Because I just don’t get it

[babylonsister]

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/25832

Because I just don’t get it
Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2007-08-15 14:55. Activism

This post by Scarecrow at firedoglake ends with these three ringing paragraphs:

There have been nearly 3700 US soldiers killed in Iraq, a war Bush/Cheney lied us into against a country that posed zero threat to America. The war’s direct economic costs now approach $500 billion and will eventually exceed a trillion dollars. But there are even greater opportunity costs that are yet to be counted, in neglected investments, health care not provided, education never completed, teachers and police not hired, schools and bridges left unrepaired, and on and on. In the last six years, according to New York Times columnist Bob Herbert, there were over 100,000 people murdered in America’s cities, including the three kids just gunned down in Newark.

We hardly talk about these other costs of having Bush as Commander in Chief, because we are saddled with a President whose choice of friends/advisers and whose disastrous policy choices require that we focus on killing Iraqis instead of saving our own country. Now we’re told he will veto every budget bill that provides “too much” money for everything from children’s health to worker protection and block every piece of legislation that tries to address energy dependence, global warming, or the absence of universal health care. Nothing critical that needs to be done can or will get done as long as this crowd occupies the White House. Nothing.

Rove is leaving, but the core problem America faces still sits in the White House, smug in the belief he and Dick Cheney and Alberto Gonzales are accountable to no one and no law. Faced with such unprecedented Presidential misconduct, tell me again why starting impeachment proceedings, whatever the outcome, does not send the right signal to them and to our own future, and why we should not face this White House every day of its remaining term with the threat of removal. Because I just don’t get it, no matter how weak the Democrats often seem. Standing up to this regime is the first duty of a patriot and the litmus test for any Democrat seeking our continued support.

[PDJane]

1. I can't answer the question........

Because there isn't any good reason to NOT impeach this criminal and his bunch of henchmen. There is no way to fix the mess without bringing the troops home and putting the country to work. There is also the bit of making a truly equitable tax system; that means taking the money from the top 4% and spreading it around; road and infrastructure, health care, schooling, those sorts of things.

You know, the socialist stuff.

[Hamlette]

2. easy answer

politicians are in the business of running the government, not sending signals.
waste of time for all but the obsessed.

[TahitiNut]

5. "There is always an easy solution to every human problem — neat, plausible, and wrong."

H.L.Mencken

[Hydra]

9. Such a good quote

First I've seen it, but it sums up my problem with dealing with people perfectly.

"We have a problem!"
"Solutions are available. You should try _____, ____ or ______."
"It's not that simple!"
"Yes it is, all we would have to do is ______."
"You aren't listening! Those things won't work!"
"Why not?"
"Because ______ said it wouldn't!"

*smacks face with palm*

I'm using that as my answer from now on :D

[TahitiNut]

14. In my decades in the 'belly of the (corporate) beast,' I encountered MANY people ...

... who peddled 'solutions' irrespective of and without the slightest comprehension of the 'problem.'

It reminded me of ...

"Christ is the answer!" ("What's the question?")

:eyes:

[Hydra]

15. If christ is the answer

you aren't thinking hard enough :evilgrin:

Seriously, I'm too much of a "reality based thinker" for most people to handle. I make people who wring their hands angry.

(On edit)

Ah, interesting how I interpreted the quote as opposed to how it was probably meant:

"There is always an easy solution to every human problem — neat, plausible, and wrong."

A good solution is neat and easy- but lately viable solutions are thrown out in favor of ones that will cause more trouble in the end but are to the advantage of the person offering the "solution." Therefore, the solution is "wrong."

Here's an example- if we are scared of terrorists with oil to sell, devalue the oil. We can't have that, though. That would hurt Exxon.

[Clark2008]

6. Snarf.

You really think politicians run the government? :rofl:

Government employees run the government. Politicians just soak up money, air and television space.

[endarkenment]

11. I think you have a typo there.

"politicians are in the business of running the government"
obviously you meant:
"politicians are in the business of ruining the government"

[AndyTiedye]

3. Congress May No Longer Have Enough Power to Remove **

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Sending a copy to House and Senate Majority Leaders plus my two somewhat

Democratic Senators. No need to send to my idiot, Bush-loving, GOP Rep.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

7. "Because I just don’t get it"

That much is clear.

[valerief]

8. Pharma, Insurance, Oil industries don't want it. Period.

[Breeze54]

10. Because, it would be hard work and - Hell! They're on vacation!!!

Don't you know? :shrug:

[stirlingsliver]

12. Cape Cod, The Hamptons, and Maine Are Lovely This Time of Year

In August, all of the elite jet out of Washington to the places where the elite goes -- Cape Cod, the Hamptons, Maine, etc.

They just can't be bothered with "standing up to this regime".

It's more important that they be seen with all the rich folks -- because it is the rich who contribute the money needed to get re-elected.

And that is really why policitians go to Washington, DC -- to get re-elected,

[Megahurtz]

13. It's called A.I.P.A.C. n/t