Obama tells powerful lobbies: Bring it on

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

President Barack Obama challenged the nation's vested interests to a legislative duel Saturday, saying he will fight to change health care, energy and education in dramatic ways that will upset the status quo.

"The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long," Obama said in his weekly radio and video address. "But I don't. I work for the American people."

He said his ambitious budget plan, unveiled Thursday, will help millions of Americans, but only if Congress overcomes resistance from deep-pocket lobbies.

"I know these steps won't sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they're gearing up for a fight," Obama said, using tough-guy language reminiscent of his predecessor, George W. Bush. "My message to them is this: So am I."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090228/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_lobbyists

---

Keeping Promises
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/28/Keeping-Promises/

[bluestateguy]

1. Any American who goes against this president is a traitior

It's really that simple.

[biopowertoday]

5. So Russ Feingold is now a traitor!!

I think your broad-brushing is off tract to say the least.

[Snarkoleptic]

87. Mebbe he meant trader (as in Wall St)...nah, it's foot in mouth time.

I'll get the popcorn.

[No Elephants]

9. That's one totally creepy assertion.

[inna]

106. exactly. nt

[14thColony]

13. Over-the-top when the Republicans said it

Over-the-top when we say it.

[Demit]

14. What a stupid thing to say. Unless 'traitior" is a different thing from traitor, of course.

[zeemike]

15. That is not exactly true.

Some of them have just been duped and are now waking up from there mesmerized state.

[salguine]

22. Ann? Ann Coulter? I knew that was you!

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kablooie]

31. Umm, that's Bush's philosophy ...

but any American who goes against the president had better be ready to vigorously defend his case.

[krkaufman]

33. Easy, tex.

Disagreeing with Obama,now, is no more traitorous than disagreeing with Bush 8 years ago; or even 7 years ago.

30+% of the public didn't support FDR, but only a tiny percentage plotted the overthrow of the government. Dissent is an exercise of freedom. In this case, freedom to present oneself as an outdated moron -- see: Jindahl.

[insanity]

42. Ick.

Let's not pain with the broad brush of the Bush Administration.

[Iggo]

52. DISSENT IS TREASON!

Oh, wait a minute. No, it's not.

That's crazy talk.

[grahamhgreen]

66. R U joking or some kind of right wing plant?

[greguganus]

72. Are you sure you posted on the right site? n/t

[bluestateguy]

77. I HOPE EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT I WAS KIDDING

Geez.

It's a running joke, and I've been doing it all over DU since January 20.

Calm down.

[ReliantJ]

83. Loosen up

some DUers get angry so quickly. Loosen up

[dorkulon]

93. I'm still heartened by the reponse you got.

Glad no one agreed with you.

[KurtNYC]

140. and I'm glad I have that poster on "ignore"

saves my adrenaline for better uses.

[inna]

122. whew, thank you for clarification. nt

[Autonomy]

128. It's interesting

If Bush were still president, no one would have taken your comment seriously. Obama is president, and they go ballistic. It seems to imply that some might think that your post has some credibility, ironically.

[Mark Twain Girl]

136. LOL, ok, didn't see this -- I did think you were serious and I've heard things like this! nt

[Donnachaidh]

81. excuse me, but are you just back from CPAC?

That's the sort of lockstepping bullshit expected from them. That will NOT work here.

[DissedByBush]

88. I am going against him on one front

He is not saying "Bring it on" to the RIAA and MPAA lobby. He has hired their top lawyers to top positions in the DOJ and has given no hint he will do anything to slow their stranglehold on our laws.

[dorkulon]

92. Wow. Are we the freepers now?

I just want you to think for a second about what you'd say to someone who said the same thing about Bush.

I know, Obama's better than that, but still, calling political dissent treasonous is just never right.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

99. That's exactly what it is, and I plan to fight for him tooth and nail

.. and come next election, I'm going to fight twice as hard to get him re-elected.


Every morning I'm filled with joy that we have such a man. I feel so fortunate.

[960]

129. wow

:wow: :wow: :wow:

[Mark Twain Girl]

135. Yuck. I always suspected a bunch of folks felt this way. Dissent=treason. nt

[midnight]

2. He is getting warmed up -I hope. When the real business

of leveling access to medical treatment for everyone occurs, other than the powerful and the connected, he might have to tell the insurance co. to go find another line of work. I hear we are having a shortage of nurses. The news/commercial tells us the same old song and dance they want us to think is the "real" problem. Long hours, and stress. Really? I know all those folks on Wall Street have long hours and stress. But there is not a shortage of Bankers. Because the real problem is this. There are very few bonuses. Pay is not as good as it is for the bankers. It pays some of the bills. There are few retirement packages. ETC......

