State House Chaos: PA Lawmakers Meeting Devolves into Partisan Shouting Match
- Posted on January 26, 2011 at 8:06pm by
Meredith Jessup
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Pennsylvania lawmakers were poised to vote on several bills Wednesday that would change the way the state government operates, but a meeting of the legislature’s rules committee erupted into a partisan shouting match between Republicans and Democrats. In the end, a number of Democratic lawmakers threw things and stormed out of the room.
In case of classic finger-pointing, the GOP says Democrats are being obstructionist while Democrats claim the proposals being considered would disenfranchise their constituents.
WGAL reports:
Here’s how it all started. Republicans fired first, accusing Democrats of “gumming up the gears” of government. Democrats proposed a wave of amendments to previously non-controversial reform bills, which in the words of Republican Majority Leader Rep. Mike Turzai “was designed to create a circus atmosphere on the House floor.
“In response, Republicans forced through changes to make it easier for them to push aside amendments they don’t agree with.”This is an unprecedented attack on the people’s, our ability, to represent our constituents,” said Democratic Minority Leader Frank Dermody.Furious Democrats claimed they were being cut off from having a voice.
One lawmaker, Democratic Rep. Babette Josephs, even used her scarf as a symbolic gag:
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Comments (108)
cosette
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 10:54pmI remember a bipartisan meeting with Odumbo and several elected congressional members. John Mc caine made a remark not to Odumbos liking, at which point Odumbo said “John, the election’s over and you lost”, after which he went on to say something else. Mc cain replied I am well aware of that. What a classless guttersnipe! I voted for Mc cain as the lesser of 2 evils. However I felt so badly for him at that moment. He was visibly embarrassed by someone who is so beneath him that he has to reach up to touch the bottom of Mc cains’ shoes. Now I will say to the lowlife Dems’ in MY stste house “Dems’, the elections’ over and you lost”! Sit down and shut the hell up!
Report Post »Nigel2
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 11:57pmI liked McCain’s response. He said, “I have to remind myself of that every day.” This was obviously because, as many claimed, Obama never went away from campaign mode.
Report Post »USACommoner
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:03pmCosette, don’t feel to sorry for McCain. He got the last word in on that one and it was a stinger. I laughed out loud when I heard his reply. Unfortunately, we’re ALL sorely reminded of the fact that McCain lost. I also voted for him as the lesser of two evils (great minds…?). I plan on picking my 2012 presidential candidate early and working my @ss off to get them elected. This must end, or we’re all goners.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 10:50pmGuess they missed the end of Frank Capra’s, “Mr Smith Goes To Washington”.
>Wonder who’s gonna attempt suicide
Report Post »paulamadden
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 10:43pmBottom up, top down, inside out.
Report Post »KL
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 10:43pmRemember, they have to create chaos.
Report Post »trueblueday
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 10:42pmLooks like a lot’s going to get done in this state for The People – Not. Repubs need to stand their ground – it’s their turn. Suck it up, Dems.
Report Post »mombrown1
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 12:06amI just want the castle doctrine passed. the sooner the better. Tom has said he will sign it.
Report Post »Doug Piranha
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 10:35pmThat woman should just put the scarf over her whole damn face. Yeesh!
Report Post »eddie333
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 10:32pmAnother embarassment for PA: first, Rendell having a tantrum on 60 minutes; then that house-of-horrors abortion mill, and now the House Dems staging a hissy fit.
Report Post »mikenleeds
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 10:31pmaman brother ..long live the tea party
Report Post »Zaggynuts
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 10:00pmIf the two parties were switched the dems would be calling these Republicans hateful racists or much worse.
Report Post »BrotherWill
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:58pmLets see, what was the phrase? “Elections have consequences.” I call it, poetic justice. Eat it Dems/Commies.
Report Post »suzpenn
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:44pmWelcome to Pennsylvania, Our license plates use to say “You’ve Got A Friend” . . . Isn‘t it nice to see ’our children’ playing nice. Yes, we are rich in natural gas here and high unemployment, makes no sense. As our former Gov gets a new gig with MSNBC, we lead the nation in structurally unsafe bridges, that‘s why we’re spending $10 Million on a new Arlen Specter Library and $10 Million on a John Murtha Center. Oh, did I forget to mention the state budget debt and unfunded pensions. Pray for Corbett, he’s got his work cut out for him. Corbett’s our Keystone States Chris Christy! And Uncle Ed (Rendell), thanks for the crap mess you’ve left us . . . if you don’t get that, you’re stupid!
