Leaving aside the controversy surrounding President Obama's proposed tax cut "deal," he is becoming his own worst enemy. Yesterday's demonstration of how to alienate as many people as possible was a disaster. Who is advising him?
After a few words about priorities, Obama shifted into a defensive tone accompanied by a 'let-me-tell-you-about-the-real-world' attitude. Then came a volley of potshots aimed at "some" people in Washington "playing political games" and "scoring points" while he champions the unemployed and middle class.
Continuing the verbal slaps and innuendo aimed at his own party in order to aggrandize himself, the president insisted: "This isn't an abstract debate. This is real money for real people." As if we hadn't noticed! That's the problem. It's largely about really big money in tax savings for extremely rich people.
The president insulted Democrats, and anyone else who might disagree with him, by accusing them of wanting to engage in protracted debates instead of doing what's best for the American people. He knows "the folks" best, it seems.
I nearly fell over when he took credit for persuading the American people to agree with him that tax cuts for the wealthy are wrong, before reminding us again that his decision to cave on the issue was superior to other options. But we're not to worry -- because he promises to spend the next two years insisting that yet another extension of the tax cuts clearly would be unprincipled.
This way the president gets to be against the very thing he is proposing. It's a circular route to a solid right of center stance -- apparently just where the president likes to be.
Kathleen also blogs more on this topic at comebacksatwork
Yes, yes, I know. How can one say that Barack Obama is the worst enemy of the people, in view of the despicable conduct of the Republicans. A fair question, to be sure, but here's why Obama is leading the list of those setting the country back.
The American people elected Obama to fight for them, for that meaningful change he promised he'd fight for, to lead them in turning the country around before it was too late. Not only has he failed in his charge, it's become quite clear that he never intended to keep all those promises. Had we known the truth, we would have elected another, one who at least would have fought for the people instead of the wealthy and the corporations.
We invested a great deal in Obama, time, effort and a healthy portion of our dwindling wealth. Most importantly, it's the time being squandered as Obama oscillates between incompetence and malfeasance. Time is truly of the essence, here, for the country as we would have it is being dismantled by the corporations and their Republican minions and now, with the assistance of Barack Obama. Eight years of Bush/Cheney, followed by the absolute disaster that is Obama's presidency. Worst of all, the man is wasting our precious time.
Obama must not serve a second term.
He's been in the mode of giving the right more and more rope to "hopefully" hang themselves with in the next elections. That in itself is a devastating game considering the realistically high unemployment rate of more than 12% if not closer to 20%. Damn it all now is not the time for double speak. Leadership and heavy lifting is sometimes required. Put your political bucket list back in your pocket and straighten out the mess. Kick all the leeches and blood-sucking fiends out first. Second, get to work and quit taking it out on those that elected you!!!!!!!!!!!
Good question. Been asking the same one since he was inaugurated.
He behaves as though serious issues are mere intellectual exercises.Apparently he's still getting bad advice and acting on it.Not exactly a leader who inspires trust or confidence.
there is no sense of fair play... no give and take... if you allow big dogs to bully little dogs...
they get WORSE... the primal instinct takes over and you have a dangerous dog fight.
My conservative relatives who stuck with the GOOP after Bush Cheney are laughing and high fiving.... telling FOX and friends so hit him again.... they think its funny.
HIT HIM AGAIN! This isn't about left or right.... now this is pure RACE - old white guys gonna show that uppity black fellow how its done.
I voted savvy Black Chicago pol - and got Steve Erkel
I'm just not quite as sure as you guys seem to be, and that comes from one who has been excoriating Obama ever since the Public Option went down the drain, OK, so he is a great caver. He has continuously plumbed the depths of caving, but I think this deal may be a mousetrap for the reptiles. He gets an extension of unemployment, not much, considering they would have had to get it anyway, but there is more - the reptiles will hardly be able to kick about the stimulus after the stim they handed to the fat cats. The reptiles will not be able to gripe about the debt when they added to it so egregiously. They can't attack any failure to gain jobs when they got their tax breaks to raise jobs and it didn't happen. Finally, the reptiles have clearly shown that they are willing to hold the unemployed hostage for the benefit of their pals. We'll see in 2012, but I smell the reptiles being backed into a corner and Obama can say to the independents, see, I reached across the aisle and they slapped my hand. I'm just saying...
But wait ... he says he wants independents back... while he pushes DADT and Dream act!!
He ran right.. now he's gonna run far left.... and ask WHAT HAPPENED TO MY MIDDLE?