Monday, February 22, 2010

Complaining for the sake of complaining - Andrew Sprung captures the latest vintage of Congressional Republican whine

If we're supposed to take seriously the constant whining by the Congressional Republicans and the right-wing media echo-chamber, can't they at least keep their whining consistent?

Yes, I know that bald-faced hypocrisy and unembarrassed inconsistency are business as usual in the partisan wars, so one more example isn't really news. And furthermore--I feel it's necessary to keep repeating this--it would be wrong to suggest that Republicans and right-wingers have a monopoly on political dishonesty, hypocrisy, and the constant regurgitation of partisan talking-points so transparently insincere that they constitute a real insult to our intelligence. But it's also necessary to add that anyone who pretends that there is anything resembling moral equivalence in this respect nowadays between Republicans and Democrats is simply not facing reality (and/or is a Republican propagandist).

Since I know that even some intelligent and well-intentioned people are unwilling to face this reality, occasional concrete examples are useful to help remind us just how seriously we should take the Congressional Republicans' talking-points-of-the-hour. Andrew Sprung (who blogs at XPOSTFACTOID) just picked up a nicely illuminating example.

--Jeff Weintraub
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Andrew Sprung (XPOSTFACTOID)
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Talking points m.o.

Remember this from John Boehner and Eric Cantor, in a letter to Rahm Emanuel dated Feb. 8?
If the President intends to present any kind of legislative proposal at this discussion, will he make it available to members of Congress and the American people at least 72 hours beforehand?Our ability to move forward in a bipartisan way through this discussion rests on openness and transparency.
Different times, different circumstances, I guess, today:
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) criticized the White House's plan to post a health care reform proposal online, just days before the upcoming health care summit. "You know, apparently we're going to be there most of the day and have an opportunity to have a lot of discussion," said McConnell. "But if they're going lay out the plan they want to pass four days in advance, then why are -- what are we discussing on Thursday?"
I realize that these guys are, technically, different people. But a party line is a party line, especially if you're a Republican. They need to get their (bull)shit together.

Related posts:
Calling Boehner Cantor et al
The earth beneath their feet: Obama recasts health care reform
Aghanistan redux: Obama's HCR surge
Obama picks "none of the above" again
A gallon of water at bedtime for bedwetters: Obama's HCR prescription
How Obama will -- and won't -- lead on health care