The American Spectator : United We Sit

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United We Sit

By Ross Kaminsky on 1.17.11 @ 6:08AM

Select Democrats and RINOs have a Rodney King moment.

Colorado Democrat Senator Mark Udall has put forward the oh-so-Boulder idea that politicians of both parties should intermingle for their State of the Union address seating on January 25th. Udall, and his letter’s cosigners suggest that “partisan seating arrangements at State of the Union addresses serve to symbolize division instead of the common challenges we face in securing a strong future for the United States” and further that “the choreographed standing and clapping of one side of the room — while the other side sits — is unbecoming of a serious institution.”

Senate cosigners include touchy-feely and “red state” Democrats and the usual list of “bipartisan” RINOs (including notably John McCain): Mark Udall, Lisa Murkowski, Kelly Ayotte, Mark Begich, Barbara Boxer, Ben Cardin, Susan Collins, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar, Mary Landrieu, Joseph Lieberman, Joe Manchin, John McCain, Claire McCaskill, Jeff Merkley, Ben Nelson, Jack Reed, Jeanne Shaheen, Olympia Snowe, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Ron Wyden. There is also a handful of House cosigners.

I have no doubt that Mark Udall is sincere. He is that sort of guy.

Indeed, there is something ridiculous (or at least unserious) about one side of the chamber cheering while the other side sits somberly, especially when the scene is repeated a dozen or more times, slowing down a speech that most of us watch only because we feel that we must. But we’d read the Cliff Notes if we could and certainly don’t appreciate applauding senators keeping us from the latest episode of CSI: Des Moines, or whatever we’d prefer to numb our minds with that evening.

And a part of me likes the idea of less partisan-for-its-own-sake government. But only a part.

When a politician or party promotes policies which aim to destroy, whether in large chunks, or bit by little bit, the fundamental fabric of our republic, to cripple free markets, to increase dependency on government, and to whittle away at the liberties which have made America the greatest nation in history, patriots, including the very few members of Congress able to claim that mantle, are obligated to protest with force at least equal and opposite to that of the left’s destroyers.

Congressional kumbaya is fine as long as it does not diminish the actual and perceived force of such protests.

Given the tendency of the American left to want to muzzle debate, especially once they have power, as shown by Barack Obama’s masterful use of the Internet and his mass media lackeys to win election, followed by his warning to people not to pay so much attention to the news and the Web once he began to implement his anti-American policy agenda, skepticism of “getting along” is more than justified.

Whether it’s wanting to reimpose the “Fairness Doctrine” or Senator Jay Rockefeller’s (D-WV) statement that he’d like to put Fox News and MSNBC out of business (and what leftist wouldn’t make that trade, given Fox’s massive viewership advantage?), the left is not and never has been about free political speech even while it supports the First Amendment at most other opportunities. Can you imagine what James Madison would say upon hearing that political speech, the speech the Founders most wanted to protect, is the least protected class of speech in America, falling somewhere behind phone sex and (perhaps related) ads for “ED” drugs.

Not surprisingly, semi-Republican Lisa Murkowski (AK) who won reelection with the support of many of her state’s Democrats after losing the Republican nomination and running as a write-in candidate, is going along with Udall. A Murkowski spokesman said “the seating arrangement is largely symbolic but also a heartfelt gesture.”

What Murkowski probably doesn’t understand is the power of symbolism, particularly the symbolism of Democrats — enabled by well-meaning useful idiots within the GOP — being able to subtly parlay the actions of a madman in Tucson into an implicit acknowledgement by Republicans that they need to “tone down” their criticism of all things Obama.

If Murkowski, along with Maine Senators Snowe and Collins go sit with their liberal friends, or if Nebraska’s Ben Nelson makes a show of sitting with Republicans as he faces reelection in 2012, nobody would be particularly surprised. But as nice as the idea sounds of bringing more “civility” —- the buzzword of the month, or at least in a dead heat with “vitriol” — to American politics, what is at stake is too great to be sacrificed for pleasantries.

As Finley Peter Dunne famously put it, “Politics ain’t beanbag.” As he less famously put it, “A man that would expect to train lobsters to fly in a year is called a lunatic; but a man that thinks men can be turned into angels by an election is a ‘reformer’ & remains at large.” Perhaps the same could be said of a seating chart.

About the Author

Ross Kaminsky is a self-employed trader and investor and is a senior fellow of the Heartland Institute. He is the host of The Ross Kaminsky Show on Denver’s NewsRadio 850 KOA at 11 AM on most Sundays. You can reach Ross by e-mail at rossputin(at)rossputin(dot)com.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (126) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.17.11 @ 6:13AM

With McCain slobbering all over Obama like the family dog, the end game of politics 2008 have now been played out and it's obvious the Republican party was duped into sending a political waif up against a slick political machine.

Don't fool yourself. The inside the beltway crowd is hard at work orchestrating the next election cycle. They and their allies in the state run media don't want any changes and want the big spending to go on until the inevitable end.

So when you observe salutations of greatness to an Obama speech which contained an outright lie about political rhetoric don't wonder why because the answer is obvious.

And when you see attacks against Sarah Palin which are unrelenting you know what they fear the most. They fear someone coming into Washington and upsetting the apple cart.

That's why many of the alleged front runners are the same old recycled hacks including Newt Gingrich who admits he screwed up once. It would be more accurate to state he screwed up big time.

The only thing obvious at this point is that the acolytes of big government in both parties are the apparent heirs to the throne and slobbering is a new fad inside the beltway, along with crying. It all plays to the emotionally deprived who want to hang onto the fantasy of equality and justice.

In truth, the U.S. Government is the biggest fabricator of inequality, pumping out more inequality with each and every law. Last year saw another assault on the freedoms defined in the Constitution and until the federal government stops being a gender and race referee the problems in our economy will continue. Obamacare and the new financial regulations bill were both chock full of racial and gender bias.

And what do we hear? We hear McCain claim Obama is a real patriot. This statement was made on the day it was revealed that the White House had shut down the border fence claiming it was ineffective.

A law was passed that required the fence but it was sabotaged first by Senator Hutchinson from Texas and now by the Obama White House. At least Hutchinson is leaving DC but who will replace her? Will it be another died in the wool RINO? Keep in mind this is DC at it's best, making a big hooplah about building the fence but shutting it down with a government edict.

Now I have a question. If we have a government that can't build a fence, one of the simplest engineering feats possible, how will they run health care? I can tell you the answer to that, and it goes beyond the obvious.

Healthcare will be built with fences, separating the public from healthcare and through class warfare in the system, separating the public from each other.

The public is simply a backdrop to a never ending phony drama where the costs get higher every day and the wealth and personal freedoms of the individual are always under attack from inside the beltway. There doesn't appear to be any real backbone from either party to stop the madness.

bobmontgomery| 1.17.11 @ 6:44AM

Thank you.

missbosslady| 1.17.11 @ 1:11PM

Agreed.

The first thing that I thought when I heard about Udall's proposal was, subterfuge and staging.

