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So tell me what would you do?
Author: Raine    Date: 12/02/2010 13:16:39

"I think the minimum that we have to do right now for Americans that are struggling in unemployment in this economy is make sure that no American sees a tax increase. " - Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), 12/01/10


There it is friends. You can yell and scream all you want about how badly Obama is doing. You can call him an abject failure, and a sellout -- even a Nixonian conservative. I don't really care. But while you or your fellow progressive friends decide he isn't worthy of your support, try to keep in mind what he -- and ALL of us are up against.

I have said it before, and I will say it again-- you cannot give a tax cut to someone who is unemployed. You can blame Obama for not continuing unemployment -- or you can go and look at WHO exactly was responsible for those benefits to NOT be extended. Scott Brown -- the Centerfold Senator from Massachusetts.
Senate Republicans refused to consider a year-long extension unless the cost is fully paid for. A particularly incensed Sen. Scott Brown delivered a “fiery speech” on the Senate floor last night, lambasting Democrats “for what he considers to be unwarranted diversions.” “We spent seven days on food safety!” Brown scoffed and reassured unemployed workers that “I have complete and total sympathy and understanding” and that “more than anybody here, I want to help.”

However, when Democrats offered him that opportunity, he single-handedly slapped away the chance. Trying to beat the clock, Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) introduced a proposal Monday to extend benefits through 2011 at a cost of $56 billion without offsets. But when Democrats tried to pass the proposal yesterday, Brown blocked the effort, complaining that he’d “just found out” about it:
More obstructionist asshattery -- but hey, let's blame the President because he's supposed to be *Our Guy*

Sometimes I think the left wants a liberal version of GWBush. There are legitimate concerns with the President, but I think it is important that we look at this from where he has to govern. We all want a sparkle pony and the reality is that we are not going to get it -- especially after the results of this past election. Do I want him to give a serious smackdown of people like Mitch McDonnel and John Boehner? Yes. What did I want even more than a smackdown by the President? I wanted a smackdown on election day -- and that didn't happen either. People didn't vote. We got more of these bastards.

And the President HAS to deal with them. That is a reality. You can hold him accountable for many things, but if you are disappointed and disillusioned, look past him. Look to all those that didn't vote or even worse, voted for these people, these Republicans who would rather see a family starve than raise taxes for the richest among us. This is what we are up against. This is what the President has to deal with. It's not like he didn't warn us how rough this would be. From his Grant Park Speech, election night 2008:
I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. ....

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
This would have been a lot easier had the GOP decided to head these words. Instead this is what we get:
http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/TyrannyofTime_webcharts-01.png
Republicans Use Senate Backlog They Created To Extort Tax Cuts For The Super-Rich Similarly, it’s been more than two months since the Senate has held a single judicial confirmation vote, even though 34 nominees have already cleared the Judiciary Committee, 26 of them unanimously. Indeed, President Obama’s judges have been confirmed slower than any president’s in recent memory — and at less than half the rate of President Bush’s nominees. On the legislative side, the picture is just as bleak. Nearly 400 bills which passed the House of Representatives — many of them unanimously — have yet to even receive a vote in the Senate. [...]
Indeed, at 30 hours per nominee, it would take more than two entire presidential terms to fill all the Senate-confirmed jobs a new president must fill, and that’s assuming that the Senate gets nothing else done during this entire nine year period:
If you think this is all just a bunch of hot air -- you are right, because the GOP is killing the Climate Change Committee. That's EXACTLY what the Koch Brothers wanted, if you recall correctly. The GOP are the best elected officials money could buy.

So be pissed, be frustrated and angry -- but remember --after so many years of being pissed on, we have a decent man as the Commender in Chief. He's not gonna go out there and act like this Republican party. He is a statesmen-- not a Boner. What would you do if you had to walk in his shoes?

I know what I would do -- and that is why I am NOT the President of the United States of America.

and
Raine
 

40 comments (Latest Comment: 12/03/2010 03:36:27 by livingonli)
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Comment by Raine on 12/02/2010 13:51:11


Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2010 13:56:30
Morning

I hear what your saying, it sucks that Obama gets all the blame when its the repubs like the bronzer boys who throw tantrums the road.

I do believe Obama is a good man and a good statesman, I do believe that that he honestly comes from a place where you govern with the help of all sides. I do believe that he prefers the high road. He needs more people who are willing to take on those who travel that lower road and loudly and repeatly point out there hypocracy.

