Whiite House: Simpson will continue to serve.

[laughingliberal]

Simpson Apologizes to Critic
By JACKIE CALMES

Alan K. Simpson, the Republican co-chairman of President Obama’s bipartisan fiscal commission, removed his “size 15 feet” from his mouth to apologize to a critic on Wednesday for a stinging letter in which he compared Social Security to “a milk cow with 310 million tits.”

The apology came as some liberal groups and members of Congress who oppose any changes to Social Security benefits called on Mr. Obama to fire Mr. Simpson, a former senator from Wyoming long known for his irreverent and often biting remarks.

But at the White House, Jennifer Psaki, the deputy communications director, said, “Alan Simpson has apologized and while we regret and do not condone his comments, we accept his apology and he will continue to serve.”

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

Social Security Works, a coalition of liberal groups, denounced the comments as “offensive and sexist” and said Mr. Simpson, who turns 79 next week, should resign or be fired. Representatives Peter DeFazio, a Democrat from Oregon, and Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, wrote to Mr. Obama urging his removal, “in order for your commission’s recommendations to have credibility with Congress.”

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/simpson-apologizes-to-critic/

*Sigh*

[villager]

1. Well, of course. It's not like he's a liberal attacked by Fox, who would have to be jettisoned.

n/t

[KarenS]

+1 n/t

[Bitwit1234]

19. You hit the nail on the head.

Our republican white house posing as Democrats would never do that.

[pnorman]

65. "not A`Dime's Worth Of Difference Between...."

m/t

[bobbolink]

148. I think of that often.

Of course, it can't be actually spoken here.

Freedom of speech be damned.

[Paper Roses]

173. I'm a Senior, a woman, a voter and I am enraged at this

apology accepted baloney. Not on my behalf, it isn't.

We're getting close to the point that I will declare that I no longer support Obama. It is one insult after another and I'm sick of it.

This type of reaction on Obama's part is not the type of response I would have expected, I would not have voted for him if I had any idea he is a Rethug in Dem's clothing.

Phooey.

Besides, the language is tacky.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

188. +1000 n/t

[Enthusiast]

191. No, it's worse than that. nt

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mmonk]

31. +1000

He insulted the right people. He stays.

[xxqqqzme]

129. Must have been the

'professional left'. At least they are beginning to define their terms

[MsPithy]

166. White House Accepted His Apology?!?!?!?!

Grrrrr! mmonk, you are so right! Simpson did not insult the White House, why the fuck do they think they should be the ones to accept the apology!!!

[Paper Roses]

209. Good point. He insulted seniors and women in particular.

The president does not speak for me on this issie.....On lots of others too.

I'm too old for this baloney.

[Hannah Bell]

57. +100. wingers can say things reminiscent of hitler's second coming

with no consequences.

c'mon, where the ACCOUNTABILITY?

[John Q. Citizen]

168. Obama seems very short on accountabiility. He's too afraid of the Repos to offend them in anyway

at any time.

Even when they insult everyone in the country who gets social security or who pays into social security and plans on getting it someday.

Apparently Obama thinks my mom and dad are deadbeats sucking off the teat.


Putting a person in charge of the commission who doesn't even know that SS is a pay as you program and who hates social security and the people on it is bad government, IMHO. That's rotten governing.

[amborin]

62. +1

[leftstreet]

70. +1

[slay]

71. No kidding! Right wing assholes get away with everything

just look at Bush, Cheney, Oliver North, etc. Even the Dems are right-wing these days too. fucking sucks! :mad:

[leeroysphitz]

118. Right. If Glen fucking Beck had been offended by simpson's comments he would have been gone 10

minutes after the story broke.

[felinetta]

119. Your point is well taken. And I decided to email the WH and tell them that

it is too bad Simpson's name wasn't Shirley Sherrod because
then he would have been fired.

[closeupready]

121. +1. LOL, you really nailed it, didn't you?

:D :hi:

[Politicub]

184. +1! That's the crux of the whole thing

[ArcticFox]

217. exactly

If he were a black woman, they would have made him email his resignation before the story even hit the news.

[myrna minx]

2. Shocking.

I mean he was only insulting seniors and women. Who needs THEM? :eyes:

[Mimosa]

72. 'he was only insulting seniors and women'

Oy vey!

At last, have they no shame?

President Obama, WHY? Why did you appoint this awful old stooge? People knew what he was back in the 1980s and 1990s for heaven's sake. :(

[femrap]

105. And the Democratic

party has the audacity to ask why more women don't show up at the polls to vote for them?

Fuck this WH administration. He spits in the face of older women and we're supposed to support this crap.

I've had it.

Maybe this will piss off enough women to get their fucking attention. Think I'll call again.

Obama is a paid-for Corporate minion. Just once couldn't he stand up and do the moral thing.:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:


This is how you get independent women voters to join the Tea Party. Way to go. They're tired of being insulted.

[lark]

190. Smart independent older women won't join Tea Party

They'd never support that ragtag group of racists and homophobes. However, they won't be voting for Obama either. How many will just sit home rather than vote for the person who sold them out? That's the major danger!!

I do agree with the smilies, though. :toast:

:puke:

[Raksha]

193. And it could just be how you get progressive women to give up on the Democrats and join the Greens.

Re "This is how you get independent women voters to join the Tea Party. Way to go. They're tired of being insulted."

I'm pretty much at that point NOW, if not past it. I'm sick of being insulted and sold out. The Democrats are going to finally wake up to the fact that older progressive women like me are their fucking BASE!!! They'll figure it out when it's too late to do anything about it.

[femrap]

196. If it weren't for women

voting democratic, there wouldn't be any democrats in office. They're going to go too far and we'll stay home or vote for 'none of the above.'

We need a Progressive Party.

[otohara]

210. The Disabled

I'm one of them "tit suckers" Mr. Simpson.

[RaleighNCDUer]

156. Are there any Democrats this WH is NOT out to alienate? nt

[laughingliberal]

160. I think they're doing well with the Reagan Democrats who still believe what Reagan stood for. nt

[awoke_in_2003]

213. Yes, the New Democrats...

which, to me at least, look a hell of a lot like republicans.

[CreekDog]

3. He's not Sherrod or Jones

he stays. :eyes:

[Martin Eden]

135. That was MY first thought ...

... quick to pull the trigger on true allies but lenient towards the fox in the henhouse :mad: :wtf:

[CreekDog]

150. though he basically canned McCrystal

I'll give him that.

[HuckleB]

4. As my four-year-old would say, "STUPID!"

[Marr]

5. They consider liberal anger to be something of a badge of honor.

I've picked that up over time. There is zero chance of them budging on an issue like this. If it was something the "undecided" voters were angry about, they might respond-- but the base? They *want* to piss you off.

[Echotrail]

20. It is starting to seem like a concerted effort

to piss off each and every one of their constituencies.

Pretty soon there won't be anyone left to piss off.

What gives?

[slay]

73. They don't care what liberals think, or want, at all

except when they need our votes. And now with ES&S owning most all the voting machines and whistle-blower Mike Connell killed in a plane crash, they need us less than ever.

[Autumn]

6. To me, that is a disgrace and

an in your face betrayal.

[MissDeeds]

142. Another disgrace

And another betrayal.

[global1]

7. Call The White House And Make More Noise, Don't Let This Die......

this guy needs to resign or be fired from this commission. The White House number is: 1-202-456-1111.

I don't know why in the first place he was picked for this commission by Obama. Unless the fix is in.

Simpson must go. Call the White House and protest.

[laughingliberal]

12. I'll call tomorrow. I would have today but I couldn't have made a civil or coherent statement.

:nuke:

[niyad]

44. isn't it lovely that the switchboard keeps bankers' hours? after all, nothing happens at night or

on weekends.

[JJ]

162. you do actually speak to a person,

I can't imagine how many folks it takes to man the phones there.

[lark]

198. I held for 15 min. (4:30-4:45) with no response

Grrrr.

[AndyA]

55. I'll call tomorrow. I agree, we need to let the White House know we're sick of them coddling to the

GOP.

Shirley Sherrod was thrown to the wolves in hours, yet this guy keeps his position. No. F'in. Way.

[Frisbee]

151. As if they'll give a shit.

I'm assuming you're not speaking for a huge corporation, in which case I would have to retract that statement.

[JJ]

161. I just called,

So I'm certain it'll be resolved within the hour.:evilgrin:

Seriously though, thanks for posting the number, it felt good to make that call.

[BurtWorm]

8. Krugman's right. They're afraid of republicans!

:grr:

[Matariki]

23. Who knows, maybe they LITERALLY are threatened - or their families?

It would explain a fuck of a lot over the past decade.

[ShamelessHussy]

39. no, they are working for the elite... everything else is kabuki theater

[another saigon]

42. oh please

I gave that notion up long ago. I believe it is pretty damn obvious now it is not fear but collusion with the corporate powers that keep dems in their place. Our system is fucked up and we are fucked.

[tomp]

84. agreed. the only way out is to expose the complicity of the democratic party.

the more people who can't see through obama, the worse off we will be.

[dotymed]

158. That may be why

THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE was not reinstated.
It would explain alot. I'd never really considered that "excuse" until now.

[SammyWinstonJack]

86. They ARE republicans.

No other explanation for this continued theft of SS monies.

It's our money we bought the cow, they borrowed the milk, spilt it among the rich and war mongers!

Now they want to extend the wars and tax breaks for the rich, funded with SS.


Fuck them ALL!

[Zenlitened]

139. Love it! We bought the cow, they stole the milk!

:applause:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

97. Close.

They're afraid of republicans!

[SammyWinstonJack]

100. +1

:thumbsup:

[Freddie Stubbs]

117. Democrats aren't likely to run attack ads on Obama during his reelection campaign

Republicans are.

[leeroysphitz]

120. I'm not trying to pick a fight but I have to ask; your sig line is sarcasm or dark humor, right?

[defendandprotect]

179. When corporations buy candidates and politicians they don't buy them

so they will act like Democrats!!

I think everyone at DU needs their BS meter set waaaay higher !!

[Barack2theFuture]

9. only if faux or limbutt attacked him for being too liberal,

would this White House act, and in that case, they'd fire his ass before faux or limbutt were done talking.

[Me.]

10. Yeah Thanks Guys

Those seniors and, women must be part of those pesky progressives so why not throw them under the bus too?

[tnlefty]

11. Well, appeasing crazy old rightwingers must be continued...

if this democratic administration cuts social security in any shape, form or fashion they'll be out in the wilderness for generations.

[Amonester]

189. It sure *looks* like it's what the *infiltaitoRs* want! n$t

[quinnox]

13. But of course

I think any pretense at what this commission is going to propose has been lost.

The only question now is how deep the cuts to social security will be and if Obama and the Democrats will go along with it.

Meanwhile the defense budget continues at a record pace, but no, hands off that, no cuts but more increases, because we need more guns and death toys to play with!

[Grinchie]

154. The reason for unabated War spending is because they know they've lost control.

The Ponzi scheme is about to collapse, and this is the last chance before the dollar collapses to spend like a drunken sailor on all the toys the Powers that Be think they will need to hunker down in their bunkers when Society collapses in anarchy and flames, when social services, infrastructure, transportaion, and distribution systems are severed into discrete little chunks to tear themselves apart.

Then, when the citizens have fought against each other long enough for what little remains, the well armed "Saviors" will come in an seize whatever wealth the remaining people have, impose a new form of "Marshall Law", in order to "Maintain Order".

