Community | July 25, 2011 | 233 comments

Obama is NOT “Caving” to Corporate Interests | MichaelMoore.com

source: http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/obama-is-not-caving

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figgdimension
July 25th, 2011 8:24 AM

By Jeff Cohen

In a campaign almost as frenzied as the effort to get Barack Obama into the White House, liberal groups are now mobilizing against the White House and reported deals that would cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits. They accuse President Obama of being weak and willing to “cave” to corporate and conservative forces bent on cutting the social safety net while protecting the wealthy.

Those accusations are wrong.

The accusations imply that Obama is on our side. Or was on our side. And that the right wing is pushing him around.

But the evidence is clear that Obama is an often-willing servant of corporate interests -- not someone reluctantly doing their bidding, or serving their interests only because Republicans forced him to.

Since coming to Washington, Obama has allied himself with Wall Street Democrats who put corporate deregulation and greed ahead of the needs of most Americans:

In 2006, a relatively new Senator Obama was the only senator to speak at the inaugural gathering of the Alexander Hamilton Project launched by Wall Street Democrats like Robert Rubin and Roger Altman, Bill Clinton’s treasury secretary and deputy secretary. Obama praised them as “innovative, thoughtful policymakers.” (It was Rubin’s crusade to deregulate Wall Street in the late ‘90s that led directly to the economic meltdown of 2008 and our current crisis.)
In early 2007, way before he was a presidential frontrunner, candidate Obama was raising more money from Wall Street interests than all other candidates, including New York presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani.
In June 2008, as soon as Hillary ended her campaign, Obama went on CNBC, shunned the “populist” label and announced: “Look: I am a pro-growth, free-market guy. I love the market.” He packed his economic team with Wall Street friends -- choosing one of Bill Clinton’s Wall Street deregulators, Larry Summers, as his top economic advisor.
A year into his presidency, in a bizarre but revealing interview with Business Week, Obama was asked about huge bonuses just received by two CEOs of Wall Street firms bailed out by taxpayers. He responded that he didn’t “begrudge” the $17 million bonus to J.P. Mogan’s CEO or the $9 million to Goldman Sachs’ CEO: “I know both those guys, they are very savvy businessmen,” said Obama. “I, like most of the American people, don’t begrudge people success or wealth. That is part of the free-market system.”

After any review of Obama’s corporatist ties and positions, the kneejerk response is: “Yes, but Obama was a community organizer!”

He WAS a community organizer. . .decades before he became president. Back when Nelson Mandela was in prison and the U.S. government declared him the leader of a “terrorist organization” while our government funded and armed Bin Laden and his allies to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan. That’s a long time ago.

It’s worth remembering that decades before Reagan became president, the great communicator was a leftwing Democrat and advocate for the working class and big federal social programs.

The sad truth, as shown by Glenn Greenwald, is that Obama had arrived at the White House looking to make cuts in benefits to the elderly. Two weeks before his inauguration, Obama echoed conservative scares about Social Security and Medicare by talking of “red ink as far as the eye can see.” He opened his doors to Social Security/Medicare cutters -- first trying to get Republican Senator Judd Gregg (“a leading voice for reining in entitlement spending,” wrote Politico) into his cabinet, and later appointing entitlement-foe Alan Simpson to co-chair his “Deficit Commission.” Obama’s top economic advisor, Larry Summers, came to the White House publicly telling Time magazine of needed Social Security cuts.

At this late date, informed activists and voters who care about economic justice realize that President Obama is NOT “on our side.”

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont -- widely seen as “America’s Senator” -- is so disgusted by recent White House actions that he called Friday for a challenge to Obama in Democratic primaries: “I think it would be a good idea if President Obama faced some primary opposition.”

Although Sanders has said clearly that he’s running for reelection to the senate in 2012 – not for president -- his comment led instantly to a Draft Sanders for President website.

Imagine if a credible candidate immediately threatened a primary challenge unless Obama rejects any deal cutting the safety net while maintaining tax breaks for the rich. Team Obama knows that a serious primary challenger would cost the Obama campaign millions of dollars. And it may well be a powerful movement-building opportunity for activists tired of feeling hopeless with Obama.

It’s time for progressives to talk seriously about a challenge to Obama’s corporatism. Polls show most Americans support economic justice issues, and that goes double for Democratic primary voters.