Report Post »Puddle Duck
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 11:28pmRendell is a crook and bald faced but smooth as hell liar…if he hadn;t screwed PA so badly he might have had a shot at the WH in 2012….his tirade to the 60 minutes female erased all hope of that becoming a reality (thank god). You know we haven;t had to suffer the cinsequences of a great recession (it’s soon to be a full fledged depression folks) and until the pain is felt across all walks of life then the Feds will continue to whistle past the graveyard (at their own peril). What it’s going to take in order to head off bankruptcy and chaos is similar to effort needed post Pearl Harbor when the country had to go from peacetime to wartime footing…people forget the rationing that went on for that effort…no new cras, gas and food rationing, loads of luxury items simly disappeared from the shelves as factories were converted to all manner of needed material for the war effort….I know that’s a different example than what is sually shown…the dust bowl in OK and TX with all of the families leaving their reposessed farms etc…but the WWII ramp up reveals the level of comittment the Feds and the people will have to have to tackle this coming fiscal crisis. We either tackle it head on now of many many folks will literally end up homeless out of work and starving almost overnight…and the blame for that will be placed sqaurely at the feet of the Feds/State Gov’s…which will then be used by the left to bury freedom and capitalism…..I do not believe it will work in the long run, however short term could be all that is needed for the loons we all know want to see the system fail.
Last nights SOTU gave me no indication Obama is changing his tune……….the deficit figure for 2011 is a another all time record high (1.48T) This will put the debt well over the actual US GDP…this is nuts.
Report Post »Buck Bagaw
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:14amRendell is the best governor Philadelphia ever had.
Report Post »Pocono Countryboy
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 7:07am“Buck Bagaw
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:14am
Rendell is the best governor Philadelphia ever had.”
Ding Ding Ding! Give the man a cupie doll!
Ol’ “Fast Eddie” screwed the rest of the state to the benefit of the cities here in PA.
Fortunately we have term limits on the governorship.
Report Post »lasthouseontheright
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:41pmIs this what it is coming to…how sad for PA.
Report Post »wildchild6
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:30pmOnly the beginning…………..
Report Post »mombrown1
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 12:11amI hope so. It’s so much fun.
Report Post »critterbait
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:23pmDont you just LOVE IT !!!
And now they also want to hold a Constitutional Convention…
HELP HELP HELP going down for the third time …
Report Post »mombrown1
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 12:09amThey’ve been trying to get a con-con since 2005. We’ve been able to stop them so far. It will be a lot easier now that we control both houses.
Report Post »BJC
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:23pmWow, I wonder if Democratic Rep. Babette Josephs could mail Obama one of her scarfs and instructions on how to use it? That would be a blessing.
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:19pmDemocrats are already the product of poor parenting with NO boundaries whatsoever. No wonder that when they ‘grow up’ they throw tantrums when they have to play nice with others.
No boundaries = bullies
Report Post »Thunderstorm 316
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:17pmDing, ding, ding and in this corner we have………………………………
Report Post »AmericanStrega
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 10:45pmUUUUU-LEEEETSSSS-GET-READY-TO-RUMMMMMMMMBLE!!!! (Michael Buffer)
Report Post »M-O-O-N Spells Moon
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:14pmYou’d think that even elected officials could sense that we are in a critical situation in our nation that requires serious adult consideration. Maybe this is proof that you have to be insane to seek political office.
Report Post »BeckIsNuts
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:46pmStephen King reference.
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:10pmAnd we PAY these idiots????
Report Post »puck30
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:09pmFantastic! Maybe there’s hope for my state yet.
Report Post »katy
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:08pm“In the end, a number of Democratic lawmakers threw things and stormed out of the room.”
HA! Proving to be the children they are and have always been but the pressure of push back (finally) has brought their antics to the surface.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:06pm“The democrats threw things and walked out of the room”, did they take their toys with them? There’s a new sheriff in town and he works for the people of PA, not for the Obama administration.
Report Post »katy
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:05pmSo now the lawmakers are taking Frances Fox Piven’s advice. Revolution begins from the bottom up AND the top down.
Report Post »NavyVetGreg
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:01pmSeems government at every level needs some cleaning up
Report Post »Buck Bagaw
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:21amIt WAS cleaned up, this is why the libbydoodles are throwing a hissy fit. Since they can’t push their leftist agenda honestly (that’s a laugh) their aim is to disrupt and sabotage and the voters be damned.
Report Post »dutchtouch
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 7:54amI believe it was our president who said: ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES……I guess that doesn’t sound so appealing anymore.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 8:57pmMelee!
Report Post »TikeSissy
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:09pmSeems this was stagged. Watch when the guy throws the papers, all the dems get up at the same time. Watch for the signal guys…
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:35pmBoo friggin Hoo…The Dems lost…let ‘em cry!
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:35pmToo bad she didn’t use her diaper as a gag.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 10:09pmTikesissy – I watched the videos again. I think you are correct. This was staged. Cause as much trouble as they can so the people’s business cannot be done.
