Note to Conservatives: Puerto Rico Not a Foreign Country

Idaho Congressional Vaughn Ward does not support Puerto Rico statehood. His reasoning is that Puerto Rico is a foreign country.

The problem with extending statehood to some, to any other country, is that then, the infrastructure requirements -- everything that we have under our laws, regulations, then applies to them. The infrastructure needs, I have read, cost an enormous amount of money. It is not time to grow the United States. Not today, not tomorrow. I don't see a time when we would. We're 50 states, I want to see us stay at that. When you can show me we've balanced the budget, we've got things under control, we've got immigration under control, we've got jobs in America, we can start maybe then looking. But I don't see that happening in my lifetime. Let's focus on America first. Let's focus on what's important here. And it's about putting Americans back to work. It's about putting this country right again. And I don't see that -- I don't care what state it is, or what country that wants to become part of America. It's not time, it's not going to be time. Let's focus on us, first.

Ward's debate opponent Raul Labrador corrected him by stating that Puerto Rico is a United States territory.

"I just need to correct," he says. "Puerto Rico's not a country. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. It's about time that we take some civics lesson and we learned what Puerto Rico is."

Ward, unbowed, gives no indication that he misspoke and knew what he was talking about: "I really don’t care what it is. It doesn't matter."

"Obviously you don't," says Labrador.

It will be no shock to readers that the poorly informed Ward has been endorsed by Sarah Palin and the Tea Party Express.

Listening to Ward's amazingly stupid statement, I wonder if far-right conservatives hate opening text books or they are just scared of brown people. It is probably a combination of both factors. Ward isn't the only conservative who thinks Puerto Rico is a foreign country. Ginny Brown-Waite thought Puerto Rico and Guam are foreign countries.

“Second, the bill sends hundreds of millions of dollars to people who do not pay federal income taxes, including residents of Puerto Rico and territories like Guam. I do not believe American taxpayer funds should be sent to foreign citizens who do not pay taxes. Americans want an economic stimulus for Dunnellon, Brooksville and Clermont, not for San Juan or Hagatna. As the legislation moves forward, it must be changed to ensure that only federal taxpaying American citizens receive rebate checks.

I would not be shocked if other Congressional Republicans are as poorly informed about Puerto Rico's status.

Ginny Brown-Waite Greatest Hits

Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite announces her retirement.

"As I have prepared for my campaign, I have been troubled by persistent health problems and have come to the disappointing and sad conclusion that I cannot run for reelection," Brown Waite said in a statement.

Brown-Waite was re-elected to District 5 by comfortable margins in 2004, 2006 and 2008. The leading Democratic challenger James John Piccillo has raised $54,155. The district is safely Republican. However, Brown-Waite waiting to the deadline to announce her retirement gives Republicans a serious headache.

I can't let Brown-Waite retire without going down memory lane.

Brown-Waite's husband, Harvey Waite, was caught stealing the campaign signs of Democratic opponent Karen Thurman.

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Former Tom Delay aide was convicted of conspiracy. Rudy worked with the infamous Jack Abramoff. Members of Congress have been returning Rudy's lobbying money. Not Brown-Waite.

"They were legally raised, legally reported and legally spent during previous campaigns," Brown-Waite's spokesman Charlie Keller said. "There is nothing to give back."

Yes, Brown-Waite was forced to spend the Rudy lobbying money. It is so hard running against poorly-funded Democrats.

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Brown-Waite has compared her fundraising skills to prostitution.

Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.) compares politics to prostitution: “I have to go up to total strangers, ask them for money and get them to expect me to be there when they need me. What does that sound like to you?”…

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Brown-Waite earned the nickname the Undertaker for sponsoring the American Heroes Repatriation Act. She wanted the bodies of fallen American soldiers exhumed from France. Brown-Waite was mad that France would not back the Bush administration's Iraq war efforts.

