for the welfare and food stamps recipients. The rich don’t pay the bill – the middle class pays.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Anita is correct as well MK.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I agree with Bad Mr Frosty too!
signed,
One of my friends
January 6th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
And furthermore MK if you think these faux conservatives on Fox News and the radio are speaking up for you – you are only kidding yourself. They are out to sell you a book or some other junk or service to line their own pocket. They are professional bs’ers.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Bill
When did i say I was a republican or a democrat. I don’t label myself at all. I am a free thinker. I voted republican for pres. and dem for governor because i thought they were the best running.I am 46 years old also a retired veteran. I am very well imformed I listen to all different opinions and information then I make up my own mind. I find it amazing that you can tell from a couple of paragraghs what I think. I hope you will take alittle bit of advise and start thinking for yourself not along party lines.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
“”but the vile from the McCain camp was unreal at times.”"
Indeed.
The Republican machine, with its Roves, Gingrinches and Morrises was laughable at best, but quite frightening in short bursts…
…Trying to further the neo-con agenda by rumour, innuendo and fear-mongering, like a not-very-smart villain in a B-movie, thinly disguised in a bad false moustache.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Anita
I agree with you 95% of what you said. I was watching some of the election coverage the day after the race and this lady was talking to a reporter and she said “I don’t have to worry about paying my mortgage now or put gas in my car Obama will take care of me” People need help I know that so give them alittle help and then a little shove to keep them going forward to keep from relying on the government for help
January 6th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
MK
Why do I get the feeling you were a zip.
And I can’t help it if you come off as a 19 yo spewing republican crap. That is not free thinking.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
MK
Perhaps you don’t remember $4 gas? Perhaps you don’t remember sub-prime ballooning mortgages (based on the T-bill)?
Alot of people were hurt by both of those things and severly.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Anita
Nobody speaks for me except my wife when I ‘m allowed to speak. I don’t watch Hannity&Colmes for imformation I watch for the pure entertainment. Sean says the same stuff over and over again then Alan starts speaking and drools on his shirt. There is enough dirt on both sides of the aisle to cover us for many years to come. I just hope we survive.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
MK
That lady was one person. I don’t know for sure if those words were the entire content of her statement because I only heard of the conversation on a right wing talk show. However, you cannot judge an entire society by part of a sentence from one person. Instead of placing so much emphasis on one person, for whom we do not know her real intent, how about if the conservatives began a conversation about the truly hard working middle class who are not talking to the media about their lives?
January 6th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Bill
Agreed but this problem has been around since the Clinton years. Clinton Ok’ed it Bush ignored it. I have lost many thousands of dollars in investments and 401k. There is alot of blame to go around for that. Am I angry you better believe it but what am I to do. Complain..to who..who’s listening. We have a new president now and I hope and pray he can live up to half of what he say’s. I think he very intelligent and bright and fresh and sounds like he is surrouding himself with some pretty brilliant people (maybe not Hillary)
January 6th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Anita
I know that was a single person and I watched it on CNN. The point I trying to make is people can’t rely on the government for everything lord knows they have such a good track record.
January 6th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
You are not alone, MK. Every American has been worked over by these shysters. From mortgages to insurances to medical care to pharmaceuticals to gasoline to food at the grocery store. They’ve systematically raped us. I believe PE Obama has been listening to us and I hope he can do something about it.
I agree President Clinton sold his soul with NAFTA. But under Bush the destruction of the middle class went rampant and it was completely due to the republican policies.
If you are a working man, you too need to vote your interests and they do not lie within the Republican Party.
January 6th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
See? lol
We can all come together if we just get both the Clintons and the Bushes out once and for all!
And you gotta admit, Obama already seems to be fulfilling his promise to listen to people on both side of the political fence…he’s even p*ssed off the far left!
True Republicans (not so the neo-cons and extremist religious nuts)are scratching their head, saying “Hey, maybe this guy won’t be so bad after all..”
Good on ‘im
What’s gonna happen to poor ole Fox News if the country draws together for once?
