Rep. Steve King's Anti-Progressive Rant

In case you missed it, Media Matters posted some great video of Congressman Steve King, the far right Republican from my old home state of Iowa, going ballistic on the House floor after Congressman Keith Ellison's special order on "Why I am a Progressive."

Late last week, I wrote about this special order because it had special resonance with me. Rep. Ellison contacted me to let me know that he had read my new book, The Progressive Revolution: How the Best in America Came to Be cover-to-cover and wanted to use some of my ideas and research for a special order on the House floor as part of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) presentation. I was honored, and as I wrote about last week, I thought Keith's presentation was dead-on.

I know a lot about history and in my book I detail some of the extreme conservative debates and arguments that have been taking place on the House floor over many years. But now, in the age of video and YouTube, and with great groups like Media Matters keeping a watchful eye on C-SPAN, we're able to view for ourselves what these radical views of American conservative ideals look like. To conservatives like King, today and throughout American history, progressive ideas have always been derided as socialism. It's what conservatives said about ending slavery, child labor laws, food safety, environmental legislation, Social Security, minimum wage, and virtually every other advance in American history.

So watch Rep. King's video below, it's definitely a keeper. You'll be able to show your grandkids when right-wingers 50 years from now are screaming about how the latest progressive proposals are socialism.

 

Comments

[Eyeheartfreedumb]

I live in Iowa and all I can say is that every time this guy opens his mouth I swear he must be from Idaho or Ohio or one of the other states people from the coasts confuse us with, because I've never heard anyone from Iowa sound like this.
Seriously, Souix City is on the other side of the state from me, but this guy seems to be from another planet. C'mon, to all the Iowans near Nebraska, please don't reelect this guy.

[bannorhill]

What is progress getting us? DEBT and IRRESPONSIBLE fiscal policies.

The cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our cities and states of critical investments in infrastructure like bridges, ports, and levees; robbing our families and our children of critical investments in education and health care reform; robbing our seniors of the retirement and health security they have counted on. . . . If Washington were serious about honest tax relief in this country, we'd see an effort to reduce our national debt by returning to responsible fiscal policies

[ydnas639]

Responsible fiscal policies? Do you mean like the borrow and spend, and borrow more and spend more fiscal policies of the administrations of Reagan and Bush Sr., or the most borrowing and most spending of G. W. Bush's administration? How responsible is it for one president (G. W. Bush) to run up more debt than all of the other presidents combined?
The only fiscally responsible administration in my lifetime was Bill Clinton's.
Keep up this Republican kind of responsibility and the GOP won't be able to win an election for dogcatcher in Ames, Iowa. Pity.

[bannorhill]

So just because we borrowed and spent too much the solution is to borrow and spend more? Double the national debt. Is that a responsible fiscal policy?

When is Washington going to get serious about "honest tax relief"?

[joshquasimoto]

Rep Steve King, he sure is a winner.

Let's see he backs Farm subsidies, he backs Oil Subsidies, he supports a national ban on Gay marriage, He voted for Bush's Tax cuts
He voted against Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP's medicare subsidies), He voted against every appropriation Bill except those that pertain to War, he has voted against any sort of immigration reform.

Yeah he speaks for about 20% of the American people. The same people that over 50% of the American people rejected in the 2008 elections and the same people who were rejected in the 2006 elections. Something tells me that there has to be a problem with Rep's like Steve King when the only hand outs they accept are going to the biggest companies in our nation such as Monsanto, other large Agribusinesses and Oil Companies. Something tells me that if his constituents started voting for their own values instead of Rep Steve Kings Pro-business (only for the big guys to get bigger), Pro-hate (against gays and immigrants) and Pro-divisiveness that marks much of any commentary he receives in the local and national news then Iowa and the rest of the country would be much better off.

[alenaspoppa]

Iowa deserves better than this, and most Iowans are much better than Steve King. The area he represents borders Nebraska and has long been the most conservative part of the state (at least that's my sense, having grown up in eastern Iowa). Most Iowans I know are big on common sense and value intelligence over fear-mongering. Hopefully Mr. King will add "former" to his title in the near future.

