Ed Schultz just said it so much better than I can/have ........

[Stinky The Clown]

He was speaking about the announcements out of the Senate, and I am paraphrasing here: "I am taking on the President on health care because I care deep in my heart about the right thing for American families, the American people."

His arguments and passion, like mine, are NOT personality driven. They are belief driven.

What is coming out of Washington on health care is Just.Plain.Wrong.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

1. He sounded like a truly disappointed and beaten man in the intro

I felt his pain.

[Fire1sKid]

31. So did I.

[eleny]

2. It was tough to watch

And nice to see Katrina as his first guest urging people to call our Reps and Senators and be active.

[liberation]

26. The fact that we need to call and contact our reps and senators to do the most basic of right things

It just appalling on itself.

It is just the desperation spasms of denial of the fact that this is by all intents and purposes a failed state from a social standpoint.

[droidamus2]

3. As far as I'm concerned

I know many here will disagree with my reaction to the no-single payer, no public-option sellout but my reaction is to as soon as I can re-register as an independent voter after 38 years as a registered Democrat. I will admit when I first registered as a Democrat (in California) I was leaning towards registering as an independent but due to the closed primaries I felt it was a better use of my vote to register as a Democrat. I feel the continuing capitulation to the right-wing Republicans and conservative Democrats shows me that the Democratic party takes the progressive wing for granted and really has no intention of moving forward with any kind of progressive agenda. Don't look for any significant change on the war stance, climate change or any other liberal leaning subject as the Democrats have no intention of making any substantial change to the status quo. Re-registering does not mean in any way that I will give up on progressive causes at this time I just feel that trying to work from within the Democratic party is a waste of time and until the party shows me that they will strongly support the American people as a whole rather than the corporation and the ultra-wealthy they don't deserve my support. Yes, if it takes the Democrats losing seats and even the Presidency to get them to wake up and reestablish their historic spot as the representatives of everyday citizens then that is what must be done. I have had it with empty promises and spineless Democrats (why the hell was Lieberman in the room for the final health care work?) luckily I have one Senator where I live now, Bernie Sanders, that I can wholeheartedly support.

[tabatha]

4. The problem, is that a few bad apples

are tainting the democrats.

We cannot lose any more elections. Period. The alternatives are worse than not getting exactly what you want.

[droidamus2]

9. I respectfully disagree

I have spent 38 years waiting for the Democrats to grow a spine (in California and nationally) and stand up to the right wing in this country. It is obvious that though, as you stated, their are bad-apples in the process it is the leadership that is crumbling. If the leadership had any spine they would tell the Nelsons, Brauxs and Liebermens to get with the program or to expect the full power of the Democratic party to be arrayed against them in the next election. There was no compromise in this process as the right wingers in and out of the party never moved it was the leadership , including Obama, selling out the progressive wing step after step. Not saying that I will never return to the party but for now I have had enough.

[tabatha]

11. It is "there are bad apples" not "their are bad apples"

and I regard this as a slow rebirth of the democrats - it will not happen all at one time.
The bad apples must be removed, and the party should go from strength to strength.

I also think Obama is better than Clinton and better than Carter.

[droidamus2]

12. Oops

Guess I should get better at proof reading my posts. Guess I just was too agitated.

[tabatha]

13. Sorry for the correction ---

but the misuse of their, they're, etc is so common that I try to alert people to it.

[madinmaryland]

39. Grammar Natsi!!

:hi:

Sorry, couldn't resist!

[swilton]

29. +1

[walldude]

14. I think it's more like there are a few good apples and the rest need to go...

I can count on 2 hands the number of people I think are actually working for the American people and not the corporations.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

8. I'm with you Droid

We may just have to let it all get really really bad before the people rise up. I'm still going to fight the good fight, and if there is a D like Kucinich, or Sanders, Grayson et al... running
in my zone I'll vote for them, but I will no longer vote straight party line- I won't be voting for republicans, but a strong independent comes my way- that's who will get my support
and vote.

I'm going to DC this spring for a "Peace of the Action" Check out this site to see what's going down. http://peaceoftheaction.org

I'm taking vacation time, and spending my own $$$'s for bail, because I will be arrested in this peaceful action. But enough is enough-
I cannot hand this country to my children in good conscience, without knowing at least I tried to make it better.

Peace IN & Peace ON

[Fire1sKid]

34. I will be there if I can my friend

[PuraVidaDreamin]

38. In solidarity!

Please spread the word. The more the merrier!

PeaceOn

[Maat]

25. I did that - re-registered several months ago ...

and it's felt great.

:)

[swilton]

28. Goldwater's Loss

some would argue actually strengthened the Republicon Party - because the Republicons validated their base. I agree with everything you said droidamus2.

