General Discussion

Armstead

(47,803 posts)

169. I'm not saying its all bad

Tue May 20, 2014, 03:31 PM

May 2014

Yes there has been progress on a number of fronts, especially I guess in the realm of social tolerance ad civil rights. (I remember when racial differences were much deeper than "white privilege" because African Americans were really perceived and treated as second-class citizens.)

But on the issues that lie at the base of many others -- Who Controls Power and Who Has Wealth -- we're, frankly, headed to hell in a handbasket. It's not only "liberals" who recognize that. It's become more mainstream to acknowledge that it is a serious problem. But we have handed SO MUCH wealth and Power over that is is becoming all but impossible to initiate corrective measures.

Again I am not negating the importance of fighting back. On the contrary.

But as I get older and crankier and see this movie being replayed too many times, I have less and less patience with the notion that we should excuse or condone politicians like President Obama and too many Democrats in Congress who sell us what seems to be a remedy, only to find that once they get into office their actions become more oriented to placating the Piggy Oligarchs than the majority.

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(Must get this off chest).... Unless Obama walks his talk on Net Neutrality, he is a Phony [View all] Armstead May 2014 OP

Oh, he just sorta speechified. djean111 May 2014 #1

If he's going to screw us over, I'd rather he at least be honest about it Armstead May 2014 #2

Honesty.... NorthCarolina May 2014 #12

I feel same way marlakay May 2014 #35

You want him to be honest about net neutrality in the same way he was honest about Vattel May 2014 #42

Hear! Hear! JDPriestly May 2014 #50

+ 1,000,000,000... What You Said !!! - K & R !!! WillyT May 2014 #43

That's what Michael Moore asked. CrispyQ May 2014 #98

The one that pretends to be your friend is way more dangerous. You haven't earned your GoneFishin May 2014 #136

Speechifying is not always pointless, i.e, Hillary's $400,000 from Goldman Sachs Divernan May 2014 #31

Too bad they don't just go ahead and create a Banker Party and leave the Democratic party alone. djean111 May 2014 #32

+infinity dreamnightwind May 2014 #34

Actually, they HAVE created a Banker Party Divernan May 2014 #46

Yes, you are right. Just have to step back and count the deeds, not the words. djean111 May 2014 #48

It's things like this that make me NOT want Clinton to be President. I don't think she's represented DesertDiamond May 2014 #102

? Phlem May 2014 #97

His choice of Wheeler tells you all you need to know. Maven May 2014 #3

I think the fix was in the day he got reelected Armstead May 2014 #5

You NAILED it! n/t Plucketeer May 2014 #8

Yup...even though we were assured that he would go Full Liberal after he didn't have to worry about. truebrit71 May 2014 #11

Be patient. He's still cleaning up Dubya's mess. Things will be much better soon... RufusTFirefly May 2014 #13

But 3D chess... n/t Tommymac May 2014 #67

I think of this cartoon every time POTUS sticks it to the Democratic base. GoneFishin May 2014 #103

Yes -- just wait until the second term . . . markpkessinger May 2014 #132

I was amused/horrified/annoyed by how the goalposts kept getting moved RufusTFirefly May 2014 #134

Indeed . . . markpkessinger May 2014 #135

But, but... The Affordable Care Act! RufusTFirefly May 2014 #138

You mean that old line that W did so well? Plucketeer May 2014 #44

The fix was in from the day he was nominated RoccoR5955 May 2014 #18

+1. SammyWinstonJack May 2014 #78

But he still needs to secure Nite Owl May 2014 #104

when do we use the words "sold out"? grasswire May 2014 #108

Taken in, duped? lark May 2014 #115

Ding, ding lark May 2014 #114

Yep n/t Aerows May 2014 #6

That is how it has been going since he was elected........... BlueJac May 2014 #128

What a coincidence! Phony rhymes with pony! RufusTFirefly May 2014 #4

I understand three dimensional chess. RoccoR5955 May 2014 #21

Chess perhaps, but apparently not sarcasm. RufusTFirefly May 2014 #23

I'll let you borrow my sigline if you'd like corkhead May 2014 #101

Haha! For the most part, that would work for me. RufusTFirefly May 2014 #109

... SammyWinstonJack May 2014 #80

Also "all options on the table for ACA," Monsanto exec. to head FDA, TPP, etc., etc., etc, emsimon33 May 2014 #7

+1000 Plucketeer May 2014 #9

And if even one outrageous betrayal is beaten back because of the uproar.... RufusTFirefly May 2014 #10

Got teachers in family who agree to that. Nt marlakay May 2014 #36

The internet has given me a strong sense of power that I have not had in many years. If he is fool jwirr May 2014 #14

