Ayn Rand and Paul Ryan: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not?

The Love Song of Paul Ryan

It appears that Mitt Romney is not the only major liar in the GOP. With statements from Rep. Paul Ryan like:

“The reason I got involved in public service, by and large, if I had to credit one thinker, one person, it would be Ayn Rand.” – 2005

AND

“I give out ‘Atlas Shrugged’ as Christmas presents, and I make all my interns read it. Well… I try to make my interns read it.” – 2003

It is surprising to see Rep. Ryan say this recently in an interview with the National Review discussing Ayn Rand:

I reject her philosophy…It’s an atheist philosophy. It reduces human interactions down to mere contracts and it is antithetical to my worldview. If somebody is going to try to paste a person’s view on epistemology to me, then give me Thomas Aquinas. Don’t give me Ayn Rand.

When I first read this on Think Progress I did a double take and assumed this must be an attempt at being like The Onion. I’m afraid that is not the case. Even though he has now dissed his hero, and appears to be going for a more “Godly” approach, we should notice that he has not dissed his budget cuts plan (inspired by his hero Ayn Rand) that would cut important social programs like Medicare and Food Stamps, and give trillions in tax cuts to corporations and the rich – thus shifting more tax burden onto the poor.

What I find amusing about all of this is that Rep. Ryan calls Rand’s selfish philosophy an “atheist” philosophy despite noting that as a Christian he followed her philosophy and admitted to getting into politics because of her. Obviously, the “virtue” of selfishness, as Rand referred to it, is not exclusive to atheists, but can be found in any walk of life.

The big question is, what is the catalyst for his change of mind? The answer could be videos like this from The American Values Network.

The video is clearly designed to clarify, “Look, the GOP are following an ATHEIST! That does not reflect the values they should have as Christians.” Rep. Ryan was even asked recently why he based his budget plan on Rand and not on Biblical principals like sharing and caring for everyone. His bizarre claim that his budget is based on his Catholic faith has been demolished by numerous groups of Catholic leaders and scholars.  He has not answered the question or the criticism; this pressure could be another reason why he has lied.

I do not believe that Rep. Ryan had any sort of epiphany or his budget would have also changed. We all know that you can follow a person’s philosophy without adopting the religion (or lack of religion) that person has. For example, I am a non-believer but I can still appreciate Biblical views of a loving nature without having to claim Christianity…By TSM Contributor James Queale

Bigot of the Week Award: April 13, Glenn Grothman and Scott Walker

Bigot of the Week

The recent attention that the Republican War on Women has received sure has the GOP stirred up. They’re so nervous about the factual attention to their misogynistic policies that every third Republican politician and spokesperson seems to be trotting out an obfuscation, false denial, self-hating woman, or irrational explanation to try to distract the American public. That leaves us with an embarrassment of riches on the BWA nominee front!

Thanks to friend and regular contributor James Queale for this week’s winner. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker gets the first half of the award for his recent repeal of his state’s equal pay act. Wisconsin women earn even less on the dollar (75 cents) than the U.S. average and, thanks to Walker, have lost a valuable tool in fighting unfair pay practices. Given Walker’s anti-woman and anti-worker behavior since taking office, this awful act is hardly surprising. As an added twist of the knife, the repealed act also provided pay protection based on race, age, and sexual orientation, so he got to smack down all his party’s favorite targets in one swipe of the pen.

Perhaps more nefarious (in this case) is Wisconsin state Senator Glenn Grothman. He led the efforts to pass the repeal bill in the legislature so that it could get to Walker’s desk. Celebrating its passage, Grothman demonstrates his malice and ignorance in a horrific blame-the-victim approach:

Take a hypothetical husband and wife who are both lawyers. But the husband is working 50 or 60 hours a week, going all out, making 200 grand a year. The woman takes time off, raises kids, is not go go go. Now they’re 50 years old. The husband is making 200 grand a year, the woman is making 40 grand a year. It wasn’t discrimination. There was a different sense of urgency in each person… You could argue that money is more important for men. I think a guy in their first job, maybe because they expect to be a breadwinner someday, may be a little more money-conscious. To attribute everything to a so-called bias in the workplace is just not true.

