NationStates Jolt Archive

the republicans in congress are so set on fucking up the current session that they actually voted against a resolution supporting mother's day and motherhood.

WASHINGTON - It was already shaping up to be a difficult year for congressional Republicans. Now, on the cusp of Mother's Day, comes this: A majority of the House GOP has voted against motherhood.

On Wednesday afternoon, the House had just voted, 412-0, to pass H. Res. 1113, "Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day," when Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., rose in protest.

"Mr. Speaker, I move to reconsider the vote," he announced.

Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., a mother of two young daughters, moved to table Tiahrt's request, setting up a revote. This time, 178 Republicans cast their votes against mothers.

It has long been the custom to compare a popular piece of legislation to motherhood and apple pie. Evidently, that is no longer the standard. Worse, Republicans are now confronted with a John Kerry-esque predicament: They actually voted for motherhood before they voted against it.

Republicans, unhappy with the Democratic majority, have been using procedural tactics such as this all week to bring the House to a standstill, but the assault on the mothers may have gone too far. House Minority Leader John Boehner, asked Thursday to explain why he and 177 of his colleagues switched their votes, answered: "Oh, we just wanted to make sure that everyone was on record in support of Mother's Day."



what assholes.

and we wonder why the democratic congress hasnt gotten much done?

Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child. *nods*

Well they are right, but for the wrong reasons. Mother's day is stupid bullshit.

Well they are right, but for the wrong reasons. Mother's day is stupid bullshit.

Why do you say that?

Why do you say that?

Because of demographics. The fact is that over an average lifetime, children today are going to spend far more time, effort and money caring for their parents than their parents will ever put into them.

There should be a national 'sorry we fucked up and saddled you with this Jr. day'.

You can't spell motherfucker without mother. :)

Why does Mother's Day need a congressional resolution anyway? It's not like Hallmark would stop selling cards if they resolution didn't pass.

Because of demographics. The fact is that over an average lifetime, children today are going to spend far more time, effort and money caring for their parents than their parents will ever put into them.

There should be a national 'sorry we fucked up and saddled you with this Jr. day'.Actually, from a demographic point of view, it's the non-mothers and fathers that are fucking it up for everyone.

Why does Mother's Day need a congressional resolution anyway? It's not like Hallmark would stop selling cards if they resolution didn't pass.

It's a touchy feely thing. It's like hanging holiday decorations at work. I think a more interesting question is, why did the resolution need TWO votes? :p

Actually, from a demographic point of view, it's the non-mothers and fathers that are fucking it up for everyone.

How is that? They pay the most taxes in general. someone has to pay for the local schools and medicare.

It's a touchy feely thing. It's like hanging holiday decorations at work. I think a more interesting question is, why did the resolution need TWO votes? :p
Probably a slow, slow time for Congress :p

Actually, from a demographic point of view, it's the non-mothers and fathers that are fucking it up for everyone.

Well true, (actually any woman with less than three kids I suppose). Still those people aren't asking for presents, and it's not as if Mom doesn't expect to be supported in her dotage.

How is that? They pay the most taxes in general. someone has to pay for the local schools and medicare.Not as much as their potential kids would have paid though. But seriously, how that is is quite obvious when you look at population distribution diagrams.

Well true, (actually any woman with less than three kids I suppose). Still those people aren't asking for presents, and it's not as if Mom doesn't expect to be supported in her dotage.

Heh, just a note to the presents comment for Mothers Day. We have a friend that is expecting a present and card from her husband. She thinks taking care of 3 dogs makes her a mother. I just shake my head at it. However there is non mothers out there cashing in.

Not as much as their potential kids would have paid though. But seriously, how that is is quite obvious when you look at population distribution diagrams.

There potential kids could also be a drain on the economy. They could be disabled, criminals that end up in the system or worse yet trailer trash that collects social services without contributing.

How is that? They pay the most taxes in general. someone has to pay for the local schools and medicare.

People with children don't actually pay the most taxes, and they tend to take more from the state. But that's not my point.

Going forward, today's children will incur far higher (ruinous!) marginal rates of taxes to support today's parents in their old age. Especially since demographic crush is going to mean that the worker/retiree ratio is soon going to be at an extremely low level, nevermind the cost of social security/medicare rising above the general rate of inflation.

It's a bad deal for most kids. And one that the current generation in power (teh parents) are not prepared to make any effort to address.

People with children don't actually pay the most taxes, and they tend to take more from the state. But that's not my point.

Going forward, today's children will incur far higher (ruinous!) marginal rates of taxes to support today's parents in their old age. Especially since demographic crush is going to mean that the worker/retiree ratio is soon going to be at an extremely low level, nevermind the cost of social security/medicare rising above the general rate of inflation.

