Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who uses Twitter far more than most elected politicians, published a curious message over the weekend.
To translate the abbreviations, the Iowa Republican said that his constituents asked why he's not outraged at President Obama's attack on the Supreme Court's independence. Grassley responded to these questions by telling constituents that the American people are "not as stupid as this ex-professor of constitutional law."
Grassley's Senate office later confirmed that the tweet came from the senator himself -- his account was not hacked by someone trying to make Grassley look foolish -- and a spokesperson said the senator believes the president doesn't "understand Marbury v Madison."
The general response to this over the weekend was to use Grassley's comments as another example of the toxicity that permeates the political discourse. There's certainly some truth to this -- 30-year veterans of the U.S. Senate traditionally conduct themselves with more dignity and stature than Grassley chooses to show, and his tweet calling the president "stupid" is a reminder about the overall demise of "statesmanship" in the Republican Party.
But there's more to this. Intemperate rhetoric from a classless senator matters, but what matters more is the substance behind his rhetoric. Grassley is a crude politician, but the larger significance of this is that he has no idea what he's talking about.
First, as a factual matter, Obama didn't attack the Supreme Court's independence, and he never failed to understand judicial review. This is simply ridiculous, as Grassley and his press office likely realize -- all one has to do is read what the president actually said.
But the larger point to this is that Grassley has a lot of nerve questioning the intellect of others as part of the debate over health care.
Grassley, for those who may have forgotten his role in the health care debate, insisted there was "a bipartisan consensus" for an individual mandate, only to turn around soon after and condemn the mandate that he'd already endorsed. He also talked up death panel garbage; he routinely contradicted himself; and he vowed to vote against his own compromise plan during bipartisan negotiations.
For that matter, during the same debate, he touted Glenn Beck's book and at one point, even tried to exploit Ted Kennedy's cancer for political gain.
Best of all, after Grassley failed to kill health care reform, the senator took credit for the ways in which the Affordable Care Act helped Iowans.
Someone has demonstrated "stupidity" here, but I don't think it's the president.
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Politicians have long known that if you say it loud, and say it long, it matters not where the truth may lie.
(Mark Twain: A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.)
Remember when the Broders* of the world loved Grassley? Wonder if they still do.
*Using 'Broders' in the plural as a shorthand for the class of professional centrist pundits of the 'both sides do it', 'we need a third party of the center', 'if only liberals were willing to compromise' school of punditry. David Broder himself has been dead for a couple of years, but his school of thought, if you can call knee-jerk split-the-difference-ism 'thought,' lives on.
I hate that when you write a letter to a politician, you're automatically added to their damn mailing list. I've had to unsubscribe from Grassley's so many damn times...
The President is well know for his ability to lie. Good economic policy would be doing the exact opposite of what the President has done. His admistration will be known as a colossal failure. He has outdone President Carter; Jimmy should thank him.
Grassley is just doing what he needs to do to make sure he does not get 'teabagged' during his next reelection run. That is 'run to the right of the furtherest reich'; 'show his hate for the n!gger'; and 'lie, cheat, and steal'. Standard repuknican stuff these days.
All the GOP types should have noses longer than Pinnocchio as much as they lie - does this mean that they'll turn back into "wooden dummies"?
It's good to see that one of the GOP is starting to arise from the Abyss. Perhaps now maybe they will acknowledge The American People. If they could all start coming clean about their involvement in decieving Americans we might be headed in the right direction. The only reason there are people against Obamacare is because of what the GOP are lieing about when they are making these false accusations against it. The truth will come out because that is what American People have fought against for generations. Our soldiers and our veterans have not died in vain and never will have. The time for using innocent Americans to fight for a few who have selfish reasons and a false sense of power is over. If you are lieing to us we will find out sooner or later and we will tell everyone we know about it. I think more needs to be done to explain President Obamas proposals like ObamaCare. If people knew of the benefits and how it helps them they would agree with the President. It is unfortunate that the GOP is even trying to deceive and hurt their own base. Communication needs to be a priority when helping Americans. If the Republicans have changed what they stand for, they have the responsibility to explain this to their base. Via the recent drop in number of GOP. They're dropping like flies. People are jumping ship Yeah, they may have thrown the Tea overboard but, now the crew is throwing themselves overboard with it.
