Sunday, June 29, 2008

Once upon an Oligarchy

Point of order: Been jamming that Hill St. (saint) Soul, love that cut Pieces, check it, cop that.

As many of you know, i'm forever calling folks out, even myself. I often use terms of endearment such as fk boy, or bitch azz to suppurate these thoughts into manageable constructs. Today I will use another term that I was familiarized with while growing up in Memphis – weak azz bitch. Now before I start, I want to say that this direct objectified gerund is neither race nor gender specific, and tends to be best exemplifying of collective acts that can be perpetrated by individulas or groups, for example the congress - especially the democratic members.


I have always been curious how folks can always say one thing and do another. Like the child that says they don’t want to go outside, but cries when you don’t let them out, or the woman that says she doesn’t want to be with a certain man, but wants him after he has removed himself from her life, or as I have mentioned in the prior paragraph, a congress person who says they disagree with a certain policy yet supports it via vote.


Although unlike most of us, who just get a day off for the fourth of July weekend the Senate went home yesterday for the Fourth of July holiday without doing jack to deal with the pressing economic conundrums facing regular folk like us. All though the folk on both side of the aisle say they gone handle theirs, from my vantage point, they appear to act more like a gaggle of weak azz bitches.

Not only did the housing rescue bill could not proffer any love via a test vote, they also could not approve an electronic surveillance legislation to prevent physicians who accept Medicare (H.R. 6331: Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008) from getting hit with a large percent pay cut. I mean it was passed in the house but filibustered in the Senate.

The only thing that these folks were able to do, I mean by a skunk measure (zero opposition votes) was the passing of a bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that also increases benefits for veterans.

I think the last measure was a good thing. However, it just strikes me as strange that all these democrats voted for this bill, but will likely go back home on the stump, to their districts and talk about how much money we wasting on this war effort. Talking about being two faced and slimy. I mean, it would be disingenuous for me, if I was a poly (many) trickster to say I disagree with all the loot going for the war effort as well as how it is being spent, but yet at the same time vote for the measure. The legislation, passed by a vote of 268-155, with Democrats logging 80 votes with republicans. I won’t call any name this time, but you can find who voted for what here. But that’s why I feel that this republic, for which it stands, seems to be more like an oligarchy each day – u know, “a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes” – namely staying in office and getting paid.

ps: good look SkoolBoi and Gemni girl for stopping by the shop this weekend. Also Ensayn Reality and marcelle ward for the shout outs.

34 comments:

  1. Tell us how you really feel. LOL
    I'm sure you would make a great congressman, just watch what you say on CSPAN.

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  2. Because the measure also includes increasing veterans benefits, sounds like a situation of "damned if you do, damned if you don't" to me.

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  3. anonymous
    thanks for the compliment, but jones here aint congressional material, unless you talking about the golk course

    MRSC
    It is, i mean i klnow they want to provide the best care for our hero's, thats what they are, i me we aint fighting, but either say your are for it, or not - but they can not have it both ways, and GET SOMETHING DONE

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  4. This is why I don't pay attention to and should pay more attention to politics. I can't stand it.

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  5. they did nuffin and prolly walked out the building with their heads held high.

    good post bruh!

    btw...i like the obama dog shirts

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  6. A fine post indeed.

    It is hard to vote against veterans and their need for support, so of course it has to be tacked onto the war in Iraq and Afhganistan otherwise everyone could vote their conscience. I know how hard this shit is...having been at the table as a politician to pass shit that you know is bullshit, but you have constituents who need things to happen and in order to get what they need you have to compromise. No one says how big the compormise is. I am not defending politicians. I am saying that politicians act according to their VOTING constituents...again I am not making excuses or condoning. It is what it is. The key is getting more folks to get a grasp on the political process on the local level. The men and women in Congress are the product of local voting machines.

    So few have the time, tolerance or interest in the American political system. So few are even engaged at the local level---which is where all hell breaks loose. Yes, the view from where you sit may indeed resemble an oligarchy.

