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merrily

(45,251 posts)

185. Ear schmear. Obama is not a puppet.

Sun May 5, 2013, 09:52 AM

May 2013

Obama promised to cut entitlements after his 2008 election, but before his January 2009 inauguration. His first priority when he took office was obamacare. Before he signed that, he appointed the Cat Food Commission. He has taken one step after another since then toward making good on his promise.

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2009-01-16/politics/36899872_1_barack-obama-key-economic-priority-items-entitlement-reform

http://www.crewof42.com/news/conyers-on-jobs-weve-had-it-lays-out-obama-calls-for-protest-at-white-house/

Not only is this very much about Obama and not some advisor, but it is not only about Obama. This is what our party has become. Democratic Leadership Council, Progressive Policy Institute, Third Way. New Democrats. All on the same page, or at least very similar pages.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/05/bill-clinton-to-paul-ryan-on-medicare-election-give-me-a-call/

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This message was self-deleted by its author [View all] octoberlib May 2013 OP

It's a bleak day when health care is considered leftist. rug May 2013 #1

that's the fabulous Overton Window--it doesn't just have acceptable margins, but also a neat little MisterP May 2013 #27

You have that right. Owl May 2013 #43

Yes it is nt Progressive dog May 2013 #77

? child labor laws, child protective services, workplace safety, living wage, employee bargaining, merrily May 2013 #112

Because everyone gets sick. It's a human issue. rug May 2013 #211

All the issues I mentioned are human issues. They still all have been considered left issues. merrily May 2013 #212

And that's the nub of it. rug May 2013 #215

As I posted downthread, if you minimize or dismiss the left, then you can easily minimize any merrily May 2013 #218

promoting the interests of poor and working class interests.... tomp May 2013 #266

Do you know the original refrain of The Internationale? rug May 2013 #268

Healthier people would be worse off, sicker people would be better off Recursion May 2013 #2

It's not a zero-sum game. Lasher May 2013 #4

No it isn't Progressive dog May 2013 #79

so it *is* a zero sum game. HiPointDem May 2013 #105

It doesn't *need* to be, but as I'm reading this proposal it is Recursion May 2013 #192

And if we had a government that cared about the people, rather than private Corporations, we sabrina 1 May 2013 #189

For profit education, healthcare, retirement and prisons abelenkpe May 2013 #201

There is nothing Obama won't do to appease Republicans. I expect by 2016 forestpath May 2013 #3

Sometimes I think he might as well wear red! n/t RKP5637 May 2013 #5

Well, that is the Republican party's color. forestpath May 2013 #7

Good point! Some days I wonder ... I'm really getting fed up with it all ... a no win situation. n/t RKP5637 May 2013 #9

Party names are rapidly becoming irrelevant. merrily May 2013 #116

Same product, sulphurdunn May 2013 #161

Sadly, though, it works. merrily May 2013 #164

I know how you feel. sulphurdunn May 2013 #171

I did as well, and donated more than I could afford, too, but, as Obama said, merrily May 2013 #173

Yes, what a fool. randome May 2013 #191

I could respond to each of those points, which are not as portray them. merrily May 2013 #200

'Tis you who have no facts. randome May 2013 #206

If you want to go in circles by repeating stuff that made no sense the first time, you are on your merrily May 2013 #209

What landmark legislation? sulphurdunn May 2013 #264

That's like saying sulphurdunn May 2013 #257

They didn't control it enough to stop filibusters. randome May 2013 #263

It's cute that you think the government of the most powerful country on the planet runs like a Marr May 2013 #269

Sure. I agree, sulphurdunn May 2013 #270

+1 CrispyQ May 2013 #221

It comes of the system we have Scootaloo May 2013 #275

He did, in the '80s. blkmusclmachine May 2013 #84

Are you referencing his comment that his policies would, in the 1980s, have been considered those of merrily May 2013 #115

He appeases them without getting anything in return CreekDog May 2013 #62

It is not a negotiation if it is what you want. nt tsuki May 2013 #71

+1000 blkmusclmachine May 2013 #85

+ 1,000,000 cantbeserious May 2013 #109

+1984 jsr May 2013 #184

+1000 GoneFishin May 2013 #220

Oh, he'll get plenty ($$$)in return - in his post-Presidential years! Divernan May 2013 #136