[harun]

6. My wife is in Nursing school. It is brutal, expensive (many of the books are over $300 each)

and what they need to achieve virtually guarantees half of them will not be able to finish. I am not saying it should be easy but they have made it impossible for enough nurses to graduate to meet the demand.

If you notice any of these "sit-coms" with doctors, they always yell at the nurses and treat them like as if they are ignorant and the doctors are all portrayed as god's. The doctors advising these shows do this to try and keep their elite status. Many of the doctors I know will say Nursing in many ways is more difficult than being a doctor, albeit some of the schooling doesn't take as long.

[No Elephants]

10. I had a catastrophic illness. Docs cut and prescribed, but nurses kept me alive 24/7. Bless

your wife and all good nurses.

Sounds as though those book prices are part of a racket and some protests are in order.

P.S. And they were very understaffed. In the Rehab Hospital, sometimes there was 1 nurse and 1 or 2 aides on the whole floor during the 3 to 11 shift, when dinner service and bedtime meds have to be part of patient care.

[scytherius]

39. Let me second that about nurses

SO many nurses, over the years, have been life savers. The true unsung heroes.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

95. they should get paid the same as doctors

[dixiegrrrrl]

79. Maybe there are used books online?????

My son got some of his books thru online shopping, good used prices.

[harun]

90. We keep checking every semester. They haven't had any of the big ticket books

online as used. I think they need to pass legislation that forces them to use the same book for at least five years. This would ensure at least some classes would have a stock of used books available.

[WriteDown]

91. And vet school is harder than med school....

And just as expensive.

[Enthusiast]

116. NO vet school is harder than med school!

Where are you coming from? Wake up.

[WriteDown]

134. My sister who is an oncology vet.....

You do just as much training over many species. Also, you can expect your salary to be significantly less.

This forum touches on the points.

http://www.valuemd.com/veterinary-medicine/94043-harder-get-into-vet-school-than-medical-school.html

[Laelth]

26. That's exactly what we have to do.

Get insurance companies out of health care. They need to find another line of work. How about we assign them the task of propping up failing banks? Perhaps they should sell deposit insurance?

:dem:

-Laelth

[Enthusiast]

117. Exactly!

What do they do to deserve their cut? Absolutely nothing! They shuffle paper, deny care and collect FREE money.

Cut the motherfuckers OUT! And now!

[Turborama]

3. Sent to The Greatest Page with the greatest pleasure n/t

:fistbump:

[Psychic Consortium]

4. If they are smart, they will not take on Obama

who will wage a fight to the finish to protect the American
people.

Obama will always give everyone the opportunity to do the right
thing, to act in an honorable way. If that does not happen
then the opponents will go down. Big time.

We have a leader who takes his vow to the American people seriously.
He works for us.

[Jackpine Radical]

28. I think your description of Obama's master-tactic is exactly right:

"Obama will always give everyone the opportunity to do the right thing, to act in an honorable way. If that does not happen then the opponents will go down. Big time."

That is exactly what he did on the stimulus package. Offered some compromises, showed a willingness to negotiate, and when the Republicans sat it out, he did it without them. (Entirely in the House, all but 3 in the Senate.)

The other part of his master-tactic is that he doesn't move, and especially, he doesn't shoot off his mouth, until he has all his ducks taped--uh, I mean in a row. I must say he surprised me with how quickly he's out the door with this challenge, but now that he's done it, I expect some very fast action to follow. In its timing, I think this is intended as a surprise attack. Harry and Louise aren't even back from vacation yet.

[awoke_in_2003]

50. You finally let that duck go? nt

[Jackpine Radical]

60. That wasn't me, that was Graywarrior. I spent years following her around

freeing her duck, only to have her tape it back up again.
http://www.picturethisgallery.com/Artists/Bullas,%20Will/Duct%20Tape%20Unbound.jpg

[awoke_in_2003]

68. That's why I must have associated

your name with her pic :)

[Jackpine Radical]

101. That poor duck. I want you to know I don't torment ducks.

Republicans, sure. Jehovah's Witnesses,* of course. Maybe even cats. But not ducks.

*Whenever they come around, I offer to deprogram them for reduced rates.

[awoke_in_2003]

109. Not the kitties

:) I saw quite a bit of your and hers back and forth on the duck- quite funny. I guess seeing the duck above your name (since you were replying) is what made it stick :hi:

[Psychic Consortium]

130. You are 100% correct.

Like in the campaign, Obama is underestimated by his opponents.
They are off guard to a large extent and blind sided by Obama,
they never knew what hit them.

Also, Obama will give people enough rope to hang themselves.

And yes, there is a great deal of Obama behind the scenes activity as you say. By the time Obama goes public with an issue, most of the work
has been done. The battle is over. Then it is time to watch
the ensuing masterful show.

President Obama will fight to the finish anyone who is corrupt,
greedy, dishonest and is hurting America or the American people.

President Obama is the epitome of a polite, civilized, sophisticated 21st century leader. However, when dealing with people
who are on the wrong side of the angels, or who threaten this country,
there will be a side to him that is very powerful, swift, and takes no prisoners.

[The Stranger]

62. The question we must answer: how to prevent the Whore-Media from Misrepresenting Obama to the people

The Right Wing Hate Cult will be spewing pro-Big Insurance media 24-7, and the sheeple will repeat it and repeat it and repeat it and repeat it. They will never get the message that Obama stands for them?

Without the Fairness Doctrine, how do we do it?

How do we do it?

[whathehell]

78. That's a very good question.

[prostock69]

104. Obama will do it with numerous speeches and townhall meetings. It's a great

strategy. He's showing the American people that he's working for them and not hiding out in the White House like Bush did. I think Obama needs to use the media more to his advantage. He's needs to go on the offense instead of constantly being on the defense (defending his policies with Gibbs).

[NBachers]

111. He needs highly-placed cabinet members or spokespeople

to appear on local and national media outlets and push his message. Not the usual dim-watt equivocators; real dynamic communicators who can knock the media fascists on their ass in a discussion.

He also needs us to flood every print source with Letters to the Editor backing him up. There's a lot of Obama-hate mail flowing into newspapers. It gets printed. We need to outnumber them.

[Enthusiast]

119. NBachers, I agree with you

wholeheartedly! We need powerful communicators that can express our point of view. No wimp, no namby pamby voices, strong voices that are quick minded. These people we must recruit, and quickly. This should be a priority.

[Enthusiast]

118. I agree with you, Stranger.

The greatest challenge we face is the media. By far the media places more credence in the words of the Republican Party. Outside of two or three hours of progressive TV per day everything else is critical of Obama. This WILL have an effect.

[Psychic Consortium]

131. The pieces are in place already.

For quite some time now we have seen that everything
the opposition does, backfires big time.

They do not realize that the 20th century tactics
will no longer work. Obama is using a 21st century playbook
and they have not yet figured that out.

Obama toys with his opponents, gives them enough rope to hang
themselves. He is having a lot of fun right now.
But he knows it is deadly earnest, the survival of the
American people are at stake.

Obama is the perfect gentleman, he gives everyone
the opportunity to do the right thing, to serve the
American people with integrity and honor. If they do not,
it will not go well for them on many levels.

[Psychic Consortium]

133. The Media as we know it, will go down as well....

Obama does not need them.

He goes directly to the people and speaks to their hearts
and souls.

The Media is not needed for that communication.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

138. coool! I guess our problem is we want the media lies stopped right this minute...

but actually, the President's strategy of speaking directly to us all is what will turn the tide. Takes longer that way, but people only change their viewpoints as they see proof for themselves. I hate having to be patient, but it's a fact that for some people, it takes a long time to see it-- especially if your respected authorities are the ones who have been feeding you a warped picture all along. But, the only way for most people to REALLY believe that the media is lying to them is to see enough of Obama himself, without any go-betweens.

But I still wish we could dump these media sleaze-bags and hate-talkers right this second, and watch them relegated to cleaning city sewers. With an old toothbrush and their tongues. ;)

[Psychic Consortium]

141. Some things will take some time to unfold......

They will not end suddenly, but just gradually become obsolete, ignored, or unimportant.

Those still with a voice serve to embarrasses themselves.

If Obama's opponents were smart, they would stay quiet at this time.
Focus on doing the right thing, being of service to the American people,
and making nice with the new leader.

That is the way they can survive.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

82. Brrrrr--- goosebumps!

Because the truth in this post touches at a deep level.

When I think of how significant this President is, how he steps out of the old paradigm, how he is backing up his words with action, standing up to the old ways, with continued, expertly planned forward motion, the goosebumps get even more intense.