The people that have not woken up to the reality that the Government is definately not doing its job in regard to taking care of it's citizens are in denial that "This can't happen in America", but the fact of the matter is that it is happening, and although they may have a full belly, running water, flush and forget amenities and a cell phone that works right now, these things are fleeting and the can go away in an instant.

Just imagine for one moment if a community lost it's water supply, like say, San Francisco, or Los Angeles. Where would 6 million people go to the toilet? Is there any contingency whatsoever? Do you think the average shlub is going to know what do do in that situation?

Never mind the whole drinking water question, but contaminated wells aren't going to cut it.

We know that the economy is in severe depression. We are running on fiat money spent on useless things that do nothing to further our survival in the future. The jobs market is running on a skeleton crew that is just enough to keep up the facade that everything is normal.

People need to evaluate exactly what they need to cope with outages and prepare. Ammo and canned food is not the answer. Skills and a good education mean much, much more. Learn what it takes to live without the accouterments of this unsustainable model that is about to collapse.

[lib2DaBone]

230. A corrupt government can't save us...

Just like Hurricane Katrina.. they will leave us stranded on roof tops.

Just like Deep Water Horizon.. the oil will gush for months on end.. because Washington is only capable of TAKING.. not GIVING.


The way to fix the economy is as simple as black and white... but it will not happen... because it doesn't fit the agenda of the top 1/2%.

[Scuba]

14. I still don't understand why he's on the commission in the first place. n/t

[AzDar]

17. Or why they need a f*&king commission at all...

:grr:

[SammyWinstonJack]

87. +1

:thumbsup: None of those a$$hole$ on that commission will be affected by SS cuts, nor will Obama himself, be. Rich self-entitled a$$hole$, the lot of them!

[bvar22]

125. Why "they" need a commission?

Why "THEY" need a Commission to cut your Social Security

[lark]

197. How can they make us all serfs if we have any $$

They must make sure it goes away, so there is no backstop and people will have no choice to work for min. wage. Know they'd love to end that law too, expect it from the next real Repug (instead of Repug in actions) admin.

[hay rick]

229. Commission needed for f*&king ...

F*&king the American people.

[jgraz]

36. I understand exactly why he's on the commission

You will too when your retirement is postponed another 5 years.

[scarletwoman]

15. This really is too much.

And I can't really say what I'd like to say because I'm not willing to get booted off DU.

:grr: :nuke: :grr:

[myrna minx]

25. Have a hug and a pony.

:D He only insulted women and seniors - who needs 'em.

How are you SW? :hi: How's Dayton faring up in your neck of the woods?

[scarletwoman]

41. Hey, mm!

:hug:

Please excuse me, I'm still so sputtering mad I can hardly type. If someone came up to me right now and told me to settle down, I'd kick that person in the shins.

I can't really answer your question about Dayton, since I never discuss politics at work and that's the only place I'm really around other people. The only lawn signs up around here so far are for the local sheriff's race and a state legislative candidate. Unfortunately, they're all for the repug candidate. :(

My friends and family all support Dayton, of course. Most of the Dems I know in this area favored Dayton over Kelliher in the primary anyway. NO one liked Entenza. (heh)

Nice *seeing* you -- now I'm going back to being royally pissed off and plotting revenge...

sw

[myrna minx]

56. I am sputtering mad too, so we're in good company.

I think Dayton will fare well in greater Minnesota- more so than Kelliher. Thank gawd it wasn't Entenza. :woohoo: Didn't we see him lurking around Uptown when we all went to see F911? :rofl:

Anyhoo - back to the teeth shattering rage. Nice having coffee with you at the fence. :D

[suffragette]

37. You already posted what I was about to write

I'll just add a couple (non)smilies.

:wtf:

:mad:

[femrap]

106. I just called the White House....

I was seething. Fire this dude or women aren't going to vote for Dems or worse yet will join that stupid Tea Party.

And of course I mentioned the bus.

I could spit nails...oh, I am.

[newspeak]

110. joining the tea party is not a threat to them

I mean, I think most are pro-corporate, bigoted stooges. Now if you said we are going to form a massive labor party (oooh the corporations are threatened) then that might be a threat. Or if you said we are going to gather all pro-labor, grey panthers, women rights groups, anti-war groups, all together against Washington, then that might be a threat.

But, the tea party actually helps both parties get what the corporations want in this country.

[femrap]

113. I think it would help

the repugnants if independent women voted the Tea Party. But I totally get your point if all of the Progressive Groups would unify. Get our pitchforks and use the handle to mark a line in the sand.

Maybe that's why there are all of those detention barracks around the country....?

[sendero]

16. Those of you who don't understand those of us..

... who have GIVEN UP on Obama, well eventually, with enough of these decisions, maybe you will see.

[underpants]

18. D'oh!

[lumberjack_jeff]

21. Gah! WTF is the matter with that guy?

Lead, goddamnit!

[chill_wind]

22. A complete and total horse's ass

that thinks S.S.is an entitlement program--- and that Dean Baker is some obscure "reporter".

This is too pathetic for words:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x555792

[saracat]

24. WHY? Someone tell my WHY the WH condones this? WHY?

And please, no three dimensinal chess replies.

[jgraz]

40. Because he's not a liberal African-American?

:shrug:

[awoke_in_2003]

215. because he follows the marching orders...

issued from Wall Street, just like everyone else (with a handful of exceptions)in DC

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[11tybillion]

27. why are we rewarding the jackassery behavior? amazing. nt

nt

[depakid]

29. Van Jones- gone. Shirley Sherrod- poof!

Foul Republican ideologues... aww, he really didn't mean it.

Not sure who the administration thinks respects them anymore. Sure isn't the base.

Or the right.

[bluethruandthru]

30. Un-Effing-believable!

I would say Simpson - at almost 80 -is senile...but he's been an asshat forever. The white house's support of this creep, who is just itching to slash social security, is an insult.

[global1]

32. It's Decisions Like This At The White House That Will Drive A Dem To The........

Tea Party.

[newspeak]

107. I don't think so

since the tea party is fronted by corporate assholes. Since the tea party are the ones who are crying socialism and apparently, don't want medicare or social security in the first place. The tea party are libertarian fools who think of their individual freedoms must include the unregulated free market. A market more than happy to poison your food and water and sell you shitty products for a buck. What they don't understand (and should after *) is freedom only counts for corporations not people. I'd say Little Boots basically wiped his arse with the constitution and bill of rights, but hey, those teabaggers still have their guns so everything is A-okay.

[awoke_in_2003]

216. I will never be driven to the Tea Party...

a bunch of illiterate jackasses, they are. But I may not drive to the polls come election day.

[xchrom]

33. Simpson is a good cover for Bowles and Rivlin and

Who knows who else.

If you want to 'change' SS -
Simpson is a great smokescreen.

[Bluebear]

34. Well of COURSE he will continue to "serve". Who thought Obama would fire him? nt

[Grinchie]

157. It's a Cookbook! N/T

[Ignis]

164. Oh, well played!

:thumbsup:

[walldude]

170. To Serve Man...

:toast: as the above poster stated... Well Played!

[xchrom]

35. Simpson is a good cover for Bowles and Rivlin and

Who knows who else.

If you want to 'change' SS -
Simpson is a great smokescreen.

[ShamelessHussy]

38. The deck is obviously stacked, and they don't care who knows it.

I say we add a dollar surcharge to every trade in all the markets, including electronic trades, to help finance SS (among other things) IF it is really in so much trouble.

Do we have anyone on the 'bipartisan' panel representing that kinda view?

[scarletwoman]

45. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Sorry, the Financial Sector is NOT to be inconvenienced.

We're just herd animals.

[Flying Squirrel]

43. Hello... is anyone here really surprised?

Did we not already get the memo from Gibbs? Is he not still right where he was? We are irrelevant. We can make all the noise we want, they know they don't have to listen because we have no alternative. Even Howard Dean is on board, telling us it's all just policy differences and we need to re-elect the bastards that laugh in our face.

This country's going down the tubes, a little slower now than before but it'll happen and there's really nothing we can do about it now. Obama is NOT FDR and nothing we can say will change him into what we'd like to see. The Republicans continue to play the same game they've always played and at some point they'll have enough people convinced that everything was peachy under Bush and this is all Obama's fault. Even if Dems get a supermajority someday (extremely unlikely IMO), it'll be a corrupt supermajority and the Alan Graysons and Dennis Kuciniches will still be too few and far between.

But please, vote in November. Just in case I'm wrong.

[niyad]

48. welcome to DU--and no, many of us are not in the least surprised.

disgusted, disappointed and angry beyond belief, but not surprised.

[Lost4words]

88. welcome to DU, great post!

:hi:

[laughingliberal]

96. +1 nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

101. At some point, it IS Obama's fault. He's the one who insists upon playing nice with republicans.

:puke:

[glitch]

104. Congress needs our vote in November, this administration is not at risk this year.

In fact they seem to be doing their damnedest to discourage the Democratic (as opposed to New Democratic) base from turning out.

Let's disappoint them.

Welcome to DU!

[femrap]

108. +1000

and welcome to DU.

WASF.

[walldude]

174. Welcome to DU... you have summed it up quite well...

We're fucked but vote anyway just in case... It would be laughable if it weren't so true... :toast:

[niyad]

46. after 19 months of this kind of bs, I would have been surprised if simpson had gone.

we, after all, the progressives, women, minorities, are simply not important.

[Canuckistanian]

47. Just WHO he'll serve will be a matter of conjecture

One thing's for sure - it ain't the American people.

[suffragette]

69. "To Serve Man"

Pretty much like they did in the Twilight Zone episode

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Serve_Man_(The_Twilight_Zone)

[Grinchie]

159. Jinx! -- I was thinking the same thing.

[suffragette]

233. .

:evilgrin:

[Robeson]

49. Predictable.

[slipslidingaway]

50. Obama knew who he was picking ... and he will continue to serve :( ...

remember back in January 2009 when Obama said that "entitlements" would play a large part in helping to reduce to the deficit.

:(

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[slipslidingaway]

53. Thanks, needed that! n/t

[ProSense]

59. Why, do you think they'll make

you feel better?

[Mimosa]

74. ProSense, PLEASE HELP ME!

I'm serious. WHY did President Obama appoint this awful old stooge? People knew what he was back in the 1980s and 1990s for heaven's sake. :(

[Soylent Brice]

123. there is no answer, there is no explanation, at least

not one that you will like.

[lark]

201. You know exactly why, it just hurts

to think that someone you trusted has completely betrayed you, but welcome to the facts of life. Obama is a plant and a shill and we've been totally had. I just hope that someone runs against him in the primaries and I will support whoever it is that is left of him to the hilt. Karma's going to be a bitch when she catches up with him.

[YOY]

206. Can't help but wonder if they honestly think this triangulation shit will work...

Worked before...when jobs were being created...they're not now.

[rhett o rick]

224. I am surprised to see you here. None of the Obama cheerleader seem to want to speak up.

Why Alan Simpson? But then I asked why Rick Warren?
Why Rahm Emanuel?
Why Summers, Bernanke and Geitner?
Why "drill baby drill" Salizar?
Why Tom "I am so afraid of Glen Beck" Vilsack?
There isnt a decent human being among them.

[donco6]

152. Bluelinks knows we're on to her

So we'll get nothing but crickets

[YOY]

202. A-yup! But she is right though...so very very very right.

n.t.