As usual the left proposes some juvenile marketing ploy. The only thing that continues to surprise are the dupes that so quickly fall in line.

We are a nation of children!

Andy Texan | 1.17.11 @ 7:18PM

There is no real surprise in the action of the dupes because they are only different in degree, not in kind.

Pelligrino| 1.17.11 @ 6:49PM

Thank you, Bill. Right on.

Yes, they cannot even construct a fence and look after the well-being of those in the border states (and beyond -- lots of illegals now all over Georgia and the Carolinas - everywhere).

Nor do they seem to know that radical evil-minded Muslims, astute mafia criminals, spies and others use our southern border for easy comings and goings (with equipment) as they please.

All in Washington, D.C. is a farce.

It's time to take it to a mucher higher level of (peaceful but resiliant) political will of the people change if we are to save our nation.

C.K. Amos| 1.17.11 @ 7:15PM

"There doesn't appear to be any real backbone from either party to stop the madness."

Yes. Perhaps the Tea Party's influence will divide the Republican Party into those who don't have the backbone--or cojones, whatever--to stop the madness you describe; and those who're willing to stand up for America and the Constitution, regardless of the person political consequence?

Kitty| 1.17.11 @ 6:24AM

Democrats don't want people to see that Republicans are now in the majority. As Rush said, they want to "dilute it so that during obvious Republican stand up lines it's not apparent how many Republicans there are."

Redstateboy| 1.17.11 @ 8:30AM

I'm glad to see many aren't buying this cynical ploy to - yes - dilute - the results of Novembers election. What better way to do it than for the country to Not see who is the new Majority, at least in the house and to stifle a Joe Wilson, "You Lie" moment. And does anyone believe that if the results of the election had been the other way around ole Chucky Schumer and Udall would've proposed this BS?!!

FLharleyPM| 1.19.11 @ 6:07PM

I concur. The libs are scared to death that if Republicans and Democrats are seen sitting in the chamber, separated, the American people will see the clear majority is with the Republicans and this is something that they cannot have happen. After all, it's all about the 'optics', weren't we told?

Mark James| 1.20.11 @ 4:37PM

The Dems also want everyone sitting mixed together to give the completely false impression that Obama is "uniting" the Congress. What a crock.

Carol| 1.17.11 @ 6:33AM

Ross:

You are a Coloradoan I believe and you hit it on the head when you said, "the oh-so-Boulder idea" that the useful idiot Udall has proposed.

Other than voting straight down the line for all of Obama's policies, he's worthless. So he brings up this idiotic idea (on the GOP's side who fall for it) to sit together and that way everybody can stand up and clap for Obama as he says nothing about of nothing while he continues his march towards total Socialism/Communism.

The vititriolic rhetoric has been so nasty on the part of the GOP and the talking heads according to Dupnik (a real useful idiot) so that means the GOP needs to give in to the people that are doing their best to break our backs and put in policies that will please Dear Leader.

We've been suckered again.

where is the party| 1.17.11 @ 8:16AM

I used to be proud of my nation and the republican commitment that i saw while i was growing up. I am a child of the Regan Revolution and am shamed by the party as of late. No one cares about the majority of us anymore. Vitriol and blanket statements of refusal to cooperate in the best interest of the greater good has gripped a bitter old party and i have as of late wondered where my fiscal conservatism and concern for my fellow man land me and my party. For shame you have been led to believe that your own leadership has made the right choices by not working together but as i recall the party I aligned myself with worked with leadership of all partisanship and walked away friends at the end of the day. Tip Oneil was not only a fierce lawmaker and liberal he also called the President his friend. How can we all favor the party's refusal to work together and serve in the greater good today. We must work to be more knowledgeable not purely based on pundit based information but on our own reading of bills placed before congress and advice of scholars not entertainers. Please turn yourselves now from the party of Know to the party of independent Knowledge....think things through stop hating even each other and listen to options offered look for ways to work together as Americans!!!! I want so much to show my children the purpose for our discourse is not simply to blacken the eyes of the other side but for the betterment of our life everyday in a country whose destiny has always been greatness. thank you.

VBMax| 1.17.11 @ 9:02AM

Oh my, you sound quite sincere but I fear you are living in the past and have become blind to the reality of our political situation. The Democrat party of Tip O'Neil doesn't exist anymore. What has replaced it is a ruthless, tyrannical machine designed to turn you and your children into slaves. When you advocate for cooperation and bi-partisanship you are promoting the destruction of our American way of life. And your plea to us to "stop hating" shows me that you deal in moral equivalences that have no basis in fact. We would certainly like to be friends with everyone but it is difficult to be friends with rattlesnakes.

Carol| 1.17.11 @ 12:33PM

Thanks VBMax:

Have people forgotten so soon what the Democrats have done to us the last 2 years? They have implemented policies not to help the nation but to enslave as you say.

Obviously the election hasn't been a wake up call for many people.

missbosslady| 1.17.11 @ 1:18PM

Dear 'where',

After I read your post all I could think was "yuck".

Good to know that you don't have the steel in your spine that is needed when the chips are down, and just so you know, the chips are down.

In the same manner that I would confront someone illegally on my property and threatening my well-being I am ready to confront those that seek to destroy a way of life that I feel very strongly about.

So, you'll forgive me my unwillingness to hold hands with my foes while they try to destroy all that I hold dear, and I'm sure you'll forget to thank me when I am successful in beating them back.

JeffT| 1.18.11 @ 2:01PM

Reagan would be the first to disagree with you. Tip O'Neill was the one who called Reagan "an amiable dunce." Certainly not the height of civility. Getting along to get along is childlike "hope" that got us into this Obama world to begin with. There has always been heated and violent discourse in this country. We were founded amid the most heated debate, whether to split from a tyrannical ruler or go it on our own. Luckily, we went the latter course and the United States has never looked back. Except for those who would rather we hadn't split from England. Those America-haters still exist and are ensconced in the Democrat party, the party that has always led in the battle of uncivil discourse.

bobmontgomery| 1.17.11 @ 6:38AM

Sincere? Well, maybe Mr. Kaminsky, but what makes you think that Lisa Murkowski doesn't understand symbolism and is a useful idiot and Mark Udall is not? If you, and others, do not soon connect the d0ts on these stunts being pulled by Obama's re-election campaign strategists, your warnings on usefulness will sound hollow. The Arizona memorial, the co-opting and trashing of Reagan, the inviting new congressmen to the White House, the stunts that will be pulled on Amnesty and other issues, are not isolated initiatives. The President has redeemed himself with the left and is consolidating his control of The Message and The Process.

Ross Kaminsky | 1.17.11 @ 9:13AM

Bob,

I thought I just did connect some dots.

Mark Udall is what he is: a perfect politician from Boulder. But the stuff he is doing is theoretically good for his Democrat Party so in this case the useful idiots are the Republicans going along with it.

