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NationofChange / Op-Ed
Published: Wednesday 7 December 2011
“Gingrich’s condescending implication that poverty equals bad morals is not only wrong, but frightening shallow, elitist, out-of-touch, clueless, stupid ... and, well, Scroogy.”
The Deep Shallowness of Professor Gingrich
Mea culpa, I misspoke, my bad — I stand corrected.
In past commentaries, I have called Newt Gingrich a lobbyist. Apparently, he hates that tag, even though he has indeed gotten very wealthy by taking big bucks from such special interest outfits as IBM, AstraZeneca, Microsoft and Siemens in exchange for helping them get favors from federal and state governments. But Gingrich, his lawyers and staff adamantly insist that it's rude and crude to call him a lobbyist. No-no, they bark, The Newt is — ta-da! — "a visionary."
Major corporations, they explain, pay up to $200,000 a year to the corrupt former-House speaker's policy center, seeking nothing more from Newt than the sheer privilege of bathing in the soothing enlightenment of his transformative vision. Also, as the man himself constantly reminds everyone, he has a Ph By-God D. So he's "Dr. Newt," the certified visionary.
Yet the sales pitch to lure potential corporate clients to his center makes crystal cleat that the visionary services he offers entail precisely doing what (excuse the term) lobbyists do. For example, the center brags that Newt has "contacts at the highest levels" of government, and that being a paying customer "increases your channels of input to decision makers." One corporate chieftain who hired the well-connected Washington insider for $7,500 a month (plus giving him stock options) says that Gingrich "made it very clear to us that he does not lobby, but that he could direct us to the right places in Washington."
So, Mr. DoNotCallMeALobbyist is, in fact, selling his government contacts and peddling his political influence. But he does not lobby. Instead, we're told that he directs, makes calls, arranges meetings, opens doors — and, of course, has visions.
I'm glad we got that cleared up. From now on, I'll call Newt what he is: a Washington influence-peddler. Yes, that's much better.
These days, Gingrich is having visions of sugarplums dancing in his head.
As you probably know, he's the latest front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination.
But he has also adopted a theatrical pose appropriate for this Christmas season — not as the bright star in the East guiding the Wise Men to the Biblical manger, nor as jolly ol' St. Nick bringing joy to children everywhere. No, no, Newt has cast himself as Scrooge. Only scroogier.
Channeling his inner Ebenezer, the Newt recently called America's child labor laws "truly stupid," adding with Dickensian glee that he would fire school janitors and have low-income 9-year-olds do that work. Really? The top GOP contender for president of the U.S.A. actually advocates turning poor school kids into janitors?
Why, yes, explained the former professor. "Start with the following two facts," he lectured at an Iowa campaign stop. "Really poor children in really poor neighborhoods have no habits of working and have nobody around them who works. So they literally have no habit of showing up on Monday. ... They have no habit of 'I do this, and you give me cash' — unless it's illegal." Thus, speaketh the visionary, chain 'em to mop and teach the little ragamuffins about life.
Did I mention that this guy is a candidate for president? Of the United States? In 2012, not in 1812?
Dr. Newt is a cluster-bomb of ignorance. First, three out of four poor adults work, and most poor children are in households with at least one of their parents showing up every Monday for a job.
And Gingrich's condescending implication that poverty equals bad morals is not only wrong, but frightening shallow, elitist, out-of-touch, clueless, stupid ... and, well, Scroogy.
If the professor wants to see bad morals in action, he shouldn't be looking down on poor people, but pointing up at Wall Streeters and CEOs who're profiting by creating more poor people. But Newt's not about to point them out — just days after he trashed "really poor children," he scooted up to Wall Street dragging a sock for campaign donations.
The question for Republicans is, do you really want to nominate Scrooge for president?
Copyright Creators.com
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ABOUT Jim Hightower
National radio commentator, writer, public speaker, and author of the book, Swim Against The Current: Even A Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow, Jim Hightower has spent three decades battling the Powers That Be on behalf of the Powers That Ought To Be - consumers, working families, environmentalists, small businesses, and just-plain-folks.
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42 comments on "The Deep Shallowness of Professor Gingrich"
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With all these silly websites, such a great page keeps my itnerent hope alive.
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December 12, 2011 10:52am
On target, well shot.
December 11, 2011 10:41am
Mention this in a post! http://Gingrich-2012.net.
It's a parody campaign site that's been spreading around and makes fun of his "change agent" remarks.
December 12, 2011 10:55am
On target, well shot.
December 12, 2011 10:54am
On target, well shot.
December 10, 2011 3:24pm
Ya'all do know that Phd also means Phuc@#$g Dumb, right? Pretty Phd in gingriche's case. Who with a truly educated intelligence could ever utter such imbecilitudes as he? No one.
December 12, 2011 11:10am
No, Anono, I thought it meant Piling it Higher and Deeper!
