Lather, rinse, repeat.
If you listen to the media, they'll foretell gloom and doom for Democrats in November because they just can't seem to knock down high unemployment. Not for lack of legislative effort, of course.
Forget that business is sitting on trillions in cash rather than hiring workers. Forget that profits are at record highs on the back of unemployed workers. Forget all that.
In other times, government jobs were created to get people back to work. Democrats have certainly tried to get bills through that would allow for more public jobs, but those darn Republicans slide in and stonewall until there's nothing really left of the bills that actually make it to Obama's desk, or they just die halfway to Obama's desk.
Via the Guardian:
The private sector actually gained jobs, 71,000 of them, and while that's an OK number, it's not good enough politically. The public sector lost far, far more jobs, though – mostly census workers, but also some of the teachers and firefighters and cops and so on who were laid off because Congress didn't pass a bill funding their positions, as the Republicans held it up.
And this:
Even so, it's a nifty trick, no? Vote against funding for public jobs. Watch them disappear. Reap political benefit as unemployment rate rises.
And this is for jobs that already exist, not new ones. But what really frosts me is how the narrative begins and ends with "Unemployment is high. Voters will hand the Congress back to Republicans."
Now go read Susie's post again. Are Democrats really just going to run around like whipped puppies and whimper rather than coming out strong about who is responsible for stubborn unemployment rates?
Really? Are we that stupid? That just sounds like a deranged form of collective Stockholm syndrome. There's no earthly reason why any Democrat, liberal or progressive on the planet shouldn't be opening their mouth and shouting about WHO is responsible -- not only as to the cause but also as to the prolonged effect. It isn't the President, and it isn't the Democrats.
It's the Republicans. Say it with me - The Republicans are intentionally stepping on economic growth and job creation for political gain. They are counting on collective stupid combined with amnesia to regain power they are not entitled to and should not have. REPUBLICANS. CONSERVATIVES. TEABAGGERS.
Prove this conclusion wrong:
The Republicans need to pick up 38 seats to win control of the House. Every month of red job ink gets them a little bit closer. Then they'll have to pretend they're interested in governing.
They are NOT interested in governing. They are interested in power, and money, and personal gain. They don't care whether 99ers starve in the streets if it buys them a vote or two.
Don't let them have it. And yes, let's start thinking creatively. Perhaps the old standbys just won't work this time.
This is exactly what Driftglass and Blue Gal talk about- it's Charles Manson's Helter Skelter.
Their best idea is to destroy the country so much, let the government and public fight it out, and take over in the chaos. That is, if they even want to "take over" at all. It's much easier to rule from the minority, apparently. They can prevent anything from happening, and never feel compelled to have any ideas of their own.
...who is not getting hired. I am fully aware of why. The jobe are going to those who used to teach but left for higher-paying jobs. Now they're back and willing to work for those low wages again. Newly-trained teachers such as myself and my classmates are simply SOL.
Thanks for keeping this issue front and center.
"Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given." --Unknown author, found in Guide to Texas Etiquette by Kinky Friedman
It is forty years of stagnant wages and exploding debt that is at fault, both the Republicans AND the Democrats have been on board this bus which has veered steadily towards the HAVES and steadily away from the HAVE-NOTS.
71,000 is NOT OK, but it is a mis-stated number, and even if it were complete it is still not nearly enough to keep pace with population which requires 125.000 growth per month.
The net number is 12,000. Calculated Risk which does the best reporting on this sort of thing, here:
http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2010/08/jul...
AND, the wages are deflating.
statusquObama, change you can only pretend in
1) This train wreck did not start yesterday; it's taken decades to mature.
2) It's a bipartisan train wreck.
When will government of the people, by the politicians, for the corporations perish from this Earth?
Not soon enough!
n/t
In the 1960s a CEO might make at most, THIRTY times his (and it was a he) lowest paid worker.
Today he (and it is still likely to be a he) might make ONE THOUSAND times his lowest paid worker.
The story of the highest standard of living in the world is certainly true for the Oligarchs, it is a MYTH for the rest of us.
statusquObama, change you can only pretend in
Pile of shite myth in the first place?
Always Vote No; Infuriate Dems; Reap Whirlwind.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/...
See Yves Smith on this nonsense here
Companies are low balling and using contract labor.
statusquObama, change you can only pretend in
hiring when these are your standards:
For Administrative Assistant:
Masters or PhD
6-8 computer programs
Reception, filing, composing & executing correspondence, phones,
accounting--P&R, office machine repair, computer science,
meeting & travel arrangement, cleaning office,kitchen & toilets,
HR,etc., etc., etc.
All for the magnificent sum of $10 an hour with little or no benefits.
(oh, yes...and be between the ages of 20 and 40)
Any questions?
