Obama: If We Lose in 2012, Government Will Tell People ‘You’re on your own'

[kpete]

By Devin Dwyer
Oct 26, 2011 6:29pm
Obama: If We Lose in 2012, Government Will Tell People ‘You’re on Your Own’

“If you get sick, you’re on your own. If you can’t afford college, you’re on your own. If you don’t like that some corporation is polluting your air or the air that your child breathes, then you’re on your own,” he said. “That’s not the America I believe in. It’s not the America you believe in.”...

“I reject an argument that says we’ve got to roll back protections that ban hidden fees by credit card companies, or rules that keep our kids from being exposed to mercury, or laws that prevent the health insurance industry from exploiting people who are sick,” Obama said.

MORE:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/10/obama-if-w...

[newfie11]

1. He has that right. n/t

[AsahinaKimi]

54. +100

agree

[truebrit71]

2. I love the way that sounds...

...too bad in practice he's in their hip-pockets...

[dennis4868]

38. BULLSHIT....

[truebrit71]

47. Your eloquent response has convinced me of the error of my position...

...he DID close Gitmo, he HAS prosecuted War Criminals, he HASN'T continued to bail out Wall Street, he HASN'T okayed more deep-sea drilling in the Gulf, he HASN'T okayed Shell drilling in the Arctic, he HAS stopped illegal renditions, he HAS stopped wire-tapping, he HAS stopped going after MJ dispensaries in California, he DIDN'T sign the re-authorization of the bush tax cuts, he DIDN'T delay the Clean Air Standards, he DIDN'T reduce the number of people that will be eligible for heating oil this winter...

Yeah..I am really fucking glad he's on our side....

[phleshdef]

55. And yet he has still done more for working class folks in 3 years than you'll do your whole life.

And more than half of that shit you mention either has nothing to do with middle class interests or its a complete distortion of the situation (not closing Gitmo for instance, is not his fault and there was never anything wrong with wiretapping, it was WARRANTLESS wiretapping. They get the damn warrant now).

You can cling to your grievances and spam the whole damn board with them, constantly, as I'm sure you do. You are still just a lone keyboard warrior who doubtfully could ever hold a candle to President Obama's positive accomplishments as a President and all he did with his life prior to being a President.

[stlsaxman]

57. +1 x 1,000,000!

[truebrit71]

59. The working class folks that have been laid off in record numbers??

"They get the damn warrant now"....sure they do

The people that spam this board are the koolaid drinkers that cut and paste DNC talking points about how wonderful he has been without bothering to check his actual record..

"lone keyboard warrior"??? So you are making this a comparison between me and the President...talk about false equivalancies

Me? I know the difference between someone pissing on my leg, and rain drops...

[phleshdef]

63. Prove to me that they don't adhere to FISA. Even Bush started adhering to it after awhile.

The fact that you complained about wiretapping vs warrantless wiretapping shows me that you don't even understand what the issue was to begin with. You are just spouting off phrases about things that you know very little about, as a lot of people around here tend to do these days. I don't cut and paste talking points. People like you don't deserve blue links. You don't read them and thats why you don't actually know anything.

Yes, people were laid off and we have 9% unemployment. None of your petty grievances that you've mentioned have anything to do with that. More drilling kills the environment, but it doesnt lay people off. Extending the Bush tax cuts runs up the deficit, but it doesn't lay people off. As a matter of fact, the compromise Obama made to get unemployment benefits extended and the middle class tax cuts extended are extremely stimulative measures because it puts money in the pockets of people who spend it, the lower and middle class income folks. That does a whole hell of a lot more to create jobs than the alternative which would have been to let the damn things expire with no unemployment extension and no additional tax relief for middle class incomes. That sounds like what you would have done had you been President which means you would have been responsible for more layoffs, a rise in middle class taxes, and a halt to extending unemployment benefits further. That lack of stimulus would have caused more layoffs, layoffs that President Obama averted by finding a way to get Congress to continue those middle class oriented measures of relief. You lose.

[truebrit71]

65. Oh noes...i don't deserve blue links???

>>>but I still get dinner before I go to bed, right?

Yeah, I'm the one that doesn't know what I'm talking about....

[phleshdef]

67. Laughing smilies don't win arguments. They just make you look more childish.

Especially when you present them with absolutely no refutation of any of the points I brought up. I imagine thats because you are intellectually unable to refute them.

[truebrit71]

73. That's funny!!

You attempted to refute precisely TWO of the points I brought up (before you went back and EDITED more in) but you go all mental when I decline to try and prove the negative you posited...and then..to clearly demonstrate your intellectual superiority you decide to insult my intelligence...

Yeah....I'm the childish one....

[phleshdef]

77. Um, yea, you are. I thought that much was clear.

You didn't decline anything. You didn't have a choice to accept or decline. You are unable to disprove my points. Its not a matter of choosing.

[truebrit71]

81. I didn't have a choice? Mighty progressive of you there bubba...

You made ONE point, and then went off an a tangent about how I, a mere peon, would NEVER do as much for the working class as Dear Leader...