December 10, 2011 10:31am
Wasn't newt the same guy that suggested that in place of welfare we return to orphanages for the children of the poor? .....Ignoring the fact that welfare was instituted as a means of eliminating the need for orphanages? And this is coming from a guy who billed Freddie Mac $1.3 mil for his services as a "historian". With his visionary idea for poor children to become janitors, he gets a three-fer - FIRE UNION JANITORS- We all know that getting rid of unions and their beneficiaries is an inherent good to the "Free market" (as it is visualized by moral pygmies...... like newt for instance). FURTHER DEMEAN THE WORKING CLASS BY MAKING THEM COMPETE AGAINST CHILDREN FOR THEIR JOBS. After all, If these people had been more "worthy", they would have THEIR Phd and could then be a NOT-a-lobbyist doing socially valuable work that makes our nation a better place to live, (NOT!). ... TEACH POOR KIDS HOW SPECIAL THEY ARE AND FURTHERING THEIR EDUCATION BY TURNING THEM INTO JANITORS. Think of the valuable lessons that will be learned when poor kids are singled out to clean up the shit of rich kids. A lesson I have no doubt is deeply ingrained in the mind of newt.
newt is the prime example that having a Phd. does not make one smart. Knowledgeable perhaps, but knowledge is only as good as the use it's put to. I have a tool box full of sharp objects. I can use it to repair my drywall..... or I could use it to murder my neighbor. Only as good as the use it's put to.
December 12, 2011 10:54am
Right on.
December 09, 2011 2:41pm
How did his audience at the Iowa campaign stop react to his comments? It is almost impossible for me to imagine there are people who would support this man and his criminal lack of compassion for any office in any country. The fact the primary polls show him doing well right now tells me we have lowered the bar so low on our expectations of leadership that we are wallowing in a very deep mudhole.I refuse to sit in the bottom of that pit. I will shun this man, taking, at the least, a personal stand to raise the bar.
December 09, 2011 1:38pm
R U serious, newt has had so much more time to rip off america from behind the news than your so called E O T P, any fool can see that obama is NOT in charge and hasn't been in any real sense since the repiglicans took over in 2010......
December 09, 2011 10:08am
Newt is a convenient distraction to use as a punching bag for you Democratic Party appologists. The real enemy of the people of the world is President Obama who with his suave demeanor and oratory prowess mesmerizes you into obedience an into voting for him. He has betrayed the people for three years and now we are supposed to believe he has changed? I love Hightower's accent and dialect but he is another appologist windbag.
December 12, 2011 9:43am
Oh, I get it, Freespirit is a libertarian, and thus above the fray. Get a clue, every American is a libertarian. The question is whether you want to go back to the 1800's, ("yes," if you're a Republican) or move into the Twenty-First Century (only if you're a Democrat). It really is that simple these days. The so-called "libertarians" are just Republicans who don't want to admit having voted for Dick Cheney twice in a row.
December 08, 2011 10:24am
sadly, another political bully from the great state of Georgia. rise up ye ghosts of Dr. and Coretta Scott King, rise up ghosts of Freedom Riders, rise up ye ghosts of slavery past and harry this charlatan and knave to the ends of the earth.
Incredibly well said sir. Bravo
December 08, 2011 9:38am
Lobbyist: the person who handles the bribes.
December 08, 2011 9:33am
slavery is cheaper sometimes
December 08, 2011 5:16am
Neither am I a lobbyist...but I'd be happy to connect Newt with some ACTUAL poor people, who scramble everyday for ANY employment, whilst leaving their pride at the door. At no charge...I am not a lobbyist...
December 08, 2011 5:06am
. . . Another Republican who needs to read a dictionary - MORALITY, a word that begins with moral . . neither is present here
....Tell little johnny to work hard to get ahead in life ?? Set a good example ???
NAME YOR GAME - - Straw man banned for life "how many times ???" Who just signed for 106 million dollars for six years - thanks everyone in broken English. . . .
. . . If you want to listen to that "dribble" go to thw ghetto and watch all the unemployed players shooting for BIG TIME ( and getting the wrong big time)
Oh, we can't talk of the shortened season. . . .
Ya wanna putt-putt . . first win in two years but not hurting for money . listening to him. . . .
Tennis Anyone ?.?.?
TEACH JOHNNY TO WORK HARD TO GET AHEAD . . inspire him to work for slave wages / as Michele Bachman wants to do away with the minimum wages laws
-get a job on Wall Street - - - become a banker ?.?.?
Oh you want to become a millionaire - POLITICS MY BOY - POLITICS . . . . the deeper you shovel the truth the further up the ladder you go
Doesn't Gingrich golf at private golf courses ?? I'm asking - so many politicans do I can not remember if he's on the list / or just a guest ( ha,ha,ha,ha )??
