Three cheers for Senator Arlen Specter »
Posted By Spadecaller 9 months, 1 week ago in Political NewsWe may need to add a chapter to President John F. Kennedy's book, Profiles in Courage. This new chapter would be to honor Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter.
Every once in a while, a member of the U.S. Congress distinguishes himself or herself by doing the right thing, regardless of whether or not it will help secure a primary election or general election win, regardless of whether or not it would be the best thing for the political party he or she belongs to.
Newt Gingrich and Karl Rove must be delighted. In the words of Chris Matthews, "Senator, you're the last of the Mahicans!" Matthews was commenting on the dearth of progressive Republicans these days. But look at all the health problems, which Specter has conquered. He will probably get to win out over the right-wing venom as well. And he has certainly earned a chapter in Profiles in Courage.”
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Spadecaller
Welcome to my profile. About me: I'm an artist of several kinds; from bull to painting. I don't spare too many words. Most ...
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Spadecaller9 months, 1 week ago
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Time to give praise where praise is due. Easy it is to bash Rove, Cheney, Bush, Coulter, Delay, Gingrich, Steele, and Limbaugh, but the few Republicans that are willing to put their nation first and their party second should be commended not burned in effigy.
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Jeboba9 months ago
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Name more than THREE Republicans out of the whole mess that are willing to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. It's truly unfortunate that the Republican Party has so inbred itself with complete idiots that the REAL Republicans like Senator Specter and the two others will soon be extinct.
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If the Repubs don't get their act together, there will be fewer and fewer and fewer of them. They can't even stand up to fat boy Limbaugh for Chrissakes! -
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Endoscopy9 months ago
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So Spadecaller, what you are saying it is great for America to spend trillions in deficit spending just so the Democrats can turn this into a socialist nation. To me that makes him a rino and turning his back on history. Obama has promised us tax increases for everybody and will get the deficit down to twice the average Bush deficit by 2012.
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You really believe that is good for the country? History tells up that in financial troubled times that the spend and tax concept makes things worse. FDR the Great Depression lasted 10 years with about 20% unemployment. Carter and his stagflation. Japan in the 90's and they are still digging their way out. -
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Spadecaller9 months ago
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Endoscopy
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"History tells up that in financial troubled times that the spend and tax concept makes things worse."
If I understand what that comment means, I would suggest that you see a doctor for listening to that voice in which you call "history". -
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truthfirst9 months ago
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Charlson9 months, 1 week ago
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I don't agree with much of Senator Specters political views but his love for his country is quite evident when he crossed party lines to vote for the recovery package. He'll be lambasted and ostracized by the negative, do nothing Republicans but most Americans will know who truly cares for their country and not their party.
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Spadecaller9 months, 1 week ago
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Charlson:
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"I don't agree with much of Senator Specters political views"; and neither do I.
But I am sick and tired of listening to Republicans who support the likes of pigs like Limbaugh who would prefer to see a failed presidency regardless of any concern for the welfare of our nation.
And, that is one reason that I posted this article. At least Senator Specter is faithful to his constituents, his nation, and its interests.
There are too many hateful Republicans seeking to destroy the success of Obama's programs that our nation needs at this time; and it was the majority of Americans who elected Obama based on their support of these programs.
The political ramifications for Republicans who act only as spoilers rather than contributors and problem-solvers at this critical time in our history as a struggling nation will most likely guarantee their failure in the next midterm election.
Reminder: many of us predicted the GOP would lose power during the last midterm election and then the Presidential election. The same will be true this next midterm, if Republicans continue to put their selfish partisanship desires above all other concerns.
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not2needy9 months, 1 week ago
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FTA:
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So far I haven't noticed that the Republican party is in favor of anything. But they certainly have made it clear that there is a long, long list of things which they are against.
They are against everything that has anything to do with Democrats pulling us out of the mess their party made of this country. Thank God, there's a few conservatives who still have a conscience.
None of us really "know" whether the stimulus will pull us out of the quagmire Bush and Cheney shoved us into, but at least the stimulus that Obama and his team have set up will demand accountability for every dime, not feed more rich cons pockets.-
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capecoralMComment removed: Retracted by user12 Replies
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jordan119 months, 1 week ago
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I don't believe that Americans realize the seriousness of what we're facing. I believe that repulican leaders do. I also believe that republicans and cohorts who run multi billion dollar businesses understand that Americans have very short attention spans, and they're right. Banks didn't want to open up credit markets because like republicans, they want the bail out to fail. No one wants democrats to get their hands on regulation again, & if Obama succeeds that will happen. Every thing that can be done will be done to assure that power in this nation is in the hands of corporations and their lackeys the republicans, even if that means taking this nation down to get it. And if the bail out fails, republicans will blame Obama, Americans will forget who got us here in the first place, & their plan will succeed. I won't place any bets that Americans will see through this.
