Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

unblock

(51,974 posts)
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:08 PM Dec 2012

ok, no more crap about "obama caving". it's called a trial balloon. COMPLAIN TO CONGRESS.

complain to the white house.


THIS IS THE WAY POLITICS WORKS.

obama negotiates. negotiations go nowhere if you just stare at each other and say "no".
so boner made some proposals. if a deal is to be had, both sides have to look to give the other side SOMETHING to save face with their constituents.

at some point, someone suggested the contents of the trial balloon we're all hearing about an not liking. obama tells boner he'll think about it, i.e., leak it to the public and see how they react.

IF ALL WE DO IS GRIPE ABOUT OBAMA'S NEGOTIATING SKILLS ON DU, THEN WE LOSE AND BONER WINS.

obama needs to be able to go back to boner and say "sorry, i'd love to help you out but look, democrats in congres and the white house got these brazillion emails and phone calls and texts and posts and twits. my constituents won't let me agree to this. i tried, but now YOU gotta give ME something. THAT is how a president negotiates.


THIS IS NOTHING NEW, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT FDR FAMOUSLY ASKED OF HIS CONSTITUENTS.

DON'T (just) COMPLAIN ABOUT OBAMA, **MAKE** HIM DO WHAT WE WANT HIM TO DO!!





this has been a public service announcement.
thank you for your time and i approve of this message.

101 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
ok, no more crap about "obama caving". it's called a trial balloon. COMPLAIN TO CONGRESS. (Original Post) unblock Dec 2012 OP
we'll judge when we see the final wording samsingh Dec 2012 #1
he did just say no, a few times. unblock Dec 2012 #8
I called in 2011 when they talked about it in the debt ceiling deal. Liberalynn Dec 2012 #45
i'm fine with the 400k however samsingh Dec 2012 #89
You might wait for the final wording, but read some of the "I KNEW IT" posts. 11 Bravo Dec 2012 #19
Neither base was ever going to be happy frazzled Dec 2012 #35
compromise went out the window with the cheney-bush penchant for samsingh Dec 2012 #90
right. nothing is carved in stone watch the sky Dec 2012 #2
So you think the Repugs will TURN DOWN Obama's offer re SS? MotherPetrie Dec 2012 #3
Congress has their answering devices on. Why not call WH and Congress? Bluenorthwest Dec 2012 #4
Called my senators to register opinion... sanatanadharma Dec 2012 #5
What 'negotiating skills?' He has none leftstreet Dec 2012 #6
oh, sorry, yeah, he's completely indistinguishable from shrub. unblock Dec 2012 #11
Nonsense. Bush got everything he wanted n/t leftstreet Dec 2012 #18
congress was and remains much to the right of where we would prefer unblock Dec 2012 #47
Bingo! n/t kurtzapril4 Dec 2012 #76
Stop it! ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #12
What has he negotiated for us? leftstreet Dec 2012 #16
i vaguely recall something about health something or other. unblock Dec 2012 #22
Mandated health in$urance. He once opposed that leftstreet Dec 2012 #24
Mandated health insurance ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #38
With no public option, which he once supported Doctor_J Dec 2012 #60
The cost of my medicare supplemental has risen pscot Dec 2012 #72
I remember how some predicted that JoePhilly Dec 2012 #26
No, what we predicted was that he would oppose it, which he did for nearly sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #55
Lieberman, was more responsible for repeal of dadt than Obama, hate to say. julian09 Dec 2012 #78
If you are sincere in your question ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #33
Elderly gays and veterans will cheer loudly from Food Banks leftstreet Dec 2012 #37
First ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #42
I'll play: NYC Liberal Dec 2012 #80
Good god "the list" is back n/t durablend Dec 2012 #83
Yeah, I wouldn't read it either. nt Bobbie Jo Dec 2012 #87
Oh for fuck's sake. NYC Liberal Dec 2012 #88
'Encouraged. Pursued. Pushed. Supported.' Jesus Christ leftstreet Dec 2012 #91
What the hell would you like him to do? NYC Liberal Dec 2012 #94
Like he used that pulpit for the Public Option? leftstreet Dec 2012 #95
Like he used it for all the fucking things I posted about. NYC Liberal Dec 2012 #97
Those 'prizes for advances in consumer technology' leftstreet Dec 2012 #98
Yep, just ignore the 200+ things I posted. NYC Liberal Dec 2012 #100
Pfffft, petty details. Bobbie Jo Dec 2012 #99
thanks for this list! unblock Dec 2012 #101
thank you barbtries Dec 2012 #7
Exactly!!! ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #9
Nonsense aandegoons Dec 2012 #10
what exactly did he have in hand? unblock Dec 2012 #15
Yep ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #23
Yep pretend losing again is winning. aandegoons Dec 2012 #34
What did I gain personally ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #48
Because with that "more" ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #20
We are here because of 2010 aandegoons Dec 2012 #36
Okay n/t 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #49
Hmm. I'm not experienced with people sending trial balloons that they'll refuse to actually execute MannyGoldstein Dec 2012 #13
not much of a trial balloon if it's already a commitment.... unblock Dec 2012 #17
One thousand Recs !!! No Compromise Dec 2012 #14
They fully know about SS. What we need to do is elect more progressive Democrats. rhett o rick Dec 2012 #25
I don't think Obama is caving...I think he wanted to cut SS all along. forestpath Dec 2012 #21
Obama hates America JoePhilly Dec 2012 #29
Don't put words in my mouth just because you have no argument. forestpath Dec 2012 #41
+1 leftstreet Dec 2012 #32
This is not as controversial a interpretation as it may sound. President Obama's senior advisor... Poll_Blind Dec 2012 #40
Exactly right. I said that from the very beginning. If he plethoro Dec 2012 #57
Seriously? progressoid Dec 2012 #27
good on you, thanks! i know some du'ers certainly are quite the actual activist unblock Dec 2012 #44
unblock, we are an open forum. We can voice our opinions without roguevalley Dec 2012 #28
it's just a request. a psa. unblock Dec 2012 #43
Let Obama know how we feel? WHEN CRABS ROAR Dec 2012 #68
call it what you like, it's caving. period . end of story. bowens43 Dec 2012 #30
He apparently lied to Pelosi & Durbin last week Doctor_J Dec 2012 #31
Here's what I think happened democrattotheend Dec 2012 #46
Very astute ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2012 #50
People are too cavalier about the cliff democrattotheend Dec 2012 #54
A lot more will be hurt if he cuts benefits Doctor_J Dec 2012 #65
The pom pom section was preaching high and low that what turned out to be "the cliff" TheKentuckian Dec 2012 #92
good thread * Redfairen Dec 2012 #39
I'd reck this a million times if I could loyalkydem Dec 2012 #51
Thank you;... WCGreen Dec 2012 #52
Why haven't we heard anything from the president? Doctor_J Dec 2012 #58
fiscal cliff rso Dec 2012 #53
Exactly. Owl Dec 2012 #77
Your statements rtracey Dec 2012 #56
You're new here, rtracey Doctor_J Dec 2012 #59
and obama's detractors have their own chain. unblock Dec 2012 #71
Listen to Doctor_J, rtracey kurtzapril4 Dec 2012 #81
Trial balloon or not adieu Dec 2012 #61
sounds good to me! unblock Dec 2012 #73
My Rep. is a tea partier (Daniel Webster) One of my Senators is also (Rubio) AnnieK401 Dec 2012 #62
thanks for trying. you can also call democrats on key committees unblock Dec 2012 #74
Yet another "wonderful" "wonderful" instance of eleventy dimensional chess.. truedelphi Dec 2012 #63
I have been sending one every day for a week! Rocky888 Dec 2012 #64
great! keep it up! unblock Dec 2012 #75
Absolutely BainsBane Dec 2012 #66
Let's repeal the Bill of Rights. FiveGoodMen Dec 2012 #67
no. Congress is Republican held. Obama is the one who needs to stand for us! robinlynne Dec 2012 #69
Let Congress see what the will of the people looks like. Phone now! Phone often! WHEN CRABS ROAR Dec 2012 #70
They always do this. There is a cadre of dedicated Obama haters who flood this place MjolnirTime Dec 2012 #79
Quit complaining about us complaining by saying that we need to make him do it. Fearless Dec 2012 #82
I say we act as if that was his proposal and to apply public pressure NOW! fascisthunter Dec 2012 #84
Some of the people on this board look for opportunity to bash the President. They can't wait to find Pisces Dec 2012 #85
A voice of reason mcar Dec 2012 #86
Bullshit...no Democrat ever 'offers' to harm SS as a trial balloon. TheProgressive Dec 2012 #93
Wrong. It's correctly called caving. Owl Dec 2012 #96