Ken (Old Texican)| 1.17.11 @ 10:19AM

VBMax,
Good points above. If I might add, compromise has been the halmark of our country's success, BUT, if one keeps compromising in the same direction, ie: left left left left Left. One soon becomes a slave prole.
We gotta' drag these Lefties hollering and screaming if necessary, back to the middle!

bobmontgomery| 1.17.11 @ 11:52AM

Of course you did. I didn't understand whether you meant Udall was being 'sincere' in knowingly tricking the Republicans or 'sincere' in his personal initiative to be a jovial fellow. I just have a bad case of 'don't people realize blue "Together We Thrive " t- shirts don't just issue forth from the Xi Iota Pi chapter at the U. of Arizona?" going on this morning.

Ross Kaminsky| 1.17.11 @ 12:37PM

Bob,

I actually think Udall is sincere in his desire for Kumbaya, as would certainly befit his background.

I presume his staffers and accomplices understand the dual-purpose nature of this plan, even if it's not Udall's primary motivation.

For the record, just because I don't think Udall himself is motivated by pure deceit and politics in this case does not mean I think his idea is any less harmful.

missbosslady| 1.17.11 @ 1:21PM

bobmontgomery,

I had a similar thought. Not for a minute did I beleive that Udall came up with this proposal on his own, because he's such a good guy. No, my gut reaction was that someone whispered in his ear and he ran with it.

John Daniel| 1.17.11 @ 6:58AM

Didn't they get the message? The only reason we want them reaching across the aisle is to slap these people down. Start playing nice only when they stop destroying this nation.

C.K. Amos| 1.17.11 @ 7:43PM

For a long time, it appears the Republicans and conservatives have not understood that we in a street fight with the Democrats, liberals and leftists.

You wonder how much evidence it'll take for them to grasp that.

IMO, from what I've already seen, I don't think the Republicans have the makeup to engage in that fight.

Yes, it's true that the Democrats, liberals and leftists control both the Senate and the White House.

But so what?

Brian Mc| 1.17.11 @ 7:18AM

I'd be damned if you'd ever find me sitting next to the likes of Reid, or Pelosi! It is time to push back and push back...HARD. The liberal juggernaut has been stunted and is trying to catch its breath. What we, as conservatives, do in the next two years will determine the course of world history...personally, I don't care to be a 'smudge' on the page of same. Take your seat on the "right" side of the aisle and...cross your arms and take notes. We can't afford half-hugs until we take back what has been taken from us...anything short of that is treasonous to our founding.

Mr ED | 1.17.11 @ 7:21AM

"the choreographed standing and clapping of one side of the room -- while the other side sits -- is unbecoming of a serious institution."

One more instance of the Leftists trying to control the "optics" of the situation and use their power to attempt to control the visual message that there is any serious opposition to them and their Dear Leader, Obamesiah. The Leftists MSM will then do "reports" (propaganda) that purport to show how everyone agrees that the Leftists desire to gain more control over the visuals is whats best for all.

A Leftists is a Leftist is a Leftist.

where is the party| 1.17.11 @ 8:38AM

Aren't you doing the same....i apologize however my rooted conservatism is less vitriolic than yours and I find that working more constructively together is the best for the people not hating each other for party affiliation which you clearly state in the last line. I am ashamed for you.

Jack Daniels| 1.17.11 @ 8:56AM

Hey Party,
You obviously don't understand what the democrats are trying to do. You don't get how underhanded they are, how self-serving they are and that they will stop at nothing to achieve their leftist goals. Stop looking for the kooombya moment. It ain't gonna happen.

Dan Hirsch| 1.17.11 @ 9:13AM

Hey, Jack Daniels!

Where Is The Party is ashamed for your. She puts gentle conversation with proven liars to be of more value than forty million American babies slaughtered in the womb. Is she ashamed for them, their mothers, the Hippocratic oath-taker murderers? I doubt it.

Methinks WITP needs to spend a little less time by the punch bowl and a little more time looking at what is being done to our country! I also catch a faint whiff of troll....

Don't tread on me!

missbosslady| 1.17.11 @ 1:28PM

Settle down there, Ms. Murkowski!

where is the party, I can't take you seriously, and I don't think you're serious.

I think you are probably a troll.

However, just in case you're not, you're batting for the other team with your remarks. Your ashamed of folks here? Sheesh!

Well, I'm ashamed of people who would compromise their principles for a little hand-holding and the false appearance of commonality.

Where I come from, you'd be considered 'easy pickins'.

Maddox| 1.17.11 @ 9:22AM

...and those who choose to sit among them are leftist whether they go by that label or hide under another.

Louis Jenkins| 1.17.11 @ 11:57AM

First and foremost, the Democrats don't want to seem in the minority, and they would be when you lump the sum of hypocrites together. Intersperse them amongst the Republicans and things even up for the video.

Plus, if the Democrat stands up to clap, shouldn't the Republican next to him do the same? He'd feel horrible if he didn't. Peer pressure.

John $ Public| 1.17.11 @ 7:33AM

Pull up your easy chair, take out your pipe, turn on the flat screen, and enjoy watching politicians make fools of themselves.

Although your flat screen cost a lot and shouldn't be wasted on frivolities, this should be better then watching a hated neighbor slip on a banana peel.

What you are about to watch with all this hand holding is just another masquerade based on political drama full of retards and fury. I'm know Sarah Palin disapproves of that word, but there are times when it's not only appropriate, it's the only word that will work.

As these professional squeegees sit in front of the nations' glare, and many in the public will be glaring at such a spectacle of folly, will we be treated to another attack on the Supreme Court by the bully Pippin?

This only proves that there is no end to the foolishness of the ruling class. Examples of places where you sit together are football stadiums or churches.

Perhaps that's the best you can take away from this political spectacle is that the Congress is acting like a church. The church of secular humanism where no idea or concept is too nutty to embrace.

In the meantime your flat screens will survive. Whether the nation can survive this group of idiots and actors is another story.

LindaF | 1.17.11 @ 8:33AM

I disagree - there are MANY words that can (and should) supplant the word "retard":

buffoon
marshmallow-for-brains
Swiss-cheese-for-brains
Styrofoam-for-brains
addled
duped
easily-led
purposefully slow
gullible
fool

I'm sure that you can think up your own.

Dan Hirsch| 1.17.11 @ 9:17AM

The politicos you two are describing should be named either useful idiots or unrepentant communists. They don't suffer from any lack of intelligence, any mental deficiency, they suffer from a belief that they are so much smarter than the American people that they should be leading us around on leashes.

Get it?

John $ Public| 1.17.11 @ 9:17AM

Thanks for your suggestion. But I have a personal preference and personal preferences is what freedom of expression is all about. By the way, not one of your terms captures the essence of the word retard.

Maddox| 1.17.11 @ 9:28AM

In this case the following list seems better suited:
traitor, thief, immoralist, dupe, tool, hypocrite, poser, liar, and often communist

missbosslady| 1.17.11 @ 1:37PM

LindaF,

I like the (it should) tucked in with your "suggestion". Was that an order?

