on partisan rancor

daniel schorr thinks voters (influenced by the media) are responsible for elite polarization.

It's become commonplace to blame politicians as the class and to suggest that what is needed is a new Congress. It may be that what is really needed is a new electorate. The present Congress reflects some of the voter anger at politicians fed by news media portrayals of scandal and corruption in the government. Gridlock is produced by legislators trying to respond to the anger of their constituents. Too much partisanship, not enough progress, as Senator Bayh explaining his bye-bye to Congress.

Many Americans seem close to rejecting the whole machinery of government that Evan Bayh found wanting. What happens when the people turn their back on their government is a phenomenon that this democracy has yet to experience.

healthcare debate flashback (from NPR)

Ronald Reagan, who was then a candidate for the governor of California, aggressively opposed MEDICARE:

"One of the traditional methods of imposing statism or socialism on a people, has been by way of medicine. It's very easy to disguise a medical program as a humanitarian project — most people are a little reluctant to oppose anything that suggests medical care for people who possibly can't afford it. Now, the American people, if you put it to them about socialized medicine and gave them a chance to choose, would unhesitatingly vote against it."

sound familiar?

are you in favor of...

standards guaranteeing access to affordable healthcare coverage?
standards guaranteeing access to essential benefits?
consumer protection?
a public health insurance option?
credit for small business employee health coverage expenses?
medicare and medicaid improvements?
promoting primary care and mental health services? prevention and wellness?
comparative effectiveness research?
nursing home transparency?
community health centers? school-based health clinics?
grants to provide education to nurses?

these are some of the main provisions of house bill H.R. 3200, "America's Affordable Healthcare Choices Act". you can read (skim) it here.

please, please, please let me get what i want

i apparently took a big poo in my pants this morning

in the hottest case of mistaken identity since a democrat founded the internet...
a high-powered businessman cum BYU football fanatic* confuses a radical, arugula-eating graduate student for his conservative brother. hilarity ensues!

From: reaganbush88
Date: August 29, 2008 9:02:34 AM PDT
To: kparks
Subject: Palin

I think this was a brilliant pick:
1. She is a woman. This will pull droves of females to the ticket. It also undermines the democrats claim to be the party of change.
2. She is pro-life and conservative. This appeases all of the ultra-conservative right wing nut jobs (like us - especially T.).
3. She is pro-gun and is said to carry heat with her.
4. She is a hockey player
5. She has five kids, the last of which has down syndrome (which she knew about far before birth).
6. She is young and attractive.
7. She is a proven reformer.
8. She is not from Washington (I love how Barack talks about change and selects the ultimate Washington insider as his running mate)
9. She is the first female ever to run on a Republican ticket.
10. She will win

The Democrats took a big poo in their pants this morning when they turned on the TV. I love being a Republican.
N.

*i have taken minimal measures to protect our privacy.