The stimulus and HCR were accomplishments

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

The stimulus was the most pathetic and irresponsible act of government since we invaded Iraq, but only because it was too small to improve matters much.

It did, however, prevent some very bad things. If the republicans had gotten their way we would be flirting with depression.

The HCR bill was a major disappointment but was better than nothing. If the Republicans had gotten their way things would be worse.

So these two policy accomplishments were a big help for the nation... better than anything anyone had done for this country in a decade.

On EDIT: To clarify -- I hated the stimulus and HCR only because they were both insufficient. But since I am a Dem perma-voter it doesn't really matter what I think. Both were much, much better than doing nothing. In absolute terms both were very good things versus doing nothing. But jane twelve-pack thinks we would have been better off with no stimulus bill at all. This is 100% wrong. Since the stimulus is so utterly and demonstrably better than not having passed the stimulus, yet is so despised that the WH refuses to even use the word "stimulus" any more... it is a serious political execution problem.


But we cannot run on either accomplishment because both are political negatives.

One is left to conclude that the powers that be in our Party (the WH and DNC) are politically inept to a truly stunning degree.

There is no way around it.

(Some folks think politics begins and ends with winning an election. It doesn't. Politics is a 24/7 element of governance.)

So how do we repair this situation?

[babylonsister]

1. Is this what's otherwise known as damning with faint praise?

We don't repair it, we should be shouting these accomplishments from the rooftops instead of letting the gopers set the tone.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

2. But our assumption is that doing so would hurt us.

And at this point in time I don't know that it wouldn't hurt us. Our candidates probably have persuasive reasons for not running "Hooray! Stimulus and HCR!" ads.

The public forms attitudes every day, not just at election time. I don't know whether there is anything we can do today to make the stimulus or HCR political positives. (Or the bailouts, for that matter... from TARP to GM they were all valuable in preventing very bad things from happening, though were not ideal by any means.)

Things that were net-good became, in the public mind, terrible things.

It is not sufficient to say the media is unfair or people are stupid... we knew that from the get-go.


I don't have an answer.

[bigtree]

4. seriously

RECOVERY ACT TAX RELIEF
Major Tax Benefits

Taxpayers can collect on more than a dozen 2009 Recovery Act tax benefits when they file their 2009 tax returns, including:

Making Work Pay - Ninety-five percent of working families are receiving the Recovery Act’s Making Work Pay tax credit of $400 for an individual or $800 for married couples filing jointly in their paychecks in 2009 – and will continue to in 2010.

* Taxpayers whose withholding in 2009 did not provide the full amount of the credit they are due will get the additional amount when they file their 2009 tax return. Even though most taxpayers received the benefit of this credit in their paychecks from adjusted tax withholding by their employers, they still need to claim this credit on their tax returns (i.e., Form 1040 or 1040A).

Up to $2,500 in College Expenses – Families and students are eligible for up to $2,500 in tax savings under the American Opportunity Credit as well as enhanced benefits under 529 college savings plans, which help families and students pay for college expenses.

* American Opportunity Credit – More parents and students are eligible for a tax credit of up to $2,500 to pay for college expenses and can claim the credit annually for four years instead of two.
* 529 College Savings Plans – Students can now use a 529 plan to pay for computer technology, adding this to the list of traditional college expenses (tuition, books, etc.) that can be paid for by a 529 plan.

Up to $8,000 for Purchase of First Home – Homebuyers can get a credit of up to $8,000 for first homes purchased by April 30, 2010 under the First Time Homebuyer tax credit. Long-time residents who don’t qualify as first-time homebuyers and those with incomes of up to $145,000 for an individual and $245,000 for joint filers are also eligible for a reduced credit.

Up to $1,500 in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Incentives – Taxpayers are eligible for up to $1,500 in tax credits for making some energy-efficiency improvements to their homes such as adding insulation and installing energy efficient windows.

Money Back for New Vehicle Purchases – Taxpayers can deduct the state and local sales taxes they paid for new vehicles purchased from Feb. 17, 2009 through Dec. 31, 2009 under the vehicle sales tax deduction. In states that don't have a sales tax, some other taxes or fees paid may be deducted.

Expanded Family Tax Credits - Moderate income families with children may be eligible for an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit and the additional Child Tax Credit.

* Earned Income Tax Credit – The Recovery Act increased the credit for families with three or more children, bringing the maximum amount to $5,657.
* Child Tax Credit – More families will be able to take advantage of the child tax credit under the Recovery Act, which reduced the minimum amount of earned income used to calculate the additional child tax credit to $3,000 from $12,550.

