Obama Redux: Aftermath and Mourning After

81 posts / 0 new

Wed, 2012-11-07 03:23

NDPP

From the 'Lesser to the Greater Evil' and the Demise of Critical Liberalism - by James Petras

http://canadiandimension.com/articles/5028/

"....The political damage incurred by the social movements and US working class under the Obama presidency is unprecedented and has laid the groundwork for further social regulation and greater imperial bellicosity.

The Obama campaign ran a fear campaign, playing off the reactionary proposals of the Romney-Tea Party alliance: a cover for his own record of unprecedented military spending, sequential wars, immigrant expulsions, mortgage foreclosures and Wall Street bailouts..."

Wed, 2012-11-07 03:41

Left Turn

[url=http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/11/06/victory-of-the-technocrats/]TKO by the Technocrats[/url]

Quote:

So what to expect from Obama? An aggressive new plan to combat climate change? A real federal jobs program aimed at full-employment? Liberalization of immigration policies? Decriminalization of marijuana? Deep cuts in the defense budget? Rollback of the Patriot Act? A ban on assassinations by drones? Movement toward single-payer health care? Sure.

No. Clinton will be his template: the Clinton who pushed for the elimination of the Glass-Steagall Act, the gutting of welfare and the war on Serbia. Obama will pursue bi-partisanship with a vengeance. Obama has always been a committed neoliberal, a closeted agent of austerity. Now he no longer needs to even play-act for his political base. He can openly betray their interests.

In a few months, the president will reach out to his old pal Paul Ryan to take a stroll across that tragic terrain known as the common ground in pursuit of those twin obsessions of the elites: deficit reduction and entitlement reform. In the name of political conciliation, Obama will piously move to slash away at Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the last frail fabrics of the federal social welfare programs. These savage cuts will be enthusiastically cheered by the mainstream press, Wall Street and the Washington establishment.

Who will stand up to challenge him?

That is the real question posed by this enervating election.

Wed, 2012-11-07 09:10

Maysie

Bill O'Reilly: "The White Establishment is Now the Minority"

Yup. Ha ha.

P.S. Psssst: you white guys have nothing to worry about with Obama. Pass it on.

Wed, 2012-11-07 09:18

6079_Smith_W

Health care.

(edit)

and regarding the circle the wagons routine, it is interesting that the Bush dynasty was actually mentioned in positive terms on CBC last night - that Jeb Bush being fluent in Spanish and the fact his wife is from Mexico might be a better choice than Romney's call for people to "self-deport" and the GOP's open voter suppression and demonizing of non-whites.

..also I read earlier this week that George Bush was the first president to deliver an address entirely in Spanish. Doesn't change anything he did, but the fact that he can actually look like a moderate says more than anything about where that party is now.

Sun, 2021-11-28 10:00

jfb

Wed, 2012-11-07 11:55

6079_Smith_W

I had read that Bill O'Reilly quote, but not heard the full clip before.

There was an article I read in the past few weeks (may have even been here) which pointed out that the "47%" Romney was criticising (whom I suppose are the same as O'Reilly's people who want stuff) are far more concentrated in Republican states than Democrat ones.

And I guess Bill isn't old enough to remember Franklin Roosevelt, or all the times "traditional America" or whatever the hell he wants to call himself has played the viictim in the past.

Wed, 2012-11-07 14:08

NDPP

Prime Minister, NDP React to Obama's Re-election

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2012/11/stephen-har...

"Moments after multiple media outlets called the race for incumbent US president Barack Obama, the following dispatch from NDP Leader Tom Mulcair popped up in the gallery newswire:

'On behalf of Canada's New Democrats I extend heartfelt congratulations to Barack Obama for his re-election as President of the United States of America. President Obama knows that a nation can achieve more when its citizens work together to lift each other up. He also recognizes that sustainable development is crucial to ensuring a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.

These are values that New Democrats are proud to share.

Our countries are true neighbours and our peoples are true friends. I look forward to working more closely with the President to build a fairer, greener and more prosperous World for all."

