Do you question that we are losing the war?

[last1standing]

Food stamps are being cut while tax breaks for corporations continue.

Banks are bailed out while poor families have their homes forcibly taken from them.

Tax breaks for outsourcing continue while unemployment insurance extensions are denied.

95% of all income gains are going to the top 1% while their effective taxes go down.

Can anyone really question that we are losing an economic war being waged against the working class? Does any still believe that the Democratic establishment as led by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are really on our side?

The government spends over half of its tax dollars on military and espionage that benefits ONLY the wealthiest citizens, yet the working class pays exponentially more in taxes by percentage.

Police departments have become a private security force for the wealthy. They terrorize the working class while protecting the interests of the 1%.

Courts and prosecutors have engineered a school to prison pipeline for the benefit of private prison corporations.

Education for the masses is being sold to the highest bidder while the wealthy use our tax dollars to subsidize their children's schooling.

International trade deals are being negotiated by and for the interests of corporations while the working class is left in the dark.

There is a war being waged against you and me but our generals are not even able to take the field. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are shooting arrows at an enemy who has already scorched the earth and salted the land. We continue to ask Democrats to save us from republicans but the Democrats who lead have already signed compacts with the enemy that give away what little resources we have left. It is not surrender, it's co-option.

On Tuesday Barack Obama will stand before congress and the nation to tell us the state of the union is sound. It is sound, but only for those who already have the bulk of this country's resources. He will talk about income inequality but he will propose nothing to change the long term, fundamental inequalities that have decimated cities and left millions of children hungry and homeless.

We are losing this war and will continue to do so as long as we place our lives and livelihoods in the hands of the enemy. It is long past time that we stopped rooting for the red or blue team and started fighting for our own interests. If each election is a revolution, it is time that we brought our pitch-forks to the voting booths.

In 2014, 2016, and onward, the real choice will not be Democrat or Republican; that choice is nothing more than a shell game. The decision each of us must make is whether we support the current plutocracy or ourselves.

Because right now, we are losing this war.

[Triana]

1. Not for one second. We already lost it 40+ years ago. n/t

[Eleanors38]

66. Correct. nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. The politicians have become middlemen and mouthpieces for the corporations.

When they talk about "the people" they aren't talking the people but the real bosses who have them on the payroll.

[last1standing]

9. Corporations are now people and super-PACs have take away the last bit of voice we had.

Between the holding in Citizen's United and the rise of shadowy PACs that allow nearly limitless funneling of cash into campaigns, there is no possibility that either party is going to nominate a candidate who advocates real change for the better.

There will be no more Howard Deans. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren will never win the Democratic nomination without a major populist uprising.

[kelly1mm]

3. It does seem that we are winning on non-economic issues (marriage equality,

legalized MJ) but our corporate masters (both left and right) are moving ahead with their plans.

Even legalized MJ is partly economic. States are getting tax revenue, banks will start getting fees - I expect the walmartization of MJ within 5 years.

Not that I disagree with MJ legalization, but may one reason for it now being legalized be to keep the population mellow? Our version of Soma?

[last1standing]

6. Social issues are generally used to sucker the poor into voting against their interests.

When marriage equality was a losing topic, both Democratic and republican leaders were against (ex: see Barack Obama's position pre-2012). Same thing with pot. Now that polls are showing solid majority support, both parties are beginning to line up in favor of legalization.

The wealthy don't care about social issues. If abortion is illegal in this country, the wealthy will send their daughters to Canada or Europe, just like they did before Roe v. Wade. If marriage equality is banned, they will form trusts that provide the same benefits. The wealthy don't need an income marriage tax exemption, those only help the working class.

As for pot, when was the last time you heard of a rich kid going to jail for smoking a joint? Plenty of working class kids end up there, though.

Basically, the wealthy use social issues to keep the working class from banding together. So long as you fear homosexuals and I fear African Americans, they can continue to rape and pillage with impunity.

[Enthusiast]

63. That is an excellent point. And an obvious one. To us anyway.

Unfortunately it isn't sinking in with millions of voters. Gun rights advocacy is the worst of these issues in rural areas.

