The Odd Case Of Rosie O'Donnell's 'Bribery' Tweets

Once upon a time, I lamented how much Twitter is used to discuss politics. Alas, the tragedy continues. It seems the like most vapid and inefficient social network continues to be the first place people go to discuss complicated issues. I wrote about the exchange between Ted Cruz and Mark Hamill over net neutrality. Now another bizarre sequence of events has unfolded on the bird-themed site.

This week Congress passed their sweeping tax bill. Depending on which side you’re on, it was either a huge victory or major defeat. Liberals are claiming it only benefitted the rich—a common attack on conservatives. Republicans promise the bill will lower taxes for middle class and working-class families.

Personally, I’m not sure why anyone would be against lower taxes. Let’s chop them up, across the board. It seems like people who are against the tax cuts are entrenched Democrats who need the revenue. After all, how are you going to pay for bloated government programs? And how are politicians in office going to afford their annual pay raises?

If you’re a regular American, then shouldn’t you be in favor of tax cuts? I’d assume so. But there is another group of people who are raging over the tax bill. These are the same people who shrieked at the sky over Trump’s election. The same people who blame President Trump for their weight gain. These people put a personal, emotional stock in politics. I am, of course, referring to dummies.

Perhaps the most deranged dummy of them all is Rosie O’Donnell. Like most people who lived through the 90’s, I remember her glory days. Rosie hosted her own daytime talk show. She was getting pretty popular. But those days are long passed. It seems like her hatred of Donald Trump (a long-documented feud) has wrecked the once beloved entertainer.

Because she doesn’t seem right, folks.

As Twitchy told you Tuesday, the House of Representatives will have to re-vote on the tax bill because the certain provisions violated Senate rules.

As that’s all happening, Rosie O’Donnell has gone off the rails…

O’Donnell’s meltdown includes a big time cash offer to select Republicans who stop the horror of tax cuts for many Americans:

(Twitchy)

This is weird, you guys. The second tweet shows a picture of the senator’s family. Was Rosie trying to dox Susan Collins? Showing a picture of her family, in that context, is a loaded action. Perhaps some of Rosie’s followers are as unhinged as she is right now. Perhaps seeing the senator’s family (some of whom are elderly) might be considered a call to arms.

I think Rosie was just trying to guilt-trip the senator, but it was odd and irresponsible. But people have jumped on the other thing Rosie said. She offered two republicans cash money to vote no on the bill. Jeff Flake and Susan Collins had earlier been opposed to the bill. So, it’s no coincidence that Rosie is singling them out.

What does “i promise to give 2 million dollars to senator susan collins and 2 million to senator jeff flake if they vote no” sound like to you?

Many people have accused Rosie of trying to bribe the senators. Offering two million dollars if they vote a certain way? Yeah, that is illegal. According to “18 U.S. Code § 201 - Bribery of public officials and witnesses” it is a crime when:

Whoever— (1) directly or indirectly, corruptly gives, offers or promises anything of value to any public official… with intent— (A) to influence any official act;

Offering money if they vote your way falls into that category. Did Rosie O’Donnell, a famous comedian, publicly bribe senators to vote no?

Some of you are rolling your eyes, I can feel it. Already people have defended Rosie, saying she meant a contribution to their campaigns. Keep in mind you can only give $2,700 as an individual to a candidate. But we know that’s not what she meant. So what did she mean?

I don’t honestly think Rosie was trying to commit a crime. She’s not ignorant of the law. As a wealthy celebrity, I’m sure she’s contributed to political campaigns. She knows the rules. And offering a bribe to senators on Twitter—for the entire world to see—is not a smart tactic. Even if Collins or Flake responded, no money would be exchanged.

Was she trying to be funny? Hardly. Rosie, perhaps more than anyone else, suffers from Trump Derangement Syndrome. People have allowed their hatred of the President to run their lives. It has caused them to panic over every tweet, comment, or executive order. Every little movement by the POTUS sends them spiraling into oblivion, clutching for the phone to call their therapist.

TDS has caused otherwise smart and successful people to behave irrationally. The passage of a tax bill causes them to meltdown. Just look at what Rosie was tweeting:

“NO I WILL NOT KILL AMERICANS FOR THE SUOER [sic] RICH”

Really? The tax bill is going to “kill Americans”? The tax bill will only help the super rich? You can argue the merits or problems of the bill all you want, but leave out the hyperbole. These emotion-drenched, manic expressions only make critics of Trump appear weak, defenseless, and unreliable.

Much like the boy who cried wolf, their complaints and rumbling become white noise.

I don’t claim the tax bill is the best thing ever created. But it seems to already be having a good effect on the economy.

After the passage of the GOP's sweeping tax plan that would cut the corporate tax rate, AT&T, Wells Fargo, Fifth Third Bancorp, Boeing and Comcast announced plans to increase their employee pay and benefits. (Axios)

Immediately following the passage of the bill, major companies announced huge investments. Not only are they putting money into charities and non-profits, they are increasing wages. Some have promised billions invested in the U.S. economy. NBC specifically said they are awarding $1,000 bonuses to over 100,000 “non-executive” employees.

Wow, this bill is really killing Americans.

It remains to be seen how the bill will impact everyone in the long run. But the deranged reactions from Rosie and her ilk don’t help. She is not forwarding the cause of American prosperity. Instead, she fans the flames of misinformation, hate, and stupidity.

In the end, that’s a greater crime than bribery.

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