Obviously, as with Israel, Mulcair is 'an ardent supporter...in all situations and circumstances'...

Wed, 2012-11-07 14:26

Catchfire

Obama and progressives: what will liberals do with their big election victory?

The greatest and most enduring significance of Tuesday night's election results will likely not be the re-election of Barack Obama, but rather what the outcome reflects about the American electorate. It was not merely Democrats, but liberalism, which was triumphant.

To begin with, it is hard to overstate just how crippled America's right-wing is. Although it was masked by their aberrational win in 2010, the GOP has now been not merely defeated, but crushed, in three out of the last four elections: in 2006 (when they lost control of the House and Senate), 2008 (when Obama won easily and Democrats expanded their margins of control), and now 2012. The horrendous political legacy of George Bush and Dick Cheney continues to sink the GOP, and demographic realities – how toxic the American Right is to the very groups that are now becoming America's majority – makes it difficult to envision how this will change any time soon.

Meanwhile, new laws to legalize both same-sex marriage and marijuana use were enacted in multiple states with little controversy, an unthinkable result even a few years ago, while Obama's late-term embrace of same-sex marriage seems to have resulted only in political benefit with no political harm. Democrats were sent to the Senate by deeply red states such as Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota, along with genuinely progressive candidates on domestic issues, including Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts and Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin, who became the first openly gay person elected to the Senate. As a cherry on the liberal cake, two of the most loathed right-wing House members – Rep Joe Walsh of Illinois and Allen West of Florida – were removed from office.

So the delirium of liberals this morning is understandable: the night could scarcely have gone better for them. By all rights, they should expect to be a more powerful force in Washington. But what are they going to get from it? Will they wield more political power? Will their political values and agenda command more respect? Unless the disempowering pattern into which they have voluntarily locked themselves changes, the answer to those questions is almost certainly "no".

Wed, 2012-11-07 14:29

Catchfire

Duncan Cameron: Money could not buy Mitt Romney the White House

The road to the White House is raise, and spend, more money than your opponent.

Barack Obama won re-election despite reported spending of nearly $400 million by the Republican campaign to defeat him. Fully 80 per cent of individual contributions to the Romney campaign were large individual contributions.

Thanks to "Citizens United" a Supreme Court decision supposedly defending freedom of speech, U.S. airwaves have been overrun by attack ads demonizing the U.S. president, paid for, not by the Republican party itself, but by outsiders with a partisan agenda. Campaigning against Obama were millionaires, billionaires, corporations, and their political action committees (PACS and SuperPacs).

Facing the biggest infusion of third party money in the history of electoral politics, the Obama campaign went out and raised over $600 million for its own campaign, and it mobilized outside money of its own.

The Obama campaign went negative, chastising George Romney as a corporate raider, an outsourcer of American jobs, and someone who pays taxes at a lower rate (14 percent) than middle class income earners.

Romney lost the election in the American rust belt, the once proud industrial heartland of Michigan (where he grew up, and his father was Governor), Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and Illinois (home state to Obama).

The obvious question I have is, if money couldn't buy Romney the White House, did it buy it for Obama?

Wed, 2012-11-07 15:50

#10

Unionist

Oh you cynic, you.

Wed, 2012-11-07 16:50

#11

Bec.De.Corbin Bec.De.Corbin's picture

I can care less about all that stuff. I just want to know when I can smoke pot on my back pourch and not have to worry about the cops...

Oh and how about Wall Street today: what a great bunch of Americans they are...

Wed, 2012-11-07 17:06

#12

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Bec.De.Corbin wrote:

I can care less about all that stuff. I just want to know when I can smoke pot on my back pourch and not have to worry about the cops...

Oh and how about Wall Street today: what a great bunch of Americans they are...

No need to worry...The feds will not respect the vote and stop it before it even begins...

Wed, 2012-11-07 17:29

#13

kropotkin1951

Should be interesting to see what shakes out of the pot bag. Obama has engaged in stricter enforcement of the federal laws than his predecessors. Bec I think your pipe dream is still aways off.