If not Bernie, who? If not now, when?
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233 comments // Obama is NOT “Caving” to Corporate Interests | MichaelMoore.com

  • hiv28years
  • teacherdave
    • +1
      teacherdave  

    • Democrats need to be speak with a united voice when we are accused of waging class warfare and say, You're Damn Right, and we are on the side of the people. Representing the people who have too long been abused by the wealthy. We are at war with those who have denied the common worker a decent wage, heath care, and an equal voice in our political system. The
      "free market" really doesn't care about these issues and therefore will bring the end to any marriage between Democracy and Capitalism. One of these have to go, and I'll be damned if it is at the cost of democracy. My voice will be heard.

    • 10 months ago
  • jsayler
    • +3
      jsayler  

    • Although I am not sure of the President's true interests, I feel that he is the only game in town that can win against the wrong-wingnuts of the Republican party. My hopes will stay optimistic in Obama's allegiance. It is in the GOP's best interest to divide the Democrats even further and I want to hope for the best. Beit Pollyannaism or whatever, I choose to believe in the Democrats as the party that is more in line with what is needed for the masses and for the physical environment that will keep our children and their children free.

      The Republicans are now pursuing enactment of legislation that will limit the rights of citizens and give more to corporations and to those who benefit from the destruction of the middle class family. The jobs that Republicans only hope for are those that are at the lowest wages with the fewest benefits and the lack of ability to survive into "retirement" that will not exist under the Republican plan.

    • 10 months ago
  • hurleyburly
    • +1
      hurleyburly  

    • Wow..I don't think I have felt this disheartened in a long time. I would be thrilled with a primary for the President. He's had some success..but, he's been far too willing and happy to throw his base under the bus as needed. I won't be funding the DCCC or the DNC or BarackObama.com...no more money..but, unless something dramatic happens...they will have my vote. Yes, I will be holding my nose.

    • 10 months ago
  • figgdimension
  • thedirtman
    • +1
      thedirtman  

    • I don't know why anyone should be surprised by this. He was talking hope, not opportunity. Most of his book was about his life, not so much his vision. The Obama presidency was never a response, more of reaction to the troubled Bush era.

      We should be grateful we are no longer being taken off a cliff.

    • 10 months ago
  • nikonwilly
  • ithink
    • +4
      ithink  

    • I like Bernie Sanders and it appears many on here do too.Now how many in the senate and house are like him and how many in the senate have jumped on his band wagon ?You people on here who are real democrats get off this idea that it,s President Obama fault that things are like they are.Our problem is not the president it is congress.You need to be letting your state democrat party and the people running in the next election know it,s the Bernie Sanders type you want.Spend the months until the next election learning who the candidates are what they have did and stood for in the past then when you get in the voting booth it won,t be just a name on the ballot it will be a vision of the person.

    • 10 months ago
  • kvb1
    • +4
      kvb1  
    • ithink:

      I have said this many times, and, I believe, Obama said that many times in the run-up to the 2008 election. Unfortunately, too many Blue Dogs were in Congress for BHO to be effective, if that is what he wanted. The President can only provide leadership, and sometimes, pressure on Congress to act. It is Congress that must pass the legislation for it to be law.

      I feel that Bernie Sanders would be the greatest President ever, if he could get elected. However, he would get no support from Wall St, so that money would be out. He would get no support from the middle because he was a Socialist while in the Vermont Senate, and he would only have the progressives on his side. He would get as far as Dennis Kucinich did in '08; not very and totally ignored by the MSN.

      No the fight has to be in local Democratic Parties. Progressives need to take over those parties like the TP did the RIPublican Party. That is the only way we will fix this country and bring it back to the leader of the economic and free world.

    • 10 months ago
  • MikeMaddigan
  • figgdimension
  • shanghaiz
    • +2
      shanghaiz  

    • No one gets to be president who is not already bought and paid for. And if the media can't get enough people to roll over and play stupid, they just out and out fix it. How the hell did George Bush get to be president for two terms? I still have a hard thinking that a voting majority of Americans are that stupid. Maybe I am wrong and we get the leadership we deserve. .

