If you are in Washington, D.C. and talk about the simpleton from Rhode Island, you might automatically think of Patrick Kennedy. However, we can’t forget that Rhode Island has another simpleton in D.C.: Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. In case you think my categorization is merely a partisan shot, it isn’t. While I disagree with other Democratic politicians, I wouldn’t question their intelligence. I would just recognize the fact that we see the issues differently. With Senator Whitehouse, there is a certain shallowness to his thinking, tinged with hyper-partisanship, and a heaping helping of smarminess.
There have been many comments over the years which reinforced my opinion of him, but his latest speech on health care reform illustrates his failings perfectly:
“Voting ‘no’ and hiding from the vote are the same result. Those of us on the floor see it. It was clear the three of them who did not cast their yes votes until all 60 Senate votes had been tallied and it was clear that the result was a foregone conclusion. And why? Why all this discord and discourtesy, all this unprecedented destructive action? All to break the momentum of our new young president.
They are desperate to break this president. They have ardent supporters who are nearly hysterical at the very election of President Barack Obama. The birthers, the fanatics, the people running around in right-wing militia and Aryan support groups, it is unbearable to them that President Barack Obama should exist. That is one powerful reason. It is not the only one.”
In Senator Whitehouse’s twisted mind, the health care reform bill is fantastic, and anyone who disagrees is a racist, right-wing militia member who is part of “the lunatic fringe”. Funny, but every poll I’ve seen lately shows that the majority of Americans are highly suspicious of the health care reform bill. Does that mean that more than half of the United States is made up of racist militia members? If that’s the case, then how was Barack Obama elected President with a majority of the vote?
Sheldon Whitehouse’s comments are nothing more than an attempt to bully people into supporting the health care bill. If you support it, you care about Americans. If you oppose it, then it must be because you oppose Barack Obama, and why would someone oppose Barack Obama? Because of his skin color, of course! Concern about the deficit, abortion, fewer health care choices, or other changes are never addressed by people like Sheldon Whitehouse. Instead, those with concerns are shouted down and intimidated by accusing them of racism, in order to silence criticism of a bill he knows is defficient.
Interestingly, Sheldon Whitehouse’s comments came a day after Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson said he would vote for the bill. Does that mean he was a racist until yesterday? Many labor unions oppose the tax on their health benefits. Does that make them Birthers? Howard Dean has encouraged progressive Democrats to oppose the bill. Does that mean he is a member of a right-wing militia? Won’t the Democratic Party be surprised!
Comments
The new face of the liberal politician. Hate. That's what the left holds on to. Conservatives don't hate liberals; we believe they are wrong. Their views cost lives not save them. This is deadly serious legislation. I'm praying that the House and Senate Bills can't be reconciled to give Obama a bill to sign. Go Bart Stupak!!! Sink Ben Nelson-he's more of a joke than this guy you wrote about. At least he is up front with his views.
why does he compare/liken militias, which are constitutional, with aryan racist groups? of course villification of militia/patriot types is not only a liberal thing, the so-called right did it for 8 years under bush, including the homeland security report demonizing veterans and gun owners, which has been documented to be drafted during the bush admin. similarly, repubs always think ruby ridge was under clinton. nope. bush senior.
by the way you may want to correct your spelling of the word i-g-n-o-rant.
learn to spell first
Do you actually know what Nelson has had put in the bill for Nebraska? Are you listening to FOX only? Sheldon Whitehouse is one of the most promising politicians in the Senate, as spoken by many, and he happens to be from Rhode Island. And you can't even spell ignorant? Why are YOU even bothering to comment? Oh, you must be your ignorant and obstructive, like the rest of the so-called "conservatives".
Damien: Nice work, too bad some of the New England readers don't understand the difference between a writer and a proof reader. Whitehouse babbles like most of the Left Whacko Pinkies accusing others of exactly what he is doing in the odd belief that no one will notice. You folks in New England have been saddled with more than your share of fools. Also please tell the Senator that no one gives a rat's tail where he went to school, nor who his wife's step grandfather was. Sad, shallow, self aggrandizing ass.