Report Post »exdem
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 10:18pmCan we gag them all?
Report Post »FlatFoot
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 11:06pmThey’ve still got nothing on those Asian governments that beat each other senseless with microphone stands and chairs when they get together in the same room.
There will be blood!
Report Post »My Sacred Honor
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 11:35pmStop being infants when you post here, this is a sign of serious times.
One State House assembly breaks like this you make “diaper” jokes, you had better pay attention and tighten the eff up. We are in a time of CRISIS, people! When a State Assembly becomes unruly like this then you know the time is close when we all must make a choice, and the choice is clear. EITHER you are on the side of our Constitution, or you are NOT on the side of our Constitution. There is no more middle ground, and America as you know it is crubling beneath our feet! NOW you must make your choice, for either side. NOW you must make your stand for either side.
Either way, make your choice and either rejoice or repent, because the time of conflict in our Great Nation draws near.
Semper Fi, and God willing, I have chosen the correct side.
Report Post »FlatFoot
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 3:37am@My Sacred Honor
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 11:35pm
I respect your view and your candor, but they’re just arguing. It happens from time to time and has since forever. Sure, a certain measure of decorum and respect for colleagues should be and is expected in this country when a general assembly meets, or any government assembly for that matter, but this isn‘t a sign of the ’end times’. Sometimes things get a bit raucous. Plus, they’re just a microcosm of a greater government. They’re not the barometer of the state of the union in and of themselves. I agree with you to a point… keep your powder dry, pray for the best, but be prepared for the worst. But the bottom line is, they’re in a disagreement and just arguing.
Report Post »Beej13
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:39amAs a Pennsylvania resident and voter, believe me, this is not atypical behavior for our elected officials. We’ve had no shortage of interesting scandals and criminal behavior in recent years. This is quite minor by comparison. The Pennsylvania General Assembly might be the most bloated, inefficient, worthless institution in America.
For too long, Democrats, corrupt Republicans and Ed Rendell have conspired to drive this state deeper and deeper into debt. Rendell’s only economic plan was raising taxes and opening casinos. Now that we have a Republican governor with Republican majorities in the House and Senate, there’s at least a little hope that something decent will come out of Harrisburg for a change.
I was watching the Democrats carry on during a press conference on PCN (Pennsylvania Cable News) earlier. Their conduct is embarrassingly similar to U.S. House Dems when they suddenly find themselves in the minority, too. Shameful.
Report Post »Pocono Countryboy
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 7:03amMy Sacred Honor …I believe you misread the whole situation. It’s all for show by the Dems.
The Dems got their butts handed to them statewide here in PA and are throwing a staged temper tantrum to try to (a) get media attention and (b) try to stop the Repub’s legislative agenda. Part “A” may work because we all know which way the wind blows with the lamestream media..but “B” won’t work because the Repubs have a huge (some would even say lopsided) majority and can move forward without as much as one Dem vote.Thank God.
Report Post »Docrow
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:06amThey must watch the View.
Report Post »taskmaster78
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:56amI for one applaud the Republicans holding fast, the dems were acting like babies. The dems in PA and all over feel slighted by the loses and have grown accustom to holding power and have done worse in changing rules in mid stream to suite their goals. I hope the majority move forward and save the great state of Pennsylvania.
Report Post »Dandylyon
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:00amHow pathetic do we become ??????????????
Report Post »Kurty C Wipe
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:03amWhat were they trying to do? add more parking to John Murtha airport?
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvzNj0Vobss
pavnvet
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:26am@beej13. I too am a Pennsylvania voter and what you said is right on point. I would also like to add that the majority of Democrat representatives are from the big cities of Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. The hard working citizens of smaller cities and rural Pennsylvania are tired of paying the costs of welfare, crime and social programs that are disproportionally levied on them.
To paraphrase someone high up in the Federal Government, “We won.”
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:28amThis is still a lot tamer than some videos from other countries. Some of them make a hockey game look tame!
Report Post »CultureWarriors
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 2:54pmDemocrats are punks.
Report Post »My Sacred Honor
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:18pm@ FLATFOOT and POCONO COWBOY
Report Post »Yeah, maybe I over reacted a bit, but I’m looking at this story as a piece to a much bigger puzzle. When the Dems lose so badly in Pennsylvania and act out like this, who’s to say it is an isolated event, or that it won’t start happenning all over the country? And I didn’t say “end times”, I said “great conflict”
Although I do believe it is upon us, just for a whole other reason. “Moderate” muslim countries are falling like dominos to the “protestors”….and the tsunami will hit Europe very soon.
waggie
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:55pmI got news for the Dems. Hey listen up! We are not going away any time soon! Got it? Throw your little progressive tantrums all you want, we‘re here to stay and we’re going to get this country back on track! Bear it!
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