[metapunditedgy]

52. Look past the surface... why is Simpson *so* important that he can co-chair this committee

even though he's on record abusing social security?

Why?

[Hannah Bell]

58. do you know the answer? i'm curious about it myself.

let's see wikipedia:

1. 33rd degree mason
2. father also a congressperson, and governor. (dad was one of 6 senators voting against the 1964 civil rights act)
3. former senator from DICK CHENEY'S home state & member of iraq study group
4. energy-rich state run by big energy interests

[metapunditedgy]

76. I wish I did know... or maybe I'm glad I don't.

Seems odd that he'd have staying power after such a stupid statement when the Democrats have so much power right now.

[tomp]

85. or, as xchrom says above, twice, maybe to provide cover to the dems.

the rape of social security has to look bipartisan. that also explains why obama is so bipartisan, because this is what he wants to accomplish.

[AnArmyVeteran]

54. I saw a picture of the White House and it was shaking.

The White House was shaking because of all the people inside it are trembling with total fear. They are terrified to upset Senator Simpson. They are terrified of faux news. They are terrified of right wing radio. They are terrified of everything except the millions of people who worked their asses off to put them in the offices they are holding. It's obvious they couldn't care less about us. The only thing they seem to respond to is fear. They don't fear us because they believe they have us in their back pockets. I winder if we can become as valuable to them as faux news? Maybe then they would listen.

[slay]

78. +1

it's a horrible situation we're in as citizens.. our own party - TOTALLY either in fear, or sold out. i'm not sure which these days.

[newspeak]

114. this is not new

approximately one hundred years ago the repukes and democrats were in bed together. Nepotism, corruption was rampant and the good old robber barons were having a field day, while the rest of Americans were striving to make ends meet. The progressive populist party was formed and all were welcomed (even minorities). I'd say that movement had an impact on both parties at the time. Every now and then they need to act as if they are in opposition and sometimes they really are, like when FDR (one of theirs) was elected. Boy, did they get a surprise--but the people were very restless during the depression and not all bought into "you're lazy, that's why you can't find a job" or "pull yourself up by your bootstraps." Unions were stronger then, and if you watch Moore's film on capitalism, you'll see the upheaval that took place then.

And when enough people have no decent jobs, and enough people are homeless and their children are lucky to have a meal a day--there will be nothing left to lose again. Will the people get another FDR or will the elite throw a bone instead of a boot? Only time will tell. However, I am hoping that the economy does a major turn around for all involved, but the policies being implemented, I don't hold much hope for us. A jobless recovery is no recovery at all.

[Grinchie]

171. They are terrified of the TBF Corporations that threaten EMBARGO!

Embargo on goods and services essential to the survival of the nation, Service that could be shut down in a moment, or perhaps over a period of a few weeks with some skillfull scheduling conflict's, or "Scheduled Maintenance" a la Enron and the California Energy Crisis.

I am of the impression that these corporations have the capability to throw the country into so much turmoil by witholding absolutely crucial goods and services, that the Government has no choice but to play along with them in order to buy time to prepare.

Two wars based on lies? We are not fighting over there other than as an excuse to create more weaponry for use at home when the time comes.

It also is a great excuse to print money and the placate the Corporations, who are more than happy to have the work.

[IndianaGreen]

60. Alan, you're doing a heckuva job!

"Brownie, you're doing a heckuva job"

deja vu!

[femrap]

111. +10000 nt

[rhett o rick]

225. Vilsack you are doing a heck of a job. nm

[rhett o rick]

226. Summers, Geitner, and Bernanke, you're doing a heck of a job. nm

[rhett o rick]

227. "Drill baby drill" Salizar, you're doing one heck of a job. nm

[northernlights]

61. will continue to serve who?

himself? his rich-bastard friends?

He's gorging at the public trough...and he calls the rest of us leeches? Scum should try getting a *real* job. :grr:

[Stinky The Clown]

63. Man O Man, I'm FEELIN' that love! Yes We CAN!!!! YeeeeHA!

[shireen]

64. huh?

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[scarletwoman]

66. Yeah. Simpson will continue to serve up bullshit and Obama will expect us to swallow it.

:grr:

[Lilith Velkor]

67. Oh for fuck's sake.

[Frank Booth]

68. I'm getting sick of constantly being reminded that I'm a sap.

I wonder if I ask real nice if Obama will return all that money I gave him. It's not like I knew it was going to a guy who apparently intends to demolish what's left of the middle class.

[slay]

75. I voted for who why now?

yeah, it REALLY pisses me off too... we have NO party that represents the people anymore. :( :grr: :mad:

[Mimosa]

77. Me, too. I could really use that money now.

The economy is much worse than in late 2007, when I started contributing to Obama's grassroots campaign. I'm far worse off now. Please send me a partia refund...

[lark]

203. You're too nice, I want a full refund

My 25 year old son was laid off from his job of 7 years and can't find work that even pays $3 less than what he was making. I need all the money I donated back so I can make my son's car payments so he can drive to work and make enough money for food and rent. Besides, it was taken on false pretenses. I gave to a progressive, not a Republican who would make me work until age 70 to get the money I have already earned.

[Marr]

79. The thing that pisses me off is that when these Democrats suffer a the polls for

their corporate toadying, the entire corporate media will say that they were "too liberal, so the public kicked them out". That will be the 24-7 pronouncement, and in a few years time, even Democrats will believe it.

[newspeak]

116. you are so right on!

Obama is not a liberal, further from the truth. But, the media goes on and on about being a socialist--I actually laugh when they call him liberal. Anything left of Hitler is now liberal. The media for years has been redefining "liberal" and "conservative" to our own detriment. But in the end it is all kibuki--I really believe it is faux opposition (at least some)--there is people like Grayson, Kuccinich, and Sanders in congress--but I bet there is less opposition and more chummy alliances. Why do I think that--not just some of the repuke bills that have been passed, but it was Ted Kennedy's memorial when Hatch spoke about his friend Ted Kennedy. How they went sailing together and supported each other--of course he added that they had different ideologies. But, look at other parliaments around the world--look at some of the down and out fights-true opposition. Now we can say that they may go too far and that we may handle things in a more civilized manner or we compromise more. But, who is fighting for the american people, when there is too much compromise and too much influence by monied interest?

Sometimes I wish it was like a match--"in this corner for the people of the US, Sen.--- and in this corner for the corporations and wallstreet, sen.---." At least it would be easier to see who was really on your side, unless one of them took a dive.

[diane in sf]

80. with any luck he'll die soon

[w4rma]

81. I have a feeling I'm going to grow to really despise Obama before his second term is up.

I keep giving him chances and he keeps disappointing. He sold himself as the opposite of what he is.

[Ganja Ninja]

95. I'm beginning to dread the thought of a 2nd term for Obama. n/t

[femrap]

112. Hell, I'm beginning to 'hope'

that the Mayan Calendar about 12-21-12 is correct and the Earth simply implodes.

So many humans have become so fucking evil and hateful that maybe it's best to just start over.

I'm a cynic to the nth power lately.

No health care at 57 and now I have to work until 67 (I become a 99er in two weeks) and the dude I voted for enables a fuckwad old senile fart to insult me.

Fuck this shit.

Pitchforks For All...and that's a Trademark....I just don't know where the key is for it!

[walldude]

175. Actually the Mayans said that

The world "as we know it" would change. It says nothing about the destruction of the world. I'm not into religion or mythology but a major world shaping event would not necessarily be a bad thing at this point :)

[femrap]

199. I can't wait!

Maybe the Age of Aquarius will finally arrive. Think I'll go listen to 'Imagine' by John Lennon.

I guess I always assumed that the world 'as we know it' meant that a hell of a lot of evil people would have to go. Who knows? Maybe the poles will shift?

But this paradigm has lasted waaaaaaaaaaaay beyond its welcome.

[lark]

207. That will not happen

No one likes him now and he's worked hard to make that happen.

[deutsey]

82. Whew...I bet Simpson's thanking his lucky stars he's not on the "professional left"

But then, if that were the case, he wouldn't have been on the Commission to begin with, I suppose.

:evilfrown:

[Vinca]

83. Wrong answer from the White House. A really big time wrong answer.

:mad:

[NuttyFluffers]

89. so a lot of those criticisms of the WH are true...

apparently things are held to a higher standard -- and his liberal base (aka: "fucking retards" who wouldn't be happy with "Canadian Health Care and a defunded Pentagon", now with "their elderly just suckling on the teat") are just loyal dogs to be kicked at occasionally.

not all dogs stay loyal to abusive masters... just an observation.

[Jim__]

90. Continue to serve who? And why?

Cover so our "progressive" WH can undermine SS. Keeping Simpson on is bullshit.

[Buns_of_Fire]

91. Perhaps they meant "service" instead of "serve"...

You know, "service" -- like what a bull does to a cow (the one with 310 million teats) in the field.

"Alan Simpson will continue to service the country" -- makes a lot more sense that way, doesn't it?

[Better Believe It]

92. WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! I don't want the commission to "have credibility with Congress.”

That's one of the weakest reasons I can think of for urging Simpson to be fired.

[Buns_of_Fire]

103. Especially since Pelosi sneaked in an up-or-down vote on any committee recommencations...

There's an interesting article on the whole mess at HuffPo:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-eskow/social-security-suicide-p_b_633313.html

It was Barack Obama, not John Boehner, who appointed Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles to co-chair the "National Fiscal Commission on Responsibility and Reform." Simpson's a longtime Social Security antagonist who's called retired Americans "greedy geezers" because they don't want their Social Security payments used to fund extravagant tax cuts and military spending. (A video of Simpson's misguided and angry rant drew quite a bit of attention recently.) And Erskine Bowles cut a deal with Newt Gingrich that would have partially privatized Social Security in the 1990's if the Monica Lewinsky scandal hadn't derailed their plans. (He has also revealed what Dean Baker describes as a numerological fascination with using arbitrary numbers as targets.)

By creating this Commission and appointing two commissioners whose views are so far outside the political mainstream, President Obama risks endangering his own future and his party's in pursuit of a misguided policy goal. And a breaking report from Firedoglake indicates that the Commission's set of recommendations -- should members agree on one -- will be submitted to an up-or-down vote by a lame duck Congress after the November elections, provided that the Senate passes it first. That clattering sound you just heard was the sound of Democrats picking up hara-kiri knives en masse.

Democrats are damned close to cutting their own throats with this. (Along with everybody else's.)

[Ganja Ninja]

93. Yeah that's what I thought would happen. n/t

[leeroysphitz]

94. White House: Fuck you, losers. n/t

[European Socialist]

128. +1

[Orsino]

98. Tone-deaf and arrogant to the last.

And Simpson is even worse. I'd say it's a marriage made in heaven.

[justabob]

99. what can you say?

I can't even dredge up any outrage anymore.

[Buns_of_Fire]

102. Well, time for another round...

Let's see... First I guess I'll Contact the White House.

This time, I imagine I'll even call (1-202-456-1111).

I might send a little love note to the commission itself at commission(at)fc.eop.gov. (Attn: The Old Fool Who's Been Sucking at the Government Teat for Over Twenty Years.)

This time, I might not self-censor quite as much as before. Won't use spellcheck, either. Perhaps if they think I'm a rebubbalickin, what I say will have more clout. (If I sound rebubbalickin enough, they might even be a little skeered.:scared:)

Sure, I'll touch base with my congresscritters, too (for all the good that'll do).

And at the end of the day, what will that accomplish? Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Bupkis.

For you see, we're all about to be sacrificed on the Alter of Almighty BIPARTISANSHIP. Remember that well. It appears to be the new mantra in the West Wing.

But, hell, I'll do it anyway. There something almost noble about fighting the fight you know you're destined to lose. Don Quixote would be proud.

Washington should keep one thing in mind, though: When they think liberals have no other place to go, we most certainly do -- it's sitting on the couch after not supporting or working for anyone and watching election results come in showing all those nice, juicy majorities going up in smoke. If Rahmbo wants to smell scorched earth, he may well get his wish.

[Poboy]

109. kick for info

[Hell Hath No Fury]

115. "...and he will continue to serve.”

There it is, folks, everything you need to know about where this "commission" is intended to go.

O wants Simpson right where he is, knowing fully well his hostility towards Social Security and his willingness to take a hatchet to it.

We are going to be sold out again, people. :mad: :puke: :cry:

[newspeak]

124. I know some of you don't agree with me about voting in November

They are counting on our apathy. I want to prove the TV pundits wrong--if we pick up more seats than we have now, then it will be democrats who will be responsible for these bills. There will not be "we had to compromise" or "we just didn't have enough votes." And the reason why I want a big majority in both houses is because if they screw with SS, if they screw the american people, it will be exposed for all to see.

And if they are exposed, then it's time that we, in a big way, either take back our party or think about forming a labor party. We've been screwed for well over twenty years with help with a very complicit media-if we continue the doom and gloom and apathy, then they (wallstreet, global corp). have won. That is not want I want for my grandchildren.

[xxqqqzme]

140. I don't want it either.

I look at my 9 month old grandson and weep for his future. It is one of the reasons, I agreed, when asked, to run for the assembly seat in my, heavily rethuglican, district. I have to do something now! Democrats have increased the voter registration numbers here dramatically over the last two years, as rethug numbers have declined. We are very nearly equal to rethug registrations. This is something of a miracle in Orange County, California. Did you know both DFA All-Stars, among congressional and local candidates, receiving $25,000 each, are in Orange County? Of course you didn't because the OC Dem Party isn't crowing about it. They did nothing to promote the DFA competition, if they even knew about it, or even acknowledge it. But you can bet your ass they'll be taking credit for it at the Truman Dinner Saturday night!

[Zenlitened]

144. Good point: "...then it will be democrats who will be responsible for these bills."

They are counting on our apathy. I want to prove the TV pundits wrong--if we pick up more seats than we have now, then it will be democrats who will be responsible for these bills. There will not be "we had to compromise" or "we just didn't have enough votes." And the reason why I want a big majority in both houses is because if they screw with SS, if they screw the american people, it will be exposed for all to see.

And if they are exposed, then it's time that we, in a big way, either take back our party or think about forming a labor party...

Excellent post.

[walldude]

176. The Dems could win this election easily.... if they choose to.

The vote against health care for 9/11 responders should have been enough to sour even the most staunch tea baggers. Dems need to use it or lose it.

[indepat]

122. Simpson will continue to serve until his assigned mission (hatchet-job on social security) is

fait complete: double piss especially on all those who have had payroll taxes deducted on their entire earned income throughout the decades, for this hatcher job is tantamount to a monstrous stealth tax, a monstrously regressive far right-of-center tax, the fruition and culmination of a far-too-long RW wet dream being exploded on we the people and being brought to you, compliments of those friendly DINOs. :P

Edited to add brought

[JDPriestly]

126. Obama -- How in the world can anyone rationalize what he is doing

with that Cat Food Commission. It is just wrong, morally and economically wrong and stupid to be talking about cutting Social Security at this time.

Obama needs to be talking about jobs, jobs, jobs. He needs to be talking about really ending the War In Iraq -- pulling out all troops. He needs to be talking about developing and investing much larger amounts of money in alternative energy.

We should not be having to worry about Social Security now.

Tax imports as well and tax companies that hire or use service representatives and other workers to provide services to companies and individuals in the US.

Get our trade deficit under control, and Social Security will take care of itself.

Do you ever hear people gasping about our trade deficit? That's where the problem is. We don't have a Social Security deficit. We have a trade deficit. That is what is scary.

[Jim Sagle]

220. Scarier still is that FOR THEM the trade deficit is not a problem, it's the plan.

Kill the jobs and you kill the unions. Kill the unions and you kill liberal/progressive politics. Kill liberal/progressive politics and you do whatever you want.

[atreides1]

127. And yet

This very same White House failed to stand up for Van Jones and Shirley Sherrod. Things that make you go WTF???

[MsLeopard]

130. It's the same WH that

repudiated Jimmy Carter when he dared to speak the truth about the illlegal and unnecessary wars we're in, the same that trashes the GLBT community at every possible opportunity, the same that has its Justice Dept let Tom Delay off the hook while keeping Don Seigleman in jail. The list is endless, and always on the side of right wing thugs. Some change we got, eh?

[walldude]

131. Sherrod gets fired but this fucking clown keeps his job?

What a crock of shit.

[Hannah Bell]

165. +100

[Raschel]

132. Well I don't accept his apology.

[Ignis]

133. K&R

What astounding arrogance.

[Generic Other]

134. My cow!!! But the Pentagon, the rich, the corporats, and all the other slime

keep milking it dry! And I can't even have a cup!!!!!!

I want my pound of flesh now!!!

[shireen]

136. hmmm ... i just figured out why the WH won't fire him.

