OFA Asks Supporters to Write a “Letter to the Editor” Praising Federal Worker Pay Freeze - FDL

[WillyT]

Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME ??? This takes lame to a whole new level of pathetic! I'm thinking it is OVAH!!!

:wtf:

OFA Asks Supporters to Write a “Letter to the Editor” Praising Federal Worker Pay Freeze
By: David Dayen
Tuesday November 30, 2010 3:20 pm

<SNIP>

We’ve officially gone around the bend.

OFA, the organizing arm of the DNC, originally began its life as an organization trying to get someone elected on the platform of hope, change, and progressive policies. You had a public option in health care, cap and trade, a more progressive tax system, diplomacy abroad, and a belief in American values of equality and opportunity.

Here’s what OFA is reduced to. I just got this email:

A decade of irresponsible spending led to a projected $1.3 trillion deficit that President Obama inherited upon taking office — putting America on an unsustainable fiscal course.

From Day One, this administration’s top focus has been growing the economy and putting Americans back to work — and that will never change.

The economy is growing again, yet all across America families and businesses have been tightening their belts. The President knows their government must do the same.

Yesterday, he announced a proposal to freeze pay for non-military federal employees for two years — a plan that will lead to $60 billion in savings over 10 years. It’s one of many tough choices the President has made to cut costs in the upcoming budget to begin to put our nation’s fiscal house in order. And it follows directly from this administration’s dedication to stretching federal dollars and reining in the long-term deficit.

Now, if you listen to some talk radio hosts or a few of the talking heads on cable news, you’ll hear a very different assessment of our fiscal policies. These voices ignore the irresponsibility of the past while pinning the blame for “reckless spending” solely on this administration. It would make a good fairy tale if it weren’t so dangerously untrue.

But these voices — as loud as they are — are spreading bunk. Cutting costs and spending responsibly has been a cornerstone of this administration’s record. And we need your help to get the truth out there.

Will you take a few minutes and write a letter to the editor today to set the record straight?

That’s right, the organizing project of the Democratic National Committee wants you to organize in support of freezing public worker salaries.

<snip>

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/11/30/ofa-tries-to-get-supporters-to-write-letters-to-the-editor-praising-a-federal-worker-pay-freeze/

:wtf:

:banghead:

:puke:

:nuke:

[WillyT]

1. Please... Somebody... Take A Shot At Defending This...

I'm fucking flabbergasted!

:nuke:

[WillyT]

7. Nobody ??? - Not A One Of You ???

:wow:

:shrug:

[Recursion]

9. Defending the Federal pay freeze or OFA's attempt at getting people to cheerlead it?

The pay freeze is a politically important sign of solidarity, and that's money that can get out to the states.

The cheerleading campaign is probably a stupid idea.

[Better Believe It]

24. Huh? So the money taken from federal workers will be given to the states for .... what?

"The pay freeze is a politically important sign of solidarity, and that's money that can get out to the states."

I didn't read about that plan.

Is it a secret plan that you discovered or was it uncovered by WikiLeaks?

Please post the link where you found this information.

Thanks.

[nashville_brook]

2. triangulation is no fun unless everyone does it!! come on...it's the new dance craze!

[WillyT]

4. And I Thought Disco Sucked...

:banghead:

:Help:

:hi:

[laughingliberal]

20. +1 nt

[thunder rising]

3. Anybody going to defend it? I'm sry I just can't .

[mmonk]

5. Not here.

[WillyT]

6. They Can't...

:evilfrown:

[flpab]

10. I am a federal employee

We say we are glad to have a job, we were going to get less than 1% increase next year for cost of living. I am middle class, live pay check to pay check, I pay more every year for health insurance and my dept is not a GS rating so we are not getting step increases, good old boys club and it stinks but I have a job and will take a pay freeze but they better tax the rich or I will be pissed.

[amborin]

8. K&R and someone did actually try to defend it

[WillyT]

12. Not Really So Far, But... I Think # 9 Was An Attempt, If I Read It Right...

Something about States Rights ???

:shrug:

[OhioBlue]

21. I don't think it is about States Rights

but more about State Budgets...

[WillyT]

29. Ok... I'll Buy That... And In The Past, The Federal Government Used To Bail-Out States...

that were in distress. The Feds can print money and run deficits, the states cannot.

But NOW... we ain't bailing out the states. And that's crap... but also crap...

Is falling into the old divide and conquer trap.

If you let them pit us against each other... Fed worker vs. State worker, private vs. public, etc...

They win again, and laugh all the way to the bank... again.

We, as the working class... are supposed to support each other, not be jealous of one another.

:shrug:

[OhioBlue]

35. I agree with you that we as the working class need to

support each other and not be jealous of one another. I don't agree with those that are telling Federal workers to "suck it up" or "welcome to the real world". I don't see anything productive in that. At the same time, I don't think the pay freeze is that horrible. If I understand it correctly, the scheduled cost of living increases that will be foregone are less than 1%.

