Chicagoist: Chicago Tea Party Rides Again

Mao Long Dong

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:50:39 -0600

OK, let's tax cigarettes, alcohol, food, gas, heat, electricity, water, entertainment, etc. and then those not in the highest tax bracket won't notice. Plus we can get people like Pat Quinn increase state income taxes. Where there's a will there's a way. All politicians are all the same: they say one thing, and they do the opposite. Open your eyes and see that there's always a hidden agenda. Ooo, will this put me on one of those cool watchlists? Cool!

matilda

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:55:56 -0600

what do you expect from idiots who really, really think Hitler was a socialist lib? Yeah, it was the National Socialist Workers party, but anyone who knows the history of the party--that is, going back to its roots in the early 1920s--knows 1) What happened to the real socialists in the party once Hitler took control; 2) What "Socialist" means in context of general German and European politics from the mid 1800s on and why that label was kept (hint: it was more about PR than an accurate reflection of economic and political aims); 3) and what the economic policies of the Nazis really ended up being (hint: much more capitalist, though with oligarchical control and a war footing, than anything that resembles socialiasm). I am so fucking sick of this right-wing propaganda, and the hopelessly stupid people who keep falling for it.

Navin

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:27:14 -0600

"fiscal conservatives" ha! good one.

Sinep

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:24:12 -0600

"Anything else you'd like to discuss?" Yeah... Basically it comes down to this... If you think that the road to economic recovery lies in leveraging the federal government up to its eye-balls and expanding it to gargantuan proportions then I guess you should have a smile on your face today instead of worrying about some silly fiscal conservatives dumping tea into the Boston Harbor.

Nicholas

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:05:18 -0600

Ha. I just saw some of the coverage of the Chicago event on CNN. Uh,guys. Do you even know the definition of Fascism? And why doe she consider Obama a fascist? "Beacuse he is." Great reasoning there. What a tremendous bunch of losers.

JessNevins

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:11:47 -0600

There are some very pretty parts of Idaho. Along the silver creek in paticular. It's a mess of people who all feel slighted for different reasons. It most reminds me of the left up until about...oh...2006 or so. Not to say there aren't goofy elements on the left (enviro-fanatics, true communists, conspiracy types) but the 50 state strategy got them working on big picture issues rather than fighting over finer points of lifeboat boarding etiquette while the ship took on more water.

matilda

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:00:53 -0600

Can we just give these idiots Idaho and call it a day? And for all the talk among the right-wingers of "revolution" and "socialism" and how Obama is a clearly a Nazi Marxist Socialist Muslim pirate-loving, Jew-hating antichrist Manchurian candidate radical who hates whites and all Texans who don't live in Austin, none of them have the balls to do anything about it beyond ranting on blogs or showing up to a lame, Fox-news backed protest where, besides a radio DJ known for fart jokes, speakers include those who want to return to the gold standard or those who think modern geology is an evil plot funded by Satan.

Navin

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:00:22 -0600

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_Prescription_Drug,_Improvement,_and_Modernization_Act#Legislative_history

JessNevins

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:55:09 -0600

He chose the name MANCOW. This is not someone who should be dispensing wisdom or advice of any kind. This teabaggery (and yes, they deserve to be mocked into the ground for choosing a rallying cry that is a widely mocked sex act) is simply an attempt by the mainstream republicans to steal some heat from the Ron Paul types, the only people on the right with even a scintilla of momentum these days. Angry middle class people enraged by a tax cut and investment in American (not Iraqi) infrastructure. To arms!

matilda

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:18:16 -0600

"Also, I'd like to point out that Congress is responsible for passing spending measures... not the president. So all the Obama this, Bush that stuff is sort of a moot point." Indeed. But the president signs or vetos them, and the president submits and pushes budgets and revenue measures. As well, the GOP-controlled Congress for quite some time in recent years, and, thanks to parliamentary procedure rules, continued to hold significant power even after the 2006 mid-terms. Anything else you'd like to discuss?

Sinep

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:08:29 -0600

Frankly, every press report I've seen mentions the involvement of some 501(c) group, so I'm not sure where all this "it's being portrayed as some grass roots populist backlash" stuff is coming from? Does the involvement of these groups somehow blunt their message? Kinda reeks of the pot calling the kettle back if you ask me... As if La Raza, Acorn, MoveOn, et. al. never have any involvement in organizing a whole litany of protests over the past 8 years?!? Also, I'd like to point out that Congress is responsible for passing spending measures... not the president. So all the Obama this, Bush that stuff is sort of a moot point.

matilda

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:46:37 -0600

I heard Mancow on WGN this morning give his prescription for renewing America: It seemed to revolve around no income taxes, firing all teachers and letting people out of work more or less starve (as though that would NOT cause a revolution). How will the US pay for the military or other conservative-approved spending? Mancow did not say. Yeah, a real sophisticated guy that Mancow is. He's about as realistic as lefties who think that talking nice will end war for everyone. Hopeless idiots, all of them.

