So This Is Despair

[WilliamPitt]

President Barack Obama speaks to reporters during a news conference about the nation's deficit and increasing the debt limit, at the White House in Washington on July 11, 2011. (Photo: Doug Mills / The New York Times)

So This Is Despair
By William Rivers Pitt
t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed

Tuesday 26 July 2011

At its best our age is an age of searchers and discoverers, and at its worst, an age that has domesticated despair and learned to live with it happily.

- Flannery O'Connor

It is difficult to describe this emotion. I’m used to disappointment, fairly comfortable with heartbreak, and am well acquainted with rage. Over the course of my lifetime, my presidents have been Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, and now Obama…and each, in his own way, has been worse than the last.

How can I say that? Easy. The problems of Nixon are still with us, and have grown worse by orders of magnitude through each successive administration. Certain presidents have exacerbated the situation beyond their expected purview, but generally speaking, each one has adopted the worst ideas of his predecessor, and in nearly every instance, has made those problems worse.

But this…this is too much.

The timeline as I understand it: the far-right GOP caucus in the House decided to use the debt limit as a hostage to fortune in their decades-long quest to eliminate Social Security and Medicare. The current Democratic president saw this, and in a pure anti-Lakoffian flail that explains everything you need to know about the man, accepted the deranged premise put before him and went to work on the annihilation of the social safety net…but with the proviso that we find some new tax revenues by closing some loopholes…maybe…please?

Not good enough. House Speaker Boehner walked away from the debt-limit talks, not once but twice, because he can’t control his caucus and because he had this Democratic president right where he wanted him. The president blew up – in as much as “No Drama” Obama ever blows up – and wondered what is needed for the GOP to say “Yes” to anything. Read between the lines of that presser, and you get this: “I tried to give them Social Security. I tried to give them Medicare and Medicaid. I gave those things willingly, despite cries of outrage from my ungrateful, foolish, obnoxious left flank, and asked only for a pittance in tax revenues in exchange. Shame on the GOP for not rampaging these social programs when I offered them the chance to do so.”

Web forums all across the Democratic Party spectrum celebrated the president’s resolve. He showed them, didn’t he?

Well…wait. I saw a president in a state of high piss-off because he tried to give away Social Security and Medicare, but couldn’t convince the far right to take the proffered opportunity. They’ve been trying to do this very thing for three generations, and here is Obama practically sweating bullets in his desire to give them the victory they have pined for since Goldwater was in short pants. Sure, it’s proof that Boehner is at the mercy of the Tea Party freshmen in his caucus, but in which universe is this called victory? This Democratic president was angry because he was being denied the opportunity to preside over an historic roll-back of the New Deal?

Poor baby.

Oh, but we weren’t done yet. The “Grand Bargain” was still in the offing, now splintered into two or three or twelve different iterations, but all ultimately coming down to the same thing: trillions in cuts for the most vulnerable Americans, no new tax revenues from the rich or anyone else, and the bonus prize sought most passionately by the Democrats was the chance to kick this whole fight down the road to 2013, so none of these failures would be forced to address the question before their next all-important election cycle.

Sell out Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid for a chance at an easier ride at the ballot? Where do I sign?

The Bush-era tax cuts for rich people appear nowhere in the discussion, despite the fact that eliminating them would go most of the way towards resolving this “crisis.” We are still fighting three wars, and the “defense” budget remains largely untouchable. I have not heard an American politician talk about jobs in over a year, even though a robust jobs program would add revenue to the budget hand over fist.

At the time of this writing, matters stand thusly:

We don't yet know what the final deal to raise the debt ceiling will be. But now that Harry Reid is developing a proposal with $2.7 trillion in cuts and nothing in revenues, it's a safe bet that it won't include any tax increases. Which means that whether Republicans realize it or not, they've won. The question now is whether they can stop.

John Boehner is proposing a deal with about $1 trillion in spending cuts and a short-term increase in the debt ceiling and a bipartisan congressional committee charged with developing a large deficit reduction package that would be immune to amendments and filibusters and would be the price of the next increase in the debt ceiling. Harry Reid is developing a package of spending cuts that Democrats could accept and would reach Boehner's $2.4 trillion mark.

If you take the Republicans' goals as avoiding a deal in which they have to vote for tax increases and denying Obama a political victory, it looks like they have succeeded. That success has come with costs - they've done themselves political damage, are risking a crisis that could do the economy tremendous harm, and have left the Bush tax cuts unresolved, which means they might end up watching taxes rise much higher than if they'd taken Obama's offer - but it's still been a success.

A great many people who should know better continue to look at this situation as if Mr. Obama has some fantastic rabbit he…is…just…waiting to pull out of a hat, thus foiling the GOP and securing our future forever. For a brief moment a couple of weeks ago, I shared that optimism, but the last several days have slapped me soundly out of that fugue state.

I see a president on his knees, hands outstretched, offering the best ideas and policies liberal governance has ever devised up to the voracious carnivore of GOP opportunism. I see the end of the New Deal, and a far crueler America emerging from the aftermath. I see a Democratic president voiding his bladder on all that he is supposed to uphold.

Mr. Obama got on those knees again Monday night, on national television no less, and once again begged the GOP to devour Social Security and Medicare. He gobbled up the flawed, flayed premise of the far-right's deranged argument, again, and pleaded for the chance to give away the core of what he was elected to defend.

I thought I was done being ashamed of my president.

I was wrong.

http://www.truth-out.org/so-despair/1311620664

[ProSense]

1. Which

Mr. Obama got on those knees again Monday night, on national television no less, and once again begged the GOP to devour Social Security and Medicare. He gobbled up the flawed, flayed premise of the far-right's deranged argument, again, and pleaded for the chance to give away the core of what he was elected to defend.

I thought I was done being ashamed of my president.

...speech did you listen to? Doesn't appear that it was this one

The text of President Obama's nationally televised address on raising the debt ceiling, as prepared for delivery:

Good evening. Tonight, I want to talk about the debate we've been having in Washington over the national debt - a debate that directly affects the lives of all Americans.
For the last decade, we have spent more money than we take in. In the year 2000, the government had a budget surplus. But instead of using it to pay off our debt, the money was spent on trillions of dollars in new tax cuts, while two wars and an expensive prescription drug program were simply added to our nation's credit card.

As a result, the deficit was on track to top $1 trillion the year I took office. To make matters worse, the recession meant that there was less money coming in, and it required us to spend even more - on tax cuts for middle-class families; on unemployment insurance; on aid to states so we could prevent more teachers and firefighters and police officers from being laid off. These emergency steps also added to the deficit.

<...>

So the debate right now isn't about whether we need to make tough choices. Democrats and Republicans agree on the amount of deficit reduction we need. The debate is about how it should be done. Most Americans, regardless of political party, don't understand how we can ask a senior citizen to pay more for her Medicare before we ask corporate jet owners and oil companies to give up tax breaks that other companies don't get. How can we ask a student to pay more for college before we ask hedge fund managers to stop paying taxes at a lower rate than their secretaries? How can we slash funding for education and clean energy before we ask people like me to give up tax breaks we don't need and didn't ask for?

That's not right. It's not fair. We all want a government that lives within its means, but there are still things we need to pay for as a country - things like new roads and bridges; weather satellites and food inspection; services to veterans and medical research.

Keep in mind that under a balanced approach, the 98% of Americans who make under $250,000 would see no tax increases at all. None. In fact, I want to extend the payroll tax cut for working families. What we're talking about under a balanced approach is asking Americans whose incomes have gone up the most over the last decade - millionaires and billionaires - to share in the sacrifice everyone else has to make. And I think these patriotic Americans are willing to pitch in. In fact, over the last few decades, they've pitched in every time we passed a bipartisan deal to reduce the deficit. The first time a deal passed, a predecessor of mine made the case for a balanced approach by saying this:

"Would you rather reduce deficits and interest rates by raising revenue from those who are not now paying their fair share, or would you rather accept larger budget deficits, higher interest rates, and higher unemployment? And I think I know your answer."