I would tell you where to stuff your condescension, but you are supposedly so much smarter then me you already know the orifice I had in mind...

Bye!!

[phleshdef]

100. I made several points, But you apparently can't count either.

[truebrit71]

104. You made ONE point and then went back and edited in some more....

...Sorry mate but EPIC FAIL....

[JackDragna]

91. What major accomplishments are those, exactly?

You mean his utter, total failure to regulate Wall Street or prosecute those responsible for the collapse of the financial sector? His willingness to capitulate on the health care bill, one that could have save millions of middle class families from the creeping doom of health care costs? His willingness to extend the Bush tax cuts and borrow the rhetoric of the right, insisting that "sacrifice" must come in the form of cuts to programs that benefit the middle class and poor the most?

You're damned right the previous poster hasn't done anything near what Obama has done for the middle class. In fact, I wish Obama would stop doing things for us. I don't need any more of his most worthless charity.

[truebrit71]

97. +1

[phleshdef]

98. Prosecuting Wall Street people doesn't do fucking SHIT for the middle class.

It just makes angry people happy.

Don't get me wrong, I want to see the criminals prosecuted just as much as anyone. But it won't put food on anyone's god damn table. Neither would have letting the Bush tax cuts expire in 2010 instead of 2012. And letting them expire won't pay off the deficit anyway. The tax increases on the middle class alone would actually exceed the rise of healthcare premiums for most families. But that healthcare bill, compromises and all, still does more for middle class people in the long run than any Wall Street prosecutions could ever come close to achieving. Its sets a national standard for subsidizing health insurance and it forces insurance companies to cover and payout for anyone who isn't trying to commit fraud. Get your damn priorities straight before you lecture me.

[a simple pattern]

107. It might get some of them off Wall Street.

Maybe even before they make it to the President's Cabinet.

[Aerows]

132. I disagree that it does nothing for the middle class

Prosecuting even one of the people that drove our economy into a ditch warns others not to try it again, and prevents one person from doing it again. It's about far more than making angry people happy - it's about reverting back to being a nation of laws. When the wealthy elite continue to evade justice, it just makes the entire system even more corrupt.

Can anyone say with a straight face that Wall Street isn't corrupt? I can't.

[JackDragna]

147. Oh, really?

The Wall Street people helped engender a political collapse that destroyed Americans' savings and put them out of work. Maybe putting a crooked banker in prison isn't going to put food one someone's table, but it sure as hell will set the precedent that this kind of malfeasance won't be unpunished and that future efforts to play gambling games with the national economic infrastructure will be disastrous for those who do so. And don't even talk to me about the "health care" bill written by corporate lobbyists - it does nothing to control health-care costs and still could easily put people into unsustainable debt with its premiums.

Get your damned facts straight before you swear at me.

[defendandprotect]

94. Which is why poverty has increased to 66 million -- and he hasn't mentioned homeless in years!

And we have 25 million unemployed --

ROFL --

if it wasn't so sad -- !!

[phleshdef]

99. What the fuck do you think happens during a recession? Cake and ice cream?

[defendandprotect]

139. Obviously, corporations benefit from bail outs "billions" from stimulus ... try this ...

Here's Koch Bros. DLC Rahm Emmanuel -- Obama's #1 at the time -- "crowing" about how

GRATEFUL business should be to Obama for all he's done for them --

including 'PRESERVING THE PRIVATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM' --

In a Thursday interview, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel argued that rather than recoiling against Obama, business leaders should be grateful for his support on at least a half-dozen counts: his advocacy of greater international trade and education reform open markets despite union skepticism; rejection of calls from some quarters to nationalize banks during the financial meltdown; the rescue of the automobile industry; the fact that the overhaul of health care preserved the private delivery system; the fact that billions in the stimulus package benefited business with lucrative new contracts, and that financial regulation reform will take away the uncertainty that existed with a broken, pre-crash regulatory apparatus.

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=B2F85DDF-18...

the fact that the overhaul of health care preserved the private delivery system

Try reading it -- if that doesn't make you sick to your stomach, nothing will!


If you want some links to Obama's back room deals with Big Pharma and the private H/C industry,

let me know --

[BigBearJohn]

134. hohoho... well said! remind me not to get on your bad side :)

[stlsaxman]

42. BULLSHIT...

[hobbit709]

3. It's already that way for a lot of people.

[Donnachaidh]

79. thank you.

Seems to be far more desperation on his side if he's sunk to this sort of fearmongering so early in the election cycle.

[Shagbark Hickory]

4. We're already on our own.

The corporations have bought generous loopholes to all of that legislation that is supposed to help people.

That rate cut on the federal loans, by the way, is for new students. Not those with mountains of existing debt and no job prospects. They're not eligible.

I don't think I need to remind everyone that in this country, if you get sick, unless you've got millions of dollars to pay for your expenses, you're on your own.

Credit card companies are still taking advantage of people.

[Javaman]

9. I know.

Honestly, who is he trying to fool?

Nothing is being done now.