BROWN-WAITE: Millions of dollars a year are collected by the French government and French businesses from patriotic Americans visiting their loved ones who gave everything in defense of the French during WWII. It is not right that Americans are compelled out of respect for the fallen to support the economy of a country who has turned it's back on us and on their memory.

Fortunately, Brown-Waite's morbid bill never passed. We now know how badly the Iraq war turned out.

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The best for last: Brown-Waite thinks Puerto Rico and Guam are foreign countries. She is not aware that the people of Puerto Rico and Guam are United States citizens.

“Second, the bill sends hundreds of millions of dollars to people who do not pay federal income taxes, including residents of Puerto Rico and territories like Guam. I do not believe American taxpayer funds should be sent to foreign citizens who do not pay taxes. Americans want an economic stimulus for Dunnellon, Brooksville and Clermont, not for San Juan or Hagatna. As the legislation moves forward, it must be changed to ensure that only federal taxpaying American citizens receive rebate checks.

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Goodbye, Ginny Brown-Waite. We at Pushing Rope are going to miss the great comedy material you gave us.

Quote of the Day

"Last week Democrats released a health care bill which essentially said to America’s seniors: drop dead."

Ginny Brown-Waite, on the House floor on July 21, 2009

Brown-Waite is notorious for makinpuerto ricansg bizarre quotes. For instance: she was under the impression Puerto Ricans are not United States citizens.

“Second, the bill sends hundreds of millions of dollars to people who do not pay federal income taxes, including residents of Puerto Rico and territories like Guam. I do not believe American taxpayer funds should be sent to foreign citizens who do not pay taxes. Americans want an economic stimulus for Dunnellon, Brooksville and Clermont, not for San Juan or Hagatna. As the legislation moves forward, it must be changed to ensure that only federal taxpaying American citizens receive rebate checks."

The Jones-Shafroth Act granted Puerto Ricans American citizenship. Brown-Waite would know that fact, if she was familiar with the invention known as Google.

My favorite Brown-Waite quote is her describing her relationship with K Street lobbyists.

“I have to go up to total strangers, ask them for money and get them to expect me to be there when they need me. What does that sound like to you?”

That is a question best left for Eliot Spitzer and David Vitter.

Hat tip to Ron Mills.

Bill Nelson Will Vote For Geithner

Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite asked senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez to oppose Timothy Geither's nomination. Nelson intends to vote for Geither.

“It’s critical right now that we have a new Treasury Secretary in place. There’s a lot at stake with our economy and we can’t afford for that position to remain open,” said Nelson, in a statement from his office.

“Mr. Geithner has admitted an honest mistake on his taxes and the IRS agreed, choosing not to penalize him. Also, all taxes owed have been paid with interest,” said Nelson.

“I accept the IRS’s decision and President Obama’s judgment on Mr. Geithner’s explanation; and, think it’s important we move ahead with his nomination.”

Martinez has not declared how he will vote. Surprisingly, Martinez said he would support Eric Holder's nomination. The Marc Rich pardon made Holder Barack Obama's most controversial nominee. I don't expect Martinez to be swayed by Brown-Waite. This is a woman that threw her name out as a Senate candidate and generated zero buzz. Having a safe district doesn't make a politician a Beltway power player.

Ginny Brown-Waite Opposes Geithner

Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite urged Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez to vote against the confirmation of Timothy Geithner, as Treasury Secretary. Brown-Waite brings up Geithner's embarrassing $34,000 in back taxes owed.

"I have paid what I owed," Geither told the Senate Finance Committee.

I am less than impressed with Geithner. The questions about the back taxes are standard. I don't think Brown-Waite is a threat to Geithner's confirmation. Brown-Waite doesn't have a vote. Brown-Waite was against Bill Clinton's Hope, Arkansas home becoming a national landmark. The House vote passed 409-12. Brown-Waite called residents of Guam and Puerto Rico "foreign citizens." Brown-Waite is not taken seriously and with good reason.