    But WE have to bear some responsibility for creating an oligarchical state by virtue of being apathetic, ingnorant and just plain not interested.

    If THEY (elected officials) are Weak Azz bitches..then what pray tell are we?

    "The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens".
    Alexis de Tocqueville

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  7. *giggling* @ gaggle of weak ass bitches

    Politicians are full of shit. They have perfected the art of double-talk. Will say what they have to to get your vote. Then do what they wat to keep their palms greased.

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  8. Yeah, it's hard to live authentically. Some of us struggle in relative anonymity, others in the limelight. I'm glad I'm not a politician.

    I agree, there is tons of corruption in politics. Too many big egos involved. Then there are others who are idealistic and unprepared for all the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" they run into.

    No doubt, if things are ever going to get better for the rest of us in this country, it's got to start with moving toward awareness.

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  9. I feel you 100% and as I listen to the news my blood boils and I have to turn it off for a minute...but we have to watch and learn because otherwise we will all be damned!!!

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  10. God
    wont mention the politics
    we know, but old girl from Zambia
    she funky

    Malik

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  11. I hear you--"saying one thing and doing another" is the nature of politics, didn't you know???

    And ditto on what lovebabz said. If Dems can't take measures *somehow* to support the vets via voting for the benefits they deserve and should already be have...then they run the risk of being accused of abandoning the vets--or whatever else folks might call it.

    Funny how little media attention these things get.

    American government/politics makes me ill.

    Word has it (as Word has had it for a while now) that in addition to shelling out funds for Iraq and Afg. we will soon be shelling out funds for war with Iran... Congress has already voted on funds to get started on this effort.

    Sigh.

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  12. Ooops--"should already have..."

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  13. My brain hurts. I had to dictionary.com the damn title.

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  14. T - Love the store. I have a couple friends with dogs that will be getting gifts from there. On topic: It is old news for politicians to say one thing and vote for the opposite. It's all about the compromise for another vote on a later day. I see it up close and personal all the time.

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  15. someone once said something to the effect that the only ones qualified and capable of being president are smart enough to not want the job.

    i think that goes for most political offices.

    sneak tactics such as adding a line or two to a bill that have not one fucking thing to do with the bulk of the bill up for consideration is common practice and have cause numerous much needed laws not to pass. it has also been the preferred method for getting 'pork' to pass. there should be a rule about that. something like the presidential power to veto specific lines.

    *watch, i'll think of who it was at 3am, wake up with another (most likely dead) man's name on my lips and piss the hell out of my husband. i'm gonna blame it ~all~ on you! lol

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  16. and yeah, i had to look up oligarchy too.

    damn good word. thanks for the education. ;-)

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  17. Referring to LoveBabz comments, I am ashamed to say that I am one of the ones who do not follow-up to make sure elected officials, whether I have or have not voted into office, at all levels, do what they campaigned to do.

    Gotta start sometime, why not today?

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  18. This is what makes the almost blind support that black folks bestow on the Democratic party so baffling. Stories of waffling like the one you point out here are numerous and easy to find.

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  19. Another great post! You know the gov't is good for doing one thing and saying another. I think it should be there motto!

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  20. "I have always been curious how folks can always say one thing and do another..."

    Really Torrance?

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  21. no play=power play. conserve energy, fall in line with others--that is the american way.

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  22. Rebirth of Fly
    Well let me know if I bore u hon, I try not to be boring but in can

    12kyle
    I knew you would, I can see your smile now when u sawe them folk .lol

    Lovebabz
    OK, I have a song called we must bear responsibility

    Pajnstl
    That’s what they IS (linking verb) LOL a gaggle of weak ass bitches
    and full of shit


    Waiting for Zufan!
    I wish there was a strongr word than corruption

    Evolution of self Growth
    Baby, calm down, no high blood pressuer for me ok

    Malik
    Yep she is funky and I love that song

    Tamra
    LOL – they make a lot of us sick, on purpose even I think

    Immoral Matriarch
    My fault sister. How are the little darlings?

    Skoolboi Krush
    Thanks folk, it was great seeing u and the mrs again. Hope to see u soon

    heather
    CLASSIC someone once said something to the effect that the only ones qualified and capable of being president are smart enough to not want the job.


    heather
    Anytime sister and thank u

    sista gp
    Today is as good a day as any

    Exquisitely Black
    The blinding support upsets me the most, I wrote about it here before Hook, line & sinker

    Daysha Writes
    No more epurbus unum lol – I cant spell

    Tera
    Yep, the country boy in me maam

    shine
    Unfortunately u are so correct

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  23. 1)It's human nature to want what you can't have, your ego says no but id says mmmmm give me. You know what's socially acceptable, but that doesn't stop you from desiring it.

    2)Sometimes you gotta drink salt water. It's game in order to get you have to give, and unlike poker there is no all or nothing, which I can't understand if the Dems have the majority. I just know I couldn't be a politician, because he almost impossible to stay clear of corruption.

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  24. I don't curse(so I'll use another word) but you gave a detailed description and a great example of what I call a hypocrite

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  25. LMAO,

    What are we drinking to toast GWB's due time exit?
    :-)

    That picture is funny as hell! I do not like to think about people bobbing for apples. It really is a nasteeeeeeeee kind of game! Ugh! just thinking about it gives me the shivers. But I digress.

    I never thought about GWB being a national unifier. But you are on point witht his one.

    Good musical choice. Hill St. is on my play list.

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  26. Ooops!

    I commented on two different posts. Oh well, I will blame it on my multi-tasking tendencies.

    Maybe I will go get a drink.

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  27. MrsGrapevine
    U are a person of character as opposed to greed

    Traycee
    LOL , what would u have said, oh I know LOL. Hope I didn’t offend u sister

    msladydeborah
    Anything free, my fav is tequelia with hot sauce

    msladydeborah
    LOL have one for me

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  28. Always appreciate the impartial point of view Rawdawg. In all honesty, when did our govt. decide to go above and beyond their duties, nah mean. In the words of journalist avatar G. Will, a govt. should deliver mail and protect the borders, that's it. Leave the rest to us, or u.s. right right...

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  29. TORRANCE, LOVEBABZ: I don't blame anyone for their vote. I just took a look at the roll call, checking for those I particularly like.

    DEMOCRATS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

    Capuano
    Clarke
    Conyers
    DeFazio
    Delahunt
    Frank
    Grijalva
    Hastings
    Hinchey
    Holt
    Jackson, Jr (IL)
    Jackson-Lee
    Kaptur
    Kucinich
    Lee
    Lewis
    McDermott
    McGovern
    Nadler
    Rangel
    Roybal-Allard
    Rush
    Scott
    Stark
    Tubbs-Jones
    Velazquez
    Wasserman-Schultz
    Waters
    Watson
    Watt
    Waxman
    Wexler
    Woolsey

    REPUBLICANS;
    Campbell
    Flake
    Paul

    What do you know they all voted "NO" except Bobby Rush and Pete Stark who didn't vote.

    When you get most of the CBC, and all of the CPC and the 3 Libertarian Republicans on the same side, it's a good indicator that it's the proper side to be on. At least for me. Whenever there was a vote germane to my private interests or morality, the above or most of them were there over 90% of the time. They got hookwinked into voting "against the troops," did they? They'll live to fight another term I'm sure.

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  30. Pimpin' Pens
    where yawl been folk, was worried for a few

    kelso
    great point, which as usual, m,y point exactly

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  31. Torrance: There's of course a lot of bullshit in politics and in America especially in the "uniquely American" way of trading off "honest-graft" for a false veneer of rectitude.

    Nevertheless, in the internet age, there's no excuse for any voter NOT to KNOW the voting records and the sources of cash of as many politicians as possible.

    I didn't come to my atheism without having read the Bible, OT and NT, the Koran, and the Chumash, first.

    I didn't come to my views of politicians without reading their records and their donors first.

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  32. I found so much useful data in this post!

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