samsingh

(17,571 posts)
1. we'll judge when we see the final wording
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:13 PM
Dec 2012

but, seriously, why is Obama even going there. He should keep his base happy as the repugs do.

unblock

(51,974 posts)
8. he did just say no, a few times.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:24 PM
Dec 2012

$400,000 ain't $250,000; but it ain't the $1,000,000 boner was originally talking about either.

does that constitute caving? not if all that happens is a few supporters grouse about it on some discussion boards. then we only have outselves to blame.

but if we give him a lot of pressure and THEN he accepts it anyway, then sure, it's caving.
but if we actually did that, he's in a much better position to NOT cave.

 

Liberalynn

(7,549 posts)
45. I called in 2011 when they talked about it in the debt ceiling deal.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:01 PM
Dec 2012

I have written many letters to my Senators, I have called them several times this year in 2012. I called again today I have even contacted the stupid Puke who represents my district twice now even though its like talking to a wall. I called Pelosi, I called Ried, I called the President/I emailed the President.

Yet they are still talking about it why?

They have floated this same damn trial balloon several times now. When do we get to call it Popped? How many times do they have to be told we don't want this?

samsingh

(17,571 posts)
89. i'm fine with the 400k however
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 09:31 PM
Dec 2012

the changes to the insurance and soc adjustments are not going to go over well with the middle class - who voted for the President and gave him their trust.

frazzled

(18,402 posts)
35. Neither base was ever going to be happy
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:44 PM
Dec 2012

The Republican base is fuming that Boehner has "caved" on taxes, and the Democratic base will fume about the chained CPI (which, it has been promised, will have provisions attached to protect poorer Americans and exclude SSI).

I'm not sure what people think "negotiation" is. One thing it is not is putting out your best plan (which Obama did) and expecting not to have to compromise anything away from it when the Republicans call it outrageous. Boehner put forward his best plan too, which we called outrageous. Now they're having to each give up some stuff. Even Paul Krugman, as of today, is torn about whether to accept the CPI deal: he thinks it's better than raising the Medicare age, but it's still not what we wanted.

That's how this shit comes down, and if you thought we could walk away with everything, you were extremely unrealistic. If you thought we'd really go over the cliff and just get the middle-class tax cuts after January ... but not get any extension of unemployment benefits or infrastructure spending: well, that wasn't going to be a good deal for us. As Krugman reminds us, the deal currently under consideration is not bad on the revenue side: in addition to the 39% rate on income over 400K "there’s extra revenue too, notably from changing the treatment of itemized deductions ... which means a further substantial tax rise for people in the top bracket."

So how should we feel? Probably like Krugman, who says: "So am I dead set against? No, I’m still agonizing."

This is reminding me of the 1990s, when President Clinton worked with Newt Gingrich to sign the Welfare Reform Act. We went absolutely batshit crazy thinking how badly we had been betrayed. We were certain people were going to be dying in the streets. I thought that myself. But it wasn't as bad as we thought, because many changes were added to it to soften the blow.

Whatever deal is ultimately reached, one thing is for sure: it won't be as bad as either side is claiming, and all of it will be subject to tweaks over the next years. Nothing is permanent. Neither tax rates nor indexes. I want the best deal possible, but I also want it to be over. I'm sure the president wants it to be over, too: because if failure leads to a re-weakening of the economy, it really won't be good for anyone.

samsingh

(17,571 posts)
90. compromise went out the window with the cheney-bush penchant for
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 09:34 PM
Dec 2012

ignoring the desire of the left and then attacking them whenever they expressed a contrary, generally thoughtful opinion.

then fox bullshit has taken it to another level

 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
4. Congress has their answering devices on. Why not call WH and Congress?
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:17 PM
Dec 2012

Not that any of them are listening to anyone who is not a Republican.

sanatanadharma

(3,639 posts)
5. Called my senators to register opinion...
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:17 PM
Dec 2012

...only acceptable SS change is lifting cap. FICA is extremely regressive tax.

unblock

(51,974 posts)
47. congress was and remains much to the right of where we would prefer
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:08 PM
Dec 2012

republicans have a talent for being 100% united behind a republican president and being able to pick over a few conservadems when needed, so yeah, shrub got practically everything he wanted (couldn't piratize social security, though, thank goodness at least for that).

democrats are notoriously not united, especially when we need to rely on a few rat bastards such as lieberman.

THAT is why republicans are more effective at negotiating. it's not obama or plouffe or rahm or whatever. it's the whole of our party dynamic. WE LOSE BECAUSE WE DON'T GIVE OBAMA A STRONG HAND WITH WHICH TO NEGOTIATE.

he doesn't have the numbers in congress to run roughshod over republicans, and he doesn't have the lit up switchboard either.

unblock

(51,974 posts)
22. i vaguely recall something about health something or other.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:34 PM
Dec 2012

seriously, posters here have occassionally put up lists of obama accomplishments, it's actually quite impressive.

he's up against a lot of resistance, but he's actually done quite a bit.

sure, it's a damn shame he doesn't have more support in congress, but we're several election cycles away from what we need for truly compelling change.

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
38. Mandated health insurance ...
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:46 PM
Dec 2012

that doesn't change a darn thing for the 65% of American workers that receive health insurance from their employers ... with premium subsidies for low to median incomed persons ... that allows 30,000,000 to have coverage, even with pre-existing condition; medical ratio ratios and extension of coverage til 26.

Yeah, next!

 

Doctor_J

(36,392 posts)
60. With no public option, which he once supported
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:41 PM
Dec 2012

but that was during the campaign, when he needed us. Now he needs peace and quiet for 4 years and a job with Big Pharma after that

pscot

(21,023 posts)
72. The cost of my medicare supplemental has risen
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 08:31 PM
Dec 2012

more than 20% since health insurance reform passed. That's several orders of magnitude quicker than my SS. I get poorer every year.

JoePhilly

(27,787 posts)
26. I remember how some predicted that
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:38 PM
Dec 2012

Obama was never going to end dadt or support gay marriage, until he did

And he was never going to pass meaningful Heath care reform, and now my niece who survived cancer at two, no longer has that preexisting condition hanging over her head

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
55. No, what we predicted was that he would oppose it, which he did for nearly
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:31 PM
Dec 2012

a year, then use it in the Lame Duck Congress to allow the Bush Tax Cuts to continue. And that's exactly what happened.

Dadt could have passed in January 2009. It was not even a controversial issue any more, and we had a majority, everywhere. The first day that could have passed.

Instead it dragged on and on, with the DOJ trying to overturn a court ruling calling it unconstitutional.

Finally it became clear that it was being used as a bargaining chip, and we would be then be told that they had to keep the Bush Tax Cuts in place or Repubs would not have allowed the end of DADT. That of course was BS and everyone knew it.

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
33. If you are sincere in your question ...
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:41 PM
Dec 2012

think back to the 2010 negotiation. What was the outcome?

I know ... I know ... He caved on tax cuts for the rich.

But we, also, got: the payroll tax break, extension of U/C, the uncontested end of DADT, the uncontested ability not to press DOMA, and the SALT Treaty ... and a couple other things.

leftstreet

(36,081 posts)
37. Elderly gays and veterans will cheer loudly from Food Banks
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:44 PM
Dec 2012

the 'payroll tax break' was a stab into the heart of the working class

but you probably know that

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
42. First ...
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:55 PM
Dec 2012

that is an over-inflated claim ... The vast majority of "elderly gays and veterans" will not be forced to food banks with a 10% cut in COST OF LIVING INCREASES; though admittedly, some will be harmed ... Oh yeah, the "rumors" have it that the language of the "cuts" hold those people harmless.

But you probably know that.

the 'payroll tax break' was a stab into the heart of the working class


Do tell ... because that money is not going into SS?

Take a step back and look at the entire negotiation rumors. If you were to you'd know that the rumors have it that there are rumors that the payroll cap is to be raised.

But you probably already know that, too.

NYC Liberal

(20,132 posts)
80. I'll play:
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 08:53 PM
Dec 2012
http://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2012/02/24/what-do-americans-think-of-obamas-performance-as-a-president

Many Americans take it for granted that President Obama has been one of the most effective Presidents since FDR. It’s important to remember just how bad things were when he took office and how much he’s accomplished since he’s been in office.

We were hemorrhaging jobs when this President took office and now we’ve gone from 10% unemployment down to around 8.5%. If the recovery continues on this path, we’ll be back to around 5% unemployment by 2016.

It’s not just about jobs though, President Obama has also worked to restore America’s image around the world. When President Bush was in office we were invading countries for no reason, now we’ve left Iraq and are in the process of leaving Afghanistan.

