At the hastily called White House news conference following the collapse of discussions with Speaker John Boehner on raising the debt ceiling and deficit reduction, President Obama rhetorically asked: "Is there anything that the Republicans can say 'yes' to?" Yes, there is: his resignation or re-election defeat.
If it were not clear before, it is unmistakably clear now that the majority of Republicans in Congress are prepared to subordinate the best interests and welfare of our country, and violate their oaths of office, in pursuit of defeating Obama; at all costs.
In an earlier blog captioned "No Drama Obama" on June 30, 2011, I wrote:
It it now clear that the Republican Party is dominated by persons who, under no circumstances, no way, no how, in this life, or the next, will accept the legitimacy of Obama, as an African-American, as president of this great nation. Few people have the guts or the courage to tell it like it is, lest they be criticized for "playing the race card," or suggesting that an African-American who becomes president somehow should not be criticized, but "given a pass" based on some offensive "double standard," etc, etc.I am not suggesting or advocating any kid-gloves treatment of Obama because of his ethnicity. However, any careful observer of the media or listener to talk radio across our nation can only conclude that the antagonistic opposition to Obama is because of who he is, pure and simple. Ex-constitutional Harvard Law Review president, no-drama Obama, has obviously unhinged a substantial segment of our body politic.
"This debate boils down to a simple choice," the president said. "We can come together for the good of the country and reach a compromise; we can strengthen our economy and leave for our children a more secure future. Or we can issue insults and demands and ultimatums at each another, withdraw to our partisan corners, and achieve nothing." (Obama's weekly Radio address)
Just what is the definition or concept of leadership subscribed to by Republicans in Congress?
"To do great things is difficult; but to command great things is even more difficult," (Nietzsche). Winston Churchill stated "The price of greatness is responsibility... The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
The president, the Democratic Party, indeed the people of the United States, is now confronted with an extraordinary challenge to the full faith and credit of the United States. Are obligations issued by the United States government going to be honored or defaulted and compromised after August 2, 2011?
The Republican leadership in Congress is in a parallel universe divorced from day-to-day governance reality of managing the economy and the financial obligations of our nation. The president and the Democratic Party have no realistic political choice or option except taking the Republican obstructionism to the country at large. Since Obama has been unable to change the reality perceived by the Republican Party, he, the Democratic Party, and independents must mount a decisive political re-election campaign to change the eyes in Congress that see the current Republican reality.
President Obama's "balanced approach" to deficit reduction by revenue increases, initially through elimination of tax subsidies, and expiration of the Bush tax cuts, along with careful, prudent and phased-in reductions in the cost of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, have been rejected by the Republican controlled House and Republican leadership in the Senate.
Under existing urgent circumstances, President Obama, must do what he has to do to protect the welfare of the nation. In a word, he and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner must do whatever is necessary, by the exercise of his powers as president under the Constitution, to protect the good and welfare and national security of the United States as a credit worthy nation.
To those progressives in the Democratic Party or independents who may be justifiably concerned that President Obama is compromising too much; if you want to strengthen his stand, be prepared to mount a challenge in every Congressional District across the country to all those currently elected Republicans or Democrats who oppose the efforts of the president. Or, short-term, chose the earliest date when you and one million of your friends and supporters are prepared to come to Washington and engage in a non-violent 24/7 "sit-in" outside and around Congress, keeping it in session until members discharge their duties under their respective oaths of office to raise the debt ceiling and reduce the deficit.
Resolution of the debt ceiling and deficit reduction crisis is also essential because waiting on the other side of these unresolved issues are other major problems requiring immediate attention by the White House:
In a speech at the State Department on May 19, 2011, President Obama said:
(T)he events of the past six months show us that strategies of repression and diversion won't work anymore. Satellite television and the Internet provide a window into the wider world -- a world of astonishing progress in places like India, Indonesia and Brazil. Cell phones and social networks allow young people to connect and organize like never before.A new generation has emerged. And their voices tell us that change cannot be denied... The United States opposes the use of violence and repression against the people of the region. We support a set of universal rights. Those rights include free speech; the freedom of peaceful assembly; freedom of religion; equality for men and women under the rule of law; and the right to choose your own leaders -- whether you live in Baghdad or Damascus; Sanaa or Tehran.
While the core issues of the conflict must be negotiated, the basis of those negotiations is clear: a viable Palestine, and a secure Israel. The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine. The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state.
Efforts to address and resolve these issues require the president's time and attention. So, Obama is not unreasonable when he asks "Is there anything the Republicans can say 'yes' to?"
Arianna Huffington: Sunday Roundup
On debt ceiling, Republicans block compromise | NJ.com
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You mean, If you want the Independent vote, you will replace Obama with a white candidate, don't you? Several months ago, someone said, Obama was caught in a perfect storm.
The storm is still here and the GOP knows Obama will not veto their bill because
so many are being held hostage by them. After all of this, everyone should
Know the true heart of the GOP. If you are not rich, only a fool would vote
for them. It is going to be a hard 2012. The Dems base will be so poor, nothing
can be donated, but the GOP backers are very rich. Only two things can come
from this.
1. The GOP takes total control of what is left of America, or
2. The rich will have to go live among themselves when the zhit hits the fan. (In some rat hole like
Sadam). The rest of America will become dangerous to all.
For me, I choose #2 and hope they will be happy.
When the people of America, get over the hurt they will
start over, but the rich will not be forgiven for the destruction
of a once great country. God bless America.
Not only are you not mosttruthful, you aren't truthful or realistic at all.. The realistic approach needs to be balanced and not skewed to protect the ultra-wealthy on the backs of the poor, the old and the sick.
