I can’t vote democrat every because of the blatant intelectual dishonesty a majority of their leaders display. Stuff like Howard Dean wanting to do away with the electoral college.

One thing that pisses me off about Dem talking points to no end is the “tax cuts for the rich” canard. Yes, the rich did get tax cuts, but no democrat I have heard will ever say why that is bad and will definatlely never tell you what the result of the tax cuts were. The whole thing is to drum up support among ignorant or stupid poor people who think the rich keep them down.

“The rich” pay 90+% off all income taxes and as a result of the Bush tax cuts tax revenues are higher than they would have been under previous tax law. Those facts are completely lost on Democrats and is representative of a larger issue. Unscrupulous pandering with extreme disregard for the facts is what turns me off, and that happens on far more issues than the one above.

I got into a discussion with a local Democrat about why he wanted universal healthcare. His position was that healthcare was a right and should be provided to everyone. I didn’t chastize him for his position, but pointed out the negative effects, such as Walter Reed and VA hospitals and other shortcoming and dangers such a the government having an interest in keeping people healthy and the slippery slope of banning smoking and trans fats. All of that stuff was completely lost on him and he doesn’t care as long as everyone receives healthcare.

Now, I am not saying all democrats are like that, but that really isn’t the point I am making. The point is that Democrat’s positions are have shaky foundations.

A don’t think I am being an apologist for republicans. This current crop is contemptable and I loathe a great deal of their actions, from the top down.

Also, I apply this thinking to National level politics.  At the local level there are probably a great deal of outstanding democrats.  Abe Lopez, a local judge, comes to mind who was very good at what he did.

Ms. Farris makes many outlandish claims that can be construed as lies, willful ignorance, brain washing, or just plain mental deficiency.  Of these claims one of the most outlandish is this: “Democrats believe there should be fair and equitable taxation. Republicans believe that only the dwindling middle class should be taxed and the rich should be exempt.”

I wonder what fair and equitable taxation would be? Would that mean the current regressive tax system we have where the top 50% of wage earners pay approximately 96% of all individual income taxes, or does Ms. Farris want a flat tax for all wage earners?  I am curious where she would set the bar. 4% would be just as fair as 100% just as long as everyone is taxed that way.

Another gross misstatement by Ms Farris is this: “Democrats believe workers should be paid for their production. Republicans believe all workers should remain in bondage and CEOs should have golden parachutes.”

I would like to see where she draws her conclusions.  I have never heard anyone on the right say that people should “remain in bondage” in any form or fashion.  I would also like to know what her problem with “Golden Parachutes” are.  Wouldn’t it be nice to receive a $400 million retirement package?  Golden Parachutes and high executive salaries are what makes junior executives and lower employees productive.  CEO’s high earnings and large benefits packages are what people set their standards and goals by.  I learned this in my economics class this summer.  I am open to hear other opinions on the subject.

Somewhat out of sequence Farris makes the claim, “Democrats believe everyone should have access to health care. Republicans believe only the wealthy should have access to health care.”

This statement comes despite the fact that anyone can walk into an emergency room and receive more than adequate health care, no matter their income.  Everyone has access to healthcare and I am unaware of any legislation or talking points from any politician that says anyone but the rich should have access to healthcare.

Continuing, Farris writes, “Democrats believe there should be an energy policy. Republicans believe that what is good for the Bush family and Dick Cheney is good for the country.”

Now I could be missing something here, but voting to keep ANWR closed is not much of an energy policy, not to mention these lines leave “non sequitur” lingering in my mind.  I bet the mentioning of Bush and Cheney has something to do with Haliburton or “War for oil” rhetoric.  Come to think of it, Bush and Cheney, if the war really is for oil, have done far more to ensure our energy independence than any democrat has.  Maybe she is referring to Ted Kennedy’s Nantucket Sound energy policy.

So really, why does the Amarillo Globe News allow letter writers to blatantly lie?”

amarillo, Bush, Cheney, democrats, globe, healthcare, lies, news, republicans, rich, taxes