Why Democrats NEVER Fight Back-Its The $$$ (Bill Moyers: "GOP Off The Hook For Giant Mess")

[kpete]

Bill Moyers & Thomas Frank: How America's Demented Politics Let the GOP Off the Hook for Their Giant Mess

By Bill Moyers and Thomas Frank, Bill Moyers Journal. Posted January 19, 2010.

Bill Moyers interviews Thomas Frank on how our short attention span has allowed conservatives to escape blame for their role in the economic meltdown.

....................

BILL MOYERS: Why? So, part of the problem with America is the Democratic Party?

THOMAS FRANK: A huge part of the problem, because look, the conservatives have for decades now made their-- the whole point of their party is to attack government, attack the state, encourage cynicism about government. And then wreck it when they're in charge, right?

Democrats never defend the state. They never come out and say, "No, no. It's important to have, you know, government. It's important to have a Department of Labor. These are, you know, having government actually-- a good government increases your freedom. It doesn't ruin it." They never fight back consistently.

BILL MOYERS: Why?

THOMAS FRANK: I think they're-- some of them do. You've got members of Congress here and there that do. But by and large, the prominent leading Democrats in our society don't do that. Why is that? Because I think that would get them in trouble with their funders. I mean, the power of money is huge in the political system. You know, despite all the efforts that have been made over the years to get money out of politics. It's still immensely powerful.



more:
http://www.alternet.org/story/145249/bill_moyers_%26_thomas_frank%3A_how_america%27s_demented_politics_let_the_gop_off_the_hook_for_their_giant_mess?page=5

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

1. I think most of us have figured that out by now

and had the proof delivered on a silver platter with what HCR turned into.

[kentuck]

2. Bingo!

Hit the nail on the head.

[Ninga]

3. So True So Sad n/t

[Solly Mack]

4. k/r

[OHdem10]

5. Is it because we have a very effective "right wing" in our own party

and they hold enough sway to shut the others up. If they,
Democratic righties, hold similar positions to Republican
righties. They have nothing to say, therefore. Democrats
are crippled by their own structure.

[mmonk]

6. Thank you for posting this. It is a major factor of why our country

is in this mess and why many of us can't even speak to our neighbors on the issues. NO ONE has our back.

[iceman66]

7. Absolutelty correct.

The way both houses of Congress have handled health care has been an absolute disgrace.

[Vidar]

8. K&R.

[Pryderi]

9. "Government is the shadow cast by business over society" - John Dewey n/t

[xchrom]

10. A very sad recommend indeed. Nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

11. K&R

Must've missed all the efforts to get money out of politics over the yrs. :shrug: Sounded like lip service, if anything.

[kentuck]

12. kick

We must ask why they are letting the Repubs off the hook?

[SOS]

13. Bob Herbert sums it up in his column today

"The government, reclining comfortably on a vast cushion of campaign contributions, has allied itself with big business and the big banks
against the interests of ordinary Americans. Millions upon millions of families are suffering, but mostly in silence."

[opihimoimoi]

14. CHEER THE FUCK UP GUYS...them GOPiacs are a Group of Phonies

They Bait and Switch

Their Track Record Sucks Big Time

but...I agree with Op...we don't do enough..for most of us...its not about $$$

with many of the GOP...IT IS ABOUT $$....they vote pocket book for THEM and Party...its never been "COUNTRY FIRST"...its all an ACT.,..the Bait & Switch thingy

I suspect the Nation has had enough of this Pub Scam of "They can do it better"

History will show we DEMs got Robbed in 2000...then God came along and punished the GOP for their hand in it...esp Moxie and Spunky who lost the Senate race and had to be deflated.

The GOP CANNOT DENY THEIR INEPTITUDE in picking Leaders....Only Ike stands out since the 30's

Bush et al are proven Puppets

[Festivito]

15. In other words we need Campaign Finance Reform more than HCR.

Or, we won't get HCR until we get CFR.

[Blue Owl]

16. front and center

This is the reason for our great discontent here on this message board.

[JHB]

17. Succinctly and accurately put. n/t K&R