How tired I have grown of the roaming speech police.

So many folks, deciding that THEY know what words are best to use in any given conversation.

Well, I have a suggestion for you self-appointed speech cops; STFU!

I do not give a cr*p if you like what I have to say, or if you like the way I say it. Period.

Read the first amendement, understand the first amendement, love the first amendement.

And always remember that the day may come when the policing may be turned upon you.

Stephanie| 1.17.11 @ 7:57AM

"the choreographed standing and clapping of one side of the room -- while the other side sits -- is unbecoming of a serious institution."
The silly dems just don't want that visual that there are more on the other side.
Take your intermingle suggestion and go sit down.

Appleby| 1.17.11 @ 8:04AM

The important thing about keeping the two sides separate is to allow people to see which side has the most supporters, and avoiding fist fights in the stands. Soccer fans know this; Habs and Leafs fans know this; security at both events knows this. If you want to see a really good brawl, just watch a mixed group of Italians and Brits when Italy scores a goal. If you want to see that during the State of the Union -- and I admit this would be much more fun than listening to Obama drone on -- mix upthe fans.

The only possible advantage to mixing th

irish19| 1.17.11 @ 2:34PM

Interesting thought. I'd love to see someone punch Schumer's lights out on national TV.

Michael L. Hauschild| 1.17.11 @ 8:19AM

I don’t know what my representatives are thinking, they are all (R) except for Nelson (D), but you would have as much luck trying to get me to sit with Chuck Schumer as you would getting me to have sex with Barney Frank.

where is the party| 1.17.11 @ 8:34AM

Jack Daniels| 1.17.11 @ 9:01AM

Perhaps, no, you NEED to go write this to the White House website, the HuffPo, MoveOn.org, Media Matters, MSNBC, NBC, ABC,CBS etc.
OH, and her de-throned majesty, Ms Pelosi and that evil dwarf Harry Reid. Sheeeeesh.......

George True| 1.17.11 @ 10:17AM

Wiip, don't you find it rather curious that the Dems want everybody to sit together now of all times? Why not last year, or the year before? Only when they are now in the minority do they want to do this. I assure you, this is not coincidence. You are naively assuming the Dems want to do this as a way of saying "Can't we all just get along". In reality they are trying to obscure the fact that a majority of people want the Dem agenda stopped in its tracks, as evidenced by the now majority of Repubs in the house.

By the way, you might try breaking your comments up into separate paragraphs. When you put it all in one really long paragraph it makes it a bit difficult to read and understand.

St. Thor| 1.17.11 @ 11:13AM

So far the fascist democrats have not done one thing, by real, roll-taking votes, to show they are interested in anything but show for one night, and screw you Repubs the next day. When they have made a meaningful demonstration with real cuts in government, then and only then might someone want to begin to possibly think of maybe it might be worthwhile to consider Senator Udall's proposal.

missbosslady| 1.17.11 @ 1:41PM

where,

Your post was tedious the first time you put it up and it has not aged well in the hours in between.

You're trolling.

WilliamInWien| 1.17.11 @ 8:41AM

WINDOWDRESSING!

Derek Leaberry| 1.17.11 @ 8:44AM

Already, it appears that the Republicans wish to surrender to President Obama and the Democratic Party. After all, they surrendered in December's lameduck Congress. Perhaps the Republicans should nominate Barack Obama as their presidential candidate on the condition that Mitt Romney be nominated as vice-president on a unity ticket.

where is the party| 1.17.11 @ 8:49AM

I don't believe i said offer your sarcasm here did i? How about instead of rude sarcastic idiocy one of you ought to listen to the words we grew up with from our conservative leaders and keep our ideals in check this is never personal politics remember the duty of all who serve is to serve in the greater good of the people of the United States of America. A good thing that the house has been given back to the people so to speak because maybe its time for me to meet my representatives and ask them what party i belong to now that they seem to have forgotten that i vote and that i matter too.

where is the party| 1.17.11 @ 8:52AM

MY representatives would not spend time on a repeal that will go nowhere. MY representatives would worry about getting improved measures for fiscal conservatism...not WASTE MY DOLLARS TILTING AT WINDMILLS....so what you don't like health care but its over don't beat the proverbial dead horse go and move on and be productive for the people who elected you.

Redstateboy| 1.17.11 @ 9:05AM

excuse for asking "where is the party" but are you nuts?!?!? My State!! the Great State of Tennessee, will have 142 Million dollars added to our already in debt State budget for the next 7 years because of HusseinCare!!! States Already bankrupt such as: the People's Republics of CA, IL & NY.. there portion will be in the Billions!!! Now Where do you think this money is going to come from?!! Where!!? Don't tell me to Accept it! That it's the Law... "kiss my butt!" It's needs to be Repealed because it needs to be Repealed.

where is the party| 1.17.11 @ 9:16AM

Nuts? have we taken to calling our own party members names now. Jeez. how appreciative you are of the fact that without the votes in senate this is pure waste of TIME AND TAX DOLLARS

Dan Hirsch| 1.17.11 @ 9:26AM

WITP,

Fie on you! You call for capitulation in the name of peace.

Honey child, you obviously never learned the schoolyard truth - if you don't want to be bothered, you have to show the other side that you are scary. Being nice is easier in the short term 'til the other side develops an addiction for your lunch money. Then they'll take it until you cure their addiction for it. Ever try to talk a drunk into skipping his next drink?

I still get strong scent of Troll, WITP? Tell us about some of the conservative things that make you so proud. Besides RWR calling Tip O'Neil 'his friend.' Ever hear of a little white lie?

Redstateboy| 1.17.11 @ 9:43AM

Me thinks we have a Liber-ul here because my experience with Liber-uls is they'll focus on an expression, ie: "Nuts" and completely ignore the question, ie: "Where do you think this money is going to come from?!! Where!!?"

axbucxdu| 1.17.11 @ 1:03PM

Redstateboy| 1.17.11 @ 9:43AM wrote: "Where do you think this money is going to come from?!! Where!!?"

This MUST be the line of attack. The Repugs shouldn't confuse the issue with philosophy. Sad to say, but not many Americans (including this one) read Aristotle.

However, it's a simple task to demonstrate the arithmetic fact that we cannot scale these "broad, sunlit uplands" without confiscating everything our citizenry earns and even accepting that, then also resorting to the FED's printing presses.

Emphasize the looming financial wreck caused by these pipedreams and emphasize it frequently.

Ross Kaminsky| 1.17.11 @ 9:19AM

"Party",

A vote to repeal Obamacare is not "just symbolic" as the left and the media (sorry if that's redundant) would have you believe.

It serves to remind the American people that Democrats are stymieing the will of the people on health care -- just as we're getting the news of price hikes as much as 59% for health insurance in CA.

Every time the House passes a repeal of Obamacare and the Senate doesn't, or even better if the Senate does and Obama vetoes it, it increases the chances of Republican winning back both the senate and the presidency in 2012, after which they will repeal this monstrosity.

