Zaius Nation - Some Apes Are More Equal Than Others

Monday, December 11, 2006

Do-Nothing Congress wants to do something: Get out of more work!

With our men and women dying in Iraq, it is puzzling that the Republican controlled 109th Congress could only find time to meet 103 days in 2006. This grueling 3-day-week started on Tuesday afternoons and stretched all the way to Thursday mornings, so they really only worked half-days two days a week. Only 103 days in 2006 - the Washington Post pointed out, "that's seven days fewer than the infamous 'Do-Nothing Congress' of 1948."

Now the Democrats want to go to change everything to a 5 day work week, with less time off for vacation. Don't they realize that the Republican congress has important lobbying to do? Rep. Jack Kingston, (R-Ga) warns that the "The K Street money is going to drift away from us."

All of the Republicans are grumbling about the burden of having to more than sixteen hours a week, but Rep. Kingston seems to be the strongest defender of the previous 3-Day work week that House of Representatives have enjoyed for so many years.

"Keeping us up here eats away at families," Kingston told the Post. "Marriages suffer. The Democrats could care less about families -- that's what this says."

Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) called Kingston's comment "absurd."

That's a big 10-4. Turnip Day came and went for this crowd long ago.

In related news, the Dow Jones has reached record highs after an unexpected boom in tiny violin sales.

Keep in mind this is the same Jack Kingston who doesn’t believe in raising the minimum wage because it would be bad for consumers and the economy. Matthew Fleischer

"I don't know how you can call us 'do nothing,'" outgoing Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-I See Nothing) said. "After all, we got a war going badly, the Constitution's a shambles, the deficit's through the roof, the gulf coast is still a third world country and we've thrown a whole generation in a donut hole. If that's nothing, then I'm a fat old has been with attention deficit disorder. Wait, let me rephrase that." Ironicus Maximus

"But seriously, Jack, it's not too late to quit your House seat in a huff." DownWithTyranny!

But it's all just a big misunderstanding. Rep. Kingston can explain everything! And he does so on his blog:

Surprise! The Washington Post Loves Having Members In Washington!
After just speaking highly of at least the web team over at the WaPo, we have no problem taking a swipe at their editorial today which, (surprise!), intentionally misleads folks about the role of Congress and takes a swipe at Jack personally.

You see, this may surprise you, but when Congress isn’t in session, Capitol Hill reporters and the Washington Post editorial board have a tough time finding/making "news." Getting scooped by any Smalltown Gazette is not going to get folks to buy subscriptions.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that the WaPo editorial board was jumping with glee when Steny Hoyer (D-MD district which borders Washington, DC) announced that "Congress was going to get to work for a change!" kingston.house.gov

The whole thing has been blown out of proportion by the bad old media, because they want him to stay in Washington so they can write about him! The press is just mad because he is a shrinking violet, you see. I am glad that he did not resort to blaming his unwillingness to work a five day work week on the Democrat's evil liberal agenda...Oops! too late...

Kingston: However, and this won’t surprise the "fair and balanced" journalism crowd - there is one line which is so out of place it could only be found on the editorial page of the AJC:

"We could talk about the Republicans’ historic hostility to policies to help working families and their refusal to ease the financial strains on the poorest working households by raising the minimum wage."

Ah yes. That’s right. That’s what this about. This whole discussion has nothing to do with a three or five-day Washington work week, for the AJC edy board, this is about helping push the liberal agenda. kingston.house.gov

Ah, yes indeed! The whole issue can be blamed on liberal, left-wing policies to help working families, which he does not agree with. As a matter of fact, his whole party is against policies to help working families, based on his response. Clearly Rep. Kingston is a man that is not afraid to tell you what a heartless parasite he is. The author of the offending articles, Maureen Downey, also states:

obvious fact that most Americans work five days a week and would be shocked to learn that the congressional week commences late Tuesday and wraps up Thursday afternoon, and that on national holidays, members of Congress take weeks off work rather than a meager day or two.

We could also mention that our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan also have families back home, so it's a little much to hear members of Congress with their $165,000 salaries whine about having to spend five days a week in the hardship assignment of Washington, D.C., with its well-appointed gyms and lobbyist-funded golf outings. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

But Rep. Kingston can explain it all in style!

"Serving in Congress is actually a 60-70 hour a week, two-part job. The first, and more visible of the two, is legislative and D.C.-based. It involves voting for legislation, debate, Committee and Caucus work, etc. – the stuff you see on C-SPAN. But the other major part of the job which often goes unnoticed is working with the lobbyists – listening, learning, maximizing profits and making the corporations happy. Oh, and you have to go to these events that make it look like you are honoring vetrans and listening to the public and stuff." (Or something like that. I'm paraphrasing here.) Political Punch

Remeber the presidential debates between Kerry and Bush? "It's Hard work!"

Rep. Kingston is also on YouTube, explaing that nobody in congress will answer his calls, so he has to get his message to them via the tubes on the internets! (The fact that no one will return his calls might mean something...)

His message? "I believe, as you believe, that America is too great a country to leave in the hands of a Democratic congress."

Yup. The record of the Republican congress was just so good for that last few years that a change in leadership is just gosh darn scary as the dickens. He also wants you to know that the "The K Street money is going to drift away from us." Why worry about legislation when all of that lobbying money is in peril?

Via wonkette, "Kingston For Student Council Secretary!"

youtube.com: Jack Kingston for Republican Conference Chairman

Rep. Kingston's blog is lots of fun to read! I enjoyed this bit because I thought that of all of the matters that would concern his constituents in Georgia, the Dixie Chick were sure to be on the top of everyones list. That is the kind of leadership this country needs - the kind of leadership with lots and lots and lots of time on their hands. Enough time to blog away about, say, the Dixie Chicks!

Now before the First Amendment posts pile in, let me say that I am a 100% supporter of freedom of speech. I’m not bothered that the Chicks keep criticizing President Bush, patriotism, country music fans and even Reba McIntyre, although I disagree with them. kingston.house.gov

The Dixie Chicks criticize patriotism?

What bothers me about the Chicks and other singers and actors who criticize the President, is that after they say their peace, they act as if they’ve done something brave and should be held up as some kind of hero. Well, last time I checked, the Bush administration isn’t hauling these people before congressional committees or shutting down recording and movie companies. So tell me again why they consider themselves so brave? kingston.house.gov

So somehow the Dixie Chicks "act brave," and he does not like that because the president has not directly threatened them or their parent companies. You can put this is the X-Files under "Please explain to me the scientific nature of the 'whammy.'"

MULDER: Modell psyched the guy out. He put the whammy on him.

SCULLY: Please explain to me the scientific nature of the "whammy."

Classic strawman argument, he just accused the Dixie Chicks of doing some some vague, ill-defined thing that he could criticize, and then criticized it. Woo-hoo. As far as the president targeting people for special treatment, Mr. Kingston could start by looking here: [ 1, 2, 3 ]

Why not contact jack and tell him what a swell job he's doing!

Washington Office
2242 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5831
Fax: (202) 226-2269

Savannah Office
1 Diamond Causeway, Suite 7
Savannah, GA 31406
Phone: (912) 352-0101
Fax: (912) 352-0105

Baxley Office
P.O. Box 40
Baxley, GA 31515
Phone: (912) 367-7403
Fax: (912) 367-7404

Brunswick Office
805 Gloucester St.
Room #304
Brunswick, GA 31520
Phone: (912) 265-9010
Fax: (912) 265-9013

(Mailing Address)
P.O. Box 5264
Valdosta, GA 31603-5264
Email:Jack.Kingston@mail.house.gov