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Jim Lo Scalzo / EPA
Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor addresses the Value Voters Summit in Washington, DC, Friday. The Value Voters Summit, sponsored by the Family Research Council, is an annual gathering of the religious right; it provides Republican politicians and presidential candidates an opportunity to display their conservative bona fides.
The second-ranking House Republican castigated "Occupy Wall Street" protesters on Friday, just as Democrats begin cozying up to the weeks-old demonstrations.
House GOP Leader Eric Cantor decried the protests that started several weeks ago in New York, and have spread to major cities across the country. Cantor said in a speech at the Values Voters Summit in Washington that he is "increasingly concerned" about the "growing mobs" represented at the protests.
Cantor's remarks, some of the harshest by a Republican toward the "Occupy" demonstrators, comes amidst a growing political divide over the protests. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi backed the demonstrations, saying, "God bless them for their spontaneity." And other Democrats have been even more open in their embrace of the movement, which has also attracted support from organized labor.
Organizers behind the movement, which expresses outrage toward the conduct of corporate America and seeks campaign finance reform, have hoped it develops into an analogue for the Tea Party on the left, which has helped fuel a Republican political resurgence over the past two years.
"Some in Washington have actually condoned the pitting of Americans against Americans," Cantor said of the protests after accusing the Obama administration's policies of being an "assault on many of our nation's bedrock principles."
Other political leaders have been more coy in their approach toward the demonstrations; President Obama nodded toward the protests as a sign of broader frustration over the state of the economy.
As for Republicans, Mitt Romney accused the protesters of engaging in "class warfare," but has otherwise stayed silent about the demonstrations. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich called them the "Obama demonstrations," while Texas Rep. Ron Paul encouraged the protests.
"If they were demonstrating peacefully ... and making a point, and arguing our case, and drawing attention to the Fed–I would say, good!" he told the libertarian magazine Reason.
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Eric Cantor is unbelievable. Can't decide whether he is just stupid....or just completely consumed by hypocrisy. One thing is certain: he is completely the bitch of Wall Street.
Imatthebeach:
there are 5 people in my family
father, mother and 3 kid's
all eligible to vote
we sat down at the table and voted between ourselves, just our selves and came to a conclusion
it's going to be as the last time
HOPE and CHANGE has the same 5 votes
Glad to hear that, man. Hope to run into you again. I'm all about hope and change.
“… and the home of the brave!”
It occurred to me recently that this might just be the biggest reason why our politics are so polarized. Maybe conservatives have forgotten the last six words of the Star Spangled Banner. There are some very strong indications of that. We can start with the words of Speaker John Boehner, who starts every sentence with “the American people are scared to death of…” Now, we all know that when Boehner (and all conservatives) say the American people they don’t really mean all the American people. They are of course only referring to those who, even if in the minority, agree with their politics. Not really sure what term they would use for the rest of us, but that’s not really important at this point.
There are other manifestations of fear among conservatives. There is the categorization of teachers, and other government workers as union thugs, and of unemployed citizens in Wall Street as a mob engaging in class warfare against helpless rich folks. There is the interpretation of the First Amendment as not being applicable to non-Christians. There is the absolute dread of the imposition of Sharia Law. There is the mortal fear of illegal aliens taking away all those high paying jobs that the ignorant liberals think were outsourced to China. There is the broad assumption that we must keep our guns so that we can prevent a government takeover. Obviously, those stupid liberals who think they can change the government by just voting are also to be feared. In short, fear seems to be the chief motivation for conservatives.
Now there is another possibility. It could be that conservatives know all of these are bogus, and that they are just cynically using them to manipulate the political process; to scare the ignorant and help get their support to deny the rights of others. That would make them either hypocrites or gullible, depending on whether they are the manipulators or the manipulated.
So there we have it. It’s either cowardice or hypocrisy, both combined with a hearty dose of gullibility. The solution then would be to either grow a pair or achieve honesty. Which one would be easier?
Local businesses are complaining about the destruction in bathrooms, thefts of food, and other violations. And, obuma encouraged it. that says a lot for that individual. Has anyone looked at the litter? These thugs must live in a pig pin. They have absolutely no respect for anyone or thing. They deserve no better in return. Me, I would fire up my camera and start filming for future charges if available. These misfits even curse the business establishments that attempted to protect themselves. remember, how they have assaulted citizens?Where is the national guard and tear gas by the truck load? maybe even include the politicians that support this malfunction. How about filing charges against the organizers to assist in repayment of damages, especailly the unions and their unending funds?
