Progressive Democrats to demonstrate at Obama Chicago headquarters

[Karmadillo]

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2011/07/progressive_democrats_to_demon_1.html


Progressive Democrats to demonstrate at Obama Chicago headquarters

By Lynn Sweet on July 14, 2011 9:53 AM| No Comments

WASHINGTON--As the deficit reduction talks stall here between President Obama and congressional leaders, a group of progressive Democrats plan to visit President Obama's Chicago re-election headquarters on Friday to deliver "200,000 signed pledges refusing to donate to or volunteer on President Obama's reelection campaign if he cuts Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security."

<edit>

The signed pledges state:

"President Obama: If you cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits for me, my family, or families like mine, don't ask for a penny of my money or an hour of my time in 2012. I'm going to focus on electing bold progressive candidates who will fight to protect our Democratic legacy."

The PCCC - a grassroots organization with nearly 36,000 members in Illinois and over 750,000 members nationwide - collected the petition signatures online at BoldProgressives.org.

The over 200,000 signed pledges includes grassroots donors who made over $17 million in donations and volunteered over 2.6 million volunteer hours to the President's 2008 campaign.

more...

[certainot]

1. i think i'm going to pledge not to donate or volunteer to prog orgs until ONE of them

finally takes on the right's best weapon , talk radio.

until then the collective left is NOT getting obama's back, never was.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x613220

[certainot]

2. and here's a poll question- where's a better place to protest?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1487887

[SugarShack]

54. Kick ASS! Glad to see this!

[Palmer Eldritch]

3. What a waste of time and effort.

[Tesha]

5. Why? Didn't Obama challenge us to "make [him] do it"? (NT)

[undeterred]

83. What a totally appropriate thing for a true Democrat to do.

:kick: :patriot:

[DevonRex]

4. Democrats? HahahaHA!

[Tesha]

8. You laugh now, but come November 2012 you'll be begging for their votes...

...come December, you'll be wishing you'd taken them
seriously.

Tesha

[DevonRex]

14. I dont beg for anything, much less the votes of faux Dems.

Anarchists, Socialists, greens and Repubs want to destroy the Democratic Party. They are not our friends now and never will be. They have to make us lose just to get a seat at the table. Elections are zero-sum here which means everybody is in competition with everyone else.

[socialist_n_TN]

50. I can't speak for the anarchists or the Greens

But socialists I know want to destroy BOTH major political parties because they don't represent the MAJORITY of the people's interests. Or at LEAST bring ONE of those parties back to where it represents the working class.

Anyway, I thought we were supposed to "Make me do it." This is part of that. Isn't it? Or do we just have to STFU while the entire safety net is dismantled by BOTH parties. One is just doing it slower than the other.

[stuckinarut]

147. great post

couldn't agree more.

[krabigirl]

103. Lol, a pro-war, pro-wall street pro patriot act type is the fake democrat.

[inna]

161. Devon, I hope you realize how creepy it is to throw socialists etc. in same category as the repubs,

and presumably, you're doing it for some sort of dramatic effect.


(And just in case you don't realize it - yes, it is creepy and comes across as cultish and neoMcCarthyist.)

[dionysus]

19. what, all couple dozen of you here on DU?

:rofl:

[DevonRex]

23. That many, huh?

:rofl:

[Name removed]

105. Deleted message

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

[socialist_n_TN]

51. Well great. Why whine about it then?

If we're that inconsequential, then why even bother?

[Ignis]

86. Because hippie punching is a sanctioned sport at DU.

I guess this means Bernie Sanders' vote is no longer welcome in the left caucus. :shrug:

[Forkboy]

125. They never have the guts to answer that one.

I've never seen so many people hold two conflicting ideas in their heads at one time. The "professional Left" can destroy a president one day, but are inconsequential the next. These are often the same people that will talk about being "reality-based".

[bluestate10]

134. Independents helped re-elect a very good governor in Massachusetts.

After the Left cried and pissed their pants and stayed home. They showed themselves to be irrelevant in a tight race. Why should any sane person expect the Left to matter in 2012?

[TreasonousBastard]

6. Not progressives, not Democrats, but...

most definitely useless assholes.

[Tesha]

9. As I said to DevonRex above... (NT)

[TreasonousBastard]

16. I've run into these clowns before, and I doubt they vote at all, but...

even if they do, it's as much of a waste of time to try to reach them as it is the teabaggers.

A commitment from them is as meaningless as their protests, since they prefer backstabbing to productive work.

[Tesha]

102. When you've "run into them", did you stop long enough to exchange insurance paperwork or

...did you just roll right on over them?

Tesha

[Hell Hath No Fury]

124. Hi, I am one of the "clowns" who signed that pledge -

I registered as a Dem the first opportunity I got to vote (that would be 1979), I have voted in every election