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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.
Leave a Comment:
As predicted, this group of spoiled White children “acting-out” is not representative of anyone except jealous-envious-and greedy young dupes who now realize they lack the talent, ambition and ingenuity to become successful, and resent those who do.
They are dupes for allowing the Unions to co-opt and takeover. Middle America frowns on this type of violent and jealous acting-out.
All the polls say you are totally wrong. Your comment about jealousy could apply to Christ.
Yeah, Libtard slanted polls.............ha! So gullible.
P A Y B A C K!
Oh brother. You're clueless and will fit right in with our current administration......please go to washington immediately and accept a position. lol
Willing.Sniper: If you don't have anything intelligent to say, please refrain from saying anything.
"Middle America", as you call it, was created by unions in the 20s to 50s which forced business to pay equitable wages. Since the 70s, business has backed out of those agreements to where workers are back to square one.
Time to look in the mirror, Willy.
Grow up and I mean intellectually if that is at all possible in your case. Unions represent around 7% of the entire workforce and like the puppett you are you follow the puppetmaster mantra that says it's the unions. they are the ones to blame. Sorry we have to move our factories to Indonesia, China, and India where we can pay $2.00 a day wages with no government regulations whatsoever. It's the Unions really.
Get serious, get educated and get reformed. The Koch brothers care nothing for you or the environment and if you don't believe it go google the penalties in the Millions they have paid for illegal activities in the past 20 years.
maybe you should look a little closer, willy, there's more than a few older protesters also
Right, Cantor. Go on record proving that you have zero ability to hear the public's message.
Stupid.
Its hard to hear when Grover Norquest is holding your BALLS real tight saying NO TAXES ON THE RICH. Sold your soul to Grover huh Eric!
Eric Cantor continues to embarrass himself and show he has no principles. Obama should use all this Cantor speak...in his campaign. My question is who are these people electing him? We should find out what business is in his district and boycott it.
I think it's just a matter of time...any minute the doors are going to fly open and Wall Street and Corporate America are going to start handing out millions of dollars to everybody protesting. This is what they want right?
There was the Arab Spring and now we have the American Fall. The world condemns Syrian oppression of their peaceful demonstrators but not a heard about the brutality against peaceful American demonstrators!
Yet!
Bob-1445446
There was the Arab Spring and now we have the American Fall. The world condemns Syrian oppression of their peaceful demonstrators but not a heard about the brutality against peaceful American demonstrators
Bob, I saw an interview where it was said at the moment they want the focus to stay on the Wall Street Bandits.
Like cherokee said "yet". I'm sure it is coming
Mr. Cantor, what is going on is a perfect example of America! The GOTP policy of doing nothing and allowing the rich and financial institutions to become more profitable while the Middle Class's Income has dropped 7.4% in the last 10 years is shameful. I am just sorry the protest are not on the steps of the Capital Hill at your doorstep and in your face you little pasty face nerd!
Such profound statements, these are my favorite words these days! Perhaps Cantor needs to read the declaration and also the first amendment of the Constitution.
We are long overdue!
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
Nurse
I've always found this statement by Jefferson to be disingenuous at best. "Blood of patriots and tyrants"? I remember we were pretty upset when this quote turned up on t-shirts and signs at Tea Party rallies.
We are making progress. Try to keep it in the road.
Be scared politicians, be really really scared.
Cantor has some nerve, I don't recall him referring to the tea party gatherings as "mobs". Give me a break, his buddies from Wall Street must have whined to him because its probably disrupting the limo services down there...
They are nothing but youth-flash mobs. They will be gone as soon as the batteries on their Ipads dies....
They have been occupying Wall St for 3 weeks now. This movement is not going away. Power to the 99%!
Bad Boys. Bad Boys. We are coming for you.
Love this quote:
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.
What a transparent joke this is. This is the entire re-election campaign platform for Obama. Obvioulsy there are more people without large balance sheets than those with them. So lets start a class warfare and garner votes from the group with the most people. It's almost funny. What do these idiots protesting expect to gain? How about moving your protest to D.C. and yelling at our President who has done nothing in three years. What's really funny, as I sit in my office where I employ 75 people, the Classified section is four (4) pages long. Go get an F'ing job you bums. If it's not the "perfect" job, take anything until something better comes along. Great job of dividing our country on class, race, religion and politically by our President. You know great Presidents overcome adversity and prosper; terrible Presidents just blame others for their failures. I wonder which one we have.
Please note above how "organized labor" is thrilled with the protests. Again, what a joke.
Justy go back and enjoy a new keg of suds.
cherokee: What's the problem?
Stop! Wer ist euer Führer!
Definitely not Obama, as he is not a leader.
Reading through the comments, I am not surprised at how many people really do not understand this movement or where its going. As someone who has participated, I want to clear the air a bit....
1- This movement is not a left or right wing movement. I ran into democrats, republicans, socialists,communists, liberaterians. We may not all agree on everything, but the one thing that we can agree on is that our current mode of corporate government must end. One of the biggest talking points discussed is the end of allowing corporations to finance politcal campaigns. Lots of good ideas are out there. Giving both nominees the same amount of money, etc
2- Most don't want something for nothing. Granted, this is a leaderless movement and people are participating where they fit in, but overall.. people aren't asking for socialism or to be handed the wealth that others have worked for. Most simply want to raise awareness and gain support to end the unethical behavior of wall street that has gone unchecked for so long. I worked my ass off to get what little I have.. I have held off starting a family because I want to be able to AFFORD one. With the cost of insurance, education, healthcare. I can't reasonably do that right now. We want to see everyone do their part.
3- Alot of participants are young people. Many that I met are fresh out of college, in debt up to their eyeballs from paying for college and cannot find work that pays a liveable wage. Education in this country has become as much a corporation as wall street. THe cost of a college education these days is ASTRONOMICAL! and the sallie maes of the world are all too willing to help anyone and everyone attend school... 90 days same as cash..
4- This is not about Obama or the GOP.. Its not about relection or election.. Do your homework... You'd be surprised how many lifetime liberals are out there holding anti bailout/anti obama signs. And how many republicans are out there with ANTI GOP big business signs. This movement has said over and over again it is NOT a political movement. And while the unions are supporting it and out there with it, The organizers will no let them co opt or fund it in any way. That much has already been decided.
Stop watching Fox and CNN.. If you want to know whats really going on, get your tail out to one of the local occupy demonstrations and ask questions of the folks participating.. You'll find that lots are there for different reasons and different peices of the cause. And stop calling them anarchists and communists. Seriously, within every movement you have your extremists.. Are there self identified communists and anarchists participating in the demonstrations.. YES.. but I ask you.. are there not right wing wackos attending tea party demonstrations.. but people seem to want to forget that in every party or movement there is an extreme that gets all the attention
Stop your fear mongering.. Open your mind.. turn off the TV and go experience some things for yourself before you get on here and make a jackass of yourself. THAT is all. If you'll excuse me.. I have a sign to go carry
Go fill out a job app instead of carrying a sign. The classified section is five pages long. And in short, the only answer to this problem of globalization is making it just as profitable or a wash for companies that hire abroad. Either find a way to entice,(tax breaks) or penalize (tax) big corporations from hiring away. Unions must go, as they force companies to seek lower wage employment. Bottom line margins are only so large.
And i do respectfully disagree. Obama and his labor friends are fueling this stupid exercise. Pitting classes against each other will ultimately end up with more votes for Obama. He's all about himself, always has been and always will be. Not saying he's the cause of this problem that has been brewing for years and years; however, instead of working to solve it, he's flaming the fire.
I have a job.. Thanks
I'm there in regards to corporate government and greed.. Some of the more extreme views are not for me. I'll give you some of my perspective. I've been with my current company for 10 years. I'm a professional level manager. In the last five years, I have seen my company freeze merit increases, do away with 401k, student tuition programs, change their benefit program into a joke, take away more and more employee programs due to the cost... HOWEVER our company pays 200K a month for our CEO to commute back and forth to work from another state. Our Directors and above are still receiving massive bonuses. I am okay if we have to reshape and restructure due to the economy.. but don't expect me to do all the belt tightening while you continue to live as if nothings wrong.
THIS is the issue with alot of corporations. the top (aka the 1%) continue to live as if theres nothing wrong, expecting everyone else to make a sacrifice.. I don't want to sound entitled.. I'm not asking for more than I'm getting.. I'm asking for everyone to make a sacrifice instead of just me.. I feel the same with this movement.. Wall Street, needs to make some sacrifices.. And class warfare has accomplished alot through the ages, don't underestimate its power or its purpose. Rush is probably on.. you should go listen for your daily brainwashing
I'm not disagreeing with you on any of the points you made. Prior to starting my company, it was the exact same issues. At first they paid 75% of medical premiums, then 50%, ultimately 10%. No more raises and bonus freeze. No more match on 401K; however employees could put what they wanted up to the legal minimum. My unit was bringing in over $3 million a month in business. I hand picked the top seven (7) employees in our division and started my own competing firm. Ended up in Federal Court, because the multi-billion $$ company was pi$$ed. It was settled, in my favor and I now have all of that units business plus quite a bit more. Figure out a way to do what you do on your own and take a risk. I pay my employees incredibly well, because they are on a commission plus base structure and earn every penny. Needless to say my salary has increased 10 times over.
