Posted on 06/19/2009 10:40:49 AM PDT by radar101
The California Republican Party seemed to hit political paydirt in a YouTube ad that pilloried the Service Employees International Union for "bullying state leaders in the budget process."
The ad featured footage of an angry woman telling lawmakers that union members would work to defeat lawmakers who didn't vote their way.
It turns out that the woman portrayed as an SEIU union leader in the commercial is a home health care worker from Fresno named Lisa Brown, who works for the state by caring for her son who has Down syndrome.
Now Brown is calling on Republicans to pull the ad and "apologize for its content."
"I am the mother and care provider for a sweet young man with developmental disabilities who doesn't comprehend the implications of budget cuts on the table in Sacramento," Brown said a letter to the state Republican Party.
Brown, who is an SEIU member but not a union official, said: "Your attempt to label me a 'union bully' would be hilarious if it weren't so dangerous to people that I love.'"
The GOP ran the video to counter a $1 million SEIU advertising blitz featuring a television commercial that urges lawmakers to consider taxes on oil extraction, cigarettes and alcohol to avoid social services cuts.
In the selected clip in the GOP ad, Brown hardly treads easily on lawmakers:
"We helped to get you into office, and we got a good memory," she says angrily at a legislative budget hearing. "And come November, if you don't back our program, we'll help to get you out of office."
Brown said in her letter that she appeared at the hearing "to speak from my heart and in my own words" on behalf of services for the disabled.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
The “compassion” of the left. Rmember the reaction to Sarah Palin and her son - now they’re trying to make it look like the Republicans are the mean ones. Well, it will probably work.
You’re right, we certainly are called upon as individuals to help others. I submit that the government involving itself actually subverts that.
Without ever having paid anything into the system?
Definitely.
When the government steps in to “help”, it doesn’t leave room for the church.
I believe this was intentional.
I agree.
“It turns out that the woman portrayed as an SEIU union leader in the commercial is a home health care worker from Fresno named Lisa Brown, who works for the state by caring for her son who has Down syndrome”
Did she just admit to scamming the State of California by getting paid to take care of her own son? Does CA allow for this type of conflict of interest?
“It turns out that the woman portrayed as an SEIU union leader in the commercial is a home health care worker from Fresno named Lisa Brown, who works for the state by caring for her son who has Down syndrome.”
Thats all she does? One kid? If she is getting paid, why isn’t she caring for half a dozen kids with Down syndrome? She is a lazy moocher who deserves to lose her job and her child. Give care of the child to someone who will actually work for a living.
EVERYONE SHOULD VIEW THIS AD.
KEEP IT ON THE AIR.
Agree 100% - now all we have to do is get government from taking everything to take of this so we can privately donate to the causes we can.
Thanks for the link (the one at the original story didn’t work so good).
She participated in a public hearing and her testimony is a part of a public record. It should stand and the GOP is perfectly entitled to use it. I hope the GOP holds their ground (ducking the ashtrays!).
Mrs. Brown, your son may not know; but you know.
Every new parasite made is a new vote for democrats.
I think so. Double-checking myself... Here’s a website for Social Security. It looks like the payments fall under “Supplemental Security Income payments” for children with disabilities and adults disabled since childhood:
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10026.html
As per the article, this woman was employed as a “home health care worker” caring for her own son. But, he would’ve qualified for SSI payments, too. So... was she collecting SSI and a salary from the state...? The article isn’t clear.
I reckon she may wish she kept her mouth shut because I see her maybe being in another GOP ad.
That’s what it looks like to me and if that’s the case it’s outrageous.
Yes, lots of people collect SS who never paid into it. I’ve been steamed over that for thirty years. I’ve always thought that SS was for retirees, period, not anyone who “needs” money. This is the main reason that SS is broke and not there for people who did contribute to it all their working lives. The gubmint has been raiding it for all sorts of things for many years.
In keeping with the subject of the thread... that's just retarded.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.