The Beginning of the End
Not snatching defeat from the jaws of victory- this is cramming victory down the throats of your already defeated enemies. Barack Obama today:
Well, here we go- one week of tough talk, and now it's time to capitulate and allow the Republican minority run the country based on extortion and blackmail. Get ready for it- in a few more days, this gutless worm is going to totally give in to the Republicans and harm tens of millions of Americans in order to accomplish the goals of the Koch brothers and a handful of other rich sociopaths.
And why should we have fooled ourselves into expecting anything different? Isn't that what he has done every single time his resolve to do the right thing has been tested?
In a few days, details of a staggering collapse in the face of Ted Cruz and his gang will start to emerge, while White House spokesmen tell us what a magnificent deal Obama has struck, and how he was the "adult in the room," which he will have demonstrated by giving in to bullying and threats.
That one remark by Obama has destroyed any shred of faith that I might have had that he would, for once, do the right thing and stand up to this threat to our Constitutional form of government. But then, what was there ever in the past behavior of this useless son of a bitch to make me think that?
“I’m happy to talk to Republicans about anything related to the budget,” Obama said. “There’s not a subject that I am not willing to engage in, work on, negotiate and come up with compromises.”
Well, here we go- one week of tough talk, and now it's time to capitulate and allow the Republican minority run the country based on extortion and blackmail. Get ready for it- in a few more days, this gutless worm is going to totally give in to the Republicans and harm tens of millions of Americans in order to accomplish the goals of the Koch brothers and a handful of other rich sociopaths.
And why should we have fooled ourselves into expecting anything different? Isn't that what he has done every single time his resolve to do the right thing has been tested?
In a few days, details of a staggering collapse in the face of Ted Cruz and his gang will start to emerge, while White House spokesmen tell us what a magnificent deal Obama has struck, and how he was the "adult in the room," which he will have demonstrated by giving in to bullying and threats.
That one remark by Obama has destroyed any shred of faith that I might have had that he would, for once, do the right thing and stand up to this threat to our Constitutional form of government. But then, what was there ever in the past behavior of this useless son of a bitch to make me think that?
Comments
“Everyone knows that in a hostage situation, the reckless and amoral actor has the negotiating upper hand over the cautious and responsible actor because the latter is actually concerned about the life of the hostage, while the former does not care” (Mike Lofgren).
Indeed, I am just as livid as you for every reason cited – hostage taking, sabotaging the democratic process, civil war and secession by legislative insurrection. Nevertheless, I also believe Obama should be given credit for at least caring about the life of the hostage, which is not necessarily the same as capitulation. I believe Obama is sincerely trying to avoid a disastrous debt default and minimize casualties.
Other quick thoughts: The GOP knows that changing demographics no longer favor their long-term prospects, and their actions smack of desperation in the face of a dramatic power shift. Historically, the GOP has tended to be monolithic and unified, whereas the progressive side has lost too many battles and elections due to fragmentation and staying away from the polls.
We can do better. Instead of hand wringing, we should call our representatives, write letters, put up a unified front, and take this fight to the streets as necessary.
At this point, I am ready and willing to paint graffiti on every local Republican headquarters with scrawl that says “Nazis Raus!”