Barack Obama is trying to unite this country

[Klukie]

As much as we all bitch about his decisions, I know that is what he is trying to do. People who attempt to find common ground end up getting crap from all sides. Nobody likes the middle man. He is like the HR rep who has to balance the corporate will with the workers needs/rights. Tough spot to be in and I give him loads of credit for taking on the job!

[Tatiana]

1. In an ideal world, that would be great. But we have to look at reality.

I'd rather the President take the lead to improve the daily lives of most Americans period. If bipartisanship and unity isn't possible, so be it. We don't have to all be unified to pass good legislation. We just need a solid majority.

[Klukie]

5. Yeah well the reality is that corporate interests are entrenched in our government policies

and that will not change overnight.

[Skidmore]

10. Reality is also that we cannot continue to deepen the

divisions between the right and the left. At some point, it becomes destructive beyond measure at street level. I'm not talking about the big money guys either on the right. I'm talking about those we live with in our communities. We need to find a way to bridge the differences, and, yes, it means that we may have to give a little too.

[Klukie]

13. +100000

Thanks

[Tatiana]

28. And what should we give? Gay rights? Social Security? Medicare?

There are some fundamental promises that we, as a nation, ought to live up to.

Some things are not worth compromising on. Some things are worth fighting for. Some things are worth being partisan over.

For years we have compromised and it's gotten us next to no bipartisan support or understanding. At some point, you have to try a different strategy.

[Skidmore]

104. You know, I hope you take another look at what I said.

There are a number of core principles upon which we, as a people, were in general agreement and from which we all can work forward, starting with the notion of equality. While there are some who seek to divide us along cultural lines for theological reasons and others for cynical economic gain, the notion that this is a foundation on which we can build is worth addressing. Now, the principles I will never give on civil rights and justice for all, and the freedoms/rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.

I do think that we need to find a way to get on the same page with one another beyond partisanship on those principles. We used to do it better than we do now and we were working toward a better society for a while and making good progress all around. Who says compromise has to occur on every issue? Who says any one group owns the ultimate truth? What I see is that we have allowed a small group of greedy self-serving people to buy out our institutions and to play us off against one another. I see many people who put up signs for the Rs in my village and whose economic needs are no different than mine, and, if pressed, will by in large agree that they understand the need for the next guy to provide for his family or serve the nation in whatever capacity , regardless of the color of his skin or any other factor. I do know that during the last election many of those people came out and voted with us and for the right reasons. There is a middle ground and both the right and the left have pulled away from it.

My mother always taught us that it takes two to fight. Thus far our skirmishes have been with words, thank goodness. Personally, I do not want this nation dragged into a civil war. We haven't found a way to wind down the last one. I do know that we will resolve nothing collectively by retreating to our separate corners and refusing to budge on some issues until the end of time. I would dearly love to see a national "time out" be called and to get people together in public forums in which some civility is required and construcive planning be demanded. I don't have answers for all problems nor do I pretend to have them. I just know that we cannot continue in this manner, and I am addressing that to both sides. We are all selling this nation out and assuring its destruction. Perhaps it is part of the process in the course of empire. I don't know. I only know that this nation needs to function whether it is a superpower or just one of the bunch. We need to chart a path forward that works for everyone and not a few. I do think we should be able to do this. If not, we do not deserve to survive as a union.

[Klukie]

111. Said it way better than I attempted to do.

I agree with everything you said.

[Tatiana]

113. The civil war ended slavery, so something positive did come out of it.

Now am I advocating civil war? No. What I'm saying is that when it comes to issues such as civil rights/liberties, health care, and having a social safety net, we shouldn't apologize or try to compromise for our beliefs and values.

The reason we cannot achieve compromise right now (especially in the Senate) is not due to the "left" (professional or otherwise). It is due to the radicalization of the right... a party that holds up the likes of Palin, Angle, O'Donnel, Rubio, Gingrich, and Armey as leaders. You can't compromise with extremists. The only way to deal with such people is by standing firm on your principles.

The American public, by far, AGREES with liberal principles. When we actually put them into practice, people will see the difference in their daily lives and understand which party is truly on their side.

What elected Republicans could we possible find common ground with?