Wed, 2012-11-07 18:19

#14

NDPP

Victory! For the Non-Resistance - by Glen Ford

http://blackagendareport.com/content/victory-%E2%80%93-non-resistance

"The More Effective Evil has trounced those Republicans with evi intentions. Folks who never made a single demand of the corporate, war mongering Democrats think they are some kind of victors. 'The non-resistors have won a non-victory against an unimpressive enemy,' while Obama plots new atrocities..."

Ass Won! By Linh Dinh

http://informationclearinghouse.info/article32966.htm

"Once again the world has witnessed the passion and faith the American voters have for war criminals and protecters of banksters. American democracy is like a restaurant with only two items on the menu, and no matter which you order, ass or pachyderm, you're served a toxic and bloody mess. Dissatisfied you must wait four years to order again, only to receive once more, a toxic and bloody mess."

Wed, 2012-11-07 18:44

#15

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

NDPP wrote:

Victory! For the Non-Resistance - by Glen Ford

http://blackagendareport.com/content/victory-%E2%80%93-non-resistance

"The More Effective Evil has trounced those Republicans with evi intentions. Folks who never made a single demand of the corporate, war mongering Democrats think they are some kind of victors. 'The non-resistors have won a non-victory against an unimpressive enemy,' while Obama plots new atrocities..."

Ass Won! By Linh Dinh

http://informationclearinghouse.info/article32966.htm

"Once again the world has witnessed the passion and faith the American voters have for war criminals and protecters of banksters. American democracy is like a restaurant with only two items on the menu, and no matter which you order, ass or pachyderm, you're served a toxic and bloody mess. Dissatisfied you must wait four years to order again, only to receive once more, a toxic and bloody mess."

Fair enough....but you're kidding yourself if you believe things would be better with Romney.

Wed, 2012-11-07 19:54

#16

NDPP

I believe no such thing...

Screw the Elections!

http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/11/06/screw-the-elections/

"...The system: the empire, the regime, the savage capitalism was murdering all over the world. Why waste time to study its mascots replaced anew every four or eight years? Fuck their elections!

The Triumph of Conservatism - by Tariq Ali

http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/11/07/the-triumph-of-conservatism/

"Obama's victory was no surprise. Agitated liberals, fearful that their man might lose or trying to save what was left of their depleted consciences, chose to paint Mitt Romney in garish colours, a satanic monster that had to be kept out of the White House. How lucky for liberals that Obama gave the presidency the power to execute any US citizen without any recourse to law. Had it been Barack Obama, the Democrats would have been baying for blood in the NYRB and the NYT."

Wed, 2012-11-07 20:28

#17

Boom Boom

Disgruntled Americans threaten to move to Canada after Obama victory

Most Hilarious Moving To Canada Tweets From Angry Americans

‘I’m moving to Canada,’ say disgruntled Republicans

How many republicans who promised to move to Canada if Obama won, will actually do so?

Wed, 2012-11-07 20:46

#18

NDPP

Romney already has a place here and has done for years...

Wed, 2012-11-07 20:59

#19

Boom Boom

I think it's in a place called Grand Bend (Ontario). Was on CBC last night.

Wed, 2012-11-07 21:04

#20

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Boom Boom wrote:

Disgruntled Americans threaten to move to Canada after Obama victory

Most Hilarious Moving To Canada Tweets From Angry Americans

‘I’m moving to Canada,’ say disgruntled Republicans

How many republicans who promised to move to Canada if Obama won, will actually do so?

They're not welcome here.

Wed, 2012-11-07 21:22

#21

Bec.De.Corbin Bec.De.Corbin's picture

We'll see what they do in Colorado and Washington states. Remember the Fed is pretty broke… I doubt they have the money to send more Federal marshals to enforce laws state and local police wouldn’t enforce (anymore).

I think President Obama would respect the people’s choice in states that legalize marijuana. He’ll probably handle it like he did gay marriage: let each state handle its own laws.

Wed, 2012-11-07 21:29

#22

Ippurigakko

Funny I remember my teacher told me about American woman (she voted democratic party) angry and unhappy about George Bush got another victory in 2004 she moved to Ontario (Chretein liberal year).

If republican move to here then 2015 will not Conservative anymore. XD

Wed, 2012-11-07 21:44

#23

NDPP

@ Bec

RIP Marijuana Prohibition

http://blog.norml.org

"The beginning of the end has begun.."

Wed, 2012-11-07 22:32

#24

SocialistJim

Boom Boom wrote:

I think it's in a place called Grand Bend (Ontario). Was on CBC last night.

Romney's Cottage

apparently its a cottage in Beach o'pines they have had in their family for a long time. It's about an hour away from where I live and have been there a few times.

nice beach on lake huron!

Wed, 2012-11-07 23:04

#25

JKR

If the Democrats are serious about implementing progressive policies, they'll reform the fillibuster rules of the Senate when the Senate convenes in January. The first few hours of the next session of the Senate will determine whether the Republicans can continue blocking real change in the US.

Harry Reid: Fix the Filibuster Now! - By Thom Hartmann and Sam Sacks

Quote:

On Day One of the new Senate term, there will be a small window of a few hours open for Harry Reid and Democrats to reform the filibuster and all it will take to do it is 51 votes – a simple majority. Considering Democrats could be entering the new Senate with as many as 55 votes, then this is a real possibility. They just have to have the courage to do it.

Thu, 2012-11-08 05:17

#26

Doug

Bec.De.Corbin wrote:

We'll see what they do in Colorado and Washington states. Remember the Fed is pretty broke… I doubt they have the money to send more Federal marshals to enforce laws state and local police wouldn’t enforce (anymore).

I think President Obama would respect the people’s choice in states that legalize marijuana. He’ll probably handle it like he did gay marriage: let each state handle its own laws.

The first part is likely, the second not so likely. The DEA will continue to pursue and prosecute people who produce and sell marijuana in those states. Not that there's a whole lot of choice. That's the law and I don't see how the votes would be there in Congress to change it.

Thu, 2012-11-08 06:32

#27

NDPP

The Special Interests Won Again - by Paul Craig Roberts

http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2012/11/07/the-special-interests-won-again/

"...What is curious is that voters don't understand how politics really works. They get carried away with the political rhetoric and do not see the hypocrisy that is staring them in the face. Proud, patriotic macho American men voted for Romney who went to Israel and, swearing allegiance to his liege lord, grovelled at the feet of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Obama plays on the heart strings of his supporters by relating a story of a child with leukemia now protected by Obamacare, while he continues to murder thousands of children and their parents with drones and other military actions in seven countries.

Obama was able to elicit cheers from supporters as he described the onward and upward path of America toward greater moral accomplishments, while his actual record is that of a tyrant who codified into law the destruction of the US Constitution and civil liberties.

The election was about nothing except who gets to serve the interest groups..."

Thu, 2012-11-08 08:34

#28

MegB

The rhetoric around both the campaign and its result is enough to make me throw up in my mouth. Since when did Democrat = liberal? And in what way did Romney "steer too far right"? His position isn't much different from any other republican who has run for the presidency.

All you able-bodied white guys out there have little or no clue how frightening the prospect of a right wing government actually is for people most vulnerable to their lunacy. Women, people of colour, children in low income families, people with disabilities, the homeless ...

Just listening to those sacks of shit talking about denying women their reproductive rights, criminalizing choice while simultaneously denying access to birth control, or even the fundamentals of sex education is, for most women, a nightmarish prospect.

Criticize Obama all you like, but keep in mind, if you've never had to use a food bank to feed your kids, if you've never had a serious illness, disability or mental illness, if you've never been the target of racism or sexism, you don' know jack about the implications of the election result.

Thu, 2012-11-08 09:01

#29

Slumberjack

People have been quite precise in detailing the implications of various election results here for over a decade. This is a mirror reflection of what republicanism demonstrates every day, except their message is that at least 47% don't have a clue about the real world.

Thu, 2012-11-08 09:13

#30

6079_Smith_W

@ Rebecca

Yup, exactly.

Sure we don't want to ruin the image of shady powerful interests controlling everything, or get fooled by anything other than real revolution that we're all patiently waiting for, but the fact is there are miniscule differences..

(ahem)

like people not being denied healthcare, and the interest rate hike Mittens was going to bring in on his first day. And the candidates' differences on restoring the tax base.

Oh, and speaking of that class war that this is apparently all about:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/49726054/

Thu, 2012-11-08 09:23

#31

Slumberjack

The same argument could be applied to any 'best of the worst' choice laid before us. We might as well bookmark it now and roll it out for inspiration the next time when our silly season election is upon us. In the meantime, this coming Tuesday at the White House, another list of targets will likely be signed off on that won't bode well either for anyone in the vicinity of the resulting explosions, regardless of their status.

Thu, 2012-11-08 09:33

#32

6079_Smith_W

Yes, sure.

I guess I'm just thinking small and imagining that the things that this election did change and preserve have any relevance at all.

Probably I should have done something more productive, like trying to convince my American friends to not vote. I'm sure that would have stopped the war machine dead in its tracks.

Thu, 2012-11-08 09:46

#33

NDPP

"...is it any better that they voted for president without having any idea of the monstrousness and horror they are thereby supporting? If anything, the willingness of so many to act without knowing what they are doing -- even when the systematic, daily murder of innocent human beings lies at the heart of what they are supporting -- makes it far worse."

To Honor the Value of a Single Life: The First Murder - by Arthur Silber

http://powerofnarrative.blogspot.ca/2012/11/to-honor-value-of-single-lif...

"Mulcair hailed the re-election of US President Barack Obama as a victory for 'progressive' forces and policies". Toronto Star

Thu, 2012-11-08 09:54

#34

Slumberjack

6079_Smith_W wrote:
Probably I should have done something more productive, like trying to convince my American friends to not vote. I'm sure that would have stopped the war machine dead in its tracks.

Instead, your suggestion would be to continue legitimizing the war machine? If we’re to understand selection or a refusal to select as the result of conscious, informed rationalization that takes into consideration the many variables accorded to either side, then those who refuse the options placed before us will undoubtedly have a few questions to ask of those who do not.

Thu, 2012-11-08 10:06

#35

6079_Smith_W

No, SJ

But an immediate stop to that machine through electoral means (including the strategy ot ignoring the election) was not an option on the table and we all know it.

There was however a clear series of choices which were influenced by the outcome of this election - some to do with policy, and some to do with more fundamental issues of tolerance.

As for continuing to legitimize the war machine, I could make that same argument about you turning your computer on this morning and supporting the power utilities and manufacturers that are tied in with the armaments industry.

Sorry, but it is nonsense. You can't just opt out and pretend that you are not involved, or that doing nothing because the real choices are complicated removes you from responsibility.

ALL choices are complicated, and there is no way you can disconnect yourself from them.

Thu, 2012-11-08 10:15

#36

Slumberjack

You could say, well, its better to support some semblance of health care, or the safeguarding of reproductive rights or to better ensure people won't go hungry at least, because the other monsters don't give a damn. It's difficult to argue against the instinct of self-preservation. The local is where it matters after all, where the rubber hits the road so to speak. The deciders in this society damn well know it, which is why they spend so much time having us engage with one another over vital, everyday issues, while their out of sight, out of mind murderous rampages occur elsewhere, without interruption at the source where such disturbing decisions are undertaken. Uninterrupted because we’re so exhausted and nauseated after struggling with one another over the localized and personalized threats being revealed to absorb our energy.

Thu, 2012-11-08 10:40

#37

Boom Boom

Thu, 2012-11-08 10:42

#38

NDPP

Obama Re-Elected - The Fightback Begins - by Billy Wharton

http://dissidentvoice.org/2012/11/obama-re-elected-the-fightback-begins/

"...On the healthcare front, four more years of Obama will mean that the terms of his Obamacare legislation will be frozen into place. The possibility of re-initiating grassroots campaigning for single-payer health care will be mostly foreclosed until the casualties of their new system emerge en masse.

Obama made sure to protect the pharmaceutical companies and further entrench private health insurers into the healthcare system. No wonder then, that a major health care company such as Kaiser Permanente lavished more than $500,000 on the Obama campaign while ignoring Romney. Private healthcare companies were the real winners in the first Obama presidency and they will continue to consolidate these gains in the next four years. Poor and working class Americans will pay the price for this..."

Thu, 2012-11-08 10:42

#39

6079_Smith_W

What.... so universal health coverage, a fairer tax system, and reducing discrimination against non-straights, women and immigrants are just a distraction from the one single real issue and a drain on our energy because we're so busy taking care of our little personal concerns?

Frankly, if there was one single real issue it wasn't the war. It was the Republican Party's focus on nothing but removing Obama from office, and their willingness to grind the entire government to a halt and wreck the entire country to do it.

Thu, 2012-11-08 11:13

#40

6079_Smith_W

Entrench them how?

By making them pay back money that they have overcharged?

By denying them the ability to refuse anyone they don't think they can make money off of?

This is a first step, and it is the only way this could have ever happened, and had this election gone the other way it would have been dismantled. I think anyone inclined to criticize it as less tham perfect should consider what it would feel like to be one of the millions of Americans denied coverage, who are at the risk of death or financial ruin when they eventually start having health problems.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/06/20/more-than-26000-uninsured-americ....

Maybe those of you who see Obama as just the lesser evil should start lobbying John Boehner and his Republican majority to keep up the obstructionism. Another 55 days and things are going to start crashing there, and it won't stop at the border.I suppose that would serve your purposes just fine.

In any case, if you really want to fight Obama there's your team right there.

Thu, 2012-11-08 12:02

#41

NDPP

Obama's not a 'lesser evil' he's a more effective evil...I adopt what Silber says in his essay above (#32). Shame on 'progressives' supporting such a warcriminal butcher!

Obama Again Admits His Health Care Law is Republican, Not Progressive

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/11/08/obama-again-admits-his-healt...

"One of my strongest hopes is that everyone in the media, especially on the left, can simply stop pretending the new health reform law is some great progressive victory. It is not. It is a conservative, pro-corporate piece of legislation.

Obama: 'We thought that if we shaped a bill that wasn't that different from bills that had previously been introduced by Republicans, including a Republican governor in Massachusetts who's now running for president, that we would be able to find some common ground there..."

Thu, 2012-11-08 12:04

#42

kropotkin1951

6079_Smith_W wrote:

Maybe those of you who see Obama as just the lesser evil should start lobbying John Boehner and his Republican majority to keep up the obstructionism. Another 55 days and things are going to start crashing there, and it won't stop at the border.I suppose that would serve your purposes just fine.

In any case, if you really want to fight Obama there's your team right there.

This is a nasty insult. But not surprising since you are given a free pass in your persistent game of poking left wing people in the eye. I will not respond in kind because frankly I presume that if I did I would be chastised for attacking you.

Thu, 2012-11-08 12:33

#43

NDPP

Assange: Re-elected Obama a 'Wolf in Sheep's Clothing'

http://rt.com/news/wikileaks-assange-obama-wolf-256

'It's better to have a sheep in wolf's clothing than a wolf in sheep's clothing,' he said. 'All of the activities against WikiLeaks by the United States have occurred under an Obama administration..."

Thu, 2012-11-08 12:40

#44

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

I know alot of Americans laugh at Europe for having dozens of different parties in government.

I think the real 'laugh' is the U.S. 2 party system...Especially considering the population.