January 6th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Bill
I glad to see we could come to an understanding and agree on some things and agree to disagree on some. If countries and governments could do the same thing wouldn’t the world be better place.
January 6th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
I have a friend in Wisconsin. She and her husband opened their home to the homeless for many years. She never took a dime from the Government to do this yet the city was constantly fighting them. They feared if they had a shelter for the homeless, more homeless people would be drawn to the area. My friend says, “People are drawn to jobs not living with a small handout or assistance and all the rules they have to comply with to live in our home.” The stories of people she has helped are heartbreaking and sadly many veterans are included. I also find it interesting that right wingers are pro-life, for a women keeping the child but are the first to accuse them of having “more children” just to live off the Government and would stand with an Eagle Eye at the grocery checkout and if they spot Food Stamps they idemize the contents within their carts. I’ve heard people say, “And do you know what she bought?” They speak about people who find themselves in difficult situations and needing help as potential criminal ready to steal their money. Not all right winger are this nasty, ignorant and cruel but it seem 99% of people who make such comments are right wingers!
January 7th, 2009 at 4:27 am
Deborah,
Maybe because some of the folks with food stamps fill their cart with steaks, etc. and then walk out to the parking lot to get into their brand new car.
Sorry, but if you can afford a brand new car, you should be able to buy food. If not, then you need to downsize.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Blissful:
Some of the people know how to buck the system, which is why they have a new car but pay for groceries with food stamps.
I don’t think we should deny truly needy people the necessities they need because of a few bad apples. This is a government problem and they should beef up their investigations.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
the government can’t police them. the more we put them in charge of the more this happends. that is why we don’t need big government
January 7th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Ahhhh! I was right, Blissful is one of “those” people with her Eagle Eye on the what people are purchasing in the grocery stores! Bottom feeders… I call cons like her. Ignorant!
January 7th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Deborah,
Are you really that dumb, or is it an act (since you want to make assumptions about intelligence)?
When you have an 84 year old granny who has to choose between food or medicine, all the while you have a 20 year old able bodied person in the grocery store buying steaks and has a cart full of groceries then they pull out their EBT card, then walks out to his brand new car, that is an abuse of the system.
Do you not get that? If you don’t, then I stand by my first sentence.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
So we should punish deserving people because of a few rotten apples?
The problem is there is no regulation. We’ve seen what happened in the banking industry. We let them run amok, they went broke (or so they say) and came crying to the government to bail them out because they were “too big to fail”. It is costing the taxpayers billions.
Now, I know what your going to say. It’s all Barney Frank and Chris Dodd’s fault. Believe me, there is enough blame to go around amd as much as you try to convince me, I will never believe the republicans came out of this smelling like a rose.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
And just how many 20 yrs. olds have you spotted? How mamy were doing homecare for a disabled person or the elderly and may be doing their shopping for them. Did you stop them and get their whole story or did you just to conclusions again?
January 7th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I have been around jive time street folks before. Face the facts. All of us know the sky is blue,jive time folks see it orange. You can lead a horse to water and you can not make it drink,but a mule will kick you. People looking for 24/7 handouts,will not hold a job down. On several types of hard drugs as well. Samething goes on in rural areas as well. Some folks need foofdstamps and some don,t. Alot of the con artist sale them to working people and i will confess,i brought them. To be honest,i don,t like the food stamp system at all. The new welfare is receiving SSI checks. You have to work on welfare. Notice,i said WORK. The Lexington Herald Leader ran a article about billboard signs in south Eastern KY with phone numbers to lawyers to received SSI. Something needs to be done. People are abusing the system,but some people do need help.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Deborah,
You are the one jumping to conclusions.
I don’t know where you live, but it happens all the time. ALL the time. No I was not jumping to conclusions, and no, they aren’t doing shopping for old folks.
This isn’t a republican/democrat, black/white thing it is a right and wrong issue. I am not the only person here who has commented on this, although you seem to want to make it appear that since I am a conservative I am obviously biased one way or the other.
