I wonder why members of the elite media like David Brooks insist on furthering myths about the life of George W. Bush. I know they write from their lofty perches in the mainstream press, but by no measure is George W. Bush a product of normal family life. He wasn’t just born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but an entire set of cutlery was firmly planted in his jaw. Only in the press can someone who’s father was president, vice president, head of the CIA and the Republican party can be an "average joe".
I ask, how many of you had a family compound, much less one in Kennebunkport, Maine? Unless you’re writing outrageously detached columns for the NY Times, not too many I would suppose.
I almost forgot that you weren’t around when the son of a billionaire bootlegger was sold to us as “Jack” — they have a compound, too — in Cape Cod.
And nobody with half a brain cell ever wondered if JFK was rich or not. With Bush, the pretense is that he’s a hard working rancher who worked his way up to president. Also, it would help if your “but they did it too” argument wasn’t 40+ years old.
And nobody with half a brain cell ever wondered if JFK was rich or not
Who are these mythical people who don’t think Bush is rich?
He’s been called a spoiled brat who got everything from his Daddy since 1999.
And I guess I could have added the peanut farmer from Georgia, and if I cared to do the research, probably 50 politicians or more who grew up in rich or upper middle class surroundings who have pretended they came from a family of working stiffs.
I only referred to Kennedy because lots of people did not know he was as rich as he was; he was sold as “good ‘ol Jack”; and he happened to have a compound.
It was certainly not because no one has done it since. It wasn’t even meant to single out Democrats.
Although it is my understanding that the richest members of Congress, they’re all WAY to rich, as far as I’m concerned.
If I had my way, they’d be forced to live on the median U.S. income for a family their size, until they did something to raise everybody’s income.
I don’t hate the rich, or begrudge them their money, but what makes me mad is when they can’t raise SSD or a VA benefit, because “they might become dependent on it,” while they’re raking in millions.
that should have been, “Although it is my understanding that the richest members of Congress are Democrats…”
OMG! Pelosi has MONEY? How can she be in favor of taxing the rich 100% then lining them up against the wall and shooting them then kicking their puppies and flushing their goldfish down the toilet if she has MONEY?! OMG! What a hypocrat!
Frank, given your position on how Congresspeople should live, you are surely in favor of the ethics & lobbying reform legislation that Democrats are proposing and getting passed. You might also question why it took a Democratic takeover to see such reform proposed, but I doubt you will think that deeply about it.
If I had my way, they’d be forced to live on the median U.S. income for a family their size, until they did something to raise everybody’s income.
Wow. I guess that passes for conservatism nowadays. Along with that “Big government” that used to be decried.
I’m never in favor of reform for reform sake…
I don’t confuse the effects of lobbying with the personal wealth of politicians.
While lobbyists may try to buy influence, I trust they are smart enough not to try and turn politicians completely around with money — like, say, paying off Tancredo to stop ranting about immigration.
On the other hand, a life of luxury that begins with graduation from great schools, and then the leap to life eternal on the government teat, causes politicians to lose sight of what real life is like. They never know hunger, they never face eviction, their power or telephone is never shut off. They have never faced the choice between the Medicaid co – payments and feeding your family (as I have many times).
In short, they have never lived life as the average guy.
I’m happy to know Speaker Pelosi’s father was a mayor. At least she’s not pretending she grew up “poor but but honest in a small southern town.”
No, sundown, I am not “conservatism”. I am a man who holds many conservative views, and a few not – so – conservative ones.
I don’t get my marching orders from the New York Times, like you liberals.
Frank, just as you are not “conservatism” incarnate, you should stop insipidly casting everybody whose position doesn’t agree with your own as a “liberal” or “Leftist.”
zadura: I will gladly call myself a conservative,if need be. My point was that I do not speak for all conservatives, nor do I “get” my conservative view from an individual or a news outlet.
Perhaps you could tell me which conservative views you hold?
For the record, I think your use of the word “insipid” is inappropriate.
in·sip·id (ĭn-sĭp’ĭd) pronunciation
adj.