Republican Pat Roberts publicly told Geithner he will be confirmed. I personally believe Obama would prefer former Treasury secretaries Robert Rubin or Lawrence Summers. Both have too much baggage for the confirmation process. We are left with a Rubin and Summers protégé. We are screwed, if Geithner isn't up to the task.

Xenophobia Watch: Ginny Brown-Waite

If you ever wondered if your elected representatives are stupid - the answer is yes. Ginny Brown-Waite is under the impression that Puerto Rico is not United States territory.

“Second, the bill sends hundreds of millions of dollars to people who do not pay federal income taxes, including residents of Puerto Rico and territories like Guam. I do not believe American taxpayer funds should be sent to foreign citizens who do not pay taxes. Americans want an economic stimulus for Dunnellon, Brooksville and Clermont, not for San Juan or Hagatna. As the legislation moves forward, it must be changed to ensure that only federal taxpaying American citizens receive rebate checks.

I don't know if Brown-Waite doesn't comprehend geography or is playing to the xenophobic base of the Republican Party. Puerto Rico is part of the United States. The fact that Brown-Waite would issue a press release suggesting otherwise, does not speak well of her leadership skills.

Luis De Rosa of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce of the United States was angered my Brown-Waite's statement. He sent a letter to Governor Charlie Crist's office.

Congresswoman Brown-Waite’s misinformed statement about the citizenship status of Puerto Ricans – referring to us as “foreign citizens” – underscores the lack of knowledge and interest in this vital and growing segment of our state’s population by our elected representatives and officials. As you are doubtless aware, the growing population of Puerto Ricans in Florida is estimated as 600,000 in the central part of our state, plus 300,000 in other parts of the state. As past elections and voter registration records show, this community has substantial registration in both national political parties.

In 2003, anti-French sentiment ran strong because of France's opposition to invading Iraq. Brown-Waite sponsored the American Heroes Repatriation Act. The bill called for the removal of deceased American WWII soldiers buried in France and Belgium. The bill went nowhere and Brown-Waite was tagged with the nick name the Undertaker. Brown-Waite's reasoning was to hurt France's tourism industry.

"Millions of dollars a year are collected by the French government and businesses from patriotic Americans visiting their loved ones who gave everything in defense of the French during WWII. It is not right that American citizens are compelled out of respect for the fallen to support the economy of a country who has turned it's back on us and on their memory."

Brown-Waite uses the power of her Congressional seat to punish ethnic groups whom she deems as not American enough. She told a crowd that the United States giving money to the Palestinians makes her want to "throw up." She attacked a WMNF news reporter during the same townhall meeting. The verbal assaults on Palestinians and the media was Brown-Waite's attempt to avoid answering questions about President Bush's Social Security privatization plan.

It is unrealistic to expect an unserious Congresswoman to answer serious questions. Brown-Waite latches on to attacking ethnic groups with the same passion an alcoholic holds on to a quart bottle. It's her crutch. Voters would realize there is no wizard behind the curtain, if Brown-Waite was forced to discuss the economy or health care.

Larry Craig Days In the Senate Are Over

Florida Republicans Ginny Brown-Waite and Jeff Miller are calling on Larry Craig to step down.

"For the sake of the institution, his family, and his Idaho constituents, Larry Craig should step down from the United States Senate," says Spring Hill Republican Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite

It's amazing how members of the Florida GOP are vocal about a Republican from Idaho, but are silent about the Sunshine State's Bob Allen.

In related news: John McCain calls for Craig's resignation.

Ginny Brown-Waite Jumps Off U.S.S. Alberto

Count Ginny Brown-Waite as another Republican calling for Alberto Gonzales to resign.

"I see this as another, "Good job, Brownie,' " said the Brooksville Republican, referring to former Federal Emergency Management Agency director Michael Brown, in a taped interview for an upcoming Political Connections on Bay News 9. "It's almost like the president has an intense loyalty to the people he appoints. In this case, though, I think it's misdirected. ... I would like to see Mr. Gonzales admit his mistakes and/or step down."

The Michael Brown comparison is a harsh diss. I wish I thought of it.