[hifiguy]

25. Amen to that.

We've been increasingly "on our own" for the last thirty years, and I do not see the POTUS doing much of anything to reverse the trend. More pretty campaign rhetoric with no substance behind it.

[Courtesy Flush]

125. Exactly. Obama is full of shit

He left us on our own, and expects us to think he'll suddenly fight for us in his second term?

[elocs]

5. Yes, that is the prime message of the YOYO Party: You're On Your Own.

In every way. As long as they have theirs, everybody else is on their own.

[Le Taz Hot]

6. So,

are we now?

[edhopper]

7. So why does he give in to them

so often?

[pnorman]

21. Yes, why doesn't he declare martial law, and

place all Republicans and DINOs on the No Fly List?

[dennis4868]

39. HAHA....

people here are so fucking stupid it scares me...they think Obama is a king and can pass any law or tax on his own and can ignore Congress to get anything done....they also completely ignore his accomplishments his first 2 years which repubs and wall street want to repeal.

[defendandprotect]

95. Obama didn't need "martial law" ... he had endless and unrelenting compromise with Repugs -- !!!

[pnorman]

113. Chew on this:

http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-citizens-united

[defendandprotect]

138. Try this ....

Here's Koch Bros. DLC Rahm Emmanuel -- Obama's #1 at the time -- "crowing" about how

GRATEFUL business should be to Obama for all he's done for them --

including 'PRESERVING THE PRIVATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM' --

In a Thursday interview, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel argued that rather than recoiling against Obama, business leaders should be grateful for his support on at least a half-dozen counts: his advocacy of greater international trade and education reform open markets despite union skepticism; rejection of calls from some quarters to nationalize banks during the financial meltdown; the rescue of the automobile industry; the fact that the overhaul of health care preserved the private delivery system; the fact that billions in the stimulus package benefited business with lucrative new contracts, and that financial regulation reform will take away the uncertainty that existed with a broken, pre-crash regulatory apparatus.

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=B2F85DDF-18...

the fact that the overhaul of health care preserved the private delivery system

Try reading it -- if that doesn't make you sick to your stomach, nothing will!



And re Citizens' United ...

What Obama really needs to do is to STOP selling himself and government to corporations/elites!

[pnorman]

145. "There's not a dime's worth of differenmce between........"

Koch brothers DLC.... Indeed!

[defendandprotect]

149. ROFL ... Wasn't that Obama who put Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid "on the table"?

Or is your main point trying to deny the Koch Bros/DLC/Third Way connections to Obama?

ROFL

[edhopper]

52. No

I am talking about removing the public option to get a single Republican vote, and then getting none. Agreeing to extend the Bush Tax Cuts without a promise to raise the debt limit and then being held hostage over it. Or just last week agreeing to Medicare cuts for a "jobs" program that will create no jobs just loosen regulation. It's not that he can do it on his own, he doesn't even push for it.

[Autumn]

8. Well I got to say,

I've been on my own for a while. Unemployed for almost 4 years, no health coverage, living on a small pension, my taxes went up when you extended the tax cuts for the wealthy and "middle class", no longer eligible for LEAP and my income sure has not gone up. Just waiting to hear what you have to say on the tar sands.

Words, nothing but fucking words.

[dennis4868]

41. With regard to...

health coverage in 2014 you will be able to get insurance at a very low price (don't blame Obama that it does not take effect until 2014 that was bec of DINOs), Obama was able to get an extension of UI in exchange for Bush tax cuts (millions were able to take advantage of this), and you should be able to get medicaid, food stamps and cash assistance if your situation is very bad (all of which the repubs will take away if they win in 2012 - that's Obama's point!

[Autumn]

46. I don't qualify for Food stamps and cash assistance.

Small pension, we make 20 dollars too much, In 2014 I can use that 20 dollars + to pay an insurance company for health insurance.
That's the point.

[Missy Vixen]

78. I already proved this is wrong

>health coverage in 2014 you will be able to get insurance at a very low price (don't blame Obama that it does not take effect until 2014 that was bec of DINOs),<

"A very low price"? I used the tables released by the current administration and the State of Washington re: high risk insurance coverage pool. We're both over 40, and both have pre-existing conditions. It would be $859 per month for both of us.

Before you tell me that's "low priced", consider this. It's a second primary mortgage payment per month, before deductible, co-pays, etcetera.

How many of you have a second primary mortgage payment in your budget each month? How many of the American people do?

[defendandprotect]

96. Have you noticed that Obama put Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid "on the table" .. ????

But keep pushing those FEAR buttons -- will always work to move us further

to the right!

[dennis4868]

102. No...

He wanted to improve those programs, especially SS. The way you and others define things here are always in a negative light towards Obama....it's must take alot of energy to hate a man so much.

[defendandprotect]

137. Right ... like making back room deals with Big Pharma and private H/C industry was intended

to "improve" health care -- !!

Here's Koch Bros. DLC Rahm Emmanuel -- Obama's #1 at the time -- "crowing" about how

GRATEFUL business should be to Obama for all he's done for them --

including 'PRESERVING THE PRIVATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM' --

In a Thursday interview, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel argued that rather than recoiling against Obama, business leaders should be grateful for his support on at least a half-dozen counts: his advocacy of greater international trade and education reform open markets despite union skepticism; rejection of calls from some quarters to nationalize banks during the financial meltdown; the rescue of the automobile industry; the fact that the overhaul of health care preserved the private delivery system; the fact that billions in the stimulus package benefited business with lucrative new contracts, and that financial regulation reform will take away the uncertainty that existed with a broken, pre-crash regulatory apparatus.

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=B2F85DDF-18...

the fact that the overhaul of health care preserved the private delivery system

Try reading it -- if that doesn't make you sick to your stomach, nothing will!



What's the saying? "Obama isn't your boyfriend" -- ?

It is democracy and policy and agenda which is important -- principles -- !!

We need a primary challenger to Obama in 2012 before this president becomes the biggest mistake

this nation has ever made!

[Township75]

10. So why didn't he do something about it? We voted for change not speeches.

.

[tblue]

14. Or so we thought.

Our President has a brilliant way of saying what people want to hear.

[dennis4868]

43. I agree...

fuck congress and the constitution! Obama is a king and he can pass laws all on his own without congressional approval...stop with the speeches and start making laws on your Obama you weakling!

[JoePhilly]

85. "Bully Pulpit!!", "Pretty speech!", "Bully Pulpit!!", "Pretty speech!", "Bully Pulpit!!", "Pretty sp

[a simple pattern]

109. Well yeah you have to mean the things that you say

It's called having integrity

[JoePhilly]

114. Yawn.

[jaxx]

11. Looks like some would rather believe the repubs.......downthread.

K&R I don't think trashing the President is cool.

[truebrit71]

18. I don't think having him bend the truth is cool either...

...he really wants to talk about Clean Air after his administration pulled their recent stunt about those regs? Really?

[jaxx]

24. You mean holding it until the new info is ready instead of using

info that is 6 years old? Yeah, I bet that lack of redundancy was really a bitter pill to swallow.
Why would you want new regs to reflect old data?

[truebrit71]

32. Yes. that is the spin I was referring to...

[jaxx]

40. Truth was told, you chose to ignore it.

[woo me with science]

33. [phone] And claim to be a defender of the poor

while offering up 650 billion dollars of cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

And claim to be against corrupt banks and for OWS, while extending massive tax breaks for the wealthy and pressuring attorneys general for settlements that protect the banks against criminal investigations and prosecutions.

It is one thing to punch people in the gut. It is even worse to claim you are their defender while you are doing it.

[Le Taz Hot]

19. If he can't take the heat

perhaps he needs to consider another line of work. Btw, for those of you who want to bring bad the Sedition Act, just a reminder that that proved to be politcally fatal to the one president that was stupid enought to enact it.

[jaxx]

23. LOL this is what is so funny about the anti movement.

Instant threats of what will happen, everything is a conspiracy.

[Le Taz Hot]

27. It was a follow through to this statement:

"I don't think trashing the President is cool." Originally meant to encourage you to follow through on your thought process. The "threat" and "conspiracy" thing exists solely within your own imagination.

[jaxx]

29. Ah well, I stand with what I said.

[dionysus]

44. .

[bdamomma]

12. aren't the people on their own now????

why are they in the streets?? everyone is tired from all this unequality.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted sub-thread

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

[Name removed]

15. Deleted sub-thread

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

[ProfessionalLeftist]

16. That is true. Republicans are doing that right now and have been for years

If they get complete control next year, after the damage they've done since Nixon, their psychopathic vision will be complete.

[ileus]

17. Aren't we already? sure feels like it...

[Coyote_Bandit]

20. And how is that any different from my prresent circumstances?

Long-term unrmployed and unable to get any kind of assistance.

Because I don't have a job I can't get a job.

And I haven't seen a frickin doctor in about 15 years.

There are millions like me. We are the throwaways.

While he has taken care of the banksters, the insurance companies and the corporations, Obama has not been our champion.

But he seems more than willing to exploit our circumstances in his effort to be re-elected.

[Autumn]

58. Not to worry In 2014 you can buy health insurance

and you should be able to get medicaid, food stamps and cash assistance if your situation is very bad. Well at least that is what I was told. Which shows just how offense some people are. All we can do is hang in there and "hope" to fuck we make it. The poor don't exist in his 1% world.

[Coyote_Bandit]

76. Even in 2014 you can't get health insurance if

you can't fucking afford it - and those subsidies are no guarantee that one will be able to afford health insurance.

Also, you can't get medicaid, food stamps or cash assistance until you deplete your assets - which means that more than likely you will become locked into a cycle of poverty.

Especially since there are no jobs to be found in the country. And that is not likely to change significantly in the forseeable future.

If I were 30 years younger I'd leave this fucked up country, make a life elsewhere and not look back.

[Autumn]

111. Yeah. I know that

I finally had to drop my insurance after it went up this last March. I was stupid and paid for it for 3 years even though I couldn't afford to use it to see a Dr. I figure those subsidies aren't going to do squat to help me with heath care. Just back to the same old leaky boat.

