General Discussion

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)

198. I don't think elections are indicative of what the people want.

Wed Nov 5, 2014, 09:49 PM

Nov 2014

Political strategy in this country is to tell the people what they want, using mass media and psychology.

The public has proven to be very manipulable in this way. Consider that in 2003 on the eve of the Iraq invasion, 92% of Americans polled believed that Saddam Hussein was directly involved in 9/11 - a fallacy easily disproved by only a modicum of effort. Similarly, Americans have been repeatedly told that they are "a Conservative nation" even though when polled they support traditional Liberal issues by wide margins.

Add to that the toxic hyper-partisan atmosphere in the nation at this time. If this election indicates anything, it's that Republican propaganda masters are better at whipping up their base than are Democratic propaganda masters.

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Like Robert Reich just said on Facebook [View all] SHRED Nov 2014 OP

Yep. That's what I posted this morning. cali Nov 2014 #1

K&R! G_j Nov 2014 #2

Me too. Me too. djean111 Nov 2014 #3

Well we will see won't we. upaloopa Nov 2014 #4

such total heaven05 Nov 2014 #112

And it has next to nothing to do with race. obxhead Nov 2014 #187

right heaven05 Nov 2014 #192

Keep hoping for that change. obxhead Nov 2014 #193

well heaven05 Nov 2014 #221

Yep nt meadowlark5 Nov 2014 #5

Who was the first to compromise? LakeVermilion Nov 2014 #6

"Compromise" on chained CPI, TPP and Keystone? With whom? merrily Nov 2014 #73

I heard on the radio there were 20 democratic senators willing to align themselves with JRLeft Nov 2014 #7

UH Chuuku Davis Nov 2014 #25

Keystone Pipeline my bad. JRLeft Nov 2014 #28

It's not a bill. It's a presidential decision. Zen Democrat Nov 2014 #135

It can be put into a bill. former9thward Nov 2014 #172

DC kabuki. All 20 may not ultimately vote with Republicans, but enough to pass it will. merrily Nov 2014 #75

Or they will be Democratic Senators in Red States that HAVE to do it to keep their seats... stillwaiting Nov 2014 #128

That, too. merrily Nov 2014 #130

Folks should worry more about Hillary on these issues than Obama Yavin4 Nov 2014 #8

And where he does surrender SHOULD be made an issue for the 2016 campaign... cascadiance Nov 2014 #30

I agree about local matters, but surrender, capitulate to whom? merrily Nov 2014 #76

He's capitulating on that to other powers that be in Washington... cascadiance Nov 2014 #126

Why would a President capitulate to lobbyists? Especially in his second term? merrily Nov 2014 #133

They both rely on the Ivy League/frat boy/Wall Street crowd for support randr Nov 2014 #31

No, but we want to... daleanime Nov 2014 #42

Yes. I got insulted for posting that our government was never set up as a democracy and is not one. merrily Nov 2014 #79

Yes, because it's been a right wing meme for years.. whathehell Nov 2014 #92

If that means most adults get to vote, then it's a democratic republic. That's still not a democracy merrily Nov 2014 #96

It's not a "pure" democracy, it's a representative democracy.. whathehell Nov 2014 #150

I leave Fox news to those who seem to need the comfort of delusions and illusions. merrily Nov 2014 #152

Why is this important to you? whathehell Nov 2014 #157

NO, I most definitely did not point out merrily Nov 2014 #158

Again, why IS this so important to you? whathehell Nov 2014 #160

Why do you keep posting about it if it's not important to you? merrily Nov 2014 #164

I like calling out fussy little nit picking small picture types like you.. whathehell Nov 2014 #165

It's so adorable that you think you called me out. merrily Nov 2014 #166

LOL whathehell Nov 2014 #169

Back so soon? Not a poster of your word? tsk tsk. merrily Nov 2014 #175

Yes, well you do seem to enjoy the attention, lol, whathehell Nov 2014 #182

At last. Bye! merrily Nov 2014 #189

yep heaven05 Nov 2014 #115

Yep. And some wouldn't recognize a fact if it stood up and gave them an ice cream cone. merrily Nov 2014 #129

No we don't live in a Democracy mdbl Nov 2014 #97

Given last night, it's hard not to think that ship's already sailed: deurbano Nov 2014 #111

Poignant harun Nov 2014 #134

Why more? He is President now. She may never be President. merrily Nov 2014 #66

She will have influence over his positions. n/t Yavin4 Nov 2014 #82

Why? Besides, that's his call. merrily Nov 2014 #84

I'll worry when she runs, and if Obama has said no to all 3 and the Repukes joeybee12 Nov 2014 #104

