absolutely everything in the new congress will be seen through the prism of jobs.

[cleveramerican]

It doesn't matter who's idea it is
it doesn't matter which party is pushing it
it doesn't matter how necessary it is

EVERYTHING, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING will be held up to the light of "does it help or hurt in the creation of jobs".
This is the new reality and everybody in both parties better get used to the idea.

I sure hope we dems embrace it faster better and more sincerely than they do.
2012 will turn on it.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. Oh, it matters.

Trust me.

[golfguru]

2. JOBs...is there any other more important issue

for ordinary folks? That is 90% of the population.
No job = no self esteem = no hope for better career.

[valerief]

3. They'll create a diversionary sex scandal so they won't have to deal with something as mundane as

jobs.

[cleveramerican]

10. it won't work anymore

all the old saws will be seen as diversionary.

Our side too.

[valerief]

13. Ah, but you're talking like the media will care. They don't. They're paid not to care. nt

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

4. Jobs and "welfare". What do I mean by this? The Republicans have been doing a

fantastic job replaying the Southern Strategy, demonizing the major policies from the New Deal era, and repackaging these policies as "welfare." They succeeded with unemployment benefits, characterizing anyone who relies on them as "lazy" and "shiftless." They attempted to succeed with Medicare, but the verdict is still out on that. They will find a way to go after Medicare. As for Medicaid, a number of Republican governors have already fought not to accept federal contributions; or, to opt out of the program. And finally, Social Security. That will be the big kahuna. If they can get this filthy, rotten hands on Social Security, all the white blaming Obama (AND HAVING US BLAME OBAMA RATHER THAN THEM), they would have succeeded. It's genius what they are doing...if we allow them to succeed.

The real enemy is the Republican Party. Period. End of story.

[Hello_Kitty]

5. They won't be able to get their hands on SS in the next 2 years without Obama, will they?

Explain to me how the Republicans cut SS between now and 2013 without President Obama's assent?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

7. As I've said many, many times before, if it happens I won't support it. Period.

But, until I see differently, I'm unwilling to blindly blame Obama/the Democrats for anything. DU is very passionate about pointing the fingers at our own. It's baffling why we don't spend more time going after the Republicans and Blue Dog/conservative, corporate Democrats who aid them.

In the meantime, have you nothing of substance in response to what I wrote in my initial post? Do you not agree that it is the Republicans' attempt to demonize the poor, using race and class as subtle divisive tactics, to undermine these policies? Or, are you just going to have a knee-jerk reaction against Obama/the Democrats?

[Igel]

6. Don't know that I agree.

Don't know that I don't.

Look at the legislation from 12/10 that the press labelled victories for Obama.

How many of those were viewed the the prism of jobs? DADT? New START? The tax-cut compromise was billed as jobs-creating, which seems iffy since the models used for jobs saved have usually proven wrong every time the predictions could actually be tested. The unemployment compensation part certain creates jobs, keeping up for those high-paying manufacturing jobs involving energy and food and rent, the stuff unemployment compensation usually covers.

Perhaps the food safety bill was a great job-creating bill? The continuing budget resolution?

Maybe the behemoth budget bill that didn't make it through was primarily a jobs bill?

No. I'd have thought that as a result of the pundits' comments surround the recent elections the lame duck session would have had something specifically tied, from the conception of the measure, as a jobs bill. Even if it failed. Instead we get a bunch of things that are billed as being job creating only because people expect something to bear such a label. It's like getting an order of health food and when you go to open it you wife asks, "Is that for me? You did remember my birthday." "Uh, yeah, right! Happy birthday, honey. Oh, and here, dear--I got you some, uh, orginally grown kamut flour and some trail mix for you!"

If she really adores you, she says thank you and accepts it. If she loves you unconditionally, she might say, "You forgot, didn't you?" and forgive you. If it's iffy, it doesn't wash.

I think it'll be the same in the new Congress.

[harun]

8. It may be what happens but nothing they are doing is really helping job growth.

If they really wanted to create jobs they would:

* End the wars
* Pass Health Care Reform (so free enterprise can bloom, no one can afford start-up costs of Health Care)
* Slash the defense budget
* Increase funding for College tuition
* Freeze tuition at Colleges
* Lower the retirement age, kick in SS bene's earlier

You will see exactly the opposite of that, and it will be sold as job creation when in reality it is simply wealth expansion for the upper class.

[cleveramerican]

11. results matter

The people of this country are getting wised-up the hard way, it won't be forgotten.

If we become the party of results, then the future is assured for our party.

[harun]

14. People getting dumber from where I sit.

There wasn't one reason to vote for the Pukes last election, yet they did.

[cleveramerican]

16. they won on the politics

it ain't enough to just be right, we have to convince the country we are right, in one clear sentence.

[harun]

17. I see most Dem's espousing Reagan's world view. BS'ing isn't the way to win.

They should be courageous enough to make the real argument. That our SYSTEM needs reform, not just stop gap measures to create a few jobs.

The start of that reform is destroying the Citizen's United decision. Without doing that I don't care what they do, system will just keep getting more corrupt and get harder to change.

[Exilednight]

9. If the Korean Free Trade Agreement is any indication, then we are screwed.

[quaker bill]

12. Unfortunately

what they believe "creates jobs" is wrong.

This focus would not be a bad thing if they had the vaguest clue how to do it. They don't, so the results will at very best be harmless and ineffective, but more likely not so benign.

[mkultra]

15. not really

that is very true of those unemployed, but for others, keep their job is more important. Anyone that has managed to keep their job may very well be thankful of the actions taken thus far.