Mitch McConnel has said on several occasions that their main object is to make Obama a one term president.
Michelle Bachman's mantra is to make Obama a 'one term president'
Glenn Beck has called the president a racist an claimed that he hates whites.
Joe Wilson yelled "you like" at the president during a SOTU speech.
I am 56 years old and I have never, repeat, never seen a president disrespected as much as the right has disrespected this president. It sickens me.
Thanks for the info. about places you've lived. I am a life -long Texan, for better and for worse! It's really been hard ever since GWB beat Ann Richards (lib) for Gov. And, then you know the rest of the story......
Your career is interesting.....wow! Japan over 50 times!
I can tell that you are a person who tries to make the world a better place. Thanks for that! I am a retired high school counselor who had the same goal!
And, don't forget when Neugaubaur of Lubbock, TX yelled "baby killer"! Hateful pious righties....and, you are so right about the blatant disrespect. shameful! fanned
"ARGUS MARKET WATCH
The Case for Cutting Spending
8:02 AM ET 7/26/11
The Republican House and Democratic Administration continue to haggle over the U.S. government debt ceiling, which currently stands at $14.29 trillion and will be pierced in early August. Indeed, according to the Office of Management & Budget, gross federal debt will total $15.5 trillion by year-end. The latest Democratic plan calls for lifting the ceiling by $2.4 trillion and establishing budget cuts totaling $2.7 trillion over the next 10 years. The Republican plan calls for lifting the ceiling by $900 million (which would tide the government over until 2012) and establishing cuts of $1.2 trillion over 10 years. At the current pace of growth, interest on the federal government debt will double to $850 billion per year by 2016. Interestingly, the bond market does not yet seem concerned about the protracted negotiations. The long bond yield is currently a low 3.0%."
i want him to stop using 'tax the rich' class warfare rhetoric. (if he raises taxes on corporations they will simply raise their prices, thereby implementing the tax increase on everyone. he knows this even if many of his starry-eyed supporters do not..)
and for once in his tenure, just once, i would like him to place the welfare of this great country above his own blatantly narcissistic, self-interest.
even in the face of the serious problems he inherited from his predecessor, president obama has been a remarkably bad president.
it is for this reason and this reason alone that i as a black american and tea party member oppose his re-election.
Mr. Jones keep us informed. And to other Journalist tell us the truth as it is.
The best thing you can do for the Democrat Party is come up with a viable opponent for the primary. Only then would you get any of the Independent voters.
If you don't, not only will you lose the White House, but also the Senate in 2012.
Bush was the self-proclaimed "uniter" who was, in reality, a "divider". Sad to lose your vote, but OBAMA ALL THE WAY!
The results speak for themselves:
-- Fund a bailout/TARP/recovery act, try to cut it down or say it didn't work, and that you didn't vote for it.
-- Pass healthcare, then try to repeal or de-fund it.
-- Produce a budget each year, try to shut down the government by not voting for it.
-- Economy getting better, pass more tax cuts, reduce spending and create a debt ceiling that you have to raise...
It's not a black and white issue, it's a search and destroy mission.
Thanks for your post! fanned
Republican Manifesto: "Question Authority"
The truth of these is apparent to any educated American.
The "Progressive movement" is soon to be relegated to a footnote, reminiscent of the Flappers of the 1920s.
Conservatives are simply correct.
Example: Saddam H. had weapons of Mass Destruction - who questioned this? There were questions about sending bombers into Libya, but 10 years of war costing billions will be just a footnote in history as well?
Truth is subjective as any free thinking uneducated American can see what is in front of their face. Wrong is thinking you have all the answers, and that no one else has a right to question your authority or have an opposing point of view.
Throw assumptions about someone's education level, you shine a light on your own and open the door to questions as well. A lot of people get a pass in this country due to certain privileges, and end up thinking they know more than others when they haven't yet done the hard work and earned that privilege.
Any educated person is able to both sides of an argument and make an intelligent assessment based on data and observations. The conclusions and results are then proven. Unless the individual shows tendency of insanity and that means "doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result." Neither side is correct, they are both at fault.
The "question authority" tagline is also dubious given the theocratic bent of the likes of Bachmann, Perry, etc.
Independents won't vote for Obama, ever again I have a good friend, a liberal in Iowa, that is asking for the same thing.
If you want the Independent vote, you will replace Obama with a more viable candidate.
What exactly are you independent from?
Independents will not vote for Obama.
He has failed. The experiment is over.
You must be kidding; right?
I bet that in the near future we will see more politicians like Bernie Sanders so by creating this mess in Washington they are shooting themselves in the foot. Is all for the better
Let me help you get it, Joeiswrong. The Republicans have always said NO to anything Obama has wanted to do. . Now the left is asking the repubs to say yes. What's not to get ? They wanted them to say yes a year ago. If that's too deep for you, maybe you shouldn't vote.
Ranking of past 6 completed U. S. Presidential admin by avg. an % increase in fed debt:
1. Ronald Reagan (1981-1988) +129% overall -- 16.1 % avg. annual increase
2. George H. W. Bush (1989-1992) +40% overall -- 9.9% avg. annual increase
3. George W. Bush (2001-2008) +73% overall -- 9.1% avg. annual increase
4. Richard Nixon/Gerald Ford (1969-1976) +72% overall -- 9.0 avg. annual increase
5. Jimmy Carter (1977-1980) +29% overall -- 7.2% avg. annual increase
6. Bill Clinton (1993-2000) +29% overall -- 3.7% avg. annual increase