Deadbeat Dad Tells Employed Lawyer to "Get a Job"

[Flagg]

TPM Video At Link

Joe Walsh To Sandra Fluke: ‘Get A Job’ (VIDEO)
Evan McMorris-Santoro-September 8, 2012, 2:00 PM
Add freshman tea party Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) to the list of Republicans attacking Sandra Fluke after her appearance at the Democratic National Convention.

At a campaign stop Saturday in Addison, IL, Walsh, who faces a tough reelection battle, went on a self-described rant about Fluke, attacking her support for contraception coverage and telling the law student to “get a job.”

“So at the Democratic Convention Wednesday night their first prime time speaker was Sandra Fluke, whatever her name is,” Walsh said. “Think about this, a 31-32 year old law student who has been a student for life, who gets up there in front of a national audience and tells the American people, ‘I want America to pay for my contraceptives.’ You’re kidding me. Go get a job. Go get a job Sandra Fluke.”

“This a woman who feels entitled that we all should pay for her contraceptives,” he said. “This is what we are teaching Americans? That was embarrassing. That was embarrassing.”

Fluke emerged on the national stage after Rush Limbaugh called her a “slut” following her public support for a contraception coverage mandate from the Obama administration. Lately Fluke has emerged as a surrogate for President Obama and Democrats on the campaign trail, which has drawn fresh criticism from Republicans.

Walsh’s opponent, Tammy Duckworth, also spoke at the Democratic convention in Charlotte. Walsh rose to prominence with the tea party in 2010 and his defeat has become a cause celebre in progressive and Democratic circles.

Here’s video of Walsh captured by a progressive tracker with CREDO SuperPAC.

The transcript:

How about this? This one kills me, then I’ll be done with my rant.
So at the Democratic Convention Wednesday night their first prime time speaker was Sandra Fluke — Fluke, Fluke, whatever her name is.

Think about this: a 31-32 year old law student who’s been a student for life, who gets up there in front of a national audience and tells the American people, “I want America to pay for my contraceptives.” You’re kidding me. Go get a job. Go get a job Sandra Fluke.

This is what, I was offended. We’ve got Americans who are struggling. We’ve got parents in this country who are struggling to buy sneakers that their kids can wear to school that just started. We’ve got parents up and down my district who are barely keeping their house. And, and, and, we have to be confronted by a woman, the Democratic Party this is what they stand for. Their going to put a woman in front of us who is complaining that the country — you, me and you — won’t pay the 9 dollars per month to pay for her contraceptives.

How crazy is this? In a way it’s not her fault, because we teach people this stuff. You go back to fairness, we teach young people this. Don’t worry, government will take care of you. You’re having trouble with your student loans? Don’t worry, government will be there for you.

We are raising the Sandra Flukes of the world. We’re raising Americans who don’t know how to take care of themselves, who feel entitled. This a woman who feels entitled that we all should pay for her contraceptives. This is what we are teaching Americans? That was embarrassing. That was embarrassing.

Sahil Kapur contributed to this report

Why isn't he in prison for not paying back child support?

[KrauserKrauser]

Contraception is such an odd pick for government entitlement to go apeshit over.

$9 a month to prevent a pregnancy the would cost 10x as much in tax exemptions alone.

Every unwanted pregnancy prevented allows for the tax paying female to continue generating taxable revenue and contribute to the system.

I just don't understand why the party is using this as one of their crucial arguments when there are so many others that actually cost more money than they save.

Carried interest, I am looking at you. Not that either party is willing to put the screws anywhere near that rich people's playtoy.

[Flagg]

It's red meat for the base who care more about inflicting their backwards morality on people than they do about anything else, especially reality.

[PhilosopherOfSorts]

Why isn't he in prison for not paying back child support?

Because you don't go to prison for back child support. You might go to jail for a few months, if you're unemployed and have no way to pay, but jail and prison aren't the same thing.

Not that I dissagree with your general point.

[kc8tbe]

Think about this: a 31-32 year old law student who’s been a student for life, who gets up there in front of a national audience and tells the American people, “I want America to pay for my contraceptives.” You’re kidding me.

Contraception is such an odd pick for government entitlement to go apeshit over... Every unwanted pregnancy prevented allows for the tax paying female to continue generating taxable revenue and contribute to the system.

