Having a comedian cover this is perfect because the conservative notion that regulation is unnecessary, or even harmful, is a laugh.

That was a dumbA$$ comment. I agree with Stewart on this one.

And Barton walked it back, retracted it and clarified. Perhaps Stewart will have another segment tonight with Barton’s follow-on statement…..and then again, perhaps not. Having watched part of the dog and pony show yesterday, I must say, I’m not very proud of the cast of congresscritters that represent these United States. Nothing but a show trial, convicting BP before the investigations are complete, and pointing fingers of blame rather than accepting any blame themselves. Let’s remember, congress has a role here and the dems have been in charge since 2006 and have done NOTHING on this topic (other than to force the oil companies further off shore).

Apology or not, it was a dumb statement.

However, wouldn’t it be great if we could grill our politicians like this? Republican or Democrat, it would be sweet to sit on a presumably expensive leather chair, looking down on these politicians and start questioning them. I’d love to ask them some hard hitting questions.

Me: “Why are you such a crook, and why do you blatantly ignore the US Constitution?”

Politician (Republican/ Democrat): “Um…who are you? Who are you? I have a right to know.”

Me: “I’m a taxpayer that follows the law, tries to provide for my family, and every penny I make for 3 1/2 months goes directly to the US government. Now why are you such a crook?”

Politician: “Um…er…you are obviously a racist/ un-American.”

Yes it was a dumb statement.

Fun indeed. These congresscritters sit up on high and talk down to people regularly. They should have to answer tough questions…but who is going to ask them? They have cancelled town halls for the most part, and we certainly can’t depend on the media to ask any tough questions. So, they will continue to sit on high, look down their noses at the small people, rake in the dough, and point fingers anywhere but at themselves.

We need more Jack Bauer’s testifying before congress and calling them on their own hypocricy! :-)

TFT,
Barton did walk it back, after he was told to do so by the Republican leadership, after several other Republicans said about the same thing, and after they realized that attacking the President (as usual), instead of looking out for the thousands of people that suffered economic loss over the spill, was not playing too well with the American people.

The conservatives worship profits for private companies, even foreign corporations, over the welfare of the American people.

valkyrie101 says:
“The conservatives worship profits for private companies, even foreign corporations, over the welfare of the American people.”

You are simply just another partisan hack, just as bad , if not worse, than neocon partisan hacks. Except you’re a shrill for big bloated wasteful government. You also ignore reality. That reality is that both sides receive huge amounts of dollars from corporate interest. They are all corporatist, even your skinny little President Obama.

The Energy / Natural Resources lobby has given $14.9 million to politicians for the 2010 election cycle- 51% to Dems, 49% to Repubs.

The Trial lawyer interest has given $9.3 million to politicians – 73% to Dems, 27% to repubs.

Misc corporations have given $18.3 million – 54% to Dems, 45% to Repubs

Big Pharma has given $8 million – 62% to Dems, 38% to Repubs.

The Insurance industry has given $11.3 million – 54% to Dems, 46% to Repubs

PACs for the defense industry has given $8.7 million – 59% to Dems, 41% to Repubs.

I’d be careful before you start making broad sweeping statements.

When Boehner and Cantor admonished him, I imagine Barton had no choice but to apologize. He must have been “strong-armed” into it.

Yes far too often both parties are guilty of putting profits for private companies before the welfare of the American people, so sweeping generalizations are unwise.

“And Barton walked it back, retracted it and clarified.”

Oh, yeah… some apology by Barton. Claiming what he said may have been “misconstrued” and then says “misconstructed” and all these different words nobody knows the meaning of (even him, probably). What kind of an apology is that? And, you’re stupid to accept it? What a fool you and his supporters must be.

Liberty,
I am indeed a a proponent for appropriate regulation and taxing of corporations who ultimately are concerned about their own bottom line as a priority. You do not deny that profits are the bottom line of corporations, do you? You celebrate that, right? But apparently you are also good with corporations, and the multi-millionaire men who run them, causing damage to private and public property without paying for it.

I don’t think Liberty ever suggested that he is all for corporations damaging private and public property with no consequences. He merely pointed out that both parties have cozy ties to corporations, which is true.

paulmdoro says: June 18, 2010 at 9:27 am: “I don’t think Liberty ever suggested that he is all for corporations damaging private and public property with no consequences. He merely pointed out that both parties have cozy ties to corporations, which is true.”

Yes, true, but not relevent to what I originally said. I made no comment on the disgusting practice of corporations buying politicians on both sides of the political spectrum. Corporate donations to the politicians that regulate them amounts to buying influence and should be banned. Of course conservatives oppose that.