It's a bad deal for most kids. And one that the current generation in power (teh parents) are not prepared to make any effort to address.

I disagree with your first point in the sense as a comparison to a married peer a single person does pay more taxes.

Yes on the second point our future children will be punished for multi generations screwing up finances. Also you may want to read up on the baby boom we are in. I was reading that it was larger than the "baby boomer" generation. Couple that with increased immigration it may soften the blow on a per capita basis.

Each of us can make sure we prepare our children for the future. Some will do it better than others but I know my kids will be fine. I plan on leaving them a fairly substantial sum of money.

There potential kids could also be a drain on the economy. They could be disabled, criminals that end up in the system or worse yet trailer trash that collects social services without contributing.

That goes both ways. I just think the current holiday is an anachronism given a fully developed welfare state for the aged. In days gone by, when parents did contribute more to their children's lives than vice versa, it was appropriate. But we live in an age of reverse generational transfer of wealth, so it seems silly.

There potential kids could also be a drain on the economy. They could be disabled, criminals that end up in the system or worse yet trailer trash that collects social services without contributing.Statistically irrelevant.

That goes both ways. I just think the current holiday is an anachronism given a fully developed welfare state for the aged. In days gone by, when parents did contribute more to their children's lives than vice versa, it was appropriate. But we live in an age of reverse generational transfer of wealth, so it seems silly.

I'm not a parent, so maybe I'm wrong, but I figured there was more to raising kids than just spending money on them.

I disagree with your first point in the sense as a comparison to a married peer a single person does pay more taxes.

Well, what I am saying is that a childless individual will pay a higher marginal rate of tax than a head of household &c. And also will use fewer state services in general.

Each of us can make sure we prepare our children for the future. Some will do it better than others but I know my kids will be fine. I plan on leaving them a fairly substantial sum of money.

I agree there will be individual instances where parents still contribute more than they will ultimately take. But in general, that is not happening. Hence there is no need for a general national day for this kind of thing.

I'm not a parent, so maybe I'm wrong, but I figured there was more to raising kids than just spending money on them.

There is.

Statistically irrelevant.

Maybe if you look at it through a pure statistical analysis.

However if someone does not want to have kids or multiple kids then they can't be forced to. There is plenty of other ways to increase population outside of blaming single individuals for high costs. Really if you want to get down to it the robbing of SSI and medicare for which we all pay into and the runaway costs of healthcare are to blame.

It's a touchy feely thing. It's like hanging holiday decorations at work. I think a more interesting question is, why did the resolution need TWO votes? :p

the republicans have decided to stall congress by doing stupid shit like calling for a revote on mother's day. they MAY have accidentally thought that the 2nd vote was voting on the revote instead of voting on mothers day. in any case its their way of making sure nothing gets done.

Well true, (actually any woman with less than three kids I suppose). Still those people aren't asking for presents, and it's not as if Mom doesn't expect to be supported in her dotage.

Could you possibly be any more bitter?

So don't take care of your parents, no one gives a fuck.

Could you possibly be any more bitter?


I'm trying to surpass you. When I get there I'll stop.

I'm trying to surpass you. When I get there I'll stop.

Meh, I'm caring for my grandparents AND my parents...but you don't hear me weeping in the thread about it.

Maybe if you look at it through a pure statistical analysis.

However if someone does not want to have kids or multiple kids then they can't be forced to. There is plenty of other ways to increase population outside of blaming single individuals for high costs. Really if you want to get down to it the robbing of SSI and medicare for which we all pay into and the runaway costs of healthcare are to blame.Eh? Where'd you read that I advocate anything of the sort?

the republicans in congress are so set on fucking up the current session that they actually voted against a resolution supporting mother's day and motherhood.



what assholes.

and we wonder why the democratic congress hasnt gotten much done?
I want a tax rebate for their salaries for the time they wasted on this bullshit. Dock their goddamned pay for goofing off on the job.

I want a tax rebate for their salaries for the time they wasted on this bullshit. Dock their goddamned pay for goofing off on the job.

oh if only we could. the huge number of stupid resolutions and commendations that get talked about in congress fills many pages of the congressional record. every time a highschool wins the state tournament in any sport, the appropriate congressman announces it on the floor for the record.

oh if only we could. the huge number of stupid resolutions and commendations that get talked about in congress fills many pages of the congressional record. every time a highschool wins the state tournament in any sport, the appropriate congressman announces it on the floor for the record.

Wouldn't it be wonderful? *dreams of a Congress with supervisors watching everyone like hawks with stopwatches*