The World According to Tom DeLay

Compiled by Magellan's Log

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Yes, dear Reader, we knew Tom DeLay (R-Tex; Majority Whip in the House of Representatives; de facto leader of House Republicans) when.

Because the physical part of Magellan's Log is located in Houston (Tom represents one of Houston's farther-out congressional districts), we were aware of Congressman Tom's many intriguing qualities long before he achieved national notoriety.

A friend who was involved in two Democratic races against Tom early in his career kindly provided us with a revealing brochure, a little collection of Tom's utterances collected before he came to national prominence.

We are pleased to be able to enter them here, without comment, into the Internet record. As, in the bumpy times ahead, Congressman Tom takes off into the wild blue, feel free to make whatever use you want of these words from deep in the heart of you-know-where, the very heart, remember, from which He-of-the-Big Smirk speaks.

If you think guys like this have any idea of what "bipartisanship" really means, you, we are afraid, have another think coming.

Congressman Tom Expresses Love for All People

"[I] fundamentally agree that a person has a constitutional right to govern his or her own body."
                                                                             --Letter to a Constituent 5-28-92.

In September, 1990, and May, 1992, Congressman Tom voted against abortion rights.

"Why does it take two people working in a home, instead of one, as it used to? It’s the culmination of years of the government increasing the cost of living."
                                                 --Quoted in Alvin (TX) Sun-Advertiser 7-24-88.

"I am living on this salary. I’m not living in the manner I was before I entered Congress, but I am living on it."
                                                              --Quoted in Brazosport (TX) Facts 8-2-88.

In 1990, Congressman Tom voted to raise his salary from $96,000 to $125,000.

"[To increase the minimum wage] would cost jobs. It’s as simple as that. It would take the jobs away from many of the people who can afford it least: the young people, the students, the minorities."
                                                    --Quoted in Alvin (TX) Sun-Advertiser 7-24-88.

"Tom DeLay has fought for our interest and for the interests of all Americans."
                                                                                    --1990 campaign brochure.

Congressman Tom voted against extending jobless benefits by 13 weeks (February, 1992), against rights of workers fired and replaced during lawful strikes (July, 1991), against 12 weeks of unpaid leave for childbirth (Fall, 1991).

"You may be interested to know that most of today’s pesticides are not synthetic but actually natural."
                                                                             --Letter to a Constituent 1-31-92.

"Chemical pesticides are ‘harmless’ and foods raised without them might even be more carcinogenic."
                                                                            --Letter to a Constituent 1-31-92.

"It has never been proven that air toxics are hazardous to people."
                                                               --Quoted in Houston Chronicle 10-28-90.

"As a public official, I have an obligation to ensure that pollutants are curbed and that taxpayers [sic] dollars are spent wisely."
                                                                            --Letter to a Constituent 7-10-90.

In May, 1990, Congressman Tom voted against the landmark Clean Air Act.

"I understand and share your frustration. The deposits of several of the failed S&Ls were misused and stolen by some of the officials of the thrifts. The people who defrauded the American taxpayers should be prosecuted and go to jail."
                                                                            --Letter to a Constituent 6-15-90.

In March, 1991, Congressman Tom voted for a further $30 billion to continue the S&L bailout. In November, 1991, Congressman Tom voted against the banking reform bill.

The Brady Bill "seeks to deny gun ownership for law-abiding citizens like you and me, thus denying us our Second Amendment rights. It does nothing to stop criminals..."
                                                                               --Letter to a Constituent 7-7-89.

The Brady Bill, supported by police throughout the nation, contains no prohibitions for law-abiding citizens.

"I am a firm believer in this program [Head Start] and the opportunities it provides for disadvantaged children."
                                                                            --Letter to a Constituent 8-20-91.

From April, 1986, to November, 1991, Congressman Tom repeatedly voted against funding for Head Start.

"Allowing the Soviet Union to consolidate a communist stronghold on our mainland (only miles from our Texas border), vis-a-vis the Sandinistas, represents a major threat to our southern flank of security."
                                                                                --Letter to a Constituent 2-5-88.

At the time of the war in Vietnam, "DeLay was eligible to enlist but said he did not at the urging of his wife."
                                                                    --Quoted in Houston Post 8-19-88.

"Planned Parenthood is not an organization we can trust to provide responsible advice and wisdom to our teenagers."
                                                             --Undated Letter to Members of Congress.

Congressman Tom Explains Middle East Politics

"The greenies have led us into the crisis in the Middle East... The rabid environmentalists felt it was more important to jeopardize the lives of our brave American servicemen than risk the death of a single snail darter."
                                                               --Quoted in Washington Post 11-4-91.

Congressman Tom Reveals a Hidden Talent

"I am in demand for my speaking prowess. I am not influenced by them [corporate lobbyists] paying for me to fly to Dallas or Little Rock, or Nashville."
                                                    --Quoted in Houston Chronicle, Fall, 1991.

In 1990, Congressman Tom got $33,050 for his prowess in speaking. In 1991, under new rules requiring that all speaking fees must be donated to charity, Congressman Tom’s two honoraria speeches brought in only $4,000.
                                                                                   --Houston Post, 6-12-92.

END

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