Michele Bachmann: "We're Running Out Of Rich People In This Country"

In an interview with a conservative talk show host, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has once again embarrassed herself. Posted by the blog Dump Bachmann and picked up by the MN Progressive Project, the clip has the Minnesota Republican telling KLTK's Chris Baker that she opposes she stimulus because we're "running out of rich people in this country."

Steve Benen organizes some more of the stupidity:

* ACORN is "under federal indictment for voter fraud," but the stimulus bill nevertheless gives ACORN "$5 billion." (In reality, ACORN is not under federal indictment and isn't mentioned in the stimulus bill at all.)

* many members of Congress have "a real aversion to capitalism."

* the stimulus bill includes a measure to create a "rationing board" for health care, and after the bill becomes law, "your doctor will no longer be able to make your healthcare decisions with you."

* the recovery package is part of a Democratic conspiracy to "direct" funding away from Republican districts, so Democratic districts can "suck up" all federal funds. Bachmann doesn't think this will work because, as she put it, "We're running out of rich people in this country."

* the "Community-Organizer-in-Chief" is also orchestrating a conspiracy involving the Census Bureau, which the president will use to redraw congressional lines to keep Democrats in power for up to "40 years." When the host said he was confused, noting that congressional district lines are drawn at the state level, Bachmann said Obama's non-existent plan is an "anti-constitutional move."

Listen to the audio:

Comments

[ProudDem46]

09:12 AM on 02/23/2009

There is a local paper in MN (Not in Bachmann's district but many suppoters just the same) where people with some very, extreme,fringe right wing and very hatefull attitudes toward moderates and liberals! They post the most interesting (frightening) opinions on their website. If you would like to visit this site for entertainment value you can visit it at www.pineandlakes.com and read the opinion section. Please feel free to post your views and responses! The moderates and liberals are pretty well outnumbered there!

Here in MN. we sent men like Humphrey and Mondale to serve in Washington. Now we have sent to congress representing a district of good, down to earth hard working albeit misguided people,Michelle Bachmann who at the very least is a polarizing figure. Thank goodness we have people with common sense to send Amy Klobochar!

[hoodie]

03:16 PM on 02/21/2009

Does this woman work overtime to sound like such and idiot or does it just come naturally? I say we withhold stimulus $$$ from this district and they can eat her....ewwwww!

[Ivyacious]

03:59 PM on 02/23/2009

I concur! This woman is completly off the grid. I have never witness such STUPIDITY! It is embarrassing to be known as a woman. Please somene take her to Alaska and let Palin shoot her to end the saga of stupid women. I urge everyone NOT to listen to their rhectic. There are intelligent civic minded female politicians such as Hutchinson and CLinton. Please do not judge all women politicians on the misbehavior of these Al Sharpton wannabees! They are simply saying the shocking to get the press/media attention. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Rj Petrucci]

02:55 PM on 02/21/2009

Keep telling yourself that - sorry no - it was an unregulated system abused by the greedy that wiped out the country then and now.

The mindset of you type is pathetic and base on an aversion to collective responsibility and action = and of course the taxes to support a government. Greed - same as it ever was. If the wealthy and corporate interested did not destroy America every time they deregulate and consolidate I would consider your BS -- but since the rich rape and pillage America every time they get a chance -- the lie is just too obvious.

[ArmyCentrist]

02:44 PM on 02/21/2009

Is she honestly still talking about ACORN? Like, really?

[dzuh]

02:27 PM on 02/21/2009

Oh, Miss Bachmann, you do prattle on so...

[Marmann]

02:02 PM on 02/21/2009

Are we still spending 10 BILLION DOLLARS A MONTH on the "war" against Iraq?

Gee, that 10 BILLION DOLLARS A MONTH would certainly help a lot.

[Chubbster]

02:20 PM on 02/22/2009

Yes indeed, we just piss it away in our endeavor to see if we can top the already accounted for 1,000,000 dead Iraqi innocent civilians. A person believing in karma might think this alone is enough of the bad stuff to destroy our country.
The figure is more like 15 billion a month.

[AprilPA]

01:51 PM on 02/21/2009

"your doctor will no longer be able to make your healthcare decisions with you.""

Ms. Bachmann, my doctor already can't make healthcare decisions with me because like 50 million other Americans I cannot afford insurance or get insurance because of a pre-existing medical condition to see my doctor. But Ms. Bachmann couln't give a d a m n about the 50 million Americans not fortunate enough to see a doctor as long as she is getting healthcare.

[gi]

01:05 PM on 02/21/2009

Your point is we cannot tax the rich.