Obama and the Dems are destroying 1/6 of the economy with Obamacare. It is not a 'dead horse' and it deserves the House's repeated attention.

C.K. Amos| 1.17.11 @ 7:51PM

"Obama and the Dems are destroying 1/6 of the economy with Obamacare."

Only if we let them. Only if we let them.

George True| 1.17.11 @ 10:20AM

Witp: Punctuation, pal! Your sentences run on endlessly, and you need to break it into paragraphs. Try using some commas, some periods, and a line space now and then.

missbosslady| 1.17.11 @ 1:45PM

George,

The puncutation is intentional as it serves to differentiate 'where's' posts from the other names it posts under. 'where' is no more a conservative than your average Che t-shirt wearing, 20-something, nitwit.

Redstateboy| 1.17.11 @ 8:47AM

I the immortal words of Maine's Governor LePage: "Kiss my butt!"

Redstateboy| 1.17.11 @ 8:49AM

do as I've done.. email your Congressmen and Senators and tell em'.. we might've been born at night but it wasn't last night.

Anthony| 1.17.11 @ 9:02AM

How truly pathetic our elected leaders are compared to those of us whom they govern and deem to be superior to.
What a simplistic and hackneyed gesture offered up by Udall. I wonder if Udall was upset when Obozo called out the Supreme Court in the last State of the Union, because the lecturer in Constitutional Law thought their decision was wrong. Talk about unbecoming. Oh, and the censure of Rep. Wilson for speaking the truth.
Mr. Kaminsky may assign benign motives to this stunt by Udall, but I see it as has been said, that the left is always thinking politics, and the visuals of a significantly depleated Democrat corps in the House is not a visual they want America to see.
The left is always ready to call the game off when things are starting to look bad.

Dan Hirsch| 1.17.11 @ 9:32AM

The truly conservative Republicans should boycott the flippin' speech entirely. That would be real hard for the Democrats to hide..America would really wonder why the place was so empty.

Maybe, the Tea Party Caucus could hold a meeting at the same time as the SOTU in a different place. Make McCain, Murkowski, Snowe, and the rest explain themselves to us. The Tea Party caucus might even be asked what they didn't like. They could say it was retaliation for Obama's lies about the SCOTUS last year.

Historically, the SOTU was a letter that the President mailed in! LEt's go back to that, rather than this Greek columns whizbang side show.

Stay the heck offa me!

John Navratil| 1.17.11 @ 12:08PM

Mr. Hirsh,

Now THAT would be effective symbolism. I like it! Of course, the boycotters would be bashed mercilessly in the media.

Truth to tell, and I know I shouldn't admit it, while I have watched every SOTU address since I became politically interested in the early 70's, there is a style of Obama's delivery which I just cannot stomach. His staccato delivery with odd cadences, varied volume and a habit of trailing off at the end of each sentence makes it awfully difficult to hear the message for the delivery. I should be made of sterner stuff, but I am weak. However, I wouldn't mind hearing McCain, et al, trying to spin their way into relevancy - that is after I get to see which aisle seat Ms. Sheila Jackson-Lee has found for herself and her red dress.

Mimi| 1.17.11 @ 9:17AM

Until the DEMS stop the DENIAL and come to terms with the TRUTH that " YOU LOST THE ELECTION" You were wrong in putting up such a LIBERAL man to lead this NATION...Your policies were WRONG and UN- AMERICAN....You were DEFEATED!...WAKE-UP!.. Get on with it. The Rebublicans cannot or should not be sucked in to their DELUSION of business as usual..Nov.2nd never happened.
As a retired Drug and ETOH nurse I can smell denial a mile away...it will be games and blames until the libs face the bold truth.
Who cares where they SIT...what is important is what is SAID. Like ..." AMERICA WE ARE SORRY " we went in the wrong direction, now we get it and we will CHANGE. It's time to face the TRUTH...too much real work must be done and NOW. !!!!

C.K. Amos| 1.17.11 @ 7:55PM

"Until the DEMS stop the DENIAL and come to terms with the TRUTH that 'YOU LOST THE ELECTION'."

Some may be in denial.

But it appears their strategy is simply to ignore that with which they disagree and push on.

I've thought for the past couple of years that they will not stop until someone or someones--or the Republican Party or conservatives and, now, the Tea Party--stand squarely in their way and smack'em up side their heads.

Really, why should they stop their behavior if it continues to produce results for them.

That presumes it's all about party and has nothing to do with their governance of America or they fulfilling their oaths of office.

da monk| 1.17.11 @ 9:30AM

How are any of you dyed-in-the wool Conservatives/Republicans going to get any of your proposals made into to law if you refuse to have ANY dialogue with your Liberal/Democratic counterparts? The idea of our Constitutional political system is for both sides of an issue is to have a CIVIL dialogue and work things out so that both sides will feel comfortable with the outcome. Other wise you are bloviating and tilting with windmills...and nothing is accomplished by either side of the question.

Dan Hirsch| 1.17.11 @ 9:40AM

da monk

Have you tried this?

"Oh please sir, don't take my wallet. Oh please not my credit cards. Oh pretty please"

Or do you remember Chamberlain saying don't worry, I talked to Adolph, it's gonna be "...peace in our time."

Illinois citizens might remember when the income taxes were raised from 2.5% to 3.0% - the legislators swore "it's a temporary hike." Last week they were true to their word, it was only temporary - they raised it again from 3% to 5%. This after floating a 5.25% trial balloon so the Illinois taxpayers would 'feel' better.

I hear these appeals for "civil discourse" as nothing more than a crafty 'shut up' unless you agree with us. Unfortunately the true conservative has principles that prevent him (or her) from lying like that.

What does civil discourse mean to the 2 million babies aborted every year?

As Mom used to say, "Tough toenails!"

da monk| 1.17.11 @ 12:43PM

Dan Hirsch: So what do you propose? Your invoking of Prime Minister Chamberlain suggests to me that we have Civil War. Because going to war was how Churchill we should get rid of the "enemy" Regarding Illinois: What do you suggest? The state go bankrupt. Claim Chapter 11? Obviously your plan is to have Congressmen and Senators not communicate with each other and thus sit idle and accomplish nothing. Regarding abortion: Abortion is the law of the land. Obviously you don't agree, but then again there are laws I don't agree with and the best way to turn over those laws is the Congress or an appeal to the Supreme Court. But, using your approach of not communicating with those you disagree with nothing will change. Have you ever given some thought that, maybe, if the Pro-Lifers and the Pr0-Choice peope would sit down and discuss their differences, mayb, just maybe they could work out something that would satisfy each side. You can't do that when as you claim "these appeals for 'civil discourse' are no more crafty 'shut up unless you agree with us". Isn't that just what you are doing? As my mother said: "You reap what you sow"

Tm the Enchanter| 1.17.11 @ 3:34PM

Thanks for the disinformation. Abortion is NOT the law of the land. What was the Senate bill number, and what was the House bill number? What President signed it into law? Which members of each House voted "yea" and which voted "nay"? That, as I understand it, is the process for something to become the "law of the land", as you put it. Am I wrong? Abortion was forced upon this country by unconstitutional judicial fiat- nothing else. We, the people, were not even given a say in this. Liar.

