Quote from the Right

Fascinating quote from Grover Norquist: "The goal is to reduce the size and scope of government spending, not to focus on the deficit." (from Washington Monthly).

Oh. That makes sense.

And in case you thought that the rise in gas prices had something to do with the unrest in the Middle East, this Senate Repub will set you right:

"A lot of people are saying that the gas prices that are going up are a result, partially, of what's happening over there. That isn't the real problem," said Republican Senator James Inhofe, his party's senior member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and a climate change skeptic.

Inhofe said that "the real problem" was President Barack Obama's efforts to enact a cap-and-trade plan to curb emissions of greenhouse gases blamed by scientists for global warming.

Yes, yes. I can see the point of that.

And as for why we should continue to give subsidies of your money to those wonderful folks who raised your gas prices:

So Karl pushed further, asking if there was any credible threat of major oil companies going out of business if they stopped receiving taxpayer subsidies. "Over time if you put so many disincentives against any U.S. manufacturing or production company, or oil and gas exploration company, they'll go out of business," Barton said.

Pressed further on whether he has trouble defending subsidies to an oil industry that's already enjoying enormous profits, Barton said the money we throw at them is acceptable "so long as you believe that you believe in the free market capitalist system."

Hope you remember this the next time you fill up your tank and recall that, as always in the past, the spike will mean that oil companies make record breaking profits. And don't worry. Your Repubs in the Congress have steadfastly refused to help balance the budget by cutting these subsidies.

Which, oddly, brings us back to Grover Norquist.

And this just in. David Brooks, who before he retreated into the theoretical world of brain science used to be a political commentator, has this to say about presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich:

"I wouldn't let that guy run a 7-Eleven, let alone a country."

I would say he was probably misquoted, but I actually watched Brooks say this on a video.

In case you are concerned that a white supremacist has been arrested for the latest terrorist act, don't worry. Rep. King is already busy investigating .. the Islamic community for terrorist acts.

Isn't he the guy who supports the IRA?