Those words were spoken by Ronald Reagan. But today, many Republicans in the House refuse to consider this kind of balanced approach - an approach that was pursued not only by President Reagan, but by the first President Bush, President Clinton, myself, and many Democrats and Republicans in the United States Senate. So we are left with a stalemate.

Now, what makes today's stalemate so dangerous is that it has been tied to something known as the debt ceiling - a term that most people outside of Washington have probably never heard of before.

Understand - raising the debt ceiling does not allow Congress to spend more money. It simply gives our country the ability to pay the bills that Congress has already racked up. In the past, raising the debt ceiling was routine. Since the 1950s, Congress has always passed it, and every President has signed it. President Reagan did it 18 times. George W. Bush did it 7 times. And we have to do it by next Tuesday, August 2nd, or else we won't be able to pay all of our bills.

Unfortunately, for the past several weeks, Republican House members have essentially said that the only way they'll vote to prevent America's first-ever default is if the rest of us agree to their deep, spending cuts-only approach.

<...>

[WilliamPitt]

3. Interesting part you left out.

"The first approach says, let's live within our means by making serious, historic cuts in government spending. Let's cut domestic spending to the lowest level it's been since Dwight Eisenhower was President."

[ProSense]

Yeah,

a sentence that is largely vague rhetoric negates the whole speech, right?

Ignore this:

"Let's cut defense spending at the Pentagon by hundreds of billions of dollars."

and this:

"What we're talking about under a balanced approach is asking Americans whose incomes have gone up the most over the last decade - millionaires and billionaires - to share in the sacrifice everyone else has to make."

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

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[ProSense]

15. And the Reid plan

doesn't touch Social Security and Medicare (much to our "despair"?)

[Raven]

17. That's correct but why did Obama bring it up again last night when

it's not in the reid plan? He's got me totally confused.

[ProSense]

21. He shouldn't have?

Aren't they still negotiating? Still, what's wrong with continuing to make the case to the American people? I suspect members of Congress are going to hear from their constituents about cutting the defense budget and eliminating tax loopholes for the wealth.

[Raven]

25. Do you support putting SS and M/M back on the table ?

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

136. Deleted message

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[MissDeeds]

142. +1 n/t

[JDPriestly]

156. +2

[janet118]

189. I always thought he was . . .

John Kerry.

[tblue]

195. LOL! I was thinking the exact same thing!

The image I've got in my hea! Hysterical, even though it's really such a tragedy

[Name removed]

155. Deleted message

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[Divernan]

222. That's the key question. Should be asked of every DU poster.

By their silences shall we know them!

[CreekDog]

161. because Obama's running to the right of Reid

he has to poke us liberals in the eye to look good to some moderate conservatives in hopes of getting their votes.

we'll see how that works out for him (or do i mean "us"). :shrug:

[Bluenorthwest]

226. Do you personally support putting Social Security and Medicare

on the table? If so, why? In your own words, or it is just spam.

[dawg]

20. I prefer the Reid plan to what I've been hearing from the White House.

I don't think I understand your comment here. I don't like the Reid plan, but I don't "despair" over it. :shrug:

[Armstead]

24. Shared sacrifice -- "The Rich have to pay a little more for their fifth home, while everyone else...

can live on the streets."

[Zorra]

61. Just curious...if a plan could be worked out that did not involve cuts

in Social Security and Medicare, but did cut defense spending and ended the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, would you support it?

Or do you believe that that cuts Social Security and Medicare are necessary in order to lower the debt?

[Name removed]

70. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[lark]

110. If horses had wings, etc.

This has, unfortunately, as much relevance to this discussion as your question. Neither of these is on the table or being discussed AT ALL. Of course, the only true way to really resolve the issue is exactly what you suggest - cut defense spending and reinstate higher taxes on rich - along with eliminating tax loopholes for corporations and rich. Making our country better is neither our presidents', the Repugs, or most Dems ambition - it's making themsleves and their richer corporate masters even richer.

[Divernan]

223. Key questions to be asked of each and every DUer.

By their answers, or by their refusal to answer, shall we know them.

[JDPriestly]

153. "Let's shut down our facilities in Afghanistan and Iraq" might have

actually caused the Republicans some panic.

Their donors and supporters make lots of money on those wars.

[avaistheone1]

204. Pfft. Please tell us how millionaires and billionaires will truly share

in the sacrifice the poor, working and middle class are being asked to make?

You can't do it because there is no way the super wealthy can or will suffer the kind of sacrifice that those with much, much less will will be forced to bare.

[Lorien]

40. ...without taxing the rich at the levels seen when Dwight Eisenhower was President."

[femrap]

86. We are looking at

The Audacity of Austerity.

[StarsInHerHair]

180. and what I thought when he said that was: there werent 309 million Americans

back then, so how is that realistic?

[Name removed]

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[Zorra]

18. What do you think aboujt the President issuing an EO

raising the debt ceiling, and doing so in the name of national security?

He can't give in to GOP terrorism, and they are holding the nation hostage with demands that are unrelated to raising the debt ceiling.

Do you think this is possible, and do you think this is a better idea than accepting the GOP demands?

[dawg]

22. I don't think that would be legal.

Unless, perhaps, the 14th amendment is used as justification.

[neoralme]

118. Legal, but it would be challenged by a legislative change to

presidential powers. It would end Obama, but it would also end the Republican Party, or at least the Teabaggers.

[neoralme]

Bingo! Here, from The Fourth Turning written in 1995. Very good

thinking for you to understand what may well happen.

An impasse over the federal budget reaches a stalemate. The president and Congress both refuse to back down, triggering a near-total government shutdown. The president declares emergency powers. Congress rescinds his authority. Dollar and bond prices plummet. The president threatens to stop Social Security checks. Congress refuses to raise the debt ceiling. Default looms. Wall Street panics.

Hard to believe someone wrote this long ago.

[robcon]

124. Amazing prediction of what will come true next week.

n/t

[neoralme]

132. I was so shocked that someone had predicted this

possibly happening, I download the dude's book to my Pandigital. I'll start reading tonight. Based on the public perception right now, if the Republicans tried to overrule an Obama Act of Emergency, the public would side with Obama. Nothing like this would have ever happened in history. You can only imagine what might happen next. The teabaggers have bitten off more than they can chew. I just wonder which one will be found in some remote pond first.

[Zorra]

162. Dems are in control of the Senate. Would it still be possible

for Congress to rescind the authority of the President if a Senate majority supported the President's actions?

[neoralme]

165. No. But if he does something that earns him severe criticism from

both Houses, then it could be rescinded. I'm not certain, but there are people on this board, like Hissyspit, that might know. I'm still reading the book I just got and pulled that passage out of. It is so horrifying in the possibilities I suggest you NOT read it unless you have nerves of steel, which I don't. Strauss is talking about changes in the norm that are beginning now. Good luck, Madam Zorra.

[totodeinhere]

172. All it would take is one Supreme Court justice, such as Scalia, to put a hold on the

EO pending judicial review which could take months or even years. If they were willing to appoint Bush they would certainly be willing to do this.

[Zorra]

181. Is there any precedent for the SCOTUS placing a "hold" on an

executive order?

I've never heard of it occurring before.

[totodeinhere]

184. I don't know of any but there wasn't a precedent for appointing Bush either.

And the gang of five that controls the court right now doesn't need a precedent if they don't want to use one. They have proved that already.