Exactly where her corporatist/Wall$treet BFFs hifiguy Nov 2014 #108

She isn't president Renew Deal Nov 2014 #170

Exactly. We are truly fucked. NC_Nurse Nov 2014 #9

Fortunately or vis-a-versa, i don't think Obama is that much of a trail blazer nolabels Nov 2014 #10

I completely disagree he is a triangular. JRLeft Nov 2014 #16

I can see why that might or might not be true, i guess we all will get to see in the long run nolabels Nov 2014 #38

Selecting Rahm Emmanuel as CoS and not pushing for Single Payer in health care reform - n/t mazzarro Nov 2014 #74

Or even a strong public option, as was his campaign promise. merrily Nov 2014 #86

If the discussion would have included single payer, a strong public option would have been a breeze. Enthusiast Nov 2014 #131

Another "Democrat" -- Max Baucus made sure that wasn't part of the discussion FiveGoodMen Nov 2014 #194

+1! Enthusiast Nov 2014 #219

Blunders of omission and commission. merrily Nov 2014 #120

I diisagree, nolabels. Please see Reply 64. merrily Nov 2014 #80

Oh there will be plenty of �agreements� between the White House and congressional Republicans Autumn Nov 2014 #11

Thanks for the quotation marks! merrily Nov 2014 #83

I don't know what the hell it is. They way they talk about him playing chess Autumn Nov 2014 #88

The chess crowd is not usually the crowd who fears what he might do, though. merrily Nov 2014 #89

You don't get where Obama is by letting people lead you. He plays the game and he plays it well. Autumn Nov 2014 #93

Me, too! merrily Nov 2014 #100

I mourn for what might have been. Autumn Nov 2014 #101

We're on that same page as well. merrily Nov 2014 #105

Ah well, we will see what 2016 brings. One thing for sure I'm not getting Autumn Nov 2014 #114

I live in Boston. It rarely matters how I vote. merrily Nov 2014 #116

Oh I bet you do "understand why". It's very important to some that he be seen as rhett o rick Nov 2014 #195

Yes. One group that will excuse and rationalize away anything and merrily Nov 2014 #197

We are doing ok for food for the holidays. We buy turkeys and hams ahead and rhett o rick Nov 2014 #210

My pleasure. I was interested. You do great work and you seem to have a passion for it. merrily Nov 2014 #211

It's very rewarding to see how hard some people will work to help others. rhett o rick Nov 2014 #213

People usually do work for, and/or donate to, some cause that has touched their lives merrily Nov 2014 #215

Yep newfie11 Nov 2014 #12

If the repubs can keep the rabid right in line, CrispyQ Nov 2014 #13

Agree 100%: Obama will give away a good part of the store alcibiades_mystery Nov 2014 #14

I agree 100 per cent with what you wrote. We are ballyhoo Nov 2014 #32

Sadly, I agree ballyhoo. dotymed Nov 2014 #52

And Obama was one of its followers. Do you remember him saying ballyhoo Nov 2014 #63

In 2008, both Hillary and Obama put Reagan on their respective lists of 10 best Presidents in merrily Nov 2014 #106

i hic requiem meam ballyhoo Nov 2014 #140

Numquam illegitimi non carborundum! merrily Nov 2014 #141

They won't grind me down....... ballyhoo Nov 2014 #144

Glad to hear it! merrily Nov 2014 #146

Long as there are threads like this where a bunch of folks understand ballyhoo Nov 2014 #149

I believe it was scripted. And well executed. Enthusiast Nov 2014 #132

When one is doing something that, if known, ballyhoo Nov 2014 #143

I see it as a major risk to the nation and possibly the world. Enthusiast Nov 2014 #153

Sorry for the delay. Was hitting punching bag. Yes, ballyhoo Nov 2014 #191

As to TPP, chained CPI and Keystone, though, who is other party to the "compromise?" merrily Nov 2014 #90

That's my fear too. I'm not conddent about his veto pen though. myrna minx Nov 2014 #15

More war, tax cuts? JEB Nov 2014 #17

He has no reason to "make nice" now fadedrose Nov 2014 #18

Obama can't fall for the "I'll be the one playing nice" jimlup Nov 2014 #19

Forgive my accidental illiteration, but this came to me first.. logosoco Nov 2014 #20

He might be sticking to his principles, but they may be different from yours. merrily Nov 2014 #94

CCPI needs poverty exception, and tax loopholes closed. joshcryer Nov 2014 #21

Exactly! President Obama was never serious about CCPI because he knew that Republicans BlueCaliDem Nov 2014 #60

It originated from his White House. And what it "needs" is for no Democratic President to merrily Nov 2014 #107

With those caveats, yes. joshcryer Nov 2014 #161

Fuck caveats. No Democratic President should have opened that door. merrily Nov 2014 #163

Obama "put everything on the table" before winning the primaries. joshcryer Nov 2014 #217

