Where is the Outrage During the Presidential Debates?

So two front page stories in my Sunday paper grab my attention:

"Broken Supply Channels Sent Arms For Iraq Astray." "...billions of dollars in arms handed over to shoestring commands without oversight."

"Death of a Spy Satellite Program; How Lofty Plans and Unrealistic Bids Wasted Billions."

And as I choke, I think:

Tuesday night, when the Democrat candidates debate, am I going to hear them clawing at each other once again -- or am I going to see some representation of the pent up anger and bitterness and outright disgust most Americans are feeling for the near tragic situations the current administration has so ineptly and imprudently mismanaged, and, while winking to its neo-con and corporate supporters, lied and weedled and obfuscated its way into?

Take a look at those two headlines again. And then add to them the cost overruns everywhere this administration dallies and shops and wars (at a cost of $10 billion per month) and extends itself uninvited in our name, not to mention Blackwater and Halliburton and on and on and on -- and how DO our candidates let the opposition get away with the canard that they, the Democrats, are the big spenders?

And notice the word "canard," which came from a reluctance to say it the way I feel it -- and that would be to label a big fucking lie the big fucking lie it is! When are my candidates going to show more outrage, directed to the opposition, than this poor fool is able to express in more appropriate language?

Comments

[donjuandemarco]

There is something we American citizens can do to send a clear message to both Congress and the President--a national strike. I call for all Americans, except for those engaged in critical services such as police, doctors, firefighters, to go on strike beginning Jan. 1, 2008, unless President Bush meets the following demands: (1)demand Cheney's resignation; (2)appoint Senator Chuck Hagel as the new vice-president; and (3)resign as President. Let's take back our country! We CAN! Go on strike if Bush and Cheney don't resign by Dec. 31, 2007! JOIN ME!

[Kontessa]

I can only hope all of the Democratic candidates read this comment!! They are only too willing partners in enabling the media in its eternam campaign to make total fools of Democratic candidates. The candidates should rise above all these media efforts to make them look like shallow, bickering fools.

They should remain silent and unresponsive when questioned by their persecutors such as rightwinger Tim Russert, always playing a sophmoric gotcha game, and girly-man back-stabber and gossip, Chris Matthews for example, when being intensely grilled about petty, inconsequencial issues and, simply not respond.
Each candidate should respond vigorously only to questions of vital national and international importance, the true responsiblities of a President.
And I might add, keep their personal conduct exemplary and NOT messy.

[sonofdy1]

Because historicaly democrats have been. The republicans are giving the democrats a good run for thier money lately.

[thedirtman]

Realistically, there are two candidates speaking at the debate, maybe three. Both Democratic candidates need only their celebrity status to allow them to speak and speak often. One is the front-runner and she addresses the questions safely knowing that even if the boat takes on water she'll make it to the shore. The other hasn't made a significant distinction between himself and the "star celebrity" in the eyes of the voters.

There are others but they rarely are given a chance to speak and when they do they are expected to respond to joke questions. The only thing we hear about them when their names come up is a commentator will chime in with "Oh, he has no chance of winning", and then the subject quickly changes. One of them actually addressed the issue of spending once but then the next day there was an avalanche of hate stuff directed towards him, and he was not given a microphone with which to respond. That was the last I heard from him.

This is clearly an anti-debate. The purpose seems to be to keep information about the candidates under wraps while causing the viewer think that the media has done their jobs. It is painful to watch, but it's also funny so I guess I will watch anyhow.

[Purple Girl]

As soon as One of the candidates really goes after this admin & it's cohorts (at least supports Kucinich) I'll give them a nod- but not my vote nor my money, they've let it go too far. Dems are Complicit.

[MRb1000]

These crook are getting away with this because most Dems are running scared try to hold their jobs. They need to grow a spine. If they do not grow a spine after this election I will become Independent. How can you be a leader running scare.