Stealth

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:44:51 -0600

Here's a point, libs. Spending a ton of money will hurt, not help. Do you not understand that? Oh, well, when you put it THAT way... Thanks for the detailed explanation. I'm off to buy plenty of orange pekoe and oolong for this afternoon! Do we throw it at each other like Rocky Horror?

Stealth

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:44:20 -0600

Dig

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:41:41 -0600

You can tell how legit these clowns are by their inclusion of "Mancow" in the festivities. It's obviously a partisan job, otherwise they would have come together years ago to protest any number of fiscal irresponsibilites perpetratd by Bush. No bid contracts? Not budgeting for RECURRING expenses? That is hardly something a smart person would do with their own money.

matilda

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:17:07 -0600

Curious, Ward: How is it leftist when at least one of the posters (myself) calls for a more effective conservative party, and other posters are making comments that approach fiscal conservative tendencies (that is, complaining about Bush's out of control spending)? Do you even believe what you say, or are you on ideological autopilot at this point?

JessNevins

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:48:19 -0600

Always with the cutesy names. "Libs", "Teabagging" and "2m4m". It's so childish. I know it's hard to understand, because it seems counter-intuitive, but deficient spending in a recession wherein the paradox of thrift is in play prevents economic paralysis. Tax incentives alone don't work. The infrastructure of this country is appalling. Both Clinton (a right-leaning democrat) and Bush let things slide in ridiculous ways. Building up a world-class infrastructure (roads, schools, medical systems) gives us the tools to better compete with more full subsidized western democracies. But who am I kidding, I just used a bunch of fancy words when I should have made up a rhyme or a silly name or just yelled really loud. That seems to work so well for the right.

Ward Up

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:10:22 -0600

Just got home from work. What a treat it is to read all of the lefty comments. Thank you again, Chicagoist editors, for running this piece (again, no sarcasm). Here's a point, libs. Spending a ton of money will hurt, not help. Do you not understand that?

dbs

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:19:23 -0600

I can't define rich. I know that Obama would like to raise taxes of the top 5% back to rates of Clinton, Bush 1 and Reagan. I know, socialism, right?!!! What are these protests about? Nearly everyone's taxes are going down. Are people teabagging tomorrow in support of the top 5%? No really, tell me. In reality, it's a completely non-grassroots movement that was funded by conservative lobbyists and promoted nearly 24-7 by a "news" network and talk radio blowhards. (This isn't a conspiracy theory, look it up.) And they're pretending like it's some kind of organic thing coming from the anger of the populace. Like if Obama wasn't president anymore, the country would be all "ding dong, the witch is dead" and celebrations would ensue. Guess what, Obama won and he's doing the things he got elected to do, and still enjoys massive popular support.

Sinep

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:34:13 -0600

Define "rich"...

fr0ntl1n3

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:25:31 -0600

TAX THE RICH !! time to pay up Limbaugh fans....

dbs

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:36:18 -0600

The protests would be more accurately called "Dupes For Saving The Rich!" Although teabagging does have a nice ring to it.

Not_another_username

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:29:56 -0600

Will you be teabagging?

Navin

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:18:41 -0600

Sinep, Ward's posting history makes him a GOP'er for most of us who've been here long enough to notice. People wouldn't laugh at these people's protestations if they weren't a bunch of lame hypocrites anyway. It's more about Obama than actual concerns about spending.

Sinep

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:03:38 -0600

I love it how Ward Up voices opposition to the current levels of spending and somehow this makes him/her a GOP apparatchik. If some of you lefties hadn't noticed, there is quite a robust group congressmen on your side of the aisle known as the 'Blue Dogs' who are also little uncomfortable with level of spending... but I guess they must be taking orders from Karl Rove. For all of you who do vigorously endorse this spending... I hope your portfolios include plenty of inflation hedging securities because you're about feel the full brunt of 'the hidden tax' in the next several years. Apres moi le deluge!

Spook

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:50:34 -0600

p.s I mean The Jesus Christ Hates Fags Protestors"

Spook

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:49:21 -0600

and I thought the Jesus Christ hates fags lacked gravitas. Hey Wardie old boy this has nothing to do with being "conservative" as George Will would not be found with in 100 miles of these looney tunes. Maybe the U of C kids would come down to the loop and make fun of them.

Stealth

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:28:56 -0600

I'm more of a Turd man.... wait, that didn't come out right.

Navin

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:29:36 -0600

Bah Matilda, Realistic solutions? Budgets? Who needs em' when you've got a mob full of mouth breathers whooped up into a frenzy by the genius of Mancow. The market will all sort all the rest out, just like it is in Somalia.

JessNevins

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:24:14 -0600

Oh wait, MANCOW is involved? I take back all my snark, this event is clearly one of grave national import.

Stealth

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:07:48 -0600

Every day they blame pre-existing problems on Obama and he couple of months in office is one more step they take into irrelevancy. Seriously, they think they can spin this into some sort of grassroots movement when the vast majority of people have no clue what it's about, including many of those taking part?