It's not a lot of nerve when the President signed a law that is unconstitutional. Stupid is stupid. I don't care if he's a senior member or not the truth is the truth. Obama has forced a largely unpopular bill on the American people and if you don't like it rather than just ignoring it. Well, you can't because then the IRS is going to collect a "penalty" if you don't buy insurance.
So everyone dancing in front of the White House "Healthcare for Everyone" you are being forced to buy something. Do you have the money to pay for it? I don't think they realize how expensive paying for health insurance is. It's as expensive as paying a mortgage. If you can't afford to buy then get ready to pay the penalty on your taxes. Where does this penalty money go and to whom? Why can't you ever hear an answer about that?
If you say that everyone buying will make health insurance cheaper, wrong! The first thing my health insurer did was raise rates and send us a letter about how they had to raise the rates because of the new health care bill. My insurance hadn't changed in 5 years. Instead of going down they also raised our co-pay and co-insurance amounts. Health care for Everyone! Yeah!
Well there you go . Good argument for single payer. Insurance companies should not even be in the equation , but they are entrenched and by God as long as they have shareholders , they will lobby and do whatever is necessary to ensure continuing profits, profits made on the well being and health of Americans.
Insurance companies raising their premiums...that's new and should certainly be blamed on the President. Of course no one checks the profit margins of insurance corporations who hide behind this lame excuse and laugh at Americans all the way to the bank.
Has anyone heard of a non-profit insurance company?
Your insurance company was no doubt planning to raise your rates anyway and used the healthcare law as an easy excuse to justify it. Especially if they hadn't raised rates for 5 years prior.
Insurance companies raised their rates because they feared that when the ACA went totally live they wouldn't be ABLE to. The whole point is the insurance companies get a guarenteed pool of 'clients' and in return they keep their rates relatively low. Blaming this on Obama is what everyone does. It is not 'unconstitutional'. It is greed. Get a dictionary.
That is right "Stupid is stupid". I don't think you will find a lot of people who agree wholeheartedly on the intelligent of individual mandate (especially) in this forum.
We are more annoyed with the fact that the whole individual mandate idea was shoved down everybody's throat in this Health Care bill and has been the very solution suggested for all talk about Health Care reform by the Republican Party (except for the other solution that is be on your own, don't get sick or die), and now those very people who came out with the idea call it "unconstitutional" and "stupid".
And why would they all the sudden call it stupid and unconstitutional? Because the Health Care bill also have "mandate" for the Insurance company to cover existing condition hence increase their risk instead of just guaranteeing them more customers for "FREE"? In other word: It was a great idea when it was benefiting the Insurance company as a whole, but as soon as they are asked to carry some risk with that benefit, the whole thing is just stupid and unconstitutional.
SO YES, "Stupid is stupid", but really....you don't get to call other people stupid when you were the one advocating the stupidity to begin with.
How is the law unconstitutional and on what basis do you make this claim?
The penalty goes back into the SS/subsidies fund
Did they actually specifically state that the health care law caused this or did they say changes to public policy changed this? What specific element made them change? How was this change justified? If you feel that it was unjustified why did you not contact your state insurance commission to have the rate hike investigated? Upon ACA going into effect states became more empowered than ever before to challenge rate increases as made by insurance companies- the final element of this 3 tier process goes into effect in 2014.
Lastly you are charged by people not being covered by insurance companies. At the worst you'd be claiming that you're screwed either way. So why not go the way that covers the most people thereby preventing the most deaths?
Or we could just get rid of health insurance altogether and go to a singular system like every other industrialized nation in the world (who also pay ridiculously lower rates as a percentage of GDP for health care).
yep that's the truth
Let's see. Grassley is complaining about President Obama talking about the Supreme Court, yet the Senator has no problem using language that is quite a bit more demeaning talking about the President.
yep that's the truth
racheal is hot
rachel is too...
MAGP, I read your post while I was writing a check to my auto insurance company. I'll keep your post in mind while I write a check for my annual house insurance bill.
How is health insurance any different than these mandated insurances? Health insurance is a policy against the inevitable. We all get sick far more than we crash our vehicles or have to replace our homes.
As for forcing something down the throats of the American people, that is so cliche. What is really going down the throats of the American people is food with horrible additives and sugar. These are people who know the risks but refuse to stop putting processed garbage in their mouths and swallowing it, leading to obesity, diabetes, and cancers. I choose not to do that so why should my costs go up to pay for their bad food choices and/or their saving money by not carrying health insurance themselves?