[retarius]

Leading Dem candidates have no balls, no leaders, no convictions...scared of taking a position that the Repubs might challenge...so we end up with just more of the same crap we've had for the last 7 years...Republican light? No thanks!
I really hope the Dems lose big in the next election...then maybe we will get a leader who has a vision for a new direction and a set of cojones.

[Chris24Ruh]

Norman, we need you to write a speech or two, or at least draft a policy paper of talking points and rebuttals. The Dems ought to stand up and say that though THEY ARE NOT the big spenders, THEY ARE (or WILL BE) the party of BIG PEOPLE, as in grown-ups who understand that NOTHING IS FREE! They need to say that we have a record trade deficit and a record (and crippling) national debt that were both run up by a Republican Party in control of the entire government for 6 years, with a president who NEVER VETOED a single spending bill; a president who was allowed to run rampant with no oversight, offering sweetheart, no-bid contracts to companies he and his cronies were allied with.

Then the Dems need to say quite loudly, YES, WILL WILL RAISE TAXES. "We have NO choice. The Republicans eviscerated our government agencies, gutting them in favor of out-sourced companies. Again, these sweetheart no-bid deals resulted in Blackwater getting monies we could have spent on our troops while institutions like the Consumer Products Safety Commission have been starved of staff and inspectors - and look at the results. War profiteers have made off with the national treasury while our children are at risk. WE WILL RAISE taxes in as fair a manner as possible so we can STOP borrowing from China. WE WILL spend what we have to to restore a working, effective government - and we're going to ask the richest among us to give more of what they've made as a part of thier civic duty to a country that helped them attain great wealth. Period."

[dotmafia]

Mr. Lear,

I too have been severely shocked by the complete lack of determination and backbone by the Democratic presidential candidates, as well as the party leadership, in confronting the continuous assault on democracy by this so-called Bush "administration".

If the Democratic leadership only realized that if they showed more confidence and fortitude in seizing back their country which this Bush "administration" has held hostage for 7 years, they would find that the majority of the American public is behind them, supporting them, and it would all but ensure a complete victory for the Democrats in 2008.

The only thing I can think of why impeachment has been "taken off the table" (I HATE that phrase) by Pelosi and Reid, and why the Dem candidates have not been more aggressive, is because the Democrats are directly complicit in helping/enabling this "administration" in its abuses of power, and as a result they have formed a collective guilt of consciousness before the American people, and an almost helplessness in the face of an outright American government dictatorship.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." ~ Edmund Burke
_

[Gonzalez]

You have to understand that this bunch of democrats in public office now, don't have a stitch of courage. None! Just look at what is going on in Congress. Time after time, they give in to Bush and company. All the republicans have to say is, support the troops or terrirism and the democrats fall by the wayside. They don't have the courage to stand up to Bush or the intelligence to explain to the american people why they have to do something against Bush. It is a shame!

[tborg58]

I share your outrage Norman but I'm starting
to believe that we're not going to see any
major changes for the better by either party
or candidate for one major reason; they're no
longer pulling the strings.This ever advancing
corporate capitalism is influencing policy and
political decisions.Candidates on either side
are not going to rock the trough from which
they all feed !

[BetterDeadthanRedState]

Republicans get away with lying because that is what one expects from them.

[MinerSam]

I fully agree with you.

It is an outrage that Obama and Edwards seem to be using the Republican playbook and Talking Points and feeding the Republican controlled GE/MSNBC and CNN theblood they crave so much to bring the Democrats down.

Obama and Edwards are mistaken if they think that if they won they would not be attacked by the Republicans in the same way they are attacking fellow Democrats.

It is absurd! They not only lost me, but since I Judge people's character by their campaign, I cannot see Obama or Edwards as VPS!

[cw9580]

Mr. Lear, with all your talents you could not make up a more bizarre and frightening screenplay than the reality of what we have seen these past seven years. It's like Bush and Cheney are pulling off a daring daylight robbery and we're all just standing by.

It's Alice Through the Looking Glass....

