This week I met several Republicans who are pissed at the GOP for not playing ball

[Taverner]

"We coulda had TORT REFORM!!!!"

Granted this was Minnesota, and Minneapolis at that - but if I heard the expressions "when the teams switch fields, you have to accept the fact you're not at bat any more."

Just FYI - among some republicans, Obama's overtures to bipartisanship were noticed - and probably gained him a few GOP votes in 2012. May not make much of a difference, but the obstructionism is pissing a lot of Republicans off.

[Hokie]

1. Interesting, I hope you are correct

I certainly haven't seen that but I have spent the last few weeks in Texas and Louisiana. The Republicans you talked to are correct. The Republican leadership pulled an Epic Fail on this one, and I mean a once in a generation blunder, not just a minor boo-boo.

[DURHAM D]

2. I have more than two dozen Republican family members who are

pissed off that we didn't get medicare for all. They live in Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Colorado, Arizona, Florida and Europe.

They are all moderate to left of center but still register as Repubs. I can't fix that but we are usually all in the same place on policy.

[Catshrink]

3. I envy you and your family.

Mine is totally irrational. One of my sisters will soon be eligible for medicare after not having insurance for 15 years due to a pre-existing condition. It's not that she couldn't afford the insurance, no one would insure her after her insurance company of long ago went bankrupt. HCR was designed for people like her. Guess what? She's ardently opposed to this socialist takeover of medicine -- but can't wait until she turns 65.

I asked her what her quality of life would have been like if she'd had insurance and could have taken care of her medical issues properly for the past few years instead of just getting a band aid when something acute cropped up. She changed the subject. What do you expect? Palin is her hero.

[RKP5637]

9. You may have seen this, but I thought of it when you mentioned your sister.

This was posted earlier on DU. I have not read the entire article yet, but when you mentioned your sister's view on Medicare I thought of this article. So just passing it along FYI... if there is something in it you find offensive, it is certainly not meant that way. I'll read the entire article tonight when I have more time. Here it is below. "How Authoritarian Followers Think"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8027675

[Catshrink]

11. Yep, you nailed it.

"According to Professor Altemeyer, right-wing authoritarians are cognitively rigid, aggressive, and intolerant. They are characterized by steadfast conformity to group norms, submission to higher status individuals, and aggression toward out-groups and unconventional group members."

That's her in a nutshell. She's always been that way. One day she went on about education funding and I asked her "Are you saying I shouldn't be paid a living wage?" Talk about cognitive dissonance! She knows the long hours I work, the ups and downs of my job, and how that "summer off" is a myth. She could not process this and "had to go" so hung up. As I said, she worships Palin.

[RKP5637]

12. Good, thanks for letting me know! I find DU an incredible forum and group of people! The

knowledge of many people on DU is amazing, I learn something new each day!

[tabatha]

4. And that is exactly why Obama tried so hard for bipartisanship.

If he could not get it, he wins - because the other side looks like obstructionists.
If he got it, then he wins.

A lot of people here were tired of his attempts - but he knew what he was doing.

[JBoy]

5. Obama hit the nail on the head

when he told the GOP their crazy rhetoric left them no room to negotiate.

They went all-in on obstruction, and then could only watch as the hand played out.

[Catshrink]

7. Especially the "Waterloo" comment by Demented

(I think it was he) and, most recently, Gramps McCain saying they wouldn't cooperate at all from now on. That won't play well among the rational, thinking conservative and moderate Republicans.

[Nothing Without Hope]

6. I overheard a generally wise older acquaintance telling someone

"I didn't leave the Republicans, they left ME!" (She is far more moderate and sensible than the current crop of radish heads.)

[billybob537]

8. Correct me if I'm wrong

But when your team is not at bat you go into the field!
You don't just sit on the bench and throw rocks!!!
EDIT= big Red Sox fan Sorry NY

[ChicagoSuz219]

10. I think there's some Tort Reform in the 'Law'... n/t