    • 10 months ago
  • nikonwilly
    • 0
      nikonwilly  
    • shanghaiz:

      Florida was handed to Bush when his brother, Jeb feloniously discredited thousands of votes primarily headed towards Gore. There's much more to this than a few "chads"!
      There are also many dumb Americans too. :)

    • 10 months ago
  • nanac
    • 0
      nanac  

    • There is a multitude of propaganda out there trashing President Obama, and it apparently is getting to the weak minded Liberals/Progressives.Weak minded Liberals caused George Bush to served two terms.
      The media has been anti-Obama from day one, because they don't want to see him succeed.
      Together we stand, divided we fall.

    • 10 months ago
  • unimatrix0
    • +3
      unimatrix0  

    • It is in the right wing's interest to divide the left. The right wants progressives to challenge Obama in the primary, run a third party candidate in the gen. election, etc.

      Please do not be stupid. Too much is at stake. Working against Obama is working for the Rethuglicans.

    • 10 months ago
  • nanac
  • tomoni
    • +1
      tomoni  

    • We all got swept up in the hope and change b.s. We all found out that Obama was just another politician who had to get elected so he rubbed elbows with the money men. They all do and they always will until we get some real campaign finance reform! I still think he's an honest man who's doing the best he can with this gridlocked congress. He can only do so much I'm wondering what's it gonna take for average Americans to actually get angry and do something besides sit on their ass and bitch. Everyone wants to blame the president but we should be blaming ourselves.

    • 10 months ago
  • nanac
  • figgdimension
  • EdJoyProductions
  • Leen61
  • jubal
  • PressCore
    • +3
      PressCore  
    • jubal:

      Exactamente. It matters naught what political label anyone afixes to him.
      Or whether he's left wing or right wing. Both wings are still part of the same
      bird, and without meaning to sound too vulgar, we're still getting that same
      bird shoved up all our asses. No mater what Moore tells us to believe, I'll
      reserve the right, as always, to make up my own mind in defiance of ANY
      external mind control. The facts consistently tell me Pinochiobama is the
      same Corporatist puppet that Bush was, that Clinton was, that Bush Sr.
      was, that Reagan was, that Ford was, that Nixon was. W/only 1 exception
      Jimmy Carter, every president since the JFK/LBJ administration has been
      a Corporate clerk & tool. They tell them to jump, and they only ask how
      soon and how high. They saw what JFK got for his real courage in ending
      the Monopoly of the Fed banksters with Executive Order 11100. And for
      defying the Big Oil Bushes in seeking to end the Vietnam War before it
      got out of control. And for defying the CIA's Bay of Pigs operation to
      invade Cuba without his authorization. And for his A.G. brother being
      honest enough to prosecute the mafia. I shook Bobby Kennedy's hand
      when his motorcade passed our high school in 1965. Saw him brush
      back the cowlick of hair that fell in his face, as he grinned at me giving
      me eye agreement for my sincerity. The USA has been under constant
      seige ever since those dark days when the CIA's Manchurian Candidate
      mind controlled assasins offed my teenage heros. Nobama caves all right.

    • 10 months ago
  • figgdimension
    • +2
      figgdimension  
    • PressCore:

      I Hate the CIA and what we tried to do in Cuba disgusts me. Our Imperialist aspirations perhaps have finally caught up to us.CIA's power and influence can be seen and felt worldwide They are our secret WAR starters the incognito front line of our corporate war-mogering we suck!

    • 10 months ago
  • Schnookums
    • +3
      Schnookums  

    • I often tell people (when asked) that I voted for Obama, but have never been a supporter of his presidency.

      Before November 2008 was out, he already had me questioning his REAL commitment to the American People because of his nomination of Timothy Geithner to Treasury. I knew that day that Obama was never going to be a visionary President of any sort or kind. History will note him, of course, but not for fighting for economic justice for the vast majority of the American Citizenry.

      Thank you Mr. Moore for reminding us that Obama's transition to the true corporate cheerleader we see today occurred a long time ago.......and like most party candidates, this fact was merely 'marketed' over.

    • 10 months ago
  • PressCore
    • +4
      PressCore  
    • Image
    • Schnookums:

      http://current.com

      Yes, indeed. Geithner sat on the Trilateral Commission whose goal it is to
      achieve 1 World Uber Bank seeking to print currency for all the countries
      of the world whose central banks are owned by the international cabal of
      Banksters foreign to their own nations. Eg, the Rothschilds, whoi own the
      Fed they slipped into the USA in 1913 after greasing the Congress and
      hoodwinking Woodrow Wilson( which didn't take much; he was a tool also )
      One of our current.com community members, Revken, suggested I Google
      up their website, and check them out. And especialy to note who sits on
      their present Comission as members. Very enlightening. All the New World
      Order Billionaire Rockefeller family is represented there, as is H.R.Rep
      Rangle from New York (whom Congress had up on ethics violations yet
      couldn't expel him, or force him to resign), and other infamous identities.