[Zorra]

234. House Democratic Leaders To Obama: Use The 14th Amendment

Huffington Post

WASHINGTON -- House Democratic leaders emerged from a Wednesday Caucus meeting with a message for President Barack Obama: Invoke the Constitution to resolve the debt standoff.

If Congress can't reach a deal on a long-term debt limit increase by August 2, Obama should "sign an executive order invoking the 14th Amendment," said Assistant Minority Leader James Cyburn (D-S.C.).

"I am convinced that whatever discussions about the legality of that can continue," Clyburn said. "But I believe that something like this will bring calm to the American people and will bring needed stability to our financial markets."

House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.) acknowledged that Obama has previously expressed doubts about his legal authority to unilaterally raise the debt limit. But circumstances have changed, Larson said, and "we just want to let him know that his Caucus is prepared to stand behind him" if Congress fails to pass a long-term deal.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/27/house-democratic-leaders-urge-obama-to-use-14th-amendment_n_910878.html

[leveymg]

225. Are we ready to Indict Clarence Thomas, yet?

Wasn't all this rather foreseeable? Why didn't they do it late last year, when it became clear that for more than five years running Thomas had been intentionally omitting his wife's income on his sworn annual judicial disclosure forms?

Is Obama setting himself and the Democrats for failure, again, or is there some awful truth we aren't being told?

[totodeinhere]

232. Oh I agree with your sentiments about Thomas 100% but it's a little late for

that now, at least as far as this present crisis is concerned.

[StarsInHerHair]

183. is there a fix, a way that ends their madness in the book?

[neoralme]

201. No. All the possibilities end badly but similarly with America going

into a period of abject horror. The author goes into great detail. I started reading the book from the last chapter, so I will eventually have to start from the beginning. But I can't put it down. I'm not going to report the real bad stuff because I don't want anyone here getting scared. I still think, even though most everyone here is liberal, that if the Republicans go too far, we will hit the streets with personalities as changed as night from day. There will be blood. What I said when Obama caved on the Bush tax cuts is now coming true. Keep the faith, ma'am. We are all together. That little midget in Virginia won't know what hit him.

[StarsInHerHair]

182. hell yes!

[suffragette]

30. Reagan? "balanced approach" ?

And it's a Democratic president saying that?

That name and those words don't belong together in the same sentence, yet are now being not only put together but lauded as the direction to pursue.

The British students described Reagan's and the current approach more accurately when they held up the sign saying: "Our Austerity is Their Prosperity."

[loyalsister]

62. The idea is:

For people to call their republican congress and senators and say: "even st. Ronnie did it"

He's putting out a very good talking point for us.

People here keep posting polls. Obama invited us to call in and show congress that those numbers are accurate.

[suffragette]

64. So, expressing admiration and giving credence to a Republican president's

policy views that were directly opposed to Democratic party platforms and values is now a "good talking point."

I would call that a bad idea.

[loyalsister]

74. Did you read the quote?

"Would you rather reduce deficits and interest rates by raising revenue from those who are not now paying their fair share, or would you rather accept larger budget deficits, higher interest rates, and higher unemployment?"

That is not very consistent with the current republican rhetoric.
If we get past the simple black and white based on the general picture, we do find that there republicans in the past agree with us. I find it satisfying to present republicans with proof that the radical perspective is not representative of their republican role models.

[suffragette]

171. Sorry, I did not and do not agree with Reagan's ideas

on budget, health care, rights, etc.

Trickle down economics did not work and is callous and unfair in the extreme..
Castigating the poor as "welfare queens" was and remains wrong. His policies directly led to homelessness and suffering for a large number of people.
Running propaganda campaigns before he was president against Medicare and reduction of regulation contributed to the decay of our health care system. And refusing to prioritize AIDS research, due in part to his view of religion, led to countless deaths.
He shredded government and services by privatizing whatever he could, going so far as to appoint the President's Commission on Privatization.
http://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/04/us/reagan-appoints-privatization-unit.html
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=34751#axzz1TGsgT5MB

I can't even scratch the surface in one post about his atrocious record on civil rights, his abhorrent policies (and siphoning of huge amounts of taxpayer money) toward Latin America and his start of the destruction of labor in the U.S.

But here's a link that may help you to see that he was not a Republican who "agreed with us" or at least any of the "us" who value the principles I see expressed in Democratic platforms such as the one in my state.

http://www.democracynow.org/features/remembering_ronal_regan

edit for typo

[loyalsister]

186. That's exactly the point

I agree with all of your objections.

I just think I don't have to buy the whole package in order to appreciate a quote I agree with. A significant moment of agreement shouldn't be overlooked. In fact we should find them and take advantage of them.

It's a lesson I learned because my dad is hard core RW. I don't like the business and family finance analogies. But, I can say that focusing on what we do have in common- my sisters- makes it is easier to cook and eat a big dinner together at Thanksgiving.

[Bluenorthwest]

228. Reagan was a vicious homophobe and racist who

refused to take any action, not even the speaking of a word, for years as the AIDS crisis mounted. I have no right wing inheritance to cozy up to, so I can call a monster a monster. Oh, and since the Reagan Democrats are generally calloused toward GLBT let me point out to you, dear, that to this day, HIV/AIDS remains the number one killer of African American Women 18-34. So the deaths he brought were not only for 'those people'. Not jut the ones Obama says are 'not sanctified'.
It gets old hearing this shit.

[loyalsister]

231. I'm not saying anyone should make his bday a holiday

or build a monument. John Ashcroft is among the worst enemies to women's rights. BUT, there was a time when he was governor of MO that he call Democrats back in to a special session to raise taxes rather than cut education and assistance to poor people. I have kept an article about it and I do not let Republicans forget that it happened.

[The Doctor.]

236. *BUZZZZ!* Wrong.

Obama never expressed admiration for Reagan's policy views. That's a very underhanded method of vilifying Obama and you should be ashamed.

Obama expressed admiration for Reagan's ability to bring people together to get things done. Although I wouldn't be disappointed if Obama expressed admiration for Reagan's tax policies.

If we had those rates now, we'd be in much better shape.

[JDPriestly]

157. Apparently, the lines are very, very jammed.

[DainBramaged]

48. Support the man even if he drives the bus over the cliff is that what you want?

Or for you, your financial status is such that you can ignore the obvious and simply close your eyes and damn the rest of us who are poor?


So sad.

[KoKo]

248. He's Driving that BUS...Broke for HELL...and he's DOING IT ON OUR BACKS!

he's got little "skin in this game." He wins whether the American People Lose or Not! He and his family and his two precious daughters WIN in this GAME!

What about our own daughters, sons, cousins and the rest of our families? We/They are "Losers" who will need to be "RETRAINED."

That's the sad of his thinking. That he thinks that most Americans aren't qualified to hold the jobs that he says: "America Needs Jobs for the Educated and that's why My Initiative is on Training the New Youth of America so that they will be QUALIFIED for JOBS in the 21st Century!"

We are LOSERS...get over it. Our kids are on ADD/ADS..ADP ...or whatever the School Doctor diagnoses to get them hooked on Big Pharma MEDS! Deaden the kids who might be the Best and Brightest who are CREATIVE...HAVE ENERGY and a DIFFERENT OUTLOOK...and focus on the HARVARD KIDS...the CLONES the ONES WHO WANT TO BE WORLD LEADERS!

OBAMA ...YOU HAVE LEFT MIDDLE AMERICA IN THE DUST! But, you are not to blame because you didn't GROW UP in Middle America in the Hills and Hollers of the Religious Finaticals..and so ...you thought you were doing something to "forward move."

But..to YOU, President Obama ..."Forward Move" is sending these kids to Afghanistan/Iraq/Yemen/Somalia...and eventually to Iran. You feel they will get a "good education" but NEITHER YOU nor your PRECIOUS DAUGHTERS...will ever be faced with that choice.

