Damn It. Taking The High Road Is Never "The Problem"

[Solomon]

I'm sick to death of all the ranting about trying to engage the republicans. What do you all want? Civil war? Nobody here would want to agree that democrats and republicans are just alike, just wearing a different color. (Yeah yeah, I know, the smartasses are hollering that they're all just alike) There are real philosophical differences between the parties. The constant call here for democrats to act like republicans is literally sickening. This is why we can't win for losing. Everytime we get somewhere, the call rises up to "fuck 'em", "roll over them", "treat them like they treated us". The irony is, this attitude, more than anything else, leads to blurring any distinction whatsoever between democrats and republicans.

Has Obama even been President for three weeks yet? Just like the primaries and the general election, the goalposts are continually moved for this guy. No matter what he does, and even when he succeeds at something, it's still not enough. I can see that this Monday morning quarterbacking is going to go on for 8 years, no matter what Obama achieves. I, for the life of me, can't understand why so many people want the democrats to start acting in a fashion which will re-energize and re-invigorate the republican party when the republican party is being absolutely destroyed by current tactics. It's mind boggling.

[stray cat]

1. There will always be outliers - but its time for people to come before party loyalty

and I think in the senate at least that there are moderate republicans who can be convinced to think and contribute rather than just playing the role of blind mindless opposition. There are some good ideas that moderate republicans may come up with - some of them are smarter and better informed in areas than I am and they still care about their working constituents.

[nichomachus]

7. I will believe it when I see it

I have seen no evidence that there are republicans who will put people before party. When that happens, I will agree with you. Right now, the GOP is continuing on its headlong rush to destroy working people for the benefit of corporations and the ultra-wealthy.

One or two may waver now and then, but I predict that they will continue to be not an opposition party, but an obstructionist party. They will obstruct any Dem plans -- no matter how beneficial they will be to the country.

[Solomon]

12. And in so doing, they will destroy themselves.

[nichomachus]

16. I will believe that when I see it

The MSM will do all in its power to blame all bad effects on the Democrats. In fact, they're doing it now.

I'll give you my brother-in-law's number and you can check. Name a problem, any problem, and he can tell you exactly how it was caused by the Democrats. He gets fair and balanced information - as do most Americans -- from Fox, Rush, O'Reilly, and the NY Post.

[Solomon]

18. And the media will take themselves down too. That part of it has

already started. If the media were soooo all-powerful, Obama would not be president. Contrary to the lie that's being dished out everyday, the media continually tried to tank Obama.

You say you'll believe it when you see it, but that's my point. We saw it over and over. Obama kept to the high road when everybody was crying for him to get dirty. Yet he won. In fact, ultimately, it is why he won.

[Clio the Leo]

2. And his desire to WANT to work with the other guys.....

..... will be one of the reasons you'll hear folks Monday-morning quaterbacking for the next *8* years (as opposed to four.)

"I have extended my hand to these guys for the last four years! And what did they do? They tried to mire the American People in partisan bickering!" .... that will be his campaign theme in 2012. Mark my words!

(and it will work)

[NJmaverick]

3. It seems to me that a good number of political people on both sides of the spectrum

are in it for their self interests. These are the self centered people that drag down politics. Their screams and cries tend to drown out the more rational people and those that follow principles beyond their self interests. Obama is the greatest hope to see people see beyond themselves, to serve causes greater than their own little worlds. I still believe change is coming, but as Obama warned it's going to be difficult and it's not going to happen overnight.

[Solomon]

4. Exactly. It's going to take some time. But unless we actually

go down that road, it will never happen. I know he's doing the right thing. Of ocurse I have experience practicing law where the ability to bring warring sides to the table is a plus. So I probabaly have a better perspective on it than most. Still, it's disheartening to wade through all the "fuck 'em" posts.

[DevonRex]

5. I agree totally. Thank you. nt

[baldguy]

6. If you don't want to be part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

Republicans don't want to be part of the solution.

[Solomon]

8. It still helps no one to say "fuck 'em." All that does is start a war.

You make the mode of operations the story instead of the recalcitrance of the republicans.

[geek tragedy]

11. The problem is that it's now a story about

Congressional Democrats and Congressional Republicans being equally blameworthy.

Because Obama himself refuses to side with his own fucking party against the Republicans.