Dan Hirsch| 1.18.11 @ 9:17AM

I offered the boycott as a response to proposed empty, meaningless gestures that would have an unintended effect.

Chamberlain wanted to avoid war with Hitler, so when the Fuhrer told him he did not have any war plans, Chamberlain naively jumped at the chance to believe him. Hitler came away thinking that the British would abide his rapacious attacks on his neighbors. My invocation of Chamberlain inducing you to think Civil War suggests you do not know or even slightly understand the events leading up to WWII.

As to Illinois's legislation on taxes; just the weest (pronounce it we-est) research would show you that Illinois has been spending far beyond its means for many years with strong national economic providing cover . They have yet to consider a nickel of cuts to the union employees or their pensions. They pander endlessly, they even upheld Rod Blagojevich's moronic free rides on public transportation for anyone over 65 years of age. One thing they cannot abide is decreasing taxes on anyone or anything. What other state had protestors chanting "Raise my taxes!"?

As to abortion being the law of the land, there was a lot of legislation on the books supporting the institution of slavery in this country. Its status as the law of the land was, thank God, ended; but not without a lot of immoral simpletons claiming that the ownership of other human beings was 'the law of the land.' With abortion we have over 40% of pregnancies in New York ending with the destruction of a tiny little human in its mother's womb by force. The day will come when we look back and chuckle at how wrong that 'law of the land' was. As to the utility of sitting down and discussing this with pro-choicers, I see the same profit as sitting down and talking to Saddam Hussein, all that does is buy him more time to prepare his counterattack. I expect the pro-choice counterattack to be a media event, not small arms fire. But prudence recommends preparedness.

And you bet I am working within the system, however every moronic comment or suggestion by those trying to stifle those who agree with me not be considered anything other than a ploy. Which is what this "Why can't we all just get along" plaint is. We can't get along because the liberal progressives will only accept complete capitulation. They are the ones not willing to compromise. Would they consider tightening the "life of the mother" abortion standard to something a little tighter than, 'Oh then I'll have to shop at Costco!' or "But I really want a girl" or "You know in ten percent of these cases Down's Syndrome presents in the baby, so you should consider terminating this pregnancy."

And yes, I stand by the proposition that this sitting together is nothing but a ruse to hide the puny nature of the Democrat's platform.

Monks often took vows of silence; I recommend you look into it and take action.

Melvin| 1.17.11 @ 10:10AM

Reach across the aisle to get something done. The American voter has resoundingly rejected the ideology of the Democrat Party.
Why would we want to heap more of the same onto our shoulders?
The Democrats had their chance to create the utopia they promised us, and all it did was cost us trillions of trillions of debt.
Reach across the aisle. I think not, As some have noted the Democrat Party is not the Party to parlay with anymore. It is a ruthless and voracious political machine.
Republicans should not join with Democrats, but loath and crush them.

C.K. Amos| 1.17.11 @ 7:57PM

Well said--with the exception of loathing the Democrats. Pity seems more appropriate.

But crush their socialist/communist/totalitarian destructive policies? You bet.

John Navratil| 1.17.11 @ 12:10PM

da monk,

One hopes at least as many as were crammed into law against public wishes by the Dems acting without a single opposition vote.

da monk| 1.17.11 @ 12:50PM

And why was that so...because the Republicans said "No" to any proposal by the Democrats

And now the Republicans are braying how they, now that they a majority in the House and gained seats in the Senate they will do what they want and the opposition be damned.

George True| 1.17.11 @ 1:29PM

It was the Dems who refused to even have a debate on any aspect of Obamacare. From day one, the Repubs were literally locked out of the back rooms where it was drawn up, and no debate was ever allowed to take place. The Dems would not listen to even a two minute explanation of why what they wanted to do would cause the calamities that are now already starting to happen. In fact, the Republicans had eminently sensible proposals that would have worked and did not require the government to take over anything. But the Dems said NO. No to debate, and no to even a cursery glance at any alternate proposals.

And so it has been with every part of the leftist agenda that the Dems have enacted over the last two years. No debate. No discussion. just NO.

The Dems are in reality the party of no.

John Navratil| 1.17.11 @ 9:03PM

Mr. True,

You're half right! They are the party of no when they are in power, but committed to bipartisanship when not. It's "What's mine is mine, but what's yours is ours."

Anthony| 1.17.11 @ 7:08PM

Dear da monk, We are at complete loggerheads with the left. The governing principles of the right are a complete anathama to the left.
We believe in a Constitutional Republic,you on the left are advocating for socialism, or worse, redistributive Marxism.
Please enlighten us as to how we are to find "common ground" with each other.

C.K. Amos| 1.17.11 @ 8:02PM

"We are at complete loggerheads with the left."

Certainly, we're at loggerheads. But haven't we simply now arrived at an unbridgeable social, political and cultural chasm?

335blues| 1.17.11 @ 10:10AM

The rinos should sit with the marxist democrats because they are all progressives anyway. It would be less confusing for everybody if all of the socialists sat together, and all of the conservatives sat together.

Fallgold| 1.17.11 @ 10:33AM

Charlie Brown, (Republicans), Lucy, (the Democrats) and the football. Charlie Brown is always sure that this time Lucy will hold the ball and he can kick it. She never does. Same with the Republicans. Gee, if we only be nice to the Democrats, Surely we will all be happy together.

The Democrat strategy now is to totally difuse any opposition to the socalist agenda of the Democrats. Don' fall for it.

Tom of the Missouri| 1.17.11 @ 10:37AM

"A man that would expect to train lobsters to fly in a year is called a lunatic; but a man that thinks men can be turned into angels by an election is a 'reformer' & remains at large."

I think it describes John McCain.

What a great quote!

bob alou| 1.17.11 @ 11:14AM

It would seem to me that arranging the participants in such a way that the minority democrats must stand more or less alone when clapping makes it more obvious that they, and their support for wrong-headed policies, are in the minority. It also seems to me that given the intellectual deficiencies of many on the left, they are less likely to stand at all if expected to do so without obvious cues from their fellows. As long as the repubs know when to sit still, and are not carried along on the sea of comity, they stand, or sit as the case may be, to gain more than the dems. It also might be instructive to have Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe , next to the Durbins and the Schumers just to let their constituents know when and where they actually stand.

Derek Leaberry| 1.17.11 @ 11:17AM

Maybe senators from opposing parties can hold hands during the Big Speech as well. Perhaps Speaker Boehner could take off his suit jacket and allow the President to walk over it in a sign of fealty to the great leader. Before the State of the Union, opposing senators and congressmen could buy each other meals, say, Barbara Milulski could buy Jeff Sessions a polish sausage or a crab cake sandwich while Sessions could buy Mikulski a whole side of beef. After the Big Speech, it would be lovely to have a big hoedown square dance on the House floor. It would be charming to see David Vitter promenading Diane Feinstein while Charles Schumer could promenade Lindsey Graham and Barney Frank could promenade Mark Kirk.