In case you needed a few other examples of what President Obama has accomplished I put together a list below:

1. Extended child tax credits and marriage-penalty fixes
2. Created an Advanced Manufacturing Fund to invest in peer-reviewed manufacturing processes
3. Required economic justification for tax changes
4. Implemented “Women Owned Business” contracting program
5. Changed standards for determining broadband access
6. Established a credit card bill of rights
7. Expanded loan programs for small businesses
8. Extended the Bush tax cuts for lower incomes
9. Extended the 2007 Alternative MinimumTax patch
10. Closed the “doughnut hole” in Medicare prescription drug plan
11. Expanded the Senior Corps volunteer program
12. Required insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions
13. Gave tax credits to those who need help to pay health premiums
14. Required large employers to contribute to a national health plan
15. Required children to have health insurance coverage
16. Expanded eligibility for Medicaid
17. Expanded eligibility for State Children’s Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP)
18. Required health plans to disclose how much of the premium goes to patient care
19. Established an independent health institute to provide accurate and objective information
20. In non-competitive markets, forced insurers to pay out a reasonable share of their premiums for patient care
21. Eliminated the higher subsidies to Medicare Advantage plans
22. Expanded funding to train primary care providers and public health practitioners
23. Increased funding to expand community based prevention programs
24. Reinstated executive order to hire an additional 100,000 federal employees with disabilities within five years.
25. Increased the Veterans Administration budget to recruit and retain more mental health professionals
26. Expanded the Veterans Administration’s number of “centers of excellence” in specialty care
27. Appointed a special adviser to the president on violence against women
28. Fully funded the Violence Against Women Act
29. Directed military leaders to end war in Iraq
30. Began removing combat brigades from Iraq
31. Created a military families advisory board
32. Ended the abuse of supplemental budgets for war
33. Made U.S. military aid to Pakistan conditional on anti-terror efforts
34. Opened “America Houses” in Islamic cities around the globe
35. Allocated Homeland Security funding according to risk
36. Created a real National Infrastructure Protection Plan
37. Increased funding for local emergency planning
38. Extended monitoring and verification provisions of the START I Treaty
39. Appointed a White House Coordinator for Nuclear Security
40. Initiated a grant and training program for law enforcement to deter cyber crime
41. Improved relations with Turkey, and its relations with Iraqi Kurds
42. Launched an international Add Value to Agriculture Initiative (AVTA)
43. Created a rapid response fund for emerging democracies
44. Granted Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send money to Cuba
45. Restored funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program
46. Established an Energy Partnership for the Americas
47. Expanded the Nurse-Family Partnership to all low-income, first-time mothers
48. Required new hires to sign a form affirming their hiring was not due to political affiliation or contributions.
49. Provided affordable, high-quality child care
50. Recruited math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession
51. Reduced subsidies to private student lenders and protect student borrowers
52. Encouraged water-conservation efforts in the West
53. Increased funding for national parks and forests
54. Increased funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund
55. Encouraged farmers to use more renewable energy and be more energy efficient
56. Expanded Pell grants for low-income students
57. Pursued a wildfire management plan
58. Removed more brush, small trees and vegetation that fuel wildfires
59. Expanded access to places to hunt and fish
60. Pushed for enactment of Matthew Shepard Act, which expands hate crime law to include sexual orientation and other factors
61. Repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy
62. Restored funding to the EEOC and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
63. Reformed mandatory minimum sentences
64. Created a White House Office on Urban Policy
65. Fully funded the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
66. Established program to convert manufacturing centers into clean technology leaders
67. Established ‘Promise Neighborhoods’ for areas of concentrated poverty
68. Worked toward deploying a global climate change research and monitoring system
69. Funded a major expansion of AmeriCorps
70. Created a Social Investment Fund Network
71. Bolstered the military’s ability to speak differentlanguages
72. Appointed the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer
73. Provided grants to early-career researchers
74. Worked to overturn Ledbetter vs. Goodyear
75. Created a national declassification center
76. Appointed an American Indian policy adviser
77. Created new financial regulations
78. Increased funding for land-grant colleges
79. Banned lobbyist gifts to executive employees
80. Signed a “universal” health care bill
81. Created new criminal penalties for mortgage fraud
82. Required 10 percent renewable energy by 2012
83. Released oil from Strategic Petroleum Reserve
84. Raised fuel economy standards
85. Invested in all types of alternative energy
86. Enacted tax credit for consumers for plug-in hybrid cars
87. Asked people and businesses to conserve electricity
88. Required more energy-efficient appliances
89. Created a ‘Green Vet Initiative’ to promote environmental jobs for veterans
90. Created job training programs for clean technologies
91. Required states to provide incentives for utilities to reduce energy consumption
92. Supported high-speed rail
93. Supported airline service in small towns
94. Invested in public transportation
95. Equalized tax breaks for driving and public transit
96. Considered “smart growth” in transportation funding
97. Shared environmental technology with other countries
98. Doubled federal spending for research on clean fuels
99. Provided grants to encourage energy-efficient building codes
100. Increased funding for the Environmental Protection Agency
101. Raised the small business investment expensing limit to $250,000 through the end of 2009
102. Extended unemployment insurance benefits and
103. temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits
104. Supported network neutrality on the Internet
105. Reversed restrictions on stem cell research
106. Killed Osama bin Laden
107. Doubled funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a program that encourages manufacturing efficiency
108. Included environmental and labor standards in trade agreements
109. Created an international tax haven watch list
110. Made permanent the Research & Development tax credit
111. Required automatic enrollment in 401(k) plans
112. Required automatic enrollment in IRA plans
113. Created a consumer-friendly credit card rating system
114. Created a $60 billion bank to fund roads and bridges
115. Required full disclosure of company pension investments to employees
116. Provided easy-to-understand comparisons of the Medicare prescription drug plans
117. Invested in electronic health information systems
118. Phased in requirements for health information technology
119. Required that health plans utilize disease management programs
120. Required providers to report measures of health care costs and quality
121. Held hospitals and health plans accountable for disparities in care
122. Implemented and funded proven health intervention programs
123. Prevented drug companies from blocking generic drugs
124. Allowed Medicare to negotiate for cheaper drug prices
125. Worked with schools to create more healthful environments for children
126. Improved recruitment of public health workers
127. Mandated insurance coverage of autism treatment
128. Fully funded the Combating Autism Act and Federal Autism Research Initiatives
129. Doubled federal funding for cancer research
130. Increased participation in cancer-related clinical trials
131. Fully funded the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
132. Set a national goal to provide re-screening for all 2-year-olds for developmental disorders
133. Commissioned a study on students with disabilities and their transition to jobs or higher education
134. Set goals and timetables for implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act
135. Created a best practices list for private businesses in accommodating workers with disabilities
136. Launched educational initiative for employers on tax benefits of hiring employees with disabilities
137. Reduced the threshhold for the Family and Medical Leave Act from companies with 50 employees to companies with 25 employees
138. Provided a $1.5 billion fund to help states launch programs for paid family and medical leave
139. Required employers to provide seven paid sick days per year
140. Streamlined the Social Security disability approval process
141. Expanded Veterans Centers in rural areas
142. Established standards of care for traumatic brain injury treatment
143. Made the Veterans Administration a national leader in health reform
144. Reduced the Veterans Benefits Administration claims backlog
145. Instituted electronic record-keeping for the Veterans Benefits Administration
146. Expanded housing vouchers program for homeless veterans
147. Launched a supportive services-housing program for veterans to prevent homelessness
148. Expanded the Family Medical Leave Act to include leave for domestic violence or sexual assault
149. Fully funded debt cancellation for heavily indebted poor countries
150. Created a fund for international small and medium enterprises (SME)
151. Launched robust diplomatic effort with Iraq and its neighbors
152. Provided $30 billion over 10 years to Israel
153. Limited Guard and Reserve deployments to one year for every six years
154. Ended the “Stop-Loss” program of forcing troops to stay in service beyond their expected commitments
155. Fully and properly equipped troops
156. Created a Civilian Assistance Corps that would organize private sector professionals to help in times of need
157. Included humanitarian international missions in long-term budgeting
158. Reviewed weapons programs
159. Modernized ships and invested more in small vessels
160. Set standards for when the government should hire defense contractors
161. Restored the government’s ability to manage contracts by rebuilding our contract officer corps
162. Created a system of incentives and penalties for defense contracts
163. Establish a Global Education Fund
164. Strengthened the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) aimed at stopping spread of weapons of mass destruction
165. Organized successful Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in 2010
166. Expanded federal bioforensics program for tracking biological weapons
167. Developed a comprehensive cyber security and response strategy
168. Mandated standards for securing personal data
169. Required companies to disclose personal information data breaches
170. Worked to persuade the European Union to end credit guarantees to Iran
171. Seek to negotiate a political agreement on Cyprus
172. Restructured and streamlined USAID
173. Increased the size of the foreign service
174. Urged China to stop manipulation of its currency value
175. Pressed China to end its support for regimes in Sudan, Burma, Iran and Zimbabwe
176. Created a public “Contracts and Influence” database
177. Required Cabinet officials to host Internet town hall meetings
178. Conducted regulatory agency business in public
179. Promoted more pre-school education
180. Expanded Early Head Start and Head Start
181. Reformed No Child Left Behind
182. Doubled funding for Federal Charter School Program and require more accountability
183. Addressed the dropout crisis by giving schools incentives for more dropout prevention
184. Created Teacher Residency Programs that will send teachers to high-need schools
185. Expanded teacher mentoring programs and provide incentives for more planning time
186. Promoted innovative ways to reward good teachers
187. Simplified the application process for financial aid
188. Increased the number of high school students taking college-level courses
189. Created incentives for tree planting and promote carbon sequestration
190. Improved water quality
191. Regulated pollution from major livestock operations
192. Strengthened federal environmental justice programs
193. Increased funding for organic and sustainable agriculture
194. Partnered with landowners to conserve private lands
195. Created a community college partnership program
196. Increased funding for progams that conserve lands and habitat for select species such as the Osceola turkey
197. Supported wetlands protection
198. Promoted economic development in Mexico
199. Supported repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
200. Vigorously pursued hate crimes and civil rights abuses
201. Signed the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act into law
202. Supported regional innovation clusters
203. Helped low-income areas get phone and Internet service
204. Created a Homeowner Obligation Made Explicit (HOME) score for mortgage comparisons
205. Increased the supply of affordable housing throughout metropolitan regions
206. Invested in transitional jobs and career pathway programs
207. Fully funded the COPS program
208. Improved emergency response plans
209. Capped interest rates on payday loans and improve disclosure
210. Expanded public/private partnerships between schools and arts organizations
211. Improved climate change data records
212. Supported improved weather prediction program
213. Offered prizes for advances in consumer technology
214. Encouraged contests and programs to interest students in science
215. Increased research opportunities for college students
216. Strengthened the levees in New Orleans
217. Directed revenues from offshore oil and gas drilling to increased coastal hurricane protection
218. Shook loose federal money for rebuilding the Gulf Coast