[Skidmore]

118. First, I wasn't directing my comment to you. Second,

the civil war did end institutionalized slavery. Those who fought to maintain it using the argument state's rights continued to use that saw to institutionalize aparthied in the Jim Crow laws and, now use the argument to create a captive market and enslave and exploit other peoples.

Finally, we do not seek common ground with elected Republicans. We seek common ground with our neighbors and friends and then we stand a chance. We can't continue in this manner or we will arrive at a point where we turn weapons against each other. Hot words eventually generate hot war.

[treestar]

129. Well said. In fact, no progress was ever made without compromises

along the way, and working with those on the regressive side to some degree. Look at the whole history of the country and we can see that.

[donco6]

34. Ah, I see! And it's super-great if it's the "other guys" who end up giving!

I mean, who gives a shit about gays, really?

[Klukie]

42. I give a shit

[donco6]

48. Then please THINK.

What does this "unity" cost? I know what it's costing me. And it's costing you, too. Somewhere we've gotten this idea that you build "unity" by abandoning the things you believe are important. That couldn't be more wrong. You build unity by upholding and clinging to IDEAS. PRINCIPLES. Not by upholding people - that results in sycophantic fawning and obsequiousness. It's IDEAS that motivate and inspire and unite. And those who don't hold to those principles cannot BE united. I refuse to unite with those who are racist or greedy or classist or misogynist. So should we all.

[Klukie]

56. I am not abandoning anything...

but I do know that progress takes time. I wish it didn't especially due to the fact that we are economically running out of time.

[dflprincess]

126. Progress also takes the the courage to hold on to your beliefs

at no time in history has it every been "the right time" for progressive change. The only reason humanity has made any gains is because there were people (both the public and elected leaders) willing to stand up and fight.

[Skidmore]

140. And at no time in history has progress been made without some

willingness from people from all walks to join in, whether by wholely endorsing the change sought or partially. You still need a majority to reach critical mass. Small steps at the begining building in to larger ones. Yes, you keep fighting for your core principles but locking out those who don't think like you does not bring people along with you. Not talking to those on the other side of the argument accomplishes nothing. Either a hurtful silence and resentment fills the void or shouting takes its place and noone is heard.

Like it or not, these people are our fellow citizens. We are all Americans who are not working very well for the common good. We have lost sight of the common vision for the common man and have allowed ourselves to be played off against each other by the powerful and the cynical or the regressive and ignorant factions of our society. Sunshine and knowledge. Those are our missions right now. Disclose and teach.

[Winterblues]

52. Where have you been the last two years?

Why do you think so many on the left are unhappy with Obama and the Democrats? It certainly is not because they held firm and gave nothing to the other side..What exactly did the other side give in those same two years?

[treestar]

133. You're not looking at it from their POV

They do give in and their extremists make the same accusations of sell out. This is what comes of avoiding hearing their side. Read their media - they think they are the ones not getting anything. We all do this to some degree.

[RaleighNCDUer]

75. The fact is, compromise with them is doing exactly that.

The more we compromise with the right, the further to the right they have to go to maintain their brand. We have a bi-polar society, and adversarial society, founded on right and left, right and wrong, good and evil, conservative and progressive, legal and illegal - just as an attorney is not interested in truth and justice, but in winning (not losing) his client's case.

If we co-opt the positions of the right it does not encourage the right to join us, but to move even further right. Every time we elect a blue dog or corporatist Dem, they can only respond by putting up a candidate who is even further to the right of him so the public can differentiate between them.

If the Dems kept a clean house, had a solid, progressive agenda being promoted by good, progressive politicians, it would be easy for the right to keep solid, sane conservatives in congress to counter them. When our progressives and their conservatives are all saying the same thing, the only way to differentiate the parties is to get some rabid far-right candidate to go up against the 'progressive'. Am I right? Have we seen anything like that happening?

[kenny blankenship]

93. Give a little? This has become a party that Ronald Reagan could REJOIN

and you want us to keep GIVING?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

135. Tell that to the right. It's them who are radicalizing. -nt

[northernlights]

144. my reality is that I cannot give as fast as the rightwing nuts take

I've reached out my hand in friendship and in return been defrauded, harrassed, poisoned, my property trashed, my animals assaulted, my identity stolen, and more... by rightwing neighbors, bosses, coworkers and a contractor.

It is not possible for the divisions to be deeper. My neighbors, former coworkers and said contractor are banned from my property. They have stolen all that there is to steal...including peace of mind and privacy in my own home, along with my life savings.

Personally, if they all rot in hell that will be fine with me. Personally, if the shit hits the fan in a serious way and we end up in a literal civil war...that's ok to. I have a list of people I would have no problem attacking in defense. I'd be more than happy to plant a Democrat sign in my front yard just to lure them in so I'd have a chance to defend myself.

I'm done with them. After 10 years of living in the hell they've turned this country into, I'm not interested in talking to them. They can stay the fuck away from me, stay off my property, not touch me, not touch my animals.

I am not joking. I am FUCKING DONE WITH THEM FOR GOOD. I HAVE ZERO INTEREST IN SHIT DEALS SIGNED IN THE NAME OF "BIPARTISANSHIP." I'VE HAD THEIR SHIT SHOVED DOWN MY THROAT FOR 10 YEARS.ENOUGH.

AND IF OBAMA WANTS TO PLAY FOOTSIE WITH HIS NEW BEST FRIENDS...AND ALL SIGNS ARE THAT HE DOES....THEN HE IS NO FRIEND OF MINE.

[molly77]

71. We need the clinton administration out

Hillary was rejected by the electorate. Why are all of their people out of Obama's.I've noticed an awful lot of sabotage coming from that camp. At least Summers and Emmanuel are gone.

Does it seem like no matter who is elected the hard right is still in charge? The US passes with flying colors on the 14 points of fascism thingy. The problem is no matter who is elected the country sinks deeper into fascism.

As Amy Goodman said in an interview with Brian Lamb on CSpan.."What would be the difference if we had state media?"

[olegramps]

130. I would rather see him totally rejected than compromise principles.

Just read his books and you will see that he is unable to comprehend the fact that he is absolutely hated. Perhaps he suffers from a desire to be fully respected and loved by those who in reality will go to their graves despising African-Americans. Anyone who believes that the Tea-baggers are not racist bastards is delusional. Unfortunately, the major media resources refuse to address this issue and the prejudice that underlies the Tea-baggers extremism is left unchallenged. When I see some idiot Republican dupe get a 20% cut in pay it warms the cockles of my black heart. I have no restraint in hating the ignorant bastards one and all.

[RandomKoolzip]

2. Well then he needs to cut that shit out and just start doing the right thing

regardless of how everyone will take it.

[Klukie]

3. Yeah..tell that to the corporate masters who will chop his legs out from under him if he tries.

[donco6]

8. So he's completely powerless to do the right thing, then?

What good is he?

[Klukie]

9. I don't think he is powerless...but he certainly has to play it smart.

And playing it smart is bound to piss people off especially those who want immediate results.

[donco6]

14. Ah the old "I want a pony right now!" theme.

Super. I feel so "unified" now.

[Klukie]

18. You know....patience is a virtue

:hi:

[donco6]

20. Uh Huh. Sure.

I'm 50 years old. I've had cancer twice already - non-Hodkin's lymphoma and colon cancer. They removed a foot of colon in April. At this point, patience is no friend of mine. I want to be able to marry my partner of 15 years someday before I die. Is that too much to ask? Is it too much to ask for our "Fierce Advocate" (his words) to actually choose the right thing when it's presented to him as a choice? I'm not even asking him to go out of his way - in fact, with DADT, I'm asking him to Do Absolutely Nothing. But no . . . there are corporate interests to consider.

Well, fuck that.

[Klukie]

26. You know..I am truly sorry for all that you have been through...

I sincerely mean that and I don't think that you are asking too much at all. I just think that things are not as easy as they seem.

[donco6]

30. And in all sincerety, I know they aren't easy.

But, we aren't going to let Obama get away with "presidentin' is hard work" are we? I don't remember that in the campaign either. Of COURSE it's hard! But he's had opportunities to make the right choice, and he's purposely chosen not to make them. What are we supposed to think about that? That his corporate masters "won't let him?" Why? What's the risk he's facing? How does it compare to mine?

[Klukie]

38. Maybe he made that decision in the short term because the election is right around the corner

Imagine all the old homophobes that would run out to vote when it was presented that the "muslim" let them gays in our military. Maybe it is just temporary strategy.

