The joke is on us because we voted for Obama

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Here is Obama in 2008 on the Bush tax cuts:

WASHINGTON — Democrat Barack Obama says he would delay rescinding President Bush's tax cuts on wealthy Americans if he becomes the next president and the economy is in a recession, suggesting such an increase would further hurt the economy.

Nevertheless, Obama has no plans to extend the Bush tax cuts beyond their expiration date, as Republican John McCain advocates. Instead, Obama wants to push for his promised tax cuts for the middle class, he said in a broadcast interview aired Sunday.

"Even if we're still in a recession, I'm going to go through with my tax cuts," Obama said. "That's my priority."

What about increasing taxes on the wealthy?

"I think we've got to take a look and see where the economy is. I mean, the economy is weak right now," Obama said on "This Week" on ABC. "The news with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, I think, along with the unemployment numbers, indicates that we're fragile."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/07/obama-recession-could-del_n_124647.html

I guess we should have been paying closer attention back then. It was easy not to because of the disaster that Bush was. But this is something he wanted to do from the very beginning, he just wanted to make it seem like he didn't.

[BzaDem]

1. Yeah, apparently McCain would have been the better choice for some. n/t

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2. I'm just pointing out that on this issue Obama and McCain turned out to be the same

even if Obama was leading us to believe differently.

[blondeatlast]

3. Grownups understand that things aren't simple. I can appreciate that Obama is better than

McCain any day of the week and still be disgusted at his cowardice.

[foxfeet]

4. +1 for common sense.

[JuniperLea]

8. +1 for recognizing common sense... eom

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11. Yeah, us stupid children just can't understand

the fact Obama was covering his ass way back then on this issue tells me one thing, he was going to extend these tax cuts for everyone no matter what, even if he made us think otherwise. This is all by design. And if anyone is upset by that you call them a child. Stay classy.

[JuniperLea]

18. And how is he supposed to do that...

When Congress holds power over money? Please, enlighten me to these awesome powers you assume he has.

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25. Why was he covering his ass on this issue way back in Septemeber 2008?

[JuniperLea]

27. I'm not a mind reader... you'll have to be specific...

And you really should answer my question. The answer makes all this argument moot.

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28. Your question is irrelevant, we are talking about what Obama wants. Not what congress wants

Today the Obama administration defended these tax cut extensions as a good thing for the economy. Way back in 2008 he was saying he was open to extending them because it would be needed if the economy was still bad.

So do you actually believe he thinks that extensions for the rich are a bad thing but he has to do it because of what congress wants? I call bullshit for the fact that he wanted to extend them way back in 2008 and for the fact that congress (especially on the house side) is looking like it might not even pass the plan he proposed.

[JuniperLea]

29. Bullshit... Obama cannot act alone on tax cuts...

He cannot make that decision, it must be voted in Congress. You don't get that at all; it makes the rest of your idiotic argument moot.

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30. I am asking you what Obama thinks is good policy, not what congress thinks.

What part of that do you not understand?

The question again is does OBAMA think that extending tax cuts for the rich for 2 more years is a good thing. Can you answer that question?

[JuniperLea]

31. So you are the thought police and actions mean nothing...

Charming.

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33. What in the world are you talking about? His actions are going to give the rich a huge tax cut

I just want to know if you think he is doing this because he thinks tax cuts for the rich are a good thing or if he is doing this because he can't get votes otherwise.

I don't understand what you find so offensive about this simple question.

[Individualist]

19. Your condescension is noted and disregarded.

[otohara]

34. Grownups Shouldn't Say Things Over and Over

to hundreds of thousands of people if it's total bullshit.

[Township75]

5. Apparently some of us know there was a primary, so it wasn't just a choice

between McCain and Obama. Apparently, you don't.

[JuniperLea]

7. Are you trying to say Hillary would have been a better choice?

:shrug:

[lukasahero]

13. Were Hillary and Obama the only options in the primaries? eom

[JuniperLea]

17. Obviously not...

I'm speaking of viable candidates here. Can we stick to reality, please?