The fact is, the system is abused daily by people from many different backgrounds.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Ladies ! Both of you are right. Some need it,some of them abuse it. What about the abuse of SSI ? Foodstamps is minor in my eyes compared to SSI abuse. Those are the 1,s that don,t want to work. I know 1 lady that was on welfare. They told her she had to work. Went to a lawyer and doctor and was diagnose for anxiety. To get out of work. The reason why i know,it,s my step daughter i have no use for. She drinks like a sailor as well.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
How do you know? My 20 yr. old(at the time) daughter did Home Care for the elderly and disabled. One of her duties as a home care provider was to do their shopping and some were on food stamps. How many had recently lost their jobs but had not yet lost their car as they may be still looking for work? How many are veterans? How many are young mothers going through a divorce recently making minimum wage. I can only make conclusions about you from your post. Hey but there is always a bright spot. You have made me grateful I don’t have people like you close in my life and I pray that America does not stay in your uncaring, judgemental, and bigoted sphere! That’s my conclusion and I’m stickin to it!
January 7th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Deborah,
I live in a small town. Everybody knows everybody.
You can stick to whatever the heck you want to. Your obvious issue is with me, and not with the fact that folks use it who shouldn’t.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
GOCARDS
I am right there with ya. Deborah has an issue with me, not with folks who abuse the system.
I also have issues with folks getting SSI who shouldn’t.
What some fail to realize is when people abuse the system, it detracts from those who REALLY need it.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Of course, don’t take my word for it.
http://www.gao.gov/archive/1998/rc98167t.pdf
January 7th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I currently live in a small town also but I don’t spend my time there inspecting people’s shopping carts. When I write a comment you pick out one thing, respond and then I think, “how did she get that from what I said?” Then I do jump to the conclusion, oh it must be from Rush or Hannity. I’ve lived in large towns and big cities too. I believe white collar crime take so much more from our taxes then a few that abuse the welfare system. In the past, I worked with women/children who were struggling to climb out from the bottom. It’s not as easy as it sounds. If you want to know where I get my issue with your response, review them. And just how does the few who abuse the system of assistance REALLY detract from those who need it T.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Thanks Lady BLISSFUL and thank you very much and i am sorry about yesterday. Welfare and food stamps are no longer the big rip thou. Work and 1 reason i might get upset with conservitives it,s a muddy issue. Example,lady works has 3 kids by a deadbeat,but she makes only 9 an hr. That,s a major self reliance issue. However jive time Joe around the corner makes 8 an hr. Has a woman that is sick,no kids and not married. She gets food stamps and he sells them for booze. That,s life in the hood. The smalltown i am from. Lady drops out of high school,finds a soulmate that never finished school,both of them on OC,s and tabs and received SSI. Systems are in place for folks to get ahead. I finished school,received an honorable dischrage from the NAVY,some collage. My failures are my fault and reality set in. Some folks don,t want to try and some do. It,s the muddy areas like the hood and rural areas. Libs say give and Cons say take it away. My family has always been self-reliance,but alot of people have to realize you have some familes have members that self rely and some that don,t and that,s another example of muddy. Like i said,SSI is the new welfare. Most of the people that abused the system are people that take advantage of people trying. Drunks and hard drug users. Very seldom i go into the hood and very seldom i visit the smalltown i am from. It,s extremly muddy seperating the good from the bad. It,s muddy !
January 7th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Bliss
truely amazes how someone can go thru life with blinders on. What percentage if you had to guess are people doing shopping for the elderly or homebound 1-5% how many use the system to get back on their feet then support themselves 20-25% And the rest are con artist or scammers or plain lazy.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Deborah,
As I stated earlier, your problem is with me not with the issue. That is evident. Otherwise, you would be addressing cards and everyone else on this blog as Rush or Hannity. that was pretty lame.
I don’t police shopping carts, but it doesn’t take a sherlock to notice the obvious. maybe you shouldn’t look through rose colored glasses when it comes to misuse and abuse of the system?
