Bobblehead Ben’s propaganda machine

Bobblehead Ben Cline and his congressional staff are budding masters of the propaganda machine. Or maybe it is the House propaganda MAGA-machine that gives them the juice? Anyhow, Bobblehead’s “Sixth District Perspectives” isn’t so much news of interest to all constituents as it is a series of propaganda pieces that would make the Joesph’s… McCarthy and Goebbels… proud.

His recent production included this picture from the propaganda-on-steroids machine known as X. 

I think Bobblehead Ben supported the bipartisan bill originally put forth by the Speaker. Then power-behind-the-throne Elon Musk (followed later in the day by DJT) came out in opposition and the bill fell short of the necessary 2/3s majority (and a simple majority). The “slimmed down” bill passed the next day.

The deception in the picture is grotesque… it implies the CR that passed spends just a fraction of the money as the original. Not true! There are some savings to be sure… but.the major saving was in the number of pages in the bill! Why? Well one item cut was restrictions on pharmacy managers… yep the guys and gals who frequently overcharge and screw over sick Americans. Those restrictions are very technical and required lots of ink… hence a much longer bill.

Also eliminated were certain restrictions of American investments in China that could have serious national security implications. Musk wanted them gone. Cha Ching. Elon should send you a Christmas card, Ben.

Back to Bobblehead Ben. His entire “Perspectives” email was self-serving propaganda. Most casual readers of his communications likely aren’t aware of Ben’s misdirection and deceit. There is very little media in the Shenandoah Valley willing to research and challenge him. So he cultivates an image as a budget hawk and responsible conservative. 

Let’s see how Ben reacts to raising the debt limit next year and to Trump’s likely budget busting spending and tax cuts. 

Elon Punks Trump, Bobblehead Ben, and the American People

A big winner in the passage of the Continuing Resolution was Elon Musk because of the elimination of a provision limiting certain American investments in China. His devious plans for AI and other high tech investments in China will now go unchecked in spite of the astronomical security risks involved. His proximity to Trump gave him this billion dollar bonus in spite of Trump promises to crack down on China both for economic reasons and for national security.

Musk punked both Trump and the Congress and screwed the U.S.A. This is the beginning of a corrupt relationship between the autocratic twins. Are you okay with this corrupt cronyism Bobblehead Ben?

Democrats Save the Clown Caucus (again)

Last evening the House passed a Continuing Resolution to keep the government functioning through March. Almost all Democrats voted yea, saving the U.S. from a government shutdown over the holidays and saving Republicans from their pitiful selves. Ben Cline did the right thing this time voting for the CR.

The mess erupted a couple days ago when shadow president Elon Musk objected to a bipartisan CR. He was then joined by President-in-waiting Donald Trump and that negotiated deal collapsed. Musk (and Trump) notably demanded an increase in the debt ceiling now rather than in mid 2025 when Republicans will have control of the White House along with the House and Senate. That demand was NOT included in the CR that passed setting up an interesting and bitter intra-party fight next year. Chaos averted for Christmas but it isn’t gone for long!

The CR that passed did cut a small amount of dollars from the budget… not budget busting items but very real programs that help the American people. All of this to appease Elon. A few examples (from Bryan Tyler Cohen):

• GABRIELLA MILLER KIDS FIRST RESEARCH ACT 2.0, which provides funding for pediatric cancer research.

• The GIVE KIDS A CHANCE ACT, to provide studies of new cancer drugs

• ACCELERATING ACCESS TO CARE ACT to streamline out-of-state treatment for medically complex kids

• SUPPORT ACT promoting Opioid recovery and treatment

• PANDEMIC AND ALL HAZARDS PREPAREDNESS ACT

• Restrictions on Pharmacy Benefit Managers, who often overcharge patients

Some Republicans (like Bobblehead Ben) will boast of the dollars saved, but in reality the savings is small and the hurt is real. This is foreshadowing the mess we are in for the future… an eccentric billionaire able to control a weak minded (actual) president while corralling a herd of House cats.

We have gotten the government we deserve… chaos theory 101.

