Decoding the Republican Talking Points: Part 2

1. HMOs and insurance companies have the interest of the public at heart.

2. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.

3. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.

4. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.

5. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.

6. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.

7. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business.

8. You support states' rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have a right to adopt.

9. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.

10. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.