Link, please. merrily Nov 2014 #218

Yes, link: joshcryer Nov 2014 #220

I believe this is right on target Samantha Nov 2014 #22

Please see Reply 64. merrily Nov 2014 #113

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2014 #206

The Prez has the perfect excuse now. polichick Nov 2014 #23

ive been saying for a while the pipeline is a done deal. okieinpain Nov 2014 #24

This is EXACTLY what am worried about. I view it ballyhoo Nov 2014 #26

Of course Obama is going to tack to the right taught_me_patience Nov 2014 #27

I agree with all but the last sentence. merrily Nov 2014 #122

I don't think elections are indicative of what the people want. Maedhros Nov 2014 #198

Oh shit. Arugula Latte Nov 2014 #29

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http stupidicus Nov 2014 #33

We spend too much time scrutinizing donco Nov 2014 #34

LOL!!!! "PURITY" 2banon Nov 2014 #37

Obama is not a candidate (nor will he ever be one again). He is the POTUS. merrily Nov 2014 #54

All his caving-in instincts will come rushing to the fore... villager Nov 2014 #35

To whom is he caving? merrily Nov 2014 #64

You do know that he's pushing *for* TPP right? villager Nov 2014 #67

Yes, exactly the point of my post: he is the one pushing on all three items, not the one caving. merrily Nov 2014 #68

Ah, I see now. Well, "caving" from the standpoint of what/who we thought we were voting for... villager Nov 2014 #69

On that, seems to me that we're the ones who caved. merrily Nov 2014 #71

Now that the Republicans control all three branches of government there is no telling what hell will GoneFishin Nov 2014 #36

Well said. ballyhoo Nov 2014 #39

hell is comin'. SammyWinstonJack Nov 2014 #55

Well, Obama is a moderate republican. area51 Nov 2014 #40

Watch out. Someone will quote you his exact words, as though there is some huge merrily Nov 2014 #119

Exactly jalan48 Nov 2014 #41

Ding! Ding! Ding! mazzarro Nov 2014 #81

Also, the first Democratic President to pledge cuts to "entitlements" (as well as the first merrily Nov 2014 #118

He will cooperate so as not to be impeached bucolic_frolic Nov 2014 #43

No one is going to impeach him. merrily Nov 2014 #121

You don't impeach your scapegoat/enabler. grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #168

AFAIK, Obama has not committed any crime, high or otherwise. merrily Nov 2014 #173

Their problem is that the crimes he's committed (summary execution, rendition), are supported by the grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #180

Ah, but there is precedent for committing those deeds without impeachment or prosecution-- merrily Nov 2014 #181

Why would he treestar Nov 2014 #44

The attack on Public Education and teachers unions will accelerate Teamster Jeff Nov 2014 #45

We are so screwed... SoapBox Nov 2014 #46

Yes. And even he agrees with them or compromises, he won't get any credit with the voters. But kelliekat44 Nov 2014 #47

It was inevitable ProSense Nov 2014 #48

Hi! So glad you are back among us. mylye2222 Nov 2014 #58

Well, I just went to his FB page and posted this.. Cha Nov 2014 #49

Last line of defence....we better have his fucking back now, but instead we want to start with the Fred Sanders Nov 2014 #50

Thank you, Fred.. instead they want to join in with the rest of the Vultures. Pick on his bones. Cha Nov 2014 #59

I'll have to agree heaven05 Nov 2014 #117

Mahalo heaven! Cha Nov 2014 #123

Does that mean you are ok with fracking, the TPP, the XL Pipeline, chained CPI? rhett o rick Nov 2014 #196

I wrote to Obama last night marlakay Nov 2014 #51

You shouldn't have to do that? kentuck Nov 2014 #57

For the past 6 years marlakay Nov 2014 #61

Oh no.... workinclasszero Nov 2014 #53

Not exactly Depaysement Nov 2014 #56

PERSPECTIVE, PEOPLE ellennelle Nov 2014 #62

Really? What concessions have we gotten from Republicans? Doctor_J Nov 2014 #155

I agree with Reich sammy750 Nov 2014 #65

Robert Reich and the rest of us, definitely has something to worry about there. sabrina 1 Nov 2014 #70

I fully blame the ignorant SOUTH for voting for these GOPers year after year. vkkv Nov 2014 #72

Yup. Damn Iowa crackers. KamaAina Nov 2014 #85

I agreee still_one Nov 2014 #77

I'd be surprised if this were true. Voice for Peace Nov 2014 #78

As opposed to military operations without a Congressional vote? merrily Nov 2014 #87

All out war, Lindsay Graham and McCain's dream baby. Voice for Peace Nov 2014 #95

That's so 2003. Now, it's "air cover," "advisors," drones, etc. merrily Nov 2014 #102