Navin

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:49:16 -0600

http://www.salon.com/comics/tomo/2009/04/07/tomo/index.html People should get their cameras and head down there. Considering that these people are basically occupying the lowest rung on the reason ladder you'll probably have good chance of capturing some classic "Get a brain morans" type signage.

JessNevins

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:20:54 -0600

Rachel Maddow's wonderful Teabagging extravaganza.

JessNevins

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:09:26 -0600

Ward Up, I'm happy to hear you're doing so well. You and all the other Teabaggers earning over a quarter million a year are going to be paying 1990's era taxes again. That's a raw deal. I mean, remember how bad the 90's economy was? I guess you were all our yachting or seeing the great cathedrals of Europe or whatever it is wealthy people do with their time during the last eight years. The jetset lifestyle, how I envy you. While you were out we had this administration, good Christian folk, who kind of, well, accelerated massive deregulation, neglected infrastructure, replaced career staff at FEMA and other critical organizations with political appointees, "lost" millions of the billions spent in fruitless, aimless foriegn wars and alienated most of the civilized world with didactic rhetoric. Just as they were leaving they handed 700 billion dollars to the nosediving financial sector, no strings attached. Yes, they teabagged us all. But clearly, this is all Obama's fault.

Ontology

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:05:45 -0600

Did the so-called "silent majority" not vote? If they were really a majority, wouldn't their views be reflected in public policy (or at least the professed desires of elected officials)? Methinks their numbers may be off.

Nicholas

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:01:59 -0600

I will be there to laugh at and heap scorn and ridicule upon the tea-baggers. They make me laugh. Eight years of Bush has wrecked this economy and the war in Iraq has gone on longer than WWII. But, Obama is the problem. Ha. What a bunch of losers. I will be there pointing and snickering at your ridiculous protest.

futuregrandpa

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:00:56 -0600

Ward, you do understand that when Bush took office, I, and everyone else in the U.S., owed the government $30,000. Now we owe $80,000. That is conservatism? And adding $10,000 more to that total will have more of an impact on my life than the previous $50,000. And remember, according to Cheney, they were following Ronald Reagan's advice, which was that deficits don't matter. So you cannot say they were not acting like conservatives. It's a shame that conservatives spend so much time developing unimaginative terms like "Spendulus-Porkulus" instead of actually developing policies that match their supposed beliefs.

JDole84

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:57:38 -0600

One would think public teabagging would be illegal...

pantagrapher

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:57:32 -0600

Don't waste time pointing out the the accusations of voters fraud were quickly and easily disproved. Now the same paranoid nutjobs fantasize that ACORN is going to come and forcibly intervene while they tea bag each other. To paraphrase Duncan Black: if any liberals do show up, it will only be to point and laugh.

Spook

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:51:21 -0600

I sure hope that Black dude( from the last protest) is there again who when the reporter asked what he thought about Obama's stimulus package, pointed to the white guy next to him and said "ask him". And then after the white guy ranted on about "evil socialism", the reporter again ask the Black guy what he thought and he replied "basically I agree with every thing he said" And when the reporter said "no what do YOU think!?" The Black Guy said, "Not all black people are democrats." Classic! Maybe this time they will diversify with a clueless token Latino

matilda

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:46:27 -0600

Ward: Too bad your side, for all its bitching and moaning, and its supposed stance as fiscal conservatives (as opposed for last few years when the GOP was anything but, as you have admitted, I think), has yet to offer a real counter-budget proposal. Sorry, but a glorified press release that lacked crucial numbers does not count, and a spending freeze for everything but the military is hardly realistic, as the GOP leaders certainly know. What I would give for an effective and reasonable conservative party in the USA instead of a collection of hot-air reactionaries and Jesus-freak idiots and would-be imperialists who can't even fight wars the right way (or go after our real enemies, such as Iran, which still acts as a state-sponsor of Muslim militancy and radicalism, instead of puffed-up second-tier threats such as Saddam). Maybe if that were the case, I wouldn't have had to vote Dem so often in the last few elections. Trust me, I don't like the Dems all that much, either. Good luck at your protest. Hope the right-wing nuts don't ruin it like the hard-core leftists often do at other events.

Strong Reaction

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:45:02 -0600

"If ACORN wants to send some of their paid, pretend activists to show up, that's fine...." Well done, Teabaggers. You've spun an excuse for your epic failure before it's even occurred.

Natalia1979

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:40:50 -0600

Where was everyone when we were spending a trillion dollars in Iraq? I think its funny that no one complains when we spend a trillion dollars in another country, but heaven forbid we spend money in our own country to fix our roads and sh*t.

Ward Up

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:30:40 -0600

Chicagoist, thank you (no sarcasm). Maybe you're not so one-sided after all. There are plenty of fiscal conservatives who read Chicagoist. And some of us, myself included, will be at Federal Plaza tomorrow. The Spendulus-Porkulus is the wrong thing to do, and a lot of people are starting to speak out against it and similar bills. See you tomorrow!