For the tremendous services rendered, his net worth will outrank Bill Clinton's jsr May 2013 #194

It's not the Republicans so much as the oligarchs that both parties work for. MrSlayer May 2013 #67

That's it in a nutshell---none of them really give a damn about us. virgogal May 2013 #76

Truth. (no text) Quantess May 2013 #107

I am glad we have a no move Teabagger Congress. I will be glad when Obama is gone. Katashi_itto May 2013 #110

Obama is a symptom, not a cause. merrily May 2013 #114

Agree, 3rd/DCCC way is killing us. Katashi_itto May 2013 #125

So is the DSCC. In fact, they are all killing us. merrily May 2013 #128

The groups infect us. I am not sure if it can be fixed really. Katashi_itto May 2013 #137

It can be fixed. Likelihood of that happening, however, is a different question. merrily May 2013 #139

Well, if it has a low likelihood of happening, its not a fixable thing. Katashi_itto May 2013 #141

Likelihood is relative. Impossiblity is absolute. merrily May 2013 #143

Oh no, I will keep voting, and am not going anywhere till I finish my Masters Katashi_itto May 2013 #163

Even after you leave the country, though, vote. merrily May 2013 #166

Pity, about her vote. No I plan on always voting. Katashi_itto May 2013 #177

Yeayyyy! merrily May 2013 #181

He promised entitlement reform before his first inauguration. merrily May 2013 #113

Ah yes, marginalizing concerns by dismissing them as from the "left." Warpy May 2013 #6

are you talking about the professional left? Phlem May 2013 #12

No, the drug taking left. merrily May 2013 #123

Eventually, a lot of politicians are going to find themselves part of a huge stir fry. Even the RKP5637 May 2013 #13

+1. HiPointDem May 2013 #106

In order to marginalize concerns by characterizing them as from the left, they first had to merrily May 2013 #119

The biggest mistake the dems made was backing away from the word 'liberal' CrispyQ May 2013 #223

Funny you should say that. merrily May 2013 #230

I've read it before & it's a beautiful speech. CrispyQ May 2013 #237

Yep. I hope you don't mind another anecdote, since you merrily May 2013 #244

Thanks for the link. Bookmarking to look at later. CrispyQ May 2013 #251

No need to look at the link unless you are curious. merrily May 2013 #253

Gotta pay for the Pentagon's release from the sequestration somehow! MotherPetrie May 2013 #8

Ugh... Phlem May 2013 #10

I'm even starting to question the moderate part. n/t A Simple Game May 2013 #20

I hear that! Phlem May 2013 #69

+1 --nt CrispyQ May 2013 #225

A world of delusion out there. earthside May 2013 #11

Frankly, they are only in touch with $$$$$ in USA, Inc., where each day people count less. This RKP5637 May 2013 #14

You got THAT right! nt Honeycombe8 May 2013 #16

Thank God I grew up in what is now being called "America's Golden Era", whathehell May 2013 #74

In part, the post war years worked so well for Americans because merrily May 2013 #124

In part, yes, but also because whathehell May 2013 #135

I think you may have misunderstood. I never said people did not do well in 1955. merrily May 2013 #142

Well, actually, you said this: whathehell May 2013 #176

First, "not necessarily" were key words. Second, I said all three things merrily May 2013 #179

Gee..Hostile much? whathehell May 2013 #226

? I wasn't hostile at all. We're not communicating and I don't know why. merrily May 2013 #236

Unlike the others who responded to my post, you did seem defensive & then hostile to me, but, whathehell May 2013 #248

Well said! I grew up too with the same thoughts and RKP5637 May 2013 #140

Thanks...You know, I never thought I 'd be glad to be whathehell May 2013 #150

I consider myself to be one of the most fortunate human beings to ever have lived on this planet. CrispyQ May 2013 #229