I would love to see a reinvigorated solidarity movement, I would love to see the working class lobby behind and know the importance of the Employee Free Choice Act; I would love to see Liberals and Progressives lobby to improve & strengthen the Health Care Reform act rather than fight about it. Just because we didn't get a public option in this, doesn't mean we never will unless we give up.

I want the working class to understand capital gains taxes and estate taxes and why they should not be eliminated.

I don't remember who it was - but I heard an R say today that part of the reason unemployment is staying so high is because of the increase in the minimum wage and the uncertainty of tax rates. They have their talking points down and I bet lots of heads in the US were nodding in agreement - because that is the propaganda we have been fed and many take as common knowledge since Reagan.

We need to come together to fight on issues - campaign, write ltte, etc on issues - explain to our neighbors just how the wealth has been extracted from us to the top and what the mechanisms are that are doing it and what needs to be done to correct it.

Class warfare is real and we are losing - and you are very right that we need to come together. I just don't think the pay freeze is an assault on the Federal workers and may actually be an attempt to preempt the Republican's planned cuts and take the talking point away from them? If that is the plan, I'm not sure it is a good strategy, but that may be the intention. It looks highly symbolic to me and the symbolism probably means different things to different people.

I just think fighting and arguing over this helps keep us divided and I don't think it is something that is outrageous enough to warrant it.

[WillyT]

36. Agreed... But Going After Our Own FIRST ???

The Fed Employee Union is... was... steadfastly supporting Obama. What the hell is going on???

Are the wealthy truly untouchable?

And does that mean that all sacrifices from now on will be made by us?

:shrug:

:hi:

[OhioBlue]

38. I think it is the symbolism

to you (and partially to me) - we see it as scapegoating Fed employees.

to the average working class person that has been struggling in this economy, it could be seen as shared sacrifice.

To political strategists, I would guess it looks like an attempt at preempting the Republicans.

The last 2 points are probably why OFA sent out the letter. If it was symbolic for a reason - Dems needs to publicize it. If they are preempting & trying to connect with the working class then they need to be loud or the public will forget and the Republicans will keep the frame/talking point of overpaid Federal workers out of touch with average Americans.

Again, I'm not sure how smart the strategy is - I think it plays to the Republican narrative and would much rather see better, more unified and forceful communications on taxes and unemployment benefits.

[amborin]

39. here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9660110#9660276

[WillyT]

40. Damn... GMTA, And I Didn't See That...

Wish I had seen yours first...

K & R !!!

:hi:

[amborin]

43. LOL!

:hi:

[Still a Democrat]

11. The Obama proposal preserves step increases and bonuses

Republican plans include a three year freeze that would kill step increases and bonuses, impose unpaid weeks off, cutting the federal workforce, raising health insurance fees for retirees and reducing their retirement income.

Given the deficit situation and what has happened to private compensation, benefits and employment levels, this is pretty even handed.

[WillyT]

13. And Yet... He Went After Middle-Class Workers And Union Members Before Wall Street Suits, No ???

Just sayin...

:shrug:

[Recursion]

16. No. GM's shareholders (aka, Wall Street) were wiped out

And their bondholders (aka Wall Street) were very nearly wiped out.

Ditto the non-commercial-deposit creditos of the banks FDIC has been very aggressively closing.

Sometimes we approach tea-party levels of disconnect from reality here.

[WillyT]

18. That Was Under Bush, And I Was Talking More About Bankers And Fund Managers Than Shareholders...

Shareholder normally don't get million dollar bonuses.

:shrug:

[laughingliberal]

25. It is not one bit even handed when the top 1% is making more than the bottom 50% and he's willing...

to collude with Republicans to extend the Bush tax cuts for the obscenely wealthy.

[Autumn]

14. Wow, now there's a shot to the chops. n/t

[eridani]

15. OFA people at the state level have discretion about sending out stuff like this

I'm still on hte WA State list and didn't get it. I got one advocating the repeal of DADT, though.

[TheWebHead]

17. I'll defend it

It is a political winner. It may not be a winner within the Democratic Underground demographic, but if you were to poll likely voters, they will largely be in favor of the move especially if you factor out those who work for state, local or federal government and their families. If we later learn evidence that government in certain sectors is having trouble finding workers, it can be dealt with at that time. To a large degree, this is a partial catch up move, because since 2000, federal pay and benefits have increased an average of 3% faster than inflation each year, compared with 0.8% for their private sector counterparts. In truth, federal employees will still be getting pay raises the next two years, just in the form of their health care benefits.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

26. It's a winner. My brother is a federal worker and while not super pleased,

he understands the situation enough to not be upset about it. It's funny how those around here seem to be so much more superior in their thinking then those who are actually effected.