With Rahm Emmanuel around, they're probably used to hearing profanity and think it's business as usual.
:eyes:

[laughingliberal]

153. Possible. I think it has more to do with being in agreement with Simpson's sentiments. nt

[valerief]

137. Where's a good country to move to? Cuz the game is WAY over here. nt

[Scottybeamer70]

138. This greedy ol geezer

won't be the least bit surprised when the great "O", announces that he is changing his affiliation
to the repub party..............he seems to be working his way in that direction.

[jimlup]

141. This is one of many things that pisses me off!

[mckara]

143. The Tone Deaf White House Strikes Again!

The White House needs lessons on how to be Democrats.

[Bluebear]

177. + + + + + +

[DeSwiss]

145. Not good enough, Mr. Obama.

Not in the slightest.

First we are told we must bail them out because they're TOO BIG TO FAIL. So they rob us of trillions. And now they come after our retirement funds. Our security. It's just sitting there, tempting them. Their greed and avarice will not allow them resist the pull, the siren song and the lure of STEALING someone else's money. They are nothing but criminals.

So now, if the White House screws with Social Security -- cuts Social Security benefits -- a fund built-up by those of us who've contributed all of our working lives -- and then be told that it is we who are the moochers -- we are lazy good-for-nothings who don't deserve our own money -- then who here will stand with them?

Just what does it take to make you see?

- How many insults to your integrity does it take before you'll acknowledge the truth?

"The government is the potent omnipresent teacher. For good or ill it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. To declare that the end justifies the means -- to declare that the government may commit crimes -- would bring terrible retribution." ~ Justice Louis Brandeis

[okieinpain]

146. i really don't know why the repugs dislike this admin. they are

really there best friends.

[Enthusiast]

194. All part of the smoke screen. nt

[COLGATE4]

147. And here's your daily FUCK YOU from the Obama administration

to any and all liberals. Please Sir - may I have another?

[DesertDiamond]

149. Pres Obama continues the policy of hiring the fox to guard the henhouse....

[Enthusiast]

195. He's the fox. nt

[RaleighNCDUer]

155. He doesn't like people sucking on the government's tit, so fire him

and take away his pension.

This shit calls for much more than a half-assed apology.

[Hannah Bell]

163. +100.

[WCGreen]

167. Just fuck this shit....

I am so disgusted with this administration.

I gave them the benifit of the doubt for a year and a half, but this is beyond the pale...

[TomClash]

169. Serve who? nt

[earth mom]

172. The people DO NOT accept your apology Simpson. Asswipe.

:grr:

[demwing]

178. Could any Dem stand a chance of challenging Obama in the 2012 Primary?

Because I'm running out of excuses to myself for why Obama speaks and acts (or fails to speak or act) as he does.

[dflprincess]

181. At the rate he's alienating the people who supported him in 2008,

I'd say yes.

[demwing]

186. I wish he were as successful at rallying the troops

as he is at alienating us. It almost seems as if he is doing this intentionally.

If this is the magic chess strategy, we'd all be better off playing checkers.

[NorthCarolina]

228. I'd love to see a Liberal primary challenger to Obama, but I won't be holding my breath. eom

[Rex]

180. Repukes always get let off the hook, because the don't have a billion

dollar industry (FOX NEWS etc) to destroy them after every sneeze or fart.

[Bluenorthwest]

182. This commission needs to be disbanded now

Fire Van Jones, fire Shirley Sherrod, but when this sort of line in the sand right wing crap is foisted, we know exactly where the President stands, with Simpson.

[avaistheone1]

183. Whiite House: "Simpson will continue to serve" = Simpson is serving Obama's purposes well

Just like Baucus served Obama's purpose on the Senate Finance Committe regarding Health Care Reform.

= We are screwed again.

[avaistheone1]

212. ...

[Politicub]

185. Hmmmm... I wonder what Simpson's position will be about social security?

:eyes:

[Jakes Progress]

187. Where's the brigade

to tell us how this is a good thing? Where is the group to tell us how this is progress, how this is part of the tri-spatial chess match?

Bent over for the right once again.

[Bluebear]

200. I keep looking for blue links. nt

[Jakes Progress]

232. Oh no. That one stays far away from threads

where there is no, and I mean no, excuse for WH behavior. Not even the spinmeister of blue links can spin this. But watch for a hard hitting blue link to the 32 impossibly minor things the WH has done to protect the world. To be followed by a poll from some newspaper in some state done by someone that proves Obama is the greatest president of the last thousand years.

[Jackpine Radical]

192. Wow. Simpson helps Obama nail down the senior vote.

My, but the chess game is getting deep.

[YOY]

204. Well...this won't help get him re-elelcted.

I am very sad to say.

Oh...and just to clarify to our "pragmatic" friends...the posting of the information isn't what won't get him re-elected...it's the actual actions he takes that will do this. There's already a party for those kind of actions.

And I truly wish he wouldn't take those actions...

[Jim Sagle]

221. Look over there!!!!! Glenn Beck just walked into a Denny's!!!!!

;)

[beforeyoureyes]

205. Does this truly surprise anyone?

Honestly?

Obama has been showing us who he is for TWO years. It ain't pretty.

When is enough exactly enough?

[russspeakeasy]

208. Well, one of them has to go !!

[sabrina 1]

211. Some apologies are more acceptable than others.

K&R

[elehhhhna]

214. bama's a fukkin tinhead. there, I said it.

[Usrename]

218. Somebody had to.

[Jim Sagle]

222. What's a tinhead?

:wtf:

[emald]

219. I'm done with these fools

no more. Obviously change meant something other than what I was led to believe. So now he's going to give up social security, of course. I might as well vote republican next time, at least no one lies about "no".

[TheKentuckian]

223. What an ass. I'm voting Democrat as a holding action this November but he's gotta go

[upi402]

231. shocked

again
SOS from the *2
:eyes: :puke: :boring:
Anyone who still believes in Obama is a flat out fool. Obama needs to go.