Well, you're so all-fired-up, big man. Why don't you go to NYC and take care of those "thugs"??? You've gotta be kidding me.
I thank GOD for those people out there , you bloggers paid for by kock bros . , you've lost !!! thomas lee YOU ARE A LIAR !!!
Remember to vote in 2012
GOP= Capitalist America
Dem= obama's cuba
ok ok....you have a right to be concerned, but i am just as concerned about that 'mob' in the house!!!
C'mon! It's a House Par-tay....24/7...mo money mo-money mo-money...woop woop
Cantor needs to go!
Get off the drugs ... ask Dr. Drew for help. He can get you clean and your mind clear... good luck.
our time is coming, The %99 WILL be heard for once. BTY how do you feel about our country being up for sale? How do you feel about corporations and their lobbiest buying out our leaders? Some of you feel this is some kind of joke, well the jokes on you if you are not behind us. Because you are basically a slave to a corporate system, and if something is not done we all will be...!!!
Umm. how do you feel about the tax payer giving the UAW 10 billion dollars in the GM bail out deal while the bond holders and investors were cleaned out? Is that what you mean... when Obama and Biden paid the union for their votes and money? There's a cockroach under every rock and quite a few in zucotti park if you ask me dressed in public sector employee union shirts.
What ever happened to proud service for an honest job done... it's not enough to make a good living in the government job... take a look at the wages of your average gov worker... some are making 500K a year... think it's not true... I dare you to check it out... and when you see what these creeps are doing then maybe you might understand why I don't want to pay higher taxes... do your homework.
just one q...why do politianns like him call us"mobs"? He need to get jack slapped by that comment from the so called" mobs"! Just saying
Cantor these are the people that you and your repubilcan friends and Bush 2 help put them out of jobs so its pay back time so suffer!!!
So what is this group going to do, the written goals of this group pretty much match Obama's 2008 platform, and he has failed to deliver the promises he made to people. So who will OWS support?
frankusa
What is the 99% going to do? They are going to vote, motivate others to vote and that is why Cantor and the right so desperately want to discredit them. By the way, if the Dems do take control in both houses in Congress, the "fail to deliver on promises" that Obama has been accused of by the right is going to change. This is what the right is so afraid of, that the country is so fed up with gridlock, that they will vote them out. Ignoring the needs of the working class has consequences for the working class and those who chose to ignore the real issues.
It's astounding the type of vitriol from the left... you're frankly like reformed alcoholics. No one should be conservative anymore NOW because you're not any more... that's a pretty good theory I think. I am guessing there are quite few "failed" businesses due to an ingrained lack of determination and discipline that have now produced the lefts strongest voices and support of what's essentially communism. History has shown these movements are mostly born from those that otherwise fail and can only throw stones at the people they wish they had become. Now it's simple for you to bash success... sour grapes don't make good wine so quit whining!
Conservative? Kyot, there is a place and time for lower taxes, just as there is a place and time for less government. The time is not when the United States is involved in two wars. The time is not when we are on the verge of a recession that could easily turn into a depression. The Government needs to be big enough to deal with any crisis, at any given time. There is a huge difference between traditional conservatism and the radical agenda being presented by the hard right.
I am a moderate in all things. When the country is as out of balance as it is right now, we are in danger of having to relive the worst events of our past. Now is not the time to tighten our belts and hope the country achieves a balance on it's own. That did not happen under Hoover in the 1930's. Why do you think it will work now?
kyot
Of course the jobs being outsourced, the funding for stimulus for small business and job creation being held up and giving the tax breaks to wealthy had nothing to do with the mire we find ourselves in. It is all those lazy bums who will not create jobs out the air and are just jealous of you ever so much smarter and evolved sorts. Is that the new way to describe ripping off the country and wanting to continue down that path?
Sociopath: A pervasive pattern of disregard for and the violation of the rights of others. That sounds very much like the attitude and the political policies of the right wing in Congress. That also may explain why there are so many bullies in the right wing.
Great post, Jennifer. Thanks.