[ignrnthllblly]

Anyone ever consider that the GOP is the Detroit of Fear? Decidedly favoring cosmetic modifications from model to model over needed re-designs so as to, in the end, offer you the same fear they were offering you in the 1950s? Admittedly, the 1958 fear IS as classic--as Rep. King is obviously aware.

[lisa12345]

The fifties McCarthy scare runs parallel to what the GOP-ers are up to these days. Remember Limbaugh, when he attacked the Republican veteran who called in to address how far-right they are these days...and Limbaugh "accused" him of "not really being a conservative"? It is a flushing-out tactic, one that keeps people paralyzed with fear of being called "not one of us"--which of course translates into, "you're one of them". MCarthy accused anyone slightly liberal of being communist---and now they are accusing people that are moderate/l­iberal/ind­ependent of being "socialist". Kinda scary, really.

[pmc617]

This is how Bush/Cheney kept the GOP in line after 2001. Everyone was afraid to buck the system and risk being labeled a traitor, or worse, a LIBERAL!

[wmfor]

So I took Rep. King's word for it, his concept of the immutability of the definitions of words--defying historical linguistic theory--and went to see exactly what Noah Webster had to say about socialism.
It is easy to search his 1828 Dictionary on-line at various sites.

The word "socialism", of course, is neither defined nor used anywhere withing the dicionary. Because it didn't exist yet. Another example of heroic scholarship on the part of a Republican Congressman.

[den1953]

What ever these Republicans are taking i hope there under a doctor's care because they are on the verge of delusional i believe they are all supporting the Mexican drug cartels and are getting some really good chit man!!!!

[Woodley56]

What the heck is this guy ranting about? What does individual freedom have to do with who runs the energy companies? Nothing.

Typical right-wing fear mongering propaganda. Equate Democrats with Communists. It's almost laughable how predictable screeds like this are, but it's equally enjoyable because every nutty rant just places them further outside the mainstream and undermines their credibility.

[lisa12345]

Exactly, but sadly these far-right wingnuts are actually manipulating their base into believing this ludicrous drivel. Sometimes I wonder if its their media manipulating their politicians, and pushing them into staying this far/utra right. Think Limbaugh and how the politicians have to keep apologizing and groveling at his feet. Then you hear something like this, and you wonder if their politicians are manipulating the base to actually believe this nonsense. I hope it undermines their credibility, I worry because their are millions of them and they don't like the moderate wing of the base one bit--look at their crazy antics over the Utah governor and same-sex benefits (they tried to cancel a fundraiser he would be speaking at).

[Dbos]

This dude looks orange like Bohner . Capitalism is not democracy . These people equate capitalism to democracy it is not .

[warlover]

Some see private enterprise as a predatory target to be shot, others as a cow to be milked, but few are those who see it as a sturdy horse pulling a wagon.

[MyGoodMojo]

...ah, a philosopher. How poignant.

[realityrules]

Where do you people come up with all these metaphors? No more bumber stickers for you pal, you're cut off!! Try some actual reasoning for a change.

[exhale09]

Republicans are as usual depending on fear, a knee jerk FEAR of the WORD "socialism" to rally a movement.
Any thinking person, would consider this term with a more critical honesty before getting all hysterical.

Examples of "Socialism" or a "socialistic" way of organizing in order to better accomplishing collective National goals and responsibi­lities....­...

1. The military
2. Garbage collection
3. Law enforcement
4. Intelligence Bureau
5. FEMA
6. National Guard
7. NASA
8. Fire departments
9. Congressional Health and Retirement Plans
10. National Social Security Retirement Insurance
11. The Chamber of Commerce
12. The Department of Transportation
13. The EPA
The Food and Drug Administration

Just to name a few....

all Government funded with tax payer dollars for the collective goals and good, of the American People...and which can be considered a "Socialistic" way of doing things.
None of those things have ever eliminated Capitalism, Democracy, or Freedom.