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
...who will take that job, because it's marginally better than no job and they have student loans to pay. I can't, because I don't have all that computer science background...
I'm too old, too.
"Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given." --Unknown author, found in Guide to Texas Etiquette by Kinky Friedman
just toddle off to the old folks home and eat your pudding.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
But dont collect your Social Security until you are 70.
66 and 10 months. That's the only reason I'm still afloat. But just barely.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
Republicans want to drive down wages until we all earn the same as in Indonesia...$45 a day. It's the free market way.
Statement is correct. There is no free market, so you summarisation is incorrect.
But, I get the point and agree.
Some brainiac came up with the idea of hiring 200k worth of employees for $10 an hour - and who said their are no jobs?
More pain more pain!! Bring on the pain!
Only through suffering do the American People learn anything.
"Ironic, isn't it Smithers? This anonymous clan of slack-jawed troglodytes has cost me the election, and yet if I were to have them killed, I would be the one to go to jail. That's democracy for you." --Mr. Burns
Liberal and Proud......"Only through suffering do the American People learn anything."
Apparently not.
You omitted the first part of my post which is key.
If you've spent any time here at all, you'd know that my position is very simple. The American People only react to pain. Obviously, they have not suffered enough.
"Ironic, isn't it Smithers? This anonymous clan of slack-jawed troglodytes has cost me the election, and yet if I were to have them killed, I would be the one to go to jail. That's democracy for you." --Mr. Burns
liberal and proud..."If you've spent any time here at all,..."
That is an erroneous and just wrong observation, of yours. Just had to mention that.
You're refuting my past statements?
Really. Interesting.
You could actually look up all my posts. I'm sure the site monitors can assist you in that endeavor.
"Ironic, isn't it Smithers? This anonymous clan of slack-jawed troglodytes has cost me the election, and yet if I were to have them killed, I would be the one to go to jail. That's democracy for you." --Mr. Burns
No, damnit! I'm saying you are incorrect in implying I am not a 'regular' contributor. Nuff.
No need to be upset. You need to be calm...like me. ;o)
"Ironic, isn't it Smithers? This anonymous clan of slack-jawed troglodytes has cost me the election, and yet if I were to have them killed, I would be the one to go to jail. That's democracy for you." --Mr. Burns
I wonder if the population is so damnbed down that they have NO PAIN threshold at all.
I have absolutely NO doubt...Stupid, uninformed and just plain selfish and greedy Americans will entertain putting the rodents back in office...to their own peril....again!!
I keep reading the words "Americans" and "American People" here and I think this needs to be said. Just please understand that this is not race baiting or trolling.
You all do realize that the word American is still a euphemism for "white" right? This is important, because honestly, no one votes against their own interest more than white folks and all in the name of racism.
That's why all this rhetoric about racism is ridiculously important. Because as long as you have white folks still walking around with the mentality of "weuns is po but weuns is white" they are going to continue to vote for the GOP, Republicans, Teabaggers; anything and everything that resembles what should be called right-wing extremism - and what certainly should not count as legitimate political discourse.
We have to fight discrimination, prejudice, bigotry and racism. It's the stinking cesspool this country was founded on and we are on a precipice of destruction that only white people can fix - it's long past time racial rhetoric was a rallying cry for Republicans. White people are going to have to do more to put this type of thinking to rest.
White, Black, Brown, Yellow, Purple....If you are a stupid "American" then you are a stupid American. And America is over-run with far too many. This is simply a sad, but true reality.
I don't disagree that racism is a component, even a significant one, but it's not "all" in the name of racism. In this part of Minnesota there is a very small number of minority citizens. There is a definite vocal group of right-wingers, and when talk turns toward politics, there is a visceral hatred toward "tree-huggers" and "hippies" and other folks who want to take "their" taxes. There is hatred toward Obama, and perhaps some of it is racist in nature. But they haven't seemed to bring their anger quite to the level they had for Bill Clinton. Maybe that's because Obama has not yet had the success in turning around the economy that Clinton had.
I think nothing motivates these folks more than "us vs. them", and right now they see "us" as Republican and "them" as Democrat. What the majority of them do not realize is that the GOP propaganda effort has masked the true nature of the battle - it's not between conservative and liberal ideals anymore, it's between the wealthy and the far-less-wealthy. They are just blind to which side of the trenches they are truly on.
I do agree wholeheartedly that we have to continue to fight discrimination, prejudice, bigotry and racism. Even though we may not have suffered such injustices firsthand, some of us white folks do find such attitudes intolerable and are doing what we can to try to stamp it out.
Zach. When it comes to the "Clinton Prosperity," I have only one remark to encompass his 'accomplishments' in that area:
"Glass/Steagall".........repealed 1999.
