Degan writes: "You can almost feel the panic reverberating from both sides of the aisle in Congress this week. They're trying to convince themselves that this is a passing fluke, that we're not yet at the point of no return. If these corrupt nitwits know a damned thing about history (and sometimes I wonder if these knuckleheads know anything) they must realize that - if this isn't the end of the right wing's 30-year-long orgy - it is most definitely the beginning of the end."
Republicans John Boehner and Kevin McCarthy on Capitol Hill, 10/04/11. (photo: Getty Images)
GOP Panic Sets In
15 October 11
f you read the newspapers today, I, for one, am increasingly concerned about the growing mobs occupying Wall Street and the other cities across the country. And believe it or not, some in this town, have actually condoned the pitting of Americans against Americans." - Eric Cantor
Damn! I nearly spit out my coffee when I read that one. At that exact same moment, the pot that I had brewed the coffee in called the kettle "black". Aren't these the most interesting of times? They are, you know. They really are!
Here is a question that I am hard-pressed to avoid: Is there a bigger worm slithering though the halls of Congress than Eric Cantor? If there is I'd sure as hell would like to know about it. It has always amused me to watch him on the tube trying to defend the morally indefensible. He always has this weird look of cherubic contentment on his clueless face. It really is something to behold. To the credit of Mitch "The Plutocracy's Bitch" McConnell, he at least has the decency to look somewhat ill at ease when having to vomit forth their nonsensical talking points . Cantor, on the other hand, is right at home with their delightfully twisted agenda. Too weird!
Consider Eric Cantor's burden. if you will. The little freak wants us to swallow his definition of the people down on Wall Street who now hold up a mirror to the plutocracy's face. Eric defines them as a "mob". He actually made a very good point - although I am certain that it was accidental on his part. This IS the pitting of "Americans against Americans. It's the ninety nine percent against the one percent. Cantor and his people are calling this "class warfare". Guess what. It is class warfare! And they've been waging it against us since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.
For the first century, it was a covert war. On January 20, 1981 (Guess what happened on that day? Hint: "Ronnie") it became completely and unabashedly overt. On 17 September 2011, the sleeping giant of the American Left was awakened from a long and troubled slumber. Cantor and his gang shouldn't even dream about putting an end to what is now happening. This revolution is unstoppable. The line it is drawn; the curse it is cast. The good folks whom at this very hour are occupying Wall Street are bearing witness for all the world to behold, what 30 years of deregulation - and the resulting economic plunder - have done to the working people of this once-great nation. The American people have had it up to here and they're taking long-overdue action. The old world is rapidly fading. Please get out of the new one if you can't lend a hand.
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I think it is 243 republicans and 197 democrats. So unfortunately they have a clear majority.
I hope you are happy Barbara K??? What a night.
One great thing that happened.... BOTH winners and losers very VERY gracious. That is important, for we have a lot of tough times ahead.
Many of the voters who voted for Obama to stay in The White House, may be angry at him soon. For compromises HAVE to made on the big looming problems, and there will be a lot of pain to go around.
But the bucket has been kicked down the road for too long. Now it is time to SIT DOWN act like GROWN UPS and WORK on the problems. Both parties and all of us have to face the facts, and do the best for the country and the people.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US, AND LET'S HEAL THE WOUNDS.
I feel the same way, Barb. I started this campaign in MD and ended up here in OH for the last month and a half, working with the Obama campaign in both places. I know you worked hard in MI and I in OH to put our states in the Obama column. But one unknown story to many is how VA was won with the help of Marylanders. On Saturdays and Sundays they piled into buses 1000 strong at 7 AM and motored down into the swing areas of VA to knock on doors and bring the Obama message - returning as late as 10 and 11 at night. Meanwhile other Marylanders were on the phones calling voters in selected areas of VA. One friend called me after midnite last nite describing to me the excitement at the Largo, MD office when the election was called for Barack (we're on a 1st name basis now).
It was a great victory for our president and ALL Americans.
T H A N K Y O U. You are real heroes to me...and many others. You and ALL the people who worked so hard to help re-elect Obama can take pride in your efforts and hard work.
Because of you, Obama's victory was amazingly early AND A CLEAR VICTORY, in so many states..... We were told that the black, young and Latino voters probably would not vote in numbers as big as in 08.
