Rep. Allen West, the unhinged Florida Republican, appears to have reached some strict rules regarding his foes. If you dare disagree with him, West believes you're either (a) a communist; (b) a supporter of slavery; or (c) quite possibly a communistic supporter of slavery.
Igor Volsky flags the congressman's latest gem.
For those who can't watch clips online, West complained about those who've sought Social Security disability benefits. "[W]e are creating the sense of economic dependence, which to me is a form of modern, 21st century slavery," he said.
Putting aside West's preoccupation with comparing everything he doesn't like to slavery -- really, congressman, it's time for a new metaphor -- the argument here is especially bizarre. If Americans qualify for Social Security disability benefits, they're relying on a safety net that's keeping them out of poverty. They're not living on easy street -- you won't see these folks attending any fundraisers in the Hamptons -- but SSI helps beneficiaries, many of whom are children, from being destitute.
By West's reasoning, that makes them slaves. Of course, by that logic, any group of Americans who rely on public institutions are also slaves. Do you rely on public schools to provide your kids with an education? Then you're a victim to public dependence, which to West is a form of modern, 21st century slavery. Are you a senior citizen who relies on Medicare to see a doctor? Then you're a victim, too, and are necessarily some kind of slave in Allen West's mind.
Of course, West isn't the only strange person with odd ideas about slavery. Did you catch Herman Cain last week?
The former Pokemon-quoting presidential candidate was troubled by Chris Rock's Independence Day comments, in which the comedian called the 4th of July "white peoples independence day."
Cain was unimpressed (thanks to reader F.B. for the tip).
"I think it was Chris Rock who made fun of the fact, 'Well, it might be Independence Day, but the slaves weren't free then.' Look at it this way, if America had not become independent, slaves might still be slaves."
As a matter of history, that doesn't make any sense at all. If the United States were still under the crown, African Americans might still be slaves? There's no real ambiguity here: the United Kingdom banned slavery in 1833. Parts of Canada ended the slave trade as far back as 1793. The United States didn't end slavery until after the Civil War in 1865.
The only way slavery would have continued is if the South had won the Civil War -- and apparently some on the right now believe that wouldn't have been so bad.
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I think Mr. West is a slave to his job and should be relieved of his slavery immediately!
Go ahead, blame it on President Obama's failed economic policies.. We'll call it a freebie!
Good thing for West none of his constituents are Social Security recipients. Yep. Florida: home of the principled Social Security refusniks.
West needs to talk to John McCain. You know the guy who's still collecting disability benefits from the Navy for his service in Vietnam.
So why is it that West NEVER wears an American flag? (I seem to remember that being an issue with Obama and the Republicans.) All he ever has is two pins for being a paratrooper and one other pin that I've never been able to identify.
He wears a Senior Parachutist Badge (Master Blaster) and the Navy/Marine Parachutist Badge.
"To be eligible for the (Army) Master Parachutist Badge, an individual must have been rated excellent in character and efficiency and have met the following requirements:
The 25 combat equipment jumps necessary to qualify for the Master Parachutist Badge must be from a static line".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parachutist_Badge_(United_States)
However, the other badge is of Navy origin - The Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia (formerly the Naval Parachutist Insignia) is a gold-colored embroidered or metal insignia depicting an open parachute with outstretched wings. It is authorized for officers and enlisted personnel who were awarded the Basic Parachutist Insignia and, under competent orders, have completed a minimum of five additional static-line or P3 jumps, to include: (1) combat equipment day jump, two (2) combat equipment night jumps, and employ at least two (2) different types of military aircraft.
It's interesting to note that West's Bio does NOT MENTION THE NAVY/MARINE PARACHUTIST BADGE being awarded to him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_West_(politician)#Military_Awards
Giving him the benefit of the doubt, it is sometimes possible to be awarded a cross service award by participating in a joint service endeavor, but his resume does not elude to an event of that nature. Stolen Valor? The badge is plainly shown on his bio page but is not mentioned in the glorious verbage to follow. A quick look at his DD form 214 (Certificate of Discharge) would verify what awards and decorations he had been given and the dates and quality of his service. I'll leave it at that for the time being.
The round pin is a congressional pin designating a member of the 112th Congress.
Gordona,
Thanks for the information. Having spent some time at Pope AFB, I was familiar with both of the parachutists badges. Funny you would mention the Navy/Marine badge. I've seen that remark in other places. It would REALLY be hilarious if he wasn't actually eligible to wear it.
The round one. You've cleared up a lot.
Dog, glad I could help.
Having been asst personnel officer for XVIII Corps, I couldn't let it pass.
It's very rare that a person who's only been Army is permitted to wear an emblem or award from another branch.
And, dogjudge, your green ramp @ Pope is one of the finest in the region. Thx.
So the guy who gets paid with taxpayer dollars thinks economic dependence is akin to slavery? So...what exactly does that make him? Hell, what does that make anyone who relies on a paycheck no matter who the "employer" is, private OR public sector?
That guy Allen West is either the manipulator or the manipulated. What Mr. West? Is it your committee assignment to call-out and re-build SBA's (Small Business Administration) cheap labor pool?
I've seen a lot of great military officer's in my lifetime.Allen West is not one of them!
What an idiot..They seem to forget that we all pay for that..It's not like the Government has a secret fund that they use to help the poor and disabled like the past Presidents, and Congress has donated to that fund exclusively. We have paid for it.
The fact is most of the disabled have been working disabled for years, and when they lost their jobs, and health insurance they were no longer employable, but still needed healthcare to function. I know 17 people right now who has worked for 40+ years 3 have been disabled, but pushed on over the years when they shouldn't have been working. Now the disabled can't find work, and the other ones are considered to OLD to be employed...What are the supposed to do?
Those people paid into that system for over 40 yrs so it was there for those who needed it, and for them if they ever did. Tell companies to pay a fair livable wage, and stop age discrimination. These Rep make me sicker everyday.
Mr. West provides no reference to validate his statements in the video, and I cannot independently find his figures. Exception: Conservative web sites seem to be linking to each others' sites/numbers on this. If anyone has a solid link to the facts I'd appreciate having a look. :)
Why is it that Right-Wing-Nuts like West NEVER complain about trillions of tax dollars being ripped off from American Tax Payers by Corporate Raiders and Vulture Capitalists ?
Welfare in the form of Corporate Subsidies has been going on for ages ! When was the last time you heart this crazy person, Allen West, complain about this ?
And yet something like Social Security, which is paid for and belongs to the people who pay for it, is a bad thing ??
Allen West makes an absolute fool of himself EVERY TIME he talks !!
Why would a superstar like West waste his talents in Congress when he can make so much more being full of sh-t in private enterprise.
Actually, he is auditioning for the job right now!
Pauly, exactly. At the risk of repeating myself ahead of time:
This punk Weat, aka, the Little Corporal, has been sucking on the government tube all his life. But it looks like he decided the Koch tube was bigger.
It's amazing how almost no one reads or comments on these articles.
SSD isn't exactly a hammock. You get something like 800 dollars a month and IIRC, you can't have a checking account. I don't pretend to know how it all works, but it's not a government sponsored walk in the park. I remember all the verifications, updates, bank statements and misc. demands for information the FSSA was constantly making just so I could get $190.00 a month in food stamps so I could eat while I looked for work. It was a real pain in the ass to constantly have to prove and prove and prove and prove that I needed help.
But back to West, yeah, he's about two cherries short of a fruitcake.
Chris, under current policy a recipient of SSI can not have a net worth greater than $2,000. That includes bank account and possessions (less personal auto).
So, if you have a wedding ring valued at $500 and a few other meager belongings, you may be over the 'poverty line' and ineligible for assistance.
Hey Representative West:
How can you possibly say that those seeking Social Security Disability CHOOSE to be disabled? Come on man, stop saying everyone wants to be dependent!
I am so tired of having faces pop into my head, close family that got cancer, lost job, lost spouse it sends my blood pressure up hearing them referred to as lazy freeloaders!
Those of you that say these awful things need to hear the truth.
People lost what they had, spouses, health, jobs.
These are REAL people hurting, relying on family that have little to offer. We need to get to the facts, People are not eligible for these things unless they QUALIFY. They are real, live people that have been beaten down by reality.
Not this abstract b.s. you sell. I hope Allen West and the rest of these throwbacks fade away from public service, they are NOT serving people. I will show my humanity, I hope they do NOT get cancer, lose their spouse, lose their job (well, they can work in the real world) and lose health care. These folks have some chutspah to call themselves public servants, looking for the exception to show as the rule.
I can't afford to help all these people, they paid into these things and these people want to keep it from them!
My wife lost her former husband to stomach cancer. She was barely 40. She got a life ins. settlement of about $175k. She slapped one of her brothers so hard he got a black eye when he commented that at least she got a big bag of money. She told him she would give it all back in an instant if her husband hadn't died.
God some people can be stupidly cruel!
Her brother deserved a smack for that, not that I advocate violence.
That is so very crass!
History is hard. I don't actually recall the US government owning slaves at any time. I do recall private individuals owning slaves (freedom!). So if I follow West's logic, anyone who relies on a paycheck from a private institution is a 21st-century slave. Good thing he hasn't collected a private paycheck in a while.
Allen West may not realize it, but Communists funded cases before the supreme court enshrining the right to a fair trial in the South - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottsboro_Boys#Help_from_Communist_Party_and_NAACP
I'm with Slappy Magoo on this: By his own inimitable (i.e., illogical) standards, Congressman West is a slave to the U.S. House of Representatives (and, by extension, his constituents, although they might rightly wonder whether his performance of duties, by definition, qualifies). Seems to me that, if the guy had any pride, integrity, or self-esteem, he'd resign immediately and return every cent that he's ever received as a U.S. Representative. Then we can get started on the issue of donations to his campaign from lobbyists and other special-interest groups. I'd never use the term "slave" to describe his status in those relationships, of course. You might well think that; I couldn't possibly comment ....
FREE ALLEN WEST! VOTE FOR HIS DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER IN NOVEMBER. Please, Floridians, please. (I mean no disrespect to anyone whose family members were ever slaves in any nation.)
What an a-hole! If those quadriplegics on SSI wwould just get up and walk they would not be dependent on that government check of $800!
Tea bagger West's ancestors were overseers on plantations back in the day, that accounts for his weird perspective on slavery.
Dear Mr. West,
If you can figure out a way for me to completely rid myself of my multiple sclerosis and all of the related symptoms, I will gladly give up my enormous SSDI benefits & return to work. Thanks so much for your concern about my enslavement. Idiot...
S.S. is a scam.
The government takes your money pays you no interest on it, then when you go to collect you have to jump through hoops.
Next the government uses that money at their own will and you have no say so in the matter...
How else do we ensure people have something to live on if they happen to live long enough?
INSURANCE does the same thing, only with FICA there is a requirement to deduct and tally how much work allows how much benefit.
The eligible do not have to jump through hoops, only show honestly disabled if they are not yet of age to collect. It is not easy to file disability, but some act as though it's a breeze and fake disabled are rampant.
It's not a scam, my widow Mom is living on it now. It would be very hard for her to remain in her home she is has lived in for 35 years.
She is not living lavishly, but she does not need to beg for food and stays in her mobile home park, where rent is controlled.
I'd like to know exactly what this guy thinks these 'hoops' are you have to jump through, except I have a low tolerance for the ravings of the hopelessly insane and he's clearly in the grip of some high-octane conspiracy juice.
The government "takes your money" and pays it out to those currently on Social Security. There's nothing to "pay interest" on. When you come of age to retire, those still working will be supporting you--if you decide to accept the Social Security benefits you might be entitled to.
Is he saying people on SSI are slaves? I thought he was saying they're masters, enslaving the hardworking taxpayers.
I don't think slamming disability is good for his political future, so I hope he keeps it up. He is a nutcase. Cain is as well. Smart nutcases. They are playing the game and I don't believe that they believe what they are saying. They just know that if they say absurd things that play to the base the GOP will reward them.
I believe 'West' does agree in his heart with what he is saying. When all your needs are being met and you are the 'cock of the walk'; when you immerse yourself in self-centeredness, ...you can go for a long, long swim....
I have lately wondered how history might have played out if the USA had simply said to the CSA, "Fine. Leave. Don't look to us for anything." That is, if the USA had not gone to war against the CSA, but had let it slowly disintegrate on its own rottenness. Yes, things would have been tough for the slaves--but just think: the Fugitive Slave Act could be repudiated; slavery could have been outlawed in 1861; there would have been no need to compromise with Southern demands any longer; the USA could have boycotted trade with the CSA... How long do you think the CSA would have lasted as a viable entity?
Slavery was most profitable in the early years of the colonies. There's a very interesting book, Slave Nation, how slavery united the colonies & sparked the american revolution, by Alfred & Ruth Blumrosen.
In 1772, a judge sitting in the High Court in London declared in the Somerset case that slavery was illegal. His decision effected the entire British realm, including the American colonies where it was not favorably received.
According to Slave Nation, the colonies went to war with Britain in protest of the anti slave laws as an infringement upon their rights to free commerce.
