Where are the ding dang jobs?
Further demonstrating that Republicans have no interest in putting Americans back to work, and that any forward progress on the economy and jobs front is being thwarted by a bunch of Norquist-loving Dominionist hypocrites, today, Eric Cantor plans to bring to the floor for a vote a non-binding resolution that affirms that the current national motto — “In God We Trust” — is, like, seriously the national motto, you guys, so don’t even try to pretend it’s not:
Republicans may be trying to focus their messaging on jobs and the economy — and hammering President Barack Obama for campaigning — but they still have time for some red meat base-baiting on the House floor.
To wit: House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (Va.) decision to bring to the floor a measure that “reaffirms ‘In God We Trust’ as the official motto of the United States and supports and encourages the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions,” according to the resolution, sponsored by Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.).
The resolution is one of three measures being considered by the House on Tuesday and is nonbinding.
Cantor’s office declined to comment for this story.
Democrats ridiculed the decision to bring up the measure.
“The last time we checked, ‘In God We Trust’ is the national motto of the United States, adopted in 1956, and China was still getting off scot-free while Republican House leaders refuse to bring up a bipartisan bill to level the playing field for American workers,” said Nadeam Elshami, spokesman for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.).
“How hard is it for the Republican leadership to reaffirm its commitment to the middle class by allowing a vote on the bipartisan China currency legislation that will create more than 1 million jobs? Apparently, they’re just too busy,” Elshami added.
In a statement, Forbes defended bringing the bill to the floor, arguing that Congress needs to directly confront “a disturbing trend of inaccuracies and omissions, misunderstandings of church and state, rogue court challenges, and efforts to remove God from the public domain by unelected bureaucrats.”
Forbes points to a number of instances that are driving the need for the bill, including Obama referring to E Pluribus Unum as “our” motto and omission of the motto from parts of the Capitol Visitor Center, among others.
“As our nation faces challenging times, it is appropriate for Members of Congress and our nation — like our predecessors — to firmly declare our trust in God, believing that it will sustain us for generations to come,” he added.
What the hell is this? The opening shot in the War on Christmas?
First, the notion that the Republican Party (Eric Cantor, specifically) trusts in God is a joke. Remember, this is the guy who essentially told those who suffered damage as a result of the tornados and earthquakes this summer to suck it up. (See here, here, and here). This is also the guy who — on September 11 — insisted on 40% cuts to first responders.
Second, if Dominionism doesn’t scare you, it should:
- Dominionists celebrate Christian nationalism, in that they believe the United States once was, and should again be, a Christian nation. In this way, they deny the Enlightenment roots of American democracy.
- Dominionists promote religious supremacy, insofar as they generally do not respect the equality of other religions, or even other versions of Christianity.
- Dominionists endorse theocratic visions, believing that the Ten Commandments, or “biblical law,” should be the foundation of American law, and that the U.S. Constitution should be seen as a vehicle for implementing Biblical principles.
And finally, these challenging times call for more than wasting time and taxpayer money on pointless and unnecessary nonbinding resolutions. What would be appropriate during these “challenging times” would be to tax the rich and create some motherlovin’ jobs. I know Christians think God is our “Creator” so maybe these God-fearing Republicans could get Him on the line and ask him to be a Job Creator — because that would really help right about now.
As it stands, we’re all going to hell in a handbasket, but hey! — at least the handbasket will be made in China and stamped “In God We Trust.”
It’s like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a job.
[cross-posted at Angry Black Lady Chronicles]
Commenting at Balloon Juice since 1937
I prayed to God for a pony and didn’t get one. F’ her.
West of the Cascades
This is beyond stupid even by House Republican standards because the premise is demonstrably false. God, as pushed by these people, emphatically is “in” the public domain. And to the extent he’s not there as much as they would like, re-endorsing a motto that is has been held constitutional only because it has become largely devoid of religious meaning isn’t going to do much to advance their purpose. So it’s not only based on a lie, but it would be pointless even if they were correct in their premise.
It’s pretty ironic …
Dan
I’m partial to “Fuck You, Eric Cantor” as our National Motto.
Warren Terra
Speaking as an Atheist Jew, who has long feared the Christianists, I must say that it’s a nice touch that the Republicans have their only Jew in Congress taking point on this excrescence. What is the Jewish/Christian version of “Uncle Tom”, anyway?
cleek
wedge
Yevgraf
I’m coming to think that it is a real shame that we emerged as the strongest nation after the cold war.
A Soviet victory would have driven all this foolishness out during the time of re-education camps and active (and necessary) suppression of strong religious statements.
The Republic of Stupidity
Let’s just all hope that this god we’re all supposed to trust in likes us better than he, or she, liked Tim Tebow on Sunday…
drazzil
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;…”
Republicans love the constitution. Except this part. Why couldn’t we start the amendments with the 2nd. Now that is an amendment.
Democrats should propose we change the language to “In Allah We Trust”
Belafon (formerly anonevent)
But all it takes is an executive order to override this. Someone said so yesterday.
Moonbatting Average
@cleek: Pretty weak sauce, as wedges go. All the House Dems have to do is unanimously vote for it, then get back to trying to look marginally less odious than the Repubs.
