Dem Sen. Tom Harkin: Debt Fight Not Between Dems and Reps…It‘s Between GOP and ’Cult Fringe’
- Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:00pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) has a message for Americans: The debt fight isn’t between Democrats and Republicans; it‘s between Republicans and their ’cult fringe.’
In a Democratic press conference earlier today, the congressman called Republicans “dead-beat debtors,” attacked Rep. Michele Bachmann’s stance on the debt limit and issued a number of related proclamations. He said:
“The debate and fight is not between Democrats and Republicans. It’s between some Republicans and their sort of cult fringe as I refer to them out there.
Democrats are willing to do whatever is necessary to raise the debt ceiling, not for future borrowing but to pay the debts that we racked up in the past. Which, mostly was racked up by a Republican House, a Republican Senate and a Republican President in the last 8 years. Yet, they’re not willing to pay the bills.”
While Harkin attributes most of the nation’s debt problems to Republicans, it should be noted that the United States has been acquiring debt for decades. Additionally, the Democrats (who were certainly present in government over the past eight years) were in control of both Houses from December 2006 until the 2010 midterms; the Democratic Party still retains control of the U.S. Senate.
Watch Harkin’s comments, below:
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Comments (214)
capitalismrocks
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:26pmTom Harkin….
Sir, you are 100% CORRECT…
It is the GOP against the Cult Fringe, its called the Keynesian Cult…. a leftist, anarchist, spend-thrift band of living in a bubble economics, so desperate to try to find something other then Capitalism which is the ONLY economic model that has ever been fully successful and takes its bruises and rights itself everytime…. they so want their fails out of the gate 0% success rate Keynesian economic model to work soooooooooooooo badly, they are willing to throw 318 million people under the bus just to try it out…
Sorry, move along, go try it in Cuba or North Korea, leave the United States of Capitalism alone!!!
Report Post »ChipK
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:26pmtime for you to retire tom! you have overstayed your welcome and your opinions are totally outrageous! how dare you suggest that folks worried about the idiots in government are anything but patriots. is that what you would have called George Washington? Go away.
Report Post »The_Hut_In_Co
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:43pmHey Tom! You are a brain dead moron liberal! I’m against Any of You “don’t give a damn what the voters want” idiots. Go the hell back to Iowa and slop the 4 legged pigs. Back to the hogs soon tom.
Report Post »JohnGalt
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 8:14pmNever ever do they say how they (Democrats) have increased deficit spending like no one else, or that they contributed to the debt more than any of the other “people” from previous administrations. So typical.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 8:26pmProud member of the cult fringe…It’s called being a PATRIOT Tommy…
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 8:43pmLOL .. I am proud also to be part of the “cult fringe” … used to be just called mainstream middle America .. goes to show how LEFT everyone else has gone!
TEA!
Report Post »thegrassroots
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 8:58pmTypical Deluded Dum Dem!
Report Post »moore428
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 9:09pmActually, he spends more time in the Bahamas than Iowa. He doesn’t even have a permanent residence here.
Report Post »IronSights
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 9:41pmAs an Iowan who did not vote for this j@ck@$$, my sincerely apologize for his response to the debt ceiling. Apparently the representative from my state feels I’m “cult fringe” because I think they need to quit p1$$1ng away money and cut expenses, not jack up my taxes, and NOT increase the debt ceiling. Evidently he took “How to influence people and win votes” – by Andrew Dice Clay training.
Report Post »PASSIONFORCHRIST
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 9:49pmDoes he forget that the dem’s controlled the house and the senate for the last 8 years before November 2010?
Report Post »jzs
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 10:30pmWell, of course he’s right. The budget was balanced when Bush took office. Then he started a war against Iraq, who was no threat to the United States. Don’t say, “Oh, he’s blaming Bush!” Bush did start the war, and it has cost the US trillions and, so far, there has been no benefit (actually now Iraq is the major power in middle east as a result) and it’s still costing the US. What’s Obama supposed to do? Where there. Committed by Bush.
Of course there’s the war in Afghanistan that Bush started that has cost the US trillions. And there is the unfunded Medicare prescription program passed by Bush. And, of course the tax cuts that ballooned the deficit and did exactly nothing to increase jobs or stimulate the economy (let’s try that again! the Republicans say). And of course, seven years into Bush’s tenure the economy utterly collapsed.