Sorry, I have not watched a far right or left show from beginning to end in my life, as they just irritate me. The only show I watch, and it's now and then, is Piers Morgan. Not overly political. If you read past posts; I definitely think Obama has been a complete and utter failure at overcoming adversity. I'm also not a fan of any of the GOP candidates. It's like Groundhogs Day with the last election. It was hard to even vote as none of the candidates were qualified.
I think I just found a new source of revenue the Republicans could support at the next debate.
TAX THE UNIONS!
Okay, Romney, Perry, Santorum, Paul -- nah, forget Paul -- Cain, Bachmann, do you support tax increases on the unions as corporate entities, as a new source of revenue?
No reason they should be exempt, none whatsoever.
No VASTLY SLASH the salaries of MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION!
THIS IS THE PROBLEM.
MOSTLY fat suits sitting on their butts kissing ass and DOING NOTHING!
PS- EVER HEARD OF NEPOTISM??
Unions are like corporations now. They have executive management, they have boards of directors, they have shareholders in the form of members, and they have employees in the form of staff.
How come the unions get away with not being taxed?
not in their defense but they do pay taxes. They are in place because there are workers that belong to the union and each one of the members pay taxes. Even the Union officers that get paid from the members dues pay taxes on their income from the union, the actual organization does not. They are supposed to be non profit organizations!
Unions should be abolished. Their time has come and gone. They are part of the reason corporations started exploring cheaper labor in other countries. I would tax them, churches, and other b.s. religious organizations.
..yeah..Willing Sniper is a whiny crybaby....who knows nothing about unions except what his whiny boys at FOX News tell him.....
Yes--deflectand distract! Unions are a wedge issue! At issue here is the corporate takeover and monopoly of our country!
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
Brewzky:
You better put down your paper, get out from behind your PC screen and keep an eye on the supposed 75 employees you have. They may be conspiring as you fiddle. Given your anti-union rant, I bet that is what you fear most - workers demanding a fair living wage.
brewsky!!!! i'd bet you're a very dry martini (or two) wirh an extra olive?
No, I built this company with an "apprenticeship" like atmosphere and pay most employees based on production. We will train you how to do what needs to be done; and make you a specialist at doing your job. At least half of my employees make over $100K a year with the lower level all making over $30K a year. It's a great company, great atmosphere and wonderful benefits. Well trained employees allow us to become more and more efficient, thus allowing us to take on more and more clients. If I'm paying them $200K a year, the firm is definitely benefiting. Some who are making between $50K and $200K a year, never made more than $30K a year in their life. This world has always been about supply and demand, and always will be. Unions just won't abide with that philosophy.
I do like Martini's by the way, but a little dirty.
and the product is?
Willing Sniper,
So nice to hear you are a believer in the Constitution, the one that guarantees all Americans the right to assemble to petition the government and freedom of association. By all means, let's tax the unions who don't make a profit but let the corporations who do, pay nothing. At least we know which side you're on.
YET ANOTHER COWARD NEO CON HYPOCRITE CHICKEN HAWK
WHO NEVER LOVED HIS COUNTRY ENOUGH TO SERVE IT!
Republicans want lower taxes, a larger income gap; abolishment of the minimum wage, worker's rights, social safety nets, and government regulations; tort reform, arbitrary agreements, and corporate personhood.
In other words, they want the middleclass to merge with the poor, have no rights in the workplace, to a livable wage, protection from an unsafe work environment, the ability to sue their employer if they are harmed in an unsafe workplace, or protection if disabled or laid-off.
The Republicans want the American Dream to only be available to the wealthy (the new aristocrisy) while the middle class (the new poor) are left to toil as wage-slaves and serfs.
Republicans are all about greed, veiling themselves as "Christian Conservatives" they crusade against gay marriage and abortion, while at the same time they want to eliminate social programs meant to help the poor, so what would Jesus do?
And your point is?
on your head, brewski!
Everyone remember during the healthcare debate....those tea party people storming the halls of Congress. Give me a break Cantor. ZERO Principles.
Cantor needs to be wormed.
Eric Cantor must realize that there is a conspiracy going on in this country--Corp America, Bankers, Oil Companies, elitist Supreme Court Justices, and crooked elected officials have conspired create the most favorable environment for these entities by passing favorable laws, and interpreting/creating laws in our court system. The game is almost 70% complete--and they want the other 30% just like a game of Monopoly. Well America has finally woke up and are exercising their right to peacefully demand change by demonstrating. Cantor needs to read his history books--American History circa 1776, the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, and compare what is going on in this country now to those points in History. Let us not forget that the Republican Party by in large supports our right to own guns. That support just might bite them in the rear, this could turn very very violent unless fairness is restored to the masses. Something to think about mister Cantor.
BOB--Cantor already knows that--he is a part of it!
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
This is great. They are determined that they can squash this by no media attention and they are soooooooo wrong. lol This is just the beginning. Making comments about mobs and other statements by the idiots who are in government just ads fuel to the fire.
Has anyone noticed how hard it is to even find the articles for this? lol I mean Corey Feldman owing child support is more available than this article.
You cant control whats going to happen media idiots.......Watch what our country does when they discover they cant stop these guys........eventually they are gonna do...what they condemn China and other countries of doing all the time to demonstrators.....watch..if you dont think they are scheming up ways right now, you're as clueless as the people that think this is gonna go away.
He should be very concerned because this spells big trouble for him and his whole crew.
Cantor should be concerned...He's precisely the corporate lap dog agent of state corruption and fascism that the 99% are protesting against. He like all the other congressional banking schills will be on the wrong side of history.
END THE FED
How come the unions get away with not being taxed?
We never hear about the fact that the unions are protected, including with favored tax treatment. They're not churches; they're not shelters; they're not food kitchens; they're not charities.
Rich unions should not be protected. Liberals want to talk about corporations and profits. Well, how about rich unions that don't pay one penny in federal income tax? And they make lots of profit. They shouldn't be tax exempt.
What Exactly Is Your Problem? Did Some Nasty Union Refuse To Let You Join Them? Sounds like you and Governor Haley, S.C., would make a perfect team/lovers.
ws you're not playing with a full deck.... unless you're playing go fish, or war!!
Dear Willing Sniper?
How exactly do unions make a profit? You really need to keep the muzzle pointed downrange lest you shoot yourself. Oh wait; too late...
Republicans want lower taxes, a larger income gap; abolishment of the minimum wage, worker's rights, social safety nets, and government regulations; tort reform, arbitrary agreements, and corporate personhood.
In other words, they want the middleclass to merge with the poor, have no rights in the workplace, to a livable wage, protection from an unsafe work environment, the ability to sue their employer if they are harmed in an unsafe workplace, or protection if disabled or laid-off.
The Republicans want the American Dream to only be available to thewealthy (the new aristocrisy) while the middleclass (the new poor) are left to toil as wage-slaves and serfs.
Republicans are all about greed, veiling themselves as "Christian Conservatives" they crusade against gay marriage and abortion, while at the same time they want to eliminate social programs meant to help the poor, so what would Jesus do?
Apparently those GOP/TP 'Christians' have never read Mark or Luke or any other section of the New Testament. They ONLY believe the Old Testament sections that fit their character. Fire and Brimstone, Plagues, Floods, etc.
Why not make yourself and skill set attractive to a company. Maybe get a job and live very well. But the liberal way is to blame and fall back on "someone else" when things aren't just perfect. And no one wants to eliminate social programs; just make them realistic and make people accountable. It must be great, bit$h about illegals, but don't ask me to do that kind of work. It's much easier to let taxpayers fill my belly. Obama has done a masterful job of pitting classes against each other for the sole purpose of getting re-elected. It's his entire campaign platform. Pelosi, that hack, is loving the protests. They should be protesting at the White House.
Brewzky - get a clue. There aren't enough jobs. Let see, 103,000 jobs added in the month of Sept. Hmmm, 25,000,000 unemployed/under-employed - you do the math. You sit in front of your paper and spout on about how many help wanted ads you see - count them up. Maybe 150? 200? Then consider how many applicants.
You constantly spew on about how the unemployed won't do the work that illegal immigrants do. Is that the new American dream that we should accept - picking tomatoes or flipping burgers at McDonalds? Oh, and shame on us "anti-American, lazy, filthy commies" for being angry about this situation.