[Psychic Consortium]

132. Yes indeed. Even the most cynical are beginning to see this, feel this.

We are witnessing a master teacher and genius in the White House.

[Jawja]

7. "using tough-guy language reminiscent of his predecessor, George W. Bush"

I am already sick and tired of ANYTHING Obama does or says being compared to the Idiot Son, George W. Bush. I was treated to "Bushonian" last night by one of the Cable Gasbags in describing Obama's speech to the Marines in North Carolina yesterday about Iraq.

There are NO similarities between President Obama and George W. Bush; and this effort by the media to drum up some is preposterous.

[AlbertCat]

19. It's only "reminiscent"

Y'see....Obama uses complete sentences with a subject and a verb....that agree! Plus he means what he says and is not doing a cowboy act. They're only similar because they use "a", "an" and "the".

Bush's tough-guy statements were reminiscent of English and totally vapid. Actually I'm not sure Bush ever used "an".

[Iggo]

51. Bush used "an"?

I'll need proof.

:rofl:

[Jeep789]

44. My first thought too - Not at all reminiscent of the idiot nt

[demwing]

89. "Bushonian" sounds like Bush Onion

Both terms invoke strong, pungent odors, and both leave an unusual, unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Bush Onion


According to Wikipedia:
Its name in the Arrernte language of Central Australia is Merne yalke. In a neighbouring language, Kaytetye, it is called Erreyakwerra. Some Kaytetye, the Kwerrimpe women, have a bush onion "Dreaming" which involves the bush onion and the origins of the Kaytetye people and language. This means they have been given stories of the origins of the bush onion, and are entitled to tell these stories and paint about them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyperus_bulbosus

All Give Praise To The Mighty Bushonion!

BTW - search Google Images for BUSHONIAN and you'll see these:


and


Strange, ain't it, how depicting the President as an ape or a chimp had such a different meaning just a few months ago...

\\\


Ok I admit it, I'm pretty toasted right now......

[annabanana]

8. He's going to have to do some "broader" casting on this stuff...

He's going to need a stable of message carriers to go out and hit the talk show circuit. And they are going to have to hit it hard.

Barbara Boxer is good. Who else should be regulars on the squawk box?

[4lbs]

11. Christoper Dodd, Barney Frank, John Kerry, Maxine Waters, Chuck Schumer, Tom Harkin.

Add in Claire McCaskill and Governor Granholm of Michigan.

[No Elephants]

56. Some here don't like Schumer, but I think he does a decent

job on the talking heads shows.

On edit: Depending upon the subject and the audience with whom you are concerned, Ed Rendell can do a good job, too.

IMO, Kerry is brilliant and I love him as one of my Senators. However, he is good only when he remembers to use simple sentences and also to finish them before digressing to five other sub-points. Sometimes, he speaks like he suffers from ADD. (I should know. I have a pretty severe case of it..)

[Enthusiast]

121. They don't necessarily need be

political figures. Actually regular citizens would have more impact. We just need to find these talented people. Hey, they are out there.

[Enthusiast]

120. You are so right, annabanana!

There are gifted individuals that could do the work. We must recruit these people.

[Auggie]

12. Let's not forget Congress needs to hear from us

[Johnyawl]

16. You've hit the most important point, Auggie...

...WE have to have the President's back on this. President Obama is our leader, but we're all in this fight. Congress needs to hear our voice, and it needs to be loud, insistant and constant.

[scytherius]

41. Exactly! We MUST bombard them cause the Right sure will n/t

nt

[Auggie]

43. Start Monday. Democrats too. My rep gets big donations from Kaiser.

[Capt. America]

17. Good luck with that Mr. President, ask Hillary Clinton, Harry Truman, et al...

[defendandprotect]

20. In Truman's day, the doctors were frightened of having government as their boss . . ..

today they're frightened of having insurance companies for their boss --

insisting on LESS care for more money!

HRC was the wrong person to take on change to health care. I can't recall

the name of the former Senator who championed single payer health care at that

time -- at least national health care -- began with a "W" -- someone may remember.

Terrific guy -- naturally he was quickly gone from the stage.

The "vast right-wing conspiracy" can only prevail to a certain point -- somehow

information does get thru even tho they are blocking it at every turn. Their main

weapon is violence/intimidation. We have to find ways to back Obama.