What a great way to avoid looking at all the societal factors that lead to this hypothetical scenario, not to mention the absurd notion that all men are working 60 hours a week while women wimp out and stay home. Oh, and men have more financial sense than all those silly women! He also is flat-out wrong about the breadwinner scenario — despite pay inequity, 2/3 of American households have women as primary or co-breadwinners. Can’t let a little thing like facts get in the way of rolling back rights, though, can we Glenn?

Hero of the Week Award: January 20, One Million Strong in Wisconsin

Hero of the Week

This week we are happy to celebrate people power in the face of oppression from elected officials.  Just when I was losing faith in Americans with all this bashing of President Obama and the celebrating of bigoted millionaire Republican presidential candidates, we see a glimmer of hope in Wisconsin. Activists in that state have compiled 1,000,000 signatures on a recall petition for Gov. Scott Walker after his relentless efforts to destroy collective bargaining and crush public employees. This is nearly as many signatures as there were votes cast for Walker in 2010 and 185% of the number needed to move forward with the vote. Simultaneously, petitions were filed with generous numbers of signatures to recall the Lt. Governor and four Republican state senators. Only two other Governors have ever faced recalls in American history. Both of them lost their offices. Let’s hope Scott Walker makes it three for three. You can find a good overview of the recall efforts at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Honorable mention this week goes to the great Internet blackout efforts in protest of SOPA and PIPA. Wikipedia, one of the most aggressive participants in the blackout, has a great overview. Because of the attention this work drew, Senate support of PIPA has totally eroded and the House has temporarily tabled SOPA. What a great week for activism!

Justice Prosser: “I didn’t mean to choke her.”

"oh, I barely choked her."

For those that follow TSM, you will remember the coverage we gave misogynist Justice David Prosser back in March of 2010, when he called  Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson a “bitch,” and threatened to “destroy” her.  Well, it appears that Prosser is intent on keeping his promise as he now goes after Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, by choking her.

Allow me to refresh your memories of the particulars back in June of this year. The Supreme Court of Wisconsin chose to uphold  Gov. Scott Walker’s  anti-public employee union legislation.  Prosser, the good conservative lap dog that he is, wanted to release the decision immediately as per his instructions from the state legislature. Chief Justice Abrahamson disagreed. Prosser and Abrahmson argued about this out side of Justice Bradley’s office, with Prosser standing outside of the office door. At this point, Prosser claims that Bradley “charged” at him and it was just a reflex that he grabbed her neck (Interesting reflex, given Prosser’s history).

There are many things about this scene that bother me, but Justice Patience Roggensack’s admonishment of Bradley pushed me over the edge: “Ann you do realize you goad him.”  Even if that were true, does this allow for physical attacks?  I’m sorry, but this is like saying if a woman dresses provocatively she deserves to be raped.  Are we to understand that Prosser should not be held responsible for his behavior?

Am I the only one that remembers Prosser’s words, “There will be a war against you and it will not be a ground war?”  This has gone way beyond partisan politics.  Bradley has repeatedly reported that she is worried about her safety–I know I would be as well. For more context, I share part of Bradley’s interview with police:

Justice Bradley stated her intention was to get close to him to make sure he knew that she meant it. Justice Bradley said she wanted to look him in the eyes and recalled that she did not point at his face, but was pointing over his right shoulder towards the door that was behind him.

Justice Bradley said it was at this point Justice Prosser grabbed her by the neck in what she described as a “choke hold.” Justice Bradley did not recall Justice Prosser squeezing or applying pressure around her neck. Justice Bradley could not describe how many seconds Justice Prosser’s hands were around her neck, but she did recall being able to yell something to the effect of, “Get your hands off my neck.”

Again, I maintain that it is immaterial how long Prosser had his hands around her neck.  You do not lay hands on another person!  My fear is that the fall out from this will be to blame Bradley, the woman, rather than hold Prosser accountable for his actions. As of Thursday, the special prosecutor said no charges would be filed.

