Republican who voted for health bill gets dose of racism

[leekohler]

U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) once hailed Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-La.) as the future of the GOP. In fact, when Cao (pronounced GOW) won office last year, he was the toast of the Republican Party. But now he stands alone as the only Republican to vote for the healthcare overhaul bill assembled by the House Democrats.

Some tweets about his vote have been less than kind. He’s been called a “gook,” told to “go back to Saigon, South Vietnam,” and referred to as the Representative “Mao.”

Cao won nearly 50 percent of the vote against the corrupt Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.)---who was convicted for stashing about $100.000 of kickback money in his freezer.

Cao, the first Vietnamese-American ever elected to Congress, represents a Louisiana district that is 64% black and has a median income of $25,000. It’s still suffering from the affects of Hurricane Katrina. Cao, who was wooed by President Obama on the healthcare issue, has asked the federal government to forgive about $1.27 billion in federal disaster loans.

After Saturday’s vote, Cao told the Times-Picayune that his vote was a matter of conscience. "Twenty percent of the people in my district are uninsured and we have tremendous health care issues in the district.''

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/race/2009/11/lone-republican-to-vote-for-health-bill-treated-to-racist-tweets-.html

Wow- so you vote in the interest of your constituents and get showered with racial epithets? I thought the job of a rep was to represent his constituents. Apparently, it's just to vote the party line. Amazing.

Keep it up, Republicans. This is why only 21% of the country now identify with you.

[MacNut]

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/race/2009/11/lone-republican-to-vote-for-health-bill-treated-to-racist-tweets-.html

Wow- so you vote in the interest of your constituents and get showered with racial epithets? I thought the job of a rep was to represent his constituents. Apparently, it's just to vote the party line. Amazing.

Keep it up, Republicans. This is why only 21% of the country now identify with you.Didn't the Democrats just vote party lines as well?

[rdowns]

Didn't the Democrats just vote party lines as well?

I think 45 Dems. voted against the bill.

[leekohler]

Didn't the Democrats just vote party lines as well?

There are some who didn't, due to the wishes of their constituents. And while that might make some people angry, they aren't doing things like this.

Funny how you didn't address the issue at all. You went straight for the tit-for-tat approach. :rolleyes: Typical- and completely expected.

[MacNut]

There are some who didn't, due to the wishes of their constituents. And while that might make some people angry, they aren't doing things like this.

Funny how you didn't address the issue at all. You went straight for the tit-for-tat approach. :rolleyes: Typical- and completely expected.I still don't know why anybody would vote for that bill. Just scrap the whole thing and start over. I will never understand the rush to pass bills that will have huge impacts for decades to come.

[ZachsMacDaddy]

Didn't the Democrats just vote party lines as well?

The majority of both sides do it all the time.

If elected officials actually voted to support those who voted them as their representatives, things might actually happen in this country. But, the truth is that it's "us -vs- them" and to hell with the constituents and what they want and need. A few little bills here & there can be manipulated to make the voters think they give a damn about them so they can continue to stay in office and play these stupid games.

I may be a registered Democrat, but I think I'm really an Independent. The only reason I have stayed a Democrat on paper is so I can vote on candidates in primaries that most closely represent what I believe.

I wish we could vote out ALL of congress and start over fresh. A full Congressional "reset."

[leekohler]

I still don't know why anybody would vote for that bill. Just scrap the whole thing and start over. I will never understand the rush to pass bills that will have huge impacts for decades to come.

I don't like it either, but that's not the topic of this thread. I see you still haven't addressed it.

[ucfgrad93]

Keep it up, Republicans.

Nice generalization there Lee. Got any proof that it is just Republicans doing this? Many people are unhappy with this legislation, so those tweets could have come from anyone.

[MacNut]

I don't like it either, but that's not the topic of this thread. I see you still haven't addressed it.The fact that one Republican voted for a crap bill and is taking heat for it? Every person in Congress should be taking heat for it. I don't agree with the racist remarks though.

[leekohler]

Nice generalization there Lee. Got any proof that it is just Republicans doing this? Many people are unhappy with this legislation, so those tweets could have come from anyone.

You may be right, but do you really think it's Democrats and Independents calling the guy? REALLY? Come on, ufcgrad.