Hey One Time Reader, do you know what Nelson and other lunatics on the left put into this bill? The only place bribery is legal seems to be the US Senate. Your a fool if you think Whitehouse is in the main stream of this country. You can expect your beloved party to go down in flames in 2010. They will lose the House and Senate due to their arrogance and IGNORANCE. The last bastion of hate in America, the US Leftist Progressive party.
the tree of liberty needs refreshed from time to time with the blood of tyrants and patriots (thomas jefferson) you sir are a tyrant GOOOH
Unfortunately, Senator Whitehouse is very representative of Rhode Island.
wow are that blind? guess that's why you got only six comments.
Sheldon has to "justify" his vote, which he knows goes against the majority will of this country's citizens. He thinks he is soo-ooo--oo clever and plays the race card. He is the one acting racist here. He is basically blaming white conservative evangelicals for what? Hey Sheldon, you got your vote passed, didn't you?
Chris Wallace - can't you even count correctly?
Sorry, what Whitehouse says makes complete sense.
Sheldon Whitehouse is nothing more than a professional politician. And he's a bad one at that. When a bill passes the senate after 49 states must bribe the 50th (Nebraska) with money, something's wrong. This administration is playing fast and loose with democracy and laws--not to mention public opinion. That has nothing to do with Obama's age or skin color, just his lack of honor. And less than 31% of Americans support this bill, meaning more Americans don't support it than do. This bill's provisions make representatives exempt, yet taxes the rest of us to benefit a few...that's taxation without representation.
We have seen the beginning of the end of the principles this country was founded on...principles which are being destroyed every day in the name of "democracy." I call such "democracy" treason.
1. Learn to proofread before you start ranting about the intelligence of anyone.
2. He is dead on correct and it scares the hell out of you. You turn your shoulder and point your finger, telling us that this Senator promotes "hate." He actually is just calling out the right for all of their lies and misinformation. You don't even address the thesis of his speech. Again, another right-wing blogger with tunnel vision.
You, Damien Baldino, are a card carrying member and officer of the lunatic fringe.
"why does he compare/liken militias, which are constitutional, with aryan racist groups? "
If the packaging is looney, why would you expect to find something rational inside?
The real story here is that Whitehouse is angry that public opinion is against the bill and is making a futile effort to try to marginalize the opposition.
This is not unusual. And let's face it. Defamation tactics by political figures has sometimes worked in the past. Look at Joe McCarthy. Look at the intimidation tactics of the open-borders lobby that were so successful at silencing debate on immigration policy a couple decades ago.
But, in this day and age, politicians who engage in this sleaze simply make themselves look like buffoons.
Sheldon, SMB. You worthless hack.
I don't want to contribute to aura of hate that surrounds most every conservative blurb, I find it especially funny to read these comments railing against liberals as haters. It seems you've learned well from your strategists (vitriolically claiming the other bears characteristics of the self). But do you people read (examine!?) the language used by your sirens?
Take the article above. Isn't so foolishly worded and extreme that it can't possibly make a bit sense whatsoever? Do you think it makes sense for things to be so black and white?
According to the poster, Sen Whitehouse is "stupid," has a "twisted mind," carries a "heaping pile of smarminess," and makes appeals to racism.
Your identities are so lost (on even yourselves) that you can't see what you've (American conservatives) have come to.
You're all so lost in some cosmic battle against evil that you'll allow the real evil to come pouring out of yourselves.
You, the people who let Bush take us straight into the g
Well if the opposition to Obama is racist in nature it seems racists sure don't say many racist things or even act hatefuel towards the man personally.
You'd think racist would say something actually racist at least every once in awhile.
Two thirds of America is against Obamacare. ..How the heck did he get elected if that any are hysterical racists?
g
If this jerk whitehouse is the best you have, you should tremble.
The idiot voted to proceed with a bill that hasn't been completely written yet. But conservatives are crazy?
You people are idiots.
Nice typo in the headline.
Copy editors FTW!
The author of this article is literally the most shallow thinker on face of earth! Jeez take the blinders off for one second before you speak. And if thats not the case then I just feel sorry for you.