I will indeed change my DP registration. Having said that, I didn't vote for our president in the general election...You might call it intuition or whatever. I just smelled that the entire aura of Obama/Obamamania was a manufactured job/pr job. Obama's victory was safe in my state.

Yes, I know in today's elections politicians must employ image makers and craft their image. I thought Obama's community service was genuine; I applauded his stance on Iraq - but some of his other votes in the Senate were questionable. Furthermore, he didn't really have the time to spend in the senate because he was spending so much time campaigning - almost from the beginning. So he might have talked the talk but it's just possible every step of his political career was crafted to make him appear something that it seems is really inconsistent with his behavior now that he's in office.

[Fire1sKid]

33. Preach!!!!!!!!!

:toast:

[rwheeler31]

5. I disagree with Ed on this but his statement was

sincere. I hope we can get together to get the best plan we can pass.

[Stinky The Clown]

10. Your statement is the start of a discussion with some common ground.

Sadly, on DU, it is all too often the case that personality intrudes on discussion.

[ShortnFiery]

6. I like Big Eddy ... he does seemingly CARE about the welfare of Middle-Class America.

I'm a proud Ed Head. :silly:

[laughingliberal]

15. I'm an Ed Head, too. I love it when he says he stands up for the guys who shower after work nt

[Forkboy]

7. I think most of the concerns are sincere.

Obviously, some will latch onto any negative they think they see in Obama and run with it, but overall the unhappiness with Obama on this issue has been sincere to me.

[fishnfla]

16. Who voted for him?

What makes him think that the can presume to speak for all American families? Because he shouts so much?

If he thinks he is a champion for American families, he should run for office.

But lately all I hear him saying is that : 'if so-and so democrat doesnt vote for xyz that I want, I will work to make sure that they are defeated in the next election, even if it means a republican takes the seat'

And I bet he means Obama too.

[Goldstein1984]

19. Nobody should be immune

If Obama doesn't do any better than Congress at representing the people for whom he works, then why not target him? Our representatives are elected by the people but serve Wall Street. Any of them--ALL OF THEM--should be held accountable for forgetting who put them where they are.

Obama sold out to Big Pharma. He refused to investigate crimes against humanity committed by the previous administration. He has hidden away photos that would have "made Americans less safe" when what he probably was concerned about was the outcry for justice they would have created.

Anybody can be a champion for any cause they want from whatever position they have. Shultz is more effective in the media than any elected official is in office.

I'm planning on helping to target a few unprincipled democrats myself. We all should.

[Mithreal]

20. He has more potential to effect change in the role he has now.

I'll take my "champions" or "heroes" any way they come.

[liberation]

27. Wait, so we can not criticize politicians because they are elected...

... and people's opinions are only worthy if and only if they are elected.


Do you even comprehend what you are advocating? Since when "shut up, dear leader knows best" is an accepted "democratic" attitude associated with this country? WTF!?

[Bluenorthwest]

32. So only elected officials should be allowed to criticize elected

officials? Is that your final answer? That in order to voice an opinion, being a voter and citizen is not good enough, but one must also run for office?

[tblue]

17. Me, too. it's not about Obama. It's about us, the voters.

I don't vote for personality, gender, age, race, or any God-given trait. I can't read anyone's mind so I do not vote for hidden wishes never verbalized, and not for ideals that are only verbalized, and especially not for what I believe is deep in someone's heart despite what they actually do.

I do vote for integrity and, above all else, I vote for policy, deeds, actions, who and what is championed and how hard a person tries. I blindly follow no one. No matter how much I 'like' Obama (and I do), this is how I judge any politician, and this determines how I vote and what I have to say. And no amount of name-calling, demanding, threats, or bullying will ever silence me or make me go along with something I disagree with. I'd be a damned fool to do otherwise.

[Bushknew]

18. I love big Ed. nt

[a kennedy]

23. I'm an Ed Head too....

he did sound really depressed and defeated with the possible out come of the "new" health care bill. Such high expectations and such a low result. It's just sad. I know the efforts were huge to try and change the health care industry.....but to me it sure sounds like lots of momentum has been lost. We'll see, but I do feel Ed's pain.

[KrR]

37. He's a finger in the wind Blowhard. n/t

[Raine]

21. Loving Ed more all the time

he's TERRIFIC! :thumbsup:

[Juche]

22. Is it this video?

I didn't see Ed, was it this video everyone is talking about?

http://www.bigeddieradio.com/

[Owl]

24. I love big Ed too.

[Romulox]

30. k/r. Feel like this thread represents the true "moderate" position...

Radical would be free healthcare on demand. The Public Option is the compromise!

[LaPera]

35. I love Big Eddie!

[Dinger]

36. I LIke Ed

:patriot: