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Stay-the-Course, Cut-and-Run, and Other Things I learned in the Welfare Office
[Editor's note: This piece comes to us from DCP member ABQJohn. Thank you, John, for lending your wonderful insight to the blog discourse.]
I am finishing a wonderful, albeit short, stint with the State of New Mexico’s TANF/Food Stamp Program that we affectionately call the Welfare Office. The mission of the office is to give the clients the education and motivation to get them off of public assistance. All of these folks are experienced social workers and all have a heart the size of New Mexico.
The program starts with education, and the first thing clients’ learn is the definition of insanity. The definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” We then move to motivation with a poster of a typical, Generation Y teenage girl with the familiar “whatever!” expression. On the poster is the phrase “If you continue to do what you’ve always done, you’ll continue to get what you’ve always gotten.” We encourage clients to change their habits to achieve better with our help.
The oft-used Republican mantra of stay-the-course is much like doing the same thing over and over. I like to call that the Ed Smith approach. Edward John Smith was the captain of the Titanic who famously stayed his course right into an iceberg on April 14, 1912, sinking the mighty, world’s largest ship on its maiden voyage and killing 1,595 people on board. And if we keep doing the same thing, we’ll get the same results – just more of the same old same old and Americans and Iraqis deserve better than more of the same.
The next mantra oft used to malign Democrats is the cut-and-run approach. But it was the Democrats introduced not one but two plans on the Senate floor last week – both dying a slow and painful death by the Republican led Senate with no help from the Republican White House, a soon all-Republican Cabinet, and an arguably Republican Supreme Court. And just in case you think you missed the Republican plan introduced into Congress this week – there was none. What is happening in Congress is cut-and-run. Every time a serious debate of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan arises, the Republicans cut-and-run. They cut the debate short and run from the issue, oft reverting to the Ed Smith approach to certain failure. We need a change in this Congress in November so real debate can take place to get us out of Iraq and give the Iraqis back their country.
So if we continue to do what we’ve always done, we’ll continue to get what we always gotten, but to continue to do the same things over and over and expect a different result? That’s insane!
John,
So true. I wonder.....let's suppose the Iraqi government takes the bold step and asks America - publicly - to leave Iraq. What would our fearless leaders do?
oncall -
Our fearless leaders don't listen to us ("we the people"). Why would we expect them to listen to anyone else...
Here is an article which says the Democrats will pay a price for having Kerry & Feingold even present an alternative.
It's so ironic because the American people, Iraqi people, involved military and even contractors, & actually, the world in general will pay a price for NOT supporting Kerry & Feingold.
The article is about a "political" price. I am talking about a moral and strategic price, actual danger of loss of life. That should not be sacrificed for political gain and I'm glad they didn't stoop so low as the others, both parties.
History will prove them to be right.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=440828
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=47060
This article summarizes poll results, highlight problems - big problems - in perceptual differences in regions polled. An example - many Turks don't believe the facts about 9/11, as usually presented.
Our media can do little, if anything (even if there were 75 virgins who looked like Karen Hughes) to change this.
John,
Great comparisons. The Republicans are steering us into an iceberg and are too frightened to admit they were wrong and then steer the ship away from the iceberg. Instead, they're going full steam ahead, but it's all of us and the Iraqis and the world who will be sunk.
The Democrats found the Republican's plan.
http://democrats.senate.gov/pdfs/BushRepublicanPlanonIraq.pdf
Please support this courageous family. If you have raised your children to be like this young man, be proud. I am. The media will try to marginalize all who are not warmongers right now, to keep & consolidate their power, Don't be afraid or buckle. This is also the weekend locally we support diversity in the face of hate.
A Statement by Ehren Watada's Mother
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/062406Y.shtml
Carolyn Ho, mother of war resister Lt. Ehren Watada, asks the nation to support her son at an upcoming National Day of Action on June 27th. She says that her son "demonstrates that one does not relinquish the freedom to choose what is right, even in the military, and that the freedom to choose what is right
transcends t
CIA attempts to warn Bush before 9-11
These excerpts are from the One Percent Doctrine-Ron Suskind, Simon and Schuster
Page 1-2
But, in terms of the tragedy of 9/11, a particular regret lingers for those who might have
made a difference. The alarming August 6, 2001, memo from the CIA to the President-"Bin Laden
Determined to Strike in US"-has been widely noted in the past few years.
But, also in August, CIA analysts flew to Crawford to personally brief the President-to intrude
on his vacation with face-to-face alerts. The analytical arm of CIA was in a kind of panic mode at this point. Other intelligence services, including those from the Arab world, were sounding an alarm. The arrows were all in the red. They didn't know place or time of an attack, but something was coming. The President need to know...And, at an eyeball-to-eyeball intelligence briefing during this urgent summer, George W. Bush seems to have made the wrong
choice. He looked hard at the panicked CIA briefer. "All right," he said. "You've covered
your ass, now."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2693906&mesg_id=2693906
So true. I wonder.....let's suppose the Iraqi government takes the bold step and asks America - publicly - to leave Iraq. What would our fearless leaders do?
Posted by: oncall at June 24, 2006 08:55 AM
Iraqi PM Calls for Withdrawal Timetable
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/062406X.shtml
The new Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has drafted a national reconciliation plan that will be released on Sunday. The plan includes a timetable for withdrawal of occupation troops from Iraq, amnesty for insurgents, release of all security detainees from US and Iraqi prisons, and compensation for victims of coalition military operations.
Karzai: US War Fails to Address Root Causes of Terror
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2006/June/subcontinent_June844.xml§ion=subcontinent
I love Crooks and Liars site too. In this case, it's a response to Geraldo's idiotic statement the other day.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/06/24.html#a8842
from Alan:
Listening to NPR this morning a reporter was interviewing an L A newspaper reporter talking about his past . The LA Guy was a Mr. Goldstein [ I think] and he was reflecting on aspects of his high school years.
Goldstein stated that he was a typical GEEK and loved music. Specifically he played the Cello. Everyday he would haul his Cello to class and up and down the halls.
He stated that there was another student at his school who was a brute. The Brute was known for his ability to lift weights [ over 500 lbs. reportedly!] . The Brute took a particular interest in the Mr. Goldstein - the Geek and making him miserable . Goldstein stated that the Brute would even cross the street to hassle Goldstein .
One day Mr. Goldstein was walking down some stairs at school with his Cello when the Brute spotted him . He came over to Goldstein and "hip checked " him down the stairs . Goldstein stated that it was amazing how much damage the Cello could sustain inside it's case. And he was sure that after these incidents the Brute went on his way forgetting what just happened , laughing with his friends ...
The NPR interviewer asked Mr. Goldstein - "And do you recall the Brute's name?"
"Oh yes.... He is Jack Abramoff ...."
----
This is our country.
Robert Parry | Terrorists in Miami, Oh My!
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/062406A.shtml
Robert Parry: "For longtime observers of political terrorism in South Florida, the aggressive reaction to what may have been the Miami group's loose talk about violence, possibly spurred by an FBI informant posing as an al-Qaeda operative, stands in marked contrast to the US government's see-no-evil approach to notorious Cuban terrorists who have lived openly in Miami for decades."
Republican Candidate Calls for Immigrant Labor Camp
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/062406C.shtml
Don Goldwater, nephew of the late Senator Barry Goldwater, caused an international stir this week when he said he wanted to hold undocumented immigrants in camps to use them "as labor in the construction of a wall and to clean the areas of the Arizona desert that they're polluting."
White House, Republicans Plan to Wipe Out All Federal Protections
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/062406D.shtml
Republicans may bring to a vote within weeks a proposal that could literally wipe out any federal program that protects public health or the environment - or for that matter civil rights, poverty programs, auto safety, education, affordable housing, Head Start or workplace safety.
