The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[scaeagles]

I have avoided any (much? can't say I haven't at all, but don't recall anything specific) complaining to specifically avoid the sour grapes charges.

I put a self imposed six months on it. Will be over soon enough. Maybe after the next 10 days I won't have anything to complain about. Not likely, but anything is possible, I suppose.

[innerSpaceman]

Something tells me, and I could be wrong, that this is going to be like the Republicans complaining about Clinton --- when Democrats' complaints about him were that he governed just like a Republican ... and left most of us scratching our heads about what Republicans were on about ... except just wanting to complain, or maybe expressing anger that Bill co-opted all their junk.


Essentially my complaints about Obama is that he's governing like a callous, corporate-tool, wealthy-first Republican ... though, like Bill, talks a forked-tongue sweetness of the oppposite to his intentions.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Essentially my complaints about Obama is that he's governing like a callous, corporate-tool, wealthy-first Republican ...

Let me just jump in here a second. I haven't read this thread much at all so if others have said the same (or argued against the same) I apologize for any ignorance on my part.


You know, I thought one-issue politics were supposed to have been proven to be counterproductive and poisonous.

Yes, I'm upset about the gay rights stuff. But to say he's governing like a callous corporate tool yadda yadda is just classic Steve hyperbole. He's running around pushing for health care for all. I know we've heard it a million times now and have forgotten how crazy this is, but remember, we're talking about HEALTH CARE FOR ALL IN AMERICA. This is a big deal, on many levels. And this isn't just talk. He is making it happen.

There are other ways I'm less than ecstatic about Obama. There are other ways I'm very proud of what's going on. But throwing out the baby (and his administration is still in the toddler stage) with the bathwater is just overdramatic black-or-white universe stuff, especially as we tread entirely new political paths, or at least, paths we haven't even considered since Nixon was elected.

[innerSpaceman]

I wish I weren't paying as much attention, but Obama's Chief of Staff, Rom Emmanuel, said two days ago that a public option for health care is likely out of the picture now ... and that the White House will likely agree to competition among insurance companies with a public option to kick in ONLY if it's "deemed" the insurance companies aren't competing honestly enough ... barely hidden code word for NEVER.

The public option which Barack has been on and on about was ALREADY the compromise from single-payer health care, which roughly 80% of Americans want. That was ruled off the table from the get-go. So now the insurance companies are getting their way, it looks like, in eliminating the public option which they claim will put them out of business. Pfft, my hyperbole skills have nothing on the insurance industry.


Something like $700 billion was given away to wall street investment banks with no strings attached. Obama haranged Congress to pass the bill without even reading it, telling them failure to do so would lead to, and I quote, "economic catastrophe." Seems my hyperbole skills have nothing on Obama either. Result of this boondoggle? Credit markets have not loosened up - banks merely pocketed the money, or used to pursue acquisitions in other parts of the world. Oh, and barely 3% of loans approaching foreclosure have been renegotiated to keep people in their houses.


How are these not the acts and telegraphed intentions of a corporate-tool, weatlhy-first president?


What about his backsliding on the Guantanemo prisoners? There are conflicting statement this week from the Justice Dept and the top military brass on whether evidence obtained through torture will be admitted. Why is there no clarity on NO IT WON'T. And, most disgusting of all, the administration now says many of the "enemy combatants" will simply be held forever without charge.


Bush Much? What the Fvck, OBAMA????


Where's my one-issue politics? I haven't even mentioned the plethora of gay betrayals.

[Gemini Cricket]

One of my big projects today is sorting through thousands of pages of Paliamentary Debates for a certain South Pacific country. The country is basically a theocracy. Reading the debates is terrifying. These government leaders are trying to adjust laws so that they coincide with what the bible says literally. Terrifying... imho.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

One of my big projects today is sorting through thousands of pages of Paliamentary Debates for a certain South Pacific country. The country is basically a theocracy. Reading the debates is terrifying. These government leaders are trying to adjust laws so that they coincide with what the bible says literally. Terrifying... imho.

You've got it wrong. While it is in the South, Texas's shores are on the Gulf of Mexico which is connected to the Atlantic, not the Pacific.

[JWBear]

I too am getting very, very disapointed in Obama.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Have to say, it's a convincing post, .

[JWBear]

American experiences French medical system when he has to seek emergency treatment in Paris.

Link

[Morrigoon]

Originally Posted by JWBear

American experiences French medical system when he has to seek emergency treatment in Paris.

Link

Compelling. And one of the better accounts of care in another country I've heard (specifics, rather than generalities, will do a lot better job of currying my favor)

I don't even want to think of the medical bills my dad's going to have after his recent hospital stay. At least he's got medicare and supplemental insurance. If the same thing had happened to me, I'd pretty much have to declare bankruptcy. No other way around it. (And that's not fair to the doctors, who deserve to be paid for their work)