Yep. whathehell May 2013 #233

I'm so disgusted with politics. CrispyQ May 2013 #228

I'm fed up with it too and I've lost respect for many of RKP5637 May 2013 #232

why does that chart stop at age 54? Skittles May 2013 #28

You really don't want to see the data for... paleotn May 2013 #262

"see millions and millions of 65-plus year old Americans in abject poverty... bvar22 May 2013 #44

Consider this scenario. sulphurdunn May 2013 #169

They don't care. Not one bit. CrispyQ May 2013 #235

Why not REPEAL the provision that prevents Medicare from negotiating drug prices? Honeycombe8 May 2013 #15

Because they are all owned by big pharma. pangaia May 2013 #19

Yep, none want to rock the boat of big $$$$$ flowing into big pharma. The whole RKP5637 May 2013 #22

Great idea but negotiation may not be possible after the Trans Pacific Partnership passes. pa28 May 2013 #23

Finally, some much needed laughter this morning! CrispyQ May 2013 #240

To the contrary, Medicare for all would be the best way of dealing with health care in this country. merrily May 2013 #129

Violation of chess rule jsr May 2013 #198

Okay...we expected better...but, the Sh*t hit's the fan once again........ KoKo May 2013 #17

It's The Hill, octoberlib.. they like to start shit. Cha May 2013 #18

What if the "shit" is true though. It often turns out to be...these days..doesn't it? KoKo May 2013 #56

I think you're right , Cha. octoberlib May 2013 #100

Congress does not seem responsive to our calls anymore. White House either. merrily May 2013 #117

And cue the rationalizers . . . markpkessinger May 2013 #21

you forgot "you're a known O hater" bbgrunt May 2013 #26

Oh, right -- "You never loved him" markpkessinger May 2013 #29

He's roping the dopes, emoprog! WorseBeforeBetter May 2013 #33

That one, too! markpkessinger May 2013 #36

I can't wait for the Crap Blogs to be trotted out in defense. WorseBeforeBetter May 2013 #47

Loving or liking him is required by law. tblue May 2013 #45

My personal favorite. Puglover May 2013 #183

see #25 Skittles May 2013 #30

LOL markpkessinger May 2013 #32

well.....yeah, I believe you are correct Skittles May 2013 #40

Post removed Post removed May 2013 #122

How could you forget, "would you rather have McCain, er check that, I mean Mittens?" nm rhett o rick May 2013 #37

How could I have forgotten that? markpkessinger May 2013 #41

You forgot, "You NEVER adored him!" Safetykitten May 2013 #38

Cue you to try and shut down discussion. This being a discussion board and all. Cha May 2013 #42

I'm not trying to shut down the discussion . . . markpkessinger May 2013 #54

Oh Mark, wickerwoman May 2013 #46

Oh, right. markpkessinger May 2013 #52

now "You're shutting down the discussion!" Union Scribe May 2013 #92

I'm not sure either, but I will endeavor so to do! markpkessinger May 2013 #94

Respectfully, rationalizers on message boards are not cutting OASDI or Medicare. merrily May 2013 #126

Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. jsr May 2013 #187

You never really loved him!! QC May 2013 #213

It's been too, too long! pecwae May 2013 #259

Howdy! n/t QC May 2013 #260

This entire subthread reads like Bobbie Jo May 2013 #246

FAR to the right of Reagan Doctor_J May 2013 #24

I would pay attention to this ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #25

And, it's the Hill.. known to start shit in my experience.. and, of course, Cha May 2013 #39

+1 Raine1967 May 2013 #57

Again..."The Hill" catches a Buzz and more often than not what they buzz KoKo May 2013 #59

"Sources say..." "Leading activists say..." "Correspondents say..." randome May 2013 #50

Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. OnyxCollie May 2013 #60

Ouch! randome May 2013 #131

That's enough for some. Let 'em rage.. maybe channel it into actually Cha May 2013 #63

Thank you 1StronBlackMan. defacto7 May 2013 #83

Is the proposal in writing? merrily May 2013 #130

Not only is it not in writing, it's year-old 'news'. randome May 2013 #132

If something is being "floated," I would not expect the details to have been worked out merrily May 2013 #134