The fact that one Republican voted for a crap bill and is taking heat for it? Every person in Congress should be taking heat for it.

Taking heat for something is different than racism.

[MacNut]

You may be right, but do you really think it's Democrats and Independents calling the guy? REALLY? Come on, ufcgrad.



Taking heat for something is different than racism.The racism part I don't agree with and really has no purpose.

[ucfgrad93]

You may be right, but do you really think it's Democrats and Independents calling the guy? REALLY? Come on, ufcgrad.


I don't deny that there are some Republicans who would do this. But I ask you, do you think that there are some far left Democrats who didn't think the bill went far enough and would respond in similar fashion?

[.Andy]

I don't deny that there are some Republicans who would do this. But I ask you, do you think that there are some far left Democrats who didn't think the bill went far enough and would respond in similar fashion?
You think that "far left" democrats would sinlge out a republican for racial taunts because the bill did't go far enough?

[leekohler]

I don't deny that there are some Republicans who would do this. But I ask you, do you think that there are some far left Democrats who didn't think the bill went far enough and would respond in similar fashion?

I don't think that a far left Dem would respond to something like this in racist manner. No- I definitely don't. That's just not their MO. Could a moderate? Sure, but definitely not a far left Dem.

[yg17]

I don't deny that there are some Republicans who would do this. But I ask you, do you think that there are some far left Democrats who didn't think the bill went far enough and would respond in similar fashion?

I don't think you'll find too many on the left calling Rep. Cao a gook and telling him to go back to Saigon.

Compare the posts on Daily Kos (the far left) to the posts on Free Republic (the far right). You're not going to find anyone on DK using racist language like that (and if they do, their comments are quickly deleted and they're banned), yet it's all over the place at FR. The left generally has more class than that.

Anyways, keep it up GOP. Soon you'll be down to Eric Cantor as your only minority member of congress, if you can even call him a Jew after he supported a rally where pictures of piled up bodies at Dachau were used to compare health care reform to Nazi Germany.

[ucfgrad93]

You think that "far left" democrats would sinlge out a republican for racial taunts because the bill did't go far enough?

Yes.

[yg17]

Yes.

Please find me an example.

[iObama]

Funny how you didn't address the issue at all. You went straight for the tit-for-tat approach. :rolleyes: Typical- and completely expected.

Correct, because most of the people don't blindly follow party lines like a certain MacRumors member I know. Some people have opinions...

[.Andy]

Yes.
Is it also possible that it is the New World Order who have infiltrated Twitter to destabilize the government by plunging the US citizens into a race war?

[yg17]

Correct, because most of the people don't blindly follow party lines like a certain MacRumors member I know. Some people have opinions...

This isn't about party lines. It doesn't even matter if you support HCR or not. Everyone should be agaisnt racism aimed towards a congressman who voted what he felt was right.

[leekohler]

This isn't about party lines. It doesn't even matter if you support HCR or not. Everyone should be agaisnt racism aimed towards a congressman who voted what he felt was right.

Well, it is about party lines to a certain extent, given that he was the only Republican to vote for it.

[yg17]

Well, it is about party lines to a certain extent, given that he was the only Republican to vote for it.

True, I was talking more about the racism thing though. I don't know why the hell MR members following the party lines has anything to do with this or why he even brought it up.

[ucfgrad93]

Is it also possible that it is the New World Order who have infiltrated Twitter to destabilize the government by plunging the US citizens into a race war?

Maybe you should loosen up your tinfoil hat. I'm concerned that it might be cutting off the flow of blood to your brain.

[ucfgrad93]

Please find me an example.

Please find me proof that it is only Republicans that are sending these awful messages.

[yg17]

Please find me proof that it is only Republicans that are sending these awful messages.

Like I said, compare the content on Daily Kos to Free Republic, or HuffPo to RedState or whatever. You're only going to find the racist garbage on the right wing sites.

Now, where are the examples of Democrats making digusting, racist comments about Congressman Cao?

[NC MacGuy]

Well, it is about party lines to a certain extent, given that he was the only Republican to vote for it.

