General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: the consistent effort by conservative, corporate dems to try and tarnish progressive [View all]Armstead
(47,803 posts)Hypothetical Compromise:
They want to slash $100 billion from a social program.
We say this program is vital and should be increased. We'll say fight for that, but we're willing to negotiate.
A lot of dickering goes on and trade-offs are made. Ultimately "only" $50 billion is cut, in exchange for some concessions by both sides.
Not what we want, but half-a loaf, which is better than none.
Hypothetical SELL OUT:
They want to slash $100 billion from a social program.
We say "Yes you're right. It's important to cut the debt and deficit and we agree totally with you. But we think $90 billion in cuts is more appropriate, because there is some value to the program. But we'll also give you another $90 billion over the next ten years."
After a little kubuki dance the GOP gets almost everything it wanted, and also pushes the overall context of the issue further to the right.
The Dems get almost nothing, look weak and lacking in principle, and become a defacto echo chamber of the CONservative GOP Corporate Machine.