[Eleanors38]

67. Gun-control: A problem of prohibitionist's making

"Gun-control" didn't even appear in the Democratic Platform until 1968. There were stricter laws until that time (largely due to Jim Crow laws in that "rural" area); now laws are more liberal -- thanks most certainly to control/prihibitionist efforts. As with gay rights, it is Always preferable to be on the side of liberalizing.

But counter-productive gun-control efforts can't be seen merely as a "social issue:" They flew in the face of the Bill of Rights. Incidentally, great support for the Second is found in "rural" areas like Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, Denver, Tampa, Jacksonville, Atlanta, San Diego, New Orleans, Indianapolis....

[bvar22]

21. Winning on the "Non-Economic" Issues.

You mean the issues that do NOT cost the RICH 1% a single Penny.

The BIGGEST Social Issue is Economic Fairness (equal economic opportunity & equal economic protections).
Almost every "Social Issue" falls under this umbrella.


Believe me, the 1% are delighted to let us claim "Victory" on a few Social Issues,
as long as it doesn't cost them anything.
They'll even let us have a parade and everything.

[1000words]

4. The war is over, we were routed.

Survive the occupation is all we can do, now.

[last1standing]

8. It's not time to give up.

It's never time to give up.

[bvar22]

5. DURec!

Well said!

[font size=3]Paulson with Co-Conspirators

Now THIS is bi-partisanship!
Hahahahahahahaha![/font]


They have gotten this "Jobless Recovery" scam Down Pat too!
They know exactly what to do,
with the predictable results:

Billionaire wealth doubles since financial crisis
http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/11/12/Billionaire-wealth-doubles-since-financial-crisis/5011384268135/?spt=hts&or=12

Study: "Trade" Deal Would Mean a Pay Cut for 90% of U.S. Workers
http://citizen.typepad.com/eyesontrade/2013/09/the-verdict-is-in-the-trans-pacific-partnership-tpp-a-sweeping-free-trade-deal-under-negotiation-with-11-pacific-rim-coun.html

Obama Appoints Bain Capital Consultant Jeff Ziets to Top Post
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023662209

The Totally Unfair And Bitterly Uneven 'Recovery,' In 12 Charts – HuffPo
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023662029


Obama selects former Monsanto lobbyist to be his TPP chief agriculture negotiator
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023662210


The Top .01 Percent Reach New Heights
http://www.demos.org/blog/9/13/13/top-01-percent-reach-new-heights

US Wealthy Have Biggest Piece of Pie Ever Recorded
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/09/11-6

The Totally Unfair And Bitterly Uneven 'Recovery,' In 12 Charts – HuffPo
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023662029

Larry Summers Gets 'Full-Throated Defense' From Obama In Capitol Hill Meeting
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014553343#post1

Wall Street will get away with massive wave of criminality of 2008 - Statute of Limitations
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022516719

Income gap widest ever: 95 Percent of Recovery Income Gains Have Gone to the Top 1 Percent
http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/09/10/one_percent_recovery_95_percent_of_gains_have_gone_to_the_top_one_percent.html

THIS ^ does NOT happen by accident.
It is the result of carefully planned and implemented Economic Policy.
It requires careful preparation, marketing, buying the right politicians, message control, courts packed with Conservative Corporate Rights Judges, and the marginalization and suppression of any opposition.


This time around, we were presented with the most beautifully crafted piece of [font size=3]Political Scamsmanship[/font] I've ever seen. They called it "The Sequester",
and it is working beautifully!

No politician from either Political Party has to face the voters back home and say he voted to CUT the Social Programs the majority of his/her constituents depend upon.
"I didn't cut those programs!
The SEQUESTER cut those programs!
Its not MY fault!"

There is that plausible Deniability again.
Nobody claims they WANTED The Sequester.
America certainly didn't want it,
but HERE it IS!
and Both Parties get to blame the other.
Now that is an awesome piece of Scamsmanship!!!


YES. The 1% has been waging WAR on the Working Class/Poor for over 30 years,
and are WINNING.

There is hope.
Our neighbors in many Latin American countries have successfully taken their governments back from the hands of the 1% in near bloodless Ballot Box Revolutions.
and changed their Financial Structures to benefit EVERYBODY,
not just the RICH.
They have given us the Blue Print.