Mike D.| 1.17.11 @ 11:22AM

How warm, how fuzzy. Another "healing" moment from brought to us by the "we just want to help you" coalition, i.e. the Red blues(marxist/socialist party) and the Red reds(statist/socialist RINO's) Nice. I feel healed already. Maybe they should be assigned a gift partner like we did in first grade and give each other gifts. that would make for a touching moment that would melt our hearts. Sorry, but I kinda like to be the arbitrator of when I am in need of healing and by who I need to be healed by and once again, sorry government, your not on the list. Heres a note to the Republicans. When your done holding hands with the leftist destructionists(now you RINOS can do this by holding your right hand with your left) please remember your party has 2 years to show what it has or it will cease to exist as a party. Now carry on with the Republican tradition of gullibility, mental masturbation, and bi-partisionship and that all encomposing desire to be loved by the leftist media propaganda machine.

Brian| 1.17.11 @ 11:29AM

Political foreplay is all it is. Silly Repubs, the Dems aint gonna love you in the morning. In fact they're gonna kick you out of the car, tell you to get ice for your lip, and make you walk home in the rain.

George True| 1.17.11 @ 12:15PM

A harsh metaphor, sir. But all too true. Well said.

Mugwa| 1.17.11 @ 3:15PM

I just about fell out of my seat laughing at this. But you forgot to add,

As you walk the wrong direction, holding the bag ice to your swollen lip, the driver patches out without realizing the car was geared in reverse, running your a** over. Inspecting the scene, he shrugged his shoulders, and thought to himself that while he didn't do it on purpose, it sure turned out nicely.

George S| 1.17.11 @ 11:31AM

Republicans sweep the House, state, local and county seats with power to affect the makeup of Congress for generations. How do you stop this onslaught from destroying the Democrat Party? You throw spokes in the wheels.

First, Obama proposes a tax cut during the debate on the Bush tax cuts, then he uses the lame duck to push through more of the left's agenda. Then you use the Tucson crime to shift seating in the House and to consider changing the name of the repeal ObamaCare bill. This is classic guerrilla warfare tactics where the smaller, smarter, more organized fighting force is able to keep the much larger force in check with constant small cost diversions and redirections. Republicans are being thrown off their game and the country is soon forgetting why they elected them when the response to the SOTU seating chart is: "Oh how nice!".

dnha14| 1.17.11 @ 12:32PM

The Repubs really agreed to this? Seems like we have come to one-party rule in the country.

Mike Hawke| 1.17.11 @ 12:51PM

Seems our ol' RINO buddy Capt. McQueeg is back to his old self playing with the opposition again and reaching across the aisle. He ran as a conservative again to get re-elected and now he's back to sitting on the other teams bench. He's going to have a hard time cobbling together another gang of 14 as most of his Liberal pals are not in the Senate anymore. Maverick, my rear end. He's an Establishment RINO.

e cowan| 1.17.11 @ 1:51PM

'.....Democrat Senator Mark Udall has put forward the oh-so-Boulder idea that politicians of both parties should intermingle for their State of the Union address seating .....Senate cosigners include touchy-feely and "red state" Democrats and the usual list of "bipartisan" RINOs'.....'
The whole idea sounds so Jr. high School, it's hard to believe that some of the most powerful, influential men and women in the world are serious about it.
AND: '.....Not surprisingly, semi-Republican Lisa Murkowski (AK) who won reelection with the support of many of her state's Democrats after losing the Republican nomination and running as a write-in candidate...'
Semi-Republican may be overstating the case.

Clint| 1.17.11 @ 2:10PM

Memo: Conservative Congressmen & Senators will wear Bags over their Heads with "Don't Con Us" written above the eye holes.

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

Carpe Diem.

Sid Vicious| 1.17.11 @ 2:17PM

Someone's laughing, Lord, kum by yah,
Someone's laughing Lord, kum by yah,
Someone's laughing Lord, kum by yah,
Oh, Lord, kum ba yah.

Someone's scheming, Lord, kum by yah,
Someone's scheming, Lord, kum by yah,
Someone's scheming, Lord, kum by yah,
Oh, Lord, kum ba yah.

Someone's preying, Lord, kum by yah,
Someone's preying, Lord, kum by yah,
Someone's preying, Lord, kum by yah,
Oh, Lord, kum ba yah.

Someone's winning, Lord, kum by yah,
Someone's winning, Lord, kum by yah,
Someone's winning, Lord, kum by yah,
Oh, Lord, kum ba yah.

Mugwa| 1.17.11 @ 3:12PM

Did the House not get the message on 2 Nov that

"WE DONT WANT YOU TO BE FRIENDS WITH THE DEMOCRATS"

STOP OBAMA

Lester Jackson| 1.17.11 @ 4:39PM

Given how impressive Sen. Coburn has been, it is shocking that he would sell himself out to sit with Schumer. (http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/138159-coburn-schumer-to-be-seat-buddies-at-state-of-the-union-address.)

I am equally shocked that, as of now, his name has been left off the McCain-Murkowski list. Is this an oversight, or is Coburn being given a free pass?

Coburn should be bombarded with phone calls and emails. Can it be that he does not understand Schumer is using him?

C.K. Amos| 1.17.11 @ 7:11PM

Or can it be that the traditional Republicans are desperate to show America how inclusive they are?

Or that the Rs lack the steel in their spine to act as if they'd won and had clear direction, rather than losers who just awakened to a change in fortune that they can't comprehend yet?

J.CEaton| 1.17.11 @ 6:01PM

Given that several of my conservative sisters and brothers are all over this foolish burlesque like a bum on a baloney sandwich, my observations will be terse. What is this bullshit about cooperating with the lefties for the betterment of the people!!!!!?????????????? It's child's play to get along with a lefty:just do what they say; give them what they want, when they want you to give it. The return on giving cooperation to a lefty is a kick in the groin. Wise up Pubs, these clowns HATE you[at least if you are a genuine conservative, and they have unmitigated contempt if you're a RINO]. Warriors come to fight....so get on with it.

RCV| 1.17.11 @ 6:26PM

Thank God we have adults in Congress instead of the juvenile posters on this site. We have a country to run, the most powerful country in the world, with a host of economic difficulties to face, not to mention military conflicts around the globe. Those problems aren't going to go away while you sit around and hold your breath until you turn blue. Adults are able to hold fast to principle while engaging in a meaningful search for solutions to the national and international challenges that face our country.

George True| 1.17.11 @ 8:39PM

Is that the best you can do? What a childish rant. The "adults" you speak of specialize in alienating our true friends and allies, coddling those who have sworn themselves to be our everlasting enemies, and spending trillions of dollars that we didn't have. These are not the actions of adults. The truth is the reverse of what you said.