Those who really need it do get shortchanged because there are a lot of folks getting assistance who shouldn’t be. And that is a fact.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
The last time I checked those on assistance weren’t living on much! It may take only one life challenge to completely knock them back. Some give up and need extra encouragement to keep trying. Your approach is darn right maddening. But then “you guys” are the best at inciting anger and despair in people . Then say you have a position of pro-life. Lets just “guess” some more about people! I’m just glad a don’t look at the world and people from your view point!
January 7th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Whose Facts?
January 7th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Deborah,
Do you realize just how left sided you are? There are folks CHEATING and STEALING from taxpayers and from folks who really need help and you are going to sit there typing on your computer and argue with me about it because I am a conservative?
Maybe you should look at your own perspective instead of “you guys” because when you point a finger you have several pointing back at you.
I am glad I don’t look at the world and people from your point of view. And I hope our government stops as well.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Deborah,
You are my kind of woman. Heart of gold.
Bliss,
“Judge not, lest ye be judged.”
January 7th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
You have no idea what you’re talking about, T.
How did you grow up? What part of town did your family live in? Did your family ever get evicted? Were you raised by a single parent?
Stick to the stuff you know about… I won’t bore you with my life story but you have no idea what your talking about.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
MK,it,s not that cut and dry. It,s a very muddy issue. I have witness those trenches as well. I would say 3 to 5 % abusing the system. With poor people. The mom works,her son works,but her daughter is on everthing but blacktop and she holds the family down. I agree,systems are inplaced to get ahead. I blame the GOP and DNC because neither party is in the trenches. You can not throw money into the problem and take it away as well.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Oh and Go Cards. I enjoy your posts. Last I looked jobs are becoming harder and harder to find. More and more people being laid off and it looks like it’s not going to get better for a while. But just think of how many more people we will be able to accuse of being lazy and a potential criminal. Hey I voted for Nixon too. My dad was a Campaign Manager for a Man that ran as for a Republican Senate seat back in the 60’s. Lost. Dad got some nasty info on the opponent and he wouldn’t use it. Wanted to run on own merit, clean and not a Nasty campaign. Well I think American are getting sick of the Nasty approach and Thank God. It’s about time. The Republicans lost me and all five of my sibling during the reign of Reagan.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
What people don’t understand is how much more expensive it is to be poor than it is to be rich.
Example:
One of my assistants was telling me today about our cleaning lady at the office. The engine light was on in her car so she can’t pass the state inspection. So she’s racking up traffic citations for not having an inspected car because she can’t afford to get it fixed.
That was just something I was told today… but I can tell you from my own experience that hard work ain’t enough. You need a little luck or help along the way.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
pfkam,
i grew up with grandparents who didn’t have running water and used an outhouse until I was 9. This was in the late 70’s early 80’s. I live in a small town where the primary employer just laid off almost 500 in the past 4 years. I did not grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth.
I have seen the system work and NOT. There are peoople who abuse it. That is a fact. And it takes away from folks who really need assistance.
So I am sticking to what I know. I don’t understand exactly why you think from a stupid blog that you know a person’s life story? Funny.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
And for the record, the nasty approach is folks lying, cheating and stealing from those who really do need help.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
From a smalltown and lived in the big city as well. I happen to agree with everyone on this issue. The issue is muddy thou. I have witness the trenches rural and city wise. The reason why Libs and Cons fight over this is not understanding the trenches. I get mad at times at Cons for not understanding the break down of the hood and rural life on the poor side. I get upset at some Libs wanting to throw money into a self reliance issue and not understanding it fully as well. The main killer to these areas is trickle down economics and throwing money into these areas without addressing the problem.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
go cards,
you think republicans don’t grow up in the hood ever? there are plenty of rural republicans who grew up poor I can assure you of that.
the problem is the left blames the right for not being compassionate enough and the right blames the left for throwing too much money at it all the while…like I have said a bajillion times..those who need it the most get the least and those who could do without get the most a lot of times.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
First of all, I never said I knew anyone’s life story but my own.