What I said is that conservatives worship profits for private companies over what is good for the American people. And in this case, it is obvious that Barton does.

I never claimed that BP shouldn’t pay for the damages caused. As a taxpayer, I sure as hell don’t want to pay for it, although I’m sure I will in the end. I’m uncomfortable with an executive branch that feels it can force, without any legal proceedings, a private company to pay anything. That is stretching its power in my opinion, not sure where the executive branch gets such power without due process. However, I do concede that BP agreed to the issue so they basically gave up their right to the legal proceeding. Now, Obama claimed that a third-party was to administer the escrow account. However, the federal government is anything but a third-party.

“What I said is that conservatives worship profits for private companies over what is good for the American people. And in this case, it is obvious that Barton does.”
Who is to say that private companies, which employ the majority of Americans” shouldn’t make a profit. I believe that private business, as opposed to civil service, is good for this country. If these companies age neglectful, and irresponsible, than they should pay for the damages they caused – not the US Taxpayer. Corporations that don’t pay for the damages they causes are wrong, just as a federal government that inept and corrupt is wrong. I’m sorry valkyrie, but you’re not going to pigeon hole me. I don’t goose-step to your leftist or rightist views.

Liberty,

Not my intention to pigeon-hole you. I suppose when you called me a “partisan hack”, that was not your intention either.

You said: “As a taxpayer, I sure as hell don’t want to pay for it, although I’m sure I will in the end.”

That is the point. The private oil corporation that has been making billions of dollars, and that will likely continue making billions of dollars, should pay for the damage, not the U.S. taxpayers.

You said: “I’m uncomfortable with an executive branch that feels it can force, without any legal proceedings, a private company to pay anything. That is stretching its power in my opinion, not sure where the executive branch gets such power without due process.”

First of all, BP has acknowledged both responsibility for the spill, and have stated their intention to pay for the damage. So setting up an escrow fund for that purpose so that those harmed can begin to get relief is perfectly appropriate. But Barton, and Rush Limbaugh, the leader of the conservative movement, do not like that, calling it a “slush fund” and characterizing President Obama as a “thug” who is engaging in “organized crime” by securing the money. Limbaugh claimed it was evidence of “social justice, otherwise known as getting even” and baselessly claimed that people should be wary because the funds could be given out to union members or ACORN.

LOL.

This guy is toast.

Liberty,

While I agree with you assessment that both the R and D are parties for big business, when we forget party identification and look at ideology, I think it is fair to state that Conservatives are for less government and regulation and having minimal regulations (but enforced effectively). Its like ya’ll want it both ways—people on your side say Obama is a corporatist (which I agree, and I think he is too heavily corporatist), but then on the other hand have no problem with stating Obama wants to make us a socialist country by taking over companies. It can’t be both—they are a corporate socialist is an oxymoron.

As for the numbers you use–they are incorrect. Just checking a couple and they don’t add up to what opensecrets has on their website. Energy/Natural Resources sector has given 33M with 43% going to Dems and 56% to the republicans. But the fact of the matter is that most corporations give to incumbents equally. Since there are more sitting incumbents on the left–total money raised will skew left. Just try and get your numbers correct next time or cite where you got them…as those numbers are not all from the same place.

I’m sure this thread is dead, but I thought I’d put in my two cents.

First of all, I am very pleased to see a relatively calm and polite thread where hateful things aren’t being thrown around and comments are actually having thoughtful discussions. If every Mediaite thread were like this, the divide wouldn’t be so wide. (I’ll stop rhyming, I swear)

When John Boehner suggested that taxpayers should pay for this, I was appalled. The man who seems to hate when any taxpayer dollar is spent on anything is suggesting that taxpayers should pay for something that they didn’t cause. Thankfully, and wisely, he took back that statement. This should all be on BP to clean up and anyone else who is responsible for this.

I have to agree with the notion that Obama is a corporatist. I think people are coming to this consensus. I think the notion that Obama is a socialist and a communist and a fascist and all these other things is going away, or will fade away, in the general perception. Although I doubt the far-right will stop using those words to describe him.

marcus.lewis: your comment that you can’t be both a socialist and a corporatist is spot on. Perhaps you should save your comment, or I will, and use it whenever someone wants to declare Obama a Socialist. I applaud you and your comment.

What is a “corporatist”?

The -0bama regime managed to shake down BP for $20 Billion from which they can skim; Mr. Barton merely pointed out the facts as they are–then he was browbeaten into a forced apology. So much for free speech, eh?