NYC Liberal

(20,132 posts)
88. Oh for fuck's sake.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 09:24 PM
Dec 2012

Yes, when someone specifically ASKS for his fucking accomplishments, then I will post them.

Jesus. I'm so sorry. I forgot that we're only allowed to post lists of what bad, bad Obama has done wrong. Any mention of what he's done right is to mocked and derided on this supposed Democratic forum. It never ends because with some people, because for them Obama can do no right. No matter what he does there's something wrong with it. I suspect they mock any mention of the good he has done because the cognitive dissonance must be overwhelming when someone bursts their sky-is-falling tantrums with actual facts.

I for one am sick and tired of the neverending doom-and-gloom bullshit around here. Some people apparently live for drama. There is no moderation with these people. Either someone is the worst person ever -- a fascist, corporatist, warmongering right-wing criminal -- or they are a hero, a saint, deserving of a place on Mount Rushmore and a national momument. Obama can't simply be a decent president who has done some very good things, while at the same time having done some things with which we disagree. No, it's all or nothing. Obama is either the worst president ever (yes, people here have said it) or he's not. No in between. They sit on the sidelines throwing fits and rejecting any progress if it's not exactly what they want, when they want it, all at once. These are the people who wanted to fuck over millions of people on health care reform by sticking with the status quo rather than make good progress and continue working to improve it.

Obama is not an evil villain, nor is he a perfect saint. He is a caring, compassionate, progressive human being who is doing the damned best he can facing unprecedented obstruction and opposition from some of the most extremist people in the country -- people who control half of the Congress, by the way.

leftstreet

(36,081 posts)
91. 'Encouraged. Pursued. Pushed. Supported.' Jesus Christ
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 09:36 PM
Dec 2012

'Promoted. Strengthened. Improved. Urged.' Urged? Urged?!