George W. Bush essentially called those who disagreed with his amnesty bill Nazis. The Republican Party and establishment Conservatism have been collaborating with Leftist white-hating racism for decades, never hesitating to use political correctness as a weapon against their own constituents when it was expedient, never defending their white constituents from racist attack, whether in the press or in the streets. Now they don't have a moral leg to stand on when the same tactics are being used against them.
No Republican support moving this bill forward even though it’s a fraction of itself? Herein lies the true meaning of conservative movement holding their grounds on so-called conservative principles. Yeah right! Fool me.
Your spelling is awful...how can you NOT check a headline? You rant but you aren't editing prior to getting in a frenzy.
ingnorant = ignorant
You are spot on RI taxpayer, hence our current circumstance.
This article is so "smarmy" that I feel like I need a shower after reading it. Please learn to be as concise, articulate and intelligent as Senator Whitehouse. The "twisted mind" phrase is used incorrectly here; the mind that is twisted is the author's.
Let's see... two/thirds of the public are against this bill, so that means that a lot of people who voted for Obama are now members of Aryan militias. Incredible! What a country.
Americans are against this bill. No matter what organization runs the poll, the results are the same. Yet Obama and his Cronies in Washington insist that they are pushing this bill for "the American people". In fact, this bill has to be passed immediately. In fact, it is so important that Congress should not even read it. Just pass it now!!!
So why is it so important to pass it immediately? Does it have anything to do with the 2010 elections? Absolutely. They know that Acorn is not going to be able to help them win the election this time around. They know they will lose seats. So instead of fixing health care or writing a good bill, they will push through a horrible one....just so their name can be put in a history book.
American needs real change.
Or what is ingnorant? Did you maybe mean to call someone other than yourself ignorant?
Your ignorance is showing if you make a statement like: "every poll I read says a majority of Americans are against this bill"
Either a made up lie or the polls you're reading are not real.
The problem is Whitehouse represents all of the people of Rhode Island and his quote is far from balanced. He is not listening to ALL his constituents and this is why he probably will not get reelected. Hope he understands why we are all disappointed in him.
For those who are not trapped by their predispositions, it would be good idea to check out www.timwise.org to understand how the middle class got to this point of collectively fighting the wrong enemy-itself! Sen. Whitehouse was merely stating what Obama could never say in his own defense! And that's the way it goes; for the utilitarian beauty, and tragedy, of racism, as (social theory) is that its power derives from deceiving its own!
Tim Wise is vile, neo-Nazi, white-hating racist, as is anyone wbo approves of him.
George stated:
"Tim Wise is vile, neo-Nazi, white-hating racist, as is anyone wbo approves of him."
December 23, 12:02 AM
I say that George's example is the sine qua non of what's wrong in the American body politic! Everything he says is a facially baseless-vitriolic-attack without merit. We all should feel fortunate not to live in such a dark reality.
Sheldon Whitehouse, Patrick Kennedy, I sure can't wait for elections!
The majority of Americans aren't against the bill, they just don't understand it, thanks to the lies the right have told about the bill.
Think about that. Blatant lies are created by the right and spread like propaganda. It is then "reported" on by the agencies (Fox) that produced them. They then organize rallies to support these lies, even using false footage of rallies that happened years ago. No wonder this inflates negative sentiment.
In the end we have a bill that will allow around 30 million uninsured Americans to enjoy the security of a health care plan, a group which I have been a part of for five years.
Its Christmas, try to think of all those suffering from common ailments like asthma (me), diabetes and ADHD, and the horror of telling a child that there's no money to fix their illness.
Seldom RightHouse's comments show an intollerance for opposing views and deep concerns people have for such important legislation as health care. This guy is taking his marching orders Harry and Barrack. Why do we need senators in Washington if they can't carry out the wishes of the majority of people they represent. Senators have great health coverage and aren't willing to sign on to the same coverage we will be subject to. A classic example of do as I say not as I do.
Bravo for Senator Whitehouse to call it like it is. Here is a brilliant man who you call a simpleton which is a term that aptly describes many Republicans; idiots like Enright of Nevada, the dolt Coburn of Oklahoma and Shelby who can't even talk correctly and is an embarrassment. It's no wonder that Europeans rightfully laugh at these dismal, mediocrities who you call leaders.
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