[baldguy]

17. And when the Republicans stated objective is to see the country fail....

[geek tragedy]

22. No, they want a stimulus, they just want a good one as opposed

to this icky one that those tax-and-spend liberals in Congress came up with.

I mean, Barack Obama hasn't publicly criticized a thing they're saying, so why not keep on saying it?

[treestar]

9. That is a good point - if Dems act like Repukes, it really fuels

that cynical "they're all alike" bit from the Independents.

[geek tragedy]

10. The problem is that Obama is losing ground on the stimulus.

The Republicans are playing offense, Congressional Democrats are playing defense, and Obama is singing Kumbayah.

If his approach were actually working and we were seeing demand for a better bill instead of shittier, Republican-friendly one, there would be much less criticism.

[Solomon]

14. I disagree one hundred percent. Losing what ground?

Republicans are not playing offense, they are in dissaray. "If his approach were actually working..." Jeez, he hasn't been President for three weeks yet.
You guys kill me.

First Hillary, then McCain, then Palin, and now you. All complaining about Kumbayah. LOL Obama knows what he's doing. You guys don't have a clue.

[geek tragedy]

15. What's being taken out? Spending that helps

ordinary Americans.

What's being added? Tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts.

[4lbs]

21. The Senate just added an amendment that increases infrastructure spending by $25 billion.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28963701/

Besides, what's been "taken out" amounts to less than a billion.

[Solomon]

25. Excuse me, but Obama ran on a platform of tax cuts!

Is there something you didn't get about the campaign? The damn bill isn't even signed yet. It's not finished. Yet here you are hollering about spending taken out and more tax cuts. Did it ever occur to you that when you negotiate, you always throw more in the pot than you really want so there is something you can give up to put the onus on the other party?

Geez. I wonder why the republicans are squealing so loud since according to you, they are getting everything they want. They're "on the offensive", "they're winning", "they've got the media", etc.

The truth is, they are destroying themselves for years to come.

[SidneyCarton]

13. Certain people feel that the cleansing power of pure conflict is to be desired.

They have never had the benefit of living through an ideological Civil War, with all its attendant slaughter, ruin and horror. Others came to political consciousness during the last eight years, and actually think that the way Bush ran the country is the way it is supposed to be run, and that a shifting in the majorities means an exchange of abuse and punishment.

What they do not understand is that unless the destructive cycle of gridlock and partisanism is closed, it will lead to the utter and total disintegration of our nation. While some may think there is opportunity in such an outcome, the truth is all that will come of our reduction to a failed state is death, ruin and chaos, there will be no glorious utopian civilization built upon the decadent ruins of our nation, just anarchic violence and atrocity.

[damonm]

20. It's a damn shame...

That I can't recommend this post, 'cuz I'd LOVE to.

[SidneyCarton]

23. Thx.

:hi:

[Boomerang Diddle]

19. Well said! n/t

:kick:

[grantcart]

24. I think people are afraid it could be contagious.

Maybe a few Republicans will start doing it.

Might inspire some CEO's to do it.

Could spread all over the place even infecting our High Schools. THINK OF THE CHILDREN GOD DAMMIT!. How would a high school function if people were trying to take the high road.

If it spread to the general public you know that it would mean the end of the Porfessional Wrestling. Think of the economic consequences. What if it actually spread to international relations and cut into our arm sales.


We are going to stop this nonsense at DU. Its what we do. For the good of the country, the world.

[Solomon]

26. And you know damn well the republicans are afraid his inclusionary

tactics will work. What the hell will they do if they can't continue to play their little games?

I think we will find out in due course. I think Obama is destroying the republican party right in front of their noses.

[grantcart]

27. I think the most overlooked point of the whole exercise is the generational aspect

When I look at people my daughters' ages 18-29 there is nothing that the Republican party offers that has any interest to them or their friends.

Even those that consider themselves conservatives don't buy into either the homophobia or the anti abortions hysteria.


The vast majority are not particularly partisan and are completely repelled by Republican partisanism. As the electorate grows over the next 4 and then 8 years Obama has boxed in the Republican party vis a vis the younger generation. They will not respond to partisan attacks and if the Republicans try and join Obama in less divisive rhetoric they will only be perceived as weak kneed wannabees.


Again and not for the last time Obama is playing way ahead of almost everyone else.

[Solomon]

28. He's playing chess and a lot of people can't see it.