Why lie to ourselves about Obama?

[Jeffersons Ghost]

Media continues to portray Barack Obamas' policies as a disaster at this critical juncture of our republic. He has not spoken out enough about an economic collapse that was the result of eight years of Republican leadership. Instead he has allowed media to portray our poor economy as a Democratic failure: But He doesn't control which of his speeches media will report. Fox news despises him, so he must be doing something right for America. Who owns or controls most news sources these days?

Sources on the left, like many at Democratic Underground, claim the more he is attacked, the more he bends over. John Kerry recently defended Obama on that very topic; and he knows what is going on in DC.

So what are our prospects for the future? If we are to be spared an awful future, both economically and politically, the progressive community needs to stop complaining about Obama and get out and organize.

If you like complaining about the president, wait two more years and you'll have another Republican Bush-clone to bash. How would you like eight more years of Republican domination in Washington DC?

[leftstreet]

1. Just yesterday we were told "IT'S ONLY BEEN TWO YEARS"

There's something strange going on here...

[Jeffersons Ghost]

11. What do you mean by "strange?" Are you talking about all these anti-Obama OPs?

I noticed a big increase in anti-Obama sentiment here, which is why I posted this OP.

[Poboy]

12. Yeah, its really 'strange' the Democrats expect the Democratic president to

act like a Democrat. Crazy strange stuff there.

[leftstreet]

13. No, not really

Sounds like the decision to allow more open criticism of the Administration's policies was based on input from the DU member survey thing.

It's just strange that the reaction to it hasn't been an increase in volume of Give It More Time! Hold their feet to the fire!! That kind of thing

A corner's obviously been turned

[Mimosa]

29. I am NOT 'anti-Obama'

I'd like to see the President stand up for ordinary people.

[demwing]

37. I'd also like to see the President stand up for ordinary people

I've just lost the confidence that he'll ever do it.

[randr]

2. Precisely

Remember how we felt about the right wing denial of all things "Bush"? It was inexplicable how they could let him get away with so many programs that flew in the face of conservatism.
The political scene in America is the same no matter what side of the fence you may be on.
Now is, truly, the time for all good persons to come to the aid of their country.

[monmouth]

3. First and foremost: A NEW PRESS SECRETARY...Why is there no

one on the tv everyday expressing the Democratic view??? That too, is Obama's fault. Is he not getting it? Gibbs and POTUS need to get their act together and start being a force to contend with.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

9. The owners of TV stations decide which excerpts from statements go on their stations

[Mimosa]

27. A new Press Secretary with 'the common touch'.

Gibbs is in no way personable.

[monmouth]

32. Nor is he articulate. He stumbles and mumbles and is non-convincing..n/t

[MikeFoxtroters]

4. I read all his speeches

on the whitehouse website. He had talked extensively about the republican economic failures in pretty much every speech. I think the problem, at least from what I have noticed from reading them is the lack of reasoning. It's just a brief kind of they did this, didn't do that but there is no real information in there, no facts to look up so it all comes across as opinion. It is very frustrating to read.

[Monique1]

5. I would love to make more comments

but I find it useless anymore. It appears most people have accepted the RW talking points.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

35. It's time to stop accepting then here. go ahead and comment

[treestar]

6. They will like it

I'm convinced they prefer to be victims. They want to blame their inadequacies on the government, the President or the "corporations." The only way to do this is to never support anything.

[Atticus]

25. You know, there are points to be made for your view of things, but when you ratchet

your criticism of those with whom you disagree out to such blatant extremes, you pretty much shoot your credibility in the ass.

I supported this president for two years, often on this board, arguing for patience and pointing out the mess he inherited. There were several times that I had to clench my teeth or just remain silent rather than openly criticize "my" president. But, the extension of these tax cuts for the wealthiest among us while the poorest are suffering so coupled with the overall lack of strong leadership has brought me to the point where I WILL openly question and criticize.