FFS! Is he the President of the United States and head of the Democratic Party, or a 12-step facilitator?

NYC Liberal

(20,132 posts)
94. What the hell would you like him to do?
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 10:00 PM
Dec 2012

He has to get Congress to pass this shit. He can't just rule by fiat. Everyone here whines about Obama "not using the bully pulpit", yet when he does they complain, "Oh those are just words!"

FFS! That is how the presidency operates. Civics 101. The president must push his agenda and persuade Congress to enact it. That is how it works.

Yes. URGED. SUPPORTED. PUSHED! And it is because of him doing those things that they were passed. You also ignore that he SIGNED THEM INTO LAW. Without his signature, none of those laws would be on the books. None of those changes would have occurred.

leftstreet

(36,081 posts)
98. Those 'prizes for advances in consumer technology'
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 10:10 PM
Dec 2012

sure beat the hell out of national single payer healthcare

yep

NYC Liberal

(20,132 posts)
100. Yep, just ignore the 200+ things I posted.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 10:17 PM
Dec 2012

Who gives a fuck about the Lilly Ledbetter Act, the repeal of DADT, the stimulus bill, the expansion of Medicaid and SCHIP, the ending of the war in Iraq, the killing of bin Laden, the saving of the auto industry, increasing funding for veterans programs, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the lifting of restrictions on stem cell research funding and the "gag rule" for organizations that provide abortion services, banning denial of health care for "preexisting conditions", tax cuts for the middle class, and on and on.

Yeah, who gives a fuck?

Bobbie Jo

(14,341 posts)
99. Pfffft, petty details.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 10:14 PM
Dec 2012

He governs in a vacuum, of course.

All of those other official-looking entities are nothing more than props.

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
9. Exactly!!! ...
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:25 PM
Dec 2012

And the leaks work best when you have someone to quote, "The Whitehouse says ..." or "President Obama wants to ..."

aandegoons

(473 posts)
10. Nonsense
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:26 PM
Dec 2012

When you already have more and already made the cuts. Then why the fuck would you ever go beyond what you already have?

Car dealer: 12500 and your trade in for the car.
Obama: ok sold
Car dealer: wait that was too easy I want more.
Obama: ok 13500 for the car my trade in and that old guys wheel chair.

Car dealer: LOL
Obama: did my best
Old guy

unblock

(51,974 posts)
15. what exactly did he have in hand?
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:30 PM
Dec 2012

you're suggesting that expiration of ALL the shrub tax cuts and across-the-board sequestration is a better deal for poor and lower middle class?

aandegoons

(473 posts)
34. Yep pretend losing again is winning.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:42 PM
Dec 2012

Go down that 2010 road again and tell me what the fuck you all won. Push and push hard or be taken advantage of.


The pukes were sweating and now they won't be you fuckers have guaranteed them huge wins again 2014. And guaranteed them the ability to hold SS hostage every year...


God so fucking stupid it hurts.

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
48. What did I gain personally ...
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:13 PM
Dec 2012

2.6% increase in my take-home pay, I kept my Bush era tax cuts, and the generalized security found under the SALT Treaty.

What did others, I know, benefit? Well ... my neighbor continued to be ablke to eat as his U/C was extended; my wife's cousin could continue in his military career, without having to lie about whom he loved.

And what was the trade-off? The wealthy got to keep their Bush era tax cuts ... and a bunch of liberals got their feelings hurt because President Obama didn't appear tough enough.

All well worth it to me and many I know.

The pukes were sweating and now they won't be you fuckers have guaranteed them huge wins again 2014. And guaranteed them the ability to hold SS hostage every year...


Under what analysis have you arrived at this? Democrats and President Obama are STILL trusted more with the economy and the direction of the country (see: Pew Research), Republicans are STILL seen as obstructionist (see: same study), and any progress will be seen as Democrats moving the ball in the face of weakening gop obstruction.

Those likely to vote Democratic in 2014, excepting the same hair on fire Democrats that are threatening to 2010 us, again; are still going to vote Democratic. Those likely to vote gop in 2014 will still vote gop. And, the same segment of the gop that crossed over to vote Democratic will likely cross over again ... to rid themselves of the teaparty nuts.

God so fucking stupid it hurts.


Yes ... Yes, it does. But I prefer to call it ignorance (just don't know).
 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
20. Because with that "more" ...
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:33 PM
Dec 2012

comes 3+ million people kicked off of U/C; stoppage of childcare subsidies; stoppage of programs that aid the homeless (near homeless; and about another 100 other cuts that will hurt the working class, on January 15th, if not before; while this "cuts" that are being discussed will take effect in a year, if at all.

aandegoons

(473 posts)
36. We are here because of 2010
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:44 PM
Dec 2012

We got to 2010 because of Obama and the weak Democrats.

Short sightedness is not a virtue.

 

MannyGoldstein

(34,589 posts)
13. Hmm. I'm not experienced with people sending trial balloons that they'll refuse to actually execute
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:29 PM
Dec 2012

I guess I learned something new.

Thanks!

 

No Compromise

(373 posts)
14. One thousand Recs !!!
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:30 PM
Dec 2012


We the people need to explain to them about how the Social Security Trust Fund is not connected to the deficit, maybe send them the Reagan video that is going around, maybe they will believe him.

If they are still unable to grasp facts and reality, we should have them mentally evaluated.

Seriously. Send a psychologist to Congress to assess what is going on there because the vast majority are not in their right minds, whatever that is, because a normal person cannot be this illogical and shamelessly selfish.
 

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)
25. They fully know about SS. What we need to do is elect more progressive Democrats.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:36 PM
Dec 2012

Kick the Blue Dog/Third Way traitors out on their asses. Send them back to the REpublican party where they belong.

leftstreet

(36,081 posts)
32. +1
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:41 PM
Dec 2012

People forget he started minimizing when he claimed it was initiated just for 'widows and orphans.'

