First of all I want to thank all my representatives in congress; win or lose.
Patrick Leahy, Bernie Sanders, and Peter Welch
"I will support President Obama when he is right and oppose the President when he is wrong. I feel the President is wrong to make this deal," Leahy, a Democrat, said. "I am first and foremost a Vermonter and I will express my Vermont values. This deal is wrong for most Vermonters, and it is wrong for our country."
Welch, also a Democrat, is leading the charge in the House where a growing number of Democrats oppose the deal. He circulated a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi labeling the compromise "fiscally irresponsible" and "grossly unfair." At least 20 Democrats had signed the letter by Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Sanders, an independent, said "The immediate political task in front of us is to rally the American people so that in the next several weeks we can find at least a few Republicans who will join us in saying no to increasing the deficit by giving tax breaks to the wealthy and no to holding the unemployed and the middle class hostage," he said.
One could say that Vermont is ahead of the curve, now back to the diary:
I was in two minds before since I tried to defend some of the evident mistakes made by this administration by saying "OK that was all that was possible". I suppose I misread the intent, but this intent has now become crystal clear.
Obama's tone was alternately defensive and fiery. He dismissed his Democratic critics as "sanctimonious" and obsessed with staking out a "purist position." He said they hold views so unrealistic that, by their measure of success, "we will never get anything done."
So when you said
"In that spirit, let me end by saying I don't pretend to have all the answers to the challenges we face, and I look forward to periodic conversations with all of you in the months and years to come. I trust that you will continue to let me and other Democrats know when you believe we are screwing up. And I, in turn, will always try and show you the respect and candor one owes his friends and allies."
This was just the usual bullshit we expect to hear from DC?
Well thank you for making it all as clear as day, we on the left don't count.
Now you said this latest fold made the republicans sacrifice some of their needs, did you listen to what they said after this latest fiasco?
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell struck a positive tone after presenting the deal to fellow Republicans. "I think the vast majority of the Republican caucus in the Senate feel that this is a step in the right direction, an important step to take for the American people. And I think the vast majority of my members will be supporting it," he said.
If you read between the lines that this conforms nicely with Republican economic strategy and expect more to come in the new year.
So basically we have the left screaming blue murder and a happy bunch of Republicans.
Great, wonderful, so this is what hope and change was all about?
I'm so glad we got rid of that myth.
I feel liberated, since all pretense has now been dispensed with and we now know the truth.
I questioned
1] Letting war criminals go, forgiveness of torture disgusted me.
2] Not fighting to repeal bad legislation such as the Patriot Act.
3] Launching a surge in Afghanistan.
I foolishly let these go because I hoped for
a] A robust Health Care Reform with at least a minimum of a public option.
b] A bold economic strategy that included reducing economic disparity.
We got very little in return for our support.
I feel liberated because
i] You have shown that you have not one iota of respect for the left.
ii] In your mind we are merely purist Kooks.
iii] You no longer represent me in any shape or form.
iv] I now understand all the delays in DADT, immigration reform, and the ending of the wars.
I am powerless; but still free to speak my mind, expect from me as much support as you have so clearly shown.
The continual lurch to the right will not win Democratic party seats in 2012, it will ensure a Republican victory for two reasons.
1] Real Republicans appeal more to the right than DINO's, and at least they stand up and bloody fight.
2] The progressive base has been isolated.
I don't think the progressives in either the senate or the house can win this issue because of Republican support, but at least the discontent will be logged.
Please note why the Republicans will support this, it fits in perfectly with their strategy to:
1] Become the majority in the senate.
2] To move back into the White House.
They will slam you for this in 2012 since both unemployment insurance and payroll tax reductions are due to expire in an election year.
Well played Republicans, credit where credit is due; this was one hell of a coup.
It is going to be a long two years, but what the hell; the last 10 were hardly much fun either.
Like many others I will watching the upcoming debate with interest, and it will determine my political donations in 2012. I know my donations are not much in the grand scheme of things; but it's a start.
I'm all for better Democrats, but I'm beginning to think the 'more' was over-rated, perhaps we need to build again from the base on up since the present construction is crumbling.