[Superman]

Yes, Red Beard. And for the deaths and dismemberments of children. No, I'm not a fruitcake. Yes, I'm kinda kidding. But really, would you have the guts to lie on an official legislative hearing record by saying you cannot afford the $10 it will take to employ cheap child labor, so as to prevent the department from having the resources to scrutinize where and how children are getting killed and maimed in the workplace? I think not.

And about the phone thing. If liberals ran this place, we'd have enough staff so that the service level from public agencies would be high. Phones would be staffed. Internet access would be thoughtful, etc. Remember, we're the ones who like government, believe in government and support those functions. We want them to run properly. Here I am not kidding. I have been around legislatures quite a bit, and the way to understand Republicans is to recognize that they hate government, and are working as hard as possible to either:

1) Eliminate. And if that cannot be done, then
2) Cut budget so that theprogram becomes dysfunctional.

I'm not kidding when I say I consider Republicans to be anarchists. They're trying to tear down our government. And they call that patriotism. What do you call Middle Eastern persons who are trying to tear down my government. Perhaps now you can begin to understand my sense of disgust......Arguing against a $10 annual fee to protect children. I'm ashamed for them. Many of the people in the room were ashamed for them.