I thought I was asking about yours but I will admit to making assumptions about your first hand knowledge. I don’t know what your interpretation of “without a silver spoon” is but I can’t believe that if you struggled out of an environment where all you saw was hopelessness that you wouldn’t be more sympathetic.
I’m just saying from reading your posts that they seem much more geared toward going after those that abuse the system than they are about trying to find ways to make it work for those that don’t.
But thanks for sharing your background. Glad to hear you’ve made a nice life for yourself.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
I will agree with you T. on folks lying, cheating, and stealing, as being nasty. Goes all the way to the top doesn’t it? But I need to focus on how I can help my fellow Americans. The rich will be okay but the middle class are so close now to being one bad luck moment and then on the streets, homeless! And the War thing has become one complete disaster for the whole world. Our vets, how many more will be on the streets. I have a cousin who returned from Iraq, got out, and started his dream of his own business, a Meat Market. Well the high oil cost drove the prices so high, he didn’t think he’d be able to continue. To many people can only afford Walmart. Well he’ll start over or make it but he has a lot of family support. Some people aren’t that lucky!
January 7th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
I grew up poor, but didn’t realize it until I was grown. My family never griped about anything. They were happy and we made do with what we had. Just like a lot of people.
I have seen first hand senior citizens choosing between medicine or food and it ticks me off when I see young folks abusing it. Yes I think we should go after those who abuse the system, so we have what we need for those who need it.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Miss DEBORAH,i understand and agree with you to a degree. Yes the nasty view point from the right has upset me before. It,s not that cut and dry. Been and lived in the hood. Steve can i used your phone? May i borrow some sugar ? Do you have 50 cents ? I began to say to meself,can you get a job and no,i have no sugar. You have street gang going around showing,guns,bling and money you are going to scream bloody murder. Another part of me says,jail is not the answer,we have business people on street corners. Growing up in a smalltown,the rich looks down on the poor. The folks in congress,senate and the Washington in general have no clue. That goes for both parties.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Steve, My family didn’t come from big money either but I have to say I grew up in a very comfortable lifestyle. It wasn’t until I was 30 that I got knocked out of my very secure viewpoint! And then determined to make it on my own, with two small children, it was one bad luck moment after another. I felt what it was like to want to give up. In the end it was family support that changed what was happening. I have not had personal experience with the inner city challenges. All I know is what I see on T.V. and what my brother has told me about in Baltimore, where he lives. I have been on the Cheyenne Reservation, where many people have no glass on the windows and they are covered with blankets(was there ten years ago) Do you have any ideas on how Washington can help?
January 7th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Dayton,OH DEBORAH. Blissful,my brother is a die hard member of the GOP. Dayton is a rough town and i heard about Baltimore,even rougher. Blissful,most of those people don,t care about the GOP or DNC. It,s the man,but i buy into the self pity. The same goes for country folks i grew up with. The rich want to hold the poor down,but some of the poor refuse to help themselves. I blame the folks in Washington for throwing money into poor without looking into the problem and cutting money without looking into the problem.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Steve didn’t see your response until now and I know your over on the sport channel now. I have to get movin so I’ll catch you later on this topic. It will probably come up again. Nite now. DEB
January 8th, 2009 at 1:17 am
Oh BTW Steve…..I know some people or just doing the best they can with what they have or know! Nite again. D
January 8th, 2009 at 1:21 am
Deborah:
You are spot on. Like I said earlier, I volunteer in a soup kitchen whenever I can and the number of homeless vets is astouding. And to deny everyone assistance because of a few bad apples is cruel.
January 8th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I know it’s just a discussion, but I frankly don’t care what becomes of the GOP’s future. And I wouldn’t mind seeing them lose presidential races for a 20-year period. Hell, President-elect Barack Obama’s period is being compared to a 1932 Franklin Roosevelt – and the Republicans had to wait until 1952 before winning again with Dwight Eisenhower. So let it be till 2028. Then again, keeping in mind Harry Truman, I’ll pull back to 2024. But the point remains the same: I won’t be bothering to suggest what the Republican Party ought to do to pick themselves out of the gutter.
January 9th, 2009 at 6:49 pm