[CLANG]

40. I think you're referring to Senator Wallrock

or is it Wellstone? Only the good die young. :(

[defendandprotect]

110. dupe

[defendandprotect]

112. No -- it was Harris Wofford . . . nice guy to have around . . . . .

Here it is . . . Harris Wofford who replaced Sen. John Heinz who went down in a plane crash --

Wofford was an adviser to JFK --- AND

Sen. Wofford introduced Sen. Obama in Philadelphia at the National Constitution Center before Sen. Obama gave his speech on race in America, "A More Perfect Union."

Biography
Harris Wofford was born in New York City in 1926. While attending high school<1>, he was inspired by Clarence Streit's plea for a world government to found the Student Federalists.<2> After attending the University of Chicago, he attended law school at Yale and Howard University. He served in the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War.

He began his public service career as an attorney for the United States Commission on Civil Rights, serving from 1954 to 1958. In 1959, he became a law professor at University of Notre Dame. He was an early supporter of the Civil Rights movement in the south in the late 1950s and became a friend and unofficial advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr..


Kennedy administration
Wofford's political career began in 1960 when he served as an adviser to the presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy. When King was imprisoned shortly before the election, Wofford persuaded Kennedy to call King's wife and offer his support — a move that helped shift the African American vote decisively in Kennedy's favor and may have won him the election.

In 1961, Kennedy appointed him as a special assistant to the President on civil rights. He also served as chairman of the Subcabinet Group on Civil Rights. He was instrumental in the formation of the Peace Corps and served as the Peace Corps' special representative to Africa and director of operations in Ethiopia. He was appointed associate director of the Peace Corps in 1962 and held that position until 1966. Wofford's book Of Kennedys and Kings: Making Sense of the Sixties details his years in the



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_Wofford

[Jackpine Radical]

46. I have come to believe that everything Obama does is measured and calculated

in terms of attaining his objective. He doesn't fire off rounds like this until he has his offensive ready. And not until he has exhausted reasonable efforts at compromise. I'm betting that he is now going ahead with a major move, is doing so specifically while he has the early momentum and favorability ratings, and that he already knows exactly were and how he will hit, and has his votes counted.

[defendandprotect]

18. Obama should be reminding us all of $8.5 TRILLION to bail out capitalism . . .

with another $2-3 TRILLION being asked for --- !!!

*****************************************************

Wake up, folks -- Capitalism isn't synomous with democracy, it's synonymous with

bankrupting the Treasury and fascism!!!

[jus_the_facts]

21. Talk is always cheap....he needs to walk his talk....

....I'll believe it when I see repercussions and ramifications of this talk.

[Cronopio]

48. Exactly. If he carries a big stick and is willing to use it appropriately ...

... he doesn't need to talk at all.

So far, his track record has been mixed. In the financial crisis, he's talked tough but has acted very tentatively. I hope that changes soon.

[bemildred]

23. "I welcome their hatred" -- FDR

"Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me--and I welcome their hatred."

http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/od2ndst.html

[Cronopio]

53. Obama doesn't just have to resign himself to making a lot of powerful enemies ...

... he's got to get very comfortable with it.

If he doesn't make himself a sworn enemy of the corrupt status quo, he *will* be an enemy of the solution. There is no way to play both sides of the fence anymore.

[whathehell]

75. When you read FDR, it is amazing how little has changed in the fight against the Right

His observations about them seem as relevant now as they did then.

Maybe Obama is this generation's FDR...One could hardly ask for more.

[SlowDownFast]

127. It's not [just] 'the right'. It's Pigmen Bankers. Lot's of 'em.

And they are only loyal to themselves.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

137. Also the same ol' back in Lincoln's day

though the pro-slavery, Conservatives were called the Democratic party back then...

I'm listening to Team of Rivals and the conservative tactics--lies, twisting the media, insistence on their divine righteousness, violence... all the same. And Lincoln managed the noise machine masterfully. I wonder when the switch occurred, where the Dems became associated with progressive causes, and the r's switched to the regressive? hmmmm...

(hey wth... I meant to reply to you but that thread but I was too late--it was locked. I wanted to talk about a point you were making that I hadn't seen.)

[BlancheSplanchnik]

84. thank you for this quote

very apropos.

Thanks for the link too.

:hi:

[nolabels]

24. Bull-ya, Mr Smith goes to Washington but this time as the President

I don't know that if i'd seen this movie yet, but at any rate it's good wholesome entertainment :popcorn:

[Laelth]

25. Wow! Just wow.

I hope he means it. At this point, I believe he does.

:dem:

-Laelth

[eauclaireliberal]

27. Well good news is that he didn't say that to al-Queda

like the previous, criminal administration.

[PhilosopherKing]

30. "So am I"

That's my President!

[veganlush]

32. he'll be able to do this huge job...

...and reverse the reagan reign of error only if there is obvious, visable support from the American people. It seems to me, this is a very important time for us to stand up in support some how..:fistbump: :patriot:

[w4rma]

34. Oh, heck yeah. Here we go. He's going to need our help. Big time. (nt)

[tavalon]

35. "I work for the American people."

Somebody pinch me. I have got to be dreaming.

[colsohlibgal]

36. A Very Encouraging Statement!......

....I hope he means it. It's about Time. Doctors want it, nurses vehemently want it, the public outside of vested interests wants it and needs it desperately.

What is going on now is so morally wrong....people being stonewalled for treatment and tests, or choosing between heat/food and medicine - while CEO's of some of the insurance companies and drug companies get tens of millions in payouts. It's the same desl - the filthy rich fleecing the rest of us, only in this case it can be fatal.

A lot of the economic pain now spreading across the land has roots back to Ronnie the "B' actor, but the health care mess has roots even further back, to tricky Dick. It's right there on one of those White House tapes, where Haldeman tells Nixon about this great new idea, HMO's, that can police treatment. Nixon saluted the idea and here we are all these years later.

[lonestarnot]

37. Damn commie!

:sarcasm: :bounce: :woohoo: :applause: K & R

[scytherius]

38. Just perfect! n/t

nt

[geckosfeet]

45. Well, the bait is being planted. Lets see if the mice walk into the trap.

[ldf]

47. i agree with bluestateguy, with some clarification

last night we got to see tom delay, on video at their conservafestpeprally PCP, CPAC, POOP, whatever their acronym is, say that he AGREED with flush limpballs, that he hopes obama fails. this is the direction the gop has taken.

anyone who hopes obama fails is a traitor.

we can disagree on the smaller issues, but NO ONE should hope obama fails. if they do, they do NOT put country first, but instead give their blind obedience to their hatred, greed, homophobia, anti-intellectualism.

these traitors need to be called such to their face. the limpballs, hannitys, savages, delays, plumber joes need to go down in flames. i'll be glad to help every chance i get.

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[No Elephants]

57. Hoping he fails is very different from disagreeing with him. I disagreed with Bush on, well,

probably everything, but I never once wished he would fail. I always wanted him to succeed because he was running my country, where my loved ones and I live.

[SemperEadem]

80. I would amend that to say that it would apply to

those who are elected to office or have media business concerning politics. The private citizen may enjoy the excericse of their conscience, but not a "courtier".

[SemperEadem]

85. The thing that is so striking to me about this

is that on the one hand, they are hoping for Obama's--and ultimately all of our--failure so they can score political points and dance on the carcass of the liberals/progressives, but on the other hand, they haven't got shit to put in his place. They've forgotten that Obama was voted in on a landslide.

any move the republicans/conservatives make now that isn't in line with the president is going to result in the permanent fracture of their party.

I find it rather amusing that Obama holla'd this when their loony fringe is in town for a barn dance. Bitches.

[AyanRand Is Dead]

49. I wish him the best.

I worry for his safety from the nutsos and powerful interest groups though.

[biopowertoday]

54. NYT: Health Care Industry in [SECRET] Talks to Shape Policy

BUT THE LOBBYISTS ARE PRESENT ALREADY.



February 20, 2009
Health Care Industry in Talks to Shape Policy
By ROBERT PEAR

WASHINGTON — Since last fall, many of the leading figures in the nation’s long-running health care debate have been meeting secretly in a Senate hearing room. Now, with the blessing of the Senate’s leading proponent of universal health insurance, Edward M. Kennedy, they appear to be inching toward a consensus that could reshape the debate.

Many of the parties, from big insurance companies to lobbyists for consumers, doctors, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, are embracing the idea that comprehensive health care legislation should include a requirement that every American carry insurance.

.........
The talks, which are taking place behind closed doors, are unusual. Lobbyists for a wide range of interest groups — some of which were involved in defeating national health legislation in 1993-4 — are meeting with the staff of Mr. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, in a search for common ground.

.................

While President Obama is not directly represented in the talks, the White House has been kept informed and is encouraging the Senate effort as a way to get the ball rolling on health legislation.

...............

“While there was some diversity of views,” it said, “the sense of the room is that an individual obligation to purchase insurance should be part of reform if that obligation is coupled with effective mechanisms to make coverage meaningful and affordable.”