Spread the WORD.
VIVA Democracy!
I pray we get some here soon!




You will know them by their WORKS.

[last1standing]

7. Thanks for the excellent links.

A ballot box revolution is exactly what we need. But it won't happen by voting in more Third-Way, DLC, center-right Democrats who make their living by selling access to corporations.

No more triangulation.

No more compromises that leave us worse off than where we started.

No more handing off our financial future to the CEOs of Goldman Sachs and Citigroup.

And no more secret trade deals negotiated by corporations, for corporations.

[vt_native]

31. Which means

NO HILLARY CLINTON

[last1standing]

34. That's exacly what it means.

I'm probably about to be locked out of this thread since I'm betting that certain parties have already swarmed in to alert every single one of my posts (standard Swarm procedure) but I wanted to answer quickly and make sure it was clear that Clinton is no different.

[ProSense]

11. Here's a link:

Krugman: Obama and the One Percent
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024391415

...and then some:

There is no question that Dodd-Frank was a strong bill—the strongest in three generations.
http://www.warren.senate.gov/files/documents/AFR%20Roosevelt%20Institute%20Speech%202013-11-12.pdf

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau gets busy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023372682

SEC Will Require Companies To Report CEO-To-Worker Pay Ratios
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023694931

Regulators Finalize Stricter Volcker Rule - Reuters/HuffPo
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024158305

NLRB to Prosecute Wal-Mart For Violating Workers’ Rights (updated)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024053560

Ally Bank To Pay $98 Million For Charging Higher Interest To Non-White Borrowers
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024208931

U.S. orders mortgage servicer Ocwen to help borrowers with $2 billion

By Emily Stephenson

(Reuters) - U.S. officials on Thursday ordered the largest nonbank mortgage servicer to provide $2 billion in help to underwater borrowers to resolve allegations of misconduct that led to thousands of people losing their homes.

Ocwen Financial Corp must reduce loan balances for struggling homeowners and refund $125 million to foreclosed borrowers under an agreement with the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and officials from 49 states and the District of Columbia.

Ocwen failed to account for borrowers' payments, gave false reasons for denying loan modifications and robo-signed legal documents, the consumer bureau said.

In many cases, after Ocwen began servicing loans, it did not respect trial modifications that had already been agreed to by the lenders, consumer bureau Director Richard Cordray said.

- more -

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/19/us-financial-regulation-ocwen-idUSBRE9BI0ZT20131219

Sen. Warren Praises New CFPB Mortgage Rules that Make Families, Economy Safer

Jan 7, 2014

Video of Senator Warren’s Remarks Available Here

Text of Senator Warren’s Remarks Available Here

WASHINGTON, DC – In remarks delivered on the floor of the Senate this afternoon, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren applauded the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) new mortgage rules, which will go into effect on Friday, January 10.

Under the new rules, a lender must determine that a borrower has the ability to repay a mortgage before issuing the loan. The rules will also prohibit brokers from being paid by lenders to steer customers into higher-cost loans and strengthen the mortgage market by improving mortgage servicing practices.

"Thanks to the consumer agency's new rules, families will be safer, pension funds and other investors will be safer, and our whole economy will be safer," Senator Warren said in her remarks. "And the rules will reshape the mortgage market for the better. They will give people a better chance to buy homes and a better chance to keep those homes, and they will force mortgage lenders and servicers to compete by offering better rates and customer service, not by tricking and trapping people. These rules will help markets work better, and they will reduce the risk that the economy will crash again."

Senator Warren highlighted the success the CFPB already has had helping consumers, including returning more than $3 billion to consumers who were cheated and resolving tens of thousands of complaints against financial institutions. The new mortgage rules will affect millions of families who own or plan to purchase a home.

"The consumer bureau's new mortgage rules show once again that government can fix problems," said Senator Warren. "Sure, we have to work hard, we have to fight against those who benefit from the broken system, and we have to stick with it even when the odds are against us. But when we do those things, real change is possible in this country. We're seeing that up close this week."