The boom times of the nineties evaporated almost overnight when these important regulations were taken away. Clinton was doing everything he could to placate the Repugs-and-surprise!-they still voted to impeach him. So much for bi-partisanship. Obama's going to have to learn if he wants to get anything done and not piss off the people that voted for him, forever ruining his chances of a second term, he's going to have to find a way to get things done without the GOP, and then take to the TV and shout them down when they squawk. They're not your friends and they're not OUR friends either.
Richhase & Zach
I know you mean well....really....
But the "strangely colored people thing" - really - that is less than helpful.
As for Zach. I get that you think "us" vx. "them" really means "Repubican" vs. "Democrat" but from where I sit as an African American woman "us" vs. "them" is "powerful & rich" vs. "middle class & poor" and the very old schism of "white vs. people of color".
I'm sorry, but you simply don't see people of color voting against their own interest in the sheer millions of numbers that white folks do, and the fact that white folks are the majority does not account for this fact.
And as for you and others like you who find the old prejudices intolerable - it means more than you possibly know. But if you'd really like to do what you can to try to "stamp it out" don't dismiss claims of base racism and prejudice like mine out of hand.
If you look back through this thread - yes, even a liberal thread like this one, every time you see the word "American" or "American people" substitute the words "black". And ask yourself if those sentiments really apply to people of color - not just black folks. I think you'll find that even the most well meaning people use those words as a euphemism for "white" or "white Americans".
Yes, the country is run over by many stupid Americans, but I accuse white folks of being far more clueless about these matters than they should be - and willfully intentionally ignorant when it comes to voting in the best interest of us all when they think it might benefit people of color.
Sometimes, you simply have to call a spade a spade.
The geniuses in this country will do just that , I mean Bush got a second term , what more can be said ?
Insanity , it is what it is , there is no understanding it .
n/t
http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/czj...
"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
It is such a concerted effort; the corporatists (hoarding their money not investing or hiring) and the Republicans (slowing down any relief or reform) are STRANGLING the middle class and the Democratic Party.
Quite brilliant.
Quite sad.
Desperate. They're terrified that the Deomcrats who turned out in '08 will vote again.
"Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given." --Unknown author, found in Guide to Texas Etiquette by Kinky Friedman
believe that for a moment. I can tell you that independent progressives have given up.
You need a new third party, because the two existing ones clearly suck and totally corrupt.
So tell me. Why are progressives still considering to vote in this next cycle?
"Ironic, isn't it Smithers? This anonymous clan of slack-jawed troglodytes has cost me the election, and yet if I were to have them killed, I would be the one to go to jail. That's democracy for you." --Mr. Burns
to watch the Repubs' heads spin on their necks and smoke come out their ears. And the thought of letting the Repubs begin their new war with Iran makes me sick.
Oh...don't tease me.
What we get to see is more Harry Reid sweating while Mitch McConnell's cat plays with his nutsack, and Nancy Pelosi compromising away Democratic staples.
"Ironic, isn't it Smithers? This anonymous clan of slack-jawed troglodytes has cost me the election, and yet if I were to have them killed, I would be the one to go to jail. That's democracy for you." --Mr. Burns
ol hound McConnell lying and screwing us over on a larger stage. And the Dems living to higher principal and not doing to them what they did to the Dems. Another thought to disgust me.
But I'm only speaking for myself.
Gibbs is right. The "professional left" left will never be satisfied. Why can't you people be more like Joe Lieberman?
There is no hope for the satisfied man, and Joe is too easily satisfied just stroke his enormous ego some but don't expect anything in return nor any ideas of how to make anything better.This explains why he fits with repcons so well but since he can't decide whether to defecate or get off the pot he's going to remain stuck in that seated position with his pants down around his ankles for a long time until either death or irrefutable senescence finally does him in.
I'm still waiting for an answer from a conservative acquaintance of mine about what, if anything, conservatives and the conservative ethos have ever done for this country. If he ever gets around to attempting it it ought to be interesting.If Republican actions were a result of deliberate strategy decisions I think I'd look out for Young Lady from Niger consequences.
democrats are at least trying despite the head wind that the republicans have created. Not voting is the same as voting republican. If you let the republican win then you are incorriging them to continue with their bad behavior.
Sorry, English Nazi here.
Encouraging? Perhaps?
...
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
The post-WW2 economic bubble that created the so-called "American Middle Class" (ie, high-paid working class) was exactly that - an economic bubble.
That bubble has burst and the investment bankers are reaping their harvest.
When will government of the people, by the politicians, for the corporations perish from this Earth?
Not soon enough!
Repubs are positioning themselves between now and the end of the year for a winning position in respect to the Bush tax cuts.
Their view is that if there is no Bill that can pass Congress, then they win because all the tax breaks get repealed and the Repubs can run around loudly complaining about the Dems provoking the "largest tax hike in history".
