William G. Horter – 12/17/08

This page was last updated on December 18, 2008.

Billions for wealthy, zilch for workers; William G. Horter; Beaver County Times; December 17, 2008.

When Mr. Horter isn’t bashing Republicans in general, and President Bush specifically, he tries to push a taxpayer-funded, government-run healthcare system (some examples are here, here, and here) on U.S. citizens. As time has progressed, Mr. Horter has increasingly resorted to name-calling and personal attacks, especially in his comments on the Times website. Since I don’t know Mr. Horter, I don’t know if he actually believes all the stuff he writes or if he just likes to stir things up. If I were the type to run a disinformation campaign, I’d invent someone like Mr. Horter. After all, the image Mr. Horter projects is a caricature of the stereotypical lefty. I have to believe a large number of lefties cringe whenever they read a comment or letter from Mr. Horter. I know I cringe whenever I read a Horter-quality comment from an alleged righty. Then again, perhaps I’ve overestimating lefties. <g>

Mr. Horter used to be one of our local Republican impersonators (The group also includes Messrs. William A. Alexander, Arthur Brown, Edward “Fellow Republicans” Hum, and George Reese.) who write claiming to be disgruntled Republicans. In June 2008 Mr. Horter wrote, “So after 50 years of being a Republican, I have changed my party. I am now a Democrat.”

History also shows you need to do your own due diligence regarding the “facts” Mr. Horter presents in his letters and the comments he posts on the Times website. Here’s just one example.

Along with other letter writers I’ve mentioned, I wish Mr. Horter could get a regular column in the Times.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“How can one not see such things and wonder? Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell voted for a couple bailouts for the Wall Street boys and bankers.”

[RWC] “Wall Street boys?” As a lefty, Mr. Horter should be more sensitive about making sexist remarks.

Before I proceed with serious comments, keep in mind I opposed all the bailouts. As a result, don’t interpret my comments below to mean I supported or defend any of them. My comments are simply to illustrate Mr. Horter’s lack of logic.

“First came AIG for some $30 billion, then another $700 billion for ‘various and sundry’ Wall Street and/or bankers in need.”

[RWC] If you follow Mr. Horter’s comments on the Times website, you know he still doesn’t believe the core of the problem was government policy and the actions of government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

“No strings attached. No regulations or suggestions as to how those recipients were to spend their bailouts.”

[RWC] The situation with the financial industry is/was not the same as with the Big Three.

“In fact, AIG had a couple really big parties on the taxpayers’ dime, and not a word from McConnell.

“But then the auto companies came for help. Those same auto companies that employ regular folk, some who are members of McConnell’s hated unions.”

[RWC] The vast majority of financial employees are also “regular folk.” You know, tellers, accountants, secretaries, et cetera. I guess Mr. Horter wants us to believe all financial industry employees are “those guys who make millions, even billions.” If he acknowledges the vast majority of financial industry employees are “regular folk,” Mr. Horter can’t play the class warfare card.

“That they were only asking for $15 billion didn’t faze him. He suddenly felt the urgent need for regulations on this new bailout.”

[RWC] “[O]nly asking for $15 billion?” I’m glad Mr. Horter feels comfortable using “only” and “$15 billion” together.

“McConnell saw his duty to reach inside this new deal and regulate what he feels is a better wage and work rule package than the companies and the union had worked out.”

[RWC] Uh, isn’t this what Congress and state legislatures do all the time when they mandate things like minimum wages?

“No strings for the Wall Street boys, remember, those guys who make millions, even billions, but the guys in the union, those greedy people making some $60,000 a year.

“I know, I’m not supposed to see the hypocrisy of the Republicans, but how can one ignore it?”

[RWC] I know this goes against Mr. Horter’s view of the world, but more Democrats (including a greater proportion of Democrats) voted for the $700 billion (H.R. 1424) bailout than Republicans. In the House, 17 more Republicans voted against the bailout than voted for it.

“Merry Christmas, workers.”

[RWC] OK, what’s missing? You’ll note Mr. Horter doesn’t call for a bailout of all employees. Doesn’t Mr. Horter care about anyone other than Big Three employees?