For more information about the new mortgage rules, a fact sheet is available at the CFPB's website here.

http://www.warren.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=309

[Eleanors38]

68. Excellent summation. That goes a long way in explaining why Obama

considered himself a 1980s Republican.

Anyone have that video?

[bvar22]

70. This one?

I spent my life fighting AGAINST Moderate Republican Policy.
If I supported Moderate Republican Policy, I would have voted for Republicans in the 80s.
I didn't.
I donated my money, campaigned FOR, and GOTV for DEMOCRATS in the 80s.


I want to vote for somebody who would have been considered a DEMOCRAT in the 80s.
Why should I support Moderate Republican Policy today?



You will know them by their WORKS!

[Eleanors38]

71. Thaaaaats the one.

[ProSense]

10. Well,

"Do you question that we are losing the war?"

...there is a theory that "most conservatives are good people": http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024391939

The problem of course is that they don't vote for "good people."

[last1standing]

13. GO TEAM BLUE!!!!!!

YAY!!!!!

[ProSense]

14. GO TEAM RED???? n/t

[last1standing]

16. Doesn't matter if you're backing political parties like sports teams.

Who cares whether the Seahawks or the Broncos win the game when the fans are left hungry in the cold while the owners and players feast in comfort?

[ProSense]

17. When I read stuff like this

"In 2014, 2016, and onward, the real choice will not be Democrat or Republican; that choice is nothing more than a shell game."

...it sounds like the memes used to depress Democratic turnout.

I'd rather have Governor Buono than Governor Blowhard Christie.

"Who cares whether the Seahawks or the Broncos win the game when the fans are left hungry in the cold while the owners and players feast in comfort?"

Elections have consequences.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/01/23/1271879/-Elections-have-consequences-Virginia-won-t-defend-its-own-gay-marriage-ban-in-nbsp-court

Same with Medicaid expansion.

[last1standing]

19. I don't care if Blue Team scores more goals. I care whether real changes are happening.

You can post all the little blue propaganda links you like, we both know that Dems like Obama and Clinton will never truly side with the working class over the wealthy.

[ProSense]

22. Well,

"I don't care if Blue Team scores more goals. I care whether real changes are happening.

You can post all the little blue propaganda links you like, we both know that Dems like Obama and Clinton will never truly side with the working class over the wealthy."

...you're free to post "blue propaganda links" to the "goals" scored by Red Team (those "good people&quot .

I mean, you seem to have a thing for some of them.

[last1standing]

24. LOL! You can't argue the facts so you attack me personally.

I find it hilarious that you are actually trying to paint me as a republican for posting my support of progressive values. In the meantime, you actively push for conservative policies because a conservative member of Blue Team wants them then act like the Good Liberal.

George Orwell just threw up in his grave.

[ProSense]

26. "You can post all the little blue propaganda links you like..."

"You can't argue the facts so you attack me personally."

Seem like a massive case of projection.

[last1standing]

28. Or a single minded need to push disinformation. I'm going to go with that.

You posts rarely have anything to do with reality. They merely push the daily talking points, item by item.

[ProSense]

30. Ah, more projection.

[last1standing]

35. "Hahaha! I used the same insult twice. I'm so clever!"

indeed.

[AverageJoe90]

12. Simply put, yes.

Granted, we may have lost some of the battles, but we've won some others as well; legalized MJ in Colorado & Wash., something that the .1% fought tooth-and-nail and still lost. We also got Obama re-elected.....and he's put Janet Yellen in office, too, so we can expect a trend towards reforming the economy as well.

We cannot yet give up the fight, because this is the one sure way of losing the war. It's the only failsafe way they'll win. So we *must* keep fighting. We have no choice in the matter.

[liberal_at_heart]

15. are you kidding? Big business and politicians are trying to corner the market on marijuana in WA.

They are trying to force medical marijuana patients to buy retail and they are trying to outlaw home grows. It is all about the 1%. Everything is about the 1%. Wages, taxes, education, trade agreements. Everything, everything is about the 1%. I am not giving up but it is pretty damn clear who is winning right now.

[AverageJoe90]

44. Not kidding at all. In fact, legalization was a pretty good blow against TPTB.

All this says is that we've still got a ways to go and that our fights are far from over. But we're not really losing by far, either, that's for sure.