Therefore it was so impressive that they voted in BIGGER numbers, in spite of all the obstacles thrown in their way. I am so impressed and very grateful You.
I have "met" so many dedicated people on this site. It makes me feel hopeful about the future. Thank you again
I parrot your sentiments, Michael: adieu to the man behind the curtain of the craziest party ever!
As my father would say, "Don't let the door hit you in the butt as you leave!"
Thank the universe for lining up the stars for another term for President Obama and for the hope for a healthy and happy America. It won't be rosy getting there, but it will be real.
Phew! That was the longest, scariest day of my life. I'm glad at least that is over.
N.
Are we now acting like there is some wisdom in the electoral college? I hope not.
A
When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always.
Mahatma Gandhi
PS: Now we know that God is a LIBERAL!!!
There's a lot of truth in your statement, WestWinds. I'm chiming in very late, but it was a crushing victory for TRUTH! A passage in Lamentations verses 3:31 thru 3:33 reads as follows:
"For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.
Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love.
For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the chidren of men."
Enuff said.
I think it's much the same across the world, that ordinary working people feel they have no voice, the word democracy meaning little, the power of the Corporations unchecked by any mainstream politician or Party.
I feel we need honesty in politics, the honesty of more 'left-wing' politicians to explain exactly why they can't or won't take on the establishment. If more were prepared to stand up and be counted, forming new organisations at a grass root level then at last working people could feel just how powerful we are.
Until that happens we'll have the continuing merry go round of elected politicians who continue to attack our wages, conditions and welfare systems telling us that these hard won rights are no longer affordable. I fear democracy is next on their shopping list, an expense they can do without.
I emailed friends in Germany and their relief was palpable.
The Brits were glued to the tube all night long. What happens to us happens to them. 90% of the population in foreign countries polled, except Israel whom we support blindly (they were 69% for Romney), would have cast a vote for Obama, the anti-Bush/Cheney/Neocon.
They are as relieved as we are.
we sure are all fed up with hearing the crazies shoot off their mouth, and I have been frustrated with, ...not "the American people", as politicians keep calling us as if we are on homogenous group....but I felt that too many people did not have patience, and did not realize that it would take more that 4 years to bring us back on the right track!
WELL I was WRONG. At the exit poles voters were asked, WHO was responsible for our financial problems. Close to 60% said BUSH and around 30% said Obama. And they obviously felt that he deserved and needed more time to improve our economy.
I am so glad that I was wrong.
Many obviously understand more than I gave them credit for. And I am thrilled that some nasty trolls were kicked out, Allan West and Joe Walsh, in his place is coming a strong smart woman Tammy Duckworth.
She is a REAL hero, who lost both her legs, when the helicopter she piloted in Iraq, was shot down. She has been working for the VA administration.
And not only did our all time favorite Elisabeth Warren win, but several other women are coming into the senate.
Allan Grayson, that ferocious warrior for truth, is back again in the house.
Now all I wait for, is to see Adelson, the Koch bros. and Carl Rove EXPLODE. All the MILLIONS they spent to defeat Obama, was WASTED, WENT DOWN THE DRAIN. HALLELUJAH
I'm in total agreement with you both, X Dane and Barbara K. We spent these closings weeks doing some serious "BOOTS ON THE GROUND" work. After the last two debates, volunteers seemed to come from EVERYWHERE! I wish the both of you could have been in the Hilton Ballroom in downtown Columbus as we watched Ohio put President Obama over the top! The following day, I wore a tag that read, "Really?" utilizing the Romney-Ryan logo. My roommates backed the r's, despite my efforts to explain the stakes. As for the billionaires who tried to buy the election, they are shining examples of the saying, "A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED." Thanks for your efforts as well. Now, IT'S TIME TO GET RID OF CITIZENS' UNITED!!!
Still gotta yell about something :):):):)
Don't get complacent anyone. We need to demonstrate, write letters, lobby our representatives (and even those who are not our own representatives ), badger them at town hall meetings to do the right thing, and call our those who are obstructionists for an America that takes care of ALL our members.
Also remember that there is another election in 2 years. It is time to start working on getting rid of those members of the House and Senate who are NOT working for American and Americans. Let us not wait until it is too late to begin the effort to find good people to elect to office.
You are right..We may ALSO need to URGE OBAMA.....I have been told that Roosevelt said, when asked about some measure people wanted passed....MAKE ME, And Obama may need us to PUSH..so that congress can see this is what THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT.
Not of you look at the numbers. Take a look at Nate Silver's Popular Vote graph. Obama at over 50% held since the end of May with only that weird dip at the beginning of October, from which he immediately recovered.
An effective Republican campaign would have shown some competitiveness in the graph: It never happened.
How sweet it is!
Good gravy - would you rightwingnuts at least come up with a percentage of alleged deadbeats in America and stick with it? You voted for a man that profers only 47% of us are deadbeats. Ah, therein lies the rub - telling lies and trying to remember to whom you told what lie. That was Romney's Achilles heel - he has no clue what a digital world we live in.
The amazing thing about that 47% is that well over half of them were Romney's base. The backward South has far more recipients of government payments than the North does. Most of the 47% the moron in chief talked about are either receiving Social Security and/or Medicare which they have paid into all their working lives. The South, because of milder weather, has a much larger % of those people in retirement. Additionally, by a wide margin the South receives more back from the federal government than they send in, while the North sends in way more than they get back. Also, that 47% also consists of retired military and active duty military in combat zones. So much of them are the Republican base.
Bachmann outspent him by quite a large margine. If she doesn't change her ways, and I doubt she will, she may well be one of the next demagogues voted out. One can hope, and then, work like crazy to see it happen.
As it is, Boehner and McConnell have already gone back to their "don't tax the rich because they create jobs," obsturctionist agenda. So, apparently, they haven't learned yet. Or maybe they are just bluffing, trying to buy time to see if the American public will forget what they've been doing the last four years. We need to keep acting like fleas.
I read about a torture technique once, something about a thousand cuts. Very small cuts, all over the body, doesn't kill immediatley, but it is very painful, and eventually the accumulation of cuts is effective. Perhaps a thousand voice, e-mails, letter, all directed to these two shills will make them see the error of their ways.
Well said ! This single fallacy on the part of the Right has been successful beyond their own imagination. That idea of calling INSURANCE PAYMENTS "entitlements", or "handouts".
Unemployment Insurance is just THAT. You pay the premiums all of the time you are working against such time as you may be out of work through no fault of your own.
Social Security INSURANCE is just THAT.
You pay Social Security premiums all of your working life against such time as you are too old, or too infirm to work.
Medicare INSURANCE is just THAT. You pay Medicare PREMIUMS every MONTH that you are covered by Medicare, even though you are lucky to find a doctor who will even consider TAKING Medicare.
From now on, every uninformed clown who insists upon calling Social Security, Medicare, and Unemployment Insurance payments "handouts", has to send back to the company any payments from his Automobile, or Homeowner's Insurance companies when there is damage to his automobile or his home.
After all, we can't be taking "handouts".
He, egbegb, could be talking about the fact that CA, NY and MA alone pay *far* more into the Federal Government than they, as States, get back.
*All* of the Red States are "debtor" states to the Fed, in that they receive *much* more in Federal dollars than they pay in.
So, the Red States, the very states bitching about "welfare queens" etc, are themselves "Welfare States", living off of the money generated by the Blue States via the Fed. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.
And, of course, no hope in reminding Tea Baggers and Repub trolls that reference to the 47% that Mitty was talking about, per usual, was a baldfaced lie in saying that they pay "no taxes". They pay no FEDERAL income tax because they don't make enough money to HAVE TO pay Federal income tax. By *Law*. Even Mitty admits that he pays not a red cent more than he is required to pay by *Law*.
This includes the elderly, the disabled, the military, and the increasing number of working poor. And yet, ALL of the above pay sales tax, gasoline tax, some State Taxes, etc.
I was foolishly and sufficiently naive to think that all the trolls and low information voters adhering to, and regurgitating all of the lies, disinformation and "talking points" they have been spoon-fed over the last year would now go back to where they came from since they are now proven losers.
Silly me.
Anyway it's not 52% who want handouts - it might be that 5% care for their fellow citizens as taught in the Bible (yes, that one).
As for the other 47% they had just been insulted by your guy.
I will wait and see . . . . .