[Coyote_Bandit]

120. I know you know

but I never ceased to be amazed at just how many here don't know.

[Autumn]

122. I just think of it as silly season

I was at one time amazed at how may people don't seem to get it but then I saw that they have theirs so fuck everyone else who they consider to be haters and whiners. They don't realize that right now they are okay, but wait a while. Things change in an instant. They like the person, just like my Sister liked Bush and anything he does is fine. Silly season.

[woo me with science]

22. We are on our own now. nt

[xiamiam]

26. on our own now..and faced with wars we dont want...no help for main st

sounded good in 2008..

[gordianot]

28. Republicans actually have arrived at a calculated moment of honesty.

If Social Security was the third rail they have jumped on it with glee. The "do nothing congress" Truman defeated is back with the lowest ratings ever, Republicans do not care. They propose a tax code that in spite of widespread public protest against the rich clearly favors the ultra rich and would raise taxes on the Middle Class. They openly encourage voter suppression of large blocks of voters in the name of fair elections while they have engaged in a decade of ballot box fraud.

You are not just on your own you are their damn target!

[firehorse]

30. He should be a speech writer instead of a democrat president.

Unfortunately.

[City Lights]

31. Sorry, but his words ring hollow.

He talks like he's been fighting them since he's been president rather than giving in to their demands.

[Renew Deal]

34. He's correct

[Tatiana]

35. Well whoever crafted that line of argument needs a talking to.

Most people are going to read or listen to those statements and think, "WTF! I already AM on my own!"

There isn't anything concrete that has been done to remedy those issues. People are still dying from lack of health care, students are still swimming in debt, and we're still polluting and fracking away.

[lonestarnot]

36. They are already saying that.

[Fumesucker]

37. That statement certainly shows a lack of self-awareness..

Obama is part of the 1% and this statement really points that out.

I'm not sure if it's really possible for someone who has been in the 1% for a while to even understand how the lower 50% are forced to live.

[Autumn]

49. Exactly so. Don't expect him to stand for the 99%

he is the 1%. I wish I could recommend your post.

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

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

[truebrit71]

50. Nope. We just hoped he would do what he said he would do...

...but he "changed" that "hope" almost as soon as he got into office...

[MADem]

51. Congress makes law, not "King Barack"--if you don't vote for your congressman/senator, you are part

of the problem. A BIG part, too. In fact, those who don't vote in local elections are to blame, too--because most of the federal legislature started out in stupid little local political roles.

If you don't plant the seeds, don't cry when your garden doesn't grow.

We, The People have the power to shape the future with our votes.

Of course, it's easier to blame King Barack for being an inattentive ruler, I suppose. You can get a bit of exercise harrumphing, sighing deeply, and pointing a finger, I reckon!

[stlsaxman]

56. Exactly my point! Thank you.

[MADem]

84. :)

[truebrit71]

60. We, the people gave him a majority in BOTH Houses and rather than pushing forward...

...he decided to try and negotiate with a bunch of neanderthals that had stated from the outset that they weren't going to work with him on a single damn thing...

Bush/Cheney stole the WH in 2000 but they acted as though they had been handed a mandate, Obama/Biden won in 2008 by a country mile, but they acted as though they needed permission...

We planted the seeds...and they got stepped on...

[MADem]

83. He didn't do exactly what you wanted, so you turned your back on him?

Like you are his ONLY constituency, and he doesn't have others? Not everyone who supported Barack Obama has your priorities, yet you want him to ignore them in your favor?

You think you could have done better with McCain, is that what you are inferring?

You didn't plant the seeds. You voted for the best option out of two for President. You don't deserve a special pat on the back for seeing the obvious and acting accordingly.

That guy could have used a little help in 2010, but he didn't get it. The Tea Party did, though. See--it is easier to be AGAINST something than for it.

You plant the seeds at the local political level--but that's hard work, no glamour, no financial rewards, no fame, even. In some cases, no salary! And I'm not just talking about the campaign workers--I am talking about the candidates as well. Eventually though, the seeds that "take" move onward and upward--and you want to make sure they have good strong roots.

[truebrit71]

86. 'Exactly' what I wanted? Shit, I would be thrilled if he did HALF of what he said he would do...

...McCain would have been several million times worse, but if that's the yardstick we're using then we might as well throw in the towel and be done with it...

"That guy" got his party's ass kicked in 2010 PRECISELY because he didn't do what he said he was going to do...

Um, I planted PLENTY of seeds at the local level by supporting local Dems on the ticket, some of them made it, others didn't...

I didn't vote for Obama because I can't...I'm not a citizen so voting is frowned upon to say the very least, but I was a loud and vocal advocate for him, and gave plenty of money...This time around he won't see a dime from me...I am giving my money directly to specific PROGRESSIVE, LIBERAL, DEMOCRATIC candidates..the DNC and the DCCC can bugger off as far as I am concerned because my interpretation of "Change" doesn't include "Business as usual"...