[lukasahero]

35. Yawn

You want "reality" on one hand and "idealism" on the other. Make up your mind. We had a chance to change "politics as usual". We didn't. This is the result.

[Township75]

10. No I am not, though maybe she could have been...

we will never know.

I made that comment because that post made the claim that it was Obama or McCain...but we had more choices, so like the OP said, the joke is on us.

[JuniperLea]

21. How many VIABLE choices did we have?

Hillary would have been smacked down by the Republicans too. Maybe even harder since they hated her husband so. Another Clinton to eviscerate. Yeah, that would have gone over real well.

[JuniperLea]

6. He has either done, or tried to do everything he said he would...

This entire effing debate reminds me of explaining to my sister how one should manage the expectations of children.

:banghead:

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12. So you agree, way back then he was ready to extend these tax cuts for everone?

[JuniperLea]

16. He was ready to fight for those cuts...

But he doesn't hold the purse strings. Congress does. I would rather see all this anger pointed at blue dogs where it belongs. I just don't get how people think Obama can wave a magic wand and override Congress. And I really don't get how people think he has much say with Republicans in Congress. That's ridiculous. There is a clearly defined separation of power that is lost on DU these days, and it speaks poorly of us.

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26. If he was willing to fight why in 2008 did he say he would consider them?

[Newest Reality]

9. I don't think it is a joke

as much as it is the reflection of an artificial dilemma and an evolving, political business model.

The system provides a governmental, well-packaged product in the form of a party dichotomy. We buy the product in one of two forms, for the most part and competitors are either prevented from gaining too much market share or crushed by the fist of insignificance.

Collectively, the current outlets only carry and endorse two products and we are not encouraged to shop around.

This is a profitable and easily manageable industry for those who maintain and benefit from it. Since the perception is ingrained in the consumer's beliefs, historically and by constant reinforcement, this polar monopoly owns the market, quite literally, and serves the purposes of profit exclusively.

Yet, people find themselves purchasing the same two products over and over again, expecting different performance and results. Hence, you do get what you pay for and may or may not discover that this behavior is neurotic and self-defeating since there is no warning label provided.

[patrice]

14. The joke is on us, because we are being played for/against Obama. nt

[Pisces]

15. Wow, what breaking news he sounds like he has thought out what is best for the middle class.

I listened to him intently and I voted for an intelligent man who I didn't think would play politics in the same way. He has acted like the only sane adult in the room the entire time. He is governing
this is what it looks like. Making choices where there are no good choices.

Everyone needs to grow up and quit thinking they know what they would do if they were President. You are not and you don't have all of the information the President does.

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20. Giving tax cuts to the rich is good for the middle class?

Since when?

[Pisces]

23. Playing dumb on the other concession like 13 months of unemployment , payroll tax

doesn't help your argument. making a deal comprises of both parties giving up something and both parties getting something. A 13 month unemployment extension is not something we can hope
for in the next Congress. Of course many of you would prefer to play chicken with other people's heating, food, electricity.

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24. They could have gotten an unemployment extension by diverting a few billion from the stimilus

if they are that weak that they absolutely had to cave on unemployment.

Sure is a hell lot better than adding 500 billion to the deficit in the coming 2 years.

So is that your idea of getting something in return? What we could have gotten anyway?

And as far as "pay roll tax" are you refering to the social security tax holiday? You actually think that's a good idea?

[young but wise]

22. +100

[SoCalDem]

32. The "joke" is on us, because while we were all being "infotained" for 30 years

our system kept devolving into the corporate-owned mess we have now. I don't think it really matters much which individual gets to live in the White House, since the hierarchy of BOTH parties eat from the same trough.. That trough is filled non-stop by corporate/military lobbyists whose only goal is to strip the nation of all wealth & to claim it as their own.

The media, instead of warning us daily about this danger, are their mouthpieces for the propaganda that convinces us that we NEED it this way.:(