Understood. randome May 2013 #154

No, I am not the one who pointed out there was no link. merrily May 2013 #157

And after more than 4 years, no cuts have been made. randome May 2013 #196

What part of my prior posts did you not understand? merrily May 2013 #199

Yeah, but you also insisted he'd never offer to cut Social Security. Marr May 2013 #216

Yup, this OP is the worst kind of drivel. gulliver May 2013 #238

And I wonder Why?- ruffburr May 2013 #31

Thank you -- superb rant! n/t markpkessinger May 2013 #34

They believe workers are peons tblue May 2013 #49

There Would Be A Cap? grilled onions May 2013 #35

I find it disturbing Savannahmann May 2013 #48

Is there to be NO acknowledgment by Obama/Congress of the recent complete discrediting of austerity? HomerRamone May 2013 #51

Austerity is not, in reality, about doing what's best for the 99% MannyGoldstein May 2013 #80

Sing it! merrily May 2013 #133

Not really. The Democratic Party is supposed to be the center party. limpyhobbler May 2013 #53

There's center and then there's center. merrily May 2013 #138

This message was self-deleted by its author CrispyQ May 2013 #243

Post removed Post removed May 2013 #55

I'm usually leary.... ReRe May 2013 #58

He has not changed boats. He has wanted all along to cut what he calls entitlements. merrily May 2013 #152

Finally, the Republicans will know they can trust us MannyGoldstein May 2013 #61

It's just us left leaning Democrats who want octoberlib May 2013 #104

This message was self-deleted by its author loudsue May 2013 #64

Mr. Hope n' Change strikes again DerekG May 2013 #65

You don't know Phlem May 2013 #70

This is better? AnotherMcIntosh May 2013 #81

He didn't fool me; I voted for Jill Stein DerekG May 2013 #207

You don't know what would have happened if Romney had been elected. merrily May 2013 #155

Post removed Post removed May 2013 #66

You would think.... blackspade May 2013 #68

They were invited to buy our party. merrily May 2013 #160

I feel ill. AAO May 2013 #72

You better dig out your wallet, then. merrily May 2013 #162

Why do you say that? AAO May 2013 #202

If no one wants to pay much for treatment, being ill is going to cost everyone money. merrily May 2013 #204

You who need it most? He would scatter you to the four winds. "Fend for yourself." nt Poll_Blind May 2013 #73

It was also mentioned in the NYT on 3/28 octoberlib May 2013 #75

Thanks - I didn't see the NY Times article LeftInTX May 2013 #82

That's ok. I think your article was more current anyway. nt octoberlib May 2013 #101

"See! I can be a Republican too!" MannyGoldstein May 2013 #86

he wants them to want him Skittles May 2013 #91

He is simply being a New Democrat. merrily May 2013 #146

Today's democratic platform more closely resembles the republican platform of the 1950s, CrispyQ May 2013 #241

Well, merrily May 2013 #247

I found a few things. The second looks like it is from an insurance industry site. LeftInTX May 2013 #78

Another reason to invest in a long term care policy.... Historic NY May 2013 #88

That works for people who can afford it, have no pre-existing conditions and are younger. merrily May 2013 #172

The only elections BHO cared about are in the rearview mirror. Might as well let the real self out. blkmusclmachine May 2013 #87

Whoever has Obama's ear is harming him, us and our future. SleeplessinSoCal May 2013 #89

I'm thinking it's a different part of his anatomy that someone has ahold of. WinkyDink May 2013 #120

Ear schmear. Obama is not a puppet. merrily May 2013 #185

if Eric Cantor came up with the idea Enrique May 2013 #90

Is the precise way of tucking it to seniors, the disabled and the prematurely orphaned important? merrily May 2013 #188

another anti-Obama post. Quaintly noted. BTW, doctors make too much money for a 6 hour day. graham4anything May 2013 #93

"teachers should make more than doctors" = WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?! WinkyDink May 2013 #121

who taught the doctor but his teacher graham4anything May 2013 #147

Also as a teacher how much was your whistler162 May 2013 #151

Old news that DIDN'T HAPPEN. jazzimov May 2013 #95

Please be cautious Summer Hathaway May 2013 #97

I wonder where this blogger from the Hill got her information. octoberlib May 2013 #99

