Republican congressman Robin Hayes of North Carolina told a crowd of McCain supporters at a rally in Concord NC on Saturday that "liberals hate real Americans that work and achieve and believe in God." While Hayes initially denied saying this, he was forced to admit the truth when confronted with audio of these very words in his own voice. Hayes said this at a McCain rally shortly before McCain himself appeared to speak, though the campaign has thus far chosen not to respond. Oddly, Hayes said only moments before this remark that "one of the things we need to do is to be certain we don't say something stupid."

Hayes' remark echoes similar statements recently by Sarah Palin and Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann, both of whom have likewise suggested that liberals are not "real Americans" and are in fact "anti-America." Hayes' remark also presents Democrats and progressives with a very similar opportunity to that presented by Michele Bachmann's remarks last week on rooting out "anti-American" members of Congress. As CNN explains, the North Carolina district Hayes represents is not a solid Republican district but one that could swing Democratic. Hayes is currently up for re-election and is fighting a tough campaign against Democratic opponent Larry Kissell, who nearly beat Hayes in 2006 and who is now polling strongly against Hayes despite a significant fundraising disadvantage.

Outrage at Michele Bachmann's remarks last week resulted in a massive infusion of support for her Democratic opponent, Elwyn Tinklenberg, including some $700,000 in contributions in only three days. There is now more hope than ever that Bachmann's seat in Congress may soon be held by a Democrat. Let's do the same for Larry Kissell in his race against confirmed bigot Robin Hayes. Supporters may go to LarryKissell.com or to ActBlue.

QUEEN’S COMMENTS ON MY FAVORITE ECONOMIST, DEAN BAKER
Well, I’ve spent this entire day writing and posting almost exclusively  put-downs of Sarah Palin, John McCain and their campaign–all true and verifiable facts, but nasty nonetheless.  This is necessary because we must match their attacks 3 to 1 to keep the propaganda under control and their BS to zero effectiveness.  It does matter what goes out into the blogosphere.  But now as it nears my bed time, I’ll make my last post a more cheerful one and on a topic that I like–economics and Dean Baker whose opinions I most often agree with.

                             **********************************************************

Dean Baker is the co-director of The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR).  He is the author of “The Conservative Nanny State:  How the Wealthy Use the Government to Stay Rich and Get Richer”   www.conservativenannystate.org .  He also has a blog,  ”Beat the Press” , on American Prospect where he discusses the media coverage of economic issues.

NOTE:  IF YOU GO TO DEAN’S CONSERVATIVE NANNY SITE YOU CAN DOWN LOAD A PDF VERSION OF HIS BOOK–worth the read and it is definitely an exception to the rule that “nothing is free”  –as long as you don’t print it out and waste paper.

Here is the link to Dean’s blog:  http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/beat_the_press

Now about that article which I just read in Truthout:
http://www.truthout.org/100608B

 QUEEN’S COMMENTS on:  “If the shoe fits, wear it.”

I continue to get validation for my homilies about the Republican newspeak strategy again and again:  Look to what they are claiming that others are doing and you can rest assured that the shoe most likely does not fit their opponent nearly as neatly as it fits them.

Amazing, isn’t it the nerve (stupidity?) of Sarah Palin to try to make Obama into a terrorist because of the remote connection between Barack Obama and terrorist from the ‘60’s? (William Ayers is a man who committed his crime when Obama was 8 years old, a man who had lived a life of 30 years as a decent citizen before Obama ever met him.) Yet, Sarah Palin has much closer connections to a terrorist organization.

For you see, Joe Vogler, the founder of the group of which Todd Palin was a member from 1995 to 2002, had planned to appear before the United Nations to denounce United States “tyranny” before the entire world and to demand Alaska’s freedom. The Alaska secessionist had persuaded the government of Iran to sponsor his anti-American harangue. Yes, Iran.

Here is the interesting story regarding Sarah Palin’s involvement with this terrorist group. It was written by David Talbot and recently appeared in Salon. It is legitimate and easily verifiable by many sources. It might explain why Ms Palin decided to pull back on her attacks of Obama and his association with William Ayers.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/10/07/palins_unamerican/

The Queen has also posted a few items on this topic as well. Here is one link:

Forget the kitchen sink and throw the bathroom toilet at them:

http://iflizwerequeen.com/?p=629

Last night in the debate Obama mentioned that McCain's would tax Americans for their healthcare.  Tonight on Olbermann, Bob Herbert on the New York Times was on the show talking about this same issue and both were expressing surprise that more people were not hollering about it.  The Queen also wonders the same thing.  Two days ago on Oct 6, I posted the following on my website.  [I swear, sometimes I think that some of the pundits actually read my website.  Tonight Herbert actually even used by $12,000 figure that I used an example for insurance for a family of four.  I know it's probably just a coincidence. . . ]

 http://iflizwerequeen.com/?p=622

QUEEN’S COMMENTS

There are two cynical and “more of the same” points to John McCain’s heathcare plan.

1.  McCain would tax health benefits for the first time in the history of our nation.  Right now, if you get health benefits from your company, those benefits are not taxed.  With McCain’s plan, those benefits would be taxed.  In other words, whatever value the corporation you work for wants to attach to your health benefits, it can and will.  So, if you make $60,000 and your company says that your health benefits for you and your family are worth $12,000 (family of four), then voila!  The income that you are taxed on becomes not $60,000 but rather $72,000!

2. McCain’s plan would dismantle state-based regulations and tie the hands of people who are involved in consumer protection.

More of the same looking the other way while corporate America robs Americans blind.  If you think that the gymnastics performed by healthcare insurance companies to deny claims now are bad, then you better hang onto your St. Christopher medal if McCain is elected.  The only “rights” that consumers will have under McCain’s Republican leadership will be the right to make insurance companies richer than they already are.

Happy Birthday to our favorite Congressman

Today, October 8th, is Congressman Dennis Kucinich's birthday, and all of us in the campaign are pausing for just a moment to say "Happy Birthday, Dennis. Thank you for all that you've done over the years and all that you continue to do."

If you'd like to say "Thank You" too, consider supporting his campaign as a way to do that.

There won't be any big, lavish parties today. No champagne corks popping. No fireworks and no glitz. Not his style. Not ours. And most likely, not yours either.

Instead, it’s a day filled with the joy of knowing him, the smiles and laughter that come from sharing priceless stories about his younger years, and the gratitude we have for his service to our nation and his commitment to our people. Plus, a chance to offer our best wishes for MANY more years.

So, on this special occasion, please consider showing your appreciation for Dennis Kucinich and his work in Congress by making a contribution to his campaign so we can keep him right where he belongs - in Washington. D.C. - representing, defending, and fighting for Americans here in Ohio and all across the nation.

If you would like to wish him well in person and you plan to be in the Cleveland area, consider attending one of these upcoming events:

Sunday, Oct 12, join us at Dennis' Annual Supporter Appreciation Picnic with Deidre Hall. Free of charge, but please make reservations now.

Wednesday, Oct. 22, "An Evening with Melissa Etheridge." Reservations required.

We'd love to see you, and so would Dennis and Elizabeth!

The entire campaign staff.

http://iflizwerequeen.com

QUEEN’S COMMENTS ON PRIVATE HEALTHCARE INSURERS

And what is your reason again why we should support or even trust private healthcare insurance companies instead of a non-profit healthcare insurance company?  We know that it is NOT because they are trustworthy, that’s for sure.  You betcha.

Aetna,located in Hartford, Connecticut has $1.831 billion profits in 2007. In 2007 Aetna applauded itself for its low “medical loss ratio”—the percentage of revenue it loses to paying for healthcare. In the fourth quarter of 2007 that ratio was 79%. What that translates is the Aetna spends less than 80% on healthcare by avoiding unhealthy enrollees and keeping a lid on services. [Get it? As long as a healthcare organization is privately held, the customers who submit claims or who apply for membership will always be in competition with the shareholders and the company’s CEO’s. And guess what ordinary Americans, you will lose every time. Your odds of winning are better in Las Vegas.]

Every time McCain starts blathering about earmarks, I am reminded of an experience that a friend and I had in a small town in Arizona a few years ago.  We were traveling with her husband and a friend of mine cross-country from Albuquerque to Santa Monica along the old Route 66 highway.  We had stopped for gas and while “the men” were checking the cars fluids, my friend and I went inside the store to horse around.  Most of the merchandise in it looked to have long expired its shelf life.  At the back of the store was a plastic tub with pigs ears.  We each took a pair and were dancing around in the back of the store with our “earmarks”.  It wasn’t long before we were asked to leave. [I've been thrown out of much classier places than that store--believe you me.]

I was thinking today:  perhaps I could send Senator McCain a pair of pigs ears and he could do a little angry dance for added emphasis whenever he goes into another of his self-righteous tirades against earmarks.

BACK TO THE REAL TOPIC OF POLITICS:  McCain continues to make an issue out of earmarks, which are only a teeny tiny part of the overall federal budget. The big ticket items are entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and defense spending, which together represent much of the federal budget; earmarks are just $16 billion out of a more than a $2 trillion budget.

Another way to put it:  Why focus on the ears when they are such a very small part of the hog?

The other day I posted my concerns regarding how the audience will be chosen tonight.  I'm especially concerned since Gallup, a GOP biased polling company is in charge of the audience selection.

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT ASSURANCES ARE BEING MADE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AUDIENCE IS 50/50 AND NOT A SET UP LIKE THOSE TOWN HALLS THAT THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN TRIED TO SET UP IN JUNE?

I am concerned.

http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/elizabethberry/CGQ7

In a previous post I provided a link to Pinocchio Politics.  Even if you don't order a nose, it still is a great site to find the latest news about the latest lies, and God knows, it's not that easy to keep up with them all.  Remember, if you get a smear email, it is your duty as a citizen to respond with the truth.  If you can't reply to the sender, then write a rebuttal and send it on to your friends warning them about the piece of trash going around. [BUT DON'T SEND THE ORIGINAL.  That just clogs up the bandwidth, and gives the liars press that they don't deserve.]

http://www.pinocchiopolitics.org/

Here is a picture of a Pinocchio Posse in action.  This is a group of New Yorkers outside the United Nations the day that the Republican nominee for VP was there meeting several foreign dignitaries.  (She took time off from her Foreign Policy World tour at Epcot Center in Florida to meet them a few of these foreign dignitaries such as one of the Queen's favorites [not] Alvaro Uribe.)