      The Trilateral Commission has, as it's logo, a globe of the entire world
      with itself as a 4 headed Greek Hydra monster ruling over it. Real sweet
      hearts aren't they ? Their goal as the 1 world supreme uber bank is to
      short issue currency for all the nations who's traitors sold their Soverignty.
      In that way, they can blackmail almost any nation to kowtow to their policies.
      Because if they don't, they're plunged into Depression so deep that, since
      they no longer have any control over their currency supply, they can't pull
      out of their nation wide Depression by arming for war to put people back to
      work as the USA did from 1936 through 1939. From 1932-1936 even FDR's
      Work Projects Administration, Civilian Conservation Corps et al were not
      enough to recover from the Fed/Goldman Sachs' insider trading deliberately
      caused to first crash the Stock Market in Oct.1929 then collect a whopping
      40% of all the Gold Bullion coins, worth Trillions today, then after hijacking
      40% of the Treasury in circulation in those days, to export the looted Treasury
      at Grand Larceny to Rothschild owned banks in France & Switzerland. (I've
      been to Geneva to see them 1st hand showcased in Credit Suisse bank
      display windows. It was this hijacking of the USA's wealth that shorted the
      money supply to such an extreme that it cause 35-40% unemployment. Back
      then Gold money was so valuable, if you were paid a dime sized Gold coin,
      upon cashing your payroll check at the bank you were doing fairly well.

      The Fed/Goldman Sachs Wall st investment bank comprises much of the
      Trilateral Commission. They know that if the Trilateral Commission can't
      successfuly blackmail the U.S. Government to follow it's policies, it can use
      key members who sit on it and in Congress to muster support for using the
      U.S. Military to invade and war against any nation that opposes the 1 World
      Uber Bank. These Baksters have the same ambition as Hitler, Mussolini,
      Tojo did. They just don't want to have to take risks or clean up after the
      mess. They make the B.I.S., with it's colorful History of laundering Nazi
      death camp victims dental Gold. look like boy scouts. All it takes is another
      false flag like the 9/11 holocost to get the jingoism of the yellow journalism
      & public support. War is Organized Crime. Rolling Stone magazine in Sept
      or Oct 2006 reported that a military style operation looted the Bagdad
      central bank's Gold depository OVERNIGHT after the Army Core of Engineers
      declared it structuraly unsound after USAF war planes had targeted it. Takes
      a long time, and a lot of practiced exercises to execute a manuver like that.
      Gold is twice as heavy as lead, so it takes the beefed up suspensions of
      military trucks to haul away $20 Billion in Gold Bullion bars for exportation.

      As I speak, Paulson, who with Bush helped embezzel $2.6 Trillion from
      the Social Security Trust Fund to fund the false flag invasions of Iraq &
      Afghanistan to loot their countries in Bush's Piracy R US regime, is in talks
      with Geithner to propose that Paulson's bank Goldman Sachs merge with
      the Treasury. Goldman Sachs was criminaly investigated by the S.E.C.
      and found to have deliberately engineered massive mortgage securities
      Fraud by selling worthless junk bonds to fund them. Former H.R.Rep Allen
      Greyson exposed the Fed/Goldman Sachs corruption connection as one
      hand wahing the other in Winter 2010 on HD NET World Reports channel.
      Bernie Sanders Fed audit recently exposed that the 2008 bank bailout of
      Goldman Sachs which Bush's crony Treasury sec.Paulson engineered cost
      the USA a whopping $16 Trillion (instead of $.75 Trillion as Paulson told us)
      as Bernanke was secretly printing QE1 to distribute loans to foreign banks
      and well to do American Corporations. Paulson & Geithner (former Fed exec)
      - the neocon Banksters. When the word came out before 9/11 that Rum Lot
      announced $2.3 Trillion of DoD money was " missing ", I figured that was a lot.
      It IS all the incoime tax the U.S. takes in in a whole year. Geithner & Paulson
      give the old phrase " robbing them blind " a whole new meaning. Snookums, I
      wanted to post these facts under Jubal's and your posts specificaly because
      you're sane. As for the Nobama synchophants, a word from the 1960s rock
      group of Pete Townsend, Roger Daltry et al known as the Who: " But we know
      that the hypnotized never lies " Moral of the story is you can teach a parrot to
      talk but you can never teach a parrot to reason. Heh.