Well the last several years of stimulus spending have failed, a trillion dollars that went into government jobs and waste like Obama backed Solyndra. So when you say "now's not the time" to cut taxes or the way I see it, help small businesses, then I have to ask you; why should anyone of us be content to let spendthrift democrats continue to waste tax dollars and are you a psychotic living a delusion ignoring the absolute disgusting waste of this government? It's interesting that you people harken back to Hoover and all that the GOP did wrong and blame them for the great depression but for every account fo that from the liberals I can account economists that have proven FDR and his nearly 20 years of economic policies made the depression longer and worse!
Why is it that leftwingers and most people that identify as liberals or democrats have such a polarizing aptitude. I'm an independent, a social liberal and lean toward libertarian views BUT I am not a fool either and realize we have to work with the system we've got. That doesn't mean we have to listen to BS that says the world is "black or white" up or down... this extreme or that extreme... But I can tell you this simple fact, I'm in business, I am disciplined and live below my means and my savings rate is 60% of what I make. We are spending all of our savings to try to stay in business and when a piece of crap like Obama says nonsense like how "lucky" we are if we make over 200K or 250K ... well I suppose that makes him "lucky" I saved everything I could simply to spend all of it to live and work in the country he reigns over and while we watch his patheic spendthrift wife charge the American people to take her kids on a vacation every month... 10 million spent on her travel in 2010 alone! And now sasha and melia are being put down as "senior whitehouse staff" on the flight manifests! Why is that> Do you think the Obamas know how wrong it is??? Now tell me about why I need to pay more in taxes...! I think you're pretty sick to call us "sociopaths". You're pathetic in fact. I will make sure that my hard working assistant knows what you said when I have to lay her off to pay for my kids college tuition...
Kyot you are many things but not a liberal. Your own words make that very clear.
Wade, who are you to define me or anyone? I am liberal in certain views. I have a liberal social perspective but I believe in small government... it seems to me that communists and socialists have hijacked the term... I hardly consider people like Stalin, Breshnev, etc... to be "liberals" but they were communists, anti capitalists just like Occupy Wall Street ... I think it is "liberal" to have views that will "liberate" people... like work hard, keep what you earn and live the life you want to live... I think that depending on the government for everything is the least "liberal" or "free" thing you could think of... how about that Wade???
By the way Wade... really think about what you're saying. The "government" which is currently run by a half term senator that never held and honest job or did an honest days work in his life. You think we should let this government get even bigger? It is bigger than ever before in history but it has not done anything to help Americans improve... and giving them welfare or whatever you wish to call it has so far only made more people rely on welfare... maybe you should give less government a chance because god knows we haven't done anything like that in a long time... by the way, in 1930 the world was a very different palce than today. one of the reasons we are having problems is because of monetary policy.... the Federal reserve and the banks... it is interesting to see what has happened though. Obama gives public lip service for political reasons against the banks but does nothing to increase financing available to businesses. But if you're a big campaign donor he will get you whatever you want... 1 billion, 4 billion for Soros and petrobras, and 10 billion for UAW and the unions... how was wiping put the bond holders, mostly retirees on fixed incomes by the way, how was that helping Americans? Main Street? Get a grip... stop following the left and the right... they are the same... big corporate interests and the left wing are all together... the folks in the middle are the ones not heard from...
blah blah blah
While you bla bla bla, the voters are more and more motivated to bring in some that will listen to their very real issues. Indifference is a great motivator.
I'm concerned about the prostitutes in Congress.
Well a lot of them were democrats that got kicked out last election so there is a good start.
We will be at your front door soon.
Why do you think President Obummer sold all those illegal guns to mexican drug lords??? More lies and innuendo Bob? Do you ever tell the truth? Why is it so hard to type Obama? I have no problem typing George Walker Bush, and I despise the man.
The answer to GW Bush is not and was not Obama. That's where we all lost because Obama was "anti W". I understand because i also thought we were being taken for a ride by Bush and Cheney. What is interesting is that guys like Chris Matthews of msnbc were "selling" us this war in Iraq. I didn't agree with him then and I sure don't agree with his anti conservative views now. Calling anyone that disagrees with Obama a racist, secret one or otherwise is the Media's fall back position on everything and it has generally pissed all of us off. Why is Herman Cain surging in GOP polls? Where's Chris Mathews big mouth now? I don't agree with Herman Cain either but I think the point is made. This "racism" is contrived to divide the American people in the middle where the real power lives.
