So I got flamed into oblivion for my last diary ( check if you like) that said that this community is really not reality based. Granted, it was more of a rant than a carefully constructed essay but my sentiments still stand.
I don't understand progressives on this site and apparently neither does the rest of America. Yes, I know , you all saw, 69% of Americans sort of approve of the tax deal compromise -
http://abcnews.go.com/...
We don't really believe in polls, I know but let me tell you 69% is still pretty decisive.
I for one, am one of those people extremely disappointed by the reaction of progressives and Democrats in general.
The Republicans got an extension of what they wanted but they got other stuff they didn't like.
As Andrew Sullivan put it:
"It was staggering to me how many tangible concessions Obama was able to get for one symbolic give. The GOP got to protect the very rich to the tune of $120 billion for two years. In return, Obama got the $360 billion tax cut for the middle class he wanted, plus $450 billion on extended unemployment benefits, the pay-roll tax cut and EITC and college tuition funding. In the process, he got the GOP to endorse a huge fiscal stimulus-...... - a stimulus that could, according to Morgan Stanley, push economic growth to as much as 4 percent next year. That might be an overshoot - but it's surely salient that no one thinks the package won't boost growth at all."
And yes, Charles Krauthammer:
Barack Obama won the great tax-cut showdown of 2010 - and House Democrats don't have a clue that he did.
I actually think the Republicans would have made more of a fuss ( they are after all gasp working with Obama) if they hadn't realized that the Democrats went into this huge hissy fit and decided to hang back and see where it goes. After all, anything that gets Pelosi and the liburals 's panties in a twist is sure to work to their advantage.
Oh, and the Democrats sure played their part.
So disappointingly so.
How so? Now, it looks like House Democrats and progressives are completely out of touch of reality.I mean, the reactions came fast and furious even before anyone knew what the hell was in the bill in the first place.
My independent Dad ( who voted for Obama) asked me: " What is wrong with Democrats? I thought they cared for the poor and unemployed? Not as much as they hate the rich apparently."
That's what it looks like from the headlines.
No, it wasn't perfect but far from the abomination you guys make it sound to be. But then again, if you want solutions that would only please 20% of the population ( no lie, you guys are scary sometimes), then you are right, you will never have a progressive president. Sorry guys, America is not as progressive as you want it to be. It's not.
The best you can hope for is someone who slowly but steadily moves it toward the direction we want it to be. If you say that Obama hasn't done that at all, then the discussion ends here. Nothing really to discuss.
So go right ahead, primary the guy and vote for Grayson and Sanders for president '12. Psh.
Oh well, rant over. Flame away.