I think there's something very wrong in this country that this is happening..

[MannyGoldstein]

117. You accidentally left out the part about "entitlement reform"

"serious deficit reduction would still require us to tackle the tough challenges of entitlement and tax reform"

Which is fancy language for slashing earned benefits for an already horribly-wounded middle class.

[Jakes Progress]

121. Again. You try to side track discussion of the OP.

You can add al the speech. You can cherry pick parts. You can truthfully say how bad the republicans are.

What you can't do is argue that the president, our president, a president elected by the party of FDR, is fighting hard to start sliding down the slippery slope by beginning the neocon's cherished dream and reagan's wish of cutting SS and Medicare. You know that SS has nothing to do with the debt. You know that cutting services right now when the poor are suffering heavily and the rich are raking it in is a terribly inhumane idea. But you want to side track discussion of that issue.

At long last. Have you no shame.

[Name removed]

202. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

217. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[neoralme]

224. Yeah okay. I know what it is now. One more thing. In case you

didn't recognize it, we are now in collapse mode. There is no telling what will happen. Keep safe. I have said it before, and I will say it again: if they cut Social Security and/or Medicare, people will be on the streets with guns, and there will not be enough police or army to stop it.

[roguevalley]

230. pissed because he couldn't give away SS and Medicare. Spot on.

for growing up a poor kid he sure left the rest of us behind in his heart and mind. I have never seen anyone who appeared to be empathetic to the rest of us from whence he came turn away so fast and so ruthlessly and without any emotional regret. his bubble, the one that keeps him from feeling anything but anger that he can't dismantle what's left of the New Deal and Great Society is amazing. What a douchebag he is.

[Bake]

2. Bravo, Will! You nailed it.

Of course, the knee-jerk Obama defenders will come out swinging, but the fact is, my friend, you nailed it.

Bravo.

Bake

[peace frog]

4. Many thanks

You've said it for all of us.

[KoKo]

158. +!

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. Weekend Poker games helped me get through college

I was good enough to leave the table with winnings
everytime.


He bet on a hand that hadn't even been played yet
and told them what and who had which cards.


He just wanted to be buds with these assholes
and be one the guys... they hate him and he doesn't even get it... or if he does get it..... he hates us.


Yeah, I'll vote for him but he's part of the problem
and the US doesn't have a choice because the cards
are already dealt.

[bvar22]

93. The problem here is that Obama has GREAT cards.

*The American people overwhelmingly support raising taxes on the RICH,
and NO cuts to Social Security/Medicare... by OVER 80%.

*He could have an ARMY in the STREETS tomorrow to Protect SS/Medicare,
CUT Military Spending. and raise taxes on the RICH,
If he would CALL them and STAND with them,
MILLIONS would answer.
a FUCKING ARMY!

*There are STILL a few "Democrats" left in the House & Senate who would answer the call too.

He HAS great cards.
he SHOULD call the Republican Bluff, and RAISE with an expansion of Medicare (Raise the Cap),
but he refuses to play these cards.
He is going to fold a Straight Flush to the Republican's empty hand.

[SammyWinstonJack]

97. So the answer is ....He hates us.

x(

[Vanje]

174. No. He does'nt hate us

He just LOVES LOVES LOVES his corporate and financial backers.

Also, I don't hate him.

But I am so fucking done.

[RaleighNCDUer]

98. My feeling exactly. nt

[neoralme]

125. I think it's that he is playing another's hand. He has marching

orders.

[The Doctor.]

237. Which he very reluctantly follows...

for now.

[1monster]

146. He WOULD have a great hand if he and the Legislative Branch gave a single

flying leap off a shallow curb about WE THE PEOPLE. They don't. Not Obama or 99 44/100 of the Senate and the House. they see themselves as so far above us that they can't see or hear us and we don't matter to them.

Other governments in other countries and other times have made the mistakes of ignoring their people, and both the governments and the people paid a high price for those mistakes.

*The American people overwhelmingly support raising taxes on the RICH,
and NO cuts to Social Security/Medicare... by OVER 80%.

[neoralme]

119. Then you'll be part of phase 2 when he cuts entitlements down by

a third.

[JDPriestly]

169. I'm with you Iching regarding Obama's negotiating techniques.

[Raven]

7. Heartbreaking. I am so used to being a loyal Democrat and I

have been hoping to see that rabbit. I began to despair when he put SS and Medicare/Medicaid on the table and took the Bush tax cuts off. Even today I'm praying for that rabbit.

[dawg]

8. A little stronger than I would put it, but I share your concerns.

Hope you've got on your flame-proof underwear. It's been rough in here lately. :bounce:

[Bonobo]

9. That is it. You've got it. 100% right. I assume you are walking back your apology now.

I recall a post from you a couple of weeks back apologizing to the president for foolishly believing he was doing anything OTHER than playing nth dimensional chess. I assume you now see that it is an entirely different game that he is playing --hide the salami.

[WilliamPitt]

10. Quote:

"For a brief moment a couple of weeks ago, I shared that optimism, but the last several days have slapped me soundly out of that fugue state."

[Bonobo]

19. I understand your desire to have seen it that way.

Nothing like a big splash of ice water in the face on a scorching summer day, eh?

[gateley]

71. This is why I love DU, WillPitt, and why I'm grateful you

share your stuff here. Good, reasoned points and arguments on both sides. I read you, I go "hmmmm, valid points". I read ProSense's 'rebuttal" and I go "hmmmm, valid points". I often learn, and most often the lesson is that NOTHING is ever cut and dried, that we can always look at a bigger picture than we might be restricting ourselves to.

Kind of OT - but I'm kind of leaning toward Reid's proposal -- in as much as I understand it. No cuts to The Big Three, $1T pentagon cuts, some other stuff, and we leave the rest off the table until after the 2012 elections. So my initial outrage @ his "no tax cuts" was replaced by well maybe this is do-able for the short term, most importantly because we get some breathing room on Med/SS. Are you indicating you don't think this should be an option?

:hi:



Edit/Spell Check :eyes:

[dawg]

13. What many on this board fail to understand, is this ...

Most of us who are so critical of President Obama really, really, really want to be wrong. We don't want to believe what our lying eyes and ears are telling us.

We don't have it out for the President. Not at all.

[Armstead]

28. BINGO and +1,000

[Raksha]

78. Absolutely true, but so far I haven't seen much evidence that we're wrong.

[lark]

112. True dat

[demmiblue]

34. +1 n/t

[Lorien]

38. Yep. nt

[KoKo]

51. +!!!

[uponit7771]

63. The small majority who want to be correct override those who want to be wrong and use the same tacti

...tactics in prefering their positions.

[myrna minx]

104. +1 n/t

[Dappleganger]

123. +10000

[Ignis]

207. +1

[The Doctor.]

238. Actually *I* wish you were right. But I can assure you...

You are wrong.

As wrong as everyone who claimed that Obama was against gay marriage merely because he did not make a strong stand on it.

Unfortunately, the reality is worse than if you were right. I wish you were right. Because that would mean the political machinations are not firmly under the control of corporate America, and that it really IS still possible to pull the nation back from the brink.

Believe me, I wish I were wrong far more than you.

[Little Star]

11. You are right. Well said! k&r n/t

[mmonk]

14. I'm not easily fooled and am one of the most cynical people I know.

But in 2008, I bought into hope. Even though I quickly returned to self by 2009, none of us are immune.

[COLGATE4]

16. K&R. The most intelligent reponse on this debacle to date. Thanks.

[dawg]

23. So far, you are not getting pounced upon.

Can't say I blame them. I wouldn't want to take you on in a battle of words. Numbers, yes. I could probably kick your ass with numbers. Words, not so much. :P :bounce:

[BobbyBoring]

26. Again, A great post!

I just can't believe Obama hasn't figured it out yet. He could offer every billionaire a solid gold Rolls Royce with a trunk full of cash reaped for Medicare and SS and the rethugs would say no.

I'm waiting for the magic rabbit too Will, but I'm afraid it's going to be a rat. A BIG FUCKING RAT!

[Armstead]

27. Probably your best (but worst) column ever

Your best because you nailed it, and expressed what many feel very eloquently.

Your worst because the truth in this scenario really sucks.

We were supposed to be pissed when Bush and the GOP were in charge. But not after we supposedly "won" in 2008.

[democrank]

29. K & R

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

31. "Sell out Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid for a chance at an easier ride at the ballot?" Yep

That's what this whole charade is all about. The Republicans play to their lunatic base and out boss playing to the "middle" in an attempt to be the sage, moderate, level-headed, leader.

All of this at the expense of the most vulnerable people. The old, the young, the sick, the poor, the unemployed, the students.

He has embraced the supply side, trickle down, Third Way, of screwing the people and telling them that's it's the only option and that they should be grateful for being screwed.....as usual.

[GliderGuider]

32. Bravo, Will! I'm watching this bit of kabuki from up here in Canada, and all I keep thinking is

:wtf:
:wtf:
:wtf:
:wtf:
:wtf:
:wtf:

Oh, and

:wtf:

[alberg]

33. I posted this yesterday

Excuse me Mr. President, it’s not yours to give away.

You didn’t create Social Security and Medicare, the American People did – working their will through the efforts of Democratic Party leadership over the course of a 40 year struggle. You were not there. The blood and tears and courage it took to create these programs were not yours.

Americans who have paid their dues and paid their taxes for a lifetime expect it to be there when they need it. That was the promise. That is the cornerstone of our social contract as a nation.

Stop what you’re doing, now. You have no right. You have no mandate. Social Security and Medicare do not belong to you.

[Mimosa]

245. ^ Wow Alberg ^

You are right. Social Security and Medicare need to be improved, not cut.

[SidDithers]

35. Unrec...

Thought I liked your stuff.

I was wrong.

Sid

[Bake]

46. The truth hurts, huh.

Yes it does. Reality sucks.

Bake

[Name removed]

84. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

105. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Forkboy]

106. So you basically unrecced yourself lol.

[Dragonfli]

154. You still have your safety nets secure up there in Canada, Why do you hate the American people who

don't have even health care as you do, you are happy that OUR skin is getting burned off in this game but tell me, what gives you the right to support cuts in our country that you would never stand for in your own?

[Amonester]

193. The point Sid is unable to foresee is, with a neocon like harper at the wheel

for 4 years, and a relatively 'free reign' (absolute majority), he will jump in the teabagsters wagon as soon as this nonsense will be put in effect in the US, and probably raise the age of the federal pension plan to 70 up there.

Especially after the world economy will be thrown to the sharks and in total chaos for years to come... harper and his subsiduary of neocons won't hesitate a minute.

[Name removed]

176. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bluenorthwest]

229. The lack of specifics and the cliqueish personal snark

indicates a deficient counter argument.

[Rex]

247. Aww poor kid, so you just like and dislike people that post

based on one post...gotcha, thanks. :eyes:

[Lyric]

36. You're absolutely right, Will.

Though some refuse (and have ALWAYS refused, and will CONTINUE to refuse) to see it.

Not all of us are so blind.

:kick:

[VeryConfused]

37. I notice you are proven wrong far more often than proven right

so why on earth should I still listen to you?

[Name removed]

39. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

52. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[VeryConfused]

53. One's only as good as the recent history

being right about how bad George Bush was, wasn't exactly rocket science

[lark]

115. Being clear eyed about Obama's double dealings

also does not require rocket science. It does require putting down the kool-aid and facing the hurtful truth. Can you do it........ didn't think so?

[VeryConfused]

219. It's simply impossible to be clear eyed and see those supposed double dealings

one needs to be blinded by extreme ideology to see what doesn't exist

[KoKo]

54. ...

[Armstead]

59. How about instead of a personal attack on the poster, you counter it with an actual point?

Why is he wrong on this, in your opinion? How do you see it differently?

[bvar22]

137. Welp... You killed THAT subthread,

asking for specific points of disagreement
instead of just accepting the Personal Attacks at face value.

That'll do it every time.
Shame on you.

[BulletproofLandshark]

213. I notice you didn't provide one goddamned example.

Based on some of your other posts, I didn't expect you to.

[snappyturtle]

41. What scares me most is that proposed cuts will take money out of the economy.

Those directly effected by the cuts will have less to spend! I am ashamed the President would willingly support such a downward spiral for his people.

We know the rich won't spend enough or create the jobs needed to bring the economy back. Why is it President Obama seemingly refuses to support tax 'increases' on the rich? Oh, yeah, well....nevermind.

Thanks for your thoughtful OP. K&R

[BREMPRO]

42. Not sure why you are blaming Obama for a completely dysfunctional congress

what exactly would you have him do? I thought he did a fine job of defending democratic principles under the assault of a weak house leader hostage to ignorant tea party ignoramuses would accept nothing less than gutting of these programs.. he's taken his case to the people.. used the bully pulpit effectively. and keep in mind there is more at play than just raising the debt ceiling, the credit rating agencies are looking closely at the US books and don't see a sustainable path without cuts.. I agree cut the wars, defense, tax the wealthy and eliminate deductions and offshore tax havens etc.. but again..REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS are the problem.. not Obama.. he's tried to "compromise" to be reasonable.. but clearly they are bend on his demise and see a default as a plus as it weakens Obama. Tough situation for any president under the circumstances..but the R's are playing pure politics as usual and have enough control to block anything he proposes. He could use more constructive support and less blame, rather than your dismissive blistering criticism.

[Armstead]

58. You don't fight a raging bear with a cap pistol

Yes Republicans in Congress are ultimately to blame.

But that's all the more reason to actually fight back. We are not seeing that happen. Instead we are rolling over and playing dead.

[senseandsensibility]

60. Absolutely

You said it succinctly and well.

[Fire1]

134. Again, as was previously asked, what would you have him do?

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Fuddnik]

73. Obama is the one who first put Medicare and SS on the table.

He appointed the stacked Catfood Commission, loaded with people who made it a life's work to undo the programs, without any prompting from the Republicans. When he couldn't get his desired results, he decided to make it a part of deficit reduction.

And every time the deranged Republicans are offered the programs on a silver platter, in their hatred, they refuse it. And he comes back and tries to give it away again. And again.

Remember in 2009, and the 2010, Republicans and tea-baggers won the election, because they convinced seniors he had death panels, and was going to take away their Medicare? And now he's willing to go down in history as the Democratic President who gave it to them?

:wtf:

[Name removed]

81. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WilliamPitt]

82. "...the Association of Woodchuck Chess Masters..."

:rofl:

[Divernan]

99. Obama's push of Big 3 Cuts is an obscene twist on The Ransom of Red Chief

In that O.Henry story, a couple of crooks kidnapped a rich man's son, expecting a big fat ransom. Turned out the kid was a monster and his father was glad to be rid of him. He drove the kidnappers bonkers and they begged the father to take the kid back. The crooks ended up having to PAY the father to take the kid back.

Obama figured the GOP would pay big time to get their hands on (get the chance to slash) the Big 3. The GOP figured out that harming the Big 3 would cost them at the polls and refused to pay up re cutting military spending, ending Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy, etc., EVEN when Obama said well, we can delay those revenue raisers to some vague future time, the GOP still turned him down. In O'Henry's story, the kidnappers purpose was to make money - they didn't intend to hurt the kid. Can't say the same about Obama's attitude toward the elderly, the disabled, i.e,. the non-big campaign donors.

We Americans on Social Security/Medicare/Medicaid are being treated like Red Chief - neither Obama & his followers nor the GOP wants us. Both groups want to dismantle/privatize/profitze the programs - but neither has the balls to do it.
So keep fighting, and keep screaming, and keep criticizing Obama & all the Congressional members on this issue, all you progressives.

[frylock]

143. obama resuscitated the republican party with his bipartisan bullshit

[Logical]

173. Maybe call their bluff for one damn time! He is too worried about looking cooperative! n-t

[Yuugal]

43. K&R

Well said.

[ljm2002]

44. Hear, hear...

...I wish I did not agree with your analysis, but it looks spot-on to me.

K&R

[TatonkaJames]

45. You almost have it right...

They have all grown progressively worse in my time since Eisenhower. I was too young to know him as president but I was aware of JFK and came of age when he was assassinated.
That's when I became interested in the workings of government, and now, years after researching what Eisenhower said about the M.I.C., then seeing JFK trying to bring peace
and sanity to a world filled with M.A.D, but we see what the M.I.C. had to say to him and those who followed into that office. How could these otherwise intelligent men not know
the consequences of their actions towards the American people ? Knowing full well their policies were tilted towards corporations and the wealthy all on our backs ?

[tomp]

212. The wealthy have never changed.

the liberals have changed.

Read Hedges: over the last century or so, liberalism has collapsed as an effective opponent to "run roughshod over everyone" plan of the wealthy.

This is what we are seeing now: the complete victory of the wealthy/the complete death of liberalist strategy.

Despair is not inappropriate, but (to anyone who's been reading my posts for 10 years and doesn't get it)...I told you so.

Will, good post. Too little, too late.

[BetsysGhost]

47. Thank you WilliamPitt

K-N-R

[udbcrzy2]

49. Every time he speaks he asks us to make a sacrifice

Why don't they make any cuts to the MIC or toward the richer people. We just keep getting cut back more and more and more.

[Remember Me]

50. Me too, I guess

Over the course of my lifetime, my presidents have been Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, and now Obama…and each, in his own way, has been worse than the last.

I thought I was the only one who actually by this time felt that Obama is (in his way, as you concede) worse than Bush. To my way of thinking, he's worse because he should be so much better (as in: at least pretend to be and govern like a Democrat), and he has steadfastly, obstinately refused -- not only that, but he publicly insults and thumbs his nose at those of us who elected him because we believed him. With Bush, every single day brought another crushing disappointment, another blow to our civic well-being. With Obama, it's the same thing.

I'm startled that you're "ashamed" of him and admitting it. I'm not ashamed, just vehemently, unalterably, irrevokably disgusted. I have virtually no respect for him, not even his "good intentions." I care very little more for the man than I cared for Bush, and that's saying a lot since I absolutely loathed Bush.

Our external life often presents interesting symbols to us describing or foreshadowing our reality. I thought it was a bad omen when Obama did not change out the oval office rug. Turns out I was right. More's the pity.

[colorado_ufo]

56. Cognitive dissonance:

The inability of the human mind to hold two opposing thoughts as beliefs.

That's the problem here. We cannot accept the fact that the man who offered us so much hope - "Yes, we can" - does not know how to govern, will not stand up for us, nor stand up for the principles of his party, the Democratic, party. We cannot accept that the first black president may fail, giving ammunition to racists everywhere. We cannot believe that, like Esau in the Bible, he will give away our and our children's inheritance for a proverbial bowl of porridge.

That is why you are being flamed, Will. Not for regretfully putting forth the truth, but for our not being able to accept it.

[KoKo]

55. Thanks Will.

:kick:

[Ellipsis]

57. ...

Da spare.

WE need a real solution. Now is as good a time as any.

[bread_and_roses]

65. Amen to all that. K&R (n/t)

[closeupready]

67. I don't even need to read the OP (though I K&R'ed). As I said before, cut SS and Med., and I'm done

Done with the Democratic Party and writing in another candidate for president in 2012.

[harun]

It really is that simple. No matter how big of a fake crisis they conjure up

or how much BS the Corporate Media dumps on us it can be summed up in so many few words. The ones you just used.

[Vanje]

178. Me too.

I
am
done
.

[Rex]

69. I take it you won't be apologizing to Obama again.

He was a corporate suit as a senator and that is exactly what he is as POTUS imo.

[Solomon]

233. Well he should apologize for basing the entire analysis on

speculation masquerading as fact. I haven't heard Obama say yet that he is cutting social security, medicaid or medicare benefits for middle class and poor americans. Yet everybody on DU takes this as a God-given fact. The whole analysis falls apart without this lie.

Tell me. If they cut social security for people making a million dollars or more, I guess technically that's "cuts", but would it not strengthen the program?

[Rex]

246. I've heard Obama repeatedly say he will cut those programs so

I guess you are not paying any attention. :shrugs:

[sweetapogee]

72. I guess we are

back to square one. Or is it square 37?

[kentuck]

75. After despair, what?

:shrug:

Resignation? Surrender? Withdrawal? Violence?

Or do we find someone else to fight the battle that needs to be fought?

[socialist_n_TN]

109. Yeah. What you said^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

nm

[FlyByNight]

76. K & R

[Crewleader]

77. Same presidents for me too William.

k&r :hug:

[WilliamPitt]

80. CREW!!!!!!

:hug:

How ya been, old friend?

[Crewleader]

159. Hanging in there my friend, hugs back!

:hug:

[kentuck]

85. Hi Crew!

Long time no see? How are you doing? I guess a bunch of DUers don't even know who you are? :-)

[Crewleader]

160. kentuck,

Good to see you too my friend! :hug:

[KoKo]

144. Crew........way past long times...Nice to see you here!

What's been going on with you?

:kick:

[Crewleader]

163. KoKo

It's summer in Florida so I'm not as active as I'd like to be because it's too darn hot!B-)


Just taking one day at a time, thanks for asking friend! :hug:

[KoKo]

170. Well...good thoughts to you...

and yeah...106 Degree in NC last weekend after days of around 101. Just trying to stay cool and sane in these times.

Best to you!

[Forkboy]

147. .....

:loveya:

:hi:

[Crewleader]

164. Hi Forkboy

:loveya: and :hug:

Hope you are enjoying your New England Summer my dear friend!

;-)

[Common Sense Party]

79. So much for pan-dimensional chess. n/t

[shanti]

83. another great post, will

k&r!

[bertman]

87. REC. Too bad you missed out on Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson, Will. I didn't.

The reason the rest who followed Kennedy, excepting Johnson to a degree, were worse than the last is because they ALL learned from the example made of Pesident John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

President Obama isn't going to do a goddam thing to piss off his paymasters in the Military-Industrial-Corporate Complex. He works for them--not us. The Democratic party is just a cover for the filthy rich to keep stealing our democracy, our treasury, our resources, and our hope.

But President O does give pretty speeches. Sad to say, I can't watch them anymore. Too depressing and they fuel my rage.

Excellent post, by the way.

[Big Blue Marble]

187. I don't think the speeches are that good any more. N/T

[Vanje]

188. Yea. Same here.

But Obama still rocks a long-sleeved cotton shirt.

[bertman]

240. yeah, Vanje and Big Blue Marble, I agree. Might have something to do with the fact

that feeling all HOPEful and ready for CHANGE gives you a different perspective on the message, the delivery, and the deliverer.

[deaniac21]

88. Contrived edge.

[neoralme]

89. You absolutely nailed it! Brilliant! I wonder if he's contemplated

resigning?

[Poll_Blind]

90. Please consider not reversing yourself so quickly this time:

Unless I'm missing something, it seems I owe the president an apology.

I'd still like to know what caused that change in the first place.