But, I am no one's "victim", I am old enough to deal with my own inadequacies and to assert that I---and those who share my view of this administration---"never support anything" is positively Rovian.

[malaise]

7. These days I think I'm

at Free Republic.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

10. I feel the same way. Even now, anti-Obama pendants are trying to bury this OP

[guruoo]

15. Takes nerve to step in front of the thundering herd when

it's in full stampede.



K&R, BTW.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

23. thanks for pointing that out. It's a bit like Obama is doing...

It's a dangerous job, but someone had to do it.

[JuniperLea]

31. Me too...

My instincts are good when it comes to ignore... my list is full of pizza, and there are very few "live" DUers in there.

I caught one just this morning who was served up pizza within an hour of my putting him/her on iggie!

There are followers... sadly.

I've never been much of a follower.

[asdjrocky]

8. Sure, Kerry knows what is going on in DC.

It's the rest of the country these rich bastards are clueless about.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

33. Kerry married money. He knows and cares about what's going on in America

[asdjrocky]

36. Really?

From bio-

Kerry is the child of Richard Jerry Kerry (1915–2000), a Foreign Service Officer and an attorney for the Bureau of United Nations Affairs, and Rosemary Forbes Kerry (1913–2002), a World War II nurse and member of the wealthy Scottish-American Forbes family.

No, Kerry married BIG money, he already had some scratch. What is it about those who have not trying to build like histories for those of the privileged class? It really does baffle me.

[asdjrocky]

41. Anything?

[Individualist]

14. New Democrat Senator defends New Democrat President.

What else would anyone expect!

[JoseGaspar]

16. It goes far, far beyond Obama...

The anger at Obama is partly because he was supposed to fix it.

There is an "ideological" problem in the Democratic Party. Who does the Party represent, who is its base, what does it stand for and what is it against?

There is an endless willingness to talk about the mechanics of legislation, elections, and governance but no conversation about whose interests are thus served. The mealy-mouthed talk about "progress" and "incremental advances" merely deepens that crisis as does talk of "winning".

It can't be papered over any more... no more so than the Republicans can paper over theirs.

The alliance is different now and it can't be preserved by lying about it. Who is in and who is out?

Big tent, my ass. Half of the old "base" is on the outside freezing to death.

You can't be "for unions" and not even fight for card check. You can't decide that the policies that date from FDR and the New Deal are "old ideas" and not articulate exactly what the "new ideas" are.

It may all be an attempt to prevent a major schism but it is a very bad attempt. It will not work.

Is the Party for Globalization and out-sourcing or is it against it?

Is the Party for privatization or is it against it?

Is the Party for a Government approach to social safety or is it not?

Is the Party against war and foreign adventures or isn't it?


That crap about "we will accommodate many views" is the biggest bullshit line of them all.

[Poboy]

26. Good post JoseGaspar. -nt

[Mimosa]

28. Welcome, Jose.

I think the president needs to decide and make clear what he stands for. And communicate to the American people.

[badtoworse]

30. Well put!

You can't be on every side of the issues and stand for anything.

[WillyT]

17. No, No, NO !!! - They Will Cover Him In Full, When He Punches The Republicans In The Nose !!!

I hate this reality too, but most people don't read in-depth analysis, or listen to NPR or Amy Goodman all day, and that's a shame. But...

They DO respond to a televised fight or trainwreck. Think Don Henley's 'Dirty Laundry' or the news phrase, "If it bleeds, it leads."

Pick a fight, plant a flag, and blast 'em !!!

We're the fucking GOOD GUYS... but nobody fucking knows that...

FDR did it...

...

For twelve years this Nation was afflicted with hear-nothing, see-nothing, do-nothing Government. The Nation looked to Government but the Government looked away. Nine mocking years with the golden calf and three long years of the scourge! Nine crazy years at the ticker and three long years in the breadlines! Nine mad years of mirage and three long years of despair! Powerful influences strive today to restore that kind of government with its doctrine that that Government is best which is most indifferent.

