Slog
News & ArtsMonday, January 16, 2012
2012 Hey Newt, I could Use Some Help Hauling My Soggy Carpet to the Dump
Posted by Goldy on Mon, Jan 16, 2012 at 4:46 PM
Speaking at a Rally for Homeownership last week in South Carolina, Republican presidential hopeful (and former Freddie Mac "consultant") Newt Gingrich went after the liberal, mass-transit-riding, renting elite, or something:
“Those who, you know, live in high-rise apartment buildings writing for fancy newspapers in the middle of town after they ride the metro, who don’t understand that for most Americans the ability to buy a home, to have their own property, to have a sense of belonging is one of the greatest achievements of their life, and it makes them feel like they are good solid citizens,” he told the crowd.
Well, if Newt wants to feel like a good solid citizen, perhaps he should come over to my house and help me clean out my fucking basement. Yes sir, I'm living the American dream.
You know, there are pros and cons to homeownership. But defending homeownership by branding mass-transit-riding renters as some sort of fancy elite? Really, Newt? What's next... demanding that the working poor pay their fare share?
1
come on, goldy - you know he meant liberal high-rise CONDO owners. they just don't understand "most americans".
2
@1, No, I don't know that. "Apartments" are rentals. Besides, if you meant condo, well, they're homeowners too. So what would be the point of differentiating?
4
So my inability to afford a house (I rent) and inability to afford to buy a car (so I use public transit) makes me the fucking elite?
5
Next time I'm waiting for a bus in the rain, at least I'll feel better knowing Newt Gingrich thinks I think I'm better than him.
6
Why don't you ask some sports fans, Goldy? There must be a lot around Slog, and I hear they're really fit :P
8
Yes sir, whenever I'm on the bus, I look around myself and think, 'These people? They are society's elite.' And it is all their fault.
The homeless guy with a lockbox tucked under his arm that might well hold all his net worth? He's out of touch.
The 20-somethings in worn clothes evidently on their way to the sort of low-paying job a partial high school education got them? Stifling the American dream.
The elderly, immigrants, minorities? They just don't get it.
Thank GOD we have Newt here to remind us all what the real order of things is.
The homeless guy with a lockbox tucked under his arm that might well hold all his net worth? He's out of touch.
The 20-somethings in worn clothes evidently on their way to the sort of low-paying job a partial high school education got them? Stifling the American dream.
The elderly, immigrants, minorities? They just don't get it.
Thank GOD we have Newt here to remind us all what the real order of things is.
9
@#4
He's a bit muddled in his throwing of red meat to the masses. "Fancy Newspapers" is the elite, "ride the metro" is poor inner-city black folks. "high-rise apartments" cuts both ways (Manhattan penthouses and tower-style public housing), as does "middle of town".
The main thing is that either way, when addressing a party base of rural rednecks who get nervous when they see a four-story building or a hybrid car, it means "them".
He's a bit muddled in his throwing of red meat to the masses. "Fancy Newspapers" is the elite, "ride the metro" is poor inner-city black folks. "high-rise apartments" cuts both ways (Manhattan penthouses and tower-style public housing), as does "middle of town".
The main thing is that either way, when addressing a party base of rural rednecks who get nervous when they see a four-story building or a hybrid car, it means "them".
11
I bought my house two years ago, and yes, I'm thrilled beyond belief to be a homeowner. And the only way I was able to do it was through the help of the USDA's Rural Development program. Thanks, Federal Government! So much for government being the problem and not the solution!
13
@11 The difference between you and the typical Republican voter is that when you benefit from a federal program, you thank the government.
14
Goldy, do you really need help hauling the wet carpet from your plumbing disaster to the dump? I will be making my twice-annual run to the county dump soon, and I may have room for your carpet. You buy the beer, of course.
16
@2: I think I've heard New Yorkers talk about buying apartments. This could be an east coast/west coast thing, maybe...?
17
"Newt Gingrich, on the campaign trail today, employed social shame in a bid to boost consumerism, personal debt, and by extension, the American economy. This represented the most blatant Republican attempt to increase mindless consumer burden since G.W. Bush and D. Cheney's infamous 'Keep Shopping' plea in the wake of September 11th."
18
@16: coop apartments as just one example. No one refers to them as condos. But yeah, just like San Franciscans rent or own flats, New Yawkers and others on the east buy apartments.
19
You know, there are pros and cons to homeownership.
True. While I like having a house, one of the cons is asshole neighbors with their constantly barking dogs. It should be legal to shoot them. The people, not the dogs.
True. While I like having a house, one of the cons is asshole neighbors with their constantly barking dogs. It should be legal to shoot them. The people, not the dogs.
20
Yeah, if he thinks that users of mass transit are the swanky elite, he's clearly never ridden on the CTA Green Line. Or possibly any train line.
21
@2: "apartments" mean rentals. newt was attempting to attack urban liberal elites who can't understand the heartland, so he meant condos as they're, yes, "homeowners". but not the right kind of homeowners. the right kind are suburban and rural homeowners. who drive cars everywhere. as opposed to "the metro".
also, he's an asshole. it's just dog whistling anti-intellectualism. which is ironic as he fancies himself an intellectual.
also, he's an asshole. it's just dog whistling anti-intellectualism. which is ironic as he fancies himself an intellectual.
22
If you live in a "high-rise apartment building," whether as renter or owner, you're probably doing pretty well financially. Newt's just engaging in the kind of class warfare that's safe for Republicans.
24
Newt went on to say that wage slavery helps people to feel free and being forced to carry unwanted children helps women feel loved.
And then he was hit by a fucking truck.
And then he was hit by a fucking truck.
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
Hating People Doesn't Make Them Thinner by Jen Graves
-
Los Angeles Gay Bar Bans Bachelorette Parties Until Marriage Equality Is Attained by David Schmader
-
Fill in the Blank by Grant Brissey
-
This Reminds Me of the Great Calculator Scare of the Late '70s/Early '80s by David Schmader
-
Idiot Tries to Defend Bigoted Anti-Gay-Marriage Preacher on Anderson Cooper by Paul Constant
-
Six Moms with Too Much Time on Their Hands and a Shitty Website Decide to Fight Gay Superheroes by Paul Constant
-
What the Hell Is Wrong With Seattle's Pride Parade? by Dominic Holden
-
The Saturday Morning News by Unpaid Intern
-
Why Mayor McGinn's Wife Canceled Her Family's Seattle Times Subscription by Eli Sanders
-
The Sunday Morning News by Unpaid Intern
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (24) RSS