The morning mailbag roundup:
* APPLAUDING REPUBLICAN TAX BREAKS FOR MILLIONAIRES: Americans for Tax Fairness plans a demonstration at Arkansas Republican headquarters today to highlight the support by Republican Congressmen Tim Griffin, Rick Crawford and Steve Womack for windfall tax breaks for millionaires. Their votes would give millionaires an average annual tax cut of $160,000 while raising taxes on working Americans by slicing tax breaks for college costs, child care and the earned income tax credit. A symbolic check of $160,000 will be presented for the Arkansas Republican congressmen. More info at checksformillionaires.com
* HOG FOOTBALL TOPS OUT: A topping-off ceremony seems somehow a mixed metaphor for Razorback football after last Saturday’s lost to Louisiana-Monroe. But who knows? Nonetheless, the UA will have a “topping off” ceremony for the new UA Football Center at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Razorback Stadium on the eve of the game with top-ranked Alabama.
* CANDIDATE FORUM THIS SUNDAY: The AAUW has invited all candidates in contested races to a forum at the Darragh Center of the main library, 100 Rock Street, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. This includes candidates for Congress, circuit judge, legislative seats in Pulaski and Saline counties and candidates for Pulaski Quorum Court. Former Sen. Irma Hunter Brown will moderate a discussion and candidates will distribute literature. No indication yet of which candidates have agreed to appear. A 2nd District congressional faceoff between Democrat Herb Rule and incumbent Republican Tim Griffin (see millionaires’ friend item above) would be useful for voters, particularly.
* AND SPEAKING OF TIM GRIFFIN: A former regular staffer and current campaign shill for Tim Griffin, K. Ryan James, castigated Gov. Mike Beebe yesterday for supposedly going partisan on the 9/11 anniversary day by noting the partisan division in the legislature over Medicaid expansion. After a string of anti-Democrat Tweets, James remarked:
Have to question motivation of Beebe’s announcement. Why be so partisan & divisive on day we’re supposed to come together?
Hypocrite of the Day Ryan James more or less went silent after drawing some fire. No, he didn’t suddenly acquire shame. Maybe he got word that his man, Tim Griffin, was shamelessly exploiting 9/11 for partisan purposes. From Stephens Media:
WASHINGTON —Injecting politics into what otherwise was a day of somber reflection on Capitol Hill of the Sept. 11 attacks, U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Little Rock, blamed President Obama on Tuesday … for jeopardizing national security because he has “done nothing” to avoid looming defense cuts called for under so-called sequestration.
Is there really anyone lower down than Tiny Tim, other than the rest of the horde of other Republican congressmen who believe tax cuts for millionaires and increased defense spending are the ticket to a more prosperous America?