Cheyenne

I recently received an email from Wyoming Senator Craig Thomas. He had replied to an email I had sent him after watching him on the floor of the Senate on CSPAN. He comes across as a genial, soft spoken, Western senator, imploring his colleagues to exhibit common sense and restraint in regard to governmental spending. Mr. Thomas stated in his letter:

“You may be interested to know that in July of 2005, I introduced S. 1399, the
"Government Reorganization and Program Performance Improvement Act of 2005," to
improve the efficiency of the federal government through a regular and systematic
review of all programs and agencies. The legislation is intended to eliminate
programs that are wasteful, have outlived their effectiveness, or duplicate other
federal state or local programs. Congress has some tough choices to make in the
future, and I believe this legislation provides a good starting point.”

Why can’t the GOP quit destroying education and programs invented to help people and instead, cut their corrupt system of corporate welfare? Don’t take my word for it, enjoy this counterpoint…

The senator also explained to me how it was okay how Abu Gonzales and the NSA take it upon themselves to operate contrary to the laws of the U.S. Constitution. In the good senator’s own words:

“

I believe the President has certain inherent Constitutional authority in his role as Commander-in-Chief in times of war. In addition to Executive powers under the
Constitution, Congress authorized broad powers for the President to wage the
War on Terrorism following the attacks of September 11, 2001. Additionally, members
of congressional leadership of both parties and Select Intelligence Committees were
briefed regularly, and District Court judges presiding over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Court were fully aware of the NSA program as well. Recently, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence agreed to create a new seven-member subcommittee to look at the NSA program in greater detail. Hearings are
being scheduled to review the program. I support Congressional action to examine the
situation and clarify the legal basis for the President's actions and the NSA program.”

This is fine; except for the fact it’s a load of total crap and lies. Try here, here, and here.

Don't get me started on a "when does the war on terror end" tirade.

Sure, I guess Wyoming doesn’t mind grooming another, “Tricky Dick” and while Thomas makes sure he tows the party line, I think he’ll end up a more “Cheney-lite” version than old Darth Halliburton. The only time our senior senator has exhibited independence of thought, or differed with his rubber stamp republican colleagues, is when his party is assured of a vote that could draw the senator criticism at home. The GOP allows Thomas to cast a negative vote to save face. The sad fact is Wyoming Republicans fall for it every time.

Well, I’m going to wrap this up. I think my next post will be on “newspeak” and the book 1984 by Orwell. I’d love to hear any ideas or suggestions.

Some of us remember the character of Alex Keaton on the old hit show, Family Ties. Alex was the bumbling, nerdy, Reaganomics worshipping, older brother that continually had to face reality about growing up and being an actual participant in a family unit. One of the things that helped to pave Michael J. Fox’s road to stardom was his ability to eventually exhibit deep caring and emotional attachment to his family in time of crisis, ( however miniscule). This countered his narrow minded view of the world and the value he placed on money.

The series, of course, is so old and dated that you would be hard pressed to find a rerun on cable or satellite. I find this to be true with the Republicans that Alex held so dear to his heart. I think the reason for this elimination of this type of republican happened for one reason, the dangling carrot place in front of them for so many years, rotted.

You know the carrot, it signifies wealth without working, no taxes coming out of your millions, flashy cars, lifestyles of the rich and powerful, self-made men. Once young people started waking up to the fact of the “dangling carrot” and began to face the consequences of ">Reaganomics and Bush I, the GOP had to come up with a new strategy to recruit future Alex Keatons.

They started with morality, and not just any type of equitable morality, it was the morality of a religious minority in the United States. If you are confused about which religious minority, try Reed, Dobson, and Falwell. Scary stuff, indeed.

The GOP has also fallen back on the old recruitment standard of playing off people’s fears; racism, homophobia, terrorism, and the liberals are gonna steal your guns. Real tricky, I know, kind of like getting hit over the head with a big bat, but it works on simple people.

So, now that the dangling carrot has been discarded due to rot, it has been replaced by religious whackos, beating their jackasses to the polls with the big stick of fear. Whatever it takes, I guess…