General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Robert Reich : The deal emerging from the Senate is a lousy one. Let me count the ways: [View all]TM99
(8,352 posts)have convinced all Americans that they too can someday have the American dream.
That dream used to be a very nice & solid middle class existence - food on the table, a nice house to raise a family in, cars, moderately priced education, a job with security and retirement benefits, and a social safety net to get you through if calamity befalls.
No, today's American dream is so very different - $450,000 is the new middle class. We aspire to become greedy millionaires who drool over tax cuts. "Don't raise my taxes $150.00 a month - oh how will I survive". Talk about penny smart and pound foolish.
Focusing on the UI benefits is a band-aid approach. Obama could be focusing more on job creation which is a permanent solution.
I just don't understand how in the last 2 years our government approach to fiscal policy has come down to quarterly crises involving short-term deals and no long term planning and purpose. I can not run a business like that nor can I plan my household budget like that. What makes us think we can run our government like that?
And I am sick of hearing how Obama is not a dictator or Obama is the president for ALL of us. Obama is the President of all of us. However, he has that position because first the Democratic party chose him, and second, because enough of a majority of Americans decided that the Democratic political philosophy is what America needs. So damn it, be a Democrat first and then consider 'compromise'.
Either he has a long-term Democratic vision of what America needs to look like with our social programs, military spending, deficits, and fiscal policies or he doesn't. If he doesn't have that vision and purpose, then kabuki theater continues as we watch our futures disappear.
And please spare me any replies that suggest that I am selfish because I am focused on my long-term social security instead of a short-term tax cuts and UI benefits. Those who hold the opposite position are just as selfish. They are also short-sighted and are making poor long-term financial choices.