What? You Believe in Gravity? You Pinko-Liberal!

A recent article in the Telegraph asks the question and examines the answer of "Have Republicans turned their back on science?" This interesting article discusses the tide of anti-intellectualism that swept through the GOP in the 1960's and picked up steam, turning into the science-denying Goliath that it is today. He even brings up an interesting thought that certain candidates, such as the erudite Newt Gingrich, have to actually dumb themselves and their positions down to fit in with the party. Interesting read given where we're at in the primary/caucus battle.

Conservatives Enjoy an Empty Victory...On Lightbulbs

The 2012 spending bill that outlines the budgets of 10 Cabinet agencies was just signed by Obama. The legislation includes cuts and concessions made to cut spending, among other things. Among those other things, Republicans are heartily patting themselves on the back for introducing language that overturns an earlier passage of a bill that would have phased out old, inefficient, incandescent bulbs. Some have even gone as far as to offer this up as a holiday "present" to their constituents. Texas, don't you have enough to be embarrassed about?

Did I mention that this original bill was signed in 2007 by GW Bush, and with partisan support?  Or how about the fact that countries in the European Union and Australia have been doing this since 2009? Well, if you haven't already seen through this cheap political ploy in an election year, you only have to see that Michelle Bachmann is one of the key figures on this bill. That's right 'Merica, the big bad federal government wants to force you to save money and use less energy in a time when we have an economic crisis and rely heavily on foreign sources of energy. But, never fear, the Republicans are here to pass empty legislation to let you spend more on your energy bill and increase that dependence on foreign energy if you damn well please!

Ah, the gullible, blissfully ignorant American public. This passage won't actually do anything besides slow the process of switching to more efficient bulbs down, and maybe garner a few votes from people who are too stupid to read behind these obvious lines. The lighting industry has already spent millions of dollars retooling their factories and pouring R&D into more energy efficient bulbs, and they aren't likely to reverse that.

Happy Holidays folks.

Republican Primary Debate Notes

Since I didn't get a chance to catch the Republican debates on Saturday I've had to rely on watching clips and reading articles on it. Based on what I've read and seen, here are the main points to take away.

• Romney shows some chinks in his armor. Whether it was his $10k bet to Perry that makes him look out of touch with the economic hardships that are facing this country, or his somewhat hypocritical comments about being a career politician, Romney looked more like Bizarro than Superman Saturday.
• As long as you identify as a Republican and claim to have repented for your sins, you could probably kill someone and Republican voters would still vote for you. Gingrich is gaining ground despite his hypocritical history.
• Bachmann is holding on for dear life. She's now trying to pick up Cain supporters by extolling the virtues of the 9-9-9 tax plan by essentially Americans should love it because they're stupid.
• Say what you want about Ron Paul, but the man is consistent. He doesn't preen or pander, the man just tows the Constitution line. I won't vote for you, but I do respect you Ronnie.

Looking forward to the rest of election season!

Demagoguery 101

Recently, Yahoo! News, the paragon of journalistic excellence, sat in on a plenary session between the Republican Governors Association and strategist Frank Luntz. For those of you not in the political know, Luntz specializes in how you can say the exact same thing with different wording, and make it palatable for a gullible and fearful voting constituency. Here's my interpretation of the 10 talking point changes he offered (It would probably help if you read the linked article first)

1. Don't say Capitalism - Noone really likes Ayn Rand anymore, just look at how bad the new Atlas Shrugged movie did.

2. Equate the government with Robin Hood - I don't know about this one Luntz; I don't think too many people would look at the Kardashians or the Real Housewives and say, "Gosh, look at those hardworking Americans! We shouldn't be taking money from them. Where would she get the money for her next sphincter bleaching?"

3. Don't say 'middle class' or 'upper class', say 'hardworking taxpayer'. Make the family earning <30k a year think that the dude with a Beamer and penthouse suite is in the same economic boat.

4. Lie to people about their 'career' prospects in this economy.

5. Accuse the government of wasting money instead of spending it while enjoying your lifetime pension and health benefits paid with that same money.

6. Don't compromise! - This is 'Merica and we'd rather see the unemployment rate hit double digits again before we give into those Pinko Liberals!

7. Patronize the Occupy protestors. And then tell them how you plan to give more tax breaks to businesses and eliminate capital gains tax and make up some way as to how that will help them in the future.

8. Start throwing out the term 'job creators' like it's candy in the hope that people forgot what the verb 'create' actually means.

9. Don't ask anyone to sacrifice, only Yahweh can do that, and he'll usually call 'Sike!' before you actually kill your son.

10. Displace the blame, it's what we do.

Things I Learned During the Republican Debate Tonight

Michelle Bachman, apparently doesn't know that she has to beat Romney first. Instead of actually answering any of Blitzer's questions, she used every opportunity to campaign against Obama.

Newt Gingrinch is simply one of the most unlikable human beings on the planet. I don't have a clear idea of what his views are, I just know I don't like him. Can you do something about that permascowl?

Herman Cain's campaign team finally hired a debate coach. That debate coach neglected to inform him of the moderator's name. Right Blitz?

Ron Paul, I would have liked you better during my collegiate "Objectivist" phase. Plus, I keep expecting you to start handing out Werther's Originals during the debate.

John Huntsman looks pretty good. And being an ambassador to China shores up your foreign policy cred. Too bad most of your party's voters don't give a damn about foreign policy, and probably couldn't identify China on a globe.

Rick Santorum, why are you even here? Did you think that this round of elections needed its own Alan Keyes or did you just have some millions lying around that you felt like blowing?

Rick Perry must have hired the same debate coach as Bachmann. Although he did a slightly better job at demagoguery.

And finally, at this point I think Mitt Romney could kill someone and still get the party's nomination. Congrats Mitt, I actually liked you in 2008, honestly, but you've pandered too much to try and appeal to the Tea Party this time around.