09 September 2009

The New Funny Liberal Word: Tenther

I was a Tenther before it was cool!

Since Teabagger, Nazi, and right-wing terrorist are pejoratives that have been so overused to defend the hapless Obama administration that they have lost all meaning, Washington Times notes that the new keyword to show your hate for the red states is "Tenther". This is a reference to those radical right-wing populists that believe in the 10th amendment, I guess. From Washington Times:
Liberal activists have a new name to disparage conservatives: "tenthers."

The nickname refers to those who cite the 10th Amendment to argue that federal intervention in areas not authorized by the Constitution, like health care for example, is unconstitutional.

This follows other names such as "birthers," "deathers" and "tea baggers."

Health care reform supporters at the Center for American Progress, the American Prospect, MSNBC and other outlets have deployed the term against Republicans who cite the 10th Amendment as reason not to create new programs. Some of the leading Republican proponents of the allegedly "dangerous" and "conspiratorial" theory include Sens. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Jim DeMint of South Carolina, and Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota.
Apparently, the term stems from this American Prospect last month and Digby, Yglesias, and Crooks and Liars have both incorporated it into their musings. If taking a strict interpretation of the constitution makes you a square, I'd sure like to know where these progressives think the power of the federal government to intervene stops.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

"I'd sure like to know where these progressives think the power of the federal government to intervene stops."

Wherever the current slate of activist judges says. Didn't you pay attention in civics?

A-ro

Nixon said...

I would've known if Mr. Blow was my teacher. Damn!

Army Sergeant said...

Hey Nixon,

Now that you're out, you can totally take off your disclaimer. ;)

Just saying, aren't you rocking the civilian lifestyle instead of that whole "Active duty naval officer" thing? People might get the wrong idea.

Bunnies and unicorns,

AS

Average American said...

I'd sure like to know where these progressives think the power of the federal government to intervene stops.

It doesn't! The only reason states still exist is to legitimize the stars on our flag.

Grung_e_Gene said...

You Lie!

Nixon said...

Hi Selena,

Saw ya in that article you did recently, good stuff! Yes, I'm a free man (well IRR), but I'll get on taking care of that disclaimer.