[EFerrari]

28. That's a pretty small sample you have there. n/t

[Better Believe It]

33. And the situation is ..... ?

Trillions for Wall Street and corporate America.

Wage cuts for the rest of us.

[EFerrari]

27. Aren't the Feds the biggest employer in the country?

How is that a political winner? And you count health care as a raise?

People are going to remember that Barack Obama asked working people to take a hit when he signs an extension to the Bush tax cuts.

These people can't seem to cut their own throats fast enough. It's a shame they have to take us down with them.

[Better Believe It]

31. Will you also be defending Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid cuts?

Until I read your comments I didn't understand that it's a really bad thing for government workers to receive real wage increases that exceed the rate of price inflation by 3%. And it would be even more horrible if private sector workers also received wage increases equal to those of government workers. But, fortunately due to the hard ass scrooge like policies of private employers, their workers only received an average of 0.8% increase in pay.

That's just wonderful! A regular workers paradise!

Perhaps you also believe that workers wages and benefits in private industry should be cut or frozen in order to make companies more profitable and competitive? After all, big private employers are only sitting on 1.8 trillion in cash. They need more .... much, much more.

[laughingliberal]

32. If you poll likely voters they'd probably be in favor of letting unemployment benefits expire, too..

I still wouldn't consider it a 'winner'

[laughingliberal]

19. Yeah. Here's my letter:

President Obama has, once again, sided with the deficit terrorists' assessment that our biggest problem is out of control spending when it's perfectly obvious that unemployment and wealth inequality are our biggest problems. Rather than take the bold step of introducing a proposal to get more money in the hands of workers or put more people back to work, he has chosen to freeze the pay of federal employees. It is a cheap trick which saves even less money than the backroom deal he cut with PhRMA for our health care reform bill and fosters the 3 decade anti-worker rhetoric of the right wing. I wait, hopefully, for the day when President Obama announces he is seeking common ground with the Democrats.

[Dappleganger]

22. Just how much more BULL are we dems willing to take??

[Dappleganger]

23. Just how much more BULL are we dems willing to take??

[Unvanguard]

30. That's not what the email says.

Pointing out that the Obama Administration is actually fiscally responsible does not indicate support for its particular means of doing so.

[WillyT]

34. Is The E-Mail Misquoted ???

Explain please...

:shrug:

[Unvanguard]

46. No, you are just repeating FDL's distortion of what it says.

It is obviously asking people to respond to the false charge that Obama is fiscally irresponsible. Good.

[donheld]

37. It's a very sad day in America.

[bvar22]

41. The Obama De-Stimulus:

Taking money from Working Class hands that will spend it.

[crazyjoe]

42. I'm in, I will send a letter to my local paper.

why shouldn't they do with less like the rest of us?

[sudopod]

44. Because we could go a week without war and get the same result?

Solidartiy isn't what it used to be.

[crazyjoe]

48. huh?

[sudopod]

49. We spend about the same amount in Iraq and afghanistan in a week

that we would save in one year by screwing workers. Pulling them down with the rest of us serves no purpose other than to further depress what is considered a fair wage.

[crazyjoe]

53. how is not getting a raise this year "pulling them down"?

Most workers in the private sector, including me, have not gotten a raise in the last couple of years. That is because the economy is doing poorly. And besides, where is it written that just because the earth has circled the sun, everyone is entitled to get more money for doing the same job they did last year? I have nothing against raises, but I do think they should be based on merit, not on the calender. I happen to work quit a bit harder than some of my co-workers, why should I not get rewarded for that?

[sudopod]

55. they got paid way less than their private industry counterparts

during the boom days in anticipation of having some job security and wage predictability.

Also, how does how hard you work come into their jobs? Why would punishing them to impress republicans reward you? WTF?

I'm sorry if your job sucks, but geebus.

[DimplesinMI]

45. Are they on Crack?

Seriously?

[ProudDad]

47. OFA has been a DLC/Obamabot tool

since right after the election...

They hit bottom with me when we got thrown out of an OFA "Health Care" meeting for breathing the words "single payer"...

Then they wanted us to join them to re-elect our execrable blue-dog POS congresscritter...

Fuck that!

[sudopod]

51. Same thing happened to my gf

minus the throwing out. Any mention of actually doing anything, other than fund raising of course, got pooh poohed.

[Bluebear]

50. Not ONE "ignored" reply

And my list is huge. Imagine that lol!

[Better Believe It]

52. Do they want elderly people to write to President Obama urging him to cut Social Security benefits?

Or do they prefer we send the White House letters of support after legislation is passed to do that?

[county worker]

54. I quit O F A this year because of shit like this. I even had an invitation to the inauguration for

working and spending to get Obama elected.