Displaying 16,861 To 16,890 Of 19,504 Comments Democrats: Are We the Knee-Jerk Party or Just Jerks? It’s fun to stay in the S-E-N-A-T-E! It’s fun to stay in the S-E-N-A-T-E! » Posted By AdLib On February 24, 2010 @ 6:29 pm Hey, I recognize that guy! Isn’t he one of Lindsay Graham’s staffers? » Posted By AdLib On February 24, 2010 @ 6:07 pm And if they attend biker rallies, no assless chaps. » Posted By AdLib On February 24, 2010 @ 5:57 pm Someone ought to tell the Repubs who want to be president not to attend NASCAR, rodeos, biker rallies, barbecues with the confederate flag displayed, gatherings where people hold racist dolls, signs and photos and Hooters. Otherwise, they are really insulting Repub voters by portraying them as attending such things. » Posted By AdLib On February 24, 2010 @ 5:48 pm And as useful. And as malleable. And as vertebrate. » Posted By AdLib On February 24, 2010 @ 5:41 pm javaz, actually, my name is Adlib Powers, yeah, baby! » Posted By AdLib On February 24, 2010 @ 4:59 pm A toast to you, my dear Mrs. Peel! » Posted By AdLib On February 24, 2010 @ 4:38 pm Hey Q! I like to think of myself as cynically optimistic. Or faithlessly hopeful. Now I need to grab some lunch, maybe a vegetarian steak tartare? » Posted By AdLib On February 24, 2010 @ 3:05 pm IF…and that is a big “if”, the MSM didn’t find another bullshit way to disqualify him in the eyes of the public, I think Dean could have rallied an even more enthusiastic vote than Kerry and could have won. And honestly, if one reads all of the indisputable reports about electoral inconsistencies in OH, one is left with the unfortunate possibility that had he contested it and demanded a recount, Kerry might have won OH and the presidency. As for turning against a candidate for the way he yelled to rally his supporters…that was and remains insane. » Posted By AdLib On February 24, 2010 @ 9:39 am Another very thoughtful article, Marion! I would propose that with regard to general sentiment, all elections are knee-jerk. You focus on the Dems but look at the Repubs too. Nixon was elected in a backlash against the passage of The Civil Rights bill. Reagan was elected in response to Carter’s perceived weakness on the Iranian hostage crisis. Bush was elected in response to public’s distaste at Clinton/Lewinsky and impeachment. (An aside…what a pathetically naive time. It is sadly amusing to think that Repubs could impeach Clinton for lying about a personal affair, something that impacted only his marriage and yet Bush and Cheney lied to start wars that have killed tens of thousands and steal Constitutional rights from all Americans and holding them responsible was and is unthinkable. Just imagine if Americans could have had a glimpse at the future after a Bush presidency, the destruction of major cities and our economy…maybe trying to hide an affair but having a booming economy wasn’t so bad?). As you describe, America appears more as a reactive democracy, not a pro-active democracy. The majority seems to vote for people who run in opposition to the “jerk” currently in office. And indeed, that is the problem. Was the better choice Al Gore or George Bush? That didn’t matter, what mattered is that Bush would bring “dignity and respect” back to the White House…not like that asshole who was currently in the WH, right America? I think we’ve seen how “smart” it is, thinking with your knees, but the majority doesn’t learn the big picture truth on this from its mistakes, it just seems to see it made a mistake in individual circumstances. Even in Dem primaries, Howard Dean was the Obama of that primary. He had an energized youth and internet base, he was (until he was ahead in polls and started playing it too safe) very vocal as a critic of Repub and Dem policies that were not progressive…but he made a funny yell and the MSM told us that we shouldn’t consider him seriously anymore because of it so we knee-jerked away from him. Could Dean have beat Bush? Possibly, seeing Dean debate with Bush would have been great. Would Dean have conceded as quickly as Kerry in OH despite the huge irregularities? Maybe, maybe not. The truth is that the most committed progressive who was for change 4 years before Obama was rejected by knee-jerk thinking, not due to policy differences. Politics IS knee-jerk. The public reacts to things by “sending messages” like Scott Brown’s election. They don’t consider, “Even though I’m mad at DC, with only 59 votes the Dems won’t be able to overcome the ever-present filibusters by the GOP and gridlock for the next 3 years will be far more likely in most cases than any “change”, which is what I want.” And as you say, that knee-jerk mentality leads naturally to fragging fellow Dems and as we’ve seen, make an Olympic sport of Dems attacking Obama. Do these knee-jerk Dems consider what life under a President Romney would be like? No, because their reactions are not considered but are indeed knee-jerk. How much of Dems attacking Obama helped lose Dems the 60th vote in the Senate? Did that get them closer to what they’re pissed off about not getting or farther away? Vision is the antithesis of knee-jerk thinking. Making decisions that are best in the long run is a totally different mindset than purely reacting to whatever upsets one at a particular moment in time. In the long run, it actually hands decision making away. For example, if the MSM can whip up enough people against Obama, the Dems, whatever and the election this year is narrowly about “sending a message” or just hating them instead of considering who would be put in power instead, then people will get the government that the wealthy and powerful have convinced them they deserve. » Posted By AdLib On February 24, 2010 @ 9:19 am One more related news update: Democratic jobs bill advances past GOP filibuster By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Writer » Posted By AdLib On February 22, 2010 @ 5:09 pm Talking about aggressiveness, the signatures of Senators for a public option via reconciliation is up to 22 today: Sen. Michael Bennet CO If you don’t see both of your Senators on this list, call and email them! » Posted By AdLib On February 22, 2010 @ 5:04 pm BRAVO, CHER! Wonderful article and I too agree with your accolades for Fraad. Potent discussion points that need to be hammered into the minds of Americans: a. Because you are paid less than you should be, credit cards and debt have been pushed on you to live the American Dream most Americans can no longer afford. Then you are trapped as a virtual serf, working every day, year after year the rest of your life just to pay banks back the mortgages and credit debt you owe them. And your children will have it worse than you. b. It is mainly corporations who are making government fail and not serve the citizens, not individual politicians. It is party related since they have essentially bought and paid for the GOP. To fix government, corporations must be “fixed” from controlling government or it will be a meaningless game of musical chairs with no improvements. c. Americans are addicted to consumption and quick fixes. Consumption is a trap laid by corporations which buries you in inescapable debt, buying things you don’t need but just want. Sacrificing long term financial stability for a Snuggie today. And if you feel depressed or sad, that’s a symptom of being human and recognizing that things aren’t great in this country. It’s not a disease that needs a brain numbing cure, it is what you need to feel to eventually get upset enough to demand and work for change. I’ve got a few more but those are at the top of my list. » Posted By AdLib On February 22, 2010 @ 4:53 pm Real Time Real Good … for Now: A Review of Season 8 Episode 1 of Real Time with Bill Maher Thanks for the review. I watched it after Vox Populi here Friday night with similar hesitations. I don’t believe leopards change their spots, Maher exposed himself as an opportunist who can flip flop at will. At the same time, I agree that this was a good show, devoid of his fragging Obama. Two moments that stood out to me was Warren, who is so refreshingly candid, saying that though it’s possible, financial reforms are pretty much dead now because the bank lobbying (using our tax dollars!) is not just weekly or daily, it is suffocating, multiple times each day, full court press attacks that drown out the public’s voice. Then, Spitzer’s comment that no real change comes from bipartisanship. Change only comes from one party hammering it through. I hope Obama and Congress are on that page finally and that this HCR summit cements them on pursuing reconciliation to break this logjam and get real reform. » Posted By AdLib On February 21, 2010 @ 4:00 pm Abuse of Power – Tale of a Red State I’ve thought the same thing. It would really be a tale of two states, a progressive, thriving North and an oppressive, religiously controlled South. Thing is, there would eventually be a reckoning of some kind. Citizens from the North visiting the South, being victimized because of their race or beliefs, conflict would be endless. And all the Progressives stuck in the South would be trapped economically. Ever seen the movie, “Confederate States of America”? It humorously and sharply satirizes what America would have been like if the South had won the Civil War. » Posted By AdLib On February 21, 2010 @ 1:47 pm That would be a funny antithesis to write as a seemingly straight forward proposition, “Make Our Children Competitive (with the 3rd World)”. It would fight child obesity, cut down on tv watching and get them out in the fresh air (using respirators in mines only when absolutely necessary), make them appreciate the value of a full day’s work ($3 in Chuck E. Cheese tokens)and teach them everything they need to know about capitalism. Equality for our Children! They should have the right to earn a living too! This is the civil rights issue of our generation! Give kids the right to work now! This Message Paid for by The Fortune 500 and donations from Teabaggers like you. » Posted By AdLib On February 21, 2010 @ 1:38 pm The least I could do for such a terrific article! » Posted By AdLib On February 21, 2010 @ 1:17 pm Fantastic article, javaz! Well done! The mix of corruption and extremist, inhumane legislation is the stuff that is usually the domain of fiction. How can things have run off the tracks in AZ so horribly and continue to be supported by AZ residents in elections? You’ve mentioned that population is declining, there is naturally a brain drain as those graduating college want a better life than AZ’s destructive course could provide. What’s the end game here? AZ becomes a police state with the mentally ill on the streets, thousands of children getting ill and dying from a lack of health care, guns everywhere, minorities harassed…this is the vision for a Republican America? Alabama 1950? Hatred, corruption, oppression, violence, loss of rights…all codified by laws and officials? The Federal government is indeed needed to get involved more in the state’s violation of constitutionality. Since when can a state circumvent national laws on guns, the 4th Amendment and other basic civil rights? This is a travesty. Thank you javaz for writing this article, I hope other members will feel as motivated as I am to share this article around and try to get more people enlightened about what’s going on in this state. » Posted By AdLib On February 21, 2010 @ 11:46 am I just put up an article to promote the march! This obliterates 600 teabaggers