MORALITY - STARTS WITH MORAL.....WASHINGTON IS IMMMORAL
December 12, 2011 10:59am
Loved your way of putting it. Let's also try "Morality starts with m-o-r-a-l, Washington doesn't."
December 08, 2011 3:07am
Yes, Jellsworth, absolutely! Bring it on!
December 07, 2011 9:15pm
Ignorance at its finest. Ging-Grinch was surely not responsible for family duties outside of school because his parents were working two or three jobs. Imagine that. Newt actually working for a living. These kids have a work ethic beyond anything he has ever known. They are responsible for family and community affairs from a very young age. I highly doubt that after taking care of younger siblings and trying to find time for homework after school, 'poor kids' can be available for institutional janitorial duties (well, without child labor laws we could force them to work 18 hour days). Ignorant, illiterate politicians such as the NEWT are entertaining to say the least. The sad thing is that while these kids' parents pay 30% in taxes to pay for Grinch's lifestyle, his 'first generation' kids’ (obviously a racist dig – what makes him better than the next?) parents pay 10-15% less. Promoting social welfare for the rich at the expense of children who fight against the system is a political strategy, not an educational solution. Gingrich purposefully points blame, because, although he cashes checks paid for by the 'poor, unethical and lazy’ citizens of this country, he isn't intelligent enough to know how to research an issue. Hey, everyone has to butter their bread. Better to point fingers than to have a brain. At least the Grinch eventually found a heart.
December 07, 2011 7:27pm
GRACEONTHEPOND: WILL YOU PLEASE GIVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DENIAL OF TENURE TO ASSISTANT PROFESSOR NEWT GINGRICH AT WEST GEORGIA STATE. IT IS THAT KIND OF INFORMATION WHICH NEEDS TO BE SPREAD ABROAD THIS NATION.jellsworthw@comcast.netjellsworthw@comcast.net
December 07, 2011 7:26pm
Gene, if newt is elected, may I join you when you leave the country?
What a joke (NOT haha) that man is. He is sickening.
I'm glad I'm not part of the "moral majority" - they think newt is the greatest.
December 07, 2011 7:04pm
Jim, can you please supply a source and more details for your statement elsewhere that most poor kids live in households where at least one parent has a job? I believe it, especially after welfare deform and the work requirements that were pilloried in Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine, but would like a source to bolster the argument. Thanks.
December 07, 2011 6:54pm
Great article on Newt! Thank you, Jim. If Newt (I won't stoop to call him "Dr." In my world a PhD that insists on being called a Dr. is considered incurably narcissistic.) wants to see bad morals he need only look in the mirror.
December 07, 2011 6:04pm
did Grinch get his diploma from one of those mills?
December 07, 2011 5:46pm
Love you and your views. I always hoped that you would be TX governor and then President. Of course, you are way too smart for that.
December 07, 2011 5:26pm
Excellent piece but please do not use elitist pejoratively, as so many right-wingers do in reference to intellectuals (or anyone) who may know more than they. The elite are the high achievers, the cream of the crop whom we should emulate.
December 07, 2011 9:09pm
I agree. I want people that are highly intelligent, learned, and compassionate leading my government. I would call them our elite with pride. Too bad we only have a few in office and their efforts are always intervented on some level.
December 07, 2011 4:53pm
It's assistant professor Gingrich! He was denied tenure at West Georgia College.
December 08, 2011 3:10am
Obviously a competent admin. at West Georgia College!
December 07, 2011 4:44pm
What about the janitors who are thrown out of their jobs? Maybe they can become visionaries like Newt and "clean up" in a different way.
December 07, 2011 4:36pm
Newt clearly has demonstrated his amoral nature. His tendency to discard the women in his life regardless of their time of need, whenever a more attractive alternative is available is evidence enough of his poor character. His gall certainly is exposed by his willingness to condemn and impeach someone else for fornication and dishonesty while engaging in the same behavior himself. Yet, in spite of his obvious disdain for true Christian values (read the Sermon on the Mount), there is no doubt that the majority of the "moral majority" will clamor to the polls to vote him into office. This fact reflects a sad state in American politics but more disturbingly, it confirms that modern American Christianity is a farce.
December 07, 2011 4:31pm
Newt can get a broom and sweep up the confetti after Obama's 2nd Inaugural. That will teach him how hard-working Americans celebrate after exercising their right to vote.
December 07, 2011 4:18pm
If Gingrich somehow manages to become President, I'll truly be ready to pack it in and leave this country for good!!
December 07, 2011 4:10pm
People that support Newt have very short memories. I'm sure you have much more that you could tell.......Always appreciate your comments.J.Johnson
December 07, 2011 12:28pm
Thanks for this article, Mr. Hightower. We need more people sounding the alarm about what a disaster Newt Grinch is.
http://borderlessnewsandviews.com/2011/11/laugh-now-cry-later/
December 07, 2011 8:44am
one living person who makes me proud to be from what we here in texas like to call the great state. thanks, jim.