As this progresses we have to move toward each other and put aside petty differences. The only place where I will never concede though is on the basic principals of capitalism and being against the redistribution of wealth by the government... sorry but if you're for that then we can't agree. There are simple and basic ways to make things better for this country and I would like to hear someone dare to say it... Remove anti trust protection from Health Insurers and regulate them like any other utility. One place we can all agree is that health is a basic human need like water, electricity and other services... provide more competion first and choice and the if that alone doesn't work then regulate rates... and ... then let's see businesses thrive with a healthy and happy workforce... let's remove this burden and make health care really affordable. This BS Obama has done only shifts the burden onto Americans that are already struggling and by doing so stir up more class warfare and buy the votes of the financial or economic bottom half of the electorate.
and what about Operation Wide Receiver that the Bush administration put in place?
My comments .. my response to a left wing lunatic was removed completely... it is not even on my own page any more. What are you afraid of newsvine and msnbc? You're afraid to hear from a real business person? my story is too real for the fantasy world of limosine libs? What's the deal?
... Kyot ...
It was restored...
www.occupyfoxnews.com, perhaps then they'll change their minds
It seems to me that we have two major issues, the debt and the lack of jobs. Of course these go in different directions. Republicans will tell you the debt is the biggest issue today even though they are just as responsible to it. We've been in debt for years and we will get out of debt with a Democrat as always, but the pressing issue for Americans today is JOBS!. People want to work, we need infustructor, and it would seem that there is a very simple solution. It's not like our debt will put us at a disavantage today against what is going on around the world. What will make a difference is what we look like as a country when all the dust settles and the world economy gets going again. We can be prepared for it or we can continue to play catchup with our roads, airports, electric grid, Internet, etc. It would seem we can solve one issue now and one soon enought as soon we get everyone back to work. The Occupy crowd are not asking for anything but a chance, in fact I would say most are tired of living off their parents or the Gov. While a jobs plan by the Government is a temp solution, it has worked in the past and can work again.
Mr. Cantor, as out of touch as anyone I have ever seen. These "mobs" are your citizens, way to go dude.
You really are an arrogant dumbass.
go forth and occupy!
Yes, Cantor you should be concerned--they have only started!
I want my check! I want my free money! I want money and not have to work for it. Oh wait there are jobs like that. It takes election to office to get one. VOTE FOR ME!
Wajiw, the last thing I want is free money. I want a job that pays fair compensation for my skills.
Do you not recognize sarcasm when you see it? My wife and I do work for a living. We are classified middle class. The ones who are required to carry the load.
@Wajiw, Repeat after me: Sarcasm is the lowest form of humor...........sarcasm is the lowest form of humor...........sarcasm is ..................
Sorry Wajiw.
I am so used to seeing people who type posts like yours and are not sarcastic. White Mountain is a nice name. I have a many times great grandmother who was a full Cherokee.
Imatthebeach needs to get back to the beach. And to Wade thank you.
In case you (imathtebeach) returns, my sarcasm was not and repeat after me "not intended as humor"
Apparently, a majority of those who vote are not bothered by the tax code. If they were, they would seek out candidates who will (or say they will) abolish the tax code and replace it with a tax code that is short, simple, equitable and does not require a gestapo organization to enforce.
Problem is, if the tax code is re-done to fairly tax wealthy people, corporations, and others who currently avoid paying taxes, too many freeloaders and beneficiaries of the current tax system will be victims of unintended consequences--they will lose their government "I ain't never worked and never will" programs; some of them will have to do something that their families haven't done for generations: work for their livelihood, move where the work is, give up tax-payer supplies housing, be required to prove disabilities for which they are now getting SSI and other welfare money, and become a productive member of society. Who believes Progressives and their supporters favor such changes?
Cantor about the mob wow he belongs to the G O P mob in congress. greed @ power
let me clarify something for each and every one of you....1. you are upset Cantor called people defecating on the US flag and police vehicles ''peaceful protestors'' while you hurl derogatory names at the Tea Party...if you knew what you were talking about you would know the Tea Party when it began...was made up of Democrats, Libertarians, Independents, and Republicans. This Occupy movement has stated their demands, which when looked at sensibly are ridiculous. They want jobs, but they want the borders open so that people can come into our country and take jobs from our citizens....they demand a $20 dollar an hour minimum wage, which wouldnt matter because the employer would just hire some foreign invader for $10 an hour. The chain of events would go like this.....$20 minimum wage...business chop their workforce by over 50%....union labor now feeling the crunch, strike for more pay....your next trip to McDonald's will be for a $10 cheeseburger $5 french fries $3 Coke...that you have to wait 45 minutes for because theyre now runnin the store with THREE employees.
