Open Left: An Oppressive Online Regime

I always try to approach things calmly on this blog but there are times when that just doesn't work. Here it goes...

I've tried to handle this calmly but it just isn't working out too well. Matt Stoller and the Open Left crew seem to have this belief that they can't be wrong, that they're somehow more important than everyone else. They launch this "Bush Dog" campaign of theirs with very little planning and then act so surprised when people get pissed off about them attacking Representatives that they know very little about. They throw around their number like that somehow trumps the opinions of the actual people behind them. They've become an oppressive online regime where you either agree with their methods or else.

Today they have a post up twisting the Zack Space quote ""As for Iran, I believe this nation is one of the most threatening entities of our day" into meaning that Space is promoting a full scale war with Iran. However if you read the full quote from Space's online town hall is talking about sanctions.

"As for Iran, I believe this nation is one of the most threatening entities of our day.  I have voted in support of economic sanctions on the nation in an effort to use every possible means to dissuade Iran from advancing nuclear weapons technologies because I agree that Iran is a very real regional threat."

-- Zack Space

And you want me to trust this kind of research? I might as well watch Fox.

I tell you what Matt, you can go through all these motions of "gathering researching" without having to deal with any of these Representative's constituents but in the end it will only be a waste of your time. You see, it's the people that live in a district that get the final say on their Reps. and nothing you can do will change that. So go ahead and make an ass of yourself, just don't drag the rest of us down with you.

Update: Go read Jill's short post on Space for more insight.

Update #2: 2010 Buckeye has a similar post up at Buckeye State Blog that's well worth reading.

Zack Space Weighs In On Tax Relief For Working Americans

I've been operating at a much reduced capacity the last few days because of a cold but I'll hopefully be able to get caught up on email and comments tomorrow. I wanted to get this up quickly though because I haven't seen it anywhere else yet.

Congressman Zack Space sent out a column earlier today discussing one of his main priorities as Congress returns from the summer recess, cutting taxes for the working class. You can read it below.

Every August, Congress recesses its legislative work to allow Members to return home.  During this period, I have been traveling the district every day, talking to constituents all over the district.  The 18^th Congressional District is huge – one-fifth of the State of Ohio – and covers a wide variety of areas.  But the overriding theme I heard from virtually every person I talked to was, “reduce my taxes.”  When I return to Washington, that is exactly what I intend to do because I believe strongly that working families in Ohio are due to have their taxes returned.  Now that this work period is coming to a close, there is no more fitting end than to do that around Labor Day – the day we recognize and appreciate the efforts of the workers who keep this country running.  Working families work hard enough, and I intend to make sure they get the tax break they deserve.

A major economic problem that is causing huge headaches for our working families is the rapidly declining housing market and the foreclosure crisis.  The sad reality is that families who lose their homes to foreclosure are frequently hit with a massive tax bill.  They lose their home and are hit with a “foreclosure tax” by the IRS, adding insult to injury.  Here is how it works: a family takes out a $300,000 mortgage, and the bank forecloses on the property.  The lender is only able to sell the property for, say, $230,000.  That leaves a debt of $70,000.  The IRS considers that forgiven debt to be $70,000 in income for which the family is taxed.  This “foreclosure tax” is simply unfair and needless injury.  That’s why I will be introducing legislation to help alleviate this problem.   

I also don’t have to tell you what gasoline prices have done to our families’ budgets.  Earlier this summer, prices climbed to $3.25 a gallon and higher.  For most of us who live in rural areas, we have no choice but to pay those prices if we want to continue to get to work and pick our kids up from school.  That is why I announced my plan to introduce the Rural Commuters Tax Relief Act of 2007.  This legislation could not be simpler: if your household makes less than the national median income, you drive more than 30 miles to work and you work at least 4 days a week, then you get a $100 tax credit for each month that the average price of gas goes over $3.00 a gallon.  I have secured millions of dollars for our region to develop our alternative energy sources, which will help deal with our energy crisis in the long run.  But this legislation will help working families with some of the pinch we’re feeling while we develop those technologies.

These are good-sense proposals that I believe will make life just a little easier for Ohio’s working families.  I have been selected to the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition in Congress because of my commitment to fiscal discipline.  To me, being fiscally responsible means spending what we have wisely.  That is why I voted to end a $15 billion giveaway to huge oil companies that are seeing billions of dollars in profit.   

American working families should stop shouldering the tax burden for huge corporations, and I will continue striving to help those families make ends meet through common-sense tax breaks to those who truly need them.  Know that I will be doing everything within my power to make life just a little easier for working families.

Congressman Zack Space

Fred Thompson Is Running

Uh oh, Fred "the not quite candidate" Thompson has made the traditional pre-announcement announcement in an email sent out to his supporters (and people like me that hate him but still subscribe to his list).

Here's the email in case anyone is interested.

Dear Friends,

On September 6, 2007, Fred Thompson will be announcing his intention to run for President of the United States with a webcast available to millions at www.imwithfred.com. The launch of the video will be followed by a five-day campaign tour through Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. On the evening of the 6th, there will also be a National House Party, during which there will be a conference call with Fred.

We enter this campaign in a strong position. Fred is consistently near the top in the polls, and conservatives across the country have put together the closest thing to a draft in recent presidential campaign history in an effort to bring about this day. The next few weeks will only serve to build upon those efforts, with house parties, visits to the early primary states, and a homecoming in Lawrenceburg, TN on the 15th. To view the dates and locations of Fred's bus tour, please click here, and check back soon for more information on attending one of these events.

By announcing via webcast, Fred is able to take his consistently mainstream conservative message directly to the voters, who are already responding to that message with a strong upwelling of grassroots support. The webcast and the following campaign tour will play to Fred’s strengths, a consistent record of conservatism, his ability to clearly spread his message, and his ability to work with and connect with Americans from all walks of life. Be apart of this historic occasion by signing up to host or attend a house party today.

Sincerely,

Bill Lacy
Manager, Friends of Fred Thompson, Inc.

So there you have it, a man that once guest starred in an episode of "Roseanne" wants to be your president.

Good News For Zack Space

The New York Times has a story up about Zack Space's precarious position of having to begin his reelection campaign so early. It's not all bad news though, just read the following excerpt.

At the Muskingum County Fair, Mr. Space gave an update on the farm bill. Most farmers in attendance described themselves as Republicans, and all of those interviewed said they supported Mr. Space.

“I know a few people around these parts,” said Darrel Cubbison, 70, a Republican who has been president of the fair board since 1978. “And the general consensus is that Zack Space is doing a darn good job.”

As president (and founder) of the Zack Space fan club, this is definitely good news.

Source: Barely in Office, Ohio Congressman Can’t Quit Running - New York Times

Zack Space Comments On Gonzales Resignation

This just hit the inbox from Zack Space's office:

“Attorney General Gonzales had lost the faith of the American public, and his resignation was long overdue.  His tenure in office will forever be remembered for abusing the rule of law and politicizing a department that, as the legal watchdog of all the American people, must necessarily be independent and above reproach.

“It is my sincere desire that President Bush and my colleagues in the Senate work to ensure that the next Attorney General demonstrates unwavering commitment to the protection of our civil liberties and the safety of our citizens.”

-- Zack Space

While I can't disagree with any of that, I really don't see that last part happening.

From The Inbox: Live Streaming Candidate Interviews

An announcement from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers:

Five presidential candidates confirmed they will take part in discussions of key domestic issues before more than 600 representatives of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) on August 27 and 28 at the Disney Yacht and Beach Club in Orlando, FL. 
The schedule for the IAM's Conversation with the Candidates is as follows:

Mon. Aug. 27, 3:30 pm          New York Sen. Hillary Clinton
Mon. Aug. 27, 7:30 pm          California Rep. Duncan Hunter and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
Tue. Aug. 28, 7:30 pm          Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich

The candidate conversations will be moderated by Erin Moriarty of CBS News.

The event will be streamed, live, from the www.GOIAM.org web site. Streaming provided by ustream.tv.