House GOP promotes its "American Values Agenda"

[zimv20]

CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/06/28/mg.thu/)


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- House Republicans released a package of bills Tuesday aimed at energizing social conservatives five months before the midterm elections.

Billed as the "American Values Agenda," the measures range from legislation that would "protect the Pledge of Allegiance from attacks by activist federal judges seeking to rule it unconstitutional" to a constitutional amendment "declaring marriage to be between a man and a woman."

"Through this agenda, we will work to protect the faith of our people, the sanctity of life and freedoms outlined by our founding fathers," House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) said in a statement released by his office.

[...]

The GOP's "American Values Agenda" includes: Pledge Protection Act, HR 2389; Freedom to Display the American Flag Act, HR 42; The Public Expression of Religion Act, HR 2679; Marriage Amendment, HJ Res 88; Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, HR 356; Human Cloning Prohibition Act, HR 1357; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (BATFE) Reform, 5092; Internet Gambling Prohibition; Permanent Tax Relief for Families; Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act, HR 5013.

(more)

there it is, how the GOP hopes to maintain control of the House. the article didn't mention details of the act, but the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act certainly has an interesting name. abortion doctors must inform patients that the fetus feels pain, perhaps? if so, i wonder if all doctors must inform expectant mothers that the pain of childbirth is pretty darn big for the baby, too.

[jelloshotsrule]

they don't represent my values, that's for sure. **** them

[iGary]

Pledge Protection Act, HR 2389

That failed yesterday.

Freedom to Display the American Flag Act, HR 42

Didn't know this was illegal. :rolleyes:

The Public Expression of Religion Act, HR 2679

This is legal, too.

Marriage Amendment, HJ Res 88;

This failed, too.

Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, HR 356

I guess they figure if they reword it enough...

Human Cloning Prohibition Act, HR 1357

I don't have an issue with this, depending on what religious BS they tack on with it.

Internet Gambling Prohibition

Another real defining American issue of the times. :rolleyes:

Permanent Tax Relief for Families

How about a tax relief package for individuals, we create less drain on the system.

Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act, HR 5013.

Covering their asses now, I see.

[jelloshotsrule]

Covering their asses now, I see.

that (and a couple of the others) create the perfect "x or y democrat voted AGAINST providing relief to disaster victims!"

[iGary]

that (and a couple of the others) create the perfect "x or y democrat voted AGAINST providing relief to disaster victims!"

How about doing something about our FRACKING DEBT?

Or maybe doing something about OUR FRACKED UP EDUCATION SYSTEM.

I know I really enjoy driving around on FRACKED UP ROADS.

Oh, maybe lets do something to protect my NONEXISTENT PRIVACY.

You know, something important.

Give it two more years and the dems will be back in the seat. Not that I love that idea, but its better than the BS we have now.

[CorvusCamenarum]

Coming soon, Contract With America v2.0. Now with 42% more religious fervor and blind oblivion!

[mactastic]

How about doing something about our FRACKING DEBT?

Or maybe doing something about OUR FRACKED UP EDUCATION SYSTEM.

I know I really enjoy driving around on FRACKED UP ROADS.

Oh, maybe lets do something to protect my NONEXISTENT PRIVACY.
Yeah, see those just aren't American values, don'tcha know?

[iGary]

Yeah, see those just aren't American values, don'tcha know?

It's interesting, tho - go to the GOP home page.

Its a good laugh or cry depending on your mood.

[atszyman]

CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/06/28/mg.thu/)


there it is, how the GOP hopes to maintain control of the House. the article didn't mention details of the act, but the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act certainly has an interesting name. abortion doctors must inform patients that the fetus feels pain, perhaps? if so, i wonder if all doctors must inform expectant mothers that the pain of childbirth is pretty darn big for the baby, too.