I guess someone doesn't want you to have a strong sense of power. winter is coming May 2014 #172

What can the President do iandhr May 2014 #15

That is a terribly over simplified version of the courts ruling tkmorris May 2014 #17

Thanks iandhr May 2014 #33

This is the oft-used "hands are tied" argument. I like to call it the impotent president argument. grahamhgreen May 2014 #26

He is the greatest leader in history, yet he is utterly powerless. QC May 2014 #70

Precisly - his brain is multi-dimensional, unlike us mortals, yet he's been stymied. grahamhgreen May 2014 #143

I've been calling it the "helpless president" argument for about four years now-- Raksha May 2014 #147

He is approaching his last two years. It should be a time for him to nail some things down. silvershadow May 2014 #16

Oh he's nailing things down all right Armstead May 2014 #49

I am sorry to say I can't disagree with you. :/ nt silvershadow May 2014 #60

Got some bad news for you. He was ALWAYS just a shill... Demo_Chris May 2014 #19

BINGO! SammyWinstonJack May 2014 #81

Absolutely right Nite Owl May 2014 #107

...^ that 840high May 2014 #123

+1000 Raksha May 2014 #148

That's where you draw the line? JohnnyRingo May 2014 #20

Very well said, I agree 100%. giftedgirl77 May 2014 #27

I apologize for being angry...I'm so happy that Obama is giving the Interne to the highest bidder Armstead May 2014 #52

Poor you, looking at your posting history bashing giftedgirl77 May 2014 #62

"Move on Citizen. Nothing to see here." Armstead May 2014 #79

No, it has to do with the oh my god the world is going giftedgirl77 May 2014 #87

So what are we supposed to do? Just allow the Wealthy and Powerful to keep buying our government? Armstead May 2014 #90

One, I didn't reply to you, I responded to someone else. giftedgirl77 May 2014 #92

You replied to a post that was adressing me Armstead May 2014 #95

Well then it's a good thing you can't vote for him in 2016, giftedgirl77 May 2014 #96

I should restrain myself but..... Armstead May 2014 #110

Maybe, or Biden from what I heard this morning. giftedgirl77 May 2014 #133

Damn, I wish I could rec this! 11 Bravo May 2014 #38

It's one of many straws -- It IS possible to walk and chew gum at the same time Armstead May 2014 #51

Seems you do indeed have a lot on your chest. JohnnyRingo May 2014 #61

yes I get carried away...and to be honest, I come to DU to vent when things piss me off Armstead May 2014 #93

+10000000. nt ecstatic May 2014 #76

^^K&R^^ Progressive dog May 2014 #127

this is a joke, right? Skittles May 2014 #159

Will I lose my pension over the defeat of net neutrality? JohnnyRingo May 2014 #163

omg Skittles May 2014 #165

This message was self-deleted by its author JohnnyRingo May 2014 #166

Wow did he ever give great campaign stump speeches INdemo May 2014 #22

The President was fear-mongering on Social Security from the get-go RufusTFirefly May 2014 #29

Bottom line. Our Government is all about big business and..... Bonhomme Richard May 2014 #24

It could be different but we're too complacent as a nation to change it Armstead May 2014 #54

Armstead, you are 100% right on. Protect net neutrality or forever be known as a Phony. Enthusiast May 2014 #25

Seems he waits for which direction the wind is blowing and then goes with it ... too much of this RKP5637 May 2014 #28

One thing the Oligarchs (seperate from the President) dont want to do is piss off the randys1 May 2014 #30

They wont take access away. Just make it more expensive and discriminatory based on $$$$ Armstead May 2014 #55

Same thing, nobody is gonna wait 5 minutes for the liberal site to load randys1 May 2014 #91

The White House already outlined his position. pa28 May 2014 #37

"...keeping all options on the table." Gawd, I HATE that phrase!!! scarletwoman May 2014 #39

+11111111 Tommymac May 2014 #69

X 1000 ctsnowman May 2014 #83

... SammyWinstonJack May 2014 #85

Ah the art of saying absolutely nothing while appearing to say something. nt Maven May 2014 #40

Lawyerly evasive language: "in hopes that the final rule stays true to the spirit of net neutrality" KoKo May 2014 #105

In 2008 I voted for Obama LiberalElite May 2014 #41

I voted for him both times deutsey May 2014 #47

Yes - I'm so tired of LiberalElite May 2014 #64

X2 ctsnowman May 2014 #84

I think most of us DU Oldies (Legacy) Dems voted for him 1st and 2nd Term... KoKo May 2014 #140

I had friends who were enthusiastic about him deutsey May 2014 #141

Well we will get the same with Hillary (a Republican lite) INdemo May 2014 #73

that ship already sailed Doctor_J May 2014 #45

^^^ Unfortunately I must agree that it was evident from the beginning with the HC ... slipslidingaway May 2014 #58