Belafon (formerly anonevent)
@Yevgraf: Actually, a Soviet victory would have meant that the people would have learned where building giant church buildings fits in trying to live from day to day. So much closer to Jesus.
Paul in KY
@Warren Terra: You tell us (the Jewish version, anyway).
MTiffany
I thought our national motto was ‘E pluribus unum?’
@Warren Terra:
Congressman Cantor.
Yutsano
@Warren Terra:
Judenrat. If the Godwin fits…
Mike G
This is a wingnut dog-whistle I’ve heard before from my teatard relatives.
Apparently Obama gave a speech a couple years ago in which he stated/implied that E Pluribus Unum was a motto, or the motto, of the US, and the wingnutosphere freaked out because he wasn’t worshipping Murkan Jeebus vigorously enough and Proving He’s a Sekrit Mooslim by failing to honor ‘In God We Trust’.
Brachiator
I love playing dominoes. What’s scary about it?
As for these religious dopes, they are little more than a fringe on the marginal edge of nuttiness.
The Snarxist Formerly Known as Kryptik
Fixed that fer ya.
But lets not forget, Obama said that ‘E Pluribus Unum’ was our National Motto, thus exposing his wish to erase God from this country, so this resolution is immediate and necessary. What kind of heathen are you worried about jobs when the very MORAL FABRIC OF THIS COUNTRY IS AT STAKE?!
Judas Escargot
Cantor is just trying to protect Americans from atheists, who are the REAL fundamentalists!
artem1s
OFF should be our new national motto. at least that’s what’s on my mind whenever I hear the latest asshattery from the GOP.
also.too.Nancy Smash! and her spokesperson!
SensesFail
@drazzil:
This.
When it comes to the Bible, the Constitution, and empirical reality, religious conservatives apply one strategy to side-step the numerous contradictions that arise from their beliefs and arguments: Pick-and-Choose.
Villago Delenda Est
“In superstitious bullshit we trust”
I hate these fucking primitives.
MTiffany
@artem1s:
How about “99 problems but a bitch ain’t one” ?
The Moar You Know
It is not lost on the public that Congress is doing nothing in the face of 20% unemployment.
How it will play out I don’t know. But even the willfully blind are seeing it now.
neil
I envision a day when crosses will come down off all the Christian churches and be replaced by giant dollar signs.
Paul in KY
@Dan: Put it in latin & it would sound/read great!
The Snarxist Formerly Known as Kryptik
@The Moar You Know:
The problem isn’t that people aren’t seeing Congress doing jack all.
The problem is ‘both sides same thing’. Congress as a whole gets shit on when the GOP and a few fucking stupid Blue Dogs hold the Legislative Branch hostage because god forbid people with $1 mil annual income get their marginal taxes raised even half a fucking percentage point.
Paul in KY
@MTiffany: Once again, put that in latin & it would look great on a flag or seal (the non swimming kind).
gnomedad
@drazzil:
Clarified.
cleek
@Moonbatting Average:
the self-proclaimed lefty base will shit themselves in fury, if Obama was to sign such a thing.
ericblair
@SensesFail:
To be fair, the Bible and the Constitution are difficult to read when you’re waving them in people’s faces and thumping the table with them. They move too fast and make you nauseous.
BruceFromOhio
If they added “All others pay cash” I’d vote for it.
@Dan: Word, yo.
Baron Jrod of Keeblershire
E pluribus unum is clearly communist. Far better that we should adapt a motto which affirms our refusal to take responsibility for our own destiny in favor of letting our imaginary friend take care of business. What other position would you expect from the party of personal responsibility?
Oh, and isn’t it nice that an article that describes what the Republicans are doing instead of passing a jobs bill helpfully assures us that Republicans are, in fact, focused on jobs and the economy. Sure, no evidence of this is brought to bear, but it must be true!
SensesFail
Of course, religious conservatives will argue that this is a “Christian nation”, so paying our respects to the Christian God – and to our (fictional) history – is expected.
There is an “historian” who is a buddy of Glenn Beck (I can’t recall his name) who is probably the most prominent advocate of the “Christian nation” BS.
I watched a part of one of his lectures one time, and his arguments were just awful. I distinctly remember him arguing that since one or more of The Founders signed-off letters with some phrase including the word “God”, this acts as strong evidence that supports the religiosity of The Founders argument.
The sign-off was simply a convention, just as saying “god bless you” when someone sneezes is.
Pathetic.
gnomedad
If we’re going to play this stupid game, can the Dems add a rider re-affirming the First Amendment? Seriously.
R. Porrofatto
This is a jobs bill. Investors want to be assured that we don’t place our trust in mere concepts of smart economic policy. So what this bill does is remove uncertainty about our magical thinking so the job creators can feel comfortable swindling some of the most gullible folks on earth.
MTiffany
@gnomedad: You can’t take a stand on principle if you don’t have any principles. Or balls.
Belafon (formerly anonevent)
Is there a term for those who follow Paul’s teachings instead of Jesus’? And yes, I’m looking for something more specific than Christian and more encompassing than Baptist.
