Razzle Dazzle 'em

In this scene from the movie Chicago (Richard Gere and Renee Zellweger), the screen adaptation of the Broadway musical, I can't help but think of Montgomery County's 2 democrat commissioner candidates.

Joe Hoeffel is the pompous Billy Flynn (Gere) character, a trial lawyer no less, with Ruth played by the timid Roxy (Zellweger), just another victim. The key line from this scene, about one minute in...

(Billy Flynn): It's all a circus, a three ring circus. This whole thing, the trial, the whole world...it's all show business.

It's the way I see the Damsker/Hoeffel team prepping for a debate. Their MO is the same. Use smoke and mirrors, with just a hint of razzle-dazzle, to confuse voters. Attempt to tie Bush (now the cause of everything from Islamic hatred to 25 year old kids being denied health care) to the issues that face Montgomery County. From no-bid contracts, to questionable campaign financing, to incompetent staff, the Democrat challenger Hoeffel (remember Damsker is the incumbent) will attempt to fabricate a scene for the jury (voters) to absorb.

The press plays along, buying into the charade in front of them. Never once challenging Joe on his sweetheart deals; never once asking him about the controversy brewing in Harrisburg; never once asking about Norman Zsu; never once asking if Montgomery County is one of the best places to live in the entire nation, never mind in Pennsylvania; never once asking why in the world voters would risk all that to put his circus in office.

Don't Give Me that SCHIP

What do you consider a needy family? If you think $80,ooo a year income doesn't qualify, then you disagree with modern congressional Democrats. If you think a "child" age 25 is reasonable definition, you'd also disagree with donkeys.

Democrats love larger numbers of citizens on government assistance. Why? Simply because this is their base; those who are always looking for a handout. It's why they originally opposed mid-90's welfare reform; it's why they voted with Bush for expanding prescription drug benefits; and it's why they are fully behind the increased reach that SCHIP program currently offers. The new program will re-define children to include 25 year olds or families making less than $80k.

It's also a primary reason why they can't be allowed to spin the current campaign to expand the SCHIP program and demonize Bush and republicans for opposing this bad legistlation.