Up to $2,400 in Unemployment Benefits Tax Free in 2009 – Unemployment benefits are normally taxable, but the Recovery Act made the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits received in 2009 tax free.


more: http://demopedia.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8125258

[babylonsister]

7. Excellent link, bigtree, thank you. I hope the OP sees it. nt

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

10. babylonsister, I can recite such accomplishments in my sleep

The OP does not say that we didn't do anything good.

The OP says we did a LOT of good things, and are being hated for precisely those good things.

So the problem is political... communications, public relations, political strategy.

The product isn't perfect but it is good and easily the best available on the market.

It should be easy to sell.

When you have a good product but sales are way down and your competitor has a shit product but their sales are up then you take a hard look at your sales department.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

8. Yes! You see these good things.

But it appears that at least half th country does not see these good things which are, in fact, good things.

Selling something good should be a lot easier than selling something bad.

The inability to sell the public on the goodness of good things is a serious problem.

(And a problem that would not be solved if only I had a more positive attitude.)

[bigtree]

16. I think that 'bad' registers in polls more readily than 'good'

In these midterm elections, folks driven to vote against something or someone are usually more motivated to the polls than someone voting to affirm a policy or support one. Voters satisfied with their leadership often become complacent and sit out these congressional and Senate elections. We'll likely see a lot of voter remorse from the presidential race reflected at the polls in November.

You can see by voters' flirting with Tea Party candidates and other extreme candidates that fearmongering and demagoguery can be effective in motivating republicans to the polls. Democrats are challenged to generate the same level of enthusiasm without resorting to the mindless nonsense the republican party has chosen to hammer away at. Most of our arguments tend to be policy-based, rather than obsessing with the political fiddle-faddle of the moment.

I'm not going to let the media off of the hook for their obsession with the negative, and their negligence in following up their political speculation in an timely manner with relevant facts. I'm not suggesting you change your 'attitude' at all, just give some credence in your complaints about the administration's 'ineptitude' to the daunting task we all face in overcoming the media's obsession with inanity over substantive policy debates.

[jaxx]

3. So how do we repair this situation?

Leaving the negatives to the right would be a start. Tooting the horn for all the good the bill have done is the next move. The stimulus has made a huge difference....just show those repukes with their big checks from the stimulus, they look so happy. The health care is just getting started...push the changes made so far and the many, many more to come. These are Democratic wins all the way.

Politically inept we're not. Obstructed we are. Big difference...big big difference.

[depakid]

5. Not having the "Justice" Department behave like Cheney were calling the shots might be a start

As to politically inept- the numbers tell the story:

http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/

[jaxx]

15. The numbers are flexible.

Nothing is assured until the votes are counted. And why compare the JD to cheney? Who is being branded a republican with that one?

[depakid]

20. Reality bites

and like or no- the legal arguments are what they are.

I sometimes have to shake my head and look at them again just to be sure I'm reading what I'm reading.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

6. Inept is the right term

"Politically inept we're not. Obstructed we are. Big difference...big big difference."

And I am an Olympic class high-jumper... it's only gravity that gets in the way.

The WH and the rest of the political apparatus had a job to do—making our policies popular despite the obstruction and money and stupidity on the other side.

Failing in that is definitive of political ineptitude.

Being effectively obstructed when any sane person knows you will be obstructed is incompetence.

"If there had not been a wall there I woud not have crashed my car..."

The obstruction and money and stupidity were all well understood going into the thing as the environment within which the task was to be performed.

[jaxx]

13. I thought you wanted solutions.

Instead I get more negativity. Hmmmmmm

[depakid]

17. The electorates see that you offer little

other than Go Team.

And the team you cheer for isn't looking so good at the moment.

Now, if you want to offer solutions and convince people that you'll stand up and fight for principles- that might change the dynamic.

As it is- people are looking just as shallowly as you seem to- to "team B"

[jaxx]

19. Looks to me like the other team is just carping.

I'm a liberal.....you can call me 'the base' as I've been voting Democratic since 1968 when I was first old enough to vote.

Principles are somewhat personal preferences, mine aren't important in the long run, keeping the country moving forward is important. I am not the focus, I am not the most important person in the world with the most important wish list, the country is the focus.

I'll let you by with the sideways cheerleading and shallow remarks, as I just consider the source.

[woo me with science]

21. This part:

"the many, many more to come..."

That's what's missing. Specifics would help, because right now I don't see any clear message going out about what he actually intends to do.

