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:

“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

(O)CT(O)PUS said…
Condemning a man for murder before the murder is committed. I seem to recall a sci-fi having the same plot but not necessarily the same ending.
Grung_e_Gene said…
I am hoping Barack is not listening to the neo-liberal assholes who are advising him that he is the right man to cut entitlements and that it woll secure his legacy.
joseph said…
Perception is power. If the country came to its senses and put me in power, I would tell the Republicans that destroying the economy would hurt the oligarchs a whole lot more than me. I have social security, a small savings account, an old junker and a nice set of golf clubs. The oligarchs have a lot more to lose. Therefore, I will trash the economy and force a complete restart with everybody starting at square one unless they agree to dramatically higher taxes on the rich, a net worth tax, more social services and a guaranteed minimum and maximum income.
Green Eagle said…
Sorry, Octopus, but how many times have we seen this before? What we are witnessing is a heavily financed coup attempt. There is no compromise possible. These people must be defeated in the most complete and humiliating fashion. Instead, Obama is already getting ready to rescue them from the results of their treachery. This is like if the Allies in March, 1945 had told Hitler, okay, we'll give you Czechoslovakia and Poland, and you can just go home to get ready for another round of warfare.
(O)CT(O)PUS said…
GE,

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!”

Popular posts from this blog

Wingnut Wrapup

It's Okay, Never Mind

Hamas