The country deserves an apology for their constant misguided distractions.
start that Romney was just a puppet.
How history repeats itself! Bush had the pen, Cheney had the power. During the last week before the election Ryan had already announced that he would be a reincarnation of Cheney, while Grover Norquist ranted that the GOP only need Romney to sign whatever they put in front of him.
I live in a county that leans rabidly to the right yet I noticed A LOT of Obama signs. This absolutely had to do with support for Obama as it was a "Hell No!" against egregious Republican jihadists who pretend to work for people that pump gas, not own it. It took the masks off WAM (White Angry Men) who strive towards hegemony, deny global warming & pledge allegiance to a man named Grover.
And the momentum must continue- not just to remind our president the merits of his words in his victory speech last night, but to keep the plutocrats from advancing agenda on American democracy. Repealing "Citizens United," impeaching Antonin Scalia & retiring Mitch McConell & his ilk is a start. We need to bag the Tea Party & let Sarah Palin know her relevance in politics is like an umbrella in the middle of a super storm- don't need it; doesn't help.
We need to rethink priorities: behemoth, gas guzzling trucks- or carpools & mass transit? Monsanto & genetically modified food- or organic farming & diminished disease? Congressmen turned instant lobbyists for corporate welfare- or transparency on Capitol Hill holding politicians accountable? A government for the People, by the People- or a government for the rich, by the rich?
Our president is one man w/the most difficult job in the world; we cannot expect him to do everything, while we do nothing. 'Tis a new day indeed...
How much can he accomplish, and what he will be willing to take on are another question. I have not forgotten his 2008 campaign promises that were not kept, nor how the banksters have gotten off with zero jail time due to their influence. So the questions arise, how much could he really do? Was he blocked by people in his own administration as well as by the 'No-sters' in Congress for the last 4 years? I don't know.
I do recall that fairly early in his first term, he said to us all, to 'Demand from him' what we wanted. How many listened, and did so?
I do know that his 2nd term is an opportunity for him, and for us - and that 'We the People' can not relax for an instant in our fight to regain what has been lost in Liberty, freedoms, and the Constitution & Bill of Rights. We can not give up on a constitutional amendment to remove the 'Citizens United' decision, and take the money out of politics by banning lobbyists from corporations and their stooges. We have only started!
I agree, seniorcitizen, and just happened to get an email late this afternoon offering a way to let the President know what needs to happen next about CU and election reform as well. Here's the link:
https://www.unpac.org/dear-mr-president/
I'm witcha kid. (I'm 87)
and don't forget to scream for repeal of the NDAA!
The NDAA has been lied about. It exempts American citizens from it. But I would like to see the Patriot act gone, as it represents a complete departure from patriotism.
Please cite a credible source that states that the NDAA exempts American Citizens. Here is one source from a knowledgeable attorney that dispels the myth that American Citizens are not covered under the NDAA:
http://www.salon.com/2011/12/16/three_myths_about_the_detention_bill/
Never rely on right wing posts, as right wingers always spin and lie.
It appears as if you were ignorant in this case, and judging from other posts you have made, you are clearly not stupid. It is always a good thing, to be able to learn, is it not. ;-)
House seats are called "Safe Seats" as a result of rampant, and often illegal, Republican "redistricting" , also known as "gerrymandering " wherein districts are (often tortuously) redrawn according to party lines such that they contain no voters from the opposing party.
Kucinich and other Democrats have seen the very districts they represent "gerrymandered" clean out of existence
by Republican "redistricting" .
Redistricting, or gerrymandering is a political tool used by both parties with varying degrees of success, and it is at least as old as Tammany Hall. It is also a "tool" that should have disappeared along with Tammany Hall.
Gerry's most well-known legacy is in the coining of the word gerrymander, based on the publication in 1812 of a political cartoon criticizing the highly partisan redistricting of Massachusetts.
Hey, thanks for the historical background on that. Very helpful and informative.
I just am not sure where to start working on that issue. I know Minnesota democrats took both the house and senate back, and are now working with a democratic governor. Perhaps talking with some of my local Democratic senators and representatives might be a place to start.
It should also be noted that the jobs where the Republican CEOs sent them, Asia. And there was and is very slow recovery because the Republicans filibustered 44 job creation bills from the Pelosi House. They didn't create one themselves until this year and it consisted almost solely of tax cuts for the rich. But they wouldn't even allow the Obama jobs bill to be voted on and have kept it sitting for more than a year.
No gloating (that's a goal), but sheer happiness/relie f and renewed faith that America's *people* demonstrated in such huge numbers, in such adverse conditions, participatory government. Flaws and all, We the People have spoken, and hopefully Mitt McConnell will find a new tack other than proclaiming how the Senate Goal is to deny Obama any successes, no matter how it might further bring back our country from the implosion caused by 8 years of Bush-Rove-Norqu ist - Kochism.
Done (out of respect for those who honestly saw an urgent need to return to the Bush era) - but to bottle and cherish the victory of We the People over 1% propaganda and media spin - I'd bronze this sentence, and whole-heartedly concur:
Quote:.
Hunkering down now for a hurricane (blizzard of snow arriving now) on the heels of Sandy. Knowing America *can* come together, that we still care about helping those who can't self-capitalize , ordinary but diverse people perhaps once-again proud to call ourselves Americans - with work to be done, still - in earnest.
The Kleptocrats won
Yes, some Republicans did win.
Only in the House.
Those whose main priority is honesty, won.
Those whose main priority was lying, lost. In this case, I would would categorize those who tried to buy the campaign as frightened, greedy, control freaks. And they lost.
But it is not over. Their fear will drive them to do their best to repeat their behavior. They illustrate the Einstein quote about doing the same thing over and over, proving themselves to be socially insane.
I have no use whatsoever for romney, but I do have to credit him for the concession speech he gave. He actually sounded in that speech more human and maybe even sincere than I EVER heard him sound this entire, interminable election cycle. Can only hope that might signal more cooperation, a better attitude from the reps -- even, maybe (let it be so!) some real effort to work toward actually making some progress in solving the nation's problems instead of just parroting "NO" to everything!
Still, I am quite disappointed we didn't gain more dems in the House and Senate both. I think it is up to us now, both dems AND reps, to let those in Congress know we will not stand for another 4 yrs of watching them say NO and then sit idle in DC while we are paying them to work for the country's well-being -- the ENTIRE country, not just 1% of it!
Or start preparing for a third party with real chances. If we leave it to the existing politicians again we will be in fear again in four years.
We need to get off the couch and away from just the computer.
Shake 'em up.
I am saying $25 trillion.
In almost 4 years He added 6 trillion Putting us over the 16 trillion total But that was a huge acceleration from the past so I'm saying his second term he adds $8 more trillion.
Gas I predict over $9 a gallon
Cheap white bread $4/ loaf
Oil $220 a barrel
Gold $3200 / oz Silver $70/oz
Any one else have a prediction?
No predictions but if you want to "put your money where your mouth is" (as my mom used to say) i'll be happy to make a wager with you (and perhaps others on this board would also like in on the action) that none of your preditions will come true in the next 4 years.
How much are you willing to put behind your predictions?
If I am right -- many decades of my time and effort that went into retirement plans will be wiped out.
Hard assets - not paper ones IF the feces hits the fan.
Looking at the fiscal cliff we are racing towards I am afraid my numbers will be low.
How much willing to put behind predictions ? -- Im looking at getting deeply in debt to purchase a retirement home with a low fixed interest. IF the inflation wave hits -- that property will become relatively dirt cheap. IF I leave the money in retirement plans hoping that nothing changes and inflation hits - they get wiped out and are worthless.
The cynic is a person who is prematurely disappointed in the future. I don't where you live, and I don't know if you can work to make a difference, but it might be the place to start - working to make a difference.
In Minnesota, we shot down both an amendment to install voter IDs, and an amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman. I heard on MPR that two of the people working to kill the marriage amendment were higher-ups in the opposing parties.
Inclusiveness works - if we let it. If we don't allow our vulnerability to shut us down to options.
Or so I believe at this point in time. Hope things work out for you.
Yes. I predict you will be 100% wrong. (just like Romney's campaign team).
The Government (my source of data )
does not agree with your numbers.
to wit:
2008 9,986,082
2009 11,875,851
2010 13,528,807
2011 14,764,222
2012 estimate 16,350,885
see table 7.1
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/Historicals