Ugh

Poll_Blind

(23,864 posts)
40. This is not as controversial a interpretation as it may sound. President Obama's senior advisor...
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:52 PM
Dec 2012

...David Plouffe is an absolute hound about cutting social programs. He calls Mediare and Medicaid "chief drivers of the deficit".

PB


 

plethoro

(594 posts)
57. Exactly right. I said that from the very beginning. If he
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:32 PM
Dec 2012

cuts Social Security after promising not to, it will end his legacy and maybe the Democratic Party. See, here on this board you've got a lot of "It's just a trial balloon people". Out in the real world, once people learn what he's done it will not be nice. My wife and I didn't work 50 years to have Social Security cut. And if it is I will be out in the street with the rest of the crowd with backbones.

progressoid

(49,827 posts)
27. Seriously?
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:39 PM
Dec 2012

You don't think we are complaining to our elected officials? I've contacted them all within the last week.

You must have a better relationship when you call the White House. Nobody told me this was a trial balloon.

And BTW, bitching on the internet actually gets heard too. We know this because when we do, we get called "professional left", "crazy", "fucking retarded" etc.

unblock

(51,974 posts)
44. good on you, thanks! i know some du'ers certainly are quite the actual activist
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:59 PM
Dec 2012

but i also know that quite a few are content to just complain and sulk.

roguevalley

(40,656 posts)
28. unblock, we are an open forum. We can voice our opinions without
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:39 PM
Dec 2012

'groupspeak' and its fine. We have learned not to believe uncritically and the words we hear are not inspiring. Don't tell me what to think and say. I am older than you. I remember America when it was an actual good place to live.

unblock

(51,974 posts)
43. it's just a request. a psa.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:57 PM
Dec 2012

please. pretty please with sugar on top.

let obama know how you feel. collectively, our feelings will have more weight if voiced to congress and the white house.

of course, if you choose, you're more than welcome to think otherwise, ignore me, it's a mostly free country and all.

on the other hand, i'm entitled to grouse about things too, such as, in this case, complaints absent action.

WHEN CRABS ROAR

(3,813 posts)
68. Let Obama know how we feel?
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 08:16 PM
Dec 2012

Hell, let the whole Congress know, it's called the will of the people.
We need to flood every Congress persons phone line with our opinions.
Sure, we can bitch back and forth with each other here, but it's the Congress that we need to reach, Congress understands numbers
We need to show congress the will of the people up close and personal.

 

Doctor_J

(36,392 posts)
31. He apparently lied to Pelosi & Durbin last week
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:40 PM
Dec 2012

they said that they'd talked him into taking cuts off the table. That was AFTER the first trail balloon plunged from the sky. Now he's abandoned the real Dems in Congress and in the electorate. Hopefully they will stop believing he's one of them.

democrattotheend

(11,605 posts)
46. Here's what I think happened
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:02 PM
Dec 2012

It didn't get much publicity, but the president met privately with Pelosi last week. I think he asked her what she could get her caucus to support, and she said the Medicare age was a non-starter. So he agreed to reject that and she agreed to try to sell the caucus on chained CPI if they could come up with a formula that would protect the most vulnerable beneficiaries, which Jack Lew had told the president was doable last July. Based on what Pelosi said today I don't think she was blindsided by this, though other Dems might have been.

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
50. Very astute ...
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:20 PM
Dec 2012

and probably correct.

But everyone read that Krugman and Dean article, that completely ignored those working class folks that would be hurt immediately upon going over the cliff, and believe that going over the cliff wouldn't hurt that much.

democrattotheend

(11,605 posts)
54. People are too cavalier about the cliff
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:29 PM
Dec 2012

A lot of people will be hurt if we go over it. And Krugman is now saying that the president's proposal is not great but not as terrible as the one Ezra Klein mentioned last week and that there are some important trade-offs. For example, the infrastructure spending and unemployment extensions are things the president could probably not get by going over.

It's also possible that this was leaked to show that the president is being reasonable and trying to meet them part way, because he knows the House GOP won't take this deal. I don't think that's likely - I think he wants a deal - but I think it's odd that the White House put this out there otherwise instead of forcing Boehner to propose it (which he did, but it doesn't look that way to most people). The only reason I can see for leaking it is to make the GOP look unreasonable.

 

Doctor_J

(36,392 posts)
65. A lot more will be hurt if he cuts benefits
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 08:05 PM
Dec 2012

Not only will seniors, kids, and poor people get clobbered, but he will have once again shown the Repukes that he will cave on anything - that there is simply no issue that he will stand firm on, ever. this of course presumes there wasn't some deal going in that he would side with the Repukes on giving away SS.

TheKentuckian

(24,949 posts)
92. The pom pom section was preaching high and low that what turned out to be "the cliff"
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 09:46 PM
Dec 2012

was Obama kicking the GOP's ass.

You people are a blind and deaf joke. The story is always on wheels.


LIARS!!! Conmen! SELLOUTS!

WCGreen

(45,558 posts)
52. Thank you;...
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:26 PM
Dec 2012

We have not heard anything from the president, just a lot of planted stuff and the endless pontificating that passes for news all day every day on the Cable...

 

Doctor_J

(36,392 posts)
58. Why haven't we heard anything from the president?
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:35 PM
Dec 2012

I thought he was the leader of the nation and the party.

Nope. He's caving again

rso

(2,262 posts)
53. fiscal cliff
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:29 PM
Dec 2012

Obama needs to tell Boner (if he has not already done so) that elections have consequences and that his (Obama's) obligations are to the american people, not in helping Boner save face. Let's go over the cliff and immediately thereafter, have democrats introduce legislation lowering taxes ONLY for those making less than $ 250,000. I'd like to see republicans oppose that legislation.

 

rtracey

(2,062 posts)
56. Your statements
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:32 PM
Dec 2012

These statements are so far out of the realm of realistic. Obama caved on the last debt ceiling negotiations, and he is about to sell the middle class and seniors down the river.Raising the limit to 400,000, is the first step, social security, which is not an entitlement...remember, we pay into this, is next on the cutting block....mark my word..us middle class soon to be senior are f'd.....

 

Doctor_J

(36,392 posts)
59. You're new here, rtracey
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:39 PM
Dec 2012

the apologists have a chain of thought that they follow every time the president gives into the Teabaggers on a huge issue (or, maybe, justs shows his own true ideology). First they tell us we shouldn't believe the Washington Times. Then they tell us we shouldn't believe the mainstream media. Then it's a trial balloon. Then it's not as bad as it really looks. Then "compromise is the way the world works". Then "watch his speech at Newtown and tell me he's not really a good man down deep"

unblock

(51,974 posts)
71. and obama's detractors have their own chain.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 08:31 PM
Dec 2012

mainly that all that is ill in the world political is obama's fault.

if only he were a superior human being, we would have fdr-style laws in place.

of course, these detractors never pay a moment's notice to the actual make-up of congress, the differing influence of money and corporate wealth, or the far-right bias of the media.

no, obama is supposed to do it all himself, every day. our just stops at showing up at the polls once every four years.

kurtzapril4

(1,353 posts)
81. Listen to Doctor_J, rtracey
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 08:54 PM
Dec 2012

He speaks the absolute truth. This is how OBama has been governing ever since he got into office, and now he really doesn't have any reason to change.

Doctor_J, you forgot to tell her that here at DU, being an actual liberal is "fucking retarded" and "crazy" and "too pure."

 

adieu

(1,009 posts)
61. Trial balloon or not
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:51 PM
Dec 2012

How about a trial balloon that offers the following:

* 44% top marginal tax rate for those earning $200,000/year ($280,000/year married filing jointly)
* 10% reduction in the DoD budget ($60 billion) for the next 5 years, then $20 billion for the following 5 years.
* no change to SS
* raise the salary cap for paying FICA from current $107,000/yr to no limit
* reduce medicare age eligibility from 65 to 55 for the next 10 years, then reduce to 45 for the subsequent 10 years, then 35 for 10 years after that, and so on
* change capital gains tax to be equal to income tax, whether it's short term or long term capital gains.

That's the trial balloon to send out. And I think it will get a lot of positive response.

AnnieK401

(541 posts)
62. My Rep. is a tea partier (Daniel Webster) One of my Senators is also (Rubio)
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:57 PM
Dec 2012

Don't really think they'd be supportive. I could be wrong. I did call the WH comment line and could not get through.

unblock

(51,974 posts)
74. thanks for trying. you can also call democrats on key committees
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 08:33 PM
Dec 2012

or reid or pelosi.

constituents carry more weight, but it's better than a deaf ear.

truedelphi

(32,324 posts)
63. Yet another "wonderful" "wonderful" instance of eleventy dimensional chess..
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:58 PM
Dec 2012

Remember, chess is a game that is played out so that the pawns (ie the middle class) are sacrificed for the bishops, rooks, and knights are saved, with the ultimate goal of saving the king.

His "playing chess" so much with policy maters affecting the elderly and lower and middle incomed, all that tells me exactly who he is.

It brings to mind how Obama distanced himself (supposedly) from the wording of the legislation "on the Hill" that was supposedly framing the language of the "Health Care Reform" legislation.

Then we come to find out that Rahm Emanuel met with so many of Wellpoint and other health insurance companies, down the block from the WH. And that the ACA is now called, by some who are cynical, the "Wellpoint" reform Act of 2010.

He's the damn President. he could spend his time targeting those who get killed by drones (As he doe4s most Tuesday afternoons), or he could adopt the FDR pro-active type activities of standing down Congress and seeing to it that stuff gets passed in a way that favors middle incomed America. Or he could spend his time seeing that the likes of Jaimie Diman get their gold plated, Oval Office cuff links. Unfortunately for the likes of us, he has chosen to spend his time on the drones and gold cufflinks.

But that is who Obama is. He lets Congress take the "fall" while he takes any glory that those who are over loyal are always willing to dish out. What ever happened to the Democratic Party and its leadership -that we now have a guy who is to the left of Nixon and Reagan in office? Hells bells, he is even to the left of Barry Godlwater!

FiveGoodMen

(20,018 posts)
67. Let's repeal the Bill of Rights.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 08:12 PM
Dec 2012

Think how much trouble free speech, alone, has caused.


What?

Don't complain to me, I'm just floating a trial balloon.

 

MjolnirTime

(1,800 posts)
79. They always do this. There is a cadre of dedicated Obama haters who flood this place
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 08:53 PM
Dec 2012

whenever big legislation is going down.

They did the same thing when he got START treaty passed/DADT repealed/Unemployment Benefits Extension/Payroll Tax Holiday. They thought the temporary Bush tax cut extension was the end of the world.
But it wasn't. Now those cuts will expire for the rich, and the real achievements will last.

These same few have attacked the man from the get-go.

Yet, he just keeps on persevering. In spite of the stumbling blocks laid before him.

Fearless

(18,421 posts)
82. Quit complaining about us complaining by saying that we need to make him do it.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 08:55 PM
Dec 2012

In case anyone didn't know, that's what's going on.

 

fascisthunter

(29,381 posts)
84. I say we act as if that was his proposal and to apply public pressure NOW!
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 09:01 PM
Dec 2012

pressure that we do NOT want cuts to SS, and that SS has NOTHING to do with our deficit!!!!!! The GOV borrowed that money, they better pay the people back or they sever a contract with them(We the People).

Pisces

(5,592 posts)
85. Some of the people on this board look for opportunity to bash the President. They can't wait to find
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 09:03 PM
Dec 2012

something to piss and moan about. It is par for the course. Look at the names of the posters you will find they all have
similar themes. It seems the purpose is to drive a wedge here on DU and create discontent.

 

TheProgressive

(1,656 posts)
93. Bullshit...no Democrat ever 'offers' to harm SS as a trial balloon.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 09:58 PM
Dec 2012

Obama is doing no different than republicans holding the debt ceiling hostage.

This is very serious and serious for the Dem party.
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»ok, no more crap about &q...