The "Fiscal Cliff" vote is over, did we cut Social Security?

[Bluenorthwest]

39. Why? Because it bugs you? What difference does that make?

To me, a politician in our system is a public servant who has offered him or herself up for exploitation as part of the political debate. That is they are fodder, they are fuel, they are not so much people as they are memes to use.
It is worthwhile to piss off the 'don't criticize him, we looooove him' crowd because they could mature into activists more useful to the people and to the President. To play the always faithful ardent supporter is very important, but also a very limited role. Not all of the electorate can indulge in pin-up politics, although I do think it is good that some do fit that full tilt supporter role, that way they give those with actual political goals something to use as a backboard.
Let's try to make this clear: On DADT repeal, one of the reasons we got the repeal done had to do with Obama first defending DADT in court, offering himself as the proxy for the actual opposition. By loudly opposing his actions, people gave him the context, the set and the setting in which he could turn to full support of repeal. Same routine is going down on marriage equality. He plays his part very well and allows the people to use him without his ego becoming all bruised. That's why I like him, also why I am usually seen contesting some bit of his policy which he later 'evolves' to an new position. To make big change in the face of the Republicans, dear JoePhilly, requires a political leader with a strong self knowledge and a very long fuse on his or her temper, also needed are activists who will oppose that leader during the 'debate and evolve' phase AND constant defenders of that leader who serve as proxies to the activist's arguments.
The folks who spent months lecturing gay folks that the President 'could not come out for equality until AT LEAST his second term' were really, really wrong. They said 'you want a pony, but I am a PRAGMATIST so I know he can not, in reality, do what you want no matter how many DUers demand that he do so'......
So yeah. Takes all kinds. Takes the fans, the critics, the leader and the opposition to make change.
I offer this: I came into Obama's term wanting DADT repealed. Got it done. Also wanted him to support marriage equality. Which he has. During the entire process, I was a 'critic' of Obama's and others were his 'supporters' who oddly supported by saying 'he can't' when in fact, I knew that he could. And he did. Because we gave him the set and setting to take action. The ardent 'he can't' supporters played their role as well. It's just not the role they think it is.