Cross-posted at Brendan Calling
Philadelphia's chapter of Drinking Liberally meets every Tuesday at the Triumph Brewery, which is where I was last night enjoying a beer when a fellow drinking liberal ran up the stairs. "I think pat Toomey's downstairs!" he exclaimed.
You may know that name: Pat Toomey's the Club for Growth winger who's scared Arlen Specter out of the GOP. So as a very liberal democrat with an equal loathing for Arlen, I knew i had to meet this guy.
Turns out Pat and I had a bit in common. For starters, we'd both gone to Philadelphia's Tea Parties, although I'm fairly sure Pat didn't recognize me since my sign hid half my face.
As it happens, I have a few friends who are extremely conservative, and I enjoy concern trolling them even in casual conversation. So the first thing i said to Pat was "You and I probably don't agree on... well, much of anything. But there's one thing we probably share: Arlen Specter sucks! and actually, it's more than that," i went on. "I firmly believe that a politician has a responsibility to reflect the views of the party base." [concern troll hat by this time firmly in place] "I have a lot of conservative and Republican friends, and good lord, I would be embarrassed by someone like specter! and think of what a Democrat like me has to put up with: now I have Casey, who holds your views on abortion, wiretapping, and stem-cell research, AND Specter representing me? Ugh... "
"Well, Specter's an opportunist," Toomey began, "and he certainly doesn't reflect the views of Pennsylvania Republicans. with me, what you see is what you get. My views and policies are what they are, and I make no apology for them. And we're gonna win in 2010!"
"See, that's what I like about you, even if we're looking at things from polar opposites" I said. "I think Republicans and Democrats should be clearly distinguished from each other, and that you should be proud of your values, even if others disagree. Take a stand, you know?"
Toomey nodded. "That's what we're trying to do here," he said. "and we're gonna win," he repeated. He took a sip of his wine, which I thought was an odd drink for a Republican to choose. After all, it's liberals like me who are supposed to choose the elitist foods: yet here was one of the most right-wing fellows I have ever met, sipping wine and nibbling calamari, while upstairs liberals were chomping on burgers and guzzling beer (although my burger had swiss cheese, so that may neutralize the manly power of ground beef). Who's effete now? I wanted to ask... ah, but I digress.
"So where are you from again?" i asked.
"Allentown," Toomey responded.
"Oh, no way!" i said. "So i have a question for you: how has land value taxation worked out there?"
He seemed a bit surprised. "Land.. what do you know about land value tax?" he asked.
"not much," I admitted. "I belong to a progressive community blog here called Young Philly Politicsa, and this guy Josh Vincent thinks it would be a more equitable structure than what we have in Philly." {for those of you who aren't familiar with LVT, it's considered by supporters to be a very progressive tax that would lower the tax burden for residents while generating increased revenue. It's met significant resistance in Philly, although support is building.
"Oh yes, I know Josh very well!" sad Toomey, smiling broadly. "In fact, I supported land value tax in Allentown, and when it's implemented properly, it's very effective." for the first time in our conversation, he seemed comfortable, and got out of his seat. For the next five or ten minutes, we discussed the inefficiencies and just plain fucked-uppedness of Philadelphia's tax structure, which really does discourage sane development. i can't believe this, i kept thinking, I'm having a rational and productive discussion of taxes with Pat-fucking-Toomey and we're agreeing.
As if reading my mind, Toomey clapped me on the back and remarked, "see there ARE things we agree on!"
I thanked the man for his time, wished him good luck, shook hands, and went back to join my fellow drinking liberals.
"Did you drive him away?" "What did you say to him?" "Was he scary and crazy?" So many questions!
Whether Pat realized he was shaking hands with the "Down with sodomy/up with teabagging" guy is a topic i'll entertain later.