Dead. On. Le Taz Hot Nov 2014 #91

all compromises the rw will try to force will be much easier if the left certainot Nov 2014 #98

Read the entire article, including the section entitled "Formal Revocation." merrily Nov 2014 #125

republicon radio made a new FD impossible like it did single payer certainot Nov 2014 #136

No one had to mention it, just simply not put the final nail in its coffin. merrily Nov 2014 #142

How many billions or even trillions do you have to fix that? TheKentuckian Nov 2014 #190

reagan killed the fairness doctrine and they used the subsequent certainot Nov 2014 #227

Still wondering what actions you want to see so you can say it isn't being ignored TheKentuckian Nov 2014 #235

fox is mostly visual reinforcement for talk radio- it can't do the repetition and has to certainot Nov 2014 #236

Well, maybe Obama should be impeached and Uncle Joe can tell them what's what. EEO Nov 2014 #99

why would Republicans now be eager to show they can "work together"? yurbud Nov 2014 #103

To move their agenda and blame it on the Democrats. That was ballyhoo Nov 2014 #145

Obama will be on TV here in a little bit to tell the republicans he's willing B Calm Nov 2014 #109

Yep, exactly what he said. crazylikafox Nov 2014 #138

Which is how we got to this point. He could have driven a stake in that vampire and yurbud Nov 2014 #205

CHILL: I GOT THIS Skittles Nov 2014 #110

Why would anyone expect him to veto things he's promoted? Marr Nov 2014 #124

So maybe he's been playing multi-dimensional chess after all deutsey Nov 2014 #139

Oh, I've no doubt at all. Marr Nov 2014 #148

Sad to say, I agree deutsey Nov 2014 #151

K&R.... daleanime Nov 2014 #127

Kicking....n/t Hotler Nov 2014 #137

Kill the TPP gregcrawford Nov 2014 #147

If Obama has brains (and I'm not sure that he does in this particular area) he will do the following TrollBuster9090 Nov 2014 #154

The Hope for America and Democrats bucolic_frolic Nov 2014 #156

As I recall... kentuck Nov 2014 #159

Very good questions. blackspade Nov 2014 #200

Obama sides with Republicans on a wide range of issues. pa28 Nov 2014 #162

Regarding the chained CPI Babel_17 Nov 2014 #167

I believe in Obama. KittyKat13 Nov 2014 #171

The President wants the government to actually govern. Progressive dog Nov 2014 #174

And the last couple of years have seen what compromise from the GOP? blackspade Nov 2014 #201

Historical realities say that no democracy can survive without Progressive dog Nov 2014 #230

So we go all the way with the GOP then.... blackspade Nov 2014 #231

That may be what you want, Progressive dog Nov 2014 #232

Any why would I want that? blackspade Nov 2014 #233

Our system of government does Progressive dog Nov 2014 #234

If I had to compromise on one of the three, it would be Keystone. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2014 #176

About 50 permanent jobs, I believe. djean111 Nov 2014 #178

I think in a few months, one way or another, a walk through the bog would be very enlightening. n/t A Simple Game Nov 2014 #177

We're going to miss those centrist red state dems IronLionZion Nov 2014 #179

The sequestration, privatization of Federal land and services, and breaking of unions will continue. Hugin Nov 2014 #183

If I were Obama TBF Nov 2014 #184

K&R. JDPriestly Nov 2014 #185

Yep, We're fucked now. obxhead Nov 2014 #186

We have more than 40 Senators. n/t Gore1FL Nov 2014 #188

Won't matter when McConnell nukes the filibuster davekriss Nov 2014 #204

He's gotta suspect this is a two-year deal. n/t Gore1FL Nov 2014 #209

This is the problem with Obama .. he wants to leave this legacy of cooperation with these criminals. YOHABLO Nov 2014 #199

I don't think Obama will sign those disasters to "show he can work with the jackals" Doctor_J Nov 2014 #202

The President customerserviceguy Nov 2014 #203

nailed it frylock Nov 2014 #207

We can speculate all we want Pakid Nov 2014 #208

New Thought.... zentrum Nov 2014 #212

So it's just better for the Democrats to stay home and (as always) put Republicans in office??? nt Sarah Ibarruri Nov 2014 #214

we are right to be wary and nervous hopemountain Nov 2014 #216

Workers PAID for SS Marthe48 Nov 2014 #222

National right to work law INdemo Nov 2014 #223

I totally agree. ReRe Nov 2014 #224

Reich is wrong. The veto pen won't prevent those things. Orsino Nov 2014 #225

Well, corporate money works. Sure as hell drowns out our meager voices. raouldukelives Nov 2014 #226

If Mr. Obama did something that was reversable later Turbineguy Nov 2014 #228

He has done nothing yet and what have we here? Liberal_Stalwart71 Nov 2014 #229