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So yes, Specter has courage and loves his country. But I don't know if three republican having courage will turn the tide. We're at war with forces that have very evil intent, & unless Americans recognize that, we're not going to make it.-
AbuAmirahComment removed: Spammer, Hard Banned
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cowboygrandpa9 months ago
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FTA
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Senator Specter, along with two brave Maine Senators, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, stepped up to the plate, defying the Republican game plan, which was to stand firm and corral every single Representative and Senator and have them vote against the Stimulus Package.
This philosophy worked in the House of Representatives, as there was not one brave Republican soul who dared to vote his or her conscience, even though it seemed as if every single economist and financial advisor, from the left and from the right, from both political parties, had been advising, pleading, that in these dark days of bank failures and massive lay-offs and the impending doom of the American automobile manufacturing industry and newspapers folding from coast to coast, that something had to be done. To do nothing was to invite Depression.
Well there ya have it!!!!! Republicans hate America, they want only conservatives to be in America.
Does this remind anyone of the Nazis beliefs in their superiority ?? They were willing to destroy a nation and try to conquer the world with their demented dreams.
We must not allow the party of fiscal disaster-better known as the Republican party- to remain in any kind of power.
They are lovers of money and haters of man. They seek their own fulfillment over the well being of all.-
capecoralMComment removed: Retracted by user5 Replies
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Spadecaller9 months ago
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"Every thing that can be done will be done to assure that power in this nation is in the hands of corporations and their lackeys the republicans, even if that means taking this nation down to get it. And if the bail out fails, republicans will blame Obama, Americans will forget who got us here in the first place, & their plan will succeed. I won't place any bets that Americans will see through this."
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Thanks Jordan. I can understand your skepticism and concern. I share some of it. However, we must remember that it was through dialogues and forums like this that we defeated McCain and can continue to educate and remind voters about these facts. By defeating the fear mongers and dividers, we can come together and defeat this too.
Class warfare has already destroyed much of the middle class after the unfair tax breaks to the richest, after corporate welfare, no-bid contracts to the Bush and Cheney cronies to fight an unnecessary war, after unfair trade, Savings and Loan fraud brought to us by our sponsors, the Bush "men", selling out American labor for cheap foreign labor, Bush's guest-workers, and after years of killing U.S. labor and using Reagan's tickle-down economics to funnel money away from the middle class.
Leaving behind a history of this unfair exploitation, to whine and criticize Obama for attempting to empower the middle class by setting in motion policies that may tug a LITTLE at the pockets of our richest is a pathetic site to look upon.
Warren Buffett, one of our nation's richest and most principled characters, insists that those of us who are fortunate enough to be wealthy Americans need to support the rebuilding of the middle class. What is left of America without a strong middle class. Tax breaks and jobs for the middle class is vitally important now.
The entire world is in shambles because of the greed that has eroded the buying power of America's middle class. The time is long overdue to correct this miscarriage of economic justice. Enough Americans need to support the surgery and nutrition that Obama is implementing or the years of depression will be much longer and will eventually affect even those earning in excess of $250,000 a year.-
AbuAmirahComment removed: Spammer, Hard Banned
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capecoralMComment removed: Retracted by user
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cowboygrandpa9 months ago
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As an aside. Why do ya think Rush has such a wealthy contract ???
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Many will say because he has sponsors who know that people listen to him.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm !!!!! Do those sponsors realize that the ones who disagre with Rush outnumber by far the pin heads that do agree with Rush ???
I think it is a much deeper thing. They need to get that hatred of doing the right thing out there.
Because if they don't they will lose the power they crave and the money they think they have.
Thanks to the three America loving Senators in the Republican party. For those who voted against it. Thank you as well. We now know who wants America to fail. You are in the voters ballot sights. Just remember that when you are voted out of office.-
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Endoscopy9 months ago
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Poor cowboygrandpadoes not understand how it works in the public domain with radio stations.
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1. All shows get rated by the number of listeners that they get. Ratings companies track listeners.
2. Advertisers pay more money for adds on the higher rated shows.
3. Radio stations remove shows that do not get big enough ratings and try to fine ones with higher ratings.
IT ONLY MATTERS WHO LISTENS TO WHAT PROGRAMS THAT ARE ON THE AIR. ALL OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT COUNT.