CW

[Moshe]

Like millions of other Americans, I worked very hard to help assure that the DEMS would take control of Congress.

But to date, what we have gotten is screwed and betrayed.

The first thing Pelosi and the other nancys did was take "impeachment off the table" and ever since then the only thing on the table seems to be the DEM leadership bending over it for King George.

Rather than boldly doing what they had sworn to do (protect and defend our Constitution), or what the majority of Americans sent them to Congress to do (honorably end the fiasco in Iraq and restore the Rule of Law in the U.S.), they spend all their time appeasing the GOP (as if this were possible), apologizing for the views of those that actually elected them (both insulting and unwise) and generally debating issues about as pressing as how million angels can dance on the head of a pin.

The DEM leadership is clearly not up to the task. I can only hope that in each of their districts, there is some decent, wise, brave soul that is preparing to challenge them and do the American People a great service by sending the DEM leadership surrender monkeys home.

The GOP neo-con traitors are not going to be stopped by a group of people without the political courage to do what even the vast majority of Americans support: Ending the war in Iraq; restoring the Rule of Law in the U.S.; and standing up against corruption in U.S. government and for the interests of the American People rather than just the people that are shoving dirty money in their pockets.

Nancy and company, if you can't do this, don't go away mad, just please go away and make room for someone who will take charge and do what needs to be done. We don't give a rat's a-s about your re-election and neither should you. Your primary concern should be doing your duty. But if you did your duty, you would be re-elected.

[swinney]

I died when Kerry sat Mute as Bush called him a Kennedy Tax & Spend Liberal.

Kerry had this info. So did Edwards and DNC.

Who trains the candidates?Morons?

Kerry should have replied--"Yes! I am a Proud Tax & Spend Liberal Very proud of it.

I do it the good old American way.I PAY MY WAY. I raise revenue to pay my bills.

YOU SPEND AND BORROW CONSERVATIVES SPEND LIKE CRAZY PEOPLE BUT ALWAYS BORROW TO LEAVE BILLS FOR OUR KIDS TO PAY.

IT TOOK OVER 200 YEARS TO GET A DEBT OF LESS THAN 1,000 BILLION. THEN, REAGAN AND YOUR DAD ADDED ON 3,000 BILLION IN JUST 12 SHORT YEARS OF BIG TIME SPEND AND BORROW.

NOW, YOU ARE HEADING TO ADD ON FROM 4 TO 5000 BILLION.

Please, Mr. President ,continue to call me a Tax & Spend Liberal who pays his way the good old American way."

TAX & SPEND LIBERAL WHO PAYS HIS WAY

From G. Washington to Reagan we ended with less than 1,000 Billion in Debt.

The next 12 years of Spend & Borrow Conservatism added on over 3,000 Billion.

Bush 2006 Budget"Five Year Forecast"Historical Tables"Pages 116-117 reveals that he will add on 3759 Billion.

This does not include costs of two occupations (not wars)

This is Gang who screamed"

CUT GOVERNMENT--BALANCE THE BUDGET"TAX CUTS PAY THEIR WAY

Swinney Fact Check-----

CUT GOVERNMENT---

Reagan yelled this more than any President."His record"He INCREASED the size of government more than any predecessor.

He INCREASED spending by 80%

p.s. He increased California spending by 112%. This is a Conservative? He taxed everything but Sex in Hollywood.

TAX CUTS PAY THEIR WAY.----

Reagan cut Income taxes by 750 Billion. He borrowed 1700 Billion to pay for it.

He increased Income Tax Revenues by 140 Billion. Wee bit short of 750 Billion.

Bush cut income taxes by 1700 Billion and will borrow 3000 + Billion to pay for it.

Anyone care to wager it will not be 4,000 Billion?

Democrats use sensible fiscal polices which SPEND but TAX to Pay Their Way

[claytongrayum]

Vote Kuchinich and you will get your witch-hunt... and this time the witches have NEOCON written on their forhead...

except they will contunie to get away with Murder, literal MURDER in Iraq.

