Ohio GOP Resorts to Tasteless and Dishonest Memorial Day Pandering

[marmar]

from Washington Monthly via AlterNet:



Ohio GOP Resorts to Tasteless and Dishonest Memorial Day Pandering


Reader R.P. forwarded me a Memorial Day message sent out by Kevin DeWine, the chairman of the Ohio Republican Party. It starts off with a sentiment that’s easy to agree with.

“As we gather with family to enjoy Memorial Day weekend at ball games and barbeques, let us not forget the generations of Americans who have fought to preserve our rights and liberties here at home. Their sacrifices are woven into the fabric of America and will forever define us as a nation.”

So far, so good. But DeWine couldn’t leave well enough alone.

“Here in Ohio, we must continue to defend liberty in a very different kind of struggle. Ohioans have the opportunity to preserve their rights when it comes to choosing their own health care. Democracy affords us the choice of accepting or fighting back to prevent against a $1 trillion government takeover of our nation’s health care system.

“You can download the Health Care Freedom Amendment petition by clicking here. As you go to events this weekend in honor of our Armed Forces and the sacrifices made by generations of courageous Americans, I hope you will consider taking the petition with you and circulating it to your friends and family.”

Seriously? Are we really to believe that American veterans who paid with their lives did so to protect insurance companies’ ability to screw over consumers?

DeWine’s message is obviously dishonest — the Affordable Care Act isn’t a “government takeover,” and it doesn’t cost $1 trillion — but what’s tasteless about the message is the timing. It’s ostensibly a Memorial Day message, honoring the fallen during a time of war, but the subject line reads, “Help Stop Obamacare.” .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/602307/ohio_gop_resorts_to_tasteless_and_dishonest_memorial_day_pandering/

[FSogol]

1. K & R. n/t

[liberal N proud]

2. They are a tasteless bunch

And they make me puke.

[iwishiwas]

3. they are not worth puking over.

[Enthusiast]

9. DeWine is among the more tasteless of the bunch,

as bad as they are. He is actually repulsive.

[UTUSN]

4. K&R #9 Rethugs are experts at baiting/pandering vets. Here's how Phil ENRON Gramm (TX, natch) did it

All congress critters love handling veterans' requests for medals/decorations that were not issued originally. It's a simple activity, verified by the DoD, but the payoff for the critter is the photo op that can be played up as much as is wanted: The max being with all the props of military pageantry.

Senator ENRON was shameless and STUPID: Instead of doing it at a civic place, like a courthouse or a veterans service organization building, he did it ------- wait for it, can you BELIEVE IT?!1 ----- at RETHUG PARTY HEADQUARTERS!1

I still am rankled by the sight of six Medal of Honor recipients, During Coup 2000, standing on Shrub's stage, wearing their MoHs around their necks, declaring their allegiance for Shrub. And CHEENEE shamelessly claiming that "help is on the way" after supposedly being mistreated by CLINTON.

I hate Rethugs, I hate Rethugs, I hate Rethugs.

[mailman82]

5. They are slimy!

The Dewines are a slimy family here in Ohio!!!!

[Marr]

6. Your right not to be spied upon, however, is a thing to be given away.

It helps our government defend big business interests in many ways, and root out whistleblowers. The number of actual rights these politicians (of both parties) advocate trampling on is countless.

[BR_Parkway]

7. Your use of "resorts" implies that they are other than tasteless panderers at other points

in time.

[gratuitous]

8. But Mr. DeWine, what if . . . ?

What if a majority of Americans, through their elected representatives and officials, decide that they want to cut insurance companies out of delivery of basic health care services? Isn't that a "liberty" and a "choice" that free people can make for themselves? Or are you saying that Americans need to be limited in their choice to only what you approve of? That doesn't seem very free.