What's more telling about "the bill" is why one Dem. voted against it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-stranahan/kucinichs-brave-health-vo_b_349857.html

[ucfgrad93]

Like I said, compare the content on Daily Kos to Free Republic, or HuffPo to RedState or whatever. You're only going to find the racist garbage on the right wing sites.

Yeah, thats nice, but it still doesn't prove that the tweets to Cao are only from Republicans. Either prove it, or admit that there could be tweets from non-Republicans saying this crap.

[yg17]

Yeah, thats nice, but it still doesn't prove that the tweets to Cao are only from Republicans. Either prove it, or admit that there could be tweets from non-Republicans saying this crap.


I never said they were all Republicans. I have a pretty damn good feeling that they are, but I never stated it as fact. Now, once again, where are the examples of Democrats calling Rep. Cao a gook who should go back to Saigon that you claim exist? You know there aren't any, and you keep dodging the question. I can't prove without a doubt they're all repubs, so I never claimed they're all repubs, but you seem to claim you can prove that Democrats post that crap and you've never posted anything to back it up.

[leekohler]

What's more telling about "the bill" is why one Dem. voted against it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-stranahan/kucinichs-brave-health-vo_b_349857.html

I agree with Kucinich. This is exactly my fear.

[ucfgrad93]

I never said they were all Republicans. I have a pretty damn good feeling that they are, but I never stated it as fact. Now, once again, where are the examples of Democrats calling Rep. Cao a gook who should go back to Saigon that you claim exist? You know there aren't any, and you keep dodging the question. I can't prove without a doubt they're all repubs, so I never claimed they're all repubs, but you seem to claim you can prove that Democrats post that crap and you've never posted anything to back it up.

If you had been paying attention to the thread, my initial response was to Lee saying "Keep it up, Republicans" which implies that it is only Republicans sending the tweets. Prove that it is, or admit that not just Republicans are sending them. I agree, that, unfortunately, it is probably mostly Republicans sending them. That said, I don't think that it is only Republicans sending them.

[yg17]

If you had been paying attention to the thread, my initial response was to Lee saying "Keep it up, Republicans" which implies that it is only Republicans sending the tweets. Prove that it is, or admit that not just Republicans are sending them. I agree, that, unfortunately, it is probably mostly Republicans sending them. That said, I don't think that it is only Republicans sending them.

Then Lee is going to have to prove it, but even you agree that it's mostly republicans.

People on the left just don't protest something by posting racist crap like that. It's not their MO. If they disagree with a politician, they'll send e-mails and call offices, something more effective than calling them a racial slur. They have more class than that. It's not anything I can prove, it is just an observation from being into politics.

[leekohler]

If you had been paying attention to the thread, my initial response was to Lee saying "Keep it up, Republicans" which implies that it is only Republicans sending the tweets. Prove that it is, or admit that not just Republicans are sending them. I agree, that, unfortunately, it is probably mostly Republicans sending them. That said, I don't think that it is only Republicans sending them.

If it is indeed mostly Republicans, then I see nothing wrong with what I said. IF there are a few independents/democrats doing this, I can almost guarantee you that it's an extremely small number, and this still largely falls on Republicans.

You can't deny that the Republicans seriously need to clean up their act with regards to things like this. And even if it were equal numbers on both sides doing it, the Republicans have given themselves a reputation for things like this, so the perception will be that it's Republicans doing it. That's a huge PR problem.

Then Lee is going to have to prove it, but even you agree that it's mostly republicans.

People on the left just don't protest something by posting racist crap like that. It's not their MO. If they disagree with a politician, they'll send e-mails and call offices, something more effective than calling them a racial slur. They have more class than that. It's not anything I can prove, it is just an observation from being into politics.

Exactly. I have yet to see anyone on the left call anyone "gook" or any other racial slur because they disagree with them.

[yg17]

You can't deny that the Republicans seriously need to clean up their act with regards to things like this.

And the silence from republican leadership on this issue speaks volumes. When the party base protests at teabagging parties with racist signs, they're silent. When the party base uses images of the Holocaust to further a political agenda, they're silent. When the party base calls a congressman racial slurs, they're silent. If the party doesn't want to be seen as a party of racists, they need to condemn this crap immediately and loudly and stop courting the teabaggers.

Not only are they racist, they're sexist too (http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/10/kilroy-gop-sexist/).

