-
Another Double Standard
May 31, 2013 | 6 comments
-
USPS: Radical Surgery Needed
May 17, 2013 | 20 comments
-
No Fisker for Your Garage
April 22, 2013 | 50 comments
-
A Breakthrough in Ukraine?
April 17, 2013 | 7 comments
-
Thatcher Passes
April 8, 2013 | 8 comments
Political Hay
Harry Reid’s Parallel Universe
Even more amazing, he’s hardly the only Dingy Democrat in Washington.
One year when George W. Bush was president, there was talk of his making recess appointments when Congress would be on holiday. Senate Leader Harry Reid countered by keeping the Senate technically in session by having one or two members show up each day. Bush, with the Constitution in mind, dropped the recess appointment idea.
Barack Obama, by contrast, went right ahead with a recess appointment last month, despite the fact the House Republicans stayed in session for the same reason — to prevent such a move.
This time, Harry Reid said it was right and proper for Obama to do what he did. Reid saw neither the irony nor he inconsistency in this, for he lives in a parallel universe.
The other day he returned to Washington with a warning to House Republicans to eschew Tea Party “extremism.” The Tea Party movement was driven by a desire to stop the government’s profligate spending and the rapidly growing national debt. In Harry’s universe, this is “extremism.”
In December, the Senate Democrats and Obama wanted a two-month extension of the payroll tax rate holiday and unemployment benefits. The House Republicans said it didn’t make sense to come back after two months and re-argue the issue, so they proposed a 12-month extension. Reid wouldn’t budge and ultimately the House blinked before the two items ran out on December 31.
About this Reid said, “I hope that the Republicans will understand, as they learned in the last week of last year, they can’t be led over the cliff by this extremism.”
Saying that Senate Democrats had “bent over backwards” to work with House Republicans, Reid declared that all he was asking for was a spirit of compromise. His version of compromise is, you give, I take.
Since January 2007, Harry Reid has been Senate Majority Leader. Speaking of bending over backwards, one thousand days have now passed since the Senate last passed a federal budget — an all-time record, thanks to Harry Reid. By stalling over and over again, he and his Democrat colleagues have not had to make tough choices about cutting the government’s bloated spending. Instead, the government operates on “continuing resolutions” that have kept existing spending in place, plus automatic annual increases. The result? Spending grows apace and the national debt is now over $16 trillion.
No wonder House members supported by Tea Party groups are upset. Harry Reid — living off in space — thinks uncontrolled spending is normal and fiscal responsibility amounts to “extremism.”
Harry has brought some of his colleagues along into his parallel universe. Democratic National Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, for example, recently said, “I have noticed the tone take a very precipitous turn toward edginess and a lack of civility with the growth of the Tea Party movement.” (Translation: Anyone who disagrees with the Democrat playbook is uncivil.) Vice President Joe Biden, who takes frequent trips to the parallel universe, has likened Tea Party members to terrorists.
These are the same folks who have extolled the “Occupy” people as earnest exercisers of First Amendment rights. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was one who cooed over the Occupy movement. It is useful to compare its record in recent months to that of the Tea Party groups. For example, arrests: Occupy 4,149, Tea Party 0; rapes Occupy 12, Tea Party 0; anti-Semitic diatribes: Occupy 12, Tea Party 0; murder: Occupy 1, Tea Party 0; head and body lice infestations: Occupy 1, Tea Party 0; scabies outbreaks: Occupy 1, Tea Party 0; suicide: Occupy 1, Tea Party 0. Now if you live in the Harry Reid parallel universe, as so many Democrat office holders and operatives do, that is clear evidence that the Tea Party members are extremists.
Most people would say they are extremely well behaved, but the parallel universe people would like you to think they are a danger to the nation.
About the Author
Peter Hannaford was closely associated for a number of years with the late President Reagan, beginning in the California Governor’s office. His latest book is Presidential Retreats.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (40) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Peter Hannaford
More Articles From Political Hay
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/01/26/harry-reids-parallel-universe
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
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
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
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
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
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Lmajito| 1.26.12 @ 6:37AM
More dingy than read are the folks that keep on re-electing this wimp. Maybe Nevada has more Mormons than Utah
Crassus| 1.26.12 @ 10:02AM
As long as the Republicans keep running idiots like Sharon "Flouride in the Water" Angle, the Harry Weed's of the world will continue to get re-elected.
