Senator Jim DeMint is a disingenuous, political ideologue who acts like a douche bag. Today in my in-box I received a tribute to our veterans on veterans day from Senator DeMint. The body of the e-mail paid tribute to the valor and heroism of our veterans which of course I agree with, included also was a photo of a smiling Jim DeMint posing with World War II veterans during an honor flight to Washington D.C. DeMint finishes his missive to his constituents with a reference to God.

The irony of receiving this communication from DeMint is that only yesterday, our senator had an opportunity to not only honor veterans for their service but reward businesses for hiring them. The bill passed yesterday by the senate in a vote of 94 to 1 would offer tax credits to companies who hire unemployed veterans. Senator Jon Tester, called it “the most significant piece of veterans’ jobs legislation in several years.”

The lone no vote came from Senator Jim DeMint who argued on the senate floor that there’s no evidence that offering tax credits to boost employment actually spurs hiring. “By using a politically sensitive group the day before Veterans Day, the Democrats are hoping they can trick Republicans into further complicating the tax code” DeMint said. The other Republicans in the senate were apparently convinced that it would work and actually set aside their animus for President Obama long enough to pass the bill to help more veterans find jobs and reward businesses for hiring them. I am disgusted, appalled and embarrassed by DeMint’s obnoxious partisanship but oddly not surprised. DeMint is so poisoned by his partisanship that he can’t be rational and do what’s right for the people of South Carolina. I’ve almost grown numb to his antics.