Paul Ryan Apologizes to Disabled Veterans, Social Security Recipients and other Takers
The winner of today's “Gee, Ya Think?!?!?” Award goes to Paul Ryan:
“There was a time that I would talk about a difference between 'makers' and 'takers' in our country, referring to people who accepted government benefits. But as I spent more time listening, and really learning the root causes of poverty, I realized something. I realized that I was wrong. 'Takers' wasn't how to refer to a single mom stuck in a poverty trap, trying to take care of her family. Most people don't want to be dependent. And to label a whole group of Americans that way was wrong. I shouldn't castigate a large group of Americans just to make a point.”
A day late and a dollar short, Asshole.
posted by Tom Harper @ 9:09 PM
6 Comments:
Do you think he is reinventing himself for 2020? This is not the first time recently I have heard Paul soften his stand on issues. The skeptic in me says he's just doing it for prime time. The hard lines burrowed deep in the sand by the Right over the last two decades make me suspicious of anything they say that smacks of moderation.
But then I still harbor some hope that maybe some on the Right are realizing that they were wrong. .......... Nah, they just see their party slowly circling the drain and are in panic mode. Their shift further to the right was a shift too far and now they are reaping the benefits.
Too little too late. He's hoping peole will see the mushy inside and vote for the GoOpers this time round if they say nice things. Fuck him and his party.
"Taker" is how I personally would describe Paul Ryan. Like all of these politicians in office in the House and Senate, he gets hugely paid for little work, and he will have fully paid (by us) health care, security, pension, etc. for the rest of his life. For him to call anyone else a "taker" is more than just an unfortunate choice of words, it's a clear indication of his mentality and lack of compassion. In other words, he epitomizes today's Republican party.
Americans, it's time to end this. We need a Democrat in the White House, and to take back the House and the Senate. I urge all Democrats to rally behind whichever candidate gets the nomination, and Get Out and Vote. If we work together, we can make this happen. Let's prevent a tragedy (such as Trump or Cruz) from happening.
Thanks for letting me rant, Tom!
MRM: I think Panic Mode is the only explanation for Paul Ryan's occasional displays of decency or compassion. Same with all these other Far Right Republicans who are desperately flailing in every direction. They've made their bed of thorns and it's time for them to fall into it and hopefully learn something.
Jess: I just hope no voters will fall for Ryan's transparent gimmick. I don't want any wavering Republicans to say "Paul Ryan sounded so nice in that speech the other day. I think he's really come around, seen the error of his ways."
SM: Exactly. All of these "elected" politicians get lavish salaries, perks, benefits, pensions -- all provided by our tax dollars -- and then they have the gall to talk about "takers." Irony and arrogance aren't strong enough words to describe this. Hopefully "the Hubris before the fall" will be more accurate.
It was during his election that Paul made some old familiar statements denouncing the Civil Rights Acts ("A restaurant should have the right not to serve you for any reason" etc.,) It was Rachel Maddow (using a decent but not a great argument) that slammed him on her show where he first tried to deny it, then say he was misquoted.
Whatever he won using an old Southern Argument running for an old Southern State. When he was running for president, he tried to reach out to African American Crowds with Long Memories talking about opportunities ("Work harder and you will do better" another old Conservative Argument only reserved for People of Color and Immigrants). His staff sorta of took that old statement back but he never came out and apologized.
Like all the rest he will has his base to deal with, The Poor, The Disenfranchised, the Immigrants, and the People of Color aren't among them.
Erik
Erik: It's the same old dilemma for Republicans. They keep trying to simultaneously pander to the bigots and reactionaries of their "base" and to mainstream voters. It's not easy to appeal to both of those groups. Ryan's base voters will probably be pissed off at him for waffling on his earlier statements; he'll be a RINO.
You're right that the rightwing talking point "work harder and you will do better" only applies to minorities.
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