[kavika411]

People on the left just don't protest something by posting racist crap like that. It's not their MO. If they disagree with a politician, they'll send e-mails and call offices, something more effective than calling them a racial slur. They have more class than that. It's not anything I can prove, it is just an observation from being into politics.

Always a fave:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ujuXfF41Hc

[leekohler]

Always a fave:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ujuXfF41Hc

That's racist? Hmm...who knew? :rolleyes:

And the silence from republican leadership on this issue speaks volumes. When the party base protests at teabagging parties with racist signs, they're silent. When the party base uses images of the Holocaust to further a political agenda, they're silent. When the party base calls a congressman racial slurs, they're silent. If the party doesn't want to be seen as a party of racists, they need to condemn this crap immediately and loudly and stop courting the teabaggers.

Not only are they racist, they're sexist too (http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/10/kilroy-gop-sexist/).

Seriously- what the hell is going on? Everyone deserves to be heard within the halls of our government. Those guys should have been ejected. Don't we have rules regarding this kind of thing?

[kavika411]

That's racist? Hmm...who knew? :rolleyes:

Nope, that's "class."

[leekohler]

Nope, that's "class."

Yeah, that one sure is a doozy. :rolleyes: Wonder why it's the only ONE you can bring up, when there are far, far more on the other side?

If you want to sit there and the deny that the Republican Party has serious problems with this kind of thing, you certainly are welcome to keep your head in the sand. But that will do neither you, nor the party itself any favors.

[kavika411]

If you want to sit there and the deny that the Republican Party has serious problems with this kind of thing, you certainly are welcome to keep your head in the sand. But that will do neither you, nor the party itself any favors.

I give a ***** about the Republican Party, members of the Republican Party who are racist, my head, sand or favors. yg17 spent a great deal of time in this thread - unchecked - lauding the supposed "class" and non-racist tactics of Democrats. My apologies for stopping the self-congratulatory parade; I know it was fun to watch and all.

[leekohler]

I give a ***** about the Republican Party, members of the Republican Party who are racist, my head, sand or favors. yg17 spent a great deal of time in this thread - unchecked - lauding the supposed "class" and non-racist tactics of Democrats. My apologies for stopping the self-congratulatory parade; I know it was fun to watch and all.

Oh please. :rolleyes: Half-a**ed apology not accepted. And nothing was about self-congratulatory anything. This thread is about something seriously disturbing going on. If you have nothing to add, please see yourself out.

I for one, would love to see the Republican party clean up their act. It's gotten beyond ridiculous. They actually used to stand for some things that I believe in. It would be nice if they could get back to that.

[yg17]

I give a ***** about the Republican Party, members of the Republican Party who are racist, my head, sand or favors. yg17 spent a great deal of time in this thread - unchecked - lauding the supposed "class" and non-racist tactics of Democrats. My apologies for stopping the self-congratulatory parade; I know it was fun to watch and all.

That's one example, and one of the only few you'll find. Of course there will always be one person doing stupid crap like that. You'd have to look pretty hard to find examples of that from the left, you don't have to look very hard to find exampels of it from the right. There's a small handful on the left doing it (which, as a liberal, I do not condone), there's a lot on the right doing it.

[Eraserhead]

And the silence from republican leadership on this issue speaks volumes. When the party base protests at teabagging parties with racist signs, they're silent. When the party base uses images of the Holocaust to further a political agenda, they're silent. When the party base calls a congressman racial slurs, they're silent. If the party doesn't want to be seen as a party of racists, they need to condemn this crap immediately and loudly and stop courting the teabaggers.

There is no way the Conservatives in Britain would stand people being racist or using holocaust imagery at one of their speeches. If they allowed that it'd be an enormous scandal.

[leekohler]

There is no way the Conservatives in Britain would stand people being racist or using holocaust imagery at one of their speeches. If they allowed that it'd be an enormous scandal.

Unfortunately, we've already given you McDonald's, Starbucks and obesity. Let's hope we don't give you this too.

Republicans don't care anymore. They've completely lost their moral compass (not as if politicians have one anyway). As long as they get elected, they'll say anything.

[Eraserhead]

Unfortunately, we've already given you McDonald's, Starbucks and obesity. Let's hope we don't give you this too.