For nearly four years you have had an Administration which instead of twirling its thumbs has rolled up its sleeves. We will keep our sleeves rolled up.

We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace--business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering.

They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.

Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me--and I welcome their hatred.

...

Link: http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/od2ndst.html

JFK did it...

...

The cost of the major raw materials, steel scrap and coal, has also been declining, and for an industry which has generally been operating at less than two-thirds of capacity, its profit rate has been normal and can be expected to rise sharply this year in view of the reduction in idle capacity. Their lot has been easier than that of one hundred thousand steel workers thrown out of work in the last 3 years. The industry's cash dividends have exceeded $600 million in each of the last 5 years, and earnings in the first quarter of this year were estimated in the February 28th Wall Street Journal to be among the highest in history.

In short, at a time when they could be exploring how more efficiency and better prices could be obtained, reducing prices in this industry in recognition of lower costs, their unusually good labor contract, their foreign competition and their increase in production and profits which are coming this year, a few gigantic corporations have decided to increase prices in ruthless disregard of their public responsibilities.

The Steelworkers Union can be proud that it abided by its responsibilities in this agreement, and this Government also has responsibilities which we intend to meet. The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission are examining the significance of this action in a free, competitive economy. The Department of Defense and other agencies are reviewing its impact on their policies of procurement. And I am informed that steps are under way by those members of the Congress who plan appropriate inquiries into how these price decisions are so quickly made and reached and what legislative safeguards may be needed to protect the public interest.

Price and wage decisions in this country, except for a very limited restriction in the case of monopolies and national emergency strikes, are and ought to be freely and privately made. But the American people have a right to expect, in return for that freedom, a higher sense of business responsibility for the welfare of their country than has been shown in the last 2 days.

Some time ago I asked each American to consider what he would do for his country and I asked the steel companies. In the last 24 hours we had their answer.

Link: http://networker.www3.50megs.com/jfk14.html

And it's ALL gonna be televised... the question is... whether it's gonna be a fight, or a trainwreck.

:shrug:

:kick:

[donco6]

18. Organize what? A primary challenge?

A general strike?

Another pointless march?

A nasty letter-writing campaign?

A phone tree?

And does anyone here really think any of that would do a damn thing?

[BzaDem]

19. I think some people here would love it. It would allow them to "stay true to principles."

As long as what they say can be pure, it doesn't matter what the country's actual policies are. After all, the "collapse" is just around the corner, and that will usher in a new era of progressive domina.....

:rofl:

I can't even say it without laughing.

[BlackHoleSon]

34. Stay Classy n/m

[donco6]

38. Not sure which would be worse for you -

A true economic collapse or progressive domination.

Actually, I am sure.

[bvar22]

20. Yawn.

Another Blame the Troops for a Failure of Leadership thread.

"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans."---Paul Wellstone


By their works, you will know them."

[WiffenPoof]

21. It Seems To Me...

...that drastic situations require drastic actions. What the Bush Administration left behind was so devastating, only drastic measures could even begin to counter the damage. I think that many feel that these drastic measures never came about...even though we were given that impression during the campaign.

-PLA

[TBF]

22. Eight more years of republican domination -

are going to look just like the last two for working class folks.

[Hydra]

24. Shhh...don't spoil the narrative!

Obama will fix things. We just have to get out of his way and let him destroy the Gulf, our chances for decent healthcare, teachers, gays, homeowners, soldiers, children...

Who was left, in the end?

[donco6]

39. The only thing is, *I* voted for all this!

On purpose, even! I don't know what the hell karma I'm paying back, but it had to be a doozy. Maybe I ate my children.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

40. Your vote means as much as recommendations at DU. This OP had 4 at one point...

But they were stolen by powers beyond my control.

[Generator]

42. I don't have to wait two more years for a Republican Bush clone

I've got him in Obama.

[Dystopian]

43. Oh my...

What are you smoking?:smoke:

:wtf:
I will continue to complain....
:hi:

peace~

[donheld]

44. You mean like the Bush clone we have now?