The fringe this guy is talking about is the people who want to do, again, exactly what Bush did. Bush’s were disasterous, but this fringe group want to double down and do it again hoping those policies will work if we do the same thing again (isn’t that the definition of “insanity”?).
Sorry, all this fringe group wants to do is support the rich at whatever cost to the average American. Conservativism is a valid political opinion, but the fringe he’s talking about is a form of mental illness. IMO.
Report Post »rodamaa
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 10:36pmCome 2012 we will how much of a fringe cult we’re Tom
Report Post »survivorseed
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 10:41pmYou’re preaching to the “fringe” JZS. The patriots on this site (i laugh whenever I hear them refer to themselves as that) think Bush was an angel who kept us safe from the nasty muslims and the economy was powering when he left it. They have been programmed to believe that and no amount of common sense will sway them.
Report Post »C’mon, even the news corp scandal is blamed on Soros and the magical left, how can you compete with that brain capacity?
Therightsofbilly
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 10:56pmThink of what time in our history you believe most of the damage has been done to our founding principles.
Then remember that the high water mark for the Dow was around 3500 at the middle of Willy’s first term. We all know what happened in that mid-term.
Now take a look at the following chart, and draw your own conclusions.
http://www.dflorig.com/partycontrol.htm
Report Post »snidley-whiplash
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 11:26pmmy oh my, this guy looks like the walking dead and did you see that jerk behind him
Report Post »with his hand shoved up harkins behind, not only that he was pulling the strings
to make his lips move.
arvadadan
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 11:44pmWhat is really scary is I think this fool and his cohorts really believe the BS they speak….
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 2:56amReally, Tom??????????
Can you or any other Democrat do simple MATH? This is not calculus.
You are the hoardes who are sacking ROME yet again!
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 5:45amYes, thanks to a few very stupid US Senators like Crapo, Colburn, Mcconnell, and Chambers.
Report Post »Bluefish49
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 7:30amTom..call us a “cult fringe” if it makes you sleep better at night. I promise this “cult fringe” will be your worst nightmare in 2012.
Report Post »skilaxdad
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 8:59amWhen a “news” presentation can allow a Senator to rewrite history as blatantly as Harkin did in that interview… spinning a 180 degree turn in the fact that it was a Democratic House, Senate and President that racked up the greatest amount of debt in American history… without calling him on it, there can remain no doubt that what could be a one time labeled as a “news” agency has completely become a propaganda.agency for the current administration.
The high level of outright denial of facts, non-reporting of significant news, and highly emotional rants that disregard all known truth have reached the level portrayed in George Orwell’s “1984”. “New Speak” is firmly here!
Report Post »Encinon
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 9:01amJzs, listen I am as liberal as they come, but even I can admit that most of the debt was racked up by democrat controlled House spending. However, you should stand behind it as good for the country as I do. Debt does not matter. The best way to stimulate the economy is to spend, spend. What does it matter how much debt we are in. At the federal level we can just print more money. Do not apologize for debt, know that is our government doing the best it can for us !
Report Post »AnnMarie
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 9:35amNo this is not the case. It is happening because hopefully there will be some politicians in Washington who will have the spine to give the people what they want…. STOP THE CRAZY SPENDING, REDUCE THE DEFICIT AND GET THIS COUNTRY BACK ON TRACK WITH JOBS BRINGING ITEMS MADE IN THE USA BACK IN THE FOCUS.
Report Post »agameofthrones
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 11:27amThe way I see it, this country could use some more of this “cult fringe.” Aren’t we the ones paying most of the taxes so the “normal” people can enjoy all the benefits they don’t have to work for. Time for this clown to go. He has had a free ride long enough. We can definitely do better with our money!
Report Post »groundzero
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 8:53pmcould he take Bern a buck Hacky with him!!!!!!
Report Post »Lamarr01
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 10:55pmHarkin thinks the responsible people spend 40% more than they make and put the excess spending on a credit card. Now he want to raise the credit card limit because he has maxed out the card. The responsible action is to cut up the credit card.
Creditors should know the US will never be able to pay down the federal debt. The last time there was a truly balanced federal budget was during the Eisenhower administration. We smirk at the Greek government when it tries to implement austerity measures. The democrats are just as opposed to cutting spending as the Greek unions. The problem is we don’t have the German government to bail us out.
Harkin doesn’t have to worry about the US default. He has stashed the bribes and illegal campaign contributions in a numbered account in some Bahamian bank. You can bet he isn’t stupid enough to own any US Treasury Bonds. I’m sure he has a very modest home on Paradise Island.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:25pmMy, my…..I don‘t know if there’ll be enough mental health clinics and ER doctors to handle the Dems heart attack victims when the “cult fringe” take over the Senate, House and Presidency in 2012 election !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ll pray for them.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:56pmThey are going to flip-out ..
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:25pmI think they should rename the Blaze to “The Fringe”. Heck I think it’s sort of a compliment. I would be proud to tell people I’m a member of “The Fringe”
Hey man I’m part of the fringe, yeah, heavy dude. That’s gnarly.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:35pmYa, your brain has a fringe lonely brain cell.Son you need to get out of that basement more ,get some sunshine ,let in the light.
Report Post »Alemary
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:25pmTom, you just need to retire. I personally am sick of your “fringe” A@# in office! He needs to be shown the door!
Report Post »brnm8brn
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:30pmif he thinks republicans controlled the house and senate for the last 8 years, he has definitely been in office to long
Report Post »whereareyourbrains
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:25pmSo Acorn, Seiu, Banks, are not cult fringe groups. Let us not forget the Panthers and Huffpo.
Report Post »None of these are cult fringe groups trying to change the way American think? Oh wow what about MSNBC and NBC etc…they are all no better. Wow they are spinning crap fast and furious. Cult Fringe??????
quicker
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:23pmSo now just because we don`t want to enslave our childern and grandchildern ,and so on with overwelming debt ,That makes us a cult.These dingbat are the loony ones I if Obama told them to drink pioson and told them that it was koolaid they would do it and this go`es to union workers to .can`t see the forest for the trees.
Report Post »agameofthrones
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 11:36amThe Washington elite are the “cult fringe.” They live in their own little world that is so far from the reality of the average citizen, it’s not even funny. Let’s make some changes that would require every member of congress to pay the salaries and benefits of their staff from their own money. They would have to run their staffs like a small business. Think they would be a little more careful with how they spend the money then? Of course. You never care about the cost of anything when it‘s other peoples’ money. Well, we are the other people and we are tired of you idiots spending us into oblivion. Next November: YOU’RE FIRED.
Report Post »Sincerely,
Your bosses, the cult fringe
krjones
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:22pmit’s both parties debt but who cares… We simply have to fix this and get back on the road to a balanced budget. Republicans voted for a balanced budget. Where are you dems?
Report Post »Conservative Hippy
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 10:36pmDems can’t even vote on a budget, let alone a balanced one!…
Report Post »Secessionista
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:22pmHe forgot to mention that we are racists, too, lol! I wonder why liberals insist on continued spending when it can no longer be afforded? What do we call people who can’t pay their debts and continue to drive a Mercedes?
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:28pmDemocrats
Report Post »stockpicker
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:20pmHarkin’s comment reveals who is really the cult fringe.
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:18pmHello, “them out there fringes”. Our Constitution Cult is scaring somebody.
Report Post »Good for us.
k2weaver
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:29pmYeah!!
Report Post »Veritas
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 9:54pmI think many of our Founders of this country would fall into what he refers to as the “cult fringe”. We are just hanging on hoping to turn this country back around and toward our Constitution!
Report Post »Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:18pmHarkin is right, except that the cult fringe are the Marxists that are currently running the White House.
Report Post »BIBLETHUMPER
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:17pmSpeaking of cults, let’s talk Mormonism! Since Mormons believe that Jesus is a created being, and John 1:1-3 states clearly that He is the Creator of all things – this makes Mormons aberrant in their theology.
emilieclark
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:21pmyou are an idiot… just as bad as this nut job Harkin. Mormons believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and the savior of all mankind… what is wrong with you
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:26pmSHUT UP and GO AWAY!
Report Post »BIBLETHUMPER
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:53pm338LAPUA and EMILIECLARK
MORMONS believe that Christ is LITERALLY the son of god, born after sexual relations between god the father and the virgin Mary – just ask a Mormon bishop – or read these quotes:
http://vintage.aomin.org/BEGOTTEN.html (keep in mind many of these quotes are from OFFICIAL mormon sources, that is, they were printed under the direction of the Church itself)
Report Post »Captain Crunch
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 8:24pm@BIBLETHUMPER
Report Post »I read and skimmed over some of the material in the link you gave. It’s not necessary to have a perfect flawless understanding of how God does things in order to believe Jesus for salvation and forgiveness. Lots of theologians have been in error throughout history, but I did not see where they believe Jesus is a created being, in simular fashion as the way Jehovah Witnesses believe. They acknowledge Mary was a virgin and it was a work of God…not man.
I don’t see what the big conflict is. Welcome to the cult.
progressiveslayer
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:17pmWhy do these fools continue to vote for morons like this? We have a spending problem not a revenue problem.Look you wouldn’t give the drunk Biden a drink would you? No of course not same with the debt you don’t increase your borrowing to pay for unconstitutional programs ie medicare medicade & welfare,dept.of no energy,HUD,dept.of education and on and on.
Report Post »whereareyourbrains
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:27pmOh yeah lets vote for Obama again….lol….he is all american…..lol who happens to love the Muslim cults. And I mean love them…………….
Report Post »SimpleTruths
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 10:24amThank you for your recitation of the talking points, your learned you lessons well. Now just vote and go back to your corner.
Report Post »lonewolf57
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:17pmTom Harkin may be a Senator but he is not a “not a Statesman”,he’s as “vile” and “despicable” as many other liar low life pieces of crap serving in Congress.
Report Post »A certain President candidate describes these people very well.
SimpleTruths
Posted on July 21, 2011 at 10:27amYou mean the dishonored criminal West? Yeah there’s a winner.
Report Post »emilieclark
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:17pmAnyone who does anything of substance in this world is going to have opposition, have we noticed this? Early Christians were called a cult by some, as do some people call the Mormons. By their works ye shall know them
Report Post »gfmucci
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:36pmVery true comment. Any idea that is not “mainstream” or not politically correct is called a “cult” or “abberant.” Since spend and tax has been the mainstream preferred political policy, any group who proposes something other than tax and spend is called a “cult.” Harkin is stuck in the past. I, a devout conservative, am more progressive than Harkin on this point. Move along, Harkin! Your stuck in a prior suicidal policy that if retained, will kill this country.
Report Post »UBETHECHANGE
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:17pmThese commies never cease to amaze me with their rhetoric, evasion of responsibility, and lies! Goebbels would be so proud of these National Socialists.
Report Post »Countrygirl1362
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:16pmWorst part is he really believes what he is saying. Sad. Very sad.
Report Post »psst
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:13pmFinally,Ol’ Tom has come out of the Cult fringe closet
Report Post »I say it’s about time.Really past time.
Thanks Tom. ya knew sooner or later, the truth would set you free.
Marci
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:13pmI‘m tired of Democrats throwing a hissy fit and playing partisan games when they don’t get their way—but this one has gone over the line. He is in Washington to represent ALL of his constituents, not just the ones he thinks will vote him back in. Maybe we have become a true democracy. Mob rule (after redistricting and voter fraud) gets them in, and then they vote in a manner that ONLY benefits first, themselves, and secondly, just enough crumbs to keep their dependent electorate begging for more. (you want more? Oh..no problem. But you’re going to have to vote ME back in)
Report Post »firemanfrank
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 9:20pm@ Marci,,, So true
Report Post »TADTAD
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:13pmHey Tom; you’re an a-hole.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 10:56pmHe’s at least that. Tried to embellish his military record, claimed to be a fighter pilot in Viet Nam, until Senator Barry Goldwater called him on it.
Report Post »bitter clinger
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:09pmCult fringe=conservative?
Report Post »nannyatnannydotgov
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:09pm“cult fringe” my a**
Yea, keep makin’ da dumb dumber you a**hole!
Report Post »HKS
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:08pmLooks like a Democrat Debt to me.
Report Post »libwhacker
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:07pmI would talk about a cult fringe you pompous a$$ liberal communist hack!
Report Post »HKS
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:09pmWas that a socialist cult he was referring to. I think that’s on the other wing.
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 7:14pmIf there is one thing liberals dont understand, its…..everything.
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