    • 10 months ago
  • nikonwilly
  • figgdimension
  • ecoalex
    • 0
      ecoalex  

    • O is consumed like most all politicians with reelection .He started this quest before he assumed office.He has consistently betraying his base and many notables like Cornel West,Aurthur Steiglitz, chosen to follow the corporate contribution cash . He has joined the dark side.Too many examples show this clearly,yet some people still wish to believe,their right.Like faith,it is irrational,abhors facts ,science,Obama has sold us out.If it walks like a duck,quacks like a duck ,it is a freak'n duck.

    • 10 months ago
  • Straighttalker
    • +1
      Straighttalker  

    • jackshin: As humans we changed our minds based on circumstances. I'm sure you have done that before. While I agree I would prefer he not touch SS or Medicare, I can understand but not agree with him. But, that does not make him a bad person.
      We disagree with our loved ones on issues, but we still some them.

    • 10 months ago
  • warman1138
  • Straighttalker
  • Straighttalker
  • figgdimension
  • Straighttalker
    • +3
      Straighttalker  

    • Disagree. He only agreed to a cut in Social Security because he wanted to have an agreement. I personally disagree with the president for that compromise. However, he has rejected that issue, and went back to his original position.
      If you listened to his remarks this evening you will gather that he will not cut Social Security or Medicare. He has rejected the cut, cap approach advanced by the Republicans.

      If what the article is saying was true a deal would of already been forged.

    • 10 months ago
  • jackshin
    • +1
      jackshin  
    • Straighttalker:

      now it begs the question which word will he stick to. And doesn't it bother you that Obama is so cavalier about people's livelihood, like they can be dealt away, and won back with another hand,

    • 10 months ago
  • mybologna
    • +1
      mybologna  
    • Straighttalker:

      Bullshit. He only says what he has to say in order to get gulible liberals to vote for him. If he had conviction and sold progressive ideas to common Americans, not only would I vote for him again, he would win in a landslide and have wide support for his policies. Instead we get "I'd like to do this and that but the republicans are too mean, boooh hooo..." If he would have fought for real progressive policies in the begining there wouldn't be a republican majority in the house. Did he say medicare for all? No, instead he sold us all to the insurance companies.

    • 10 months ago
  • Georgia_Jim
    • +1
      Georgia_Jim  

    • Great read! This Article is so true!! Obama would be the only Dem President in history to cut Social Security and Medicare just to make a deal!!!! You can't tell me Wallstreet does not have something to do with this!!! I hope Obama is not just another bought politician but it sure looks that way!!!!

    • 10 months ago
  • outofbounds
    • +3
      outofbounds  

    • The Republicans and corporatists want Obama out of office. They are spending gazillions of dollars toward that end. They have put a huge and growing system in place to get the GOP back into the presidency so they can continue their power grab. If you want Obama out of office you are aligned with what they want. Coincidence? I think not.

    • 10 months ago
  • Kylee_Darwin
  • outofbounds
  • Bmad
  • jackshin
    • +2
      jackshin  
    • Bmad:

      exactly, at least if you push a viable alternate choice during primary season, Obama might actually be compelled to do something. I just don't understand how it is a problem to see if America would perfer another choice. And after the primaries, I would be more than happy to get along as I have before.

    • 10 months ago
  • Kylee_Darwin
    • +3
      Kylee_Darwin  
    • outofbounds:

      I usually vote third party. I imagine my political leanings are quite different from the majority of people posting on Current (as I am libertarian), but I got tired of the lesser of two evils choice years ago. For this upcoming election, the only "major party candidate" I'd vote for would be Dr. Paul if by some miracle he made it on the GOP ticket, which I highly doubt seeing as the GOP establishment does not like him.

      Regardless of my political affiliation, I think it's a shame that people feel forced to vote for the candidate they hate least, rather than one they actually like. I wish more people voted their conscience and didn't so hastily push aside candidates that aren't already bought by corporations and part of the establishment.

      And I will second jackshin's statement - if major party candidates see support growing for other candidates (third party or other candidates in primaries), they will often wise up to some issues that are important to the public and pick up some of the policy stances those candidates represent.

    • 10 months ago
  • figgdimension
  • cw1545
    • +1
      cw1545  

    • The basic fundamental concept of economics implies market systems will eventually collapse. The concept of compounding interest basically suggest that money( which is supposed to be a medium of exchange for goods and services) can self-replicate.

    • 10 months ago
  • mspray11
    • +3
      mspray11  

    • I really think that we ought to pass instant runoff voting system for the general presidential election before we start splitting the progressive vote. Think about the numbers and the logic. Are we really going to hand an election to the Rethugs? Do the math!

    • 10 months ago
  • jackshin
    • +1
      jackshin  
    • mspray11:

      absolutely agree, and if I might add voting in ranking or run-off system is something that even the teabaggers would prefer. After all the pukes are just as scared that the teabaggers will divide them. So in essence both parties will experience a splintering of their membership.

    • 10 months ago
  • figgdimension
  • Earl_Dixon
  • figgdimension
  • dinm76
    • +1
      dinm76  

    • Three Cheers! The Progressive battle will NOT be lead to victory by Obama. Thats the truth, pure and simple! I never thought I would live long enough to see a democratic president cut medicare and social security!

    • 10 months ago
  • ZiggyStrange
    • +5
      ZiggyStrange  
    • dinm76:

      I guess you are about 12 then because that is exactly what Bill Clinton did. Obama has not done this. You are a little premature on top of being wrong. But why let facts get in the way of a good propaganda orgy?

    • 10 months ago
  • figgdimension
  • Earl_Dixon
    • +7
      Earl_Dixon  

    • Short sighted to say the least, as pointed out in a few comments the entire system is corrupted and it matters not who sits in the White House because the game is rigged against us. All of these grand statements about a candidate for the people are worthless; you don’t get to sit at the table with the big boys unless you’re willing to do the bidding of the rich. Not a conspiracy type person, but last I remember JFK went against the rich military industrial complex and its many private contract supporters. Not saying we should give up, but we have to figure out a new plan, putting all our hope in one person to change the world created by greed, corruption and blood money will not be easy. We need to focus on brainstorming a solution that benefits the people, and closes the door on the rich who are sucking us dry. 14 million unemployed and counting, we need a better plan then “out with the old in with the new” that has not worked.

      The best way to stop a vampire is to cut off the blood supply, which happens to be our hard earned money. Maybe we should attack those attacking us which would be the banks, keep the minimal amount in the banks, stuff your mattress if you have too, buy your own safe and keep your money close. Destroy the American dependence on credit, pay cash and keep it moving. Invest in a bike peddle your ass to work, drive 2 days less per week, increasing your money, save on gas and increasing your overall health. These are just simple things with no long term research to back them up, but it is a start wouldn’t you agree? The only way to slow the rich is too reduce our dependency on the corporate products. The challenge has been made, post more ideas of how we can fight back, if we all add ideas we can create an SOP to win this fight.

      All I know is we can’t keep doing the same thing and except a different result.

    • 10 months ago
  • DudleyDooleft
    • +3
      DudleyDooleft  
    • Earl_Dixon:

      Well said Earl, your comment gets a way UP there from me.
      I'm off topic but,,, Wouldn't it be nice to be able to coordinate an effort to boycot particular corporations. One way we can do that is to BUY AMERICAN, that would eliminate some of our money going to these greedy American corporations that sent our jobs overseas. It helps American small business, union and some nonunion workers, carbon footprint, it couldn't hurt. It takes a little more effort and time but it is worth it. Big or small purchase I always try to buy American and usually do.

    • 10 months ago
  • demsbeans527
    • +4
      demsbeans527  
    • DudleyDooleft:

      To take it a step further, corporations are not the only moneyed class that supports Republicans. I recently ran across a list (fluff piece) of celebrities who are proud Republicans. Jessica Simpson, Bruce Willis, 50cent, etc. I have personally decided that I will not contribute a dime to their products if they vote for this madness. Why should I support them when they forward my support to those that are against me?