I am disheartened that we still scapegoat women and other marginalized populations; have we no memory of Anita Hill?

Women’s History: May 3

Happy Birthday, Golda Meir

May 3 is a big day in Women’s History. Today we will be celebrating Maud O’Farrell Swartz, Golda Meir, and Nellie Tayloe Ross.

Happy Birthday, Golda Meir.  Meir was Israel’s fourth Prime Minister, as well as being the first woman to serve in that office.  Meir served as Prime Minister during the very difficult Yom Kippur War.  I personally feel Meir showed great wisdom and restraint and true leadership during this war. It was only a few months later that she resigned at Prime Minister.  I’m not sure how world leaders survive any type of war–regardless of the circumstances, I can only imagine that any war scars the soul.  Hard to believe this Russian born-woman, later a teacher in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, would eventually become one of the key players in establishing the state of Israel in 1948.

Happy Birthday, Maud O’Farrell Swartz.  An Irish immigrant, Swartz became a suffragist here in the States. Swartz became a strong voice in the Women’s Trade Union League (WTUL) and in the labor movement.  Swartz served as president of the WTUL from 1922-1926, during a period when the organizing efforts declined in a business climate less friendly to unions–sound familiar?  Wisconsin and Maine must not be too familiar with history.

Finally, I would like to recognize Nellie Tayloe Ross.  Ross was the first female Director of the U.S. Mint, appointed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Quote of the day:

 It’s no accident many accuse me of conducting public affairs with my heart instead of my head. Well, what if I do? … Those who don’t know how to weep with their whole heart don’t know how to laugh either.–Golda Meir

GOP’s Family Values: Bribe Them with Booze

Booze, Bribes, Moral Bankruptcy

Those whacky madcap Republicans in Wisconsin turning to “the drink” to solve its problems.  Yes, Scott Walker and his little tea party are getting nervous, as they should.  Recall protests continue and it does not look as though even the Koch Brothers will be able to control the civil unrest of the oppressed unions and laborers of Wisconsin.  In a desperate and feeble attempt to turn the tables, the lobotomized Walker supporters have collected enough signatures to try and recall three Democrats as well–let us know how that goes: Republicans apparently had to give out free shots of booze to get enough signatures against the Democrats. Now that is Democracy at work–let me buy your support with a drink.  I wonder if that will be the new GOP slogan for 2012?  Click here to see the article and the video on Rachel Maddow’s show.

Walker and Koch Brothers: Pollute Wisconsin

Walker and Koch: Polluting Wisconsin

Just when you think you can not despise Scott Walker and his bed fellows: the Koch brothers and David Prosser anymore than you already do, we continue to find out information that makes them even more nefarious. At this point, most people are painfully aware of the deals Walker made with the Koch Brothers to crush public employee unions, but now we also know that Prosser and Walker worked to allow Koch’s  Georgia Pacific paper plants to pollute Wisconsin by pouring thousands of pounds of phosphorus into the water.  A report by the state government showed that Georgia Pacific is responsible for about 9% of total phosphorus pollution in the Lower Fox River near Green Bay. People of Wisconsin, let us all hope you can recall Walker.  Click here to see the full article.

Bigot of the Week Award: April 8

Bigot of the Week

I’m consistently saddened by the plethora of fools to chose from each week for BWA.  I was tempted to give a collective BWA to the Tea Party for the potential government shut down which has nothing to do with the budget and everything to do with protecting wealthy white folks. So when I learned that Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) was again listening to the strange voices in his head, I knew he would earn this week’s BWA.  Yes, audience. Ryan is taking his lead from, the model of bigotry and homophobia, the Heritage Foundation to come up with budget proposals. I have to ask, what kind of Kool Aid are y’all serving up there in Wisconsin? When questioned about his budget proposals including the his solution for Medicare, Ryan’s office did not respond to repeated requests for comment about the CBO analysis. But the congressman has repeatedly said that applying what he calls “free-market principles” to the insurance market is the best way to control costs.  Click here for more information on the ball of crazy known as Paul Ryan.