[jaxx]

22. This has the specifics:

http://www.healthcare.gov/law/timeline/index.html

The Affordable Care Act Becomes Law

March 23, 2010

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. The law puts in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that will roll out over four years and beyond, with most changes taking place by 2014. Others have already begun. Use this timeline to learn about what’s changing and when.

Changes to note:

* $250 Medicare drug cost rebate
* Expanded coverage for young adults
* Small business tax credits
* Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans

[woo me with science]

23. Two things:

1. Obama ran on reducing health care costs. You can tout the plan's benefits all you want, but that means zilch to people who experience in their own lives that they cannot afford to USE their insurance because of skyrocketing premiums and deductibles. The current plan does not address the issue of spiraling costs.

2. If there is a grand plan to improve the situation of people who cannot now afford to use their insurance, it is not being clearly communicated.

[jaxx]

24. Reducing costs will come as more of the plan is implemented.

As of now the ins co's have to keep rises in check or face not being included in the exchanges which start Jan. 1, 2014. Also there will be subsidies at that time for those unable to afford the costs.

Look at the link it spells it all out. If people don't know about it, go out and tell them. It's the least we can do for our fellow Americans.

[RainDog]

9. the media need to stop selling right wing swill

as long as the media lie with impunity, we'll continue to get the bad government we have.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

11. We knew the media was evil going into this.

There is nothing new or surprising about that.

The media is the environment, like water to a fish... we have to be able to swim in it.

[depakid]

12. The media is what it is- and many Democrats like it that way

While I agree that re-regualtion and deconsolidation is a core problem, the political reality is that we have to deal more effectively for the time being with what we've got.

No more Shirley Sherrod's might be a start there- though apparently, that's as tall an order as no more Dick Cheney's.

[woo me with science]

14. Well, what the fuck is the plan?

Please excuse my language, but that is the central problem I see. When Obama ran the first time, we were told that Dems would pass health care reform that would actually make health care affordable for people. Is there still a plan to make health care affordable? How? I have no earthly idea, right now, what the hell anyone intends to do to accomplish that. People HERE keep saying the reform will get better, but I still have no clue whether there is any further action in mind.

Does Obama know? This is what ads should be pushing for.

If he does, then a smart election strategy might be to talk, in specifics, about how he and they intend to do that.

Ditto for the economy. I think people had some hope that a Democratic administration and Congress would actually have a plan to address the economic pain, put people back to work, rein in the corporate bloodsuckers.

Do we have a plan for that?

A few weeks ago there was some buzz about a jobs program improving infrastructure and putting some people back to work. I don't think it was particularly big, and talk of it seemed to fizzle out pretty quickly. But it generated excitement for a day, because it appeared to be SOMETHING.

What the hell is the Democratic plan? Do you know? I sure as hell don't.

I am getting tired of all the posts saying we need to use clever rhetoric and attack the Tea Party and use Lakoff framing and etc., etc., etc.

What we need is A PLAN TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE PEOPLE IN PAIN RIGHT NOW, AND SOME EVIDENCE THAT THAT PLAN WILL ACTUALLY BE PUSHED THROUGH AND IMPLEMENTED.

Any concrete action, any step in the right direction, will help. People are desperate for ACTION THAT WILL HELP THEM.

WHAT DO DEMOCRATS INTEND TO DO????????????

[Davis_X_Machina]

18. I plan on hopping up and down...

...and shouting 'Bailouts!' and 'Kill the Bill!'.

I figure that should do the job.

I will, however, wear a t-shirt that makes it very clear that I am doing this from the Left, so that I am not taken for a teabagger.

[Larry Ogg]

25. Queen Marie Antoinette said "Let them eat cake",

and even though "cake" was better than nothing, we all know what happened to her...

But, by today's degraded standard of what is considered acceptable by most, Marie Antoinette Could put a "D" in front of her name, and, would thus be a flaming star within the Democratic Party, because getting something that looks like almost nothing at best, is much better than getting something that looks like nothing from the Republicans.

[Frank Booth]

26. They are political negatives because the Democrats never pushed them to begin with.

This is one of the many ways the Democratic party is inferior to the Republican party in terms of political strategy. Rove and his ilk may be evil, but they run circles around any Democratic strategists.

The Republicans push/repeat/push/repeat their message ad nauseam so that their message is dominant. Think of WMDs, the surge, "shoving the health bill down our throats," etc.

Democrats start running away from their own programs as soon as they propose them.

[leeroysphitz]

27. HCR was NOT An accomplishment. It is an irredemable disaster and will cripple the democratic party

for years to come.