At the time the southerns were wealthy beyond reason, much the way Saudi princes' are today. They had little to no cost in regard to labor, in fact the laborers grew their own food and tended to their needs. Once the fields had been cleared for farming there was little out of pocket cost for running a plantation. The world was obsessed with the new fabric and it was transforming the economic landscape at the time. Cotton trade between the south and Europe exploded and made the region a financial mecca the likes that have never before been seen. No labor costs and a limitless ability to produce.
On the other hand, mill owners in the north had to pay a workforce a living minimal wage. The southerners were producing cotton and other goods to be sold on the world market and the northerners were only outfitted to make a limited amount of clothing, frying pans and items to be sold in their small corner of the world. Economic resentment set in and that more than anything (according to Slave Nation) led to the civil war. Southern land owners had limitless wealth and the factory owners were required to pay wages to all their employees.
I've abbreviated a 264 page book into a couple paragraphs to illustrate that slavery was an issue that precipitated our founding. And that commerce was more important in the founding of our nation than the tax on tea or personal freedom. It's always been about the dollar (or Pound) not personal freedom. It's commerce that drives the wheels, not freedom for the masses.
Thanks for the additional information. Weren't the cotton fields on the brink of soil depletion?
JArmen, soil depletion. At what point in the slavery cycle might you be asking about?
Yes gordona, the royals didn't need slaves because they colonized and took from the colonies. The tea was from East Indies, taxed and sold. The king worked it out for economics.
The south was reliant on the relatively cheap practice of keeping slaves for their own economics.
Now, American elites have taken offense to being unable to exploit workers in this country, so sent jobs to Post WW11 colonized places like Marianas Islands to exploit them. Just can't do that over here, with all our perverted ideas about equality and fairness for workers to be respected and be able to reach the golden ring.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Mariana_Islands
and Speaker Delay loved the ability to exploit labor there for the deregulation and got rid of union jobs in the process!
http://articles.cnn.com/2005-05-09/politics/real.delay_1_delay-staff-wage-saipan?_s=PM:POLITICS
The Republicans still do not see how paying good wages to employees comes back into economy.
Too bad Allen West, et.al. do not see that as slavery. The exploitation of labor is entrenched, but the middle class dream is being systematically decimated with Republican policies of outsourcing to more exploitable countries, where they can profit, like King George. The serfs in this country be damned.
SS is not slavery, it keeps our people out of poverty.
Social Security is not slavery, it is the government's attempt at dignity for a life maintained but without financial well-offness. People endure hardships, storms, floods, sickness, untimely deaths, and a myriad of other unfortunate occurrences-at various breaking points of life. President Franklin D Roosevelt learnt this lesson under his own duress and when he successfully became President, being a creature of Society and Sickness, he could emphathize with others who had no status nor privilege in Society.
Repubs have a platform that states every man for himself! This repub ideological war has been going on longer than any of us commenting here have been alive. Subsequently, their party's political connections to the Small Business Administration and Chambers of Commerce. Whose desire is not for the common welfare of the worker, but CHEAP LABOR.
"Look at it this way, if America had not become independent, slaves might still be slaves."
Actually, the British were against slavery and offered slaves freedom if they became Loyalists against the Colonists. Had the British won, slavery would likely be gone.
Blue, see my comment above.
The British outlawed slavery in 1772 (Somerset case) which led to the American revolution. They, the Americans, didn't want to be told whether they could have forced labor or not by the crown.
Your argument is moot given the abysmal history of the Brits enslaving every corner of their Empire and does not uphold the theory that America would have been treated any differently.
This from a proud descendant of Scot/Irish accessory. BYDAND!
I made my comment in the context of the Chris Rock statement, which was that if Britain had won, slaves would still be slaves, whereas the British offered freedom to those same slaves that the Colonists were afraid to arm would indicate to me the greater likelihood of freedom for those slaves under British rule than the resultant American rule the kept slavery another 95 years. There is an error in Rock's logic and I merely pointed to historical fact to support a more reasonable likelihood should the British have won. Slaves taking up arms against the British would not have fared so well, drawn and quartered along with Jefferson, Adams and the rest, but that did happen because Colonists were afraid of arming their own slaves for fear of retribution.
Let us see, West gets two checks from the Federal Government:
1. Military Pension
2. Congressional Salary
He should through off the yoke of oppression and forgo one of those checks.
And due to becoming an enterprising tool, Mr. West has likely been offered a "Chair" when he decides to leave or is pushed out of Congress.
This punk, aka, the Little Corporal, has been sucking on the government tube all his life. But it looks like he decided the Koch tube was bigger.