2 failed ammendments
3-4 religion pandering (depends on how you count gambling)
1 non issue
1 to reduce government revenue further
1 CYA as people figure out how they're ********* by the bankruptcy reform

[XNine]

This really isn't the country my father and grand fathers fought for. It's becoming an Orwellian nightmare. The police state is here. Just wait until they can track you via biometrics identification. When they unite the USA and MExico into one country (Canada will refuse) and you cannot smoke, cannot drink, cannot ****, cannot purchase anything that they don't want you to.

[Thomas Veil]

I was hoping the article would've explained what the hell some of these acts are.

"Freedom to Display the American Flag Act"? Oh come on, that's gonna sound idiotic even to the superpatriots.

"Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act"? Are there some unborn children who are unaware of pain now? And can we raise their unborn awareness through legislation? ;)

"Internet Gambling Prohibition"? Okay, there's a real problem there in the case of addicts, but a total prohibition? Has that ever worked before? ;)

"Public Expression of Religion Act"? Oh, you mean things you never see, like prayers before Congressional sessions?

What a bunch of crapola. :rolleyes:

[scem0]

CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/06/28/mg.thu/)


there it is, how the GOP hopes to maintain control of the House. the article didn't mention details of the act, but the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act certainly has an interesting name. abortion doctors must inform patients that the fetus feels pain, perhaps? if so, i wonder if all doctors must inform expectant mothers that the pain of childbirth is pretty darn big for the baby, too.

not to mention the pain of a life where you don't get the necessary care and love that you should get. Something tells me the doctor won't have to mention that.

e

[jelloshotsrule]

What a bunch of crapola. :rolleyes:

i think you meant to say "i'm so glad that my elected officials know my values so well and work so hard to put them into law"

[mactastic]

I was hoping the article would've explained what the hell some of these acts are.

"Freedom to Display the American Flag Act"? Oh come on, that's gonna sound idiotic even to the superpatriots.
Not at all. There are easily as many incidents of people being told not to fly the flag as there are incidents of flag burning in this country.

"Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act"? Are there some unborn children who are unaware of pain now? And can we raise their unborn awareness through legislation? ;)
While we're at it, we might want to add in a "Dental Patient Pain Awareness Act" just in case anyone thinks that sitting in the dentist's chair equates to a massage table.

"Internet Gambling Prohibition"? Okay, there's a real problem there in the case of addicts, but a total prohibition? Has that ever worked before? ;)
This provisions would have the effect of making sure Bill Bennett spends much of his time in Las Vegas, in addition to it's many other benefits.

"Public Expression of Religion Act"? Oh, you mean things you never see, like prayers before Congressional sessions?
Yeah but see, Congress can't actually hold a mass in their chambers. So you can see the will of the people is being perverted.

What a bunch of crapola. :rolleyes:
And a frivolous waste of government time and resources. Oh but only the Democrats are wasteful spender. The GOP is the party of fiscal sanity... Yeah, sure.

[vniow]

I saw this the other day when I posted that thread, utterly disgusting.

Is this what happens when you have one party in control of everything?

[mactastic]

I saw this the other day when I posted that thread, utterly disgusting.

Is this what happens when you have one party in control of everything?
Yes, espescially when they are feeling desperate about their chances in an upcoming election.

[vniow]

Here (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/14916772.htm), this link goes into a bit mroe detail about the various sections.

[zimv20]

Not at all. There are easily as many incidents of people being told not to fly the flag as there are incidents of flag burning in this country.
what, four?

no link, but a friend said this year there's been a 33% increase in flag burning over 2004.

there were 3 incidents last year.

[zimv20]

Here (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/14916772.htm), this link goes into a bit mroe detail about the various sections.
jesus!


One would to strip the Supreme Court and other federal courts of jurisdiction over cases challenging the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance. The legislation is a response to a 2002 Appeals Court ruling that held the pledge is unconstitutional because of the presence of the words "under God." A federal judge made a similar ruling last fall, citing the appeals court precedent.

Another measure would block the payment of attorney fees in challenges to the display of the Ten Commandments in public areas and other, similar church-state lawsuits.

my emphasis.

what a load of absolute bollocks.


An abortion-related proposal would require that some women seeking to end their pregnancies be informed the procedure "will cause the unborn child pain"
hey, i was right!

