[Cross-posted from TSSBP based on Sisyphus' urging.]

As the midterm elections approach, most of the talk is about whether or not the Republicans will be able to take back the House of Representatives (or even the Senate). More than that, this election seems like it will be a referendum on whether or not Constitutionalism (represented mostly by the Tea Party and Libertarians) has the strength to re-emerge as a dominant force in American politics for the first time since basically the end of the Polk Administration. I submit that the Congressional election this year in Idaho's 1st Congressional District between Democratic incumbent Rep. Walt Minnick and Republican challenger Rep. Raul Labrador is a key battle between those who seek to return American political philosophy to the Jacksonian era and those who prefer a more modern interpretation of the Constitution. Basically, if the Paulites and their ilk can't win here, it's unlikely they'll be able to ever emerge as more than an occasionally humorous sideshow to the main ebb and flow of the American body politic.  read more »

More of this please.
 read more »

Consider this as another in my series providing election year ammunition. This one is targeted for the lies spread by deficit hawks gunning for Social Security. Send them an email.

Top 5 Social Security Myths

Rumors of Social Security's demise are greatly exaggerated. But some powerful people keep spreading lies about the program to scare people into accepting benefit cuts. Can you check out this list of Social Security myths and share it with your friends, family and coworkers?

Myth: Social Security is going broke.

Reality: There is no Social Security crisis. By 2023, Social Security will have a $4.6 trillion surplus (yes, trillion with a 'T').  read more »

Here's a DNC list of the Republican agenda. Watch for the very last one which is complements of the Idaho State Republican Party Platform. Way to go Idaho Republicans.

Detailed list below the fold. Sourced here.  read more »

I just heard on the news tonight that some legislators are planning to introduce a bill that is similar to Arizona's illegals deportation law, which just went into effect today, minus most of the enforcement teeth that was written into it.  read more »

As a follow up to Election Year Ammo I have a couple quick links to assist in correcting the record for the upcoming election which should be useful to candidates, bloggers or commenters when challenging their opponents, the media or tea baggers.

From sister of Sisyphus, we have this most excellent piece of snark composed of an email exchange between a concerned parent and a "Christian Volunteer" over some proselytizing allowed in Australian schools. This one's for Binky where ever he is.

Dear Darryl,

I have received your permission slip featuring what I can only assume is a levitating rabbit about to drop an egg on Jesus.  read more »

UPDATED 7/28: A US District Court has enjoined the most offending portions of Arizona's immigration bill. Here's a draft of the 36 page opinion which is well written and easier to read than most court documents.

I've got a longish post working around in my head in anticipation of SB 1070 going into effect on July 29th. This video by Black Eyed Peas member Taboo is a prelude.  read more »

You can't make this up. The Idaho Republican Victory Campaign 2010 is a DC Republican effort primarily to get wingnut Raul Labrador elected to congress. The campaign recently hired former Lt. Governor Brad Little aide, Phil Hardy, as its director. DFO of HBO interviewed Hardy about Idaho Republicans and their newly minted platform.

DFO: Has the Idaho Republican Party been taken over by the Tea Party wing?

Phil Hardy: It’s not the Tea Party people who have taken over. The state of the country has become such that more people than ever want to get involved in the political process. What we see is a lot of new folks coming in. Someone used the phrase that I’m going to use now: Regressive is the new progressive. In my lifetime, I can’t remember people going back to the federalist papers and the Constitution and reading this stuff. Perfect case in point is the 10th amendment. Over last year, I’ve been forced to read the 10th amendment. It’s in the bill of rights. Framers were pressured to come up with Bill of Rights to get the Constitution passed. Either we repeal (the 10th amendment) or enforce it and these people are asking these questions.  read more »

From Benen.  read more »

Former Congressman Tim Walberg is in the midst of an expensive and competitive primary in Michigan's 7th district, as he tries to reclaim the seat he lost to Democrat Mark Schauer in 2008.

Clearly, if one thing has been made clear this electoral cycle, Republican candidates are required to exercise proper fealty to the teabagger movement,

writes Steve Singiser on Daily Kos.  read more »

Idaho, where our motto is 'Making Alabama Look More Appealing All The Time,'
finds a new way to embarrass itself thanks to the Bonner County Republicans.

NOTE: All vendors must substitute Mexican food with cuisine from either Belgium or Denmark. Pølsevogn on a stick or herring tacos is fine.

Its the economy, stupid. Facts are stubborn things. Which is why they come in handy when faced with right wing talking points unhinged from reality, a reality which we all know has a liberal bias.

For the right wing day trader who says the stimulus failed, here's the White House demonstrating what the stimulus actually did.

For the deficit hawks complaining that Obama politics are bankrupting this country, here's the responsible party.

And as evidence at how unhinged they are, Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell actually said there's no evidence that Bush's tax cuts to the wealthiest 1% caused decreased revenue to our treasury. Ezra Klein eviscerates that notion which was based upon the much discredited, but aptly named, Laffer curve.

Go fight win.  read more »

out of the closet.

From Wonkette specifically calling out the super tuber.

Updated below

Never understood the revisionist history surrounding the mania for fusing of God and Country. This event in Nampa is more akin to a barnstorming evangelical meetin' in the south with the laying on of hands. No word of any snake handling but they surely speak in tongues. Paradoxically their zeal to meld God and Country seeks to undermine one of our most cherished freedoms, the establishment clause, which prevents them, or any one else, from using government to impose their religious views on the rest of us. In addition their conservative politics don't really jive with what I was taught about Christ's teachings. Take a gander at Tea Party Jesus which puts the words of value voting conservative pundits into Jesus' mouth with humorous results.

The Idaho Republican Party just wrapped up it's convention here in Idaho Falls.

The planks the convention passed include:
• A mandatory loyalty oath for all Repub candidates, with penalties included for those who refuse to sign the oath.
• A closed primary.
• Payment of taxes in silver and gold if desired.
• A repeal of the 17th Amendment.
• A narrowly defeated resolution to allow private militias in the state. It was defeated because it was thought to be too expensive.  read more »

According to the numbers just released by the US Census, per pupil

http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/the_score/2010/06/new_york_sets_the_pace_in_school_spending.html

I don't see how the Idaho GOP gets around this, unless they want to close the numerous small rural districts which are job-programs for their buds out in the sticks.