Limbaugh really seems to be missing the point of the Republican party's anti-contraception movement. He's portraying it as a battle over entitlements when it's a battle over reproductive rights and the role of women in society. Why do republicans oppose contraception when it allows tax-paying females to continue generating taxable revenue? Because, in their view, a women's contribution to the system should be as an obedient wife and childbearer, not as a part of the labor force.

Replace the word "contraception" with something like "Viagara" and Limbaugh mostly has a point. It is a little bit ripe for someone who has never had a job to demand that taxpayers buy her something... unless it is something necessary for both her health and that of a modern society with gender equality. Also, although Fluke is a law student now, it appears that she has been employed in the past. Even if she has been a student her entire life, it is probable that she is paying taxes on a stipend, which may be privately sourced.

[TimothyC]

Could someone link me where it shows this guy is a 'deadbeat dad'? I've checked the link and I don't see anything that supports that.

[Block]

Or where she as a law student is actually a lawyer?

[Flagg]

Or where she as a law student is actually a lawyer?

She graduated.

[Flagg]

Could someone link me where it shows this guy is a 'deadbeat dad'? I've checked the link and I don't see anything that supports that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Walsh_ ... olitician)

In July 2011, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Walsh's ex-wife, Laura, was suing him for $117,437 for past due child support dating from 2005 for three of the children.[14] Walsh allegedly told his ex-wife that he did not have the money because he was out of work.[14][61] Walsh's attorney said that Walsh did not owe "anywhere near that amount," and that he had had no more problems paying child support than "any other average guy".[61] Walsh and his ex-wife were reportedly trying to work out a settlement of the disputed past due amount as of late July 2011.[14] Walsh's financial problems inspired the proposal of a bill which would forbid people owing more than $10,000 in back child support from running for office in Illinois.[62] On April 20, 2012, a judge dismissed the child-support dispute. In a joint statement Walsh and his ex-wife Laura stated, "Having resolved these issues together and cleared up these mistakes in private, we now agree that Joe is not and was not a 'deadbeat dad' and does not owe child support."

I love the part where the ex to takes back that he's a deadbeat dad despite him clearly being a deadbeat dad. Just because he finally paid up doesn't mean you're not still a deadbeat piece of shit.

[Alyrium Denryle]

Or where she as a law student is actually a lawyer?

Law students are also usually gainfully employed... or working as an unpaid (or paid, kinda depends) intern or law clerk while in law school. In fact, that is often a graduation requirement in law schools.

[Block]

Or where she as a law student is actually a lawyer?

Law students are also usually gainfully employed... or working as an unpaid (or paid, kinda depends) intern or law clerk while in law school. In fact, that is often a graduation requirement in law schools.

but still not a lawyer.

[Alyrium Denryle]

Or where she as a law student is actually a lawyer?

Law students are also usually gainfully employed... or working as an unpaid (or paid, kinda depends) intern or law clerk while in law school. In fact, that is often a graduation requirement in law schools.

but still not a lawyer.

No, but she is now. Just saying.

[fgalkin]

No, but she is now. Just saying.

Source for her having passed the bar?

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Alyrium Denryle]

No, but she is now. Just saying.

Source for her having passed the bar?

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

She graduated this past spring, and thus we wont know about that until late october or november. I suppose it would be more proper to call her a law school graduate. Either way, she is not unemployed.

[mr friendly guy]

Her name is certainly listed as an alumni from her university.

Alumni in the news for her university

She may or may not be working as a lawyer now, however its clear she has worked in the past. For example in the non profit Sanctuary for families organisation, which is easily verifiable from looking at her wiki page and following the links back. So this jibe of "get a job" is bullshit.

[Dr. Trainwreck]

Contraception is such an odd pick for government entitlement to go apeshit over.

$9 a month to prevent a pregnancy the would cost 10x as much in tax exemptions alone.

Every unwanted pregnancy prevented allows for the tax paying female to continue generating taxable revenue and contribute to the system.

I just don't understand why the party is using this as one of their crucial arguments when there are so many others that actually cost more money than they save.

The ass-backwards stupidity called morality by their voters. All they need is to hear contraception and they instantly picture some whore that can't go two hours without a dick or several. Then they hear that she wants to get insurance for them, and... well, Fluke is lucky she hasn't been beaten to paste by some raving mad rightwinger for her words. Everything else is secondary to it. Fluke for them is a combination of promiscuity, liberalism and welfare, all things that set them off.

