Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

MRN: Obama PILE DRIVES Federal Workers

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Political Videos Donate to DU
 
joebaur42 Donating Member (346 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-30-10 06:40 PM
Original message
MRN: Obama PILE DRIVES Federal Workers
 
Run time: 03:01
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFzUHCSJk0o
 
Posted on YouTube: November 30, 2010
By YouTube Member: MildlyRelevant
Views on YouTube: 1
 
Posted on DU: November 30, 2010
By DU Member: joebaur42
Views on DU: 676
 
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010. President Obama freezes wages for federal employees, so China can’t make play-dough out of our backsides.

Mildly Relevant Sources: http://mildlyrelevantthoughts.com/2010/11/obama-pile-drives-federal-workers/
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
sulphurdunn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-30-10 07:13 PM
Response to Original message
1. What utter bullshit.
Freezing wages for federal employees is a purely symbolic gesture designed to pander to the Republicans and give Democrats cover for talking the talk about raising taxes on the uber rich without walking the walk.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
joebaur42 Donating Member (346 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-30-10 09:16 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. What would you do?
I doubt that when they made the decision they said, "Let's make a purely symbolic gesture designed to pander to the Republicans," but you are of course entitled to your opinion. Reports say it will cut $5 billion and $28 billion in five years. Do you consider this simply symbolic? Regardless, what would YOU do to cut the deficit?

Cheers!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
sulphurdunn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-30-10 09:47 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. That $28 billion you tout
will amount to another transfer payment from the middle class to the very rich. It will defray a mere fraction of the cost of the $700 billion needed to extend the Bush tax give away and is another shot aimed at public sector employees. Personally, I would be content to see an end to the hypocrisy of the Democratic Party symbolically wringing its hands over the decline of the middle class while its leaders endlessly propose measures to hasten that decline in the name of shared responsibility that is not shared by the wealthiest members of society.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
joebaur42 Donating Member (346 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-30-10 09:56 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. Not touting...
I'm just simply reiterating what the article laid out. It may not be as much as the $700 billion (which I also don't understand adding to our deficit), but it's something. We seem to have gotten into this mess partly because many of our leaders thought, "Eh! What's another few billion?"

As far as it amounting to "another transfer payment from the middle class to the very rich," can you prove that? As far as I understand, the money isn't going anywhere other than to pay off SOME of the deficit.

Of course it's going to be a very unpopular decision. The person in charge of taking money away from our pockets will ALWAYS be unpopular, but having that person is essential.

And now I'm sleepy...

Cheers!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
tedbear Donating Member (30 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-30-10 10:12 PM
Response to Original message
5. Fed workers freeze
Back in the day federal freezes were happening, I mean in the sixties and/or seventies. People survived nicely on govt paychecks in spite of the dreaded freeze. Plus, any effort is appreciated or should be appreciated.

The wealthy tax breaks have to denied - please say it isn't an option. Why isn't the Democratic Party getting tough with their people in high places about remaining mute publicly? The Republicans sure weren't ashamed of showing their greedy faces today in the press conference after the big meet with Obama.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
joebaur42 Donating Member (346 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-01-10 10:21 AM
Response to Reply #5
6. Well said!
I'm not a Democrat, so I'm sure they could care less about my advice, but it would seem to me that they should be winning the "bi-partisan" battle, yet some Americans still think they're ramming stuff down our throat. Why not show Americans, "Look, we wanted to end the tax cuts for everyone, but we're willing to compromise on keeping the tax cuts for the middle-class. Republicans aren't budging. We're willing to do the unpopular thing and freeze federal wages in hopes of making a dent in our deficit. What're Republicans wanting to do? ADD TO IT!"

Know what I mean?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
sulphurdunn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-01-10 11:49 AM
Response to Reply #6
7. Who's we?
Please explain how taking $5 billion from the pockets of 1.5 million federal employees is equivalent to rescinding $700 billion in tax cuts for the approximately 3 million wealthiest people in America and why the federal employees should chip in when the others obviously will not?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
joebaur42 Donating Member (346 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-01-10 12:55 PM
Response to Reply #7
8. I said...
That I agree that the tax cuts shouldn't be renewed earlier. I said I didn't understand adding that to our tab.

The private sector (those who have been laid off, received pay cuts) have already shouldered the burden. We're all in this together!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
sulphurdunn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-01-10 03:25 PM
Response to Reply #8
9. So, are you saying that becasue private
sector employees are suffering through no fault of their own that federal employees should too?

One night the Lord came to Igor in a dream and said, "It is a pity that your cow died. I have noticed that your brother Ivan's cow is still alive and well. Since both of you are good servants, and your cow died through no fault of yours, I've decided to grant you a wish. What would you like?

Igor said, "I want Ivan's cow to die too."
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Mon Jan 13th 2025, 06:16 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Political Videos Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC