Today’s Democratic party FAIL [New]
The FAIL is strong with this one (Warning: Watching the video on this link isn’t a good idea if you value your health):
First, let’s declare Obama’s ‘Two part spending cuts, one part tax increases’ deficit reduction plan as the left side of the debate:
Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., says the bi-partisan group of senators working to find a way to reduce the deficit — the so-called “Gang of Six” — is near agreement on a plan that will chart a middle ground between the House Republican budget and the plan outlined last week by President Obama.
And while other top Democrats say Social Security should be untouched, Durbin says Social Security changes should be made now.
“You have the House Republican budget from Congressman Paul Ryan, who I know and like, which is going to be placed somewhere on the right side of the spectrum. You have the president’s suggestion, which will be on the other side of the spectrum. And if and when we reach an agreement, it will be in the middle, a bipartisan effort, which I think has a chance to succeed,” Durbin said in an interview for ABC News’ “Subway Series.”
Second, let’s criticize Bernie Sanders’ ‘No Social security cuts for deficit reduction’ proposal:
Durbin criticized a resolution put forward by Sen. Bernie Sanders, a liberal independent from Vermont, that says Social Security should not be cut under a deficit reduction plan. Durbin said he would not vote for such a resolution.
“I think Bernie is going too far with his language,” Durbin said.
“In 2037, as we know it, Social Security falls off a cliff,” he said. “There’s a 22 percent reduction rate in payments, which is really not something we can tolerate. If we deal with it today, it’s an easier solution than waiting. I think we ought to deal with it. Many of my colleagues disagree, put it off to another day. But from my point of view, leaving it out makes it easier politically, including it, I think, meets an obligation, which we have to senior citizens.”
Third, let’s criticize the people whose votes/time/money I need:
“Many of my friends on the left — they are my friends, these are my roots politically — are going through the stages of grief: denial, anger, frustration, sadness, resignation,” Durbin said. “They are going through those stages because they understand that borrowing 40 cents for every dollar you spend, whether it’s for missile or food stamps, is just unsustainable. But you’ve got to do something.”
Mission accomplished!
What Do You Think?
6 Responses to 'Today’s Democratic party FAIL'
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Tim [New]
Friday, 22 Apr, 2011 at 5:47 am
The NY Times today reports American confidence in politicians and the economy is at a two year low. Do ya think?
My better half thinks it is the high gas prices. But gas prices are always the last straw for Americans at any time. If you look at polling and what the average American would do with the deficits, taxation, and social policy, the disparity between what is being done (coddle the rich, the giant corporations, torment the middle class, those who can’t help themselves) and what people want (re-tax the wealthiest, re-tax corporations, re-orient the economy to give the middle class and working people more of the return for their work), that disparity causes people to be pessimistic.
Add in that the high gas prices appear to be the result of rampant speculation, as they were in 2008, using money that should’ve been taxed and used instead on repairing infrastructure, funding schools, and creating jobs, then the failure of government to do anything to rein in speculation, to soak up hot money driving up gas prices, then gas prices becomes the final straw.
And yes people are busy with their lives but it amazes me how many people still keep up with what is going on. Enough to be dismayed by this kind of “Durbin-ism” which really is aristocracy, an elite using its power to benefit itself at the expense of the 99% who are not in the elite.
Durbin needs to be voted out. Obama, too, in my view (YMMV). Every one in the Gang of Six needs to be voted out. And we need to vote in politicians more in tune with what the public really wants. How we get there, that’s the problem we need to solve. And rather quickly.
SpitBall [New]
Friday, 22 Apr, 2011 at 7:08 am
Senator Durbin said only 1 word that made any sense at all. It is in the last quote TBH pulled:
“resignation”
Dick should take that advice. If he’s not willing to stand up to the GOPpers, he should quit and let someone else give it a try.
Well Liked:
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Emocrat [New]
Friday, 22 Apr, 2011 at 9:55 am
Durbin is up for re-elect in 2012. Perhaps an Illinois two-fer of defeat is needed for Durbin/Obama? I know, almost certainly can’t happen in such a robust machine state.
Still, Durbin is about as out of touch as one can possibly be and people in Illinois should be demanding his immediate resignation, with the hope of building momentum to at least giving him the boot in 2012. Oh, I can’t wait for the next call from the DSCC.
Aside from the obvious gas prices, fraudclosure, unemployment and plummeting wages, the attacks on workers’ rights also feeds into the broader feeling of economic malaise. So it only follows that as people see this broad-based attack on Medicare and SS, that too will feed into even deeper economic pessimism.
I’m tempted to say the Dems are committing political suicide, but given the destruction they intend to wreak on us in the process, it’s more a murder-suicide pact.
Durbin should go spend more time with his family, assuming they even like him.
Well Liked:
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Tim [New]
Friday, 22 Apr, 2011 at 6:19 pm
BTW, Robert Reich agrees with you:
http://robertreich.org/post/4810720801
Even better, he has the balls to say out loud the President should go farther and soak the rich at pre-Reagan levels. Which truly is the only sane policy given our economic situation.
David [New]
Friday, 22 Apr, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Dick Durbin is lying about Social Security in order to weaken it. It strikes me that he should be subject to near constant pressure on this issue – both in IL and DC. We seem to lack the institutional structure to do this. Someone needs to find a way to build that.
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