[MADem]

103. That's the yardstick we've ALWAYS used.

Look back over time. No President has ever been liberal enough, if a Democrat, or conservative enough, if a Republican.

The party's ass got kicked not because of Obama, but because of people with your attitude (who could vote but were too lazy to get off their asses because their choices were not sufficiently perfect) who blamed him and used that as an excuse to not show up at the polls.

If you look to the TOP for guidance from on-high, you will soon see that everything, including shit, rolls downhill. If you want something new and different, you need to grow it from the ground up. And that means Get Local.

If you want to give your money to liberal, progressive (etc.) candidates, do it at the LOCAL level, for LOCAL folks striving for local offices. And while you're at it, do a little precinct walking and dialing for dollars for them, too.

Don't waste your cash on national fringe candidates of the Nader/Kucinich/Sharpton stripe--they are the real 'failed' blowhards who will never get elected but who use the Silly Season to enhance their own images, live large on the dimes of the faithful, collect those 2K network appearance fees, donations, matching funds and travel expenses--all of which makes for a fine living for a year or so, going from hotel to hotel. Great time to sell a book, too--just ask Hermann Cain! While they raise their profiles on the national scene, they open up avenues for future network shows with themselves as hosts--you've seen them, many do it (Huckabee, Sharpton--it crosses the aisle).

You might as well wipe your ass with your money for all the durable good supporting a national election fringe candidate will do. Something you might want to keep in mind if you're interested in getting a little bang for your buck.

[truebrit71]

106. The party got it's arse kicked because we didn't get 'change'...

...we got 'more of the same'...

With a double majority he couldn't push through his agenda, and yet with only a majority in the House the republicans have had absolutely NO troubel whatsoever pushing through their extreme agenda...

That has fuckall to do with 'local' or 'fringe' candidates, or being disappointed that everyone didn't get a pony when Barack the Magnificent waved his wand, but everything to do with ineffective and weak leadership...

[MADem]

115. No, the party got it's arse kicked because people did not go vote.

That's the bottom line. The turnout was HORRIBLE.

You don't vote, you can't complain, really. At least if you're able to vote, that is.

http://www.whytuesday.org/2010/11/07/2010-turnout-not-g... /

Despite great enthusiasm and predictions of higher voter turnout, 2010 midterm elections were only a slight improvement from the 2006 midterms, when just over 40% of voters headed to the polls. This time around the total was 41.5% according to Michael McDonald at George Mason University.

Young voters stayed at home in greater numbers than in recent elections, and an entire third of voters who came out in 2008 didn’t show on Tuesday.

[truebrit71]

117. ....and why was the turnout horrible?

....because change = more of the same

[MADem]

118. Because those college kids didn't show up, mainly. NT

[Cherchez la Femme]

123. '".because change = more of the same"

Exactly as truebrit71 said.

Action (or non-action) = Reaction (as push back or disillusionment)

= Reason.


Funny how that important part is skipped so many times.

[MADem]

131. It's only fun when it's easy, I guess. No one wants to work for shit anymore.

"I want it now" might as well be the new national anthem. Sad.

[Cherchez la Femme]

140. "I want it now"?!

We sat through 8 years of Bush, voted in Mr. Hope and Change and got the same old shit.

THAT'S whats sad!


THREE YEARS OF 'I WANT IT NOW' AND WE AIN'T GOT SHIT.
'

[truebrit71]

148. Bingo!!!

n/t

[MADem]

152. I think life is MUCH better now than it was under Bush, even with the economic issues.

The ship of state turns with the ease of a carrier. Things take time.

Were you one of the ones who was shouting down people who were concerned about Obama's lack of experience during the primary? I hope not.

I'm sorry--I will not and cannot cry with or for my fellow party members who are now having buyer's remorse at this late stage in the game. I voted for BO in the general election, and I will vote for him next time around, too. But I can't believe that anyone actually bought that Hope and Change bullshit like it was going to represent any sort of ACTUAL sea change.

Basically, what it meant--and what it means with ANY candidate in ANY election year--is that we're going to start trending in a different direction. In Obama's case, change meant we're going to stop with the crazy GOP anti-abortion/no stem cell nonsense, we're going to dial down the war, we're going to put sane people on the Supreme Court, not be so hateful to gays, things along those lines.

Listen to the words, look at the records--don't put all your attention on the candidate's marketing. You will always be disappointed if you do.

[JackDragna]

93. It's not that he didn't do exactly what anyone wanted..

it's that someone who promoted "change" ended up taking conservative positions on a number of issues. And for God's sake, don't bring up the "McCain" canard. Is that really all there is to the arguments of people who defend this failed president?

[MADem]

101. You can't always get what you want.

My point stands--would you be better off under President McCain? He'd probably take more of those conservative positions than you could shake a stick at--and I doubt his Supreme Court would look like Obama's.

I bring up the "McCain canard" because it isn't a canard--it's a stone-cold fact. There were only two choices last time round, and at the end of the day, there will be only two choices this time around, and one of them will be Obama. Get used to that. All the complaining in the world will not change it.

