THIS IS WHAT FIGHTING FOR THE PEOPLE SOUNDS LIKE…
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This afternoon, Congressman Anthony Weiner of New York reminded me that not everyone in government can be bought.
He reminded me that not all Democrats are spineless and that Alan Grayson, Sherrod Brown, Barbara Boxer, Charles Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, and many others are not alone.
WATCH:
Please email him below and tell him in no uncertain terms that you appreciate his unblinking, unqualified support and defense of American citizens from the Healthcare industry’s predation.
http://weiner.house.gov/email_anthony.aspx
-SJ
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Ya know, sadly, there aren’t many ‘good’ lobbyists with much influence. The theory sounds nice: Smart citizens lobbying on behalf of concerned citizens trying to do right. But the practice is that lobbying is dominated by rich companies that pay uber-weasels to help them get legislation that’s harmful to the general good.
Besides, I think lobbyist is a strong epithet since members of Congress aren’t supposed to be lobbyists in any way at all. To be a Congress member and a lobbyist (a lobbyist within) is to be a contemptible creature indeed.
SJ, “lobbyist is not an effective epithet. I had this problem with with this theme Obama’s 2008 campaign. In my book, and I’m betting in your book, there are ‘good’ lobbyists as well as ‘bad’ lobbyists. Many of the major non-profits I like employ spokesmen (lobbyists), for ezample.
But “wholly-owned subsidiary of health insurance companies”? That’s specific, Baby!
That’s a label that sticks because it fits!
You know, when he talks, I can almost see him hauling a few old farts out into the Capital’s back alley and beating the snot out of them.
I love him!
Absolutely!
and
Done. and Done.
Important moments to consider SJ… ta.
🙂
@Stimpson,
They can consider it anything they want, but you don’t have to answer a charge of “Republiscum”
but you do have to answer a charge of being called “wholly subsidiaries of insurance companies.”
I’ve been referring to Republicans like John Boehner as Lobbyists, in hopes that it catches on.
That’s not name calling, just an accurate job title.
-SJ
He called them subsidiaries of insurance companies. I’m sure the GOP considers that unfair – name-calling, even. And I’ve definitely noticed liberals shying away from calling a spade a spade, in the interests of supposed civility and despite what the Repubs are doing.
The beauty of the subsidiary tag is in its directness and specificity. It’s not a general “Republiscum” label; it refers specifically to their relationship to a business sector. Of course, certain DINOs should have felt a bit of a sting too.
@Stimpson,
I don’t think he engaged in name-calling, and I’m glad he didn’t: my biggest problem with calling Republicans “Republiscum” or whatever is that it allows Republicans to then start pretending they are somehow victims and derail the focus of any issue, onto themselves.
The GOP are masters of conflating a legitimate disagreement with a fictional act of persecution when they are on the wrong side of an issue.
E.g. How many times has John Boehner claimed that the GOP senators have been “left out of the process,” “ignored,” “not taken seriously,” “unheard” etc. It’s a bunch of horse shit, to be sure, but the moment you give Eric Cantor or any of these guys a shot at victimhood, they take it and use it to invalidate a Democrat’s argument or critism as a partisan attack.
As frustrated as he clearly was, I don’t think Weiner gave Republicans that opening yesterday. All they can do is childishly deny what anyone already knows about their positions on Healthcare Reform.
I’m sure Fox “News” will attack him though.
-SJ
Wow, I’m surprised not to see a “Neither side should indulge in name-calling” comment here. Bravo to all commenters for acknowledging that the facts on health-care reform, and about those obstructionist Repubs who will let more people die for the sake of the insurance industry and free-market ideology, must be plainly stated.
@Lazer,
I love that ridiculous pause…
and then he starts in again, word for word.
He was very effective in a Chris Matthews hammering session, he just doesn’t blink in the face of this obstructionist nonsense.
@Holte,
if you do a Youtube serach on his name hundreds of videos of him taking it to the floor come up.
@MadMike,
I’m hoping Weiner and also people like Sherrod Brown and especially Alan Grayson embarrass their fellow Democrats, but also keep calling the obstructions for what they are. Journalists can’t be counted on to do anything other than report the lying from the GOP as if it were a series of positions on this issue, it’s not, it’s sabotage on behalf of the healthcare lobby pure and simple.
We should call the GOP what it is: a party of lobbyists.
John Boehner is a lobbyist.
-SJ
This is great. Like Vigil I watched it twice. Courage is such a scarce commodity on Capitol Hill. How nice it is to find it.
I really like this guy. I have saw him on Rachael before and liked him. Now I think I am in love and I am not even gay. I wonder if the President might can learn something from him. BTW SJ, I did write him.
Only wish I was in the gallery of the congress I would have stood up and cheered!!!
RIGHT ON, ANTHONY WIENER!!!!
SJ – Thanks for putting this up, what a scrapper.
What I really love is after they call Anthony Weiner back after his momentary censure…HE PICKS UP RIGHT WHERE HE LEFT OFF AT THE SAME VOLUME.
Just awesome. No script, no “ums” or “ers” or “ahs,” just telling it like it is, with no punches pulled.
-SJ
I saw him on Dylan Ratigan the other day. He knows his stuff and stands up with class.
@Oso,
he told Republican Peter King to “stop cryin'” the other day on the radio. He told King, if he had it his way, the Healthcare bill would be composed entirely of a proscription for dismantling the Healthcare industry and a Single Payer Plan for the nation so King should consider himself lucky.
It was awesome.
-SJ
@Vig,
Seriously, it gave me wood.
Only Howard Dean could have said it with more brio, smugness and condemnation.
Just emailed the guy. He’s been kicking ass relentlessly.
-SJ
Yes! Progressive = Democrat with a Backbone.
This was beautiful. I sprang up from my desk and ran into the living room to insist on Trophy Wife playing it again! (And again!)