General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsJust so you know, Chuck Schumer is giving away "entitlements" live on C-span
Chuck is speaking at the National Press Club and he's telling us that Republicans will buy off on tax increases as long as we put social programs on the table, something he says is not a problem with Democrats he's talked to, and then he tells us he's talked to them all from the White House right on down the line. He is selling out the middle class with a smile on his face and nearly no one is watching.
lalalu
(1,663 posts)and attacked over. There are democrats in congress selling us out just as much as republicans. Most are like Schumer and have been in office for years and made themselves filthy rich. Does anyone really believe insider trading and the selling of trade agreements was only done by congressional republicans? We need to be honest and start supporting new and progressive democrats. We need to demand just as much change in congress as the white house. President Obama cannot do it alone and congress actually makes the laws.
karynnj
(59,507 posts)His book, covered on 60 minutes, led to the legislation - that can best be described as CYA.
The accusations were made with a broad brush - including hitting EVERY legislator on a committee that had any part in the healthcare bills who bought healthcare stocks in 2003 and sold in 2004 or in 2009 selling in 2010. The accusation is that they had insider information on the bills being written. His accuracy is such that he hit some Democrats as chairing committees and writing the 2003 bill which was a Republican bill and they controlled both houses of Congress. These sales were hit even if they were done by blind trusts (or family trusts over which the legislator had no control). The more basic problem is that no one - including the law makers - knew in 2009 (or 2003) what was actually going to pass. Even in February 2010, Rahm Emmanuel was speaking of abandoning the effort for a comprehensive bill thinking it impossible. As to those stocks going up, the stock market surged in both those two year intervals.
There are many real - embarrassing times where legislators used their contacts to get deals that others were not offered. Dodd and Conrad are democrats who got sweetheart loans from Countrywide. There are many who get freebie trips paid for by people who want to influence them - and they are not necessarily illegal.
lalalu
(1,663 posts)I just think it is wrong that someone like Martha Stewart goes to jail while members of congress have done worse. I also do not think it is a coincidence that someone like Charlie Rangel got sweetheart land deals from areas of the world where he helped them negotiate trade deals.
I do believe many members of congress have a lot more money and land in foreign countries than we realize.
The problem is most voters think the president passes laws. They don't realize that who they vote for for in local elections and who they send to congress has a bigger impact on our lives and policies.
Flashmann
(2,140 posts)Of course not......No T&A....No car chases or explosions....No Snooki.....What kinda shit is that?....
99Forever
(14,524 posts)... Romney might win! Why do you hate the President?
axollot
(1,447 posts)Just sayin. Get local and primary out of office every Dem that sells the country up the river. The TP did one thing really well, that was gut their own party from within. We could do it, but with better people.
Cheers
Sandy
MoonRiver
(36,926 posts)It's also about the environment and endangered species, especially whales, for me at least.
awake
(3,226 posts)collecting SS tax on all forms of income including dividends & Cap. Gains. Then I am fine with that.
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)awake
(3,226 posts)that people invested in with their labor?
ieoeja
(9,748 posts)awake
(3,226 posts)a "Individual Labor Dividen" because the right uses the term "Entitlement" as if they were a gifts to the lazy people.
axollot
(1,447 posts)the same way they did Liberal through out the 90s. They are good at word-smithing and talking point hammering.
More to the point why do we only discuss the welfare for the poor and never, ever corporate welfare [in the national dialogue]?
Reason 1001 to get the money out of DC.
Now there is a reason I refuse to call myself a Liberal but it's not because of Rush n company; it's due to it being the Conservative party in Australia [as well as a few other countries]. I am a good old fashioned Progressive. [Not a new term but more widely used now]
More of a Bernie Sander's Progressive Socialist than I am a Democrat.
Cheers
Sandy
psychmommy
(1,739 posts)Bombarding them with emails and petitions. We need to make noise.
axollot
(1,447 posts)Oilwellian
(12,647 posts)for austerity. It's the natural progression (as we've seen worldwide) stemming from the grand screwing we received in 2008. As if losing 40% of your assets isn't enough of a sacrifice, we hear more of a "shared sacrifice" is just ahead, even though we haven't seen the top 5% EVER sacrifice jack. No, they want more of our blood and we're about to fucking give it. Bend over kiddies, because while some of you are calling the canaries in the coal mine trolls, your dear leaders are planning your family's demise.