NC Senate Candidate: ‘We Have To…Divide And Conquer The People Who Are On Assistance’
Establishment Republicans rejoiced on Tuesday when their candidate, Thom Tillis, won the GOP primary over Tea Party favorites. But Tillis is no moderate as seen by what he saysay in the video above.
What we have to do is find a way to divide and conquer the people who are on assistance. We have to show respect for that woman who has cerebral palsy and had no choice in her condition, that needs help and that we should help. And we need to get those folks to look down at these people who choose to get into a condition that makes them dependent on the government and say, ‘at some point you’re on your own! We may end up taking care of those babies, but we’re not taking care of you.’ And we’ve got to start having that serious discussion. It won’t happen next year. Wrong time. Because it’s going to be politically charged. One of the reasons why I may never run for another elected office is cause some of these things may just get me railroaded out of town. But in 2013 I honestly believe that we have to do it.
As Brian Beutler points out, this is right out of the Tea Party playbook:
Class warfare? Check. Racist dog whistle? Check. A belabored explication of the political utility of racist dog whistling? Check. An acknowledgment that this strategy must be deployed at strategic moments, because it can backfire? Check. A further acknowledgment that admitting to the strategy can be career ending? Check.
If this is the establishment, then there is no such thing as the fringe.
Carla Akins May 10th, 2014 at 10:08 am
Because starting out life in poverty and the subsequent inadequate education, belittling and strong arm tactics of those that “have” is something they’ve done to themselves. He is right about one thing; it is something we need to be having a serious discussion about – he’s just not going to like the results.
Dwendt44 May 10th, 2014 at 11:40 am
Some of the wacky right talk about a ‘revolution’. There may well be one all right, but it’s not the one they expect. Should the income gap or the wealth gap get much worse, the revolt will come from that end of the spectrum.
Carla Akins May 10th, 2014 at 12:18 pm
I believe you’re correct. On the whole, people will accept a tremendous amount of crap – but once you can’t feed your kids or you return from war to be told you have no value – that won’t hold for long.
arc99 May 10th, 2014 at 10:16 am
Class warfare. Another in a long list of behaviors where Republicans make accusations about the President, when they themselves are the people most guilty of the behavior they criticize.
I can’t remember who said it, but it rings true. Right wingers only call it class warfare when poor people fight back.
William May 10th, 2014 at 11:30 am
That’s because when big corporations get a hand out it’s de-regulation, and helping the “job creators” When poor people get assistance, it’s called socialism?
Understand?
I’m glad we had this little chat.
William May 10th, 2014 at 11:27 am
“What we have to do is find a way to divide and conquer the people who are on assistance”.
Good point.
AND… because corporations are people. It’s a valid point.
End corporate welfare now.
BanditBasheert May 10th, 2014 at 2:29 pm
How can people sit and listen to garbage like this? Is this the “proud to be an American” crowd?
We are becoming a nation of sociopaths. How do you not care when people are hungry and poor?
Judy Mccracken May 10th, 2014 at 9:55 pm
We do care… we are called liberals…. Paul Ryan calls us “takers”….. they would rather hand BILLIONS & BILLIIONS in loopholes, subsidies & tax breaks & CEO bonuses to the richest profitable companies in the WORLD….. making highest ever profits…… but No to feed the elderly, kids & military families……
AnthonyLook May 10th, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Opening salvo for the campaign of this would be Senate representative of all the citizens of North Carolina— a racist dog whistling rallying call.
granpa.usthai May 10th, 2014 at 5:21 pm
NC GOP slogan for 2014:
STARVE THE PARENTS
FEED THE CHILD.
(right outa the book, kinda)
Judy Mccracken May 10th, 2014 at 9:51 pm
Divide & Conquer.. that’s what Walker used in Wisconsin…. pitted union against union… guess this is in the GOP handbook on how to control a people…… make them fight each other and keep them busy with BS distracitons, like OHMYghazi……
Budda May 14th, 2014 at 8:00 am
Republicans have been doing this for years. How else can you explain people on social security disability in red states voting for them?