I think I may be ready to throw the country to the Republicans

[Ralph Wiggum]

Aleric (230 posts)       Thu Jun-23-11 11:32 AM
Original message
I think I may be ready to throw the country to the Republicans
 
For years, since I started dancing with the far real left wing, I have dealt with accusations and implications that essentially boil down to one argument - "Are you willing to throw the government to the Republicans?"

For the past couple of days several issues hit me at once and, because of that, I think the answer has become yes.

In talking with younger people it has become clear to me that this generation and the one to follow have NO IDEA what unions have done for us. They are incapable of imagining 7 day work weeks, children on assembly lines, etc.

For example, in one complaint about an on-the-job union experience - at a railroad a worker fell under a car and lost both legs. In the emergency room, while this worker was in shock, the company rep was there trying to get him to sign papers. The guy wasn't even aware yet he had lost his legs. The complaint was "Where was the union rep? All the union does is take my money and vanish."

It's a fair complaint. But I pointed out that, without the union, the guy would likely have been put outside the gates to find his own way to the emergency room. He'd have no insurance and no disability benefits. The current generation can't imagine this happening.

---

Many of you received MoveOn's recent video with Robert Reich explaining what's really wrong with the economy. You can find it here --> http://front.moveon.org/scribbling-sharpie-illustrates-... / and also Bernie Sanders video about the workings of the republican echo chamber. I was rather surprised to hear Sanders claim that social security is not bankrupt and that it has a $2.6 Trillion surplus. I'm willing to take that with a grain of salt knowing that the government has been stealing from SSI for years to fund its deficits. However, when I saw this;

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL33110.pdf

This is the report from the Congressional Research Service titled The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11. This report tells us that the post 9/11 theater has cost us nearly $1.3 TRILLION. So far, Obama has not reduced the wars, he has INCREASED the rate of spending.

Further, as this graph, which was drawn from that report, shows Obama's 2012 drawdown will still leave more troops in Afghanistan than were there when he took office.

- graph omitted, check the link if you're interested -

History tells us that continual wars bankrupt nations. That is what is happening here.

Yet all we get from the democrats are excuses - "We don't have a majority. We don't have a big enough majority. We don't have a super majority. The Republicans said the 'f' word! and my favorites;



It's become clear to me that Democrats have lost their way. They no longer represent the left and are moving further right faster and faster. As long as people are comfortable we will no longer get left/progressive governance much less change. The current generation needs to feel pain. But if we let that pain in a bit at a time, we become numb to it. So it takes even longer for us to realize that we are led backward. The pain must be abrupt. Thus, the only solution I see left is to let go and let the pain come. Let the place burn. Maybe some real progressive leaders will rise from the ashes.

WilliamPitt  (1000+ posts)        Thu Jun-23-11 11:32 AM
Response to Original message
1. .

That's the entire thread thus far.  Let the fun ensue....

[Ralph Wiggum]

WilliamPitt  (1000+ posts)        Thu Jun-23-11 11:35 AM
Response to Original message
5. "Let the place burn."
 Edited on Thu Jun-23-11 11:35 AM by WilliamPitt

It has been my experience that people who speak wistfully of anarchy, chaos and disorder have never tasted it in real life.

Yeah, like you've had a real rough life you drunken brat.

[Ballygrl]

Is the OP seriously comparing unions in the past to unions today?

[BEG]

As long as people are comfortable we will no longer get left/progressive governance much less change. The current generation needs to feel pain. But if we let that pain in a bit at a time, we become numb to it. So it takes even longer for us to realize that we are led backward. The pain must be abrupt. Thus, the only solution I see left is to let go and let the pain come. Let the place burn. Maybe some real progressive leaders will rise from the ashes

Obama ripped the Bandaid off all at once, he played his hand way too quickly. Americans don't like what he is peddling.

[GOBUCKS]

Yeah, like you've had a real rough life you drunken brat.

Pitt has no concept of anarchy, but he experienced chaos and disorder when he sat on a fire ant nest
during the Ditch Witch's siege of Crawford.

[Karin]

without the union, the guy would likely have been put outside the gates to find his own way to the emergency room.

Right.  With that kind of argument, no wonder it's not resonating with the public. 

[dandi]

Right.  With that kind of argument, no wonder it's not resonating with the public. 

Yes, well, the DUmbasses seem to think that if their precious unions have a stake driven through their poisoned hearts, we'll be back at late 19th century education and poverty levels. 

Never mind the Federal and State laws that prevent those type of things....   

You know the argument is desperate when they have to dig that far back.

[Karin]

Also, threat of lawsuits and public relations considerations....

Yeah, dump a guy with no legs outside the gates.  That's good for business.