[Phlem]

59. Exactly!

Now they want to be able to pick and choose the law.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10822877

I've got another medical marijuana link in that group as well (Washington) with links showing everything your talking about.

I cannot afford retail prices but I need it for my PTSD. But no, Everyone Must Buy! You can thank our newly minted Democratic Governor for his input as well. He's on my shit list.

I swear, once they get in that chair they turn Republican instantly.

-p

[last1standing]

41. The Democrats we should be voting for forced Obama's hand with Yellen.

If you remember, he wanted Summers in that job. It was only the outcry of progressives and real Democrats who forced Summers to take his name out of consideration which left a vacuum for Yellen to fill.

As for pot, that's more of an example of a social issue that the wealthy exploit in order to keep the working class fighting each other.

[AverageJoe90]

47. Not sure you get the whole story, TBH.

If you remember, he wanted Summers in that job.

And yet, he never raised any real objections to Yellen, did he? I knew all along he was going to try to get her in, even with the Rethugs trying block that move.

As for pot, that's more of an example of a social issue that the wealthy exploit in order to keep the working class fighting each other.

Yes, they may try to exploit legalization in the short term, I don't doubt that(not that they'll be able to ultimately succeed, though). Doesn't change the fact that it was a victory(even if a smallish one) for us, btw.

[last1standing]

48. The only difference between my story and yours...

Is that you make suppositions based on what you want to believe while I used the fact that several senators and congress people petitioned against Summers after citizens objected so strongly to him. I have to ask how it is that I don't get the whole story when you seem to believe that Obama wanted Yellen so he nominated Summers instead.

I'm not trying to be offensive, but that doesn't make any sense to me.

[randome]

18. So vote for a third party and lose even more ground, if that's what you want.

Or you can fight tooth and nail for November. Kick the trash out of the People's House!


[hr][font color="blue"][center]“If you're not committed to anything, you're just taking up space.”
Gregory Peck, Mirage (1965)[/center][/font][hr]

[last1standing]

20. I'm not pushing third parties; I'm pushing real change and will support whoever will work for it.

Real change isn't a stimulus bill that is 52% tax credits.

Real change isn't keeping bush cronies as key financial appointees.

Real change isn't pushing a law that forces the working class to give insurance companies guaranteed profits.

Real change isn't letting Monsanto executives negotiate agriculture policies.

Real change isn't electing a politician who sat on the board of Walmart.

In other words, I don't give a solitary Damn if Team Blue fumbles if they aren't carrying our ball.

[ProSense]

23. No, you're pushing both sides are the same nonsense. n/t

[last1standing]

25. No, you're pushing Team Blue talking points that have no merit. n/t

[ProSense]

27. Is this

"No, you're pushing Team Blue talking points that have no merit"

...what you mean by "Blue talking points that have no merit"?

Krugman: Obama and the One Percent
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024391415

...and then some:

There is no question that Dodd-Frank was a strong bill—the strongest in three generations.
http://www.warren.senate.gov/files/documents/AFR%20Roosevelt%20Institute%20Speech%202013-11-12.pdf

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau gets busy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023372682

SEC Will Require Companies To Report CEO-To-Worker Pay Ratios
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023694931

Regulators Finalize Stricter Volcker Rule - Reuters/HuffPo
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024158305

NLRB to Prosecute Wal-Mart For Violating Workers’ Rights (updated)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024053560

Ally Bank To Pay $98 Million For Charging Higher Interest To Non-White Borrowers
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024208931

U.S. orders mortgage servicer Ocwen to help borrowers with $2 billion

By Emily Stephenson

(Reuters) - U.S. officials on Thursday ordered the largest nonbank mortgage servicer to provide $2 billion in help to underwater borrowers to resolve allegations of misconduct that led to thousands of people losing their homes.

Ocwen Financial Corp must reduce loan balances for struggling homeowners and refund $125 million to foreclosed borrowers under an agreement with the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and officials from 49 states and the District of Columbia.

Ocwen failed to account for borrowers' payments, gave false reasons for denying loan modifications and robo-signed legal documents, the consumer bureau said.