Cheney Assails Press on Report on Bank Data
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/062406F.shtml
Vice President Dick Cheney on Friday vigorously defended a secret program that examines banking records of Americans and others in a vast international database, and harshly criticized the news media for disclosing an operation he said was legal and "absolutely essential" to fighting terrorism.
Schools' Efforts on Race Await Justices' Ruling
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/062406H.shtml
The Supreme Court has decided to review cases involving race and school assignment programs, potentially impacting a variety of programs around the country seeking to maintain diversity in schools.
VIDEO | Katrina Plus Ten Months - Professor Bill Quigley Speaks
A Film by Chris Hume and L. Wild Horse
http://www.truthout.org/multimedia.htm
Over 7,200 family dwellings sit empty throughout New Orleans. No, not FEMA trailers. These are solid brick public housing projects that survived Katrina. They only require interior repairs, and thousands of displaced low income families want to move back in. But instead, they are being fenced off and condemned. Why? Chris Hume and L. Wild Horse speak with Professor Bill Quigley and several former tenants.
Incredible story Dianne.
I'm not surprised that Abramoff would be like that. I thought you were going to say Bush, Cheney, Rove or Delay though.
DiAnne, re all the blame heaped on the Dems, on the JSOnline above. Amazing how they are all in sync, at once. Ornstein, Sabato, the online publciations on how the Dems are divided. If they hadn't gone for it, we had no plans. Ours are not that far apart except the timeline the Iraqis, and everyone else wants.
Is there anyone, anywhere to speak for us? These terror alerts or plots averted, feel familiar.
Rove's tactics don't work on everyone.
This is from Uncle Jerry.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13493734/
Fruitless Lawmaking on the Hill
The Republican-controlled Congress seems to be struggling lately to carry out its most basic mission: passing legislation.
A proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage failed miserably. Long-debated immigration legislation has reached an impasse. The House passed line-item veto and estate tax measures that face significant hurdles in the Senate, while the Senate devoted a week to impassioned debates over Iraq that only resulted in two failed Democratic resolutions.
Democratic critics are reviving Harry S. Truman's taunt of a "Do-Nothing Congress." But many Republicans say they are exactly where they want to be as they head into the November elections, which will determine whether they retain their House and Senate majorities. In every instance, GOP leaders pushed legislation known to have little or no chance of eventual enactment but also known to appeal to conservative voters, whose turnout is crucial to the party's success.
On Monday, Senate Republicans plan to launch a debate on what many Democrats consider the king of cynical, election-oriented bills: a proposed constitutional amendment banning the desecration of the American flag. Senators say it is possible that they finally have the two-thirds majority needed for passage, but analysts in both parties say it hardly matters. The flag amendment is red meat for conservative audiences, and it is no surprise that Republicans are rolling it out with eight legislative weeks left in the election year.
"There's no question that they are trotting out their hardy perennials," said Matt Bennett, a former Democratic staffer who is vice president of Third Way, a centrist think tank. "They're done purely for political gamesmanship. . . . No one can go to the floor and say, 'The citizens of my district are demanding we take up the flag amendment.' "
When Democrats controlled the House and Senate, they, too, were known to bring up doomed bills for campaign purposes. But some people think that Republicans perfected the strategy in 2004 by championing an amendment against same-sex marriage that was certain to fail in Congress, but only after long and loud debates. President Bush and other Republicans campaigned vigorously on the issue, and some analysts said it played a notable role in the defeat of presidential nominee John F. Kerry and other Democrats.
Smart politics?
This month, Senate Republicans forced another vote on the proposed ban on same-sex marriage, and it again fell far short of the needed votes. It even lost the support of two GOP senators who had backed it in 2004.
In light of that vote, plus the public's deep concern about the Iraq war, some Democrats believe that the thinly veiled use of the House and Senate floors to fire up voters may prove less effective this fall, or may even backfire.
"The gay marriage political ploy was a masterstroke in 2004, but it is not working this year," said Bennett, who closely follows polls and focus groups. Voters want serious debates on serious issues, not "flag burning and this other nonsense," he said, adding: "I am highly skeptical that this is smart politics."
In public, Republicans reject the charges of cynicism. "The notion that lowering taxes on American families, reducing government waste and reining in activist judges aren't legitimate issues that merit debate is absurd," said Tracey Schmitt, spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee. Critics fault "activist judges," including some on the Supreme Court, for ruling that flag burning is a constitutionally protected form of speech.
Privately, however, some Republicans acknowledge that certain votes are taken to create good campaign issues, and they accuse Democrats of doing the same. They point, for example, to the Democrats' annual insistence on a vote to increase the minimum wage, which has failed for nine straight years.
Ron Bonjean, spokesman for House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), said his boss tries hard to pass meaningful legislation. "He knows how to get people in a room and wear them down until they agree," Bonjean said, citing role in the recent passage of a major spending bill for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and for hurricane relief, as well as of a tax-cut extension.
Yet the House and the Senate remain far apart on immigration, one of the most important legislative issues to be considered by Congress this year, and Democrats blame Hastert, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and the president for doing little to resolve the differences. The House bill on the subject deals only with border and workplace enforcement, while the Senate bill includes provisions allowing many of the 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants to remain in the country legally.
Some Democrats and outside interest groups believe that House and Senate Republicans have decided it is best to enter the fall elections defending their chambers' respective approaches, even if it means that a Republican-controlled Congress and White House will fail to act on the nation's most pressing domestic issue. House conservatives in particular say that their constituents strongly prefer to tighten the border with Mexico before taking any other steps, an approach that senators from both parties have rejected.
"The Republican House wants to defeat the immigration bill," Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters this week. "It's obvious that the Republicans in the Senate don't want an immigration bill."
Perhaps the biggest gamble that congressional Republicans have taken this year is their overwhelming support for Bush's Iraq policies, rejecting Democratic calls to begin a U.S. troop withdrawal. Despite the issue's weightiness and somber overtones, lawmakers in both parties acknowledged that they were eyeing the November elections as they debated and voted.
(more at the link)
I saw this at C&L. See how many you get correct:
The quiz is a series of quotes from either Hitler or Coulter.
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~jac3he/GiveUpQuiz/hitlercoulterquiz.html
I got 12 right.
Posted by: DiAnne at June 24, 2006 03:18 PM
Even the Iraqis want to get a timetable and get American out. But we (rather, the Republicans) want to stay there forever.
When we become unwanted guests, we don't spread democracy, as the Republicans claim - we impede democracy instead. Look at what we've done in Latin America and Saudi Arabia. And Iran was the worst case; our meddling in their affairs backfired horribly in the form of the Islamic Revolution.
Posted by: Marjorie G at June 24, 2006 10:32 PM
It's not that we have no plans.
It's that our plans are drowned out and not covered in the Republican-owned media.
I've been spending my time at a Marine Corps base on a work assignment. The only TV I get to watch while on base is Fox News. I am seeing our brave, impressionable young men and women in uniform being brainwashed and corrupted, right before my own eyes. Fox still wants you to believe that Saddam masterminded 9/11, and our takeover of Iraq was absolutely the best thing for that reason.
Posted by: oncall at June 25, 2006 12:31 AM
Thanks for the link, oncall. I'll post it on my blog too.
I only got 6 correct. With all quotes (even Hitler's) made to read in the modern American conservative context, it was pretty tough.
Nevertheless, it's amazing how destructive raging testosterone can make you.
Just went up on Capital Hill - they had a Gay Parade but tomorrow there is also a city-wide one - they will be having it off the traditional "hill" so no more gay ghetto. It was party time tonight but nowhere to park so just photographed some of the cooler things, like acres of Harleys. Saw a poster on a phone pole that said "Impeach the Bastard."
When I came onto Comcast I saw this extraordinary article about how Jack Abramoff was selling face time with Bush, Rove etc. for $100,000. Most excellent timing!
