NY TIMES: Lame Ducks Triumphant

[dennis4868]

.......

But let’s admit it. Nothing would have gotten done if Obama hadn’t swallowed that loathsome compromise on tax cuts for the wealthy.

If he’d taken the high road, Congress would be in a holiday war. The long-term unemployed would be staggering into the new year without benefits. The rest of the world would look upon the United States as a country so dysfunctional that it can’t even ratify a treaty to help keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists. The people who worked at ground zero would still be uncertain about their future, and our gay and lesbian soldiers would still be living in fear.

It’s depressing to think that there was no way to win that would not have involved giving away billions of dollars to people who don’t need it. But it’s kind of cheery to think we have a president who actually does know what he’s doing.

The entire editorial here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/opinion/23collins.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print

[AtomicKitten]

1. It was a political smooth move that yielded the passage of many Dem priorities. nt

[Ineeda]

2. chess anyone? n/t

[vaberella]

3. Thank God there are a few people out there who recognize the magnitude of the situation. n/t

[dennis4868]

4. THE ONLY ADULT IN THE ROOM

http://blackwaterdog.wordpress.com/

[barbtries]

5. agreed.

been a good week for President Obama.

[DCKit]

6. Yeah, but we'll never know what would have happened if they'd played hardball...

No taxcuts for the top 2%, and Congress in session from December 27th-31st.

Seriously folks, we added $700 Billion in debt so the Repukes could go home for Xmas.

[dennis4868]

7. most of the costs for the tax deal...

had to do with the economic stimulant that helps the middle class...even Paul Krugmen, who is considered a god here, says that the tax cuts for rich will hardly put a dent on the deficit/debt because it's only for 2 years....

[DCKit]

8. $120 Billion/year is hardly a dent, but I'll concede the point

We're spending $1 billion every three days on Iraqistan, so WTF.

End the wars... even Pat Robertson says we're stupid for locking up the pot smokers.