[donco6]

43. Oh honey, the "election is ALWAYS around the corner."

I've heard that song and dance since 1978. That's probably before you were born. Please, please don't lecture me about patience.

[Klukie]

51. I am sorry that you have become jaded from years of waiting for your rights to be realized

I would be the same way I am sure if I had to endure the wait. Oh and progress has been made since 1978.

[donco6]

55. Sigh.

OK, you do realize "jaded" is an offensive term? And I'm not some phony construct out here in cyberland. I'm a real, live human being, comprised of emotions, spirit, conscience and physicality. To just fob off, "golly, I'm sure I'd be jaded like you if I had to wait that long. But I don't! Ladedaaaaa." Can you comprehend how hurtful that kind of comment is?

[Klukie]

59. Sorry ....But I am trying to understand why you seem to want to give up on a fight ...

when it is in the home stretch? I didn't know any other way to say it. I am sorry if I offended you.

[donco6]

68. I'm not giving up on anything. I just refuse to "unite" with those who don't share my principles.

In fact, it's not even a choice. We CANNOT be united - it's not possible. It defies the very definition.

No, I'm not giving up anything - it's our LEADERS who have given up. They're the ones who made lovely claims and gained our support with promises. And it's them choosing to ignore DOMA completely, to shutter the thought of ENDA, and to repeal the striking down of DADT. Who's giving up again? Certainly not me.

[laughingliberal]

81. +1 nt

[muffin1]

98. +1,000,000

You said it, donco6. I am so sorry for all you are going through medically. There is no reason on this earth why you (or any other GLBTQIer) should still be going through the rest of this shit, though. Some people 'round here act as if you've only been going through this since January 2008, when, in fact, you've been patient for fifty fucking years. OBAMA is the one who promised to be a fierce advocate. It's time for him to step up.

Take care of yourself and don't be patient. I'm writing President Obama again today, and I'm actually going to get back to writing him each and every damned day! I want to see those wedding pictures!

:hi:

[donco6]

99. Well until then, just to prove I'm real:

I'm on the left.

:hi:

[muffin1]

102. OMG

You're so CUTE! You both are. I hope with all I have that you are able to secure the rights that you deserve (and that you should ALREADY have). I will keep up the fight with you! :toast:

[donco6]

107. .

:blush:

:fistbump:

[bvar22]

117. Great Photo!

That really does make things REAL.
I believe that those who are supporting the administrations (anti)position on Civil Rights from behind their keyboards would (mostly) change their minds if they had to face REAL people being deprived of their basic American and Humanitarian Rights.

You have been a strong and principled advocate in this fight.
You have my respect.
:patriot:

[treestar]

134. Emotional blackmail

We are talking about politics, you're trying to use your personal issues to tell us we can't disagree. And just what good would rejecting the Democrats do you anyway, even personally?

People were slaves their whole lives. Or lived under Jim Crow their whole lives. This is the world. It's imperfect.

In some countries, people are killed because they are gay. You have to work from where you are. We all do.

[donco6]

142. self delete

[donco6]

146. Heaven forbid I should make it personal.

I guess I should be glad you're not out to kill me, treestar. Or are you . . . ?

[laughingliberal]

80. 2 years = Immediate? nt

[Skidmore]

123. He has only as much power as the law gives him and we

give the law. The power of the people rests in the Congress and in the way citizens comport themselves in society as a whole. What if we helped by stepping outside of the corporations and start forming our own start up companies? What partnerships within our communities and neighborhoods could we effect without earning the corporate dollar? What would happen if we refuse to elect people taking corporate money? That type of power requires a willingness to do what we did last election...get out there and work and then contribute our own money.

[donco6]

127. I'll tell you what happens when "we refuse to elect people taking corporate money."

You get a Romanoff v. Bennet election, such as we had in the primary here in Colorado. Romanoff refusing to take corporate donations; Bennet hauling in bucketloads of cash. What happened? OBAMA stepped in and endorsed Bennet! That's what happened.

[Lucian]

73. Agreed.

+1

:thumbsup:

[Lasher]

4. And he's wasted a good portion of the past 2 years in that futile effort.

If he wants to unite the country he needs to escalate the wars or start a new one, then constantly scare people with comic book phrases. If he's not willing to do that he needs to realize Republicans are just a bunch of pricks who don't want to get along with him or any other Democrat. And he should treat them accordingly.