Bobblehead Bob and the Clown Caucus

House Speaker Mike Johnson just got punked by the incoming president and his chaos crony, Elon. Give Johnson some credit… he tried to keep the government’s Christmas lights on by working across the isle with a continuing resolution funding the government through early spring. He’d been juggling his clown caucus, which includes the Valley’s own Bobblehead Ben Cline.

Enter President Musk… oh I mean Trump… oh I’m not sure who I mean anymore. They tanked the bipartisan plan that Johnson had juggled over the past weeks and insisted on a new CR that included, among other atrocities, a demand for extending the debit limit. Perhaps this should give all of us pause that, in spite of musk’s and Ramaswamy’s DOGE, the incoming administration will run up the federal debt. Oh yes, the twin sons of different mothers, will try to cut programs that mean much to Shenandoah Valley residents… farm aid, Social Security, Medicare, etc… and call it savings, but their giveaways to the  top tier and their cronies will more than offset any savings. I predict the deficit/debt will soar!

What will The “budget hawk” Bobblehead Ben do? Nothing because when it comes time to stand on principle against Trump, Ben is a chicken hawk. 

Trump and the little devils sitting (shitting) on his shoulders have no plans for fiscal austerity or responsible governance. They offer only chaos, shutdowns, retribution. And Bobblehead Ben concurs. 

Be afraid, very afraid

Donald Trump spoke to the Turning Point Action Believers’ Summit in West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 26. During his speech Trump made his plans to become an authoritarian strongman clear to the extreme Christian nationalist group: “Get out and vote. Just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what: it’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians…. Get out, you’ve got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again, we’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote.”

Holy crap… certainly sounds like Trump is promising a second term would be a Christian nationalist dictatorship where elections don’t matter and our representative democracy dies. What do you think Ben Cline? Are you okay consigning American constitutional democracy to the dust bin of history? But of course you are… you still think the 2020 election was stolen and celebrate the January 6 insurrectionists. Ben you are bobblehead who only knows how to genuflect to the dear leader of your bankrupt party. 

Bobblehead Ben and Ken Mitchell on healthcare

Bobblehead Ben Cline has repeatedly voted against improving healthcare measures that offer huge benefits for constituents. In 2019 he voted against covering preexisting conditions, sustaining the Health Insurance Exchange, and the ability of government to negotiate drug prices. In 2020 Bobblehead Ben continued voting against measures for improving healthcare opportunities for when he voted NO to fund adequate coverage in the ACA.

There is a better way! Ken Mitchell believes healthcare is a human right. Ken supports maintaining the Affordable Care Act, coverage for preexisting conditions, keeping children on parents’ insurance until age 26, no lifetime limit on coverage, and the ability of government to negotiate lower drug prices.

Voters in the 6th District of Virginia… there is a better way! Support Ken Mitchell this November.

Republican Hung Cao is a chicken

Republican Senate candidate Hung Cao bailed out of the Virginia Bar Association debate with Senator Tim Kaine at The Homestead… an event with a long tradition in the Commonwealth’s politics. One wonders why since he should be desperate for name recognition. It appears Hung 🐓 Cao is terrified to answer questions from Virginians like:

Why does he support plans to sunset Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare? These are essential programs for millions of Americans. Yes, they need bipartisan “repairs” the assure future funding and reduce fraud… but you apparently want to end them entirely! 

Why does he support bills that would ban abortion, reduce access to contraception, and interfere with fertility treatments? Wow… the government intruding in women’s health and our bedrooms sounds like a dystopian future for Americans!

Does he support Project 2025 that is designed and promoted by a shadowy network of Christian nationalists and fascists. Project 2025 would take rights from Americans and many see it as a blueprint if Donald Trump is elected

Many speculate the Cao doesn’t want to leave NOVA to visit what he considers to be “podunk” parts of Virginia. He has made it pretty clear that talking face-to-face with Virginians in all parts of the state isn’t a priority for him. That stands in sharp contrast to Senator Kaine who relishes meeting and listening to constituents. Kaine visited Staunton last Saturday and met with an enthusiastic crowd.