I wasnt happy with the Pres reminding progressives what the goal is for health care reform.

[rhett o rick]

I did like the speech and I think he is doing what he can, but...

"To my progressive friends, I would remind you that for decades, the driving idea behind reform has been to end insurance company abuses and make coverage affordable for those without it. The public option is only a means to that end - and we should remain open to other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal."

I would like to remind the President that single payer is the means to "end insurance company abuses and make coverage affordable ...". For decades some have been looking for "other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal" and have failed. America is bleeding to death and you want to apply band aides.

I dont think it necessary to remind progressives what the ultimate goal is.

[sandnsea]

1. I don't think it's necessary to have yet another piss post n/t

[rhett o rick]

12. I am not going to sit down and shut up for Rahm or you.

I said I liked the speech and I believe the President is doing what he can. That still doesn't mean I can't disagree with his talking down to progressives. I think he thinks he has to do that to balance talking down to republicans.

Progressives have been his most outspoken supporters pushing toward the goal. A watered down public option isn't a step on the path toward our goal. It's a slap in the face to the millions and millions of Americans that deserve decent health care now, not in 10 years.

Single payer is the answer and a strong public option may be a reasonable compromise. Nothing less will do.

If you want to be in a party that toes the line, join the republicans.

[gleaner]

21. I agree with him ....

and he says it well. Also, I intend to say what I think as well. I didn't think this was a place where censorship was practiced unless a poster violates the rules of the board.

So if I am unhappy, within those parameters I am going to say so. I don't believe in censorship. It's not saying what a problem is that lets it grow. Silence is only golden in fairy tails or if you are hung over.

[rhett o rick]

23. Hey gleaner, I like your name. Have you seen the documentary "The Gleaners and I"? nt

[gleaner]

29. Thanks ...

I chose the name to refer to metaphorical gleaning.;) Sorting through the chaff of debate to find kernels of ideas, opinions, understanding and information I didn't have before. So far the findings have been good.

My mother was raised for a time by her grandparents. Her grandfather had a family farm and he would always let his neighbors in to glean as he harvested. He knew they were hungry and needed food. He was not a rich man, but he could share what he had. My mother explained that it was a tradition dating back to biblical times and before, so I went and did some reading and found it to be quite fascinating.

I didn't see "The Gleaners and I." When I saw it named in your post, I looked it up and it seems like something I would be interested in seeing. I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks for the recommendation. Sometimes my access to films and documentaries is curtailed because I have MS and I am more or less house bound. They took away my driver's license for the good of the citizens of California.:dilemma: They were right to do so. My vision is such that I tend to confuse right and left and could remove whole rows of cars without realizing I was going to do it.

[lamp_shade]

2. Piss Post. Ya.

[JuniperLea]

3. Then you aren't paying attention...

He needed to speak to everyone. He needed to let it be known that he wasn't going to take stupid lying crap from anyone. Period.

Progressives aren't perfect. It doesn't hurt to remind people what the rules are.

[rhett o rick]

11. We aren't talking about rules. He reminded progressives what the goal is, like they need reminding.

[JuniperLea]

13. So? Everyone needs reminding...

I use this tactic all the time when I want to tell an employee something, but don't really want to single them out... something for everyone to show he isn't playing favorites.

I think it was brilliant. Telling progressives something they already know isn't a jab... at progressives anyway.

[rhett o rick]

16. Ok. It's hard to argue with someone with a piece sign on there signature. Peace. nt

[JuniperLea]

18. What a cop out...

Whatevs, dude.

[rhett o rick]

19. You aint gona let me out easy eh? Ok you are right. It really wasnt a big deal. nt

[rhett o rick]

20. wait just a min. Did you say "dude". LOL. Havent heard that for a while. nt

[JuniperLea]

28. Dude... I was a surfer chick in the 70's...

And never got over it;)

Everyone is dude... chicks, dudes... term of endearment really... when I want to be snippy, but in a big (or kid, as the case may be) sister kind of way.

[Mythsaje]

4. If all you have is band-aids, everything you see is a paper cut. n/t

[mmonk]

5. Our goal is what is best for the American people.

Their goal is to keep the health insurers and big pharma in the game so their lobbying dollars can go to Democrats.

[katandmoon]

6. Obama's disdain for progressives must always be stated just as his respect for repugs must be stated

Obama always makes it clear that he holds the progressives who believed in him and voted for him in utter contempt, and that they'd better not expect him to give THEM any preference, while sucking up to regugs who hold HIM and always WILL hold him in the utmost contempt no matter how hard he tries to curry favor with him.

[glitch]

8. It's probably a survival mechanism.

Not a very pretty one but it may be effective for him, at least temporarily until he establishes confidence in his new role as world leader. Hopefully he won't need it for too long. It makes him look weak IMO, but then I don't have much respect for appeasers.

[dana_b]

22. exactly

you stated what I think everytime I hear shit like that.

Fine, I'm contemptuous, I don't expect anything from him and he needs nothing from me. We have an understanding.

[Metta]

7. He voices the extremes in a misguided effort to appear balanced.

Sigh. Nothing wrong with partisanship if one side is only working at hate and fear mongering and creating havoc.

They don't care how much you love them, Obama, they're never coming over to your side.

[noiretextatique]

9. he cast the public option, the only real reform next to single payer, as an extreme

yep...he really need to stop kissing republicon ass.

[Metta]

10. yup, damning with faint praise.

He does need to stop kissing their asses.

[Individualist]

14. DLC always kisses republican ass

[branders seine]

15. That's why the right wing created the DLC

[rhett o rick]

17. The right wing is a tool of CorpAmerica as are the DLC. nt

[Hatchling]

24. I was outraged by that phrase.

It is not true. For decades the driving idea behind reform has been to provide health care for all. Insurance company abuses is a whole other issue!

[rhett o rick]

26. Thank you. I agree. nt

[Libertas1776]

25. I really don't appreciate being "dressed down"

by the President because he deems me to be a member of the extreme. We are the right side. We are the only right side. The only other people out there are the corporations who are letting Americans die to up their profit margins. The ultimate goal is an equitable system in which all Americans have access to a tax payer funded public health care system, like the rest of the civilized, industrialized world. Mr President, you can take your "bi-partisan" pandering and *raspberry* take a jog!

[rhett o rick]

27. There is no question that progressives know the goal. Some times it looks like the President might

forget.