Rand Paul: Tea Bag turncoat

[Thump553]

What I really liked was watching one of the GOP spin-clowns last night on TV claiming that the anti-earmark rhetoric was really a liberal conspiracy. The teabag/teaparty-reinventing history over and over again since 2008.

The fact is Rand Paul took was was apparently a thought out and principled objection against earmarks until becoming a senator, when he faced the reality that earmarks are crucial to an incumbent senator's ability to be re-elected. Now he wants the best of both worlds-rhetoric against earmarks while using them to the fullest.

 

[soulcougher73]

Tea Party is the new 'Hope and Change'. We saw how well that worked out.

 

[Phokus]

Gee, I don't know, maybe because his dad has been in Congress for years?



Just as he's giving Rand too much credit, aren't you judging him too early? He hasn't even voted on one bill yet. I'm the first to admit he has got a lot to prove, but damn, at least wait until he's a senator before we judge him as one.

Lets see, Rand Paul is for farm subsidies and medicare because that benefits a huge portion of his constituency. To hear that he's for earmarks is no surprise. Like father like son. Both libertarian/tea party hypocrites. It's absolute disgusting.

 

[Phokus]

Just a reminder that Ron Paul was one of 3 GOP congressmen to go against the MAINSTREAM GOP leadership in the earmark ban:

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/...p-earmark-ban-face-losing-committee-seats.php

Ron Paul actually made the mainstream GOP look like fiscal conservatives while making himself look like a pork barrel piglet. LMAO

 

[Darwin333]

What I really liked was watching one of the GOP spin-clowns last night on TV claiming that the anti-earmark rhetoric was really a liberal conspiracy. The teabag/teaparty-reinventing history over and over again since 2008.

The fact is Rand Paul took was was apparently a thought out and principled objection against earmarks until becoming a senator, when he faced the reality that earmarks are crucial to an incumbent senator's ability to be re-elected. Now he wants the best of both worlds-rhetoric against earmarks while using them to the fullest.

He isn't my Senator and I don't give half a shit about any of the political clubs but can you tell me exactly why what he is advocating isn't vastly better than what we have now?

Sounds like the guy said he wanted to end the practice of slipping earmarks into completely unrelated bills in the dead of night and sometimes anonymously (why is that possible?). In its place he stated that he advocates a transparent process in which the projects are sent to a committee and approved/voted on from there. How is that not vastly better than sticking a new bridge or airport into a defense bill in order to get a specific Congressman's vote or other similar games that are played?

 

[spidey07]

He's staying true to his word. No more hiding earmarks in bills. Advocating for funds for his state is his job as senator and he just wants it in the open. He represents the state of KY.

I applaud the new Senator for his honesty and integrity.

 

[Martin]

He's staying true to his word. No more hiding earmarks in bills. Advocating for funds for his state is his job as senator and he just wants it in the open. He represents the state of KY.

I applaud the new Senator for his honesty and integrity.

Your mental gymnastics are truly astounding. Too bad it's not an Olympic sport.

 

[dank69]

He isn't my Senator and I don't give half a shit about any of the political clubs but can you tell me exactly why what he is advocating isn't vastly better than what we have now?

Sounds like the guy said he wanted to end the practice of slipping earmarks into completely unrelated bills in the dead of night and sometimes anonymously (why is that possible?). In its place he stated that he advocates a transparent process in which the projects are sent to a committee and approved/voted on from there. How is that not vastly better than sticking a new bridge or airport into a defense bill in order to get a specific Congressman's vote or other similar games that are played?

He isn't being called out because people think his current position on earmarks is wrong. He is being called out because he got lots of gullible people to vote for him by saying he would eliminate earmarks completely.

 

[JD50]

I think you're giving him far too little credit. It's only been DAYS since the election. He hasn't been sworn in or cast a single vote, let alone gone through a budget hearing. How did he suddenly come upon all this insight into how Washington really works?

