All those are worthy topics to talk about, but I have to give the nod to my gal up in Minnesota. She is gonna corner the market on "teh crazy".
Rep. Bachmann gave an interview to KTLK's Chris Baker on the Stimulus Bill. Some of the highlights, that Steve Benen was nice enough to compile a list:
* ACORN is "under federal indictment for voter fraud," but the stimulus bill nevertheless gives ACORN "$5 billion." (In reality, ACORN is not under federal indictment and isn't mentioned in the stimulus bill at all.)
* many members of Congress have "a real aversion to capitalism."
* the stimulus bill includes a measure to create a "rationing board" for health care, and after the bill becomes law, "your doctor will no longer be able to make your health care decisions with you."
* the recovery package is part of a Democratic conspiracy to "direct" funding away from Republican districts, so Democratic districts can "suck up" all federal funds. Bachmann doesn't think this will work because, as she put it, "We're running out of rich people in this country."
* the "Community-Organizer-in-Chief" is also orchestrating a conspiracy involving the Census Bureau, which the president will use to redraw congressional lines to keep Democrats in power for up to "40 years." When the host said he was confused, noting that congressional district lines are drawn at the state level, Bachmann said Obama's non-existent plan is an "anti-constitutional move."
Further I have to agree with Mr. Benen when he says, "There's no point in trying to fact-check such unhinged stupidity". I could do a point by point refutation of what she declares, but really would that help?
Okay it would make me feel better. But her level of stupidity is just so astounding. It is like she didn't even look at the bill. When you are so divorced from reality that these are the sorts of claims that you make, claims that are demonstrably false what does that say about you?
Also I must echo Steve again. This is not some fringe member of the right-wing. This is a duly elected official from the state of Minnesota. This is the sort of crazy that gets to vote on legislation that will effect our lives. While I applaud President Obama on his outreach, how do you bridge the stupidity gap with this sort of person?
-Cheers
2 comments:
If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence.
-Bertrand Russell
Remember the same man also said,
"I think we ought always to entertain our opinions with some measure of doubt. I shouldn't wish people dogmatically to believe any philosophy, not even mine."
- Bertrand Russell
Quite simply using "crtl-F" and typing in ACORN on the PDF version of the bill would verify this.
Now if the argument is that we shouldn't expect a certain circumspection in our representatives, then I disagree. The only way to get them to be, is to expect more.
It is important to call out these things and individuals when these things come out. If they won't do the leg work themselves then maybe humiliation will motivate them.
If when presented with reasonable and comprehensive evidence, you still deny. Simply because "you" disagree, well that is hubris. And your opinions should be disregarded because you are not interested in being an honest broker.
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