And, they're counting on what's left of the Blue Dogs and the ConDems in the Senate to insure that just repealing the breaks on the top 2% won't pass.
In fact, listen as they are already demanding that the House not pass any legislation post-November.
Anyway, keep an eye on the GOP post-November tactics.
Repubs introduced a bill to adjourn the House from Nov 2 to Jan 3.
When will government of the people, by the politicians, for the corporations perish from this Earth?
Not soon enough!
.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
they need all that time off to recuperate.
Karoli you are exactly right. I had the same epiphany over the weekend. It's what I call the GOP's "starve the beast" agenda. Grover Norquist has to be slapping himself silly right now. I mean you can't shrink government smaller than a government which can't pay for its libraries, schools and police force.
Next step: our corporate overlords sail in to save the day ... for those who can afford it, of course. Everyone else can suck it, and the money keeps rolling on in.
The Republicans are intentionally stepping on economic growth and job creation for political gain.
Not entirely. My own Congressman, a "Blue Dog" Democrat, voted against that aid to sick 9/11 workers bill.
People said the Republicans voted against that bill because some illegal immigrants might get free healthcare, but that was just a ruse. The bill was paid for (imagine that! A bil that is paid for!) by closing a tax loophole which allows corporations to locate offshore and pay no U.S. tax.
Remember people: it's always, ALWAYS about the money. They don't give a crap about illegal immigration or English Only or abortion or any other "culture war" issue, save how they can use it to gain a political advantage. Always it's about serving corporations and the wealthiest elites. When you hear a Republican in Washington venting his or her outrage about some issue or another, always look for the money angle. Chances are there will be a multinational corporation behind it.
with Rethuglican....they are just DINOs because that's the only way they could win....probably against a REALLY egregious Rethuglican opponent.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
The Republicans are treasonous saboteurs , they have been out to destroy this country for the last decade at least , you can go back to Reagan actually , and they are doing a fine job of it thanks to the electorate in this country ... half being totally ignorant and unbelievably stupid . The only way the Repugs / Reich wing can win is through lies and sabotage ... and they know it .
Insanity , it is what it is , there is no understanding it .
You can thank Uncle Ronnie for that, too....he destroyed public education by pulling funding and eliminating things like Civics and Government from the schools....after all, Government was the scary and nasty thing we didn't want and should be afraid of. Consequently, the bulk of the people who are voting now are "totally ignorant and unbelievable stupid" because they were in school during that time.
Until we reaffirm the value of public education, and pry kids and young people away from electronic devices to read a book, we're pretty much f*cked.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
The systematic 'dumbing down' of America's children is by design. Incidentally, the 'dumbing down' doesn't stop with the children.
with the rest of the population.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
philosophy that says government is the problem. When you are in power you can use it an an excuse to drive the economy into the ditch and when you are in opposition you can use parliamentary tricks to keep it in the ditch. The Republicans have no policies and need no policies to solve the problems of their citizens. In a sense they rely on some conception of the invulnerability of the United States and this frees them to concentrate on their paramount concern which is getting elected. The problem with that conception is that there are real, dangerous and potentially catastrophic problems lurking out there and I can't imagine why anyone who sees that would consider for an instant allowing them a chance at getting back at the helm. Let's face it, that's where they do the most damage.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCMzjJjuxQI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqIIeGmhL2Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og4DeWFwnts
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Republicans behaving criminally.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
And the Democrats who enable them. NEXT! On FOX!
"Ironic, isn't it Smithers? This anonymous clan of slack-jawed troglodytes has cost me the election, and yet if I were to have them killed, I would be the one to go to jail. That's democracy for you." --Mr. Burns
Wait!! What do I have to decide?
"If you listen to the media, they'll foretell gloom and doom for Democrats in November" - BINGO, somebody finally said it !
The "media is working out of some misguided formula" that if you are in power(Democrats or Republicans) the other party WILL DEFINITELY WIN, but in that formula there is no room for variables like "being in a recession" or "the opponent party have gone NUTS and that is crystal clear to the public".
Get your lemonade, watch the traitors hang
Congress' TREASON have no boundaries, so does M$M's brainwashing/sidetracking
Republicans for Voldemort
Government does work, just not for YOU. Government work ONLY on the behalf of the Tycoons
Repeal stupid
...and I am willing to wager, effective.
American's are too damn dumbed down !!
"Say it with me - The Republicans are intentionally stepping on economic growth and job creation for political gain." - look up a little history: Bank War, Nicholas Biddle, Andrew Jackson
Does this remind you of some current Events ?
Get your lemonade, watch the traitors hang
Congress' TREASON have no boundaries, so does M$M's brainwashing/sidetracking
Republicans for Voldemort
Government does work, just not for YOU. Government work ONLY on the behalf of the Tycoons
Repeal stupid
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