Dick Nome| 1.26.12 @ 10:10AM
What are you smoking or toking??
MTB| 1.26.12 @ 12:26PM
It's not Mormons putting him in office. It's the dolts who believe in his promises (aka lies). I personally heard with my own ears non-Mormon Nevadans state they were going to vote for Harry Reid "because he can get things done." When I asked them where he had been for Nevada the past 2-3 years, all I got was silence.
max_kain| 1.26.12 @ 4:53PM
There were also reports that they were bringing in union folks from across the border. Harry's son was in charge of certifying the election as well. Machines were broken and repaired by union members. There were a lot of irregularities with that election, but there is no fraud, just ask Holder.
Shamus| 1.26.12 @ 7:27AM
Presidential appointees should have to be brought up for consideration within a reasonable time (such as 60 or 90 days). It's irresponsible for the Senate to delay consideration of an appointee.
NedB| 1.26.12 @ 8:12AM
As I understand it, they were not even submitted to the senate for consideration.
TrueBlue | 1.26.12 @ 4:56PM
NedB, you are correct, they were never submitted. In fact Obama had the ability during the December recess (an ACTUAL recess period) to do recess appointments of the individuals but he chose to wait until they were back in session to do so. This shows a (or should I said ANOTHER)blatant disregard for the Constitution by Obama.
Also, he blames the Republican-controlled Senate for why he did this, yet the Senate is majority controlled by the Democrats. It's yet more lies spread by the Cult of Obama and the MSM.
old white guy| 1.26.12 @ 8:06AM
i find myself at the point where i can no longer read about these morons. harry reid and all the dems are mental defectives. there can be no other reason for an american to want the destruction of america. communism, socialism, whatever you want call it does not work never has never will. there just is no cure for stupid.
A. C. Santore| 1.26.12 @ 9:54AM
Respectfully, OWG, both your characterization of Reid, et al., AND Peter Hannaford's are wrong, and both fall into the trap of believing that what Reid, Pelosi, and Obama are doing is anything other than fully conscious and evil.
Your analysis of the reason for their actions, however, is correct. Everything they have done is calculated to bring down the U.S. - economy, government, Constitutional governance, and society.
For example, not having a budget allows them to continue to wrack up debt until the system breaks.
No soviet system has ever been introduced in a country that is strong economically and socially, and has a government that puts the people first.
That was the U.S., so it has to be broken.
USSA, here we go if the evil trio and their fellow travelers have their way.
Conserdude| 1.26.12 @ 8:13AM
We can thank the GOP establishment in Nevada for Sen Reid's re-election in 2010 by its refusal to back Sharon Angle. She was hardly the perfect candidate, but a much worse result has occurred with the repugnant and dishonest Reid remaining in office. Thanks alot Republicans.
Old Soldier| 1.26.12 @ 8:39AM
For some reason, Congressman Dean Heller declined to run for Reid's seat in 2010. He would have won easily. He will probably win this year and fill Ensign's seat.
Reid is nasty vicious politician and managed to pull it out in 2010.
Mike Hawk| 1.26.12 @ 9:43AM
Reid was an incumbent with the full support of SEIU and the corrupt Democrat machine. Any candidate would have an uphill fight in a case like this. Establishment Republicans blew it by not supporting the candidate. Sharron Angle had no chance without that support and a real tough time time even with it. She was magnificent and gutsy in the whole thing. We need more of that kind of political courage.
ex bankster| 1.26.12 @ 10:14AM
On election day 2010 a small army of democrat operatives landed in Las Vegas to increase the turnout of unionized casino workers so as to facilitate the re-election of one Harry "Dingy" Reid. Sadly it worked.
Crassus| 1.26.12 @ 10:04AM
Angle lost because she was a complete fool not because the establishment wouldn't back her. If you want to defeat an idiot like Harry Weed don't run a bigger idiot like Sharon Angle against him.
* String Tied On Finger| 1.26.12 @ 12:57PM
Note to Tea Partiers:
* Do not, under any circumstance, run Crassus as a candidate, even against an inarguable self-evident idiot such as Harry Reid.