It only makes sense that this was a farce from day 1 and that he was never really stupid enough to believe that he'd be able to do anything without earmarks. He knew he was riding people's stupidity and he just went right along with it. He's getting this out right now so it's ancient history later on -- when he gets around to voting his votes won't have such the sting of betrayal because he's prepared the people beforehand. He can run for reelection "on his record" scandal-free because this is before his record.

If I were to run as a Republican or Tea Party member, it's exactly how I'd do it. Stupid people are quite predictable in their emotional reactions, and he's covered things well.

Was he Fox News' candidate? Someone tell me how they spin this.

Just out of curiousity, do you believe the Democrats do things differently?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

54% of our budget is for debt repayment. 25% for the military. Although wasteful... earmarks make up a small percentage of the budget.

Supporting a ban on earmarks would end congresses ability to spend like druken sailors on pet pork

Fixed for ya!

You guys really need to stop lying to yourselves and calling SS and medicare payments entitlements, these payments are debt repayments to taxpayers who have paid in through payroll taxes. Calling them entitlements is like calling a mortgage payment or a car payment a bank entitlement . Maybe we should go after those bank entitlements how dare they feel entitled to my money just because they paid for my house and my car, those greedy socialist bastards are just looking for a handout

 

[matt0611]

I'll wait until he actually supports some earmaks. Every video I have seen of Rand he has said he will not support earmarks.

Sneaking earmarks in a bill without going through any committee process, and ones that have nothing to do with the bill is stupid.

Of course he will fight for his states interest. Thats what he's supposed to do. What do you expect him to say?

I'll wait until he's senator before I judge him on this issue.

When Rand Paul mention earmarks, he is referring to "pork-barrel" spending. Earmarks that aren't approved through the committee process, and are often added in the dark-of-night.

If for instance a bridge needed repair in Kentucky and this went through committee and voted on on, the money would be "earmarked" for rebuilding the bridge in Kentucky. This is NOT the kind of earmarks Rand Paul, DeMint et al are referring to.

 

[JD50]

Fixed for ya!

You guys really need to stop lying to yourselves and calling SS and medicare payments entitlements, these payments are debt repayments to taxpayers who have paid in through payroll taxes. Calling them entitlements is like calling a mortgage payment or a car payment a bank entitlement . Maybe we should go after those bank entitlements how dare they feel entitled to my money just because they paid for my house and my car, those greedy socialist bastards are just looking for a handout

It's not my fault they decided that it'd be a good idea to use that money on other stuff.

Your analogy only makes sense if you took that car loan and spent it on something else, and then demanded that the next person that comes along to take out a car loan pays off your loan for you.

 

[JD50]

This is only the first of many collisions with reality that the tea party will have.

What collision, nothing has happened yet? This is the kind of argument you make when conservatives have a problem with a liberal idea that hasn't been implemented yet.

 

[bamacre]

Ron Paul actually made the mainstream GOP look like fiscal conservatives while making himself look like a pork barrel piglet. LMAO

Saying that makes you look like a fucking momo.

 

[manimal]

What collision, nothing has happened yet? This is the kind of argument you make when conservatives have a problem with a liberal idea that hasn't been implemented yet.

Well as you can see by Bachman's ending her fight to get a leadership spot many backroom discussion/arguments/deals going on as they assemble the new leadership team and the heads of the committees. How the application of the litmus test issues impact those choices is what is most concerning. Have you seen some of the possibilities? Hmm The guy who said we dont need to worry about global warming because the bible says so and the guy who apologized to BP just days after the spill are set to lead energy committees....

Dont forget people like Rick Scott and Allan West are now part of the conversation.....

 

[Darwin333]

Fixed for ya!

You guys really need to stop lying to yourselves and calling SS and medicare payments entitlements, these payments are debt repayments to taxpayers who have paid in through payroll taxes. Calling them entitlements is like calling a mortgage payment or a car payment a bank entitlement . Maybe we should go after those bank entitlements how dare they feel entitled to my money just because they paid for my house and my car, those greedy socialist bastards are just looking for a handout

Its a tax, as you state, and once the .gov taxes you it ain't yo money no moe.