    • 10 months ago
  • figgdimension
  • figgdimension
  • wtthfkovr
    • +2
      wtthfkovr  
    • Earl_Dixon:

      Driving less is also good for the enviorment. You might also pick a no shopping day. Ive allready started asking merchants if they will give me a discount if I pay cash rather than use a card, surprisingly a lot are willing to do so

    • 10 months ago
  • DudleyDooleft
    • +3
      DudleyDooleft  
    • demsbeans527:

      Thanks demsbeans. Ya know, I could never quite put my finger on why I didn't care for Bruce Willis, it must have been that funky ass vibe coming from him! And I'll go even a step farther, being a NASCAR guy, it kills me that those people are almost all repubs, drivers, owners, sponsors, mascots and the cherry on top is, they have a deal with Mal-wart to sell their chinese junk, souvenirs etc. And I don't support Mal-wart, haven't for years. They set the standard for many of the ways companies abuse employee rights. They are the epitome of corporate greed!

    • 10 months ago
  • Earl_Dixon
  • Earl_Dixon
  • demsbeans527
  • teacherdave
  • timelord999
  • DougChristian
    • +3
      DougChristian  
    • timelord999:

      If you were a sensible person, you would see this disconnect and wonder if your "Obama is a Republican" narrative might have some holes.

      There's a broad spectrum between you and Warren_Merrill and the harder you work to divide that spectrum the more likely Warren wins and you'll be longing for the good old liberal days of Obama.

      Learn your own country. This degree of ignorance in a democracy is fatal.

    • 10 months ago
  • figgdimension
  • figgdimension
    • +1
      figgdimension  
    • DougChristian:

      Following blindly party lines because it makes you think your progressive is also a disservice to our sickly democracy that is this nation Democracy demands input and a willingness to look at things from others perspective I say again that it is healthy to question and inform dont try to hide the truth we all know its time to clean out the democratic party and why wait for the repubes to pick us apart come Nov better get your game right cause your defense of "what else can we do" is just not working fella people are fed up sir and why shouldn't they be these bastards are all on the take ..Sometimes I think we'd be better with a govt of the people not of the rich and entitled...
      o-(xx)-o
      o-(iiii)-o

    • 10 months ago
  • Warren_Merrill
    • -9
      Warren_Merrill  

    • Obama is a liberal. Look at his first two years in office. But Obama wants to be president more than he wants to be a liberal. He's willing to sell out to whomever it takes to maintain his position as president.

    • 10 months ago
  • tlbuffin
  • Warren_Merrill
  • ZiggyStrange
    • +8
      ZiggyStrange  
    • Warren_Merrill:

      There you go sticking both feet in your mouth right after pronouncing how you don't attack the poster but you so eloquently assail the position. A little hypocritical you think?

      My my Warren. Where does the bullshit end?

    • 10 months ago
  • figgdimension
  • figgdimension
  • tlbuffin
  • scooter3282
  • Warren_Merrill
    • -6
      Warren_Merrill  
    • scooter3282:

      Amp it up junior. I'm laughing at the way you follow me around the board. It's usually the behavior of fourteen year olds. It's incredible immature. I can make you dance any time I want. I post. You dance. Dance little Pinocchio dance. It's amazing how I can manipulate you.

    • 10 months ago
  • scooter3282
    • +4
      scooter3282  
    • Warren_Merrill:

      Actually I haven't responded to one of your equally ridiculous posts in months, Einstein. You responded to one of mine last. I'm just here to point out what a joke you are and it seems you just need reminding from time to time. Mr. "I never resort to cheap insults". I think it's you that needs to hit the practice field. You manipulate nothing but the inside of your very small mind. If there was much in it, we'd be treated to your vast wisdom from time to time, and we never get it. It's you that wastes a lot of time here for someone who supposedly has so much to say with nobody to say it to.

    • 10 months ago
  • figgdimension
  • tlbuffin
  • scooter3282
    • +2
      scooter3282  
    • tlbuffin:

      I know, tlbuffin. Calling me a racist just kind of pushed my buttons tonight. I'll do better in the future. One of my responses to him just got flagged so I guess I'm on notice. Kind of funny.

    • 10 months ago
  • tlbuffin
  • scooter3282
  • tlbuffin
  • scooter3282
  • noxidereus
    • +4
      noxidereus  

    • I have been saying this for a while now. At first I was all gung ho about Obama, but slowly realized the truth as described by this article (as well as other things). I hope there is a primary challenge to Obama and however unlikely I hope whoever it is beats Obama, as I cannot and will not bring myself to ever vote for Obama again.

    • 10 months ago
  • figgdimension
  • Leen61
  • Fishinflick
    • +8
      Fishinflick  
    • Leen61:

      As long as we accept the politics of image rather than the politics of action, we the people, are doomed. Pressure from outside the system must be brought to bear upon the system.

    • 10 months ago
  • Leen61
  • figgdimension
    • +4
      figgdimension  
    • Leen61:

      Thanks leen yea Im at a loss on this we need real progressives and real democracy not games and charades(Ive gotten madder and madder) not throwing the elderly ,unions,sick,children,and everyone else under the bus except corporations and mega-rich then who cares who has the presidency matters not one iotta apparently the WARS go on the DEATH goes on the lies the fear-mongering the frightening of the elderly for kicks Im pissed fuk Obama and his empty cheap promises he sure came through for WALL STREET then he's all BALLS when its fighting for keyesian policies and trickle dow jones economic voodoo
      I can take no more , oh i forgot the big one SOCIAL SECURITY!!!!!!!

    • 10 months ago
  • figgdimension
  • Leen61
  • Fishinflick
    • +3
      Fishinflick  
    • figgdimension:

      We pay for political corruption with our lifestyle choices, Ethos makes a good case for fighting bad companies in the marketplace, without much detail on the who's (bad) and how's (alternatives). But that alone won't change things fast enough. But it's a start – shop responsibly.

      Your body fights illness by heating things up, getting a fever, driving the virus out of an inhospitable environment in which to thrive. Our political body is being made ill by corporate corruption - primarily the financial sector - a virus that affects economics and the environment - pretty much everything if you think about it. But society has not yet even shown signs of a fever - no heat, no outrage, so a political overthrow is a long, long ways off.

      We first have to stop thinking in terms of labels, branding and all the tricks of the trade in the hyped up media commercialism that attempts to define us, for both political and commercial ends. We must recognize our unity across the spectrum in terms of where we actually are today. The toxins in your well due to hydro-fracking don't care if you're a conservative or a liberal. The junk and toxins in food will poison you no matter what party you belong to. The bridge that collapses falls on people of no particular race. And joblessness due to outsourcing is an equal opportunity un-employer… We are not as different in social status as politicians or the media would lead us to believe.

      We have a messaging problem, politics and media working for corporations own our image of whom we are and label our message as radical, leftist, progressive, etc. We are at a point where progressive issues and causes should be presented as straight common sense, simply because they are. WI proves this. The only question, is how to define the message so everyone gets it, the only distance between us is abstract, an illusion. The right wing accuses the left of inciting a class war while they enable and actively promote it. Make it impossible for them to call the majority of people leftists, socialists, etc.

      To change the political direction we’re going, the issues must come before politics. The reality is that policy is an auction; issues are treated as an imaging problem. Hence the dog & pony show of politics divides and conquers while corporate rule thrives. Politicians disingenuously talk about bi-partisan “solutions”, while we should focus on bringing universal issues that affect the majority, um, to their attention… Treat both parties like they need to hear us, 2012 would be a good time and place to be, in person, disrupting their message, making them listen to ours.

      When business as usual is disrupted, traffic at a standstill, access to conventions impeded, false promises shouted down, outrage expressed loud and clear, the system will be forced to listen and react. Let’s talk overthrow if we can even get that far together - and then get no action.

    • 10 months ago
  • figgdimension
  • figgdimension
  • Leen61
  • Fishinflick
    • 0
      Fishinflick  
    • figgdimension:

      Yeah, I hear you, buying responsibly is now kind of automatic, and our buying power is not the force it was.

      Brainwashing is done through repetition, and it's hard to beat the repetition of "no taxes" - but even so with the tax issue - people are outraged the 99% pay a 30% tax, and the top 1% pay a 15% tax. So successful messaging is not all that hard - with repetition.

      All the messaging should be class war & corporatist vs the people. The Dems won't touch it, and it affects us, it's our message and when times are tough uprisings gain steam. It's really ours to use or lose.

    • 10 months ago
  • squarethecircle
    • +4
      squarethecircle  

    • left/ right who cares....they are paid by the same people...the ones with all the money. The tact divide and conquer has worked beautifully for them to this point and most don't see it at all. Anyone trying to stand for people and planet will be first discredited then shot.

    • 10 months ago
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