Randy Randy, The Model of Family Values…

Hypocrite Extraordinaire

Randy Hopper (R-WI), is proving to be consistent with the GOP’s platform of Family Values. As with our Newt, Hopper is showing Americans how glamorous hypocrisy can be and how dangerous marriage equality is.  Yes, it is obvious that teachers, labor unions, firefighters, and the gays are to blame for Wisconsin’s woes.  Scott Walker (brought to you by the Koch Brothers) has told America that the state of Wisconsin has no money, thus they can’t pay those fat cats (teachers et al.).  How very strange then that Hopper’s mistress was hired by the state on the advice of Scott Walker’s cabinet as a “communications liaison,” and that  her salary is 35% higher than her predecessor’s.  If people in Wisconsin and the rest of the United States are not paying attention to this, then shame on you.  We all should be outraged. It is time for a recall!  Please share this and expose Hopper and the GOP!

Wednesday Word of the Week: March 23

Bargaining, not bullying

This week’s word is: BARGAINING

the negotiation of the terms of a transaction or agreement – WordNet

Anyone who doubts the cynical political motives of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and his ilk should be required to recite that definition 100 times. Walker (and other Republican Governors like him in thought but so far unlike him in success) maintains that public sector unions are so powerful that they run roughshod over state budgets. He and the Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate created the union-busting bill pretending that it was necessary as a way to balance the state’s budget. The core of the bill eliminates or restricts collective bargaining activities for public sector employees.

Before the odious bill was rammed through in a manner so dubious that a judge has already halted its implementation, working conditions for public sector employees in Wisconsin (and Indiana, and Ohio, and teachers in Idaho) were mostly governed by a collective bargaining agreement.

COLLECTIVE

involving all the members of a group – Macmillan Dictionary Online

BARGAINING

the negotiation of the terms of a transaction or agreement – WordNet

AGREEMENT

a decision about what to do, made by two or more people, groups, or organizations – Macmillan Dictionary Online

That’s right, according to Wisconsin Republicans, unions held all the cards because of a process that involved all parties to the negotiation. A process of negotiation. A process resulting in a decision made by all the parties together. The very definitions of these words put the lie to Walker’s claims.

If the public employees’ unions were being so unreasonable that the budget was truly at risk, then they would be hindering the negotiations. The state has the power to call an impasse and set its terms. If the unions don’t agree, they can strike. That’s what collective bargaining is all about. If Walker were interested in setting a hard line for what the actual budget could sustain, this is the course he would take. Instead, the bill clearly nullifies all three of these concepts neutering the workers’ ability to have any direct control over their working environment.

So if these anti-union actions aren’t about balancing the budget, what are they about? The answer is simple and chilling. These bills are all about political and commercial power. Walker and his nasty brethren are part of the wave of tea that stained America last fall. Funded by the likes of Karl Rove and the Koch brothers, these politicians are interested in shifting the already imbalanced investment in political campaigns even further to the Right. By crippling unions, which traditionally donate just Left of center, a major funding source for Democrats dries up. Scott Walker is willing to scuttle fair labor practices and reasonable benefits for thousands of workers just to make sure he can get re-elected.

Fortunately, America seems to be jolted out of its recent complacency by this mad power grab. Democrats and union leaders are joining forces to recall Republican senators in Wisconsin and shift the power in that state a bit out of Walker’s hands. So far, those efforts look promising. Governors and Legislatures across the country are watching to see what the backlash will be. Let us hope that it will be serious and sustained.

As Billy Bragg reminds us, there is power in a union. Without a formal agreement, negotiations mean nothing, as the British coal miners learned in the 1960s. Collective bargaining leverages the work of few to benefit many. In an age of increasing corporate greed and a shrinking middle class, we must rise up together and shame those who would silence us. With perseverance, the workers can insist on their rights. We can punish politicians who strike deals and pass bills to harm us.

Let’s hope that the recalls in Wisconsin work out for the people, not the politicians, and that a few Republican state senators suddenly find themselves practicing another kind of bargaining altogether.