Dick Nome| 1.26.12 @ 2:12PM
Crassus would be a worthy opponent to the likes of Alan Greene who challenged Sen. Jim Demint is SC in 2010. Crassus would probably lose.
tsd| 1.26.12 @ 8:54AM
Not much good to say about the people who put these slugs in office... yes every vote matters.
Naturalborn Texicanette| 1.26.12 @ 8:55AM
Harry Reid is senile and needs to be removed from Congress on the grounds of incompetence..........
David W| 1.26.12 @ 9:12AM
Don't forget, Forgetting that a Police Car is not a port a potty - OWS 1, Tea Party 0.
Dick Nome| 1.26.12 @ 9:44AM
Mark Levin thinks Dingy Harry is in early dementia. I agree after listening to much of the dingy one's ramblings.
Lee Ghume| 1.26.12 @ 12:21PM
Harry stopped too many of his opponents' punches with his cranium during a less than stellar pugilistic career.
Anthony| 1.26.12 @ 10:29AM
Harry Reid, like Chuck Schumer, Dick Durbin, Barbara Boxer, Carl Levin and the entire D Senate is a dispicable human being.
The Democrat Senate is a sewer. They give rats a bad name.
VonMisesJr| 1.26.12 @ 10:31AM
Harry Reid wants to fulfill the "Enlightenment" dream of returning the bourgeoisie back to Middle Age serfdom. Anything he says has to be understood in that context.
Why do you think government staffers can fail to pay one billion in delinquent taxes and he wants to raise others taxes? They shall be the priviledged Lords of the land exempt from taxes, and we shall be their indentured servants tilling their crops.
1ConservativeUSA| 1.26.12 @ 11:02AM
It is only because of an apathetic and uniformed electorate that a man like Reid can rise to the level he has risen.
Dixie Pixie| 1.26.12 @ 7:15PM
Do not blame the electorate for a system so rigged, it makes the USSR elections look honest.
It makes no sense to blame the electorate when the majority of voters were rendered inconsequential by both Parties Elites.
daddio| 1.26.12 @ 11:18AM
"Reid saw neither the irony nor he inconsistency in this, for he lives in a parallel universe"
No he doesn't. He knows EXACTLY what he is doing.
RICHARD| 1.26.12 @ 11:48AM
Of course, to a Leftist "good", "right", "truth" itself is what enables them to achieve or maintain power.
RichTex| 1.26.12 @ 11:49AM
There is nothing inconsistent with any of Harry Reid’s actions or statements. Remember, to the Leftist mindset, there are no absolutes, moral or otherwise. Whatever helps advance their cause is good and true; what hinders it is evil and false.
Doctor Right| 1.26.12 @ 12:04PM
It's fun to make fun of Reid, Pelosi, et al, because they are truly despicable people.
But they play for keeps.
If we had just 1 Senator on our side who would fight as hard for us as Reid fights for his side, we'd be in a lot better shape.
Peppermint Tea| 1.26.12 @ 12:18PM
First of all, Nevada has Mormons, just not enough of them to counter the union and illiterate voters in Las Vegas. Mormons vote over 70 percent conservative, and yes, Harry Reid is a Mormon convert that we wish would take the *self-reliance* lesson to heart. That and the *be nice to your neighbor even if he is Clarence Thomas* lesson. And the *be honest in your business dealings* lesson. And the *corruption in high places* lesson. And the *work for your own salvation* lesson. And the *mercy cannot rob justice* lesson. And the *government should not be a burden on the people* lesson. And the *works of darkness are done in secret* lesson. And the *wasteful whoreish spending by Kings who ignore defense, never ends well* lesson. And the *governments exist to protect private property and religious freedom* lesson.
Come to think of it, maybe he needs to start all over again.
Second, Reid's parallel universe is also inhabited by the Main Stream Media.
Gazinya| 1.26.12 @ 1:34PM
"No wonder House members, supported by Tea Party groups are upset..." Well we need more House members, supported by Tea Party groups to be vocally upset at the House leadership that has permanant 'hand grips' on their collective ankles.
