How could a bunch of far-left lunatic moonbats, all filled with liberal angst

[Jackpine Radical]

and screwball socialist ideas possibly be the Democratic base?

Everybody knows the Democratic base is made up of insurance company shareholders & execs and Wall Street banksters.

Everybody knows you have to move to the right to keep them happy.

Everybody knows what the base really needs is a health care mandate. A public option would not be good for the base. It would cut their bonuses and drop the value of their stocks.

Everybody knows that the base wants privatization of Social Security.

Everybody knows we couldn't withstand the economic shock of an end to war.

[dionysus]

1. i think you oversimplified that just a tad...

:rofl:

[rudy23]

3. Yeah, he forgot to log in as "Dionysus" nt

[NightWatcher]

5. ouch

[spiritual_gunfighter]

32. and boom goes the dynamite! n/t

[Raster]

38. good lord, why would he want to do that?

[FLAprogressive]

51. we have a winner

[inna]

7. come up with corrections/clarifications, then.

[dionysus]

10. it's just a pile of sarcasm and pointing out obvious things. i think he also

insinuated the administration wants to privatize social security.

[JDPriestly]

13. Guess what. They do. I've watched the usual characters

joining together to screw yet another segment of the population. In fact, I've heard that an amendment will be offered in the Senate the day Congress returns in order to set up a commission to make mandatory cuts to Social Security. I also heard that the commission will be formed via an amendment to a budget bill so that it can't be vetoed.

Bush's regime did in anyone who had to borrow to go to college with the reform of the bankruptcy bill. Now the same wealthy elite with a different party name is starting on Social Security.

In case you did not notice, the Senate bill sets up a committee to cut Medicare, so Medicare cuts are already a fact. If you think I am repeating right-wing propaganda, I'm not. It is in the Senate version of the bill. Read it.

They say they are just cutting Medicare Advantage, but I spoke to a doctor's wife last weekend who said that they are going to lower Medicare payments to the point that doctors will have to refuse Medicare patients because the amounts paid will not cover overhead in some of the more expensive areas like San Francisco.

I am a lifelong Democrat. I worked for Obama, but his administration is not what I worked for.

The Democratic Party and I with it have long laughed at those who threaten a third party. I would no more have voted for Nader than for myself -- a wasted vote.

But if President Obama signs any bill that would lead to cuts in Social Security or Medicare, here is one Blue Panther who will be changing her colors to Gray. We worked all our lives for Social Security and Medicare. We relied on the promise of our government that they would be there for us. Reagan called for higher payroll taxes to cover the burden of the baby boomers on the system, and we agreed and paid them.

Tp those of you who are young and smugly say that we should have saved and not expected to be able to live on Social Security, i say: Wait until you have raised a family and paid your health care expenses for emergencies and moved a few times and paid your taxes and lost jobs and gone back to school and had to help your parents or kids and responded to all the other financial demands that life brings. You will need Social Security too.

Even if you realy slave and save, Social Security will make the difference between whether you can or cannot heat your house or apartment, whether you can or cannot provide a Thanksgiving dinner for your family, whether you can or cannot buy a small present for a loved one, whether you can or cannot eat, or go to the doctor, or visit your kids. Just wait. Social Security is not an entitlement. It is an insurance policy.

We need import taxes now. Bring the jobs back. Americans are the best workers in the world. No other country on earth has a work ethic like ours. Bring back our jobs.

Open Left published the story on which I base my accusations:

Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 18:18

One of the stories we have been following on Open Left is a threat from roughly 15 Senate Democrats that I have termed a "national suicide pact." Here is the threat:

* These 15 Democratic Senators will refuse to raise the debt ceiling, thereby causing the United States to default on its debt by mid or late December. Such a default will vastly increase the overall amount the federal government has to pay on its debt.

UNLESS

* Speaker Nancy Pelosi turns over Congressional power on Social Security and Medicare to an unelected commission that will almost certainly propose significant cuts in Social Security and Medicare benefits. The recommendations of this commission will be sent back to Congress in the form of legislation that cannot be amended, which will be granted a vote, and which will pass with the support of 60% of both branches of Congress.

I have learned from a source that Kent Conrad is meeting with President Obama, tonight. While the details of the meeting are unknown, Conrad is the ringleader of this group of Senate Democrats, and so it is highly likely that the meeting concerns the proposed independent commission for Medicare and Social Security.

http://openleft.com/diary/16185/exclusive-kent-conrad-demanding-social-security-commission-meeting-with-obama-tonigts

[Edweird]

14. Thank you for telling it like it is.

[HughMoran]

18. Just another "lifelong Dem" "but if this happens" " third party" threat post

That I just can't take seriously any more.

The wolf ate you. Nobody's can hear you from the wolfs belly.

[Hydra]

19. Heh

You're such a good recruiter for us. With you speaking for the Dems, we'll be lucky to have anyone within the year.

[ChiciB1]

34. Don't Know If I'll Be Here When The Shit Hits The Fan... But I Do Wonder

how you're going to spin the WOLF ATE YOU thingie! I suspect you're going to be in that belly too!

How loud can YOU holler? Some of us Liberal Boomers have seen quite a bit that shocked us before, but speaking for myself... I have NEVER seen anything like what is going on now.

IF I knew how to really get enough people together to REVOLT, I say the time is NOW, because we are rolling down hill at a very fast pace and the bottom may be closer than you think!

Chicken Little? I don't think so! Reality... very, very possible!

[Cal Carpenter]

41. Because party politics is more meaningful to you

than real, day-to-day struggles of working people? Elderly people who did everything right and are still struggling to pay the bills, buy the food, the medicine?

That shit is cold man. Really, really cold.

:thumbsdown:

[ChiciB1]

47. Are YOU Talking To Me Or The HUGHMoran Guy?? I Didn't Say Anything

about "party politics" per se, just what I see going on! Not liking it doesn't make me COLD! I WORRY about the people doing without, those who have worked hard and done the correct things! That's what's making me so irritated!

[Cal Carpenter]

56. I replied to post #18

to HughMoran, not you...no worries man! I thought your post was great.

[Leopolds Ghost]

28. JDPriestly, can you post this as a thread? People need to know about this. Please!

[tango-tee]

39. Thank you for this post.

You speak the truth. And it is frightening.

[Dr.Phool]

40. A couple of more detailed articles on the subject.

Looting Social Security
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090302/greider


Looting Social Security Part 2
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20100111/greider

[martymar64]

54. This need to get to Rachel and KO, stat!

[inna]

45. Dear JDPriestly, please post this as an OP, if you haven't yet.

[Hello_Kitty]

57. And you know that Pete Peterson schmuck will be heavily involved. eom

[Jackpine Radical]

20. Here's more on that insinuation about privatization of SS:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Faryn%20Balyncd/56

[ChiciB1]

31. Heads Up dionysus!! One Of My Long Time Doctors Who PREVIOUSLY Took

Medicare has now decided NOT TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!! Already, he stopped because he told me what he got paid by them wasn't worth the high cost of keeping a staff and all the paper work. He asked me to stay with him and file my OWN insurance claims because I would be going "out-of-network!"

Since he has been a GOOD doctor for me I agreed. I pay up front, then file my claims myself. But here's the KICKER! For going out of network my policy says it will cost me 30% instead of my co-pay of $20.00, but what I found out is that it REALLY ISN'T 30% of the bill. It's 30% of the "allowable" amount according to the insurance plan you have! Example, you go to the doctor and say his fee is $100.00 (using simple figures) so you imagine you will have to pay $30.00 and since you paid the $100.00 you will then be re-reimbursed the other $70.00. NOT!! You most probably will be re-reimbursed something close to $40.00 instead, because of how the insurance fees are structured.

This DOES happen, and has happened to me! My doctor's fee was $90.00, which today is low, but my re-reimbursement for going out of network was $37.14! My husband retired at 57 because we decided to take care of his mother who had Alzheimer's and he belonged to a Union. Our Union PPO, has better coverage than many others I know, but he's still called a retiree. Still what you imagine you have, you don't really have given THE fees that have been contracted by certain companies, and/or where you live!

The INSURANCE system is so screwed up, and this HCR is only going to make it worse, ESPECIALLY for Medicare because people on Medicare aren't going to be able to see as many doctors. The choices you will get will eventually dwindle even more because of it.

So now, my doctor has fewer patients, but gets paid %100 of his fee, and only has to pay ONE PERSON to staff his office! So not only is this BAD for job creation, it's also bad for those on Medicare because less doctors will be willing to take the lower fees they will be offered.

It's already happening and HCR hasn't EVEN been passed. Next up Social Security, AND they are talking about it... I say "hide & watch" IF you don't believe it's so!

One more thing. The doctor I see that charges me the $90.00 is one that I see ONLY to get refills for medication I take for a particular illness I have. He charges a lot more if you have to see him for something else. And this type of doctor is the only one close enough for me to see in my network. The others are at least a 2 hour drive away! So not only do I pay for monthly insurance, because some doctors who take my insurance aren't in my area, I'm actually paying MORE for insurance when you consider I don't get the full %70 refund.

Does this make sense to you?? I was confused at first too, and then I caught on! And the doctor didn't really want this to happen! Go figure!

[Dr.Phool]

42. That was the Bush plan of attack on Medicare.

The Bush Administration and the Republican congress reduced Medicare reimbursement rates 10% per year over a 3 year period.

The idea was simple. Make it more difficult for providers to deliver care at that rate, like the Mayo Clinic just did.

Now, the question is, why haven't our Democratic controlled congress reversed this travesty? Not to mention the bankruptcy bill. I'll tell you why. Twenty-seven members of the New Democrat Network signed letter to Denny Hastert, asking him to please hurry up and bring the bankruptcy bill to the floor, so they could vote FOR it.

Same thing with the Medicare reimbursement.

[ChiciB1]

46. It's Getting To A Point Where I'm Wondering Why I Even Try!! They Just

keep doing this stuff over and over! Kind of like the faster I go, the behinder I get!

[TxRider]

2. You left out Hollywood celebrity elites.. tsk tsk...

[NightWatcher]

4. hate to see what happens when us loonies sit out the next election

sure, maybe we'll show up to vote, but knock on doors, give rides to the polls, donate a larger percentage of our piddly little incomes.....

Maybe Palin will trigger an all out revolution. My body'e getting too old to wait another 20 or so years. Wait, didnt she name one of her kids "Trig"??? Oh sweet Horseman of the Apocalypse ride down on your snow machine and end this world.

[rudy23]

9. "We don't need the Left, but it's THEIR fault if we lose."

That's the thinking coming out of Rahm's office.

[nashville_brook]

11. that's, magical thinking. Rahm's very own brand of woo.

[GreenPartyVoter]

58. Yep. And then they're dumbfounded when fewer people pound the pavement, work the phones, or turn out

at the next election.

[defendandprotect]

6. Fascism is with us .... and the "BASE" had best get its asses out into the streets--!!!

[maryf]

12. and as Dr. King said in his final speech...

..."we aren't gonna let any dogs or water hoses turn us around..."

[defendandprotect]

15. Thanks -- How sad that we aren't concentrating on Dr. MLK, Jr. today...

too much other crap taking up our attention --

And, so much to remember about that marvelous man --

How little we hear his voice any more -- but when you do hear it -- Wow!

What immense courage -- poetry and non-violence --

Thanks for the reminder -- !!

:)

[maryf]

22. Solidarity!! nt

[defendandprotect]

48. Hi -- is it my imagination or did DU make very little of MLK, Jr. Day ...???

[maryf]

53. Seems that way, shame...

We're in about the same condition now than in his day, maybe worse; his words should be reviewed regularly, but, at the very least, once a year, I think.

[defendandprotect]

55. Strange, but maybe it was this MA election that caused the lack of attention....

and agree with you -- love to hear his voice --

love to hear his old speeches!!

Inspiring -- courageous --

:)

[Gregorian]

8. Weren't the guys who created an independent nation called America liberal nuts?

I mean, they are the "surrender monkeys" who wanted away from King George.

So, it seems ironic that anyone calling us moonbats might want to ponder and reconsider their stance.

[defendandprotect]

16. And what better example of rejection of CORPORATISM than FDR . . .!!!????

And the New Deal -- ??!!

What we're doing here in "America" is resurrecting Hitler -- !!!

[KG]

27. actually, the founding fathers were landed gentry leading a tax revolt. no liberals they.

[defendandprotect]

49. If I could "search" I'd check Magna Charta ...

Elites can also be exploited and turn to LIBERAL ideas --

Good discussion going there -- and as I said, can't do a search right now so

take it away!!

[burning rain]

36. True. Monarchism was the conservative & even moderate position in Europe.

Republicanism was the province of the extreme left.

[defendandprotect]

50. But weren't they under the thumb of Papacy . . . ???

Keep in mind I'm at a disadvantage right now in not being able to search --

but it's a good discussion -- and I'd like to hear more!

[cali]

17. gad, it's groundhog day.

[unkachuck]

21. K&R....n/t

[blindpig]

23. The real 'base' is the same as the Republican base

just look at the major campaign donors....

[H2O Man]

24. War is Peace.

We need to trust our Leaders. After all, they are Leaders, and we are not. These silly liberals want people to think for themselves. This is something that I refuse to even think about. It sounds too dangerous.

[invictus]

25. K&R

[Robb]

26. Dude, DU isn't the base of *anything*.

We never have been.

If we all stay home, the only dent would be in Kucinich's numbers.

[democrank]

29. K & R

[Goldstein1984]

30. Best definition of the de facto "Base" I've ever read.

There are probably two levels of "base":
1) The electoral base--those a candidate must persuade in order to be elected (i.e., The Many);
2) The oligarchical base--those a candidate must serve once elected (i.e., The Few).

[h9socialist]

33. "far left, lunatic moonbats" ???

Hey Buddy, I RESEMBLE that remark!!!!!!!!!!

[Greyhound]

35. K&R from another "far-left lunatic moonbat". n/t

[Truth2Tell]

37. Yep, everybody knows. K&R.

[RoccoR5955]

43. Damnit! You had me Rickrolled there for a minute! n/t

[treestar]

44. IMO the base is

the white educated professionals, blacks, hispanics, poor people - that's the broad general base. They vote and then go home and work, etc. They want the health care plan and don't follow the details. They are not that impatient to end the war - some of them must have been for both wars at some point during the * administration. They don't want their employers destroyed.

I don't think the active base includes a single one issue person. They might not think the HCR bill is perfect, but they are glad it is better than nothing. This does not make them the friends of insurance companies. They just don't think like that about companies of any kind.

[midnight]

52. k&r