[Le Taz Hot]

6. By calling progressives "whiners?"

By fighting AGAINST the repeal of DADT? Rrrright. :eyes:

[panzerfaust]

145. Voted for "Change" I did

even though I did not believe that it would happen.

As, indeed, it has not.

Democratic politicians seem incapable of defending democratic ideas, policies, or ideals.

Sadly, republicans have no problems defending Fascism, police state actions, thievery, thuggery and all the rest that makes up the modern conservative movement.

Just a little courage would go a long way.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. There are schisms in this country, and I'm uncertain whether this country

wants to be united anymore.

So much damage since Reagan and exacerbated by Newt and * and the other right-wing corporatists.

[olegramps]

131. This nation is in an uncontrollable tail spin.

Its industrial base has been destroyed and its citizens reduced to a point of cannibalizing each other. The hope that Obama held out for a revitalized economy is a delusion. There is nothing to revitalize. It has all been allowed to evaporate. The Republicans have won and Rome once again burns. Your children and grandchildren will bemoan that fact that they have been born on the wrong continent. The great land of opportunity has become a desert whose bones have been picked dry by unchecked capitalism.

[rug]

11. Some things can not be synthesized.

[QC]

12. He's certainly making progress toward uniting the homophobes.

I guess that's a start.

[Klukie]

15. Or uniting public support to do the right thing?

[Forkboy]

116. The public is already ready to accept gay rights. It's Obama that needs uniting, not the other way

[donco6]

16. But he can't risk losing that corporate support!

He might lose his legs. !!

[Klukie]

22. Yeah it might take a lot longer if he has to hobble

[donco6]

24. He'd be hard-pressed to move any slower.

Maybe we can all pitch in for one of those ScooterChairs! I'll be he can get one free if he wants!

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

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

[Klukie]

19. Why don't you sign up for the job

:shrug:

[donco6]

23. We elect people to do the right thing.

That's why we have elections.

[Klukie]

27. Then by all means run and see if you could effect change more easily.

[donco6]

32. We elected OBAMA to effect change.

Remember - it was on all the posters. So did we get the old "bait and switch?" And your solution is "do it yourself, if you're so smart"? Really?

[Klukie]

35. Just making the point that it isn't as easy as it may seem.

[donco6]

37. And I'm making the point that choices have been made that were wrong.

That are wrong. Choices that could have affected change, but were abandoned because . . . well, because we just don't really mean that much. And yet, we're expected to "get on the bandwagon and join the cheer!" I feel like that cheerleader forced to cheer on her rapist. It's a pretty ballsy thing to ask me to do.

[treestar]

136. And Congress. For crying out loud. Work on a congressional

campaign or give to one or work on municipal, school board or state wide offices and quit looking for a Savior. The Presidency is what it is. It's not the only thing.

[donco6]

143. So he is powerless. Good to know. n/t

[TheKentuckian]

62. The status quo must be undone and the people and the land must be paramount.

I'm not your guy for the same old games, propping up the wealthy, placating bigots, begging for corporate dollars, and forging ahead with globalization while pretending to be a person of the people and that I'm the first perfect souls since Christ.

[DCBob]

21. Totally agree.. and those that bitch and moan seem to have forgotten this is what he campaigned on..

He must have said this a thousand times..

"There are no blue states; there are no red states; there's just the United States!"

[donco6]

25. So that means we embrace homophobia?

Great! I can really say I did not understand that during the campaign.

[Klukie]

33. I know my generation isn't embracing it...but my generation isn't of the ruling class yet.

Like it or not this country is made up of all kinds of thoughts and ideas ...good and bad. We have to deal with it and progress does take time. I bet if you let these decision up to the gen. Xers DADT would be overturned immediately. Homophobia is breathing its last breaths in this country.

[donco6]

36. So, how long do you think gays have been fighting for their rights?

From your Gen X historical perspective, I mean.

[Klukie]

39. Forever and a day

[donco6]

41. From that basis, then, you see that "patience" has no meaning?

Right?