If you have nothing of value to offer--and "Obama sucks, waah, he is FAILED" is not valuable--then maybe you need to refocus your efforts. What are you doing to make a difference, besides complaining that Obama is not to your liking? Your time would be better spent trying to put a person of your mindset and wavelength in local or state office, growing that person for greater responsibility in the outyears, rather than crabbing that Obama hasn't granted all your wishes.

[a simple pattern]

112. If those are the only two choices, then the system is hopelessly broken

and that's why people are in the streets, protesting all wrong so that MADem can complain about it on the internet

[MADem]

116. Well, those ARE the only two choices, and that's the way it has been for eons.

If you're just waking up and noticing this, roll over and go back to sleep.

Your commentary, btw, is childish in the extreme. If that's the way you typically handle people with whom you disagree, with broad-brush falsehoods (pssst--I like protests, I just don't like senseless violence) and poor syntax, I'm not surprised at your lack of awareness with regard to how elections work.

You have one of those nice days.

[JackDragna]

146. No, you have no point.

If the best we have is out-and-out corporate dominance under either party, we do have another choice - changing the entire bloody system. Just because one side puts a happier, shinier face to naked greed doesn't mean I have to defend that side.

And, like the typical Obama sycophant, you accuse me of "crying" and having nothing to offer. You don't know a damned thing about what I've done politically. I've done a hell of a lot more than crabbing - I've done real, hands-on work with people who've been torn apart by the kind of conservative political theory defended by, among others, the president. You can accuse me of crabbing, but people like you are simply mindlessly cheerleading for a system that is burning the western world to ashes. People like you ARE one of the big problems I'm working to overcome.

[madfloridian]

61. I hate being called a hater. It is sickening.

Too often this forum has a mind set that is just silly.

In 2008 I was called a Hillary hater because I supported Obama.

In 2011 I am called an Obama hater because I believe the people are losing too much under the Democrats.

[truebrit71]

69. Welcome to the club friend...

...apparently criticism of Obama is increasingly becoming verbotten...

[woo me with science]

72. ...

[Marrah_G]

110. If you don't want to be called a koolaid drinking cheerleader then stop using the term hater

Pretty sure there were rules made to stop the insults.

[fascisthunter]

133. "h8ers" - are ya kidding me? Really?

lol

[TBF]

48. lol - well, he would know. nt

[MoonRiver]

53. Everyone but the 1% kicked to the curb, then shoved under the bus.

Problem is Obama is enabling the abusers.

[Marr]

62. If they're so malicious, why does he make a fetish of "compromise" when it isn't election season?

For that matter, how can Obama try to scare us all with the prospect of a Republican presidency, when he so regularly assures his own supporters that he's helpless without massive majorities in both houses of Congress?

Which is it? Republicans are either reasonable "folks" with good ideas that are worth listening to, or they're malicious assholes. The president either has massive personal influence or he does not. You can't have it both ways.

[and-justice-for-all]

64. Yup!!! 100% guarentee that we are all fucked if the fascist wins...nt

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

66. We've absolutely GOT to reelect Barack Obama

I really hate some the things he's done, such as his failure to go after the banksters and his close ties to Wall Street. But at least two U.S. Supreme Court Justices will be replaced during the next Presidential term. We just can't afford to have a conservative leaning court for many yeas to come. It would destroy what's left of America.

[Name removed]

89. Deleted message

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

[MADem]

105. The Voice of Reason. You are entirely correct. NT

[Ganja Ninja]

68. That line would really impress me if I didn't have the last 3 years to contrast it against. n/t

[Fire Walk With Me]

70. I fully believe it. The monsters must be STOPPED!

[Systematic Chaos]

71. Like we fucking aren't NOW?

[newspeak]

74. didn't obama appoint the catfood commission?

and now we have the supercommittee? when little boots basically confessed before the election "opps, I screwed up, now ya'll got to bail me out", some of us plebes knew he was spending like a drunken sailor and were in economic trouble (except for his wealthy friends). So, Obama has the people's vote, overwhelmingly, and who does he appoint to handle the economic disaster little boot's created? Why does he keep some of little boot's retreads, especially in the justice department?

If I have no choice, I will vote for him, especially considering the alternatives; however, don't think I'll be enthusiastic about it.

Oh, and Max Baucus can just change parties for all the damage he's done in the democratic party.

I think the DLC, turd way dems, "New democrats" are taking away bit by bit every part of the old democratic platform-worker's rights, environment protections, regulatory protections, social safety net. So, what do they stand for besides corporate interest?

[defendandprotect]

90. Oops! You're supposed to have amnesia on that -- and respond to FEAR -- !!!

You're way out of line!

[rug]

75. No we're not. We have each other.

[robdogbucky]

80. Now we hear where all the acolytes have gotten their tireless meme from

From the great one himself. Fear, fear, fear. Elect me again, fear, fear, fear.

Boy, he really took the gloves off and served the people with that one.

Is he now using the fear card as well as his minions using it?

It would appear they have created their own echo chamber.