Amen. No other comment. 7wo7rees May 2014 #53

You do realize the FCC is an inependent body, right? MohRokTah May 2014 #56

Just stop. dorkulon May 2014 #99

No. MohRokTah May 2014 #100

Obama is supposed to have the bully pulpit. He can come out strongly in totodeinhere May 2014 #117

Guess who appoints the leadership? Guess who appointed Wheeler? madfloridian May 2014 #119

Okay, I've read the entire thread and it's obvious, nobody on the thread has a fucking clue. MohRokTah May 2014 #57

Oh, we understand "independent body" all too fucking well. djean111 May 2014 #65

Thank You. Tommymac May 2014 #71

No, you don't understand one bit. eom MohRokTah May 2014 #72

... SammyWinstonJack May 2014 #89

Thanks - I'll double down. Tommymac May 2014 #129

Its obvious you have no reading comprehension Armstead May 2014 #77

Its this week's "worst outrage of all time". JoePhilly May 2014 #82

Speculative outrage is better than after-the-fact groaning Armstead May 2014 #112

No, we understand how it works. It's just that we want Barack Obama, the man most of us totodeinhere May 2014 #118

Guess who appoints these guys? madfloridian May 2014 #121

They want an all powerful presidency treestar May 2014 #124

NO we just want a president who doesn't sell out out Armstead May 2014 #139

He is a Wall Street puppet. SamKnause May 2014 #59

So true regarding bipartisanship Armstead May 2014 #75

we NEED to upgrade the tubes. pansypoo53219 May 2014 #63

Another example of having to play defense Broward May 2014 #66

+1 You had me at Phoney n/t Tommymac May 2014 #68

As long as we make our politicians raise money to get elected, Dustlawyer May 2014 #74

You are ctsnowman May 2014 #86

I remember those -- and all that modem telephone noise as they were setting up Armstead May 2014 #88

Obama is very good at speechifying... truth2power May 2014 #94

Exactamundo. blackspade May 2014 #106

Agreed. WilliamPitt May 2014 #111

I am disappointed on many fronts evilhime May 2014 #113

Yes a President bears a lot of the blame. 80% of what a Presdient can claim as their legacy comes truedelphi May 2014 #116

Bill C.charges up to $750,000 per speech-Clintons solidly in 1 % Divernan May 2014 #120

And my activist friends wonder why we are being sold out on a daily basis. truedelphi May 2014 #137

k/r 840high May 2014 #122

Let's get this off my chest intaglio May 2014 #125

But Independent... Tommymac May 2014 #130

Ah, basic conspiracy theory intaglio May 2014 #131

No, he is just another politician out for himself. Tommymac May 2014 #158

Obama appointed ALL the current members including chair Divernan May 2014 #142

Thanks for the Post about this...And it's also true of "other positions" that Elected President KoKo May 2014 #144

fine, and at that point they are allowed to act within their legal remit intaglio May 2014 #146

Being from the UK, you obviously don't grasp the nuances of presidential appointments. Divernan May 2014 #149

Nuance is what you lack intaglio May 2014 #150

No, he didn't pull them out of a hat. Here's how it works. onenote May 2014 #161

Well I guess he will be a ....... BlueJac May 2014 #126

Kicking this to the top for anyone who's missed it thus far. Efilroft Sul May 2014 #145

You sound like you are anticipating the worst, first, and second, that you believe Obama MADem May 2014 #151

The vote was May 15 Armstead May 2014 #152

All the vote did was open the topic for DEBATE. Nothing more. MADem May 2014 #153

I dont disagree with you -- except to say this should have already been settled Armstead May 2014 #154

There will always be a tension between those who put the "public good"--as a pure and MADem May 2014 #155

Again I agree except for one fact Armstead May 2014 #156

We agree on much! MADem May 2014 #157

"great big paradigm shift" Armstead May 2014 #160

It might not be a good shift, at first, depending upon who prevails. MADem May 2014 #164

I guess the major difference here is that you're more optimistic than I Armstead May 2014 #167

I think things ARE getting better, in a lot of ways. MADem May 2014 #168

I'm not saying its all bad Armstead May 2014 #169

It's easy to play video games and watch TV. It's harder to call/write/visit our representatives. MADem May 2014 #170

i'll agree with you on that, and will leave it there...except to say... Armstead May 2014 #171

Whether your interpretation is incorrect cannot be determined yet onenote May 2014 #162

i'm not saying there is no point in fighting it Armstead May 2014 #173

Can't walk the walk without his comfortable shoes. n/t winter is coming May 2014 #174