[kenny blankenship]

96. I remember him campaigning on A PUBLIC OPTION FOR HEALTHCARE

and against individual mandates to buy private health "insurance". He's the one who's "forgetting" what he said.

[treestar]

137. I cannot believe people are this blind

It's as unreasonable as teabaggers. If he could get a bill that had a PO he would sign it. Congress would not do it.

Congress is part of the equation. How many times do people need to be told what they should know from the fourth grade?

[kenny blankenship]

139. Go ahead and have your aneurysm pal. I see and I remember what I see.

[muffin1]

119. What the fuck does that mean

we will let the homophobes decide whether everyone has Equal Rights?

[doc03]

29. Well if that is his goal it appears he has been a failure

unless he was trying to unite the Republicans. We will find out one way or the other on November 2nd.

[Romulox]

31. I don't want to "unite" with Banksters and Corporatists.

:hi:

[Klukie]

47. Me neither.. not the evil ones anyhow.....

Banks play a role in our society and so will corporations.......so we can't dismiss them completely.

[JNelson6563]

40. It is because we are divided

we will never be as effective as the people of France in making the government fear us. We're so busy fighting with each other, the pols are beyond safe and can continue to screw us over regularly.

Congratulations those of you working to keep the division alive! Well done!

Julie

[donco6]

44. So Julie, tell me, upon which issues should we compromise with the Teabaggers?

I'm curious to see what gets sacrificed to the altar of "unity".

[JNelson6563]

65. Cross draggers always think "sacrifice". Why is that?

Why does something have to be sacrificed? Let's take the current issue being protested in France, the retirement age. I should think that is a topic a huge majority of Americans can agree on, that raising retirement age is bad. I'm sure in France they have many disagreements on many different topics. I get the impression though that they are grown up enough to get together on this issue they agree on and raise holy hell about until the government listens.

We will never unite over the issues that huge majorities agree on, we're far too busy arguing and maintaining the ever popular "us vs. them" mindset so government is safe now and forever.

Julie

[donco6]

69. You speak of "unity" and you throw out "cross-dragger"?

You are disingenuous and exposed.

[RaleighNCDUer]

82. You do understand, don't you, that the ones you want us to compromise with

are the ones who want to ELIMINATE social security? The ones who with either get rich off privatization, or who have be conned into believing they can 'manage their retirement better than the government'?

WHERE is the point of unity?

[treestar]

138. There aren't that many teabaggers

In fact in some states Repukes will lose the election for nominating them.

[EFerrari]

46. The people of France did not become effective by shutting up and falling in line. n/t

[Name removed]

50. Deleted message

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

[donco6]

53. Before you call anyone a fool, could you answer my question?

What gets sacrificed to the altar of "unity"? What do we offer up to share a barricade with Teabaggers?

[Klukie]

54. +1000000

[EFerrari]

64. Nothing like leading by example!

[wuushew]

45. How do you "know that is what he is trying to do"?

are you telepathic? Obama's polices and their execution are the only things we can meaningfully talk about and in that respect he has been a great failure.

Unity comes from the improvement in the conditions on the ground resultant from implementation of good policy.


Also, why are you so certain Obama values harmony over all else if he is a product of Chicago politics? LOL




Unrec for hollow topic devoid of discussion material.

[Klukie]

49. Bye bye then....

I don't consider him a great failure....I see him as a man trying to bring about some balance in this messed up country.

[RaleighNCDUer]

85. If you want to balance an 800 lb gorilla on one end of a see-saw,

you don't do it by placing a 50lb brick in the middle of the see-saw.

[Klukie]

97. You do if that gorilla has the ability to cut the see saw in half and eat everything

in its path. Maybe the weight will serve as a solid barrier.

[RaleighNCDUer]

103. That still is not "balance". No matter how you play it.

Not real good at math, are you.

[Klukie]

106. Not really my strong suit..but my point still stands.

[HughBeaumont]

57. See, the problem with that whole "balance the corporate will with the worker's needs" thing . .

. . . on a scale, it's currently the equivalent of a lead sinker on one side and a 25 pound bag of fertilizer on the other.

Greater efforts in leveling out are much needed. The rich need to be taken down a LOT of notches. Stability depends on it.