In many cases, after Ocwen began servicing loans, it did not respect trial modifications that had already been agreed to by the lenders, consumer bureau Director Richard Cordray said.

- more -

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/19/us-financial-regulation-ocwen-idUSBRE9BI0ZT20131219

Sen. Warren Praises New CFPB Mortgage Rules that Make Families, Economy Safer

Jan 7, 2014

Video of Senator Warren’s Remarks Available Here

Text of Senator Warren’s Remarks Available Here

WASHINGTON, DC – In remarks delivered on the floor of the Senate this afternoon, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren applauded the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) new mortgage rules, which will go into effect on Friday, January 10.

Under the new rules, a lender must determine that a borrower has the ability to repay a mortgage before issuing the loan. The rules will also prohibit brokers from being paid by lenders to steer customers into higher-cost loans and strengthen the mortgage market by improving mortgage servicing practices.

"Thanks to the consumer agency's new rules, families will be safer, pension funds and other investors will be safer, and our whole economy will be safer," Senator Warren said in her remarks. "And the rules will reshape the mortgage market for the better. They will give people a better chance to buy homes and a better chance to keep those homes, and they will force mortgage lenders and servicers to compete by offering better rates and customer service, not by tricking and trapping people. These rules will help markets work better, and they will reduce the risk that the economy will crash again."

Senator Warren highlighted the success the CFPB already has had helping consumers, including returning more than $3 billion to consumers who were cheated and resolving tens of thousands of complaints against financial institutions. The new mortgage rules will affect millions of families who own or plan to purchase a home.

"The consumer bureau's new mortgage rules show once again that government can fix problems," said Senator Warren. "Sure, we have to work hard, we have to fight against those who benefit from the broken system, and we have to stick with it even when the odds are against us. But when we do those things, real change is possible in this country. We're seeing that up close this week."

For more information about the new mortgage rules, a fact sheet is available at the CFPB's website here.

http://www.warren.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=309

[last1standing]

32. All the pretty blue links.

Who emails these to you? Maybe I could cut out the middle man and get them directly.

[ProSense]

33. See,

"Who emails these to you? Maybe I could cut out the middle man and get them directly."

...projection.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024391888#post24

I mean, Krugman's blog is easy to find.

[last1standing]

36. "Projection" is the name of the firm? Thanks.

I'll look them up, unless you could provide a little blue link....

[ProSense]

37. LOL!

[last1standing]

39. I have to admit, I thought that one was funny as well.

[ProSense]

29. Also,

"I'm not pushing third parties; I'm pushing real change and will support whoever will work for it."

...if you're not "pushing third parties," who are you talking about when you say you will "support whoever will work for it"?

[Chiquitita]

60. I agree

And real change isn't keeping Arne Duncan as Secretary of Education.

[mike_c]

38. "...whether we support the current plutocracy...."

That is indeed what we must decide.

[last1standing]

40. As you can see, some here have made their choice.

And are now trying to use disinformation to hoodwink others to vote against their interests.

[mike_c]

42. that is a general pattern....

It was a long time before I realized that dems will NEVER say "This time we're going to help you elect the most progressive candidates." Instead, they will ALWAYS say "This election is too important for anything other than working to elect the establishment dems-- progressives MUST support them," no matter how poorly they actually represent our political interests.

[last1standing]

45. Every. Single. Time.

Every election is too important to lose and the time is never right for a candidate who will actually work to make things better for anyone other than Wall Street.

You'll notice Team Blue use the same propaganda as Team Red as well. When faced with an OP about voting for real progressives, they post a picture designed to make you fear the other side. There are good choices out there but the money will work very hard to make sure you're too afraid to vote for them. In that respect, most Democrats are no better than republicans.

I'm tired of being afraid. I'll vote for the candidate who will most likely work for my interests.

[Scuba]

64. Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner.

[Eleanors38]

69. You got it. nt

[MannyGoldstein]

43. We've been losing for decades. But now,

for the first time, most Americans have realized it and are tiring of the bullshit. This is the first necessary step in turning it around.

It will take years, but we can do this.

[last1standing]

46. As much as I've come to despise these words:

Yes We Can.

[Vattel]

49. It does scare me that

the Dems are lining up people like Clinton and O'Malley to be our future presidential candidates. To be fair, though, they are way better than most possible Republican candidates. Real change will come from the bottom up. It may take a long time.

[last1standing]

53. Like I said, it's a shell game.

They'll always try to trick you into choosing the shell they choose.

Hillary is better than your average republican on the social issues that have come to define Blue Team from Red Team, but that's about it. She supports the same status quo trickle down economic policies that have destroyed the working class in this country for 40 years and have left millions homeless and hungry.

We either need Democrats who support the working class or we need another party that will.

[Vattel]

55. Clinton is also way too militaristic for me.

I hate to say it, but I think we need a president who served in the military and who knows how fucked up most wars are. It is easier for such a person to stand up to the Pentagon and the CIA and the NSA. On the economic side, though, we need someone like Warren who has enough knowledge of economics to call the corporatists on their bullshit. Clinton and O'Malley are not what we need.

[last1standing]

56. Supporting the military is big business.

Is there any real reason we need to spend as much on our military as nearly every other nation combined? For all that cash, we couldn't even successfully hold Afghanistan and Iraq.

Yet the Clintons and the McCains are on the same page with this. Spend! Spend! Spend!

Over half a trillion dollars per year spent on the military alone. That doesn't include the FBI, CIA, NSA, or the black budget. Money that does not effectively make its way back into our economy.

We could use a mere portion of that money to guarantee every citizen in this country a job, repair our infrastructure, hire teachers, clean the streets, build schools and housing, etc... Instead, Team Blue and Team Red have convinced us that unless we spend our entire budget on fighting terror we will all die.

Instead, we merely suffer.

[Vattel]

65. I couldn't agree more

[frwrfpos]

50. the war has already been one by the 1%

what we are seeing now is the mop up of the last few pennies the rest of us have.

they own the nsa
they own the military
they own most media
they own the courts

and if anything substantial, like a mass uprising should occur, they will not hesitate to nuke a city as an example and blame some fantasy terrorist plot, and will keep us fearful and compliant and non questioning while they continue suctioning up the last of our money, our rights, and most importantly our collective dignity

[frwrfpos]

51. forgot to DU rec this OP

[cantbeserious]

52. The Oligarchs, Corporations And Banks Own And Control The Politicians That Own And Control Us

eom

[Warpy]

54. It's only temporary

Anger is building as desperation does. The worst things you can do to the peons is put them into debt and then starve them. Most revolutions throughout history have been fought against debt peonage and starvation.

I hope we're allowed another peaceful one.

[last1standing]

58. I hope so as well.

But I fear TPP could provide the catalyst for violence if it has the effect on jobs and wages the leaks suggest. There's only so much more the people can take.

[Eleanors38]

73. I hope we can have a Gahndian revolution...

But revolution we will have.

[BP2]

57. If there is a health insurance company "bailout," then yes, the war will be lost

if the US bails them out, that only sustains the status quo of health care.

no thank you!

[bvar22]

72. The Health Insurance Companies ARE being "Bailed Out".

The door to the Public Treasury is now OPEN for looting by Wall Street's Incestuous 1st Cousin, The Health Insurance Industry.

The ACA provides subsidies to Insurance Corporations for.... providing Health Insurance!
It will be a few years before the totals are in,
but Welfare for the Health Insurance Industry could be high enough to make the Wall Street Crooks envious.

[Enthusiast]

61. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch.....nt

[sendero]

62. Yes we are...

... and it's amazing how many people still don't get it.

[last1standing]

74. There's an incredible disconnect for some.

They can't fathom the fact that the guy they invested with so much of their own credibility and beliefs would betray the causes they generally support. Therefore if Obama supports a contract that lowers starting pay by $10.00/hour they refuse to believe that he's lowering wages. If Obama supports union destroying charter schools they have to believe that unions are "part of the problem." If he proposes a stimulus bill that gives a majority of said stimulus to the already wealthy, they argue that trickle-down economics work.

They have lost their integrity, their beliefs, and more importantly, their moral compass.