This project was brought to you by...well...you, via your tax dollars:
So is this:
"Americans have been speaking out but Washington is not listening. Democrats in charge of Congress have pursued a partisan agenda, rather than addressing the concerns of the American people. Whether forcing a government takeover of health care, passing a National Energy Tax, stacking up record deficits, or ignoring our nation's jobs crisis, the actions of this Congress have been against the will of the American people. America is ready for its voice to be heard in Washington, and the nation deserves a government that acts to implement the priorities of the people.
"House Republicans are offering the country a new set of policy solutions, but rather than handing an agenda down from the Washington DC, we want to include the American people in building it. We are committed to our principles of smaller, more accountable government. However, we believe that leadership requires the humility to listen to the American people and a recognition that any new agenda should start with them. So to show that the voices of the America people can still make a difference in Washington, we are introducing America Speaking Out and giving citizens a new opportunity to lend their ideas to the creation of a new national policy agenda.
link: http://www.obsnews.com/...
So is this:
Under the current leadership, the priorities of the American public have been traded for backroom deals and closed door meetings. House Republicans will change this practice, which is why we have offered sound solutions to decreasing runaway federal spending, creating jobs, improving affordable access to health care and increasing domestic energy production. But more importantly, we recognize that you are in charge. This is why we are soliciting your ideas – regardless of party affiliation.
link: http://yallpolitics.com/...
And:
CBS News said the launch party on Tuesday alone cost taxpayers $8,500.
link: http://minnesotaindependent.com/...
As much fun as we've had deriding teh stoopid featured on the America Speaks Out website (and oh, have we had fun: http://www.dailykos.com/... ), there's a deeper irony here: a partisan political message machine is being paid for by federal tax dollars, and its main message is how irresponsible the government is with spending your federal tax dollars.
How's that deficit-hawky thing workin' out for ya?
But seriously, instead of Republicans rolling eyes at things like "volcano research" - things that we actually need to do as a country - why don't they, you know, not use taxpayer dollars to fund their political PR efforts?
Is that asking too much?
Am I taking crazy pills here?
But I think there's a nugget of truth in this John McCain radio spot:
"Republicans...lost their bearings on federal spending. They loaded up bills with porkbarrel projects, and the voters punished Republicans by putting Democrats in charge."
Only the Republican party could use taxpayer dollars to launch a website to talk about how irresponsibly Congress is using taxpayer dollars.
Sigh.
h/t to General Choomin: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Update from the astute General Choomin:
Rep. Peter Roskam, deputy chairman of the agenda project, said ideas that deviate from those principles would not be considered as viable suggestions for the Republican governing agenda.
"Someone who wants to come on and make the suggestion on how to raise taxes, for example," the Illinois Republican said. "They are welcome to do that, [but] that’s not something that we are going to take up."
Roskam told reporters after the briefing that while visitors to the site are free to discuss whatever they want on the site, ideas that are inconsistent with Republican principles would be rejected.
"We won’t do them," Roskam said. "This is our worldview, and our sense is that it is a winning worldview."
link: http://www.rollcall.com/...
Second Update: I'd like to draw your attention to a conversation in the thread regarding whether or not it is legal - or minimally ethical - for a website to take federal tax dollars, ask for user opinions and then censor opinions they disagree with: http://www.dailykos.com/...
I'm not a lawyer so I don't know the technical answer to that question - but as someone who pays taxes, honestly, this is pretty darn slimey.