Channeling Monty Python: The "Grand Bargain" Is Not Quite Dead Yet... Just For This Year...

[WillyT]

Last edited Thu Feb 20, 2014, 09:21 PM - Edit history (1)

Breaking: Obama To Drop Social Security Cuts In His Budget
Sahil Kapur – TPMDC
February 20, 2014, 12:49 PM EST

President Barack Obama will drop Social Security cuts he supported last year in his upcoming budget proposal, White House sources told TPM.

The president's budget blueprint for the coming year will omit the so-called Chained CPI proposal, which slows the rate at which Social Security benefits grow (which were included in his budget plan last year).

Then...

The decision is a result of the decreasing deficit, burgeoning focus on equality of opportunity and the fact that Republicans refused to return the favor when they had the change. Obama was also facing a rebellion among liberals who strongly oppose the idea. The president isn't definitively taking the idea off the table as part of a broad budget deal that includes tax revenues.

"The offer to Speaker Boehner remains on the table for whenever the Republicans decide they want to engage in a serious discussion about a balanced plan to deal with our long-term fiscal challenges that includes closing loopholes for the wealthiest Americans and corporations," the White House official said.

Link: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/obama-to-drop-social-security-cuts-budget

[Autumn]

1. Yeah.... but he didn't cut it!!!!!!!!!!

It's only mostly dead.

[djean111]

2. Let me be the first to say you must hate Obama. :-)

[wocaonimabi]

3. No, No, No he is just pining for a Liberal POTUS

as is most of America.

[djean111]

4. Haha! I see what you did there.

Chained CPI is nowhere near pushing up daisies.

[Autumn]

13. I thought he was pining for the fjords

it's all so confusing. I'm sure its not pushing up daisies though.

[Autumn]

9. hate Obama??? Is that what the ones who have OAS call ODS?

shit, I'm not sure. I will say I voted for him twice but no way in hell I'm voting for him again. Not gonna happen.

[woo me with science]

11. AND a Libertarian!

[QC]

22. Autumn never really loved him!!1!

[woo me with science]

5. Third Way Surreal: President seeks credit for election-year pause in his own hostage-taking.

He's *temporarily* removing, during an election year, the ax *he* suspends over our heads repeatedly as a tool to continue implementing vicious Third Way austerity.

'It will remain on the table."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=733502

You can't make this shit up.

[WillyT]

6. And Just Think... If We Were To Get More Reasonable Republicans Elected...

It Would Be Right Back On The Table !!!

It is truly something to behold...

[LongTomH]

12. Reasonable........Republicans???????

What a concept!!!!!

[woo me with science]

16. We don't talk about HOW it gets on the table,

or what they are able to inflict on the country BECAUSE it's there.

We just shower gratitude and tears when they take it off during an election year!

Vomit indeed.

[jsr]

10. No truer words.

[woo me with science]

15. Thank you. You laugh or you cry, but it's actually revolting and deeply, deeply unfunny

to watch the cynical, vicious manipulations of the Third Way.

Taking credit for shelving your own hostage-taking ax....."temporarily*.....during an election year. No wonder Monty Python comes to mind.

You can't put words to how sick and Orwellian the messaging has become, or how deep they assume our case of Stockholm Syndrome has become.

[jsr]

18. But it's a great privilege to elect people we pay to taunt, betray and torment us.

It is sickening.

[KoKo]

20. I know...there's always the "catch" with what he says..it seems.

Agree about the ax over our heads. Same thing with "environmental review" of Keystone and wondering when the TPP/TPIP will be passed.

I'm hoping our Dem Congress Critters told him that if he keeps Chained CPI on Table he will lose the older Dems who vote more heavily in the Mid-Terms. That's the only reason I can see that he is delaying it.

[jsr]

21. I believe a lot of people will be voting with great enthusiasm

for The Party That Decided Not To Cut Your Social Security After All - FOR NOW.

[woo me with science]

23. +10000, and we see the same manipulative corporate game shaping up with Net Neutrality, too.

Refusal to nip the assaults in the bud, vague promises that nothing bad will happen from the corporate power that is being deliberately enabled.

[KoKo]

29. Recommend!

[bvar22]

33. It really is surreal,

....and has been for a few years (or decades) now.

He's *temporarily* removing, during an election year, the ax *he* suspends over our heads repeatedly as a tool to continue implementing vicious Third Way austerity.

The people in Washington that I trust are getting fewer every year.
Here is one I still trust:
[font size=3]

Rep. Conyers: Obama Demanded Social Security Cuts--Not GOP[/font]

"We've got to educate the American people at the same time we educate the President of the United States. The Republicans, Speaker Boehner or Majority Leader Cantor DID NOT call for Social Security cuts in the budget deal. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES CALLED FOR THAT," declared US Representative John Conyers in a press conference held by members of the House "Out of Poverty' Caucus on 07/27/11."

Conyers added ""My response to him (President Obama) is TO MASS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE TO PROTEST THIS."

This declaration is significant both politically and morally as Conyers is not only the second most senior representative in the House, but was also the first member of Congress to endorse candidate Obama. Conyers doesn't merely draw a moral "line in the sand' but he presents a candid picture of violent contrasts between himself and the first African-American president.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Rep-Conyers-Obama-Demand-by-Jeanine-Molloff-110729-352.html

I trust John Conyers to get it right, and to tell me The Truth.
He has had a long career of doing just that,
Getting it Right for the American People,
even when it has been politically inconvenient for him to do so!

This man has sterling creds.
He was #13 on Nixon's Enemy List!

[hootinholler]

7. Shut up! You'll be stone dead in a minute

Here now get on the cart.

[woo me with science]

8. Wait! Wait!

Let the NSA save him first, once, so they can take credit for it!

[MisterP]

14. and perhaps more importantly it solidifies the framing of "SS is a deficit issue"

"and even the liburls agree that Something Must Be Done"

[woo me with science]

19. The poisoning of the Democratic Party identity and message.

THANK YOU. I could not agree more vehemently. This is perhaps the MOST pernicious and deliberate effect of Third Way corporate infiltration of our party:

Our Poisoned Democratic Message (from 2011)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1482232

[KoKo]

30. "Woo" your link deserves at least some SNIP:

I hope I'm not defying a Copyright from you by posting this...but, it fits so well in this thread and many don't have time for hitting links.

Thank you for the "Way Back Machine" showing how long you and other DU'ers have been trying to INFORM the rest of us:

-----------

woo me with science Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-13-11 02:33 PM
Original message
Our Poisoned Democratic Message (Bolding is mine for this post)

Edited on Wed Jul-13-11 02:50 PM by woo me with science
We have a much more serious problem than this particular manufactured crisis. Our Democratic President has publicly validated for the American people the Republican framing of our economic problems.

The impact of doing that cannot be overstated.

He stood up there and actually told Americans that cutting spending instead of focusing on jobs first will give us the "solid fiscal situation" we need before we focus on jobs.

It is a vicious and damaging lie for our country. Three hundred economists have weighed in warning this President that he needs to focus on jobs first and not starve the economy even more with spending cuts. But he gets up there and spews Republican talking points about slashing spending first.

For years, Republicans have drummed lies into the heads of the American people about the source of our economic problems and how to fix them. President Obama had from Day One of this Presidency to change the narrative and the national conversation about the economy, in order to build support for Democratic policies that could actually help us.

Instead, he stands up in front of the country to proclaim with the Republicans that now is the time to cut spending, "trim" benefits, and "eat our peas." It does not matter if some believe it is a clever tricky lie, and a "rope-a-dope." Presidents with cheap, tricky rhetoric will never lead a hurting nation in a fundamentally new direction. Cheap tricks do not substitute for desperately needed passion, leadership, and vision.

He had from day one to actually lead. To be a Democrat.

Instead, he has cemented the Republican narrative and made it a "bipartisan" narrative in a way that will not be undone anytime soon.

[woo me with science]

35. Thanks, KoKo.

Nope, no copyright.

No wonder we're all so sick and tired. We have been jerked around and lied to and had to fight this crap for a very long time, even from our own party.

[woo me with science]

24. ^^^^^^^ Important post by MisterP.^^^^^^^^^^

[WillyT]

26. Exactly !!! - Great Point !!!

Last edited Thu Feb 20, 2014, 06:03 PM - Edit history (1)

[ProSense]

17. Here:

Breaking: Obama To Drop Social Security Cuts In His Budget
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024534935

[Scuba]

25. Is he trying to completely kill the Democratic Party?

[woo me with science]

27. Makes one think about the Third Way/New Democrats and how they got here...

When the DLC connections to the Koch Bros. became well known, they just rebranded the infiltration
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4165556

When you hear "Third Way", think INVESTMENT BANKERS
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024127432

GOP Donors and K Street Fuel Third Way’s Advice for the Democratic Party
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101680116

The Rightwing Koch Brothers fund the DLC
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x498414

Same companies behind the GOP are behind the DLC
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1481121

[jsr]

31. In other words, Third Way = 1%

behind the smoke and mirrors

[KoKo]

32. Indeed and I'm an older Democrat who thought Clinton was so charismatic coming from Poverty

in Arkansas would know what Poverty was...what it was to grow up in Segregated South and would understand what to do about this. And I bought into the DLC Rhetoric about Dems needing to Re-Brand to get Reagan America to look at us after Carter (a huge hope) had his difficulties and wasn't re-elected.

ON EDIT..I was young with Carter...(the great hope of Kennedy) for us... and then CLINTON after the horrible Reagan/Bush years. I was starry eyed like those who voted for Obama...(he wasn't my choice..Al Gore would have been) and so....I understand the Enthusiasm and the Disappointment......it's the story of my Democratic Life.

Dems bought into some Meme from the RW Think Tanks that we were not "Business Friendly Enough" and the DLC which Bill and Hillary helped found wanted to go after the RW real bad...and they did and they won.

But...somewhere along the way our DEMOCRATS SOLD OUR SOUL TO THE DEVIL. I think that OBAMA has followed that path. It's the MONEY and the EUPHORIC POWER that goes to their heads..........or it's some character flaw ....OR...they are THREATENED. Or...there's NO Difference now between either party except for the Extremists on the LEFT (those Obama loves to make fun of as being the Extreme Left who want Social Services) OR the Extremists on the Right (which the Right calls their TEA PARTY who want to Privatize Everything and let Corporations Rule in Private/Public Partnerships)

BUT...something is breaking apart our country, lifestyle and future.

I think the blame goes everywhere. Something is VERY WRONG and NEEDS to be FIXED!

HOW DO WE REPAIR THIS!

[1StrongBlackMan]

28. Perhaps if someone explained WHY CCPI won't go anywhere ...

And WHY the gop can't take up the carrot And, WHY President Obama (and team) have instituted a great strategy on this issue, people will be less the sad ... I'm pretty certain no one has explained it before. Wait! What? ...


Look at the polling, Democrats and the rest of the Left hate them (the gop); but more importantly, (and I’ve written this so many times, all I have to do a push control-V) a solid plurality of Independent voters AND republican voters (a solid majority, when taken together) see the gop as the party unwilling to compromise; and therefore, the reason nothing is getting done in Washington.

In order to flip the House (because of gerrymandering) and expand the Senate in 2014, Democrats need this cohort of Independent voters and republican voters to either: vote Democratic (which is unlikely); to vote 3rd-party (which will reduce the gerrymandering effect, as it will dilute the gop vote more so than the Democratic vote); or to stay home.

Enter President Obama’s Budget Proposal that included the CCPI … to the Left, it’s Hair On Fire time because NO REAL DEMOCRAT would ever propose “cutting ‘entitlement’ programs”; but look at it from the POV of the target cohort … they see President Obama (and by extension, Democrats) as willing to move on “entitlements” IF the gop is willing to move on taxes (i.e., COMPROMISE). (It is only the Left that is viewing CCPI in isolation). And what is the cohort seeing … the gop continuing to refuse to compromise (that’s what the polling is saying).

Does this strategy risk, disillusioned Democrats sitting home? … Well, yes. And some on the Left are, seemingly, doing everything in their power to make that happen, with their constant President Obama is (and by extension, Democrats are) sell-out devil(s)” mantras, without pointing out that President Obama is not running for office, AND by not pointing out what Democrats (that ARE/will be running) are actually saying … which goes from Pelosi’s, “We’ll consider CCPI; BUT ONLY IF the gop GIVES on taxes” to Markey’s (and the majority of the Democratic Caucsus’) “Hell NO … Leave SS and Medicare alone.”

While I, personally, think that the Pelosi/President Obama position is the wiser strategy, 18 months out from the election, as it continues to reinforce what the targeted cohort already believes … that the gop is unwilling to compromise, Democrats saying “Hell NO!” signals that SS and Medicare will not/cannot be touched.

So Message to the “Hold ‘em accountable” Left and waivering Democrats:

Stop saying/promoting President Obama’s Budget Proposal as merely CCPI (and a few other “anti-Democratic” positions) and help the Democratic Party’s cause by, at a minimum, stating what the Democrats in Congress are actually saying!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251304468


And ...


Here let me spell it out for you one more, again …

Why it hurts republicans …

Republicans demand movement on “entitlements” … President Obama places on the table CCPI … the left freaks out (showing that President Obama is acting against his base, i.e., willing to compromise) … But the offer comes with a demand for more revenue (something that the left ignores during their freak out) … republicans are caught in a pickle; if they accept the CCPI along with the increased revenue, they face a primary challenge because they caved on tax increases AND they are hurt with a significant portion of their mid-term base - the elderly. If they vote against the CCPI, they face a primary because they didn’t cut “entitlements” AND they are hurt with those fed-up republicans and independents that want to see governance, if not compromise, by once again proving the “obstructionist” label, true. The republicans have, once again, refused to take what they asked for.

Now, why it won’t hurt Democrats …

Listen to what sitting Democratic legislators are actually saying about CCPI … Those in safe districts are saying “CCPI? Hell no!” Those in purplish districts and the Democratic leadership are saying, “CCPI? Well, we’ll think about it (against my base’s wishes); but only if the republicans will give in on significant revenue.” Republicans will not do the level of revenue required for CCPI to be put to a vote in the House or the Senate, nor will they do sufficient revenue for President Obama to sign the thing into law.

So fear not … CCPI is going nowhere except to further damage the republican party.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3904206


Maybe folk will listen this time ...

[bvar22]

34. Your Gish Gallop fails to impress.

Lets keep it simple:

*For most of my life, Social Security and the New Deal has been the Corner Stone of the modern Democratic Party.
THIS, and LBJ's Great Society are the reasons I joined The Democratic Party

*Until 2008, Social Security has enjoyed the protection of being the Untouchable "3rd Rail of Politics".
Touch it...and you DIE!
That has kept our Social Security safe from Republican meddling.

*The Obama Administration has set the precedent of reducing Social Security from The Untouchable 3rd Rail of Politics,
to just another chip on the table
that will be In Play in every future Budget Negotiation in the future
until it is GONE (or "Privatized", which is the same thing).

*Since 2008, The Democratic Party Leadership has assisted in falsely connecting Social Security to The Deficit Crisis .

*This damage to the New Deal and Social Security is irreversible.

ONLY a "Democrat" could do those things.




Is something like THIS too much to expect from a Democratic President?

#t=26

[1StrongBlackMan]

36. What is a "Gish Gallop"? ...

At any rate ... It has been noted that you have completely failed to even attempt rebut the "gish gallop."

At double any rate ...

Lets keep it simple:

Yes ... simple.

*For most of my life, Social Security and the New Deal has been the Corner Stone of the modern Democratic Party.
THIS, and LBJ's Great Society are the reasons I joined The Democratic Party

Social Security and the New Deal remain the Corner Stones of the modern Democratic Party. In case you hadn't noticed ... SS and the New Deal legislation still exist, unchanged.

*Until 2008, Social Security has enjoyed the protection of being the Untouchable "3rd Rail of Politics".
Touch it...and you DIE!
That has kept our Social Security safe from Republican meddling.

No ... what kept/keeps SS safe from republican meddling has been/is the significant segment of the republican base and the entire Democratic Party membership (as well as, "liberals/progressives" that would revolt if SS were touched. Funny how the gop recognizes this; but, "liberals/progressives" do not. (reference the gop's response to Greg Walden, NRCC Chair, comments regarding the CCPI and the gop's senior base's response to GWB's attempt to privatize SS)

*The Obama Administration has set the precedent of reducing Social Security from The Untouchable 3rd Rail of Politics,
to just another chip on the table
that will be In Play in every future Budget Negotiation in the future
until it is GONE (or "Privatized", which is the same thing).

It has always been a "chip on the table"; but never a chip that'll get played.

*Since 2008, The Democratic Party Leadership has assisted in falsely connecting Social Security to The Deficit Crisis .

*This damage to the New Deal and Social Security is irreversible.

ONLY a "Democrat" could do those things.

And what is that irreversible damage that has been done ... other than having "liberals/progressives" howling at shadows?

[WillyT]

37. Morning Kick !!!

[jsr]

38. Yep. "The offer to Speaker Boehner remains on the table"

[WillyT]

39. Could Not Be Any More Clear...