 

[ShawnD1]

Lets see, Rand Paul is for farm subsidies and medicare because that benefits a huge portion of his constituency. To hear that he's for earmarks is no surprise. Like father like son. Both libertarian/tea party hypocrites. It's absolute disgusting.

Maybe what he really meant was that he's against YOUR earmarks.

Actually that would work. 1 state wants free shit, the other 49 tell that one state to go to hell. Spending would go way down.

 

[Darwin333]

He isn't being called out because people think his current position on earmarks is wrong. He is being called out because he got lots of gullible people to vote for him by saying he would eliminate earmarks completely.

So basically he did the same thing that every other politician does to get elected EXCEPT that his way will actually make the system at least a little bit better?

Again, not from Kentucky and I don't give a flying shit about any of the parties but that sure sounds a hellofa lot better than what the rest of the assholes have done/are doing. Kinda like Obama bashing Bush (the bashing was well deserved in my book) and then being almost identical as Bush on 80% of his policies (fucking hell!).

For example:

Throwing Bush under the bus for financial crisis = somewhat deserved and I am willing to give him a pass on the dishonest parts because he sounds like he wants to fix the problems

Obama Justice Department indicting exactly zero asshole banksters, some of whom have admitted to fraudulent actions (that cost us billions and we are still counting) in sworn testimony to the court = Are you kidding me? Come on, at least pretend you aren't just like the old boss.


This is why I rarely pay attention to a damned thing any of them say. I only watch what they actually do because what they say is almost always bullshit and not worthy of my time.

 

[Darwin333]

Maybe what he really meant was that he's against YOUR earmarks.

Actually that would work. 1 state wants free shit, the other 49 tell that one state to go to hell. Spending would go way down.

You have just defined almost everyones position on earmarks.

They are all against earmarks.......except the ones that pay for shit in their neck of the woods. Regardless, its a pimple on the ass of the real problem, a good diversion but nothing else.

 

[her209]

He's staying true to his word. No more hiding earmarks in bills. Advocating for funds for his state is his job as senator and he just wants it in the open. He represents the state of KY.

I applaud the new Senator for his honesty and integrity.

LOL... this is what Rand Paul meant when he said "Taking back our country!" except he really meant to say "Taking back our earmarks!"

 

[Generator]

No one voted for Rand because he was honest. Supposedly this guy has some principles, we are all just eagerly awaiting to see how fast he forsakes them. Regardless, the Paul stock has taken a dive. Father like son for sure, Rand a rich kid who prays to Aquabuda and Ron a career politician. Hacks, shame...I thought Ron Paul could have been a president worth killing.

 

[JD50]

No one voted for Rand because he was honest. Supposedly this guy has some principles, we are all just eagerly awaiting to see how fast he forsakes them. Regardless, the Paul stock has taken a dive. Father like son for sure, Rand a rich kid who prays to Aquabuda and Ron a career politician. Hacks, shame...I thought Ron Paul could have been a president worth killing.

quoted for crazy

 

[Infohawk]

What earmark did he support?

 

[Fern]

Seriously?

You guys are gonna attack politicians who, well, aren't even in office yet?

I don't know much, or care much about Kentucky politics, but in general I don't remember this whole '(absolutely) no earmarks' thingy being anything big in this election's campaigning.

I doubt many people believe or expect ALL earmarks to disappear. Doesn't seem possible or even advisable. I think the question will be whether the earmarked project is worth it, is it a wise expenditure? Or, are we buying cocaine for monkeys again?

Fern

 

[nick1985]

No one voted for Rand because he was honest. Supposedly this guy has some principles, we are all just eagerly awaiting to see how fast he forsakes them. Regardless, the Paul stock has taken a dive. Father like son for sure, Rand a rich kid who prays to Aquabuda and Ron a career politician. Hacks, shame...I thought Ron Paul could have been a president worth killing.

What on earth...