having a convention, the MSM may not cover it but the Congresspeople will get the message! » Posted By AdLib On February 24, 2010 @ 1:23 pm Thanks javaz! Over 811,000 now! » Posted By AdLib On February 24, 2010 @ 1:06 pm This might be a bit hard for the GOP to publicly oppose…heh! Obama to propose limits on insurance rates WASHINGTON » Posted By AdLib On February 21, 2010 @ 8:54 pm I don’t think they’ve given it a full push yet. Between now and the 24th, I expect to see a lot more attention given to it and a burst of people signing up on the 24th. » Posted By AdLib On February 21, 2010 @ 1:42 pm They have a map on the sign up page, you can roll over it with your cursor to see how many have signed up from each state and get a ballpark idea. » Posted By AdLib On February 21, 2010 @ 1:25 pm I don’t believe there’s an issue here because the pre-existing conditions issue and other patient protections are contained in the Senate bill that currently exists. Those do not need to be contained in the reconciliation bill, which would be a second, connected bill. Only budget related items, such as a Public Option and allowing patients who receive subsidies to pay for abortions, would be contained in a reconciliation bill. Once that is passed, which would have aspects and terms that would override the Senate Bill, the House can then pass the existing Senate bill which would include patients rights…all without 60 votes needed. » Posted By AdLib On February 21, 2010 @ 1:23 pm Just an update, with the addition of Jeanne Shaheen there are now 20 Senators signed onto the letter asking for the PO to be added back in under reconciliation. And as noted already, Harry Reid has acknowledged his willingness to support it if it can get passed. If your Senators haven’t signed on yet, press them to do so. It is making a difference and the numbers are growing! » Posted By AdLib On February 21, 2010 @ 8:37 am That’s one provision that pisses me off, no matter what passes, it won’t fully kick in for 4 years. Why the hell is that? So people who die over the next 4 years from not having health can die content in the fact that they almost got it in time? » Posted By AdLib On February 21, 2010 @ 8:33 am The problem from the beginning and that doomed the previous process was the falsehood that the Dems had 60 votes in The Senate for HCR. They never had 60 votes so the reality was that the Dems had to spend months of corrupting the bill, bribing and cajoling to get to 60 votes. What they had to do to get there was disgusting and gutted robust HCR including a PO. Now they finally realize that reconciliation and 50 votes is the only way to get the bill passed and add back in aspects that will turn public opinion around on it and the Dems. This is a far different dynamic than having to bribe and accommodate the enemies of HCR to get their votes. » Posted By AdLib On February 21, 2010 @ 8:29 am Kalima, I think what you’re missing is that we never had a chance to pass meaningful reform before, when we needed 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. Necessarily, HCR was smothered because Blue Dogs and asses like Lieberman had to be satisfied. Now, REAL reform could be passed through reconciliation with 51 votes. That’s the reality, it never had a chance before, now it does so now is indeed the time to fight hard for it. » Posted By AdLib On February 20, 2010 @ 11:13 pm That is what is going on right now. Obama is holding a summit to touch the base of publicly asking the Repubs how they plan to insure 30 million uninsured Americans. When they show they have no plan, the Dems in the Senate will use reconciliation to bypass the Repubs with only 51 votes needed. With only 51 votes needed, no pandering to Blue Dogs or Snowe or Lieberman is required. They can pass a PO, they can undo the harsh anti-abortion provisions, etc. This is a positive and constructive development. There are political obstacles to get around but it is moving forward and with a much more viable path. » Posted By AdLib On February 20, 2010 @ 11:06 pm The reconciliation is a completely different bill that will add new aspects and change aspects in the Senate Bill. Check out Vox Populi, ChoiceLady explained her insight on this Friday night. This is why 18 Senators have signed the letter for a PO through reconciliation, because they can indeed add new provisions in it such as the Medicare provision. Maybe I misunderstood your post but these would not be minor tweaks. I don’t blame you for your hesitation to believe that this will mean robust HCR or even that it will pass. As I’ve expressed, if it doesn’t pass the Dems and possibly Obama will not be re-elected, they will be conceding that they can’t pass meaningful legislation that’s desperately needed and the claims of Repubs to be able to do so will be much more appealing. I am more optimistic that they will pass it and that there will be a public option of some kind, hopefully the Medicare plan. The public opposes the plan if there is no PO involved so passing it without would be as politically disastrous. » Posted By AdLib On February 20, 2010 @ 10:55 pmComments Posted By AdLib
Sen. Barbara Boxer CA
Sen. Sherrod Brown OH
Sen. Roland Burris IL
Sen. Dianne Feinstein CA
Sen. Al Franken MN
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand NY
Sen. Tim Johnson SD
Sen. John Kerry MA
Sen. Frank Lautenberg NJ
Sen. Patrick Leahy VT
Sen. Robert Menendez NJ
Sen. Jeff Merkley OR
Sen. Barbara Mikulski MD
Sen. Jack Reed RI
Sen. Bernie Sanders VT
Sen. Charles Schumer NY
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen NH
Sen. Arlen Specter PA
Sen. Debbie Stabenow MI
Sen. Tom Udall NM
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse RI
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