Paradox:
When it comes to influence of Lobbyists, both Repubs and Dems are same. That is why some Dems are complining that Governemnt Healthcare option will unfairly compete with the private insurance options. That is what the private insurance lobby told them to say and they (Both Repubs & Dems) are saying it. In addition, the Dems from southern states, are pretty much like Repubs anyway.
Posted by suresh at July 9, 2009 08:50 AMParadox,
As far as presidential policy goes Obama has continued Bush's
1] War in Iraq, by implementing Rumsfield's plan in whole.
2] Bailout of the financial sector, Giethner's policy is line on line with Paulson's
3] Domestic spying and has suppressed any investigation.
4] Violation of unlawful detention, even using the same technique of moving prisoners from jurisdiction to jurisdiction
5] Reliance on health insurers to set national health policy.
Many who voted for Obama "hoped" for better, but obviously paradox you are pleased with Obama's right wing policies, I am not.
And let's remember, the Democrats supported and still support Bush the Second's policies.
Posted by S Brennan at July 9, 2009 09:25 AMWell this will decide for me whether I ever vote again (until there's another revolution).
So scream about how there is a big difference between D & R, but if D can't get real health reform with a supermajority in congress, a D president and 75% of the public supporting you then there is really is no difference and no reason to vote anymore.
Posted by Mike in SLO at July 9, 2009 10:41 AMParadox - I love you, but this post was an incoherent mess of reasoning. I think it's because you argue the pros and cons of both sides, but you don't well differentiate whom you're arguing for and if you're being sarcastic or serious about the point at hand.
Let's be honest, considering the choices after Iowa's caucuses (which y'all can attack my state for), the decision was between 2 modern muddling mushy Democrats. They both stumped center-left but had legislative records that made them limp chicken moderates. They both had a corporate donations list that made my eyes cross in anger.
But whom else was I going to vote for?
Posted by idiosynchronic at July 9, 2009 05:01 PMClinton betrayed the labor part of his base with NAFTA in 1993 and the Civil Libertarians with DADT in 1993 and, in 1994, lost the congress. The conventional explanation is that Gingrich was a genius but the more reasonable account has labor and civil libertarians sitting on their hands while the R's do their usual good job of turnout. Obama is blowing it right now, just like that. If there is a tax on health benefits, a weakened public option and prisoners being tortured at Baghram Air Force Base, the House and Senate are lost to us. Now could someone please tell these idiots what they're doing.
Posted by johnmorris at July 9, 2009 05:18 PMCan you imagine being a California government worker? You're already dealing with furloughs, pay cuts, and a higher state income tax. Now Obama wants to tax your health care benefits and pass a cap and trade bill that will increase your energy bills. Who knows what he plans for your income taxes, but they're scheduled to increase in the years ahead.
Welcome to hope and change.
Posted by Ken at July 9, 2009 06:28 PMCan you imagine being a California government worker? You're already dealing with furloughs, pay cuts, and a higher state income tax. Now Obama wants to tax your health care benefits and pass a cap and trade bill that will increase your energy bills. Who knows what he plans for your income taxes, but they're scheduled to increase in the years ahead.
Welcome to hope and change.
Posted by Ken at July 9, 2009 06:28 PM
Can you imagine being a California government worker? You're already dealing with furloughs, pay cuts, and a higher state income tax, courtesy of the Republican't Gropenfuhrer. Now Shwarzenegger wants to pay you with IOUs that his Republican't bankers doin't want to cash and slash health care and other worker benefits while smoking stogies in his taxpayer dollar funded cigar tent. Who knows what he plans for your income taxes, but they're scheduled to increase in the years ahead.
Welcome to the new and improved Republican't strategery.
As far as the original topic of the post is concerned, there is a problem with both parties yes. But they're not the same.
I usually use this comparison to highlight what I see as the differences: yes, the Democrats and the Republican'ts are both crooks - but the Democrats are petty thieves, and the Republican'ts are mass murderers. Slight difference in criminal philosophy and damage to the public at large...
Posted by (: Tpm :) at July 11, 2009 04:21 AM