The ideas discussed include a proposal to penalize people who fail to comply with the “individual obligation” to have insurance.

......................................

The 20 people who regularly attend the meetings on Capitol Hill include lobbyists for AARP, Aetna, the A.F.L.-C.I.O., the American Cancer Society, the American Medical Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans, the Business Roundtable, Easter Seals, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and the United States Chamber of Commerce.

[underpants]

55. NOTE to media-THAT is populism not some tired hack on CNBC

[crim son]

58. If there's any similarity between Obama and the shrub, it's

that they both speak with the conviction of their beliefs. The thing is, bush believed that 2+2=5 while Obama has a fucking clue.
GOBAMA!

[spamlet2002]

59. we'll see

well, to be fair, he was ready to stand against telcos and their lobbying for immunity. good on him, but cautiously optimistic.

[EraOfResponsibility]

61. Get ready for the fight of your life, Mr. President. We got your back

Well, at least SOME of us do... :eyes: Some of us will be whining and moaning and bitching...

[Friday]

63. A question

This is great and all, lobby's have too much control over our govt but I have to wonder when he is going to paint industrial hemp into his energy picture?

[SemperEadem]

86. as soon as you can convince the nanny brigade

that kids won't get high from its industrial uses.

[BreweryYardRat]

143. There's a quote I heard years ago that's stuck with me ever since.

Always thought it should get more publicity -- might help convince the Nervous Nellies that industrial hemp isn't a drug.

"You could smoke a hemp joint the size of a telephone pole, and all you'd get is a nasty headache."

[acmavm]

64. It's things like this that still make me believe that in the end this man

will do what's right and investigate the bush** admin. He has such a fine sense of fairness.

He's not a lib. He DOES seem have to have a progressive streak running through him, one that it seems he tries to keep tamped down and low-key.

No, too early to give up and say that he won't do what is right because he's done so much already that I believe that IF we stay on him, tell him that no investigations are unacceptable, he will let his sense of justice lead his admin down the right path.

Anyway, that is what I keep hoping for. Time will tell. But time is running...

[geiger]

65. I don't want to take away from the importance of standing up to some lobbyists,

but I don't like the language of your summary...."bring it on...?" a "duel," meaning one or the other will die?

Unwittingly, you may not be serving the process by using such inflammatory language.

While lobbyists shouldn't be writing bills (that is the job of Congress and its staff members), we all have the right as Americans to advocate for our causes.

The Republicans who are now whining about "not being invited to the table," essentially blackmailed lobbyists into giving them contributions for "a place at the table," sort of like "bring it on," but with an edge....

[grahamhgreen]

67. Let's get him on board with Simgle payer not for profit health care - HR 676

http://www.hr676.org/

"Health care is a defining right in a democratic society."

Congressman Dennis Kucinich

Check out some of the tremendous benefits that the new Medicare will bring and see what you think:

* Every resident of the US will be covered from birth to death.
* No more pre-existing conditions to be excluded from coverage.
* No more expensive deductibles or co-pays.
* All prescription medications will be covered.
* All dental and eye care will be included.
* Mental health and substance abuse care will be fully covered.(1)
* Long term and nursing home services will be included.
* You will always choose your own doctors and hospitals.
* Costs of coverage will be assessed on a sliding scale basis.
* Tremendously simplified system of medical administration.
* Total portability – your coverage not tied to any job or location.
* Existing Medicare benefits for those over 65 will be vastly improved.
* No corporate bureaucrat will ever come between you and your Doctor to deny your care.

[Enthusiast]

123. +1, grahamhgreen!

Get the profit motive out of healthcare and we are more than half way to correcting the problems. But these that profit have monetary prowess that are not easy to deal with. Now, as we speak they are mounting efforts to discredit Obama in any way possible.

[WestSeattle2]

69. This guy rocks...

It appears that we finally have a president who is more interested in saving this country than in pillaging the national treasury and transferring wealth to his cronies and network of familial thieves. I think the best way to support our president is to make the lives of our congressional representatives who don't support his efforts, so miserable they'll either succumb or resign. Let's face it, it doesn't matter if they are D's or R's, lobbyists pounding on their doors get their attention. We have to make ourselves more annoying and intimating than lobbyists with checkbooks. By protesting at their homes and offices, showing up at every town hall meeting they attend, coordinating internet messages, and bombarding their offices with phone calls, mail, and email, a message will be sent that the electorate is finally engaged and watching, and woe to the "representatives" who ignore this truth.