[Lord MJ]

I've been seeing on the interwebs, Right Wingers comparing Fluke to Saratoga Springs Mayor and Congressional Candidate Mia Love (a black Tea Party media darling.) With them putting up Mia Love as an example of Republican Responsibility and Fluke an example of Democratic irresponsibility and entitlement.

[Lost Soal]

Think about this: a 31-32 year old law student who’s been a student for life, who gets up there in front of a national audience and tells the American people, “I want America to pay for my contraceptives.” You’re kidding me.

Contraception is such an odd pick for government entitlement to go apeshit over... Every unwanted pregnancy prevented allows for the tax paying female to continue generating taxable revenue and contribute to the system.

Limbaugh really seems to be missing the point of the Republican party's anti-contraception movement. He's portraying it as a battle over entitlements when it's a battle over reproductive rights and the role of women in society. Why do republicans oppose contraception when it allows tax-paying females to continue generating taxable revenue? Because, in their view, a women's contribution to the system should be as an obedient wife and childbearer, not as a part of the labor force.

Replace the word "contraception" with something like "Viagara" and Limbaugh mostly has a point. It is a little bit ripe for someone who has never had a job to demand that taxpayers buy her something... unless it is something necessary for both her health and that of a modern society with gender equality. Also, although Fluke is a law student now, it appears that she has been employed in the past. Even if she has been a student her entire life, it is probable that she is paying taxes on a stipend, which may be privately sourced.

You are aware here that she doesn't want tax payers to pay for contraception right? She wants the insurance policy, which she is paying for, to cover the contraception. That is what the ACA requires and is something completely different from what the republicans, and apparently you, are claiming.

[kc8tbe]

You are aware here that she doesn't want tax payers to pay for contraception right? She wants the insurance policy, which she is paying for, to cover the contraception. That is what the ACA requires and is something completely different from what the republicans, and apparently you, are claiming.

Money is fungible. Health insurance will be subsidized by the government for low-income individuals, and that health insurance will be required to cover contraception. The money for that subsidy ultimately comes from tax revenue. So yes, Fluke is advocating for a scenario where taxpayers help pay for contraception. As it happens I agree with her, and I'm not sure how you get off thinking that I'm a Republican...

You can also look at it from the perspective of one of the few Catholic women at Georgetown who doesn't use contraception. If Georgetown includes contraception in their insurance policy, the premiums for that policy will go up by some finite (although very small) amount. Women who use and do not use contraception will both have to pay the higher premium, but only the women who use contraception will benefit.

[PainRack]

kc8tbe, are you talking about the Republicans point of view?

[kc8tbe]

I'm trying to point out what has Republicans so alarmed, yes. But my genuine understanding is that, under the Patient Protection & Affordable Healthcare Act, taxpayers will help pay for contraception. (Note that this was already the case, since Medicaid covers contraception and family planning in many states.) Please correct me if I am wrong on this point.

[NecronLord]

Or where she as a law student is actually a lawyer?

She graduated.

But... your title specifically says "Employed Lawyer." Now, I've nothing against the unemployed, but in my world the definition of employed is "engages in remunerative work" could you clarify if she is doing so? As a lawyer? While 'get a job' is an utterance that is usually stupid, or unhelpful at best, it's not actually hypocritical unless she actually has remunerative work. Does she?

I mean, ostensibly I'm sure she's getting paid to appear at political events, but this doesn't translate to "employed lawyer."

[Alyrium Denryle]

I'm trying to point out what has Republicans so alarmed, yes. But my genuine understanding is that, under the Patient Protection & Affordable Healthcare Act, taxpayers will help pay for contraception. (Note that this was already the case, since Medicaid covers contraception and family planning in many states.) Please correct me if I am wrong on this point.

If it is the money.... paying for contraception actually lowers the cost of the premium because birth control reduces the risk of expensive pregnancies.

But that is not the real reason they care. They care, because they think birth control is evil, because they are crazy.

[PainRack]

I'm trying to point out what has Republicans so alarmed, yes. But my genuine understanding is that, under the Patient Protection & Affordable Healthcare Act, taxpayers will help pay for contraception. (Note that this was already the case, since Medicaid covers contraception and family planning in many states.) Please correct me if I am wrong on this point.

Technically, its not taxpayers but insurance providers.

And we already do know that a lot of insurance companies don't mind paying for contraception because abortions/unplanned pregnancies are more expensive

Regarding Catholics, tough luck.