Give me a break! Like I said, you should get back to watching those 75 employees you claim to have - they may be conspiring to unionize while you fiddle.
Sarah: I'm not exactly thrilled about the "situation" either. But griping and complaining usually doesn't solve too many problems. Go to Washington and protest to our President, Congress and the Senate. I don't think any of them, on either side, care or "get it". It's basically you're on your own, so make the most out of a bad situation. And if I were out of work and at risk of losing a home, good schools, etc...I would pick tomato's, flip burgers, or do what it took until things changed. And things will change as soon at the situation in Europe settles down and the election is over, one way or the other.
Doing the protest in one place allows the protest to be suppressed doing it all over the country. The people who are gripping now will be voting in 2012.
The president had to learn his job. I hold the GOP accountable brewzky. Obama made mistakes in the beginning. He is not making them now.
I see a lot of people are confusing the government with Wall Street.
Wall Street has purchased our government - mostly the Republicans because they love the system and are in agreement with Wall Streets values - but they own both parties - yes even the tea party Republicans - the system has been set up so that candidates can't get elected without Wall Street.
Wall Street is never satisfied, they want your Medicare dollars, Social Security dollars, your 401K until there is nothing left - it is all consuming.
They are counting on the stupidity of Americans to keep choosing R's of D's to bicker against each other and name call while they steal the rug out from underneath you but until we wake up - if we ever do - we will be responsible for our own demise.
Cantor is a loose canon on deck. A verifiable threat to all Americans that go to work every day.
End the Viet Nam War! Free the Chicago 7! Break up AT&T! Viva Che!
Oh i'm sorry, wrong era; same faces, different day.
Amazing that the items you identify, protests meant to change the world, really did happen and the world did change.
Now we have, AT&T attempting to merge with T-Mobile, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Guantanimo bay prison.... and the world goes round and round.
As to the same faces, different day, probably the grand children of the 1960-1975 protestors. Amazing what you can see if you look at historical trends. WWII, followed by rise of industrial complex in the 50's & 60's, Vietnam, recession of the 70's; dot-com bubble, rise of the hedge-fund/financial managers; housing bubble, current depression.
mikeSanJacinto, this reply is totally off topic but it was primarily MCI and their lobbying of the Department of Justice that allowed MCI's entrance into the long distance communications market ending AT&T's monopoly status in December of 1983; Vietnam, Chicago 7, and Che were a different era although monied, political interests also pulled the strings of those events.
nobody wanted to break up at&t except AT&T, that way they could make even more PROFITS msj maybe you should read a little bit more..
I am sure if the wall street protestors carried signs such as ones that have been used by Tea Party Demonstrators. Some of my favourites are......
Socialism is NOT FREEDOM!
We came unarmed (This time)
If you're not outraged, you're not paying taxes
Don't Socialize Me Bro!
We need a Christian President
Stop the war on prosperity
Or better yet...maybe had a crosshairs painted on states, images of people, states, etc.
Maybe the Republicans would warm up to these protestors
You mean what the majority of intelligent people believe? Yep.
Those "freaks" acting out on wall street don't represent anyone but a few other freaks. Not mainstream America.
Mainstream Americans just see a bunch of freaks breaking the laws, assaulting police and being arrested.
You Sir, and I use this as a sic, are a dunce and a LEMMING.
Willing.Sniper: Wondering something: Do those jackboots hurt? With all that goosestepping?
That's right..instead of using intelligent debate, resort to name calling. Very intelligent
Cherokee, just because some expresses an opinion that differs from yours, and is obviously correct you don't have to just call names. I guess it's okay not to be upset with Obama's biggest supporters; the unions and Warren Buffet, because they're not greedy money grabbers. Really the Democratic Party should just change their name to the Hypocritical Party.
Brewsky - I am beginning to suspect that you just made up that crap about owning a company with 75 employees. You have way too much time on your hands for that to be the case.
Well I'm not going to try and convince you, but it's true and wish I could tell you the name so you could check it out on the Net. I'm always looking for good hires and have been hiring at a rate of one person every other month for the past two years. You'd be able to read my bio and see me smiling in my corporate photo. And like I said, they are well trained in all facets of what we do. I have worked hard for years and now, knock on wood, can come in and basically make sure all departments are running smoothly. For the most part I do sit in my office and wait for my knock on the door or phone call every few minutes to answer questions. My marketing crew is making calls or traveling around the world meeting existing clients and courting new ones.
These protest are a warning from the 99% either change the financial and goverment systems..or we will change it for you.....and it might not be pretty