Svensker
@Belafon (formerly anonevent):
Christians. Folks who believe in Jesus’s gospels but not the Pauline additions are Jehovah’s Witnesses, who are not considered Christian by mainline Christian churches because J.W.’s don’t accept the New Testament.
ETA: Although of course Christians follow Christ’s teachings as well as Christ’s teachings as preached by Paul. I don’t believe there’s a strictly Pauline church.
Baron Jrod of Keeblershire
@Belafon (formerly anonevent): Asshole?
required
The motto “In God we trust” was coined in 1864 by Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase. Yes, the guy the bank is named for. Chase Bank, the one that charges you a usurious 30% interest on your credit card.
Banksterism, God, and Mammon all wrapped up together. It’s perfect. One could say, priceless.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_God_We_Trust
Special Patrol Group
Who’s “we,” easily manipulated sky fairy believer?
Llelldorin
E pluribus unum was a fabulous motto that accurately reflects what America is, at its best.
The problem is that Repbulicans aren’t crazy about the whole “from many” thing. They’d use “Ein Volk, Ein Reich” if they thought they could get away with it. (They reserve “Ein Entscheider” for when they have the Presidency. Apologies if the German is off–my German doesn’t extend much beyond half-assed translation of German-language mathematics.)
geg6
Personally, I would prefer “in dog we trust.”. At least dogs actually exist and are much more trustworthy than that asshole these Christians pray to.
ed drone
@SensesFail:
Actually, the sign-off was pre-printed on the document, which was an international naval permit of some kind, and the phrase was on it because the Dutch insisted on it (God-damned Calvinist City-States anyway!). And it was Jefferson who signed the forms, which, to Beck’s little friend’s way of thinking, meant that Thomas Jefferson was a Primitive Baptist or some such.
Idjuts!
Ed
The Snarxist Formerly Known as Kryptik
@ed drone:
Ugh…Calvinism…I will never forgive John Calvin for the odious nugget of catechism that is Predestination, considering how the idea (in the form of Social Darwinism or otherwise) has poisoned this country.
Origuy
@SensesFail:
David Barton.
scav
Think of it this way: Which do we trust and/or believe in more, God or Congress?
Well, “more” as measured strictly on the negative side of number line. I can think of some really strong evidence as to which of the two entities is actively trying to bring down the country at the moment.
scav
@scav: Possible Bumper Sticker Version
Rome Again
@Belafon (formerly anonevent):
Paulists.
Chris
Partly related: PJTV has an article up about how Objectivism and Christianity are actually totally compatible. Fantastic shit, it is.
Living proof that “anyone who worships a trinity and calls his religion monotheism will believe anything if you give him enough time to rationalize it.”
Rome Again
The national motto was already reaffirmed in the 107th Congress on November 13, 2002 (sorry, I originally said 2007). Why do they need to do this again? Jesus Christ, I’m getting sick of these people! Where are the freakin’ jobs?
Rome Again
@Chris:
Truer words were never spoken. :P
ET
Typical thing for GOPers to do. When shit is going down they propose frothy BS legislation in the hopes no one notices they are fiddling while “rome” burns.
Son of Prog
I’m a little late to the party on this one, but I’ve got a pretty good idea for a new motto:
In Jobs We Trust
Though I guess Steve Jobs kind of obfuscates this.
THE
I prefer:
Not Sure
@Moonbatting Average: Of course, I would deny them unanimous consent in order to see just how much legislative time they are willing to waste on In God We Trust, then vote for it unanimously. By recorded, not voice vote.
And then Democratic opponents can point out just how many days were spent on it next year.
Karen
@Warren Terra:
Uncle Moishe?
trixie larue
Well, thank god that’s settled, because it’s been holding up working on solving everything else. And if we can’t trust in god, then who is there? So, you see, it’s for the best. I hope it was a bipartisan vote. That’s real progress. Next, we’ll tax the rich and then the jobs will begin.
Raka
@Svensker: “Folks who believe in Jesus’s gospels but not the Pauline additions are Jehovah’s Witnesses, who are not considered Christian by mainline Christian churches because J.W.’s don’t accept the New Testament.”
Um, no. Not even close. JW’s don’t accept the Trinity, and have their own preferred translation of the Bible (which differs from all the other translations in ways that are of interest only to the devout and the pedantic). But they have essentially same New Testament as most everyone else and “accept” it all with more determination than most. They’re very fond of Paul; the entire organizational structure is taken from his letters. And they’re HUGE fans of quoting 2Tim3:16 (“all scripture is inspired of God”) to say that all of the Bible, including the letters (and, recursively enough, that very verse), are divinely authored and infallible.
It’s been a few years since I was door-knockin’, but not enough that I’ve forgotten and certainly not enough for that to have changed. There are a number of doctrinal and structural idiosyncrasies that get them excluded by the mainline churches, ranging from the trivial to the bizarre. But they don’t add or remove scripture from the standard canon, and they don’t call mulligans on any of it.
Tehanu
@Warren Terra:
Sonderkommando. As Yutsano says, Godwin away.
Paul in KY
@Belafon (formerly anonevent): ‘Fake Christians’