Americans will continue to be stuck without any real choice,change or hope until alternatives are available....It's high time a third or even fourth party form and,most importantly, these new parties being part of all the televised debates as well as equal time in the media during elections.

Tuesday's vote was a stiff middle finger to the Tea Party...But the country is still mired in right wing supremacy and will continue to be that way until another party comes along.

Thu, 2012-11-08 12:58

#45

NDPP

From Liberal Victory to Disenpowerment in Six Easy Steps - by Glenn Greenwald

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/11/07-7

"...The political leader in whose triumphs liberals are today ecstatically basking is likely to target their most cherished government policies within a matter of weeks, even days....inebriated with love and gratitude for Obama for having vanquished the evil Republican villains, they will follow their beloved superhero wherever he goes with even more loyalty than before..."

Thu, 2012-11-08 13:05

#46

MegB

This election result wasn't about supporting Obama - it was about keeping Romney and his dangerously stupid policies out of the Whitehouse. That's what brought true progressives out to vote. It's not that they love Obama (that honeymoon is long over), it's that they know full well that a Romney administration would be a disaster at home and abroad. Having a Republican-dominated House is bad enough. Having a Republican president as well would see the US and Israel BBFs again, even more of a US military presence in the Middle East, and all of the disastrous foreign policy that Rebulicans are famous for. The notion that Obama is "evil" and a "war criminal" is ridiculous, and detracts from the very real complexities of governing a country in love with guns and violence and world power. You need to look no futher than to our own government for an example of dangerously stupid right-wing foreign policy. Harper is on a "trade mission" to India where, in reality, he is helping them escalate nuclear weapons manufacturing so that India will be well armed against Pakistan. Mutually assured annihilation in South Asia. And Harper is so very pleased with himself. Finally he's sitting at the grown up table of foreign policy. What a joke. But I digress ...

Thu, 2012-11-08 13:18

#47

6079_Smith_W

kropotkin1951 wrote:

6079_Smith_W wrote:

Maybe those of you who see Obama as just the lesser evil should start lobbying John Boehner and his Republican majority to keep up the obstructionism. Another 55 days and things are going to start crashing there, and it won't stop at the border.I suppose that would serve your purposes just fine.

In any case, if you really want to fight Obama there's your team right there.

This is a nasty insult. But not surprising since you are given a free pass in your persistent game of poking left wing people in the eye. I will not respond in kind because frankly I presume that if I did I would be chastised for attacking you.

I'm serious, k.

You want to actually stop the war machine rather than just talk about it? I don't see any practical way to do so in the near future other than to stop paying it. And the only thing that has come close to that is the deadlock in Congress which almost forced the government into a position where it could not meet payroll.

As for accusations of strange bedfellows. I didn't start that; that came with the accusation that support for an Obama win means support for U.S. military intervention. And no one should take what I said as an insult unless they are too proud to admit they share a common objective with people they don't entirely agree with. And frankly, that's the only way I am aware of to get anything done in the real world.

Speaking of cooperation, I'd much prefer that the House majority try to make some kind of compromise to actually keep government working, so believe me, I don't consider working with perceived enemies to be shameful, or any kind of insult.

I'm just saying that if you want the shortest path to shutting down the U.S. military, along with everything else, you might want to encourage them to hold the line on the game they have been playing for the past two years.

Thu, 2012-11-08 15:29

#48

onlinediscountanvils

[url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/nov/07/obama-progressives-l... Greenwald: Obama and progressives: what will liberals do with their big election victory?[/url]

Thu, 2012-11-08 15:57

#49

Polunatic2

Notwithstanding Obama's weaknesses, I still love the smell of republican defeat in the morning.

Thu, 2012-11-08 17:22

#50

Boom Boom

And, with Romney, you get the Tea Party and the Koch Brothers.

Thu, 2012-11-08 17:23

#51

Boom Boom

And, with Romney, you get the Tea Party and the Koch Brothers.

Obama Redux: Aftermath and Mourning After

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