Sid Vicious| 1.17.11 @ 9:26PM

Thank the L-rd we have adults in Congress now instead of pompous-ass socialists. Like you.

Clint| 1.17.11 @ 6:41PM

Republican Senator Tom Coburn:
"On Tuesday (November 2nd,2010), the American people sent a clear message. Now is the time for politicians in Washington to make hard choices, live within our means and reduce the size of government.

Republicans have wisely described these results as a second chance rather than a mandate. The question now is whether we take that chance or squander our opportunity.

Our top two priorities should be to rein in wasteful spending and begin the task of repealing and replacing the health care bill.

Obviously, other important issues can't be ignored, such as passing pro-growth tax breaks, regulatory reform and other measures that will get businesses investing and hiring in the short term. Still, the solutions that will shape the future of the country and change the culture of Washington revolve around spending, health care and entitlements."

NJK| 1.17.11 @ 6:53PM

I view this as one more ploy to chip away at our traditions. I also view it as a ploy to make it appear as though it is the government against the people. These are the same people who have bullied us for the past two years.

Like George Washington said when they wanted him to be King after the Revolutionary War. " "I didn¹t fight George III to become George I." We didn't vote one party tyrannical rule out to give the illusion of another. Please sit where you normally would. These people always have an ulterior motive. They are manipulative and to me it says, it's the government against the "little people." This is the message Soetoro is trying to send.

Arizona, why did you do such a foolish thing and elect the progressive John McCain. He is Obama's whipping boy.

J.C.Eaton| 1.17.11 @ 6:54PM

rcv, who are the "adult" conservatives you lend such deference toward. You hypo, when was the last time you had anything non-malignant to say about any of them. You are a pompous, insufferable knowitall. A site carbuncle. Point being tool, a liberal cannot be dealt with other than to defeat one.

NJK| 1.17.11 @ 6:58PM

RCV,
I take issue with you calling people here juvenile posters. I somehow doubt George Washington would have sat with the British. Take your pompous attitude somewhere else. It's unfortunate that the juvenile voters did what they did in 2008. As far as military conflicts around the world, I thought Jim Jones, oh excuse me Soetoro was supposed to heal all of the world's ills. What happened?

RCV| 1.17.11 @ 11:00PM

That's just the point. George Washington was mature enough to understand that the representatives elected by the American people who opposed him on issues were not the enemy, but his fellow patriots. The fact that you refer to our President as Jim Jones tells me all I need to know about you.

Clint| 1.17.11 @ 7:05PM

Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine:
"One of the traditional methods of imposing statism or socialism on a people has been by way of medicine. It's very easy to disguise a medical program as a humanitarian project. "

C.K. Amos| 1.17.11 @ 7:07PM

"Congressional kumbaya is fine as long as it does not diminish the actual and perceived force of such protests."

When the Democrats, liberals, leftists and RINOs can construe one Republican voting with the DLLs as a bi-partisanship effort, deceit and insanity rule the day.

Loren Clobes| 1.17.11 @ 8:07PM

Wow, who gets to sit next to Harry Reid during the SOTU address. For all of his low blow tactics in the senate, I hope that he gets assigned a seat in the OUTHOUSE.

Liberal Reader| 1.17.11 @ 9:20PM

Kaminsky --

This is just a nasty post. The people's business needs to get done in DC, and there needs to be a bit more trust, a bit more comity, a bit more decency, and a bit more civility among Congress members. It doesn't mean they're not going to debate and disagree. It just means they're going to sit together. Jackass.

You may not like everything they do. But there are in fact Democrats in this country; we make up about half the electorate. 65 million of your fellow Americans voted for Obama. The arrogance of gesturing at such a vast multitude of Americans and concluding we are working to destroy the Republic is astonishing.

Sid Vicious| 1.17.11 @ 9:23PM

Sit on it, socialist. What you sew, so you shall reap. Get ready for a bitter, inedible crop. For another thing, "elections have consequences," and "we won." BOHICA, buddy.

Liberal Reader| 1.17.11 @ 10:56PM

What I "sew," I will reap, you say? Well, fair enough.

C.K. Amos| 1.17.11 @ 9:41PM

You may not be personally, but your party's leadership is. And you and those other millions continue to support them in their socialist/Marxist agenda. Therefore, until such time as you who don't agree with the leadership, then we must conclude that you support their destructive extra-Constitutional legislating and governing, as well as the apparent full-out assault on the Constitution.

As for what the Democrats have done in the past four years in Congress, but especially the past two years: No, I don't like anything they've done.

Liberal Reader| 1.17.11 @ 10:54PM

Yes, yes. Marxism, socialism, etc. etc. More John Bircher stuff, and a bore. Thank you.

C.K. Amos| 1.17.11 @ 11:06PM

Not a John Bircher, if even you know what that is.

And, yes, I understand why you think it's boring. Has to do with the blinders on your eyes and pluggage of ears.

Not surprised, either, about you not being able to comprehend or admit that as long as you support the Democrat Party, you support its leadership's agenda which is anti-American, anti-Capitalist, anti-Constitution.

But, you know, no need to say more. For you and your ilk, won't make any difference.

Yosemeti Sam| 1.17.11 @ 10:58PM

Um, the unemployed, say, from that miracle year 2009 benchmark to date - will they be invited to sit along side the suddenly nouvelle vague Democrats?

NO?

Well, how about those who've lost their homes?

Yo, Udall - let's party BIG TIME!

Flypaper them RINOs for us - up front!

patrice| 1.18.11 @ 7:17AM

If this idea is a democrats', then I am most leery. I do not trust them especially with a Chicago backroom politician named Obama with his Chicago cronies as the strategists.

Longdrycreek | 1.18.11 @ 3:07PM

I do not watch any president speak or drone on and on. Thus, the State of the Union is not for me.
However, when the applause lines are cast out, will the Republicans in the group setting jump up when the Democrats do?
My guess, of course, the Republicans mingling in the group setting will jump up. They do not want to be exposed as racists.

Touchy Feely| 1.19.11 @ 3:18AM

I applaud the extremism exhibited in this article; no compromise, never give in. I only hope you bring with you the other old folks, so you can all move on together. The rest of us are sick of your negativity, and sick of your wingnuts.

Adidas | 8.11.11 @ 5:32AM

is good

العاب بنات | 4.11.12 @ 2:32PM

Obviously the election hasn't been a wake up call for many people

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Keep the IRS Scandal Alive

Matt Purple | 6.17.13

FLASHBACK TO: 1995

Pope Culture

By George Sim Johnston

A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck

By P.J. O'Rourke

Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
Dames at Sea

By John Corry
In the Absence of Guns

By Mark Steyn

In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
The Metaphysical Martini

By Werner J. Dannhauser
Counting the Costs of Clintonism

By Robert H. Bork

The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
Chuck McHagel

By George Neumayr

It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted

By Douglas Bartholomew
It’s the Best Time of the Year

By Mark Steyn

The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
The Bush Crack-Up

By Brit Hume

Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?