Comment by Raine on 12/02/2010 14:17:20
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

I hear what your saying, it sucks that Obama gets all the blame when its the repubs like the bronzer boys who throw tantrums the road.

I do believe Obama is a good man and a good statesman, I do believe that that he honestly comes from a place where you govern with the help of all sides. I do believe that he prefers the high road. He needs more people who are willing to take on those who travel that lower road and loudly and repeatly point out there hypocracy.
I like that part. HE needs people to be the Bad cop--

I know I was glad that Rahm Emmanuel left -- maybe he was that bad cop. Shit's really gone off the rails since he left, it seems.


Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2010 14:19:11
Well Raine...

Since the election I have pretty much given up. I haven't really been paying attention to the news these past few weeks, and I have rather found solace in listening to music and not worrying about the things I can't change.

I know that's not helpful...I imagine I'll come around again during the next election cycle, but right now I'm of the opinion that if these United States can elect asshats based on empty promises, then we get what we deserve.

As long as I keep MY lights on, and food on MY table, well....that's all that matters in my neck of the woods.




Comment by Raine on 12/02/2010 14:21:00
Keeerist -- this wikileaks things about Obama and Bush is NOTHING FRACKIN NEW.



Anyone who expected that the U.S. government was going to allow another government to prosecute a U.S. President for war crimes is kidding themselves. From April 2009:

The Spanish attorney general’s statement came following intense back-channel discussions between the Obama administration and the government of Spanish Prime Minister José Zapatero. When asked about the pending case during an interview with CNN Español, President Barack Obama stated “I'm a strong believer that it's important to look forward and not backward, and to remind ourselves that we do have very real security threats out there." Obama acknowledged in the course of the interview that his administration had been in discussion with the Zapatero administration about the criminal investigation in Madrid.



Acting on the Spanish attorney general’s instructions, the prosecutors advised the court against proceeding with an investigation into the Bush Six. They also stated their view that Judge Garzón should not handle both the torture complaint and the case against the Guantánamo prisoners. Garzón reacted to this request by sending the torture complaint back to the court’s administrative judge for random reassignment—as a result of which it went to Judge Velasco. However, Garzón remained in charge of the case against the Guantánamo prisoners. He has in fact been assembling evidence for a criminal case addressing the mistreatment of the detainees for many months.



Acting on the Spanish attorney general’s instructions, the prosecutors advised the court against proceeding with an investigation into the Bush Six. They also stated their view that Judge Garzón should not handle both the torture complaint and the case against the Guantánamo prisoners. Garzón reacted to this request by sending the torture complaint back to the court’s administrative judge for random reassignment—as a result of which it went to Judge Velasco. However, Garzón remained in charge of the case against the Guantánamo prisoners. He has in fact been assembling evidence for a criminal case addressing the mistreatment of the detainees for many months.

Garzón’s ruling today marks a decision to begin a formal criminal inquiry into the allegations of torture and inhumane treatment he has been collecting for several years now.



Spanish lawyers close to the case tell me that under applicable Spanish law, the Obama administration has the power to bring the proceedings in Spain against former Bush administration officials to a standstill. “All it has to do is launch its own criminal investigation through the Justice Department,” said one lawyer working on the case, “that would immediately stop the case in Spain.”




Comment by Raine on 12/02/2010 14:23:29
Quote by TriSec:
Well Raine...

Since the election I have pretty much given up. I haven't really been paying attention to the news these past few weeks, and I have rather found solace in listening to music and not worrying about the things I can't change.

I know that's not helpful...I imagine I'll come around again during the next election cycle, but right now I'm of the opinion that if these United States can elect asshats based on empty promises, then we get what we deserve.

As long as I keep MY lights on, and food on MY table, well....that's all that matters in my neck of the woods.


I throw my hands up.

You are doing exactly what they want. I am so pissed today.

and it seems as tho Momma and I are feeling the same way this morning.


Comment by Raine on 12/02/2010 14:24:57
There are different RULES in the Senate.

Comment by Raine on 12/02/2010 14:35:17
I really feel just as upset as Momma today.



Comment by Raine on 12/02/2010 14:36:01
The day they failed to prosecute the FIST Bush PResident was the day I knew we would not EVER see boy blunder persecuted.

