Note to the President: Big Business is waiting for "a change in the COMPLEXION of Washington."

[DirkGently]

A friend related the assessment of a high-level business leader -- you know, $300 shirts, gold cuff links, luxury SUV -- here in Florida as to when businesses will start hiring and expanding again at an informal meeting with some of the local press. He said business was anticipating a big change in Washington with the coming midterm elections, and that corporate America was hoping for

"A change in COMPLEXION." In other words, the economy is in the dumps not b/c of the massive fraud enabled by an unrestrained financial services sector -- but by the (dark?) complexion of Washington.

"Complexion," is a very specific word. It's a word that you have to hunt for...that's not actually called-for in the context of the sentence. It's a dog whistle.

I guess this high-level business leader hasn't gotten the memo that Obama plans to find common ground with the GOP. The GOP and big business has no intention of playing nice, or "finding common ground" with Obama. They want a "change in complexion."

This is the way corporate America is talking about this administration, despite the compromises on healthcare and civil rights and the wars. Despite the inclusion of business elites in your appointments, despite your dogged cordiality and accommodation.

It's not that you're seen as too much of a "tax and spend liberal," Mr. President. They just don't see you as one of them. They never will. You're in the wrong party for them. And you're the wrong color.

They are playing a zero-sum game, and have NO plans for working with you to improve the state of the country. They do not see a "third way," or look forward to "Obama 2.0."

Will you continue to wear yourself out trying to work with those who publicly call you a liar, and privately chuckle at how they're waiting for Washington's "complexion" to return to a shade they can work with?

Or are you ready to start working with us?

[hedgehog]

1. I think a President who describes the other party as standing around

sipping a Slurpie while he gets the economy out of the ditch is already changing tactics. The question is, will we be able to elect a Congress that will work with him, or will the Republicans and DINOs blockade everything.

[DirkGently]

3. Agree the rhetoric has improved of late. Concerned he acknowledges the concept of

"tax and spend liberal." Why mouth their most dishonest talking points, if he gets that they'd rather burn America to the ground than work against the rich, or FOR the common good? He's playing fetch with a dead dog here.

:shrug:

[nashville_brook]

5. a Democratic president APOLOGIZING for appearing to be a "tax and spend liberal" is like

Joseph Welch apologizing for appearing like a PINKO COMMIE instead of looking McCarthy right in the eye and saying "have you no sense of decency, sir."

[nashville_brook]

6. like HIllary Clinton apologizing for being a "FEMINAZI"

[DirkGently]

7. Youch. But, yeah. Yeah.

[DirkGently]

8. It"s appeasement, sorry to say. Which does nothing with someone looking to steal from you,

which is really what we're up against here.

[nashville_brook]

9. the problem is Obama hasn't been enough of a "tax and spend" liberal

the largest item in the deficit is Bush's tax cuts, and the largest reason why unemployment is so ridiculously high is that the "stimulus" mostly went to financial balance sheets instead of creating jobs.

[DirkGently]

12. Absolutely. Since when do Democrats mouth Republican smear words?

[nashville_brook]

2. this, to me, sounds like Chamber of Commerce talking points. the use of "complexion" was DELIBERATE

for these men, there's no "common ground" -- he'll never be "one of them." and, i think they're using race as a dog whistle for "liberal." swear to god, these people are AT WAR.

this CONSPIRACY THEORY, that corporate America is holding back on hiring until they get "the complexion" they ordered, is WACKO -- and the fact that big corporate dogs are taking part in it should send chills down everyone's spine. we're about to get royally fucked b/c no matter what happens in November, Obama is ready to give up the ghost.

NO ONE has our back right now thanks to Citizens United. and with a slate of teabagging shitheads ready to take the reigns, we can only expect a gigantic ass fucking in the next couple of years.

say goodbye to Social Security.
say goodbye to public schools.
say goodbye to the middle class.

it was nice knowing ya.

[DirkGently]

4. They just don't want Americans taking any of their Privilege Cookies away.

Like the privilege to turn our financial system and real estate market into their own personal slot machines. The privilege to gut Social Security and public education. The privilege to toss our service people and our national budget on the fire in endlessly expanding wars to keep the blood and money flowing out of the people and into their private estates. Obama will not be permitted to halt the the burglary In progress, just when it was getting really GOOD.

But he thinks they'll come around, if he just treads a little softer? Or something?

[nashville_brook]

10. i don't think he's saying *they* will come around -- he's saying *he'll* come around.

[DirkGently]

11. Precisely.