1. Lacking flavor or zest; not tasty.
2. Lacking qualities that excite, stimulate, or interest; dull.
Frank, It would appear that the second use of the term, i.e. “lacking qualities that excite, stimulate, or interest,” is quite fitting actually.
For the record, I was a Republican until 1994.
Also, it would help if your “but they did it too” argument wasn’t 40+ years old.
But then conservatives wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.
I’m puzzled. Brooks doesn’t contend Bush isn’t wealthy, merely that Pelosi is also wealthy which she is and has been for some time. This is kinda like when a conservative questions a liberals wisdom on the war and instead of a factual debate, the liberal just whines about his patriotism being questioned.
Let me ’splain something. Congressional Democrats are wealthy plutocrats. So are the Republicans. In fact, the Senate particularly is loaded with excessively wealthy Democrats.
And I apologize for ‘challenging your patriotism’.
zython: I answered that false charge by Oliver already, so your comment is not just silly, it’s superfluous.
zadura: I’m sorry if you’re not excited with being a liberal. I’ve always been very excited to be a conservative.
And, didn’t I ask you if you held any conservative views?
I guess that’s a big N – O, eh?
I don’t get my marching orders from the New York Times, like you liberals.
No Shit. You probably take yours from Archie Comics.
Is that the same New York Times that DAVID BROOKS WRITES FOR?
Jesus Christ, Frank.
fd,
It’s funny you mention the NYT, because that’s the paper that David Brooks writes for!!!
David Brooks, the ONLY conservative at the NYT — that’s funny.
pd100: Not anymore.
Frank, I have no idea what conservative views are. They used to be fiscal responsibility, limited international intervention, and personal liberty. I still hold those views even though they are no longer conservative.
limited international intervention hasn’t been a “conservative view” since the Cold War, unless you’re Pat Buchanan, the Last Isolationist.
I sure don’t know what happened to fiscal responsibility, but I am positive of two things: I don’t want the gummint to have anybody’s money; and if Republicans are fiscally irresponsible, then Democrats are more so.
In the area of individual freedom, I don’t see Republicans as doing more harm than Democrats, especially in the area of taxes and gun control.
limited international intervention hasn’t been a “conservative view” since the Cold War, unless you’re Pat Buchanan, the Last Isolationist.
I sure don’t know what happened to fiscal responsibility, but I am positive of two things: I don’t want the gummint to have anybody’s money; and if Republicans are fiscally irresponsible, then Democrats are more so.
In the area of individual freedom, I don’t see Republicans as doing more harm than Democrats, especially in the area of taxes and gun control.
This is kinda like when a conservative questions a liberals wisdom on the war and instead of a factual debate, the liberal just whines about his patriotism being questioned.
Oh you are so right, Dugger. When responsible conservatives like yourselves say that liberals “don’t care about national security”, are “objectively pro Saddam”, “root for the terrorists” and are guilty of “treason”, they’re just trying to initiate a friendly discussion of the issues, right?
Asshat!
Frank, let’s just agree with one thing. Medicaid and VA Benefits are a drain on U.S. resources that would be better spent on tax cuts. I am sure you agree.
zadura: No one “spends” anything on tax cuts.
I’m sure if taxes were low enough, I could a better job of surviving on my VA check.
But don’t give me this “spent tax cuts” nonsense.
Wiblu, Wilbur
“When responsible conservatives like yourselves ‘
what a lazy and cheap technique.
Dugger says when progressives like Wilbur and Ward Churchill compare the 9/11 victims to little Eichmanns……..
And I meant to type ‘Wiblu’ (d*mmit!).
If I had my way, they’d be forced to live on the median U.S. income for a family their size, until they did something to raise everybody’s income.
So you support an icrease in the minimum wage now, right?
Beuller?
It’s already been passed — what I think is irrelevant.
But it must be true that an increase in business expense has to have an effect. The fact that it’s passed on to the consumer is certainly no benefit.
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