Dangerous Meme Alert-Who does the government belong to, I wonder? And who's supposed to pay for it?

[kpete]

Dangerous Meme Alert

by digby


Listening to tea party congressmen on MSNBC right now defending cut-go and this keeps coming up whenever Mitchell asks why they refuse to pay for tax cuts if they are so concerned about the deficit. I discussed it before and it's really catching on now:

*****"We don't think tax cuts are something that we have to be "pay for" because it's the people's money to begin with, not the government's." Greg Walden (R) Lunatic

Who does the government belong to, I wonder? And who's supposed to pay for it?

This is a very pernicious meme the Democrats need to refute quickly and decisively because these Republicans are squawking it in unison like a bunch of trained parrots. So far,the only reaction I've seen from them or the gasbags asking is slack-jawed stupefaction. I don't think that's sufficient.

more:
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/dangerous-meme-alert.html
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/cutgo-project.html

[truedelphi]

1. Oh you won't catch your standard, DLC brain-issued Dem

Disputing any of this, despite it coming from the Republicans.

After all, who gives the elected officials on both sides the money to run with?

So on account of that, during the months of the Health Care Reform Act shaping up, we see Obama meeting sixty times with Republican Senator from TN, and zero times with Kucinich, until the night of the famous "Give us what we require, or you'll be tossed from Air Force One" Ride took place.

[HughBeaumont]

2. Wow, that is some fucked up logic right there.

Not like I'd expect anything less from The Dumbass Party.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

3. I heard this same exact thing mentioned by somebody or other on a right-wing talk show

a few weeks ago. Sounds like it's a new meme that they are pushing.

[gratuitous]

4. Greg Walden has been handed a golden opportunity

Walden has been handed the kind of clout that previously only belonged to Al Ullman and Bob Packwood when talking about elected officials from Oregon. Now, instead of providing a little sanity and balance to the Republican caucus, it appears that he's decided to go full bull goose looney, immersed in the magical thinking that pervades the Nitwit Brigade.

Note carefully that despite the Republican yakking about fiscal responsibility, they want to repeal health care reform, which the CBO says will save billions over the next 10 years. But this is one area Republicans have exempted themselves from their own rule about paying for stuff. I urge you to note this carefully, because you sure as shit aren't going to hear a peep about it from the popular media.

[phantom power]

5. It's also The People's Deficit. We own that too.

In fact, we own that even more so, since what we actually have is a deficit. In contrast, say, with the end of Clinton's administration.

[handmade34]

6. we need a serious discussion in this country

about "money'... how it is made, where it comes from and who controls it...

"...it's the people's money to begin with, not the government's..."

when the wealthy write the rules, it does become their money... that is the problem

[classof56]

7. Greg really said that? Good grief!

I hate to admit it, but he's my congressman and no, I did not vote for him, and yes, I'm appalled at the "power position" he now holds. I'm sure there are a lot of wealthy constituents in his district who will be glad to reap the benefits of his misbegotten policies, but I ain't one of them. And I know a lot of other people Greg's supposed to represent who are eeking by, jobless, houses in foreclosure, have no health coverage, working their way through bankruptcy--and doubtless a lot of them voted for Greg. Not sure if they'll come to regret that, but here's hoping they just might. Won't matter, of course. I'm clinging to the hope the next two years aren't going to be as grim as I think there will, but not counting on that.

Thanks, Greg--really appreciate your support! :sarcasm:

[GeorgeGist]

8. Interestlngly ...

Obama A GREED with their STUPIDITY.