Comment by Raine on 12/02/2010 14:38:14
Has Jane Hamsher called for the impeachment of Obama yet?

Comment by Scoopster on 12/02/2010 14:38:25
Mornin' all..

I'm really tired of politics, period. Since the election, just about everyone I see or hear comes off as a corporatist asshole, including Obama. Combine that with the fact that the fucking teabaggers did the exact opposite of what they claim to favor and voted in a bunch more corporatist assholes who will bleed this country dry out of nothing but pure greed. I haven't had the will to do anything but sleep and watch movies and sports - I can't even get interesting in playing computer games anymore!

Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2010 14:39:01
All politics is local.

I won't give you a laundry list of all the things I've been a part of in Waltham over the last 2 years, but I think we've been able to make our neighborhood a little better recently. And aside from the aberration that is Scott Brown, we're still the only state this has every other representative in the Blue column. I voted the way I did for a reason...but it didn't make any difference on the National stage now, did it?

Nationally, I know there's precious little I can do to affect anything. Joe Citizen no longer has the power, influence, or money to change a damn thing.

The Good Cop/Bad Cop analogy is just about perfect...I think the President and the Democratic Party has got it all wrong over these last two years. If it were me there, I'd be calling a press conference every weeek to rake the Repugs over the coals and point out their obstruction and hypocrisy. How many times have we said it here...the GOP has done xyz, so why hasn't our side taken advantage of it?

Instead, all we get is more abuse, caving in, and inaction on what we think is important. You can make the 8 years vs. 2 years argument all you want; In another two years we'll still be sitting here arguing over the same things, and we'll have gone nowhere. We had the opportunity, it really feels like a squander to me. (To borrow a baseball term that I hate.)


Scott Brown is a total tool, BTW. Keep your eye on Marty Meehan for 2012.


Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2010 14:39:09
Quote by Raine:
There are different RULES in the Senate.



I can't remember who said it but I heard it from one of the guests to the Daily show - they said something like the Senate is the cooling saucer to the House's hot cup of tea - think it was Jefferson quote. Its never made more sense then now as to why everything gets clogged up there

Comment by Scoopster on 12/02/2010 14:43:32
Oh yeah, and Dailykos has become a den of fucking whiners and conservadem trolls. They're back on my shitlist.

Comment by Raine on 12/02/2010 14:50:18
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
There are different RULES in the Senate.



I can't remember who said it but I heard it from one of the guests to the Daily show - they said something like the Senate is the cooling saucer to the House's hot cup of tea - think it was Jefferson quote. Its never made more sense then now as to why everything gets clogged up there

yes, and That I actually agree with -- but when you have statistics like what I posted in todays blog, this is nothing more than an ABUSE OF THE SPIRIT OF THE RULES.

I am pissed today, but I refuse to give up. I just refuse. I have learned too much from all of you to let you quit, either.


Comment by Scoopster on 12/02/2010 14:52:51
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2010 14:55:43
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
There are different RULES in the Senate.



I can't remember who said it but I heard it from one of the guests to the Daily show - they said something like the Senate is the cooling saucer to the House's hot cup of tea - think it was Jefferson quote. Its never made more sense then now as to why everything gets clogged up there

yes, and That I actually agree with -- but when you have statistics like what I posted in todays blog, this is nothing more than an ABUSE OF THE SPIRIT OF THE RULES.

I am pissed today, but I refuse to give up. I just refuse. I have learned too much from all of you to let you quit, either.



It is abuse, I agreed. I'm not quitting I just need a litte down time for the holidays and to juggle the asshats in my own neighborhood.

You know I liked that soup line idea that one girl just had wonder who one could organize that?

Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2010 15:10:37
Raine....I have every intention of running for office again next year. I have not decided if I'll try school committee again, or one of the Ward seats on City Council. (I have a friend who is a current at-large counselor, and she's trying to talk me into a ward run.)

My largesse won't last....but right now a good pity-party is rather therapeutic. Whether or not I pay attention for the last 2 months of 2010 isn't going to halt the machine that is DC; there will be new battles to fight next year.

Comment by Raine on 12/02/2010 15:19:09
http://cdn.nextround.net/upcoming/thumbs/2010/12/02/Will-Ferrells-Glamour-Shot.jpg


Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2010 15:20:56
Change gears; If you can pick up yesterday's "Fresh Air" podcast, do so. A fascinating interview with Eugene Robinson, and info about the Twain autobiography that was just published. (Yes, autobiography....Twain wrote it himself and specified that it not be published for 100 years. I would suppose he was being facetious; who could have guessed that he'd still be important a century later. Go on, name another 19th century author.)



Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2010 16:01:21
all this talk of art makes me want to go the museum but I don't have any time! argh!

Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2010 16:10:48
Ah, and now I have the dulcet tones of the "Wild Thang". Joining Ms. Miller for the last hour....



Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2010 16:23:10
Come on, Donald. Give it up.

(Trump vs. PBI....this has been going on since he bought the place.)



Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2010 16:41:29
was that from Mame?

Comment by livingonli on 12/02/2010 16:46:45
Good morning everyone. Thank goodness today is pay day for me. Much to do today. At least the sun is out but it's cold today.

Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2010 16:49:22
Idle thought...why all the to-do over the tax cuts expiring?

If Congress does nothing, they expire, right?

So, let the still Democratic congress do nothing; force the Repugs to craft new tax cuts next year and let it die in the Senate.



Comment by livingonli on 12/02/2010 17:00:37
Quote by TriSec:
Idle thought...why all the to-do over the tax cuts expiring?

If Congress does nothing, they expire, right?

So, let the still Democratic congress do nothing; force the Repugs to craft new tax cuts next year and let it die in the Senate.


At least the rhetoric is further proof that the GOP only care about the wealthy.

Comment by Scoopster on 12/02/2010 18:27:24
Welp, thanks to some minor chicanery the House just passed Obama's tax cut proposal 213-203.

I'm trying to dig through the comments to find out if this can be blocked by McConnell's stupor-minority or not - there seems to be some discussion about the bill already passing the cloture threshold.

Comment by Raine on 12/02/2010 18:27:25
hey EVERYONE get thee over to Clintsters FB page~!!!!

Comment by Raine on 12/02/2010 18:28:55
Quote by Scoopster:
Welp, thanks to some minor chicanery the House just passed Obama's tax cut proposal 213-203.

I'm trying to dig through the comments to find out if this can be blocked by McConnell's stupor-minority or not - there seems to be some discussion about the bill already passing the cloture threshold.


I'm still holding out hope that we can get this done.

Comment by Raine on 12/02/2010 18:30:07
Quote by livingonli:
Quote by TriSec:
Idle thought...why all the to-do over the tax cuts expiring?

If Congress does nothing, they expire, right?

So, let the still Democratic congress do nothing; force the Repugs to craft new tax cuts next year and let it die in the Senate.


At least the rhetoric is further proof that the GOP only care about the wealthy.
yOu know -- I'm sick of the rhetoric -- I think anyone who really does care should have all the proof they need about these corrupt Motherfruckers.

Get the damn bill passed with the middle class no having to take it up the arse again.


Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2010 18:53:15
LOOK AT ME!!! I'M OFF MY MEDS!!

OEOOGA BOOPA THTHTHTHTHTHTPPPPPHHHHTTTTTTT!

(6 hours last nite....5 hours tonite, so what am I listening to now?)

WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!

Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2010 19:06:09
say now, suppose it's *NOT* such fun to ride in a one horse, open sleigh?

(actually, I rode in an open Amish carriage once...it's awfully close to the wrong end of the horse.)



Comment by BobR on 12/02/2010 19:14:13
Quote by TriSec:
LOOK AT ME!!! I'M OFF MY MEDS!!

OEOOGA BOOPA THTHTHTHTHTHTPPPPPHHHHTTTTTTT!

(6 hours last nite....5 hours tonite, so what am I listening to now?)

WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!

And it's only Dec 2...

Comment by BobR on 12/02/2010 19:31:43
Q: Guess who got $1B in earmarks this year?

A: The Tea Party Caucus

Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2010 19:39:36
Actually, we've had Xmas music on at the store since November 13.



Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2010 20:46:44
TTFN, me hearties! Off to do battle at the mall.

Comment by livingonli on 12/02/2010 23:20:08

I'm breaking out the tiny violin because my heart is bleeding so much. Won't someone please think of the millionaires and billionaires

Comment by livingonli on 12/03/2010 03:36:27
Listening to Mike Malloy right now. He's become very critical of Obama and almost lumps him in with the GOP.