Maybe you don't mind paying for other peoples bad decisions. If you don't mind paying for someone elses health care bills, adopt a smoker or two and see how quickly your foolish attitude will change.
Thank you, I think the FDA needs to be looked into Pink slime!!!!! Please we need more farms with healthier food and cleaner water.
Social Security INSURANCE was the FIRST mandated insurance in the 1030's. So the precedent has been set for a LONG time about mandating insurance. And I for one would love to a single payer system. Until that happens though, I think if you can AFFORD insurance you should HAVE to BUY insurance. It raises all our premiums when the uninsured go to the ER for a Doctor's visit. And MAGP you pay for their costs every time you make a payment to your insurance company or your hospital bill! Smell the coffee man.
A self-insured person would be assessed by their ability to pay. Health insurance for self-insured is tax deductible. The major reasons the insurance companies are resisting the AKA are that they cannot impose lifetime limits on coverage (can no longer drop you if care gets expensive), allows people with preexisting conditions to get coverage (like a childhood diabetic moving out on his own at 21) and the mandate that they spend a higher percentage of premiums on actual care and not bonuses and advertising). The GOP had numerous amendments added to this bill. Most of us are not lucky enough to die before we get sick!! This last is only slightly sarcastic. By the way your unpaid hospital bills can cause a lien on your estate or home.
Driving is not mandatory, it is a choice. If you choose to drive you need to carry insurance, but you can make a choice not to drive. You also do not have to insure your home. Your lender, if you have a mortgage may require it, but it is not mandatory if you own your home outright or if you rent. It would be foolish not to carry homeowner's insurance, but it is not mandatory. The heathcare bill requires people to have insurance whether they want it or need it or not. That is the difference. When I was young I chose not to carry health insurance through my employer. I was healthy and rarely went to the doctor. It was my choice. As I got older and had a family I chose to buy the coverage because it made sense for me and my family. We should have this choice.
People choose to drive without insurance so to be safe we are essentially forced to buy uninsured motorist coverage. We made it illegal to drive uninsured to protect others that their behavior may harm.
Actually it's funny that you bring up home ownership. The healthcare mandate works exactly like the mortgage mandate. When you purchase a home and then file your taxes w/ the IRS you gain a tax benefit if you have a mortgage. You do not get this benefit if you are a renter or if you own your home outright. The "mandate" w/ regards to home ownership is that you either get a tax penalty (which renters like me are already paying) or you get a tax benefit (which people w/ a mortgage have). But every single person who rents, owns, or mortgages is included in this mandate. So no you don't have a choice on this issue unless you are homeless. For the record the healthcare mandate wouldn't affect a homeless person, either.
I'll say it, Chuck Grassley is a jackass and a tool. He would say anything that the extremist party and his underwriters would like him to, simply to stay in his cushy job with all the perks (and free health-care!) and all the pimp-pomp. We'd have better luck using Selective Service for filling congressional seats.. Of the people.
It is a real shame that the Repub's seem to do nothing but hate and discontent no matter what the subject matter. I do not understand hate. What we need is to kick everyone out of the house and the senate and start over. It is a real shame we have people there that refuse to do their job. Look at Eric Cantor from Va and several others. they all need to be impeached and thrown out of office.
I am so disgusted. Can you say empty pandering to his constituency?
Law school is a rigorous intense field of study where you learn a whole different language and thought process. Telling the American people they know more than a man who has passed his bar exams is simple vapid flattery to garner votes. This man is a shining example of empty-shirt Republicanism and not one person need ask why this nation is floundering if that's what they've voted into office.
You get what you vote for...
Grassley is certainly no one to comment on anyone's perceived stupidity. I think he should ponder the "stupidity" of the people who keep reelecting him.
Actually, he did basically say they are stupid. His tweet didn't say the American people are smart; he said they're not as stupid as the President. Of course the people in Iowa who vote for him (not me) are too stupid to see that. And Grassley has a lot of room to talk; prior to becoming a Senator, he was a farmer, sheet metal worker, and production line worker. Not that smart people don't do those jobs, but generally our congresspeople have stronger intellectual work experience than that.
