Senator Gordon Smith has himself to blame

In a statement to the Seattle Times regarding Bush's cuts to national social programs, our own Senator Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) whined about how people want their cake and to eat it too:

"We're getting a mixed message:  Get it in balance, keep my taxes low and don't cut my programs. We're riding three horses in this circus."

Ahem... and who created "this circus," Senator Smith?  You and your Orwellian cohorts in the Republican party.

Smith and his wingnut party led by Bush, say that they support the troops, but then turn around and cut the benefits to veterans.  Forget the fact that wounded vets are already having to pay for their own meals at Walter Reed (free Salon day-pass required.) 

They say they support public education, but one out of three programs slated for cuts in the new budget are educational.

They say they support small businesses, but cuts have been proposed to small business development programs.  Other proposed cuts to programs the Republicans say they support will phase out rural health programs, assistance to small farmers, cut law enforcement grants nearly in half, eliminate funding for the next generation of high speed rail, eliminate the subsidy for Amtrak, cut conservation efforts, cut Medicaid, cut grants to the nation's fire fighters (the 9/11 heroes and props in Bush's campaign ads)...  In the meantime, Bush's budget includes a request for increased defense spending.  What on earth will need defending when these radicals cut the very programs that promote the general welfare of this nation, something the US Constitution requires them to do.

According to NPR, these cuts make up 6% of the nation's deficit, whereas Bush's tax cuts total out at 50% of the deficit.  Smith and all the other Bush yes-men who make up the Republican party have been so dishonest with the American public about the nature of taxes that people don't understand how taxes are the people's investment in this house called America.  It's totally amazing to me that Smith can then turn around and make such a stupid statement to the Seattle Times.

Who's going to run against him in '08?

Comments

[Neo]

There will be no elections in 2008.

The little people don't need to vote; if they do, they will just confuse themselves and lawmakers by asking for three horses (and maybe four ponies).

King George and Regent Rove will take care of everything; they know what is good for you.

Welcome to the world of BigBrother. Eric Arthur Blair, you mothercheneyer, did you have a time-machine or what?

[Sid]

I don't want to agree with you, but for now, I will. Until there are paper trails on the voting machines, I don't think we've got a chance.