Despite Rove's machinations, I notice more rats desert the ship - Condi's right hand man, the Secretary of Transportation (the only Democrat) - am I missing somebody? I'm sure they'll be more!
These people will dig their own grave.
The propaganda machine is powerful but they can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Iraq and Afghanistan are completely out of control.
This baby needs legs.
Senate panel releases report on Abramoff
San Jose Mercury News - Jun 23, 2006
WASHINGTON - In Jack Abramoff's world, prominent Washington tax-cut advocate Grover Norquist was a godsend. Moving money from a casino-operating Indian tribe to Ralph Reed, the Christian Coalition founder and professed gambling opponent, was a problem.
Rip-off of Indian tribes no reason to restrict lobbying, report ... USA Today
Tribes should beef up laws after Abramoff: report Reuters
Albuquerque Tribune - Austin American-Statesman (subscription) - MSNBC - The Desert Sun - all 242 related »
Bingo. Associated Press.
This will be in all the papers in the morning.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5909719,00.html
Emails Reveal Abramoff Requests, Contacts
For those who will watch tv tomorrow (courtesy Daily Kos)
Meet the Press: Russ Feingold !! Then A-No-Star roundtable: The ghost of David Broder and Anne Kornblut (think Steno Sue) vs Ron Brownstein (who was YKos) and David Gregory (who asks tough questions - well on a grading curve).
This Week: [Pre-empted in many areas for dizzying Soccer coverage]. The Creepy Mitch McConnell vs Dick Durbin on the decaying situation in Bush's head and in Iraq. George helps Larry Summers remove his foot from his mouth, during this exit interview. Lou Dobbs is welcomed to the roundtable. And a crap commercial for John Stossel's new state sponsored propaganda.
Face the Nation: Barbara Boxer vs Dick Lugar (both on Foreign Relations) on the Abyss and N. Korea
CNN: Hamid Karzai on Kabul's spring. Then Chuck Hagel and Joe Biden laugh at Shrub's Sneak and Freak flight to Iraq. Lastly, Madeleine Albright kicks Kissinger's ass
Air America's Politically Direct: David Crosby on CSNY's "Freedom of Speech '06" summer tour.
Neil Young: From Nixon to Bush
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1805023,00.ht
I'm sending it to JK
Grover the Money Man actually Launders it
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000988.php
U.S. NATIONAL DEBT CLOCK
The Outstanding Public Debt as of 25 Jun 2006 at 11:17:33 AM GMT is:
$8,398,577,392,062.23.
The estimated population of the United States is 298,977,621
so each citizen's share of this debt is $28,090.99.
The National Debt has continued to increase an average of
$1.74 billion per day since September 30, 2005!
20 Mar 06 - Bush signs bill to raise Debt Ceiling (Newsday)
16 Mar 06 - Congress sets new Federal Debt Limit: $9 trillion (National Public Radio)
16 Mar 06 - Senate votes Debt Limit hike to $8.965 trillion (Reuters)
16 Mar 06 - US Debt: At least it's not $1 zillion (Reuters)
16 Feb 06 - U.S. moves to miss hitting Debt Ceiling (MarketWatch)
8 Feb 06 - Big Deficit looms behind revival of 30-year bond (Reuters)
7 Feb 06 - Bush's Budget sparks bipartisan protest (CBS News)
30 Jan 06 - Federal borrowing raised to record level (CNN)
10 Jan 06 - Bush seeking to limit spending growth in '07 Budget (Bloomberg)
8 Jan 06 - U.S. hovers close to its Debt Ceiling -- Treasury boss says government business could be affected (San Francisco Chronicle)
Dianne,
It's on yahoo now.
http://www.yahoo.com/s/135783/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060625/ap_on_go_pr_wh/abramoff_white_house
Sparrow,
Good! The more exposure, the better!
Mexican election is going to be fascinating.
Populist or Bush licker?
http://pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_3978498