Ned Ryun...crazier than his dad?

If you're interested in right-wing conspiracy theorist nutjobs and their blogs, I highly suggest Jim Ryun's son Ned's blog. He's no Brian Brown, but sometimes I think he figures the best contribution he can make to his father's campaign is proving that Jim isn't the crazy one in the family.

BoydaBloc yesterday had a humorous bit about Ned lamenting people who just can't keep themselves out of the limelight (like his dad), and now we have this.

Why don’t you (GOP members of Congress) police yourself better so that the Foleys and Cunninghams don’t get hung around every members neck?

A fair sentiment, but perhaps this "policing" should include keeping ideologues like Jim Ryun out of Congress. After all, Foley was legitimately hung around Jim's neck in 2006 after it came out that the two were neighbors on D Street (remember, the sweetheart townhouse that Jim still calls home) and even held a joint fund raiser in May 2006.



You'd think Ned would remember this event, since he played such a prominent role in it.

Rep. Jim Ryun (R-Kan.) was a late addition to the block party, dishing out coffee and black-and-white mousse cake to complete the guests’ culinary journey. Ryun’s wife, Anne, and son Ned stayed away from pricey planners to give the night a touch of the congressman’s folksy charm, including red- and blue-frosted elephant cookies handmade by a constituent.

“It’s very warm and inviting to have people into your home rather than in a public meeting place,” Anne Ryun said. “Among the congressional families, we do a lot of getting together among ourselves.”

Though Ryun's campaign first attempted to distance themselves from the pedophile Foley, they would later change their tune.

You know what though, crazy as he is, we can't help but agree with Ned on this one. We also wish the GOP leadership in Washington would keep better watch of the flock. But re-electing Jim Ryun would be putting fox in charge of the hen house.

Bush Tax Cuts: Middle-class vs. Millionaires

It's Tax Day! Do you know where your obligatory "Democrats want to take all of your money" Kansas GOP email is?

Thaaaaaat's right. It's time for Republicans to beat their chests and get red in the face and start screaming about how Democrats are voting for the largest tax increase in the history of time.

Which is, of course, a lie.

For starters, those tax cuts don't really help the majority of us. This report from Citizens for Tax Justice explains how the Bush tax cuts provide little benefit for the middle-class, and instead benefit the top 1% of Americans. CTJ writes:

The Bush tax cuts provide extremely wealthy families with vast benefits. The richest one percent of families will get an average tax cut of $92,000 in 2010, including cuts in income and estate taxes. The average income for families in the top one percent will be $1.6 million in 2010, and yet, the President and his allies in Congress have showered the most generous tax cuts on these fortunate families.

Meanwhile, the poorest 60 percent will get only 12-15 percent of the total tax cuts.

And just what has been the result of Bush's "historic tax cuts" (for rich people)?

(A) Skyrocketing national debt
(B) Flailing economy
(C) Low consumer confidence
(D) Reduction in domestic services
(D) All of the above

So, thank you, Kansas GOP - for taking the time to remind us why you can't be trusted when it comes to the economy. Hey, at least you people are consistent.

Tiahrt to Congress: Hire a lawyer

The Honorable Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) advised his fellow members of Congress to seek legal representation as the body passed a bill creating an independent panel to investigate alleged ethics violations committed by members of Congress.

His now infamous quote: "If you have a single ounce of self-preservation, you will vote no.”

Is it really all that far-fetched to think that members of Congress might not be the most qualified people to investigate...themselves?

How can you possibly be opposed to independent investigations if you (and/or your political allies) have nothing to hide?

Good thing we've got a great candidate running against him in Sen. Donald Betts. Maybe we can finally kick Tiahrt's crooked but to the curb.