[Klukie]

61. I agree...but do you really think that will happen overnight?

[kenny blankenship]

58. The only common ground to be had w/ Repukes is corporatism wage suppression militarism & Big Brother

They won't agree to anything else. And no matter how far he travels over to their side, nor how often, they will still call him Nigger.

[boston bean]

60. I don't want to be united with bigots, corrupt bankers, and rethuglicans. nt

[Klukie]

63. Me neither

[Bluenorthwest]

66. Common ground with those who see my family as inhuman?

While it is cute to speak of common ground. You think it is alright to steal my family's money to ease the minds of some bigots. I do not agree with you. Apparently you have common ground with hate breathing preachers who call minorities they do not like 'vampires and child killers'. Tell us of your common ground with that.
Also, you need to explain what it is you are willing to bargain away to the insane right wing. What are you willing to give up to the right, from your own corner? Tell us. Or do you expect others to do the 'compromising' while you gather up the jollies? Put your money where your mouth is. What will you give up? What are you willing to put on the table?

[EFerrari]

67. It depends what you mean by "trying to unite the country".

Unless there is a fundamental change in the structure of our economy, this country will only become more divided. You can't unite a people when the top 1% is dispossessing the other 99%.

[Klukie]

70. I mean the people

And I agree with you......There needs to be a shift, but unless the people are on the same page, that will never happen. We fight amongst each other instead of fighting with each other in regard to our corporate masters. Exactly how they want it to be. We cannot throw out the corporations and banksters entirely though.... our economy depends on them too.

[EFerrari]

72. I mean the people, too.

And saying that we all need to be on the same page WHILE calling the people fools for their dissent is really just an illustration of the problem, of how stressed we are. That won't change without real leadership.

[Klukie]

105. point taken ( on a personal level)

But I think it would tear this country apart if President Obama attempted to lead divisively. He should have never called the base whiners either....but mistakes will be made.

[muffin1]

122. He has bent over backward - practically turned into a human pretzel

to please the idiots on the right. And guess what? They're still saying he's divisive and shoving socialist policies down their throats.

Enough already. Lead with the fucking policies you ran on, Mr. President. That is what we wanted when we voted for you. We heard you and said "Yes, we can". You won and now you're saying "No, not yet. I want to make all the teabbagers like me too". Fuck. That.

[donco6]

76. So, again, what gets sacrificed to create this "unity"?

"There needs to be a shift" . . . which means, we have to move toward the "other side" . . . which means we have to give up an issue or two or three that keep us divided. What are those issues you're willing to abandon to accomplish this "shift"?

[Klukie]

83. Not willing to abandon anything..

and the shift I am talking about is a shift in the mentality of the causes/solutions of our current economic status. I am not willing to abandon anything I hold dear but I am willing to put a few things on hold. Solutions to problems are sometimes easy, change takes time.

[donco6]

84. OK, let's start there. What get's "put on hold"? n/t`

[Klukie]

91. The reality is that something will have to.

I am not the one to decide that and I am glad I am not...that is part of my point. I am with you, even though you think I am not. I just realize that there is a lot broken in this country and fixing it all at once will never happen. Yes Obama was served DADT up on a plate and he didn't do the right thing. I am not sure why and neither are you. I do have faith that he will do the right thing in the end.

[donco6]

94. Oh c'mon, don't wimp out now. It's evident what you mean - just say it for God's sake.

You mean gay rights - right? We offer those up to create some "unity" between left and right. If that's what you really believe, just say it.

[olegramps]

132. I am old enough to remember when Truman ordered the military to integrate.

Now that took guts. It takes a real leader to make difficult, but important decisions. President Obama makes nice pretty speeches. End of story.

[fascisthunter]

77. funny... seems the left are the ONLY ones sacrificing

when will the corpocrats and right wing begin their sacrificing, hmmmm? I see Wall Street sacrifices all day long, it's why they need more tax breaks, or else!

[Lucian]

74. Before he gets me, he needs to start doing the right thing.

Repealing DADT would be a GREAT start.

[GSLevel9]

78. President Obama has ZERO chance of uniting this country.

As Lincoln had ZERO chance of uniting this nation...

It took literally 50 years to see some unity and 150 years later we still have fractures and fissures.

This will ALWAYS be a divided, pissy nation.