Marc Jeric| 1.26.12 @ 5:05PM
Harry Reid is a small-town crook, elected and re-elected by the union goons here in Las Vegas. You see, our casinos here do not want to bother checking out the legality of their workforce - so they rely on the union bosses to do that. And these just want more union dues, and so give union work cards to illegal aliens, who are then led by their bosses to the voting places with ballots marked in advance for them. Casinos accept union work cards as a proof of the legality of their workers.
Dixie Pixie| 1.26.12 @ 7:44PM
Gentlemen....There is a “Parallel Universe” effect in the Democratic Party.
According to the Democrats, Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi have been wonderful and wildly successful politicians.
88% of Democratic voters support Obama because he has stolen Trillions of dollars from the private sector and given that money to the Democrats.
What seems as complete gibberish and self-serving platitudes to conservatives are simply words to reassure the Democratic supporters that the money will keep flowing.
For example of their mindset, consider the words of wisdom from a mid-level White House staffer.
“Why worry about a future financial crises that may never occur when so many Democratic Party needs have not been met.”
With that kind of thinking, it is no surprise that the Democrats think they can borrow 40% of all spending and convert that borrowing to straight income without repercussions or effects.
That is for the “Little People” to suffer, not the Democrats who will always be protected in Harry Reids Parallel Universe.
albert constantine jr.| 1.26.12 @ 10:42PM
One of the limitations of being a conservative is that we have standards of behavior to which we generally try to subscribe. To some extent, we expect the politicians that we vote for to do the same.
Those on the left experience no such inhibition. It is enough to win, and gain power to carry out whatever in their agenda they can implement. It is okay for them in their world to say anything, do anything, and cross any line in order to be victorious, which is generally how they succeed as frequently as they do.
I think one of the primary reasons Newt’s popularity has been surging of late is that many conservatives belief that he will fight dirty for our side, and give back to our opponents some of what they have been dishing out for so long.
TW in SC| 1.26.12 @ 11:28PM
Harry Reid IS Scorpius
http://i56.photobucket.com/alb.....orpius.jpg
POST American| 1.26.12 @ 11:47PM
----Great '90's Show' DIS-traction!
MEANWHILE,
one and all should tune into Dr Mayer
Eisenstein's devastating interview on yesterday's
ALEX JONES.
----------------------ESSENTIAL------------------------
The 'vaccines' stealth dumb-down and
soft-kill op.
We are --almost-- ready to predict those
reading this will live to see the likes of
Bill Gates standing trail --for awesome
stealth EUGENICS.
'Everythng OLD ----is NEW-remberg AGAIN!'
--------------------------------------------REALLY
Marc Jeric| 1.28.12 @ 12:11PM
Harry Reid is a small-rown crook playing on the big stage, but unable to forget his "roots". He is elected here in Nevada repeatedly by union votes - unions like the Culinary Union that has one half of its membership as illegal aliens. The member are busses to polling places by busses, with their voting papers punched in by their union strewards.
macwell| 1.29.12 @ 5:31AM
He is but one of many.
He plays with America's future like it's a game.
He is able to write his own ticket, because we the people allow it... still.
He is a member of the career politician's, good old boys club.
These parasites have been lying to us, stealing from us, and making fools of us, for quite some time.
Congress was never meant to be a career.
Congress was never meant to be run by a bunch of lawyers.
Congress, at least the House, is supposed to be filled with Americans from all walks of life, from the Joe the Plumbers, to Mary, the librarian. go serve in Congress for a term or two, then return home to your family.
We the people have been conned into believing that only those with little letters after their names are fit to serve, I say humbug!
2012 will go down in history as the election that decided if America was going to remain the land of the free, or was it going to be "fundamentally transformed" into what? We still haven't been told what Obama wants to transform us into.
Harry Reed is a symptom, of the career/politics mentality. We must rid America of this cancer.
Richard| 1.31.12 @ 7:52AM
Harry Reid has been getting a "free" ride since 2007. We need to talk more about Harry on the front pages. How did Harry get re-elected? Last minute ballot discoveries? Franken style? Harry needs a re-call. Can we take 5 more years of no budget? Whether or not the Repubs take the majority in the senate he will still be there obstructing the country's growth, just like Pelosi.