I agree our govt is broken, is it the Republicans' fault, seems many of you seem to think so, but a lot of the sweetheart deals that broke wall street and the corruption is due to the actions, policies, and inaction of the Democrats as well. And ''we'll just have to pass it to find out what's in it'' is not acceptable or responsible leadership, which is why the Tea Party was started.
If you love this country do yourself and our children a favor...quit treating our leadership like a football team. I dont feel the Dems did a very good job when they had complete control for two years, dont blame the Republicans for that. And when those Republicans are elected to ouster Dems that were ineffective or irresponsible dont cry foul....the reason the GOP candidates were embraced by the Tea Party was not because the Tea Party were a bunch of Republicans, it was because NEITHER party is gonna push for anyone to unseat their incumbent member. DEMAND ETHICS, HONESTY, INSIGHT, AND EXPERIENCE...anything less and you vote for the problem and not the solution...Remember what we teach our children on the day you vote, if youre ever given the opportunity again...CHARACTER COUNTS!!!!
you can now collapse my post because you disagree...for god's sake you dont want anyone to see this...and since I mentioned it...for a bunch of people screamin about free speech etc etc...I sure did see a lot of collapsed comments cuz they werent liberal enough...practice what ya preach
The Tea "Party" is made up of old people with nothing better to do than attach tea bags to their heads, okay? I'm not reading any further than your report of "defecating on the US flag" remark.
And as far as Cantor goes, he changed his tune before the end of the day yesterday. Try to keep up, okay?
And have a nice day. :)
if you knew what you were talking about you would know the Tea Party when it began...was made up of Democrats, Libertarians, Independents, and Republicans.
I don't care how it was started, Dave. I only care about the impact it has had on the GOP and the democrats. It is driving politics further and further to the right. If this is hate speech in your opinion, you may expect a torrent from me.
I agree our govt is broken, is it the Republicans' fault, seems many of you seem to think so, but a lot of the sweetheart deals that broke wall street and the corruption is due to the actions, policies, and inaction of the Democrats as well. And ''we'll just have to pass it to find out what's in it'' is not acceptable or responsible leadership, which is why the Tea Party was started.
No it wasn't entirely the fault of the GOP. Blue dog Democrats, and independents had a hand in this too. The lions share of the resposibility does go to the GOP. Rather then take a hard line with the TEA party and difuse them before they got going, the GOP embraced the TEA party, betrayed everything Lincoln died for. If Lincoln were alive today he would be a democrat.
If you love this country do yourself and our children a favor...quit treating our leadership like a football team. I dont feel the Dems did a very good job when they had complete control for two years, dont blame the Republicans for that.
The control the Democrats had was watered down by record filibusters in the senate; by a GOP whose number one goal was the failure of Obama. Obama, was I'm sure overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task at hand. It scares me too. I do love this country. As Republican center left moderate I refuse to let anyone push the country over an economic cliff without a knock down drag out fight.
The TEA party is getting huge amounts of money from people like the Koch brothers, wall street, oil companies, and anyone else with an axe to grind against liberal policies. Many conservatives misuse the word to imply that liberals are communists, socialists, and even traitors. Why is that? Could it be there is No substantive defense of the draconian policies the extreme fringes of the TEA party advocate?
OWS, is grass roots. They answer to no political party for their platform. They are not getting money from the entitites I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Organized labor is backing them up. Their numbers are growing every day. I am a 99er. The real test of the 99ers is whether or not they can attract the support of the angry majority.
I respect you as a person Dave, my disagreement is over supporting policies that will not fix the economy. I took economics as I went after my associates degree. I trust what I learned over the opinions of conservative individuals who think Herbert Hoover was right and he should have been given more time to solve the problem. To be fair while Herbert Hoover was blamed for the depression the seeds for it were planted in the 1920's. It was going to happen who ever was in office. What Hoover advocated did not work in the thirties. Why does the TEA party and the GOP insist on continuing his failed policies. If something doesn't work move on to something that does. If something does work do it as long as no one is harmed in the process.
Great post, Wade. Thanks from a little northeast of you!!
YW, Dave deserved a thoughtful, polite response. Whether I get one in return remains to be seen.
Wade, let's just hope he keeps it concise.