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merrily

(45,251 posts)

218. As I posted downthread, if you minimize or dismiss the left, then you can easily minimize any

Sun May 5, 2013, 10:56 AM

May 2013

issue by calling it a left issue.

For me, though, calling something a left issue automatically pre-disposes me to be in favor of it because I respect the left. I will still question--is it really a left issue? Do I agree with it? But I will give it a presumption of validity, as opposed to being told something is a RW issue.

So, I see the root problem as being the huge effort made over the years to discredit the left.

I am proud that the left at least used to be on the correct side of all those issues that I mentioned and so many more.

I am not ashamed to call myself a liberal, either. Frankly, I do not think that is an accurate description of who I am. I think the Party has moved right. But I would rather be called a liberal than center right.

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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