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Spadecaller9 months ago
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Well said Gramps!
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When the internet bloggers blast the webpages with comments like yours, the message will be heard better than ever. We were predicting that the last midterm election and Presidential election would dethrone many Republicans due to their apparent disregard for middle class Americans and constitutional fair play. The same will happen again in the next election. Most middle class Americans and poor Americans are facing painful circumstances; we will not tolerate these GOP partisans. Praise for those Republicans that choose to represent all Americans should be emphasized as well. The message of progress and change musts be an inclusive one. -
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Spadecaller9 months ago
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Most middle class Americans and poor Americans are facing painful circumstances; we will not tolerate these GOP partisans.
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On the other hand, it is good for us all to praise and recognize those Republicans who are willing to represent the best interest of all Americans. Best not to forget that Obama's message of change has always been one of inclusion -- not exclusion.
The same should apply to Republicans like Specter, Collins, and Snowe. They must be included in the success of this administration and its progress. Obama has not been president for long and while he is facing formidable obstacles, he has already made unprecedented change in a short time.
Those that are overly critical of him do not seem to see the bigger picture. We should all be free to criticize Obama and any President, but when it is done with the obvious partisan intention of pulling him down at the expense of the nation, it should be condemned by all caring Americans. -
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unome29 months ago
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Progressive9 months ago
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As a progressive Republican, Arlen Specter is indeed a rare, old bird who belongs on the endangered species list. Too bad the GOP lets obstructionists like Rush Limbaugh lead it by the nose, rather than look to Senator Specter for some real leadership.
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prophyporcritesComment removed: Spammer, Hard Banned11 Replies
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canadianrancher579 months ago
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Although I'm not really a great fan of any of the stimulus plans that have been or are being proposed I do think that Senator Specter is a special person for actually using his own brain to make a decision. There is a large section of the American public that is being affected by the economic crisis and I know that no one has the answer to the problem so I guess doing something might be better than doing nothing. My biggest problem with these plans have to do with being on the receiving end of government programs for many years in agriculture, the money that comes out for the programs does not seem to trickle down but seems to trickle up to those who are not doing that bad and I fear the same will happen down there. when I look at a lot of the money that has already gone out it seems that much of it did trickle up.
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I'm having a difficult time defining a conservative nowdays since my understanding of a conservative was that they would come to the aid of the people in an emergency.-
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Jeboba9 months ago
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Conservatives come to the aid of the people in the emergency? Are you serious? Conservatives are the ones that don't want the government to spend any money on the people. They want less government, less rules, less entitlement programs.
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Conservatives really rallied behind the people in New Orleans didn't they!! NOT!
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cleare9 months ago
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it's easy enough to lambast limbaugh...olberman worked him over pretty well last night...
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but it's hard to make hard-liners appreciate the courage of a stand up guy like specter. i'm a die hard progressive, but i've had occasion to admire arlen and have always respected (almost to the point of veneration) olympia snowe.
i think i'm typical of most americans. we do cross party lines. especially if the party is better on the other side. -
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wally399 months ago
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Specter and the other 2 people are not what could be considered heros. All it means is their vote to sell out the--"TAXPAYERS"-- was bought at a lot higher price than what the republican party was willing to pay. The stimulus is loaded with thousands of pork projects that will cost the taxpayers billions of dollars that will in no way help this so-called stimulus.
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obama has caved in on his promise to cut out all the pork because he needs the influence of the "top dogs" in the democratic party. Really, why should he care-it's taxpayer money and jobs that are going away.
If your looking to blame someone for todays problems you have to go back to Carter who wanted easier access to financing back in the 70's. Reagan didn't help much nor did he do much to make it worse. Clinton did the most harm. Mortgage money for everyone-even if you had no way to make your payments. If you were collecting food stamps at taxpayer expense and were on welfare???? Good enough-you qualify. Hell if you were dead and still warm-you qualify.
Bush did try a number of times to put a hold on the easy money,(From Fannie may and Freddie Mack)but financial times were good and the country had to many other problems so the problem was left on the back burner for the most part. Bush and McCain tried to get legislation passed to make changes but by this time democrats had control of both house and senate and they were happy with the way things were so the legislation died. I think you would agree that that was the wrong thing to do. I think most of the world thinks Bush should have tried to get the democrats to pass his legislation or at least give it serious debate. Couldn't do that, even if it was a good idea----Bush was a republican.
It's all a matter of public records-take the time, check it out.
PS.
I still think Bush is an ass but he isn't as stupid as I thought he was. I hate to admit I was wrong. -
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paulangelComment removed: Spammer, Hard Banned
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