[LiberalPersona]

70. You tell them Obama!

It's time for the government to be put back to work for the people!

[Edweird]

71. "I work for the American people" Finally, somebody does.....

[Rosa Luxemburg]

108. It's taken a long time. We have waited years for this!

Thanks Barack Obama and Joe Biden! Don't forget Joe!

[JohnWxy]

73. ALRIGHT! We need a real public health care system. It would SAVE us money, strengthen our economy

and MAKE OUR BUSINESSES MORE COMPETITIVE in the World economy. Paying scores of insurance companies for health insurance coverage is wasteful and inefficient. -- not to mention the problem of leaving millions without coverage.

IT'S TIME TO GET SMART ABOUT HEALTH CARE - (if the humanitarian argument doesn't move you).

[Enthusiast]

124. Way to say to say it, JohnWxy!

Get the fuckin' profit motive the hell out of our healthcare!

[AllyCat]

74. Yes!!! Please fight these people. And be careful. They won't like messing

around with THEIR country!

Dang. I hope this gets some traction in the media (also part of the special interests IMHO).

[ProgrezivIndie]

76. let's all stand with him, and whoop some greed-mongering butt! k&r n/t

[brentspeak]

94. This is something of a pantload, as the Obama admin is supporting telecom immunity:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3758004&mesg_id=3758004

[spamlet2002]

96. like i said before,

if only he was so butch in dealing with the telco lobby and their immunity drive. supportive, but i'll wait for the action before applauding, thank you

[antimatter98]

97. This will be like injecting penicillin into a badly infected wound.

..because our government has become infected with lobbyists and special interests--such
as those from health care corporations, banks, investment houses, and the military industrial
complex, to name but a few.

To rip our government out of the hands of these groups and return it to the people is going
to involve a massive public relations war---we see the corps and banks already attacking
Obama, and of course, our 'media' such as CNN, FOX and CNBC, are mounting strong propaganda
efforts.

We as citizens need to take up the challenge, or we truly will allow the country to become
what the corporations and banks want it to become: a 3rd world nation. We're almost there as it is!

Good luck.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

98. Please write him and support him -

whitehouse.gov

I write him every other week. I let him know what I think. The e-mails are counted and he is given the number of letters of each kind.

Also, they select a few representative e-mails and give them to him for actual reading, since it's impossible for him to read them all, tho he wants to keep in touch with the people.

[rolltideroll]

100. We are going to see who really hold power in washington

This is going to be a bad fight. They got the money, he is the president, I hope it wins, but we have to support him because this is going to be brutal. Metalocalypse brutal.

[47of74]

102. About damn time

It's about damn time we got someone in Washington to stand up to these shit bags!

[quiet.american]

103. Colorfully and well said! nt

[pacalo]

105. Thank you, Obama! This is the character I've been wanting in a president.

Sticking to a principle that will benefit the little guys, not the corporations that step on the little guys.

When I worked as a secretary for a large corporation during the mid-'70s through the '80s, I believed then that giving tax cuts for the corporations was a good thing, that it would enable workers to get their well-earned piece of the pie. Not true anymore. That may have been a good, fair corporation back then, but from the facts that I've heard from people who still work there, it has gotten greedy & the employee morale is very low.

The corporate world needs shaking up badly -- long, long overdue.

[DutchLiberal]

107. I'll believe it when I see it...

Not a moment sooner.

Yes, I'm cynical. More people ought to be.

[spamlet2002]

113. exactly

it's not like he hasn't earned this. when he follows through, i'll thank him for doing his job.

[Helga Scow Stern]

114. Pinch me!

Is this guy for real? Or are we dreaming?

[Imagevision]

115. Now I understand why 'they' schedule Limbaugh to run his mouth off today

while Rushie cries foul that free speech is being attacked by the White House... )Rush, FU baby...!)

[Enthusiast]

125. He's up next.

Can you imagine giving him a platform on CNN? See, this is where we are at.

[SlowDownFast]

126. Then why has he surrounded himself with the 'status quo'?

All just jibber-jabber until I see some (read: alot of) perp walks concerning war criminals and financial entities.

And claw-back.

Lots of it.

[KurtNYC]

139. Obama did not use the words "Bring it on." Screw lying AP and their

anti-Obama slanted crap. How f*ing dare they put Bush's words into Obama's mouth.

[jeanmarc]

142. nt

Thank you Mr. President.

I'm thankful you will fight them.