Even Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, while not tax payer funded, are practiced with a SOCIALIST mind set of collective co-operation and helping others.

The term "All for one and one for all"....is considered a Patriotic positive slogan..and it comes from a "socialistic mentality"

Too many people are reacting without THINKING, to Right-wing Republican fear mongering and perception management tactics.

[lisa12345]

Perfectly written, excellent points. Someone should go on the news and read this.

[warlover]

The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings, the inherent vertue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.

[roald]

and vice-versa?

[2bad]

Wow, where to start.

First of all, the 1950's called. They want there McCarthy Hearings back!

Hey Sparky, didn't you learn anything from the last election? Calling people Communists and Socialists doesn't work. Only a pathetically desperate politicians attempt to convince people their right by trying to lay a negative label on their opponent, while at the same time refusing to offer a better alternative to a problem!

Since Rep. King is so concerned about Socialism and seems to think it'll be the downfall of American society, I expect him to introduce a bill to eliminate Social Security and Medicare by the end of next week. Think that'll happen? He'd be out of a job quicker than $hit through a goose!

[dadw5boys]

IF YOUR NOT PROGRESSIVE -- MOVING SOCIETY FORWARD

THEN YOU MUST BE REGRESSIVE --- DRAGGING SOCIETY DOWN

RIGHT ?

Or are they just tryi9ng to drag our society back to the 14 th century to fight Religious Wars ?

My God can beat up Your God !!!!!!!

.

[jmpurser]

If you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem. And we've had 30 years of making sure the capitalist problem had every chance to "fix" this nation. Are you happy with the results? Do what you did, get what you got.

[bannorhill]

The solution is to return to the old conservative banking laws. If they had not been changed to the new "progressive" rules we would not be in this mess.

[TruEngineHearing]

Newt is an overreaching liar when he wakes up and it never abates. Give $100.00 and Newt's picture to a Hells Angel thug - maybe they'll enlist him, or maybe they'll have a more interesting plan. Either way, just sit back and enjoy the glory.

[Okay]

I'm one of the uninformed chicken littles many seem inclined to comment toward. The problem for me when arguing about socialism is what kind of socialism is the other person talking about. So many forms and not all either good or bad. I appreciate the social support our government provides. Yes I think the efficiency of todays programs can and should be improved dramatically.

Still the chicken little part of me finds itself sympathizing with republicans and other conservative groups with a few questions in mind.
Where does the government interfering stop?
Where does the government (if at all) limit its right to decide for the individual?
At what point do individuals find state activity an extension beyond interfering and at the beginnings of coercion on the behalf of the social whole?
What do we as individuals understand our freedom/ liberty actually to mean? Do we become the content slave or the free laborer bound with responsibility?

It my understanding a government seldom relinquishes newfound authority willingly. I hold a general belief that only the foolhardy places blind trust within a power hungry group of politicians that make a government. I have seen nothing from the actions of the previous or present administration that would give me confidence contrary to this belief.

So for me that means proceed, as progress demands, but with extreme caution.

[Weirdwriter]

But that's the point.

Government is not just an institution that arbitrarily decides for us all. We are government. We're supposed to proceed with extreme caution. With any new administration, with any new direction, with any new situation.

Unfettered capitalism has plunged us into our current economic morass. Socialism (of any kind) is not going to be the automatic alternate. Where capitalism works well for all, not just the few and powerful who can manipulate it to their advantage, let's keep capitalism. Where socialism does a better job (and we do see examples in our own as well as other countries) let's try the most practical brand of that.

[totalliberal]

In " Socialistic Europe the governments are afraid of the people. They get out on the street en-mass when they are not happy with their politicians. They also vote them out of power regularly when they are not satisfied. For some reason Americans are afraid of their own government and would rather put their trust in greedy, self serving corporations that they have no control over. Very strange.

[prog]

What would you call the false appropriation of funds for an illegal war, Mr. King?