[FFTT]

What a pile of stinking mastodon *****!

The Moral Majority is neither.

We know most of these bills have failed and we know that they are just being used as ploys to distract and divide the voters.

I would be very careful when considering any bill mentioning "cloning" because without careful wording it would be very easy to block further stem cell research.

These faith based extremists have all the freedom they want to practice their faith as they see fit, but they will not force their extremist views on the general population.

If they are so eager to accelerate the coming of rapture,
they are free to join hands and take a flying leap of faith off the nearest cliff and stay the fk out of my life.

[mactastic]

what, four?

no link, but a friend said this year there's been a 33% increase in flag burning over 2004.

there were 3 incidents last year.
I believe that tidbit came from the Senate debate. One of the GOP Senators was making a big stinky deal about the huge increase (33%!!!) in flag burning cases as proof that legislation is urgently needed.

[iGary]

jesus!

That's their problem. :D ;)

[atszyman]

Here (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/14916772.htm), this link goes into a bit mroe detail about the various sections.

Democrats maneuvered successfully last week for a Senate vote on raising the minimum wage. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the party's leader, said Tuesday they would "do everything within our power to stop a congressional pay raise from going through this year, and we're going to tie it to minimum wage."

On another issue, Democratic congressional leaders held a news conference during the day to unveil legislation calling for major changes in the new Medicare prescription drug program. "We will put seniors and people with disabilities first by bringing affordability, simplicity and reliability to the benefit," said Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, the House Democratic leader.

Hmm, Democrats are working for increased minimum wages and medical reform. Why can't they do something useful like the GOP? :rolleyes:

[solvs]

Is this what happens when you have one party in control of everything?
Seems to me it took the Dems decades to become so inept and corrupt. I still think the neocons have them beat if we adjust for inflation. :p But those are pretty much the only options we have. A party that gets things done, even if it's completely wrong and makes things worse vs. one that takes forever to do nothing. And before you say 3rd party candidate, who are we kidding.

You'd think the Dems would come up with their own version of the Contract For America Redux, since it seems like so many people fall for it.

[pseudobrit]

A friend of mine just had a perfect idea: start burning the Confederate flag as a protest of the GOP.

Plenty of racist morons around my area have stars and bars bumper stickers on their pickup trucks, ususally next to these types of things:

[solvs]

Considering how traitorous the confederate flag is, or at least what it stands for, that would be funny.

I'd never even considered burning the Stars and Stripes before. Even as a protest. Even when I disagreed with our gov, I never hated the country and what it stood for. I certainly won't be flying a flag this year though. I'm still an American, but for some reason that doesn't mean the same thing it used to.

[latergator116]

Whoever thought up of these acts should be jailed for wasting everyone's time and money. Seriously.

[it5five]

I never pictured myself burning an American flag before, but I could see myself considering it as an act of protest if the republicans get the majority again this fall. Whatever this country once stood for won't exist anymore if it happens. It makes me sick to even think about it.

[solvs]

I never pictured myself burning an American flag before, but I could see myself considering it as an act of protest if the republicans get the majority again this fall.
Don't forget to salute when you do it. If nothing else than just to mess with people. Especially since, as we've said, the correct way to dispose of a flag is to burn it.

You might want to do it from Canada though.

[Thomas Veil]

I certainly won't be flying a flag this year though. I'm still an American, but for some reason that doesn't mean the same thing it used to.I know what you mean. It's been awhile since I've felt positive enough about my government to fly the flag.

A friend of mine just had a perfect idea: start burning the Confederate flag as a protest of the GOP.Now there is a truly inspired idea.

Even better, though, would be effigies of the specific things we hate. Paper-mache mockups of Dubya or the GOP elephant come to mind.

[it5five]

Don't forget to salute when you do it. If nothing else than just to mess with people. Especially since, as we've said, the correct way to dispose of a flag is to burn it.

You might want to do it from Canada though.

Hahaha. The salute is a great idea.