The American people aren't listening...

[kentuck]

Someone needs to speak in a little more direct way, I think? Tip-toeing around the partisan edges just doesn't cut the mustard.

Sit down folks. We need to talk.

We have all dodged the bullet. Do not deceive yourselves.

You may not be happy with this President or his policies? Or you may be unhappy with this President because he did not do enough? But let's get one thing clear here.

If you want to go back to the Bush policies, laissez-faire economics and even more tax cuts and even less regulations, then you should realize the consequences of your wishes. If you want less government, then you should not walk into the poll booth unaware or blind to your own actions.

Do not act like a fool. Do not pretend that we were not going over the edge. Do not pretend that everything was hunky-dory under George W Bush and the Republicans. They, not Barack Obama, is the reason we are in this predicament today. You can argue about whether Barack Obama did too little to get us out of this mess but you cannot ignore what got us here. If you want to go back to those same policies, the future is bleak indeed.

If it makes you uncomfortable to face the facts, then just try and think of how uncomfortable we will all be if we go back to the same disastrous and reckless policies as before. If you wish to do that, then you should be forewarned. The fools in charge of the Republican Party will only need one more round to totally destroy this once great nation. The future is in your hands.

[Avalux]

1. "We have all dodged the bullet". Nope. The bullet is speeding towards us.

We have not overcome or significantly changed the disastrous and reckless policies; Obama's efforts are systematically thwarted by Republicans bent on destroying this country. The system is corrupt; both private and public sectors.

It's clear to me we cannot continue on the current path of economic disparity and government's lack of ability to maintain our rights as citizens and enact legislation that supports its people.

It's clear major change is required and OWS is the beginning. Obama's slogan during his 2008 campaign was "Yes We Can". It's coming true and I hope he's ready for it.

[Denninmi]

2. That sounds about right.

People are not willing to listen to anything that makes sense, though.

And, how much do you want to bet that the Reichwing will come up with some kind of "issue" to whip people into a frenzy late in the game. Let's see, we've used fear of terrorists, fear of gay marriage, and some other similar issues in the past. What's it going to be in 2011?

[jwirr]

5. "Fear of our children"?

:sarcasm:

[xiamiam]

3. no kentuck..i have no faith in this administration..i have faith in the people protesting

i have faith in all of us..until we stop spending 320 million daily on stupid wars..until wall street and war profiteers are reigned in..im not in..i will continue to fight

[jwirr]

6. What will you be fighting for - by the time you change things they

will have destroyed any hope for democracy and they will be enforcing it via Blackwater. This is not a fight that can be fought on one dimension. We need to continue the protests, the lobbying for our own causes and trying not matter how hopeless to hold on to the government. None of us are suggesting that we stop the fight that has begun on Wall Street. Just do not drop out of the other fights. We need to do it all.

One of my Senators is Al Franken. He is going to need help if he is going to be able to do anything to help straighten out this mess. So will Bernie Sanders, Alan Grayson and a lot of other really good progressives.

We also need to make sure that there will not be four years to add other Scalia and Thomas to the SCOTUS.

Yes, there is nothing I would like more than to change the whole system but I do not see that happening in the next years.

For those who support Ron Paul - sure he supports a few of our issues but he is just like the other rethugs when it comes to cutting people programs in favor of the rich.

[xiamiam]

7. well..i do see change..i believe in miraculous possibilities ..all of us do

that is why we voted for obama...didn't happen.not much has changed..actually we are involved in more wars and the foreclosure mess and jobs crisis has yet to be addressed...lots of words..no action..i'm sorry..i'm as terrorized by more of the same as i am by the repubs..

[jwirr]

10. Look, when I seem to approve of what Obama has been doing I

am sorry. I agree with most of the criticism on this board about him. But I am more afraid of what another term of reptilian rule will do to us. We may have to set in DC 24/7 365 days a year to get things changed even with Obama but if so so be it.

I am extremely grateful to the young (and older) people who are occupying the cities to protest the corruption of the system (both government and private). They have finally given us the guts to act to stand up. Between the Egyptians and the Wisconsin protesters and this protest we are finally moving. They have started educating the people as to what our real problems are. I want that to continue.

For someone my age who worked for the end of Vietnam War, civil rights, women's rights and for the poor and disabled it has been absolute hell watching the rethugs, along with turncoat Democrats, slowly dismantle the system. As Elizabeth Warren has said we set up a system in the 40s that worked for 50 years and have destroyed our nation in just a few years by dismantling that system. I was born in 41. They are destroying everything that means anything to me. I want them stopped. NOW if possible.

I am one of the 99%.

[jwirr]

4. K&R And we will not get another chance. They are already manipulating

the voter regulations so if we give them another round we will be back to white male landowners only voters.

[TheKentuckian]

8. Long term, matters are worse. A new dark age used to be my worst case scenario

that is starting to seem like a rosier choice than our most likely destination now, impoverished die back under global corporate rule.

The sky is closing up on as we speak, our best future lost for so long it may be irretrievable unless we are graced with many thousands of years more than can reasonably be expected under such management.

The sad thing (or one of many) is that you aren't wrong, it is the only solution isn't one. It is a release valve made to simulate a solution to create the illusion of choice which in turn reinforces the sham of self determination that keeps the curtain up.

The consistent ceding of ideological ground makes this "solution" dubious even as a holding action because when the inevitable day comes they do win again, it will be even more difficult to recover from because of blurring debated points into the common wisdom.

We cannot run forever or indeed very long, at some point we will have nowhere to go and the fight will be upon us whether we want it or not. So, I have to wonder how the delay will leave us with greater strength, more resources, and increased or even maintained vigor.
I have yet to see any indication the "solution" will allow us to avoid the fight other than by accepting an organized surrender with a few token conditions as a spoon full of sugar to help the very vile medicine go down.

What did this as it has done before, is their failed ideology being implemented and in that they had much help and continue to get aid and comfort even under the flimsy pretense of partisan opposition.

I have no problem with repelling the TeaPubliKlan devils, it is the pretending we have changed course and that if we keep going along this path that one day, even if it isn't soon, things will be good or even better.

[kentuck]

9. I understand the sentiment...

It is a Hobbesian choice, no doubt. It is up to the people, not the politicians. However, until the people can make the changes we need to survive in this world, it is preferable not to have the Republicans back in political control. I realize it doesn't sound very appetizing but considering the alternative, it is as good as apple pie and ice cream. Obama will have to be pushed along. He will not be the leader. The people will lead.