If it weren't for the fact that another Repub may replace him, I'd be looking forward to Chuck's upcoming retirement from the Senate.
KJ, CR, IA
Actually, he did basically say they are stupid. His tweet didn't say the American people are smart; he said they're not as stupid as the President
Hey KJ I live in Ia. , nice to meet you , your comment was spot on there , I have seen you posting here but did not assume that was actually C R , Ia. lol....I am all to familiar with Grassley and his crazy gop antics , but when Mr Benen puts them all together , it still makes me gasp , He has pulled so much crap the last 2 years I forgot a few of those
Like a lot of midwestern states , it is a 50/50 gop/dem split here , which unfortunately makes it harder to unseat even someone who is as incompetent as Grassley , the guy is old , but he is REALLY looking old the last 10 years , another term limits re elected 20 times tea bagger , I can see them re electing him with a dementia straight jacket on next time
The President is not stupid. He understands the constitution AND politics. He knew exactly what he was doing: trying to influence the court. The President also understands very well that much of the electorate is too dumb to know the difference or to carefully disect his words.
Except you, of course.
Words influence the court? Really. So defense shouldn't be allowed opening arguments? or the prosecution shouldn't be allowed to speak? Just in case their words influence the courts? And here I thought verbiage was the whole basis of our justice system, the interpretation and presentation of evidence.
Maybe he was expressing that which I hear quite a lot from Clear Channel and News Corps outlets, a point of view.
but within an hour or two of posting THAT tweet, Grassley just posted the letter "P." yep. a tweet that was just the letter P. so, well, Grassley on twitter is pretty hilarious. Not taking anything he says seriously. He's like the @horse_ebooks of the Senate.
If Grassley wants to see stupid, he should just go back to his "pull the plug on grandma" comment during the healthcare debate.
Buckwheat, there is absolutely no difference.
Part of the cost of my driving insurance goes to Uninsured Motorists. I do have the privilege of driving, but in my choice to drive insured is that extra layer of coverage for those who choose to drive uninsured. I am paying for them because they've chosen not to pay for themselves. I don't plan to have an accident with one of them (but have) which is why it's called insurance.
Health care insurance is even more critical. We get sick more often than we ever crash our cars, it's inevitable. Why is health insurance so unaffordable? Is it the outrageous costs of tests and hospital stays? Is it the bottom line of health insurers? Is it the fact that we as a nation are very unhealthy? Where is the responsibility of the individual to accept that sickness is part of life and to be as insured against it as we are as motorists and home owners?
But that's okay, it's sounds like you don't mind funding the uninsured. Hopefully, the ratio of insured against the uninsured all feel like you do.
Mm-hm. Also in Bizarro World, gw bush is a genius, and mitt romney would rather cut off his own tongue than tell a lie.
"Grassley's Senate office later confirmed that the tweet came from the senator himself -- his account was not hacked by someone trying to make Grassley look foolish . . ."
Grassley hardly needs anybody else's help to look foolish. He does a great job of it all by himself.
Buckwheat
Your side keeps trying to use the I WILL NEVER USE HC argument , which is just completely false , the .00001% of the population will just have to suck it up for the good of the whole , that is how it works for those who take RESPONSIBILITIES as a nation ...And try selling that same argument about a person with 2 kids ,,,it holds zero water , people like you trying to claim parents would rather choose to have NO HC for their kids is just complete bull hokey
Another example you and the gop have to always ignore , I had HC coverage from 3 different companies over 30 years , never hardly used it my whole life , finally I get a HC bill for $50, 000 , and they refused to pay it , sounds like a fair INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS deal right ? I would like to see you mcconnell or romney wiggle out or that scenario , but the gop just run and hide from those facts
I wanted Obamacare to pass. But I may change my mind. Why, because maybe I want to live long enough to see those people who have ALWAYS been against it suddenly need it. Wait for them to lose their insurance (no job), have a pr-existing condition, or it becomes too expensive to afford. If you check the southern states you will find they have the worst education levels, highest level of poverty, lowest life expectancy, etc., etc. But they are conservative, bless their little (coronary diseased) heart. Why do you think they're attracting "some businesses" - cheap labor, right-to-work (no unions), but wait until those factories move to Mexico or Asia -AND they will. Just like the textile mills. Then they'll discover - much to late- they should have gone with Obama even though he's black.