PB

[WilliamPitt]

92. Foolish optimism.

[Divernan]

101. Hope is the thing with feathers

Hope Is the Thing With Feathers
Emily Dickinson


Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

[Horse with no Name]

203. I guess my comment was deleted in that thread

because I don't see it,lol.
Now, seriously, could you imagine WHY my comment would be deleted??:rofl:

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

91. Nail meet hammer. n/t

[DemReadingDU]

94. Why doesn't Obama just write an Executive Order

and raise the debt limit to some astronomical amount, maybe 50 trillion, or to eliminate the debt limit altogether.

Whatever Obama does or doesn't do, it doesn't matter because the economy is going to implode anyway. It truly is unsustainable as it is with the lack of good jobs and high unemployment, along with the banksters steathily conning our money into their pockets.

So why is Obama trying to compromise with the Republicans, the part of no to everything. Obama should just raise or eliminate the debt limit to kick the can down the road, until the big kaboom.

[neoralme]

95. Because Obama wants entitlements cut. Obama cares about

himself and his appearance to others. That's all.

[SammyWinstonJack]

107. A big YUP!

His place in History, too.

But that might not turn out like he planned. :shrug:

[neoralme]

113. It won't. No doubt where he will end up. When he offered

entitlements as an opening budget consideration, that was the end of his presidency. But who will we vote for? I can't vote Republican.

[blkmusclmachine]

96. This is what drowning America in a bathtub looks like:

"Bi-partisan style."

[MoonRiver]

100. With few exceptions, e.g. FDR, the monied PTB always seem to win.

It's sad, but unless we the people wtfu and demand progressive government, this is what we get.

[fascisthunter]

102. I Feel ya Will.... not easy these days to put on a smile

[woo me with science]

103. All this, and the Super Congress, to make further theft even easier.

Great piece. K&R

[Hell Hath No Fury]

108. Looks like someone took the Red Pill.

Welcome to the rabbit hole. :) If you have not read Mad Floridian's thread about the Hamilton Democrats, you absolutley must -- everything will be explained to you, and everything that has had you scratching your head the past 3+ years will come into crystal clear focus.

The sooner we come to grips with the fact that Obama is not traditional, modern Democrat who we can trust with many of the advances we've gained over past 60-70 years, the sooner we can move to block the worst of his attempts. It also makes it vitally important that we elect as many true progresives/liberals to both Houses. Right now, there are enough GOPers and Blue Dogs/New Dems to pass some pretty nasty shit. We've got to make that an impossibility in 2012.

[socialist_n_TN]

111. Despair? Yet no anger, and SURELY no Marx........

We'll just despair, wail, and cry while the capitalists grind us into neofeudalism. Because working for Marxism is WORSE than despair and the neofeudalism that the capitalists have planned for us.

In case you missed it, that was :sarcasm:

[kimmerspixelated]

114. A hell of a good post!

Not sure what to think, just yet. Thanks WPitt!

[sad sally]

116. One tiny little almost reference to the Bush area tax cuts (not the rich)

was by hauling out the old I-can-get-them-with-my-campaign-slogan-I-feel-your-pain-line, "Keep in mind that under a balanced approach, the 98% of Americans who make under $250,000 would see no tax increases at all. None. In fact, I want to extend the payroll tax cut for working families."

This last item - the "SS tax holiday" and the idea of extending or making permanent - is a sure way and sign the President wants to completely abandon the Social Security system. A broke general fund hasn't replaced the "missing" 2% that was supposed to be repaid in 2011. Jigger the books so another $117-120 billion needs to be transferred and fairly soon the system dies a natural death.

Excellent piece...depressing, but excellent.

[MannyGoldstein]

120. Excellent essay, great points and writing.

Thank you.

[KatyaR]

122. I'm so afraid for my future, I can't hardly stand to listen to the news.

I don't feel like there's much hope left for the majority of us. At this point I sure don't think I'll ever be able to retire--hell, I can hardly keep going as it is.

I don't know what it's gonna take for things to change--a revolution, probably, but it will be a revolution on the Right, and we all will truly become slaves to the system.

[robcon]

126. Unless you're a vendor to the U.S. government, chill out.

A lot of bills won't be paid on time. Other than that, nothing will happen.

[Jakes Progress]

127. Sorry to keep pushing it, but

if you haven't read this link about the reasons why our president is behaving this way, you are missing some valuable information. It is brilliant and vital.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1540315

[Hell Hath No Fury]

133. I have sent that out to every Dem I know --

It is an eye-opener that MUST be exposed.

[Shining Jack]

200. Thank you for the link.

That's a must read, it answers a lot of questions IMHO. :)

[Jakes Progress]

216. Doesn't it though. We all owe Mad a thank you.

[Jim_Shorts]

128. True, true, each president has been progressively worse

and further to the right ,I might add. Free trade was H.W. Bush's idea and Clinton implemented it. Shrub loved war and wanted desperately to change SS, now Obama has people sitting in a big room and controlling attack drones all over the world and suggesting cuts to SS.

By logical extension, the next president we get is going to control a drone from the oval office and nuke Detroit to get rid of more of those nasty poor people.

Orwell's 1984 was fiction too but seems pretty real today.

[Jakes Progress]

129. The despair comes from dealing with loss and betrayal.

We are beginning to realize that we are losing our Democratic Party.

And we are feeling betrayed by one we thought we could trust.

[KoKo]

130. This Post should be up there on DU's Log In Front Page! KICK!

[modestybl]

131. Can I inject some sideways optimism here?

First off, WillPitt has articulated most of the immediate objections I have to Mr. Obama. And yes, he could be playing "n-dimensional" chess, but maybe it doesn't matter.

The real goal of the TeaBaggers, the thing that is making them rear up on their tyrannosaur hindbrains, threatening to bite of the heads of their own Repub leaders and refusing to snatch a victory handed to them on a silver platter by the collection of wimpering Dems, is the ending of Social Security and Medicare. We're talking a pile of "trust fund" money in the trillions, and they (more importantly, their billionaire class overlords) are lusting after this last, vulnerable vein of cash left on the planet. After that it's a Mad Max world of fighting over the scraps or competing with Asian bad-asses for the wealth of the planet. It's the last, big easy sting to be had. They won't quit. They have no frontal lobe recognition of how politically fatal the liquidation of SS or Medicare would be, and Obama may well be forced into unilaterally raising the debt limit himself. Some on this site will claim he saw this all along and deftly played political aikido to get exactly what HE wanted in the first place. Some will say that he's been a tone-deaf political dufus whose bat-crap crazy political foes blew the chance for a stunning victory over him, and now will walk, Forrest Gump-like, out of the arena holding some political heads, not sure of what just happened.

In either case, it won't matter. I have faith now, only in the profound stupidity and arrogance of the teabagging freshmen in Congress. Maybe our chances were better than we thought...

[Gregorian]

135. I like how you stated that.

This is how I've seen it all along. Not to mention that no one is going to let the wheels of our nation come to a halt. I guess one would call it bluffing. But your statements about how this is the last vein of cash ring very true. Strange times, in some ways.

[tomp]

214. nah.

once ss/medicare is gone, the politicians will blame each other for whose fault it is and nothing will change.

the stupidity is among the general populace and here at du as well (although truly expert brainwashing is really what's behind what I'm calling stupidity).

the set up for this debacle has been a LONG time coming, and the human mind does not reset so easily and often does not learn so fast.

i could be wrong, and millions upon millions of people could storm washignton....but, as Monk would say, I'm not.

[ismnotwasm]

138. *sigh*

"I see a president on his knees, hands outstretched, offering the best ideas and policies liberal governance has ever devised up to the voracious carnivore of GOP opportunism. I see the end of the New Deal, and a far crueler America emerging from the aftermath. I see a Democratic president voiding his bladder on all that he is supposed to uphold."



Really?