Baby Boomer Generation makes me sick! This is the country you have built... and leaving it for my generation to clean up-

[cadawa]

This is just one more in a long list of things the Democrats let the GOPs get away with.
Much more serious are the many and varied crimes of the Bush administration such as torture, illegitimate war, fraud, theft and suspending the Constitution. In fact, they are complicit.
The Democrats have now become as deceitful and dangerous as the GOP. We cannot and should not depend on them to turn back the facist tide.
We had better go to plan B right now if we don't want this debacle to continue for another four years.
Vote for Kucinich (a real democrat)and challenge everyone of the bums on both sides of the aisle that voted for the Bush agenda.

[lgillooly]

How about the canard that the Republicans support the troops...LOL Has anyone actually looked at Senator's votes on Veterans' issues and their families. Lokk at bobgeiger.com and find his report card on Senators when voting for veterans. EVERY Democrat scored better than EVERY Republican. This is not opinion,it is the actual votes...Wake up America..HELLOOOOOO!

[iluvsam]

"am I going to hear them clawing at each other once again"...


Of course this is what you're going to hear, because the problem with us Democrats is we can't be cohesive, and the Repigs know it. There is that ridiculous minority in the Dem. Party that INSISTS that destroying other Dem. candidates actually helps the cause instead of realizing that they are doing nothing with these tactics but providing nutrition to the Republican feeding frenzy. Then after the election, when we lose AGAIN, this same few will complain about how stupid the American people are for electing another Republican President. Dumb tactic.

[SamThornton]

Pity the poor politicians trying to calculate just the right mix of heat and light to shower on whatever statistical entity they believe represents a winning combination of voters.

Too much light and you become an unelectable utopian, an Adlai Stevenson or a George McGovern.

Too much heat and you become an unelectable screwball, a Barry Goldwater or the other George, George Wallace.

What is a politician? If it takes more than a day to sort out what you really believe from what you say you believe from what you'd like to say you believe from what works from what you actually might do, you're a politician.

[ultomatt]

Never. And now Dianne Feinstein is rolling over for the NSA wiretapping corporations that apparently need legal protection for crimes they claim they didn't commit. Guess it's that old "frivolous lawsuit" thing again...yoo Democrats and your frivolous lawsuits! Leave those poor telecommunications corporations alone, they're barely getting by with their multi-billion dollar yearly profits! And clearly, they have a right to see top secret information in this regard, but the American public does not.

This country has a one party political system. It's called The Military-Congressional-Industrial Complex. A single word covers it better, Fascism. And all politicians have long since been bought and paid for, most probably with a combination of funds stolen from the taxpayers by the Steal and Spend Republicans, and of course, through corporate sponsorship...aka bribes. America Incorporated is a wholly owned subsidiary of Halliburton, Lockheed-Martin, Grumman, General Electric, Mobil Oil...and many many other "defense" contractors. And guess what, the American people are NOT on the board of directors.

[WASanford]

Unfortunately, Neoliberalism does exist! It"s an economic ideology that was hatched at the Chicago School of Economics by Milton Friedmann. I"m sure you remember him, the Noble laureate who wrote "The World Is Flat"? If you want to learn how nasty it really is, read Naomi Klein"s "The Shock Doctrine". I recommend that everyone read this book!

[Beaux510]

Seems to me, the only one showing any outrage in the Democratic debates is Dennis Kucinich. He's very direct in the limited time they give him, and says the things that need to be said. The majors can't, they have everything to lose. He's got nothing to lose, and so he says what a majority of us are thinking. Too bad it won't make any difference.

Anyone else want to label me a GOPer again?

[fariqabdulaziz]

Norman, the only Democrat speaking truth to power is Mike Gravel, and it has gotten him kicked off corporate television and banned from the debates by the DNC for trying to educate us about the military industrial complex altar that Clinton, Obama, Edwards, and the rest all fawningly genuflect towards.