Fierce Advocate Campaigner.

[truebrit71]

82. Well he can't really run on his record, so fear is the ultimate fallback position...

...I guess...

"Don't vote for me because of what I have done, vote for me because the other guy is so much worse"...

Truly inspiring...

[defendandprotect]

92. +1000% -- K/R

[autorank]

87. K*R That's called continuity of government

Anybody notice any help on jobs, foreclosures, predatory lending, etc.?

If we continue to lose and the crazies take over, they'll screw us just the same but talk trash as they do it.

Sorry, President Obama, you're a day late and a dime short.

[defendandprotect]

88. That's pretty much the message now as Obama continues to attack New Deal ... !!

Obama has put Social Security "on the table" ---

And trampled single payer government-run health care in back room deals with Big Pharma

and the private H/C industry -- which he and Koch Bros. DLC Rahm Emmanuel worked to

"PRESERVE" --


Rahm Emmanuel "crowing" about all Obama did for corporations and how "grateful" they

should be -- !!

In a Thursday interview, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel argued that rather than recoiling against Obama, business leaders should be grateful for his support on at least a half-dozen counts: his advocacy of greater international trade and education reform open markets despite union skepticism; his rejection of calls from some quarters to nationalize banks during the financial meltdown; the rescue of the automobile industry; the fact that the overhaul of health care preserved the private delivery system; the fact that billions in the stimulus package benefited business with lucrative new contracts, and that financial regulation reform will take away the uncertainty that existed with a broken, pre-crash regulatory apparatus.

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=B2F85DDF-18...

the fact that the overhaul of health care preserved the private delivery system

If that doesn't make you sick to your stomach, nothing will --

[Marrah_G]

108. I already feel that way Mr. President

[guitar man]

119. well

I've been on my own for the last 30 years so at least I'm used to it by now

[TNLib]

121. Maybe he should just say we'll be even more on our own. Or things will be even worse than they are

or something to that effect.

[girl gone mad]

124. Chill out, Mr. President.

You can get back to golfing with Dimon and Boehner.

We've got this.

[MichiganVote]

126. Umm..We Are The 99% Who Live That Line Every Single Fucking Day.

You're late to the party Obama, but good luck. We know it will get worse under them. How much better can you make it under you?

[Admiral Loinpresser]

127. I guess I didn't get the memo.

I thought the government had already left me on my own.

[DCBob]

128. Indeed. This is very good message and will resonate with many on both sides.

and it's very very true.

[Raine]

129. I already know I'm on my own, nothing new about that. nt

[ScreamingMeemie]

130. I'm on my own already.

But thanks.

[Safetykitten]

136. The winning post in this thread.

[lumberjack_jeff]

135. Vote for me and you're probably slightly less likely to get hurt. n/t

[Tuvok Obama]

141. "WE"???

I really ought to do something about this user name of mine

There are a lot of important issues he isn't addressing, but I see his own job security is still a high priority

[Fumesucker]

142. I feel your pain..

But I laughed anyway..

About the name I mean..

Sorry about that..

[Oldenuff]

143. What the hell?

We are on our own already.Time to realize that all these great sounding statements and promises are all a bunch of hot air.

I've gotten to the point where I don't believe that any help from this Prez,or any other candidate is forthcoming.If you believe there is,then good for you,but I haven't seen much of anything but smoke and mirrors and continuation of the policies set forth by the "handlers".Yeah,he's decent looking,and speaks well....but that is about all.

So much for electing a Constitutional professor.









And he was all like, "I will open the doors of Government and ask you to be involved in your own Democracy again", that is..until the topic of Cannabis legalization came up...

[lib2DaBone]

144. BP Prfits up.. resume drilling in Gulf.. We ARE on our own... gas still over $3.50

Last week, the US approved BP's plan to drill again in the Gulf of Mexico. The approval allows BP to drill up to 4 exploratory wells 200 miles from the Louisiana coast

Read more: http://technorati.com/business/article/bp-profit-soars-...

No hope.. no change..

[BlueIris]

150. Your Administration has already told the people that.

And in a rather nasty fashion.

Please step aside, Mr. President. You are not cut out for this job.

[robdogbucky]

151. As another of today's news items lists, we continue to be left on our own by our government

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/10/27/House-votes-t ... ; http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/190179-hous ...


House votes to restrict healthcare law, with White House support
Published: Oct. 27, 2011 at 12:25 PM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. House Thursday voted to restrict eligibility for Medicaid, insurance exchanges and other aspects of President Obama's healthcare reform legislation.

The House approved H.R. 2576, 262-157, with the help of 26 Democrats and the support of the Obama administration, The Hill reported.

The Congressional Budget Office has said as many as 1 million people could be affected by the restrictions, which, among other things, would include Social Security benefits as income in determining eligibility.

....
"This provision was not a glitch," said Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y. "It was written into the law deliberately, and anyone who would have read the bill would have known that. I don't care if the president is going to sign this bill. It doesn't make it right."



Thanks to DUer Woo Me With Science, we can see what we have elected.