Oh, those naughty senior advocates, trying to prevent something like this! merrily May 2013 #167

yes.. much ado about nothing. DCBob May 2013 #111

I remember when people used to say that about the absence of a public option from Obamacare. merrily May 2013 #168

not me. DCBob May 2013 #175

Never said you and it didn't have to be you for the point to be valid. merrily May 2013 #180

You expected a change in Medicare to become law in six weeks? merrily May 2013 #159

I did not vote (& work my ass off) for this shit! Faryn Balyncd May 2013 #96

Au contraire, that seems to be exactly what you did. merrily May 2013 #170

So can we steal the Tea Party "Hands off my medicare" sign? alp227 May 2013 #98

Lol. I think we better. nt octoberlib May 2013 #102

.... DeSwiss May 2013 #103

Reread reply #1. democrank May 2013 #108

What would be the POIINT of "Medicare," then? Does Obama want to sink Hillary? WinkyDink May 2013 #118

hillary? let`s worry about next year.... madrchsod May 2013 #127

I doubt it, but I sure hope someone sinks her. merrily May 2013 #174

I'm heaven05 May 2013 #144

JCoaS OKNancy May 2013 #145

tell heaven05 May 2013 #148

that isn't going anywhere either OKNancy May 2013 #149

i hope heaven05 May 2013 #153

I looked and Foxnation and the Hill are the only places where this is OKNancy May 2013 #165

Thanks. I appreciate your voice on this thread. nt SunSeeker May 2013 #186

'Beneficiaries 'pay something for Home Health Care'??? They DO, sadly since this entire sabrina 1 May 2013 #208

Please see Replies 188 and 159. merrily May 2013 #190

pish posh OKNancy May 2013 #203

Actually, that is exactly what it means. You can tell that if you read the entire article. merrily May 2013 #205

as I wrote... we will see OKNancy May 2013 #210

As my reply 159 states, damage has already been done. merrily May 2013 #224

It's unfortunate fredamae May 2013 #156

The assets of the nation and of individuals comprising the 99% are merrily May 2013 #193

I've grown to embrace fredamae May 2013 #217

"I wish for someone to prove I'm wrong." merrily May 2013 #222

At this juncture I can neither fredamae May 2013 #231

Thank you, fredamae. merrily May 2013 #250

Thank you as well-tho this fredamae May 2013 #258

I am not sure that I am what I've been waiting for, but I agree it will take work on our parts. merrily May 2013 #265

They can't.... paleotn May 2013 #245

Excellent post. CrispyQ May 2013 #249

We don't need to feel bad fredamae May 2013 #274

I'm leaning left sulphurdunn May 2013 #158

Well as long as we can keep those bases open in Germany ctsnowman May 2013 #178

Whatever happened to solving fiscal deficitis by RAISING TAXES? Octafish May 2013 #182

When corporate profits and corporate cash reserves are at an all-time low? jsr May 2013 #197

We need to flood the mail and phones. JNelson6563 May 2013 #195

Tell me the last time that worked to affect anyone's vote or the White House. merrily May 2013 #234

You can give up, I'm not. JNelson6563 May 2013 #261

I am not giving up, either. Just not wasting time on things that have been proven useless. merrily May 2013 #267

Not enough do to make it matter. JNelson6563 May 2013 #273

Privatizing Medicare pmorlan1 May 2013 #214

It's already happening. At my employer (a hospital no less) AllyCat May 2013 #219

The subsidies are substantial flamingdem May 2013 #242

That will not be us, even after management bends us over in bargaining. AllyCat May 2013 #271

I'd say keep researching, the plans are supposed to be online this month flamingdem May 2013 #272

"as a way to reduce the deficit" AgingAmerican May 2013 #227

No, it's been Obama's, the DLC's and the Blue Dog's ideology paleotn May 2013 #239

Why are we still spending millions on nation building in Iraq and Afghanistan? Rosa Luxemburg May 2013 #252

This is how the elite siphon the Treasury. CrispyQ May 2013 #255

If it floats ThoughtCriminal May 2013 #254

This is what happens ProSense May 2013 #256

This message was self-deleted by its author octoberlib May 2013 #276