I can't see it happening to be honest. Publicly at least we have largely moved beyond racism. Even the Sun would claim that the Conservatives were turning into the BNP if racist stuff appeared at their speeches, and that would kill their credibility.

[leekohler]

I can't see it happening to be honest. Publicly at least we have largely moved beyond racism. Even the Sun would claim that the Conservatives were turning into the BNP if racist stuff appeared at their speeches, and that would kill their credibility.

That's what we used to think.

[Eraserhead]

That's what we used to think.

There are some key differences. Firstly 25% of our population aren't religious extremists. Secondly we leave our country occasionally - seriously I've travelled abroad for 9 months out of the last two years, and in that time I've met more people from Sweden - population 9 million than the US, population 300 million. And that includes a couple of Americans travelling I met on the tube the other day when coming home from work.

[leekohler]

There are some key differences. Firstly 25% of our population aren't religious extremists. Secondly we leave our country occasionally - seriously I've travelled abroad for 9 months out of the last two years, and in that time I've met more people from Sweden - population 9 million than the US, population 300 million. And that includes a couple of Americans travelling I met on the tube the other day when coming home from work.

That is true. I hope you're right.

[Counterfit]

That's racist? Hmm...who knew? :rolleyes:
Did you read any of those comments? Holy ****!

and in that time I've met more people from Sweden - population 9 million than the US

Completely OT, but I was watching the FIM Speedway Grand Prix (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speedway_Grand_Prix)on HD Theater a few weeks ago, and one of the heats was one by...




a black Swede.
I had had no idea they existed until then.

[bradl]

Completely OT, but I was watching the FIM Speedway Grand Prix (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speedway_Grand_Prix)on HD Theater a few weeks ago, and one of the heats was one by...

a black Swede.
I had had no idea they existed until then.

Seriously? Do either Nena Cherry or her brother Eagle Eye Cherry ring a bell?

On topic, I agree with yg17. The Reds should be ashamed of themselves for this, and their silence speaks volumes.

BL.

[skunk]

a black Swede.
I had had no idea they existed until then.Quite a few US GIs "retired" to Sweden during the Vietnam era.

[Zombie Acorn]

Who knows who is leaving the messages, the anonymity of the net brings out the best in some people. I also agree with whoever on the first page said this bill should be scrapped and started over, but that would have had to have been done a month ago.

[XNine]

I've always liked this Morgan Freeman Interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO214IFRW1M&feature=related

"Stop talking about it." An unusual tactic in something like this, but maybe he's right.

[IntheNet]

Keep it up, Republicans. This is why only 21% of the country now identify with you.

:rolleyes:

Excepting New Jersey and Virginia of course! In reference to your stats, you seem to be way off... only yesterday, according to Gallup, Republicans now edge Democrats on generic Congressional ballot!

Republicans Edge Ahead of Democrats in 2010 Vote
Registered voters prefer Republicans for the House, 48% to 44%
by Jeffrey M. Jones
http://www.gallup.com/poll/124226/Republicans-Edge-Ahead-Democrats-2010-Vote.aspx
PRINCETON, NJ -- Republicans have moved ahead of Democrats by 48% to 44% among registered voters in the latest update on Gallup's generic congressional ballot for the 2010 House elections, after trailing by six points in July and two points last month.

[leekohler]

:rolleyes:

Excepting New Jersey and Virginia of course! In reference to your stats, you seem to be way off... only yesterday, according to Gallup, Republicans now edge Democrats on generic Congressional ballot!

Republicans Edge Ahead of Democrats in 2010 Vote
Registered voters prefer Republicans for the House, 48% to 44%
by Jeffrey M. Jones
http://www.gallup.com/poll/124226/Republicans-Edge-Ahead-Democrats-2010-Vote.aspx
PRINCETON, NJ -- Republicans have moved ahead of Democrats by 48% to 44% among registered voters in the latest update on Gallup's generic congressional ballot for the 2010 House elections, after trailing by six points in July and two points last month.


If that the best they can do in New Jersey and Virginia, they really are in trouble. 48-44 ain't nothing to scream about. That can change very quickly.

Here's the article I am referencing. Sorry to inform you.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/parsing-the-polls/21-percent.html