[Klukie]

87. I think you may be right....

hell I can't even get any support on a Democratic Board for a democratic president!!!! It is every man for himself on all sides!!

[donco6]

90. People unify around Ideas.

See how it works? When people don't agree with your ideas (as exemplified by your actions), there can be no unity. Ipso facto.

[Klukie]

92. Yeah just like they did during the civil war and for so long after?

People unify around their own self interest..right or wrong!!

[donco6]

95. Well, sure - who can deny that?

And those with the better ideas win. As evidenced by the outcome of the Civil War. But if they'd rallied around the persona of Lincoln, what would have happened to the Big Ideas? Gone With the Wind?

[GSLevel9]

100. better ideas or bigger army ;) nt

[deaniac21]

79. I he only would actually do the things he campaigns on, it would

be great.

[SammyWinstonJack]

141. Campaign promises.....what are they good for? Getting elected!

:evilgrin: Wonder how well that will serve him in '12? :silly:

[asdjrocky]

86. As long as you are not gay. nt

[RealisticDem44]

88. I know what he's trying to do...

Frankly, I don't give a damn about finding common ground with the Republicans.

[Individualist]

89. His actions and words have divided more than they've united.

[krabigirl]

101. Sure he is, with his pandering to the right. Since you know, we are all right wing fundies

[rucky]

108. Is this really what we need the most?

Because the effort is futile and it's holding back progress in other areas that I think are more important. MHO

[JVS]

109. unity is overrated

[Klukie]

121. Yeah I guess the United States of America is overrated too.

[JVS]

124. most definitely

[Deep13]

110. The country is already united under its Constitution.

If you mean he wants everyone to accept everyone else, then that is a fool's errand. I don't need unity. I need public policy enacted by the majority party that will undue this country's slide to fascism.

[Panaconda]

112. The ideas

that are being used to unite are the ideas of the ruling class. I reject those ideas unequivocally.

Saying someone is trying to unite a group means absolutely zilch. It's nothing more than an empty slogan, perhaps one of the most void of substance possible.

Could be well get untied behind say a belief in purple crayons? Well great so then we unite. What then?

Could we all get united behind Wall St. being good for us? No thanks.

Could we all get united behind massive cuts in military spending and increased money for social services? Hey I'm down with that. Not hearing that one though.

So really, saying someone is trying to unite others doesn't say anything at all.

The tough spot you imagine Obama to be in is nothing compared to the daily struggles of working class people.

[Klukie]

120. United in the sense of working together to solve problems.

[Panaconda]

125. What problems?

Identify them.

Next.

What are the proposed solutions that people are suppose to unite behind?

So you see we might get a general agreement that, "This country has problems and we need to work together to solve them." It sure is a boilerplate political slogan. But once you get past that you are going to get a wide range of opinions on what are the pressing problems and how best to solve them.

Maybe try another post that goes into detail on this. Otherwise you really haven't said much.

[bvar22]

114. I have NO "common ground" with those who:

*Increase Military Spending

*Expand WARS

*Station 50,000 US troops permanently in Iraq

*Help Halliburtion and the Global Oil Corps divide up Iraq's oil

*Deny Equal Rights and Equal Protections to ANYONE.

*Funnel Public Money to:
Private Prisons
Armed Military Contractors
Private "Intelligence" Agencies
Armed Pivate Police
Health Insurance Corporations

*Expand Free Trade

*Support Anti-LABOR candidates and Anti-LABOR policy

*Strengthen the Unitary Executive

*Cut Social Programs, SS, Medicare

*Support and Expand government Spying on Americans without Judicial review

*Turn Blind Eyes to War Criminals and War Profiteers

*Support Corporate Personhood

*Support the "Patriot Act"

*Support anything "Too Big to Fail"

*think that the For Profit Health Insurance Industry should be the gateway to Health Care in America


I can find NO "common ground" on these issues,
and have no inclination to join forces with those who do.

[HughBeaumont]

128. + 1.

Just about every damned thing they support is damaging to the future and prosperity of the middle/working/poor classes, and in turn, makes them WRONG.

THEY'RE the ones who need to grow up, change and do it fast. NOT us.

[Puregonzo1188]

115. Yes, because corporate will and workers rights are things that need balancing.

Seriously, I'm sick of this false equivalency nonsense.