Liberals, Losers, and Moderates
According to recent remarks given by Senator Melvin in a speech to a group, he believes these to be the only categories of Republicans in his own caucus: Liberals, Losers, and Moderates. To be fair, the “losers” are affectionately called “Loser-tarians.” I assume this is the fun way to take a poke at Libertarians.
It was a curious choice of audiences for Senator Melvin to role out his word-smithing arts, as this was an event sponsored by the Goldwater Institute. The Goldwater Institute is largely a Libertarian leaning think tank. But, I guess he would know that if he had any real experience in his job. I am sure he knows it now.
The good Senator also pointed out that most of the Republican senators in his caucus, including him, are moderates. I wonder how popular that public announcement is with the 13 other senators he lumped into this bizarre round of self-deprecating name calling? For the record, our AZ Senate Republican caucus is much more conservative than Senator Melvin reports.
He didn’t name the “two liberals” or the “two Loser-tarians” but I am pretty sure he is counting me in the loser group. The commonly repeated message by Randy Pullen (GOP state chairman) and his puppet master, Chuck Coughlin (lobbyist and lead advisor to Governor Brewer) has been that I am not really a Republican because I am somehow a Libertarian just pretending to be Republican. While I am sure Coughlin and Pullen know that I am a straight-line Republican platform gal, I would be shocked if freshman Senator Melvin understands how ridiculous he sounds in repeating their dribble. If he did, he wouldn’t repeat it.
Perhaps the most perplexing aspect of his choice of word morphing name-calling is the complete disregard for the meaning of the word “loser.” I didn’t see a tax increase mentioned on the ballot this week. The tax increase is what I objected to (and defeated, if you believe the press). It is the same tax increase Governor Brewer insisted on, that Pullen, Coughlin, and moderate senators fought for so they could continue to grow government in spite of the economic spiral we are in. So who is the loser here, Senator Melvin?