[Chubbster]

02:25 PM on 02/22/2009

It's a great slogan, tax the rich, but if you go to the NTU.org site you will find that the top 5% AGI already pay 70% of the income taxes. It's not as if the rich were not being taxed. To think the "rich" are getting a free ride is a leftist fantasy. It's a mistake to let envy or mob consciousness shape your reality. Unless that's the extent of your mental capacity.

[ReasonableGuy]

02:19 AM on 03/02/2009

You will also find that the wealthiest pay a lower percentage of their income in taxes. Warren Buffett challenged Forbes 400 executives to show that they pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than the receptionists at their companies. He bet them $1 million (payable to charity) that they could not. He has not had to pay.

A rightest fantasy is that each rich person made it on their own. That they did it without making use of the resources of this country, its people, infrastructure and educational system. That the wealthiest owe the rest nothing more than the jobs they create. (Trickle down Econ. 101.) Or so goes the rightest fantasy.

No wealthy person makes it on their own. At least not honestly (eg. B. Madoff). All benefit by other people and systems created and supported by the people. All benefit by a judicial system which will enforce contracts. All benefit by a tax system that favors income earned by gambling in the stock market over income earned by twisting a wrench. All benefit by public schools that educate their employees, customers, and the taxpayers that pay for the infrastructure and support systems they use.

Would B. Gates not have built Microsoft if his marginal tax rate had been 5 or 10% higher?

The rich have will not be soaked. But maybe, just maybe, they will pay an amount that is closer to fair.

[livesinreality]

11:31 PM on 03/04/2009

So you have an account with USB?

[Wayzom]

11:53 AM on 02/21/2009

"* the stimulus bill includes a measure to create a "rationing board" for health care, and after the bill becomes law, "your doctor will no longer be able to make your healthcare decisions with you.""

I know it is not true, but it is amusing because my doctor already can not make health care decisions with me. I am truly not sure if the government would be worse than Medco. Medco is solely motivated by their own profits and will in fact refuse to pay for drugs that my doctor and I think are the best alternative medically.

While there is no health care rationing board, people who believe most Americans and their doctors are currently in control of their health care decisions are living in fantasy land.

[Mabila]

10:49 AM on 02/21/2009

I have a very, very, serious question people!

What is wrong with me? Why is it that I do not GET the mindset of Replublicans??

I just don't get these people I do NOT!!

Can sombody please help me.

[wakeup804]

01:47 PM on 02/21/2009

The day these people start making sense, we are all in trouble my friend. Be proud you do not speak the language of the mentally impaired. Maybe there really is tow Americas', one where rationale thinking people live, and the other one. I'm proud to love in "Real America", with the rationale thinking folks. You all make great neighbors.

[grammy11]

10:36 AM on 02/21/2009

SNL should have a Bachman, Coulter and Palin skit. Their ratings would go thru the roof.

[LeaderofMen]

09:23 AM on 02/21/2009

BWAHAHAHA! MN, YOU voted this woman to have another term.

Now, live with embarrassment. If you're capable.

[Jireh]

12:39 PM on 02/21/2009

I agree 100%!

[MadHeart]

07:39 AM on 02/21/2009

Can we send Bachmann and her ilk back to Pluto now? It's no longer a planet, and the GOP is no longer a viable party, just a collection of know-nothings kooks.

[CanadianCzechChick]

05:31 AM on 02/21/2009

As a woman and a woman who believes (hopefully for all, at that) it is so important to work towards one's potential, I find it beyond disgusting and a disgrace,embarrassment and shame that there are women out there such as Bachmann, Pftotenhauer, Coulter who seemingly yap about for us and the rest of the world. These broads disgust me beyond belief. It revolts me that they are the same gender as I am.

[bellabeach]

11:59 AM on 02/21/2009

Me too...they sure don't speak for the MAJORITY of women and they embarrass themselves when they open their mouths....I don't need or want to be represented by the likes of these shrews!!!

[Catfish1968]

03:11 AM on 02/21/2009

I can't imagine saying something like what she has in school. For instance, I could write, "The internet is run by giant squirrels, who use their telepathic, and may I add, God-given talents to make the internet run efficiently." My professor would flunk me.
Therefore, why is is possible that a person such as Bachman get elected (and re-elected) when such banalities flow from her lips like hot air escaping a balloon? Why is she allowed to lie repeatedly? Is there no accountability left at all?

[Chubbster]

02:31 PM on 02/22/2009

You have to admit America has a high tolerance for ignorant politicians and from both parties.
Mr. Burris? God is on the phone.