Two things I think are reasonable to believe:

[dawg]

1. I don't think the President wants to make cuts in Social Security benefits or Medicare.

I think it is reasonable for us to debate whether or not he was really willing to accept cuts in order to get a deal, but, I don't believe he wants to make cuts just based on thier own merits. I don't think the President is a secret Republican, a trojan-horse candidate, or a nefarious trickster bent on undoing the New Deal, but ...


2. I think there are plenty of reasons for reasonable people to be concerned about the direction the President has been taking, both in his rhetoric and in his apparent willingness to concede issues that many of us consider core principles.

I don't appreciate the implication that only radical fringe leftists are concerned about the rightward drift of this President, nor do I appreciate posts telling critics to STFU or post on another thread. I don't like to be treated like I have failed some kind of loyalty test, or to be told that I'm just not smart enough to understand the President's strategy.

I don't think the President is out to get us, but I think we have a right and a duty to criticize him whenever he appears to be advocating policies with which we strongly disagree.

We all feel strongly about our country or we would not be here. And we should all feel free to heap mountains of praise and tons of critcism on the politicians. They are big boys and girls, and they all signed up for this. But I think we should be kinder to each other in the process.

[fascisthunter]

1. sorry, he made a gamble that would have had dire consequences for many Americans

you folks are rewriting history

[dawg]

5. Personally, I do not think actual benefit cuts should ever be placed on the table by a Democrat ...

not even as a bluff. If the President did this, I strongly disagree with him.

I'm allowed to disagree.

[fascisthunter]

9. a good reply... thank you

I just don't think he means as well as you may. But, we can try to pressure him regardless.

[rucky]

2. K&R

[jaxx]

3. There is a thin line between criticism and absolutes.

Unfortunately it's crossed way too often.

[WheelWalker]

4. I agree. Kindness is underrated.

And under-practiced.

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. #1 is an attempt at self delusion. It's cognitive dissonance.

Obama appointed the catfood commission with the intent of using their preordained conclusions as a shield behind which to cut social security. He and his Friedmanite associates have been about cutting entitlements for a long time. His supporters are unable to reconcile that fact with their preconceptions of what a Democrat is supposed to be.

Cutting SS is not "caving". He's hoping to get a SS cutting bill immersed in enough muddy water to be able to sign it and still get reelected.

[dawg]

8. Perhaps he really believes the debt is getting large enough to harm the economy.

And that the only way to get a handle on things is to face political realities and meet the Republicans halfway.

Would that make him nefarious and evil? No.

Would it make him wrong. Hell yes!

I don't think he would want to cut anyone's benefits. He might be willing to do so, however, for the sake of what he considers the greater good. I don't know. Maybe it's all for show and he wouldn't really go through with cuts at all.

I know I'll argue against benefit cuts, no matter who proposes them. But I still believe the President has our best interests at heart, even if he *gasp* might be wrong about something.

EDITED TO ADD: And who knows, maybe he believes this, and he is right and I am wrong. But I don't think I'm wrong. :)

[lumberjack_jeff]

12. Nefarious and evil?

Let me put it this way. A good way to get my personal debt under control is to simply not pay it. That's why lenders define the terms of repayment in lending documents and don't simply leave it up to the generosity of the borrower.

If I give you a piece of paper that says "I promise my full faith and credit that I'll repay this debt to you" knowing that I have no intention of doing so... I think "nefarious and evil" is a good working definition.

[gateley]

7. I agree with everything you said, and you said it far better than I could. nt

[Sarah Ibarruri]

10. I agree. However, I mostly agree that Republicans are evil, have no conscience, and are enemy #1

Once we understand that by reviewing our past 31 years in this country, and what they have damaged, we will know how to proceed.

[dawg]

11. Well, that's a given.

:)