There's a word to summarize this approach to government. It's called "liberalism."

[jaxx]

As heartening as it was to hear President Obama's full-throated condemnation of the House Republican budget plan -- he didn't pull any punches -- what made his remarks this afternoon especially satisfying was his defense of the progressive vision.

The point of the remarks was primarily to advance two goals: explain why Paul Ryan's radical proposal must be rejected and present a "balanced" alternative towards long-term deficit reduction.

But along the way, the president made a point of reminding his audience that government, the institutions of the modern welfare state, and the modern social compact are worthy of a spirited defense. Indeed, to hear Obama tell it, the progressive vision is the American vision.

//snip

The "sellout of the left" this wasn't. What we saw today was an unapologetic defense of a progressive vision of government, cased in terms that were equal parts moral and pragmatic. America doesn't hear it often enough, and Obama delivered it with passion and conviction today.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_04/028935.php

[pinto]

1. Kick

:kick:

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Again, Obama lied about Social Security being in trouble

Social Security is fine, and will only have a problem if the economy gets much worse and stays that way: http://fdrdemocrats.org/the-common-sense-guide-to-social-security/2/

Liberals don't lie about Social Security needing to be saved - only right-wing nuts practicing the shock doctrine do that.

[TheWraith]

3. Except that Obama has explicitly said exactly the opposite of that.

In fact, the fact sheet being handed out explicitly said that the President does not believe Social Security is in crisis.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. "It faces real long-term challenges"

"While Social Security is not the cause of our deficit, it faces real long-term challenges in a country that is growing older. As I said in the State of the Union, both parties should work together now to strengthen Social Security for future generations."

This is bullshit.

And this speaks for itself: "But we must do it without putting at risk current retirees, the most vulnerable, or people with disabilities; without slashing benefits for future generations; and without subjecting Americans' guaranteed retirement income to the whims of the stock market."

[Shiver]

10. You say this speaks for itself:

"But we must do it without putting at risk current retirees, the most vulnerable, or people with disabilities; without slashing benefits for future generations; and without subjecting Americans' guaranteed retirement income to the whims of the stock market."

And yet you still insist he's talking about cutting benefits? If it speaks for itself, then it's saying the exact opposite.

[TheWraith]

20. Precisely. He explicitly said no cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

And yet, some people insist on believing that he said the exact opposite.

[Recursion]

4. That's why he said it's not in a crisis

Wow, now you guys are left making up the opposite of what he said. Awesome.

[jaxx]

5. He didn't cut SS did he?

I can't believe people are disappointed in that. Anything to try to save face I suppose.

[MannyGoldstein]

8. He announced his intention to keep trying:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=653027&mesg_id=653027

[jaxx]

9. No, he didn't.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=653027&mesg_id=653040


Give it up, the sky didn't fall and Social Security lives on.

[MannyGoldstein]

15. Let's try this.

Obama has said repeatedly that FDR did not sign Social Security into law for retirees, that it was only for widows and orphans.

Do you agree Obama's statement is totally untrue? If so, then why does Obama keep repeating it?

[MannyGoldstein]

19. Guess I'll be waiting a long time for *this* answer. nt

[TheWraith]

21. No, that's not true.

He said federal pensions were originally benefits for widows and orphans, and that that was what Social Security as we know it was based off of.

The fact that you continue this ludicrous game of believing that Obama is secretly planning to destroy Social Security, even when he explicitly opposes cuts to Social Security, is getting to an almost laughable extent.

[ClarkUSA]

11. Wrong. Instead of ridiculously parsing words, try acknowledging facts from the WH itself -->

Facts here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=653027&mesg_id=653071

[dionysus]

16. is obama a "right wing nut" manny?

[pmorlan1]

7. The Devil is in the details

Obama has always made good speeches (I missed this one). I will be observing what he actually does not what he talks about.

[Avalux]

12. I didn't get to hear Obama speak, I will have to watch later.

This is great to hear, K & R.

[pinto]

13. I really liked Obama's refutation of the (R) budget proposals, made in broad and particular terms.

:hi:

[jaxx]

14. He drew definite distinctions.

Made the Ryan budget look like one big gouge to the country.

[polichick]

17. If actions match words, it COULD be liberal - but not if the prez is embracing...

...the Simpson Bowles plan and starting to negotiate from there.

[Robb]

18. It becomes increasingly difficult to take seriously some of the critics out there.

The strategy is as transparent as it is time-tested: pick apart speeches for something to take out of context and blow up beyond recognition as prima facie evidence of some nefarious purpose -- or, if the speech is so well-crafted as to even exclude that tactic, simply repeat the meme that it was a "pretty speech," e.g. worthless words.

The words cannot be both things.