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grantcart

(53,061 posts)
38. More BS, trying to stir up a storm among the left.
Fri Jan 4, 2013, 06:07 PM
Jan 2013

Baker quotes Trumka twitter initial reaction to the deal.

After he had a chance to read the full details Trumka had a different response:



From the front page of the AFL-CIO

http://www.aflcio.org/Blog/Political-Action-Legislation/Trumka-s-Statement-on-the-Fiscal-Cliff-Agreement

The agreement passed by the Senate last night is a breakthrough in beginning to restore tax fairness and achieves some key goals of working families. It does not cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits. It raises more than $700 billion over 10 years, including interest savings, by ending the Bush income tax cuts for families making more than $450,000 a year. And in recognition of the continuing jobs crisis, it extends unemployment benefits for a year. A strong message from voters and a relentless echo from grassroots activists over the last six weeks helped get us this far.

But lawmakers should have listened even better. The deal extends the Bush tax cuts for families earning between $250,000 and $450,000 a year and makes permanent Bush estate tax cuts exempting estates valued up to $5 million from any tax. These concessions amount to over $200 billion in additional tax cuts for the 2%.

And because of Republican hostage taking, the deal simply postpones the $1.2 trillion sequester for only two months and does not address the debt ceiling, setting the stage for more fiscal blackmail at the expense of the middle class.

Instead of moving to address our nation’s real jobs and public investment crisis, our leaders will be debating a prolonged artificial fiscal crisis. In the weeks to come, as the confrontation over the economic direction of our country continues, the working men and women of the AFL-CIO will continue to fight to keep poor and middle class families from giving more so rich people can continue paying less. That means a fairer, more progressive tax system, an end to Bush tax rates for the 2% and protection of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid from benefit cuts.




By separating the tax cuts out and now forcing the Republicans to negotiate on each specific spending reduction and attaching further revenues to any tax cuts the President has clearly out manouvered the Republicans and that is why the Republcians are crying rivers of tears and progressive leaders like Trumka are giving full throated endorsement of the strategy.

But you are free to cherry pick statements to make it appear otherwise and manufacture a completely false image of large segments of the left being upset about the deal.
Hell yeah... sadbear Jan 2013 #1
Exactly. Jackpine Radical Jan 2013 #8
I agree! Their irritation is only beginning! :D nt. DearHeart Jan 2013 #63
He's had nothing but disdain for us all along. UnrepentantLiberal Jan 2013 #69
Aww, he's irritated. Isn't that cute? Myrina Jan 2013 #2
He's got his walking shoes...wait...actually those are his bedroom slippers... JoeBlowToo Jan 2013 #6
speak for yourself spanone Jan 2013 #23
Post removed Post removed Jan 2013 #60
+1 forestpath Jan 2013 #11
"Sire, the peasants are revolting!" datasuspect Jan 2013 #3
I am glad he is irritated ............. Angry Dragon Jan 2013 #4
+10000 No Compromise Jan 2013 #27
Now is not the time to point fingers. Hotler Jan 2013 #5
I agree with the last comment.. sendero Jan 2013 #7
If Obama doesn't want us to irritate him, he could start keeping forestpath Jan 2013 #9
and not too much to ask I might add No Compromise Jan 2013 #28
Sometimes criticism is good. Some of it has been well Autumn Jan 2013 #10
"the next four years kind of make me nervous" -- and the four after that are terrifying FiveGoodMen Jan 2013 #43
GOOD. LWolf Jan 2013 #12
+1 DJ13 Jan 2013 #14
True. MuseRider Jan 2013 #21
"He needs to be made to listen" No Compromise Jan 2013 #29
maybe we need to be more "squeeky" hopemountain Jan 2013 #49
Well, a nationwide general strike and an occupation of DC..... socialist_n_TN Jan 2013 #64
Well said. greyghost Jan 2013 #34
+1 leftstreet Jan 2013 #22
Feet? Meet FIRE. HereSince1628 Jan 2013 #13
shut up and eat your peas tk2kewl Jan 2013 #15
He'll feel better after he nominates Hagel, Obama Bluenorthwest Jan 2013 #16
President Obama, we are not Republicans... TheProgressive Jan 2013 #17
clearly he can't win. barbtries Jan 2013 #18
"he is serving the people to the best of his ability" we must make him strive to be more No Compromise Jan 2013 #26
maybe. barbtries Jan 2013 #31
I have a hard time dealing with extra-judicial murder of US citizens -- at the whim of one man -- FiveGoodMen Jan 2013 #44
And, of course, he is going to pass on this murder-of-US-citizens-on-a-whim to the next occupant. AnotherMcIntosh Jan 2013 #54
Absolutely right. FiveGoodMen Jan 2013 #59
a perfect example barbtries Jan 2013 #67
That's the op's account. I haven't heard the president say he's "irritated", have you? Tarheel_Dem Jan 2013 #48
He already won. Twice. Now we make sure we don't lose. Autumn Jan 2013 #50
So who is the "a virtual Tea Party of the left" ProgressiveProfessor Jan 2013 #19
I saw that too and wondered. Its interesting that Obama is "hearing" us enough to be irritated now riderinthestorm Jan 2013 #61
Hey, I know, let's all get pissed off and not vote in 2014! Oh, wait.... OldDem2012 Jan 2013 #20
Speak for yourself; I voted in each of those years. MotherPetrie Jan 2013 #24
+1 n/t magellan Jan 2013 #30
I've voted for every Democratic Party nominee for President since 1972.... OldDem2012 Jan 2013 #68
Well you should have voted. Hope you learned your lesson. Autumn Jan 2013 #25
Let's get all pissed off and start primarying Conservadems. Comrade Grumpy Jan 2013 #36
Absolutely. AnotherMcIntosh Jan 2013 #55
If we don't push from The Left, the only pushing will be from the Right. tblue Jan 2013 #32
Seems a little patronizing doesn't it? MuseRider Jan 2013 #35
Well said! nt historylovr Jan 2013 #47
+1 forestpath Jan 2013 #52
EXCELLENT POST!! DearHeart Jan 2013 #62
BINGO! n/t tpsbmam Jan 2013 #65
WTH does he expect? magellan Jan 2013 #33
It isn't about left or right, it is about what is best for the country. JDPriestly Jan 2013 #37
More BS, trying to stir up a storm among the left. grantcart Jan 2013 #38
The clues (for the apparently clueless) are all there Number23 Jan 2013 #70
I agree with Jared Bernstein Liberalynn Jan 2013 #39
It's called "Making him do it" CranialRectaLoopback Jan 2013 #40
It was just campaign BS. FiveGoodMen Jan 2013 #45
well, perhaps he should practice that empathy thing stupidicus Jan 2013 #41
????? Milliesmom Jan 2013 #42
There was nothing we could do to hold Bush's feet to the fire, either. FiveGoodMen Jan 2013 #46
No, none of "the comments sound like Republican comments." They are the exact opposite. AnotherMcIntosh Jan 2013 #56
Good. I'm pretty fucking irritated by the fact that he caved yet again.... bowens43 Jan 2013 #51
Scrolls to top of page... tavernier Jan 2013 #53
Actually, you might be on the wrong page. The BOG on DU is found here: AnotherMcIntosh Jan 2013 #57
What Would The Site Do Without You? HangOnKids Jan 2013 #58
Kick !!! WillyT Jan 2013 #66
Instead of kicking your own thread Bobbie Jo Jan 2013 #71
Excellent suggestion, Bobbie Jo Cha Jan 2013 #73
. Bobbie Jo Jan 2013 #74
I am pissed at them too Mr. President. They haven't heard about the close the loopholes plan yet. lonestarnot Jan 2013 #72
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