Is this a test? No, really, is it?

[veronica_rich]

I try REALLY hard to moderate myself and not to judge too many kinds of people before I know them individually well enough to see how they act/behave. But I gotta tell you Republicans ... some of your guys are, to borrow from Nathan Fillion, sorely fucking testing my easygoing nature. (Just so you know, this isn't the first one, not even in a little while. I've sort of been just watching to see if the moderate Republicans were interested in taking their party back from the teabaggers and that ilk, and I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion it's not gonna happen. Pity. Some of you guys weren't too bad.)

Poor children are like stray dogs? Complaining about "babies having babies?" How about this: The conservatives, by and large, make it less difficult to obtain public reproductive education, birth control, and abortions. (Yes, I understand abstinence-only has been a wildly successful gambit thus far. But let's say we try something radical and new - say, something based in actual science and psychology, instead of trusting rutting teenagers NOT to screw like bunnies, as they have been for 40,000 years or more?)

Oh, and some advice, Lt. Governor: Lecturing people on accepting welfare in the worst economy in more than 70 years and calling their children curs may not be the best way to get votes. Just a thought.

Comments

[lizzie-omalley.livejournal.com]

Indeed! I do believe in abstinence for teenagers. I had one student, last year, ask me how many men was too many. I looked at her and said, "for you dear, 1."

I also know that teenagers are going screw like rabbits and they do need good education about how to be healthy and unimpregnated if they are too dumb/stubborn to listen to why they should wait.

I couldn't believe my ears when I heard that on the news today.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I know! I personally know several Republicans who would wince at this kind of remark, whether they privately agreed with it or not. I can respect that one may not like public welfare, even if I don't agree. But there are SO many better and more tactful ways to argue against it. Then again, using any sort of tact would show that the far radical right has some respect for human beings - and I don't think they do. Not a bit. Just open your mouth and let whatever fall right out.

(ETA for pronoun corrections.)

[crevette.livejournal.com]

I was appalled.


I didn't object to his other points, about making sure that parents who receive aid be involved in their children's schooling. That's a big one for me--no matter what the economic class, there are too many parents not involved with their children's education/social life/etc. I'm big on taking responsibility/bettering your and your family's life.

But Jesus, man. "Feed them and they'll breed"?????? The man is vile. Beyond vile.

And you already know my feelings on abstinance based education--I had a fucking cow when I found out that's all they have at the high school level down here.

Ugh. That man is beyond vile. Ugh.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I would say it just makes my head hurt, though I'm becoming more used to stunts like this. Yes, the Democrats pull some boners (as do some Independents - look at Leiberman, for godsake). But I just don't see the level of cruelty and as you say, vileness, as I do in some of these remarks. Ugh.

I think we should sentence him to go help Dan Brown record his next novel. And then not buy it.

[xenafox.livejournal.com]

Alll I can say is: *HEADDESK*

Not on your part of course. I don't understand how some of these people are allowed to express their opinions sometimes. Really. I feel like Republicans ought to be muzzled...or have their hands tied when near a keyboard.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

There are definitely some that fall into that category, just from sheer vile. There are Democrats who do, too, but mostly from opening their mouths and letting Teh Stoopid fall out. (Then again, I'm sort of willing to put up with Stoopid over Cruel most days.)

[dahlianna.livejournal.com]

I'd like to say I totally disagree with this guy because I find his manner deplorable and most of what he says offensive, but I kind of agree that the welfare system is seriously flawed.

Truth is, we ARE breeding a culture of dependency. I get so sick of seeing people come in my office with their hand out saying, "Gimme. I DESERVE it!" when they haven't worked or tried to work a day in their lives. Meanwhile, I see those who have slaved away trying to do something with their lives get told that they're just not needy enough for the help. Please don't get me wrong. I seriously believe in helping people out when they need it. But I also believe in helping those who help (or try to help) themselves.

Some of my coworkers and I figured it up last week over lunch that if we quit our jobs, lied to get on disability (like we see many people do), got on HUD housing, food stamps, got the local community action agency to help out paying our utilities, and did jobs for under-the-table money (like we know many of the people in our county do, but, what with the money being under-the-table, who's to prove it?), we could have free medical coverage and about $1,000 or more a month to play on. Just PLAY on.

The lesson being taught? Sit home on your lazy arses and collect your free government money. You live longer, have less debt, and less stress. But don't try to help yourself at all because that's when you're not worthy of help anymore.

Bitter? Me? Nah.

*G*

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I don't have a problem with criticizing the existing welfare system. It needs some serious fixes; nobody knows what those problems are more than you do, seeing it at the local level. But I wouldn't do away with it. Also, as much as I personally DO have a problem with people not practicing better birth control, I think to drag kids into this kind of vitriol the way he did is disgusting. It's not a kid's fault it's been born or that it needs food and medical care.

And honestly, the strays comparison? Ugh. And this is coming from somebody who likes animals more often than people. It's not that he's comparing people with animals - it's his clear intention in saying it, what HE thinks of animals. And he doesn't think much more of people, it doesn't sound like.

[captsparrow4evr.livejournal.com]

Humans _are_ animals, something which the Republican talking heads seem to constantly forget (because, of course, we're special and not real animals because we're "made in God's image":P, but we're all the same kind of animal whether we're rich or poor, and that's where this *ahem* gentleman seems to be confused. I don't find the idea that he called "them" stray animals so problematic as much as I find the utter disdain for "them" in his voice when he said it. "Them" is still "us", Mr. Lieutenant Governor. And like it or not, "they" do have the vote and, if I were any Democrat in South Carolina, I'd be using this on a continuous loop to remind the good voters of SC just what the Republican party in their state thinks of them.

[a-silver-rose.livejournal.com]

I read an article yesterday that suggested he might have been one of the reasons that Sanford wasn't impeached. Or, at least, that it was a good thing Sanford wasn't impeached and tossed, because this guy would be in charge.