[Skidmore]

139. Will, you lost me on this one.

This is really what you saw? I saw the man call Rs on the carpet for their ridiculous behavior. I saw him let the American people know that they need to be involved in this process too.

[MissDeeds]

140. Excellent post

A president cannot lead when he is on his knees.

K&R

[guruoo]

141. Still 7 days left nt

[KoKo]

145. Woo HOO! you finally made it to the DU Log In FAME PAGE!

:toast:

[slay]

148. K&R

just when you think he's reached a new low, he finds a way to sink lower. I am not only ashamed of Obama, I'm disgusted with his lack of ability to stand up to the IDIOT ASSHOLE republicans!! it just boggles the mind.

[Doctor_J]

149. Congrats on being one of the last off the bandwagon Will

I stayed on longer than my intellect told me I should, through the Health Care fracas and the Bush/Obama tax cut debacle. Well, maybe that's when I saw the light. Now it's all over but the crying.

[Name removed]

166. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kall]

150. Let's Hear It for Subdivision D of the R Party

In the Senate, Reid challenged Republicans to back his competing legislation, arguing that the no-taxes, government-cuts proposal was just what they wanted.

"In short, it's everything the Republicans have demanded wrapped up in a bow and delivered to their door," Reid said at the start of the Senate session.

[Hotler]

151. Well said sir. Well said. eom.

[TBF]

152. I'm becoming more convinced every day that what we are watching is theatre -

and when their big 'last minute deal' is announced you know what is going to get cut - it ain't the military.

[WillyT]

167. Yep... K & R !!!

:kick:

[scarletwoman]

168. One of your best, Will. (nt)

[Logical]

175. Has the GDP seen this yet???n-t

[Oilwellian]

177. Will Pitt, we truly live in Oilwellian Times :D

Great piece. I never thought I'd see a democrat encourage fellow democrats to call their congressmen and demand they cut Social Security & Medicare. It's fucking Oilwellian. K&R :hi:

[Name removed]

179. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ellaydubya]

185. First time to disagree that I am aware of

i respectively disagree and truly hope you are wrong.

[defendandprotect]

190. If Obama succeeds -- and I'm sure he will -- both he and the party are finished....

Obama should have been under threat of a RECALL from the very first days after the

election when he moved to take Koch Bros DLC Rahm Emmanuel into the White House --

and then stunned us all by picking his team - comprised of those who had created the

financial coup/meltdown.


Obama's mask was off immediately after the election -- why did so few understand that?

And I'm not trying to say anything but -- "Please, think about that question 'cause we

we have no time to waste being fooled again." We had better know what we're doing the

next time around -- cause we have corporate/fascism in charge here now -- and they are

not going to stop at simply taking away Social Security and Medicare --


This rise of fascism around the world has been going on for decades -- it's undeniable.


Imo, pushed by rightwing elite money -- just as it was the last time around --




Mr. Obama got on those knees again Monday night, on national television no less, and once again begged the GOP to devour Social Security and Medicare. He gobbled up the flawed, flayed premise of the far-right's deranged argument, again, and pleaded for the chance to give away the core of what he was elected to defend.


Can we truly imagine W Bush stopped by a Democratic majority in the house --

Pleading with Pelosi -- ?



:nuke:

[grahamhgreen]

191. Action cures despair. Great post!

[davidthegnome]

192. We are running out of options...

we are also nearly out of time.

Whatever is going to be done must be done soon. Eliminate social security and medicare? That is only the beginning of the right's agenda. Should they accomplish it they will do far more damage in the future. The Bush years were nothing compared to what the next decade could (and in all likelihood will) bring us.

Why is Obama capitulating? Because he has no other choice but to allow the Nation to enter default. The republicans have the bone between their teeth and they sure as hell aren't letting go. Yes, he'll lose support from his own party and certainly more from the liberal part of it if he gives in, that's not so bad as to what would happen though, if he were to be remembered as the President who did nothing.

What are his options? "Agree to my proposal/s or I'll...." What, exactly? How can you negotiate with today's breed of conservative? I don't think you can. So I think we are almost beyond the stage where we can accomplish much diplomatically or politically. Perhaps in the end another Nation will take pity, invade and occupy us - once we've finished devouring our economy, that is.

[Amonester]

197. Don't worry about the impossible invasion of another country.

Why would any other Nation want to commit collective suicide?

And for what? TeaStupids? No. Thanks.

[demwing]

210. The 14th Amendment

Section 4:

The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.

The President should immediately raise the debt ceiling, and let the courts stop him.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/26/us-usa-debt-legal-idUSTRE76P79C20110726

[blue neen]

194. Sorry, I disagree with you this time...

...with all due respect to you and Raven. :)

[FunMe]

196. They want to change Social Security and Medicare so they can steal the money for themselves.

We elected someone worse than a DINO. Obama really has no shame on the harm he is causing to not only Democrats but also all Americans. He'll get his karma. Bad Karma. It's the law of cause an effect.

I truly believe that if Obama's mom were alive she would be so ashamed at what he has become.

[Name removed]

198. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SusanaMontana41]

199. I detest his policies. Not him. n/t

[Lorien]

205. I think that the end game isn't simply to end social programs. It's to cause even more

hardship and unemployment, which in turn will starve the States of revenue. The States will then be forced to sell off their schools, utilities, parks, libraries, etc. etc. to the highest bidder. Complete privatization by the Owners is the ultimate goal.

[libmom74]

206. k&r

[Marrah_G]

208. yup Will- I'm still in sort of a shock

I knew he would move us right. I didn't realize how far. I fear for my children's future. Already my son who's goal was Nasa has had to realize he will instead be working for some corporation who's main focus will be profit.

[Name removed]

209. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[geckosfeet]

211. Thanks for posting. Great description of how many Americans are feeling.

[Pooka Fey]

215. Great piece, Will. What is an "anti-Lakoffian flail"? - not in online dictionary nor encylopedia

Nor wikipedia. I'm sure it's a great bit - it would be nice to know what it meant.

[WilliamPitt]

218. Lakoff wrote "Don't Think of an Elephant"

about framing arguments and rejecting the premise of insane right-wing arguments. Mr. Obama is anti-Lakoffian, in that he accepts every demented premise put before him.

[Pooka Fey]

227. Thank you!

Another political title to add to my reading list...I've just received and dipped into my Lulu printed version of "The Authoritarians" by Bob Altemeyer.

Meanwhile my recent acquisition of short stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald, in my so far unsuccessful attempt to add some great literature to my reading diet, languishes untouched on my bookshelf. Sighhhh...

On edit - just read the sample pages of Lakoff's book available on Amazon - BRILLIANT!

[PhoenixAbove]

220. K&R

Too tired today to say anything else. Despair is a good word. Great post.

[Hubert Flottz]

221. Obama stood at the crossroads and he picked the road to the right.

He could have saved the country, but he made the wrong choices from day one. He sold his soul to the status quo. The vast downhill slide CONtinues.

[hifiguy]

235. Kick for good measure and truth

:kick:

[Zorra]

239. _^_

[Major Hogwash]

241. What a pile of crap!

Man, this is the worst of the worst of diatribes that you have spewed here about Obama.
This is the stinkeroo of all time.

[WilliamPitt]

242. .

[Mimosa]

243. Pitt, your's is the voice of the moderate Democrat

I've been a DUer -officially-since 2003. I used to think you were a 'conservative' Dem. But some are attempting to drag party so far right they'll be trying to paint you PINK! *LOL*

The pinker they paint YOU, the more I'll be laughing. Your balanced, thoughtful opinions have always reminded me of classic Democrats including Tip O'Neill and Edward Kennedy. Those kind of Dems I'm sure you wouldn't shy from. *hug*

[Raine]

244. TOTALLY on point Will!!! nt

:thumbsup: