Attack on Ryan is as Ill-Advised as his Remark

I debated with myself about whether I should post this or not.  There are some of you who normally disagree with me that will love this post.  There are others who agree with me that will question it.  However, I wouldn't be doing my job if I only responded to incidents that made the people I'm opposed to in the election look bad, while ignoring those that are misleading.  There are enough videos of their idiocy. 

I'm talking about a video I saw of Paul Ryan supposedly mocking an unemployed constituent at a parade.  The man asks Ryan, "So what should I have to work for to get a job? Should I have to work for the same wages as in China? Should I have to work for one dollar an hour?"

Ryan looks at his wife, smiles, then responds "Have a nice day, alright? Would you like some candy?"

At first glance, this seems like another example of the ridiculous and callous nature of Ryan.  However, I have a problem with this video.  My problem is that Ryan is walking with his family towards the parade.  He is even pushing a stroller.  I'm sure the argument is that he was there doing politicking.  But there is a limit to a person's politicking at an event with his family.  He greets the man and shakes his hand, but politely declines to take the man's questions.  He does this multiple times while the man follows him and persists.  At one point he even acknowledges that they have a difference of opinion and requests that it be left to that so that he can attend the event.  After continuing to follow Ryan he is eventually brushed off.  Now, he could have left off the comment asking if the guy wanted some candy, but I can appreciate the irritation he must have felt about being followed and questioned after multiple attempts to part ways.  I imagine that his irritation got the better of him and he made an ill-advised comment.  I probably wouldn't have been quite as nice if I was followed by someone when I was obviously with my family.  Of course, I'm not in public office.

We can expect a lot from our public officials.  I believe that they should be asked tough questions.  If they try to ignore those questions (as Romney and Ryan do quite often), we should persist until they answer or admit that they have no answer.  But we owe these people the respect to recognize times when they are trying to live their lives and leave them alone.  There is a time and a place for the questions that this man was asking, but a parade with his family is not it.  He should not have made a statement out of his irritation, but the man got what was coming to him.  If you push someone hard enough, they will eventually push back. 

I don't like people using statements out of context to attack their opponents.  The use of this video to condemn Paul Ryan does the same.  Worst of all, these kinds of attacks can invalidate the true attacks that show how callous and ridiculous Romney and Ryan are.  It's just another example of the polarization and willingness to attack those who don't agree with us that are tearing this country apart. 

Paul Ryan Actually Tells the Truth...Almost

My home state had the wonderful privilege of a visit from Paul Ryan recently.  While I normally disagree with everything that comes out of this man's mouth (because it's either a lie or complete nonsense), I actually found a statement in his speech with which I agree.  In the speech, Ryan referred to the Senate as a dysfunctional pit where important issues wallow.  For once, I completely agree.

Of course, the reason for this is because Senate Republicans are following the party line and blocking every bill that they come across.  Let's look at a few important examples from this year alone:

June 2012 - Senate Republicans block the Paycheck Fairness Act
This bill "sought to bar companies from retaliating against workers who inquire about pay disparities and open pathways for female employees to sue for punitive damages in cases of paycheck discrimination." 

July 2012 - Senate Republicans block the Disclose Act of 2012
This bill would have required independent groups who spend unlimited amounts of money on attack ads during elections to disclose the names of donors who contribute more than $10,000.  What's very interesting about this is that, only 12 years ago, 14 Republicans who opposed the act voted for a very similar disclosure.  Those Republicans include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and former Republican Presidential candidate Senator John McCain.  Both of these Senators are quoted as supporting disclosure:

Senator McConnell - "why would a little disclosure be better than a lot of disclosure?"

Senator McCain - "I promise you this. I promise you there will be huge scandals… because there’s too much money washing around, too much of it… we don’t know who, who contributed it, and there is too much corruption associated with that kind of money. There will be major scandals."

July 2012 - Senate Republicans block the Bring Jobs Home bill
This bill was intended to reward companies for bringing jobs from overseas back to the United States, a practiced termed "insourcing."  The bill would also have ended the tax deductions that companies could take on the costs of moving jobs out of the country. 

You can see why I would agree with Ryan in his assessment of the dysfunction in the Senate.  What he didn't mention is that the dysfunction is coming from Senate Republicans.  I will warn him, if he keeps this up, he might someday actually utter a completely honest and intelligent thought.  That would tear the GOP apart.

Romney/Ryan Promises Celebrated Overseas

Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan announce in their speeches at the Republican National Convention that they will create 12 million new jobs in the next four years.

In related news...celebrations erupted throughout countries like China and India as the people recieved news of investments expected to bring 12 million new jobs to their countries. 

Proof Republicans Change the Rules to Benefit the Rich White Guys

I find it wonderful that so many conservatives are discovering what we have been saying about Republicans is true.  I've had a couple of conservative friends post articles about how the Republicans at their national convention completely changed or ignored their own rules to do what they thought would benefit them the most.  They did this at the expense of the minority in their party that supports Ron Paul.  Watch this video of the corruption at the RNC.  You have conservatives talking like liberals about how these people will do nothing but create a corrupt environment that is run by a few rich elites who make their own rules.

I particularly loved the guy holding a Romney sign that phsycially blocked the Paul supporters and the complete disregard for the voting system.  "All those in favor will signify by saying aye.  Aye!  Those opposed, no.  NO!  (Easily as loud if not louder.)  In the opinion of the chair the ayes have it."  Wow.  Don't even try to show any kind of integrity.  Can you imagine what the founding fathers would have said about that display?  There isn't even any point in holding a primary at this point.  Just let the rich, white guys decide who the delegate is and force it on the rest of the party. 

Well color me surprised!  Republicans ignored rules, changed them when that wouldn't work...all to marginalize a minority in preference to a rich white guy?  No...never!  Give me a break.  That's what these people have been doing for decades.  If this is what they will do to their own people...what do you think they will do to the average American when they are in control?  That's truly a scary thought.  Personally, I'm encouraging conservatives to write in Paul's name on their ballots.  I would love to see how many votes they can take away from Romney.  Show the Republicans what happens when you take the rights away from a group of people.  And when we're celebrating another term for Obama in November...I will have no problem pointing back to the RNC as the point that Republicans lost themselves the election.