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You would think if you were a sitting member of the United States House of Representatives you would have more than a passing familiarity with what constitutes American citizenship.
Sorry to disappoint, which brings us to Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Freedonia, who sadly proved this week that simply because one is an elected member of Congress still doesn’t necessarily mean they have a grasp of government, or who is a citizen or who isn’t.
In complaining about the economic stimulus package, which will provide tax rebates, Brown-Waite issued a press release in which, she fretted some of that money might wind up in the wrong hands like those evil foreigners.
“The bill sends millions of dollars to people who do not pay federal income taxes, including residents of Puerto Rico and territories like Guam,” Brown-Waite noted. “I do not believe taxpayer funds should be sent to foreign citizens who do not pay taxes.”
Brown-Waite concluded with this: “As the legislation moves forward, it must be changed to ensure that only taxpaying American citizens receive rebate checks.”
Cue the “Oooooopsie!”
There are moments when you have to believe that some days, pols like Brown-Waite wake up and have someone drop an anvil on their heads.
For the congresswoman’s information, residents of both Guam and Puerto Rico were granted United States citizenship many years ago. And while it is true, according to U.S. law, that they do not pay income taxes, citizens of Guam and Puerto Rico are indeed subjected to payroll abd Social Security taxes.
It is remarkable enough that Brown-Waite revealed that she is dumber than a sack of snipes in her ham-handed dissing of Puerto Rico and Guam, but even more striking is apparently no one on her staff of public relations flacks alerted the boss she was about to make a complete bubblehead of herself.
Sorta makes you wonder what would happen is aspiring glad-handers were required to take and pass a Civics 101 test before they were allowed to assume office.
Posted by Joe Malter, Maryland on 02/06 at 11:14 PM
The economy in the island is based on a Commonwealth based relationship with US. It means that for every penny that US puts in PR a rate of return is expected. The welfare programs that we have in US are also available for the residents of PR. Many major US industries have facilities in PR. The level of education is rated above average in comparison with 75% of the states. PR’s been very profitable, and an strategic military spot to US for more than 100 years. Even when they don’t pay federal taxes, the taxes they pay in the island (higher), are helping the US economy too. Do they deserve to get the rebates? No one does! This is a tactic to help the economy, get what you get and be happy with it!
Posted by Dave Highlands, St Petersburg on 02/02 at 05:52 PM
Perhaps someone should teach Jim King how to spell disappointing.
Posted by Alicia Delva, Weeki Wachee, Fl on 02/02 at 03:54 PM
Mrs. Brown-Waite, here is a little history of how Puerto Ricans became American Citizens.
On April 25 to August 12, 1898 there was a Spanish-American War. The United State of America was able to defeat Spain and took control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
In 1917, Congress passes the Jones Act, which granted Puerto Ricans, United State Citizenship.
Puerto Ricans have fought as member of the United State armed forces in every conflict in which the United States has been involved since World War I.
Please, Ginny Brown-Waite study your history before you offend a group of people that have fought bravely for their country. Puerto Ricans are proud people who love their country and are willing to stand up and fight for it.
Posted by Dave Highlands, St Petersburg on 02/02 at 08:09 AM
Perhaps while Brown-Waite (pronounced “Brown hyphen Waite") is learning the definition of “citizenship,” Jim King can learn how to spell “disappointing.”
Posted by Alicia Delva, Weeki Wachee, Fl on 02/02 at 12:27 AM
Ginny Brown-Waite need to return to school. Her ignorance is unbelievable. She has insulted a group of American Citizen who pay just as much taxes as anyone else. The truth is that she is a racist and her hatred is showing
Posted by Land O' Laker, Pasco County on 02/01 at 10:07 PM
This is a bad bill to begin with. So, we are all getting back some money. This solves the poor people’s problems how?!?! Where is the US going to borrow the money?!?!? China? Ginny voted for this bill “RELUCTANTLY” “because it will send hundreds of millions of dollars to people who don’t pay taxes”. Why the heck did she vote for it??? Guamanians and Puerto Ricans are foreigners?!?! I thought they had an American Passport? *confused*
Guamananians and Puerto Ricans wore the uniform and fought for OUR country so that Ginny, her Staff and her constituents can make more DUMB ASS remarks in freedom.
Posted by Jim King, Land O'Lakes on 02/01 at 09:48 PM
As dissapointing as her lack of understanding happens to be I am even more dissapointed she voted for this spending. Is Ginny Brown-Waite more interested in her next election than doing what is in the best interest of our nation?
Jim King
Congressional Campaign
District 5, Florida
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Posted by Janis Lentz, Ocala on 02/26 at 05:18 PM
From her husband stealing Karen Thurman’s political signs (thief!) to her weekly gaffes usually racist in nature, or worse yet, right-wing ignoramus in nature, to her total disconnect with her constituents, voting lockstep with the hard right GOP edicts of the Bush WH, Ginny B-W has done an abysmal job representing District 5! Retire, Ginny, retire! we don’t WANT you in Congress. And voters, please elect the Democrat next November--we need and deserve a congressperson who will listen to and vote in accordance with our beliefs! The touch-screen vote theft machines will be GONE, so we will actually have a shot at an honest election.