Rep. Steve King Of Iowa Pleased With His Vote Against Aid For Katrina Victims

This article from Think Progress highlights one of the more pitiful politicians in this country.

Rep. Steve King, who is from Iowa and is one of the far-right extremists in the Republican party, has come out with yet another appalling statement that spits in the face of the horrors of Hurricane Katrina and its many victims. While many politicians swell with pride related to the good things they can do to help their country and to help people in need overcome tragedies, this man takes the opposite viewpoint.  Sadly, there are people voting for this disgraceful man who routinely makes outrageous statements and thumbs his nose and what he seems to view as lesser people or dumb people (as far too many people have called the victims of Hurricane Katrina) or morally corrupt people. This is how far too many in our society think of people who they see as beneath them. Some people feel like they can’t be on top unless they’re standing on the neck of someone who is under them. King was one of only 11 members of Congress to vote against the $52 billion aid package (one that was passed unanimously by the Senate).

Here is part of what King said to The Hill as he reveals his proudest moment as a lawmaker:

THE HILL: What vote would you like to redo?

KING: I don’t really go back and re-live that sort of thing. Some of the big votes that I’ve thought about, some of the jury’s still out. And at this point, maybe I’d answer that question another way, probably the singular vote that stands out that went against the grain, and it turns out to be the best vote that I cast, was my “no” vote to the $51.5 billion to [Hurricane] Katrina. That probably was my best vote. But as far as doing something different again, I don’t know.

Think Progress adds this nugget:

 Media Matters Action Network’s Matt Finkelstein writes, “Katrina killed 1,464 in Louisiana alone and uprooted the lives of countless others all over the gulf region. Yet, King says this was his ‘best’ moment in Congress. Not fighting for ‘conservative principles’ like smaller government, lower taxes, or a strong national defense — no, he’s most proud of opposing relief for victims of a catastrophe.”

Nice of Rep. King to spit in the faces of these people who died and/or had their lives and everything they’ve worked for destroyed not once but twice. After spitting in their faces once, voting down this bill, he comes back and spits in their faces again by proclaiming how proud he is to have voted against this relief effort.

Think Progress:
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/09/22/king-katrina/

Rep. Steve King Not Interested In Recognizing Work Of Slaves In Building Capitol

Rep. Steve King, an infamous Iowa Republican, was the lone member of the House of Representatives to vote against (399-1) a resolution designed to recognize (with a marker) the role that slaves played in the construction of the United States Capitol Building. The resolution’s text hardly comes across as something that should in any way be offensive or controversial.

Whereas enslaved African-Americans performed the backbreaking work of quarrying the stone which comprised many of the floors, walls, and columns of the Capitol…

Whereas recognition of the contributions of enslaved African-Americans brings to all Americans an understanding of the continuing evolution of our representative democracy; and

Whereas a marker dedicated to the enslaved African-Americans who helped to build the Capitol will reflect the charge of the Capitol Visitor Center to teach visitors about Congress and its development…

Here is what Rep. King said the following as an explanation:

In the Capitol Visitor’s Center, we agreed to change the name of the Great Hall – which honored the immigrants that came legally to America – to Emancipation Hall to honor the 645,000 slaves and their descendants who were brought to the United States more than two centuries ago.

Last night I opposed yet another bill to erect another monument to slavery because it was used as a bargaining chip to allow for the actual depiction of ‘In God We Trust’ in the CVC. The Architect of the Capitol and liberal activists opposed every reference to America’s Christian heritage, even to the extent of scrubbing ‘In God We Trust’ from the depiction of the actual Speaker’s chair in the U.S. House of Representatives.

This is just the latest example of a several year effort by liberals in Congress to scrub references to America’s Christian heritage from our nation’s Capitol. Liberals want to amend our country’s history to eradicate the role of Christianity in America and chisel references to God or faith from our historical buildings.

Our Judeo-Christian heritage is an essential foundation stone of our great nation and should not be held hostage to yet another effort to place guilt on future Americans for the sins of some of their ancestors. Christian abolitionists gave their lives by the hundreds of thousands to end slavery. Great American leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. worshipped God just as our Founding Fathers did. We must never forget this important aspect of our heritage or use it as a political bargaining chip.

Isn’t Rep. King using it as a political bargaining chip? It kind of seems like it. At 399-1, his vote was insignificant in terms of the final outcome, yet fairly symbolic in the statement it makes.

This vote kind of gives a glimpse into what darkness exists in the heart and soul of Steve King. It’s sad Rep. King would spit in the face of hard-working slaves who made such an important contribution to building the U.S. Capitol Building. He then smears liberals by saying they “want to amend our country’s history to eradicate the role of Christianity in America and chisel references to God or faith from our historical buildings.” That’s just plain stupid. He then tries to help his own futile cause by invoking the name of Dr. Martin Luther King. If Rep. King feels so strongly about the religious aspect then he should speak up, but to spit on the hard work that slaves put in to help build a historical part of this country (to play partisan politics) is disgraceful.

Here is an update from Talking Points Memo:

DCCC national press secretary Ryan Rudominer gives us this statement: “Steve King’s lone vote against acknowledging the role slaves played in the construction of the United States Capitol is a slap in the face to the very sacrifices and contributions African Americans made to our nation. This is the latest in a long line of erratic behavior from King that has made him an embarrassment to Iowans and to the Republican Party.”

Talking Points Memo:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/steve-king-i-opposed-yet-another-bill-to-commemorate-slavery-in-order-to-protect-judeo-christian-her.php

Check out the Think Progress story that documents some of Rep. Steve King’s history: http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/08/steve-king-slavery-capitol/