Damn. I seriously wish that the title of this post was in no way true – but sadly, it is. What the hell am I talking about, you might ask? Let’s start at the start. Joe Miller is not fucking around: Right there in his fundraising emails, he’s announced that his mission is backed by the Lord Almighty himself:
In order for Joe to keep campaigning he needs funds. So far the Lord has always provided the money in this grass roots campaign, and this time God is going to use you to provide!
Provide what, exactly? Provide the end of Social Security:
Asked by King whether it would be fair to say a person born tomorrow might grow up in an America without a federal social security program if Miller had his way, the candidate responded, “Absolutely.”
Miller has said he wants an “orderly transition” away from Social Security, to “privatize” or “personalize” it, while not reducing benefits for anyone who is “currently dependent” on the program.
Referring to Social Security, he told the Anchorage Daily News that “I think in the long run the answer is to get the government out of it, to privatize it.”
He also wants to destroy the rest of our social safety net. Unemployment insurance:
“The unemployment compensation benefits have gotten — first of all, it’s not constitutionally authorized,” Miller, R-Alaska, said on ABC/Washington Post’s “Top Line.” “I think that’s the first thing that’s gotta be looked at, so I do not favor their extension.”
“But out of the gate, Joe, what do you start with? Healthcare?” said Asman.
“Oh, absolutely. Defund it. I mean a repeal would be perfect but obviously that would get vetoed. So defund everything. Get rid of the socialist aspects of government, not just in health care but the other entitlement areas that are driving us into insolvency,” Miller said.
Regarding Medicare, he also wants an “orderly transition” to get the government out of that program as well because “The government has broken everything that it’s had its finger in.”
If you fantasize about living in the Dickensian age, with old folks dying sick and destitute, with society refusing to look out for its most vulnerable members, and with corporations free to do whatever the fuck they please, then you’ll love Joe Miller.
Just in case you don’t, though, then please donate to Scott McAdams. Forty-seven people have already contributed, and we’re less than $800 away from our goal of $2400 (the equivalent of one maximum federal contribution). As we’ve said before, Alaska is a cheap state, and McAdams needs this money. There’s a fanatic on the loose who thinks he’s on a divine mission, and we need to stop him – now.
He’s coming close to beating out Sharron Angle in my book.
Donated, 10 dollars on a student budget (well, after class).
No coffee for a week, but this is worth it. First contribution ever!
But the NBC data has an interesting nugget…
“68% say they’re uncomfortable or have reservations about candidates who — like Sharron Angle or Joe Miller — want to phase out the entitlement program.”
Gotta think SS could well prove to be a silver bullet of sorts in a few races.
Reid Wilson pointed out this morning, “Sen. Chuck Schumer has more than $23m in the bank right now. Top GOP rival has $60k. Bet the DSCC would love some of that cash.”
A million would certainly help in a race like this.
$10 last week when you guys endorsed him. It’s all I can really afford right now, with no income until school starts at the end of this month (and even then, I won’t get paid until the end of October).
If things stand, Miller will beat McAdams 65-35.
If – and rumors still swirl it will happen – if Lisa Murk runs as a Libertarian, it will go 40-40-20. Why? Some of the votes McAdams will get in a head to head will switch to Lisa M.
If I had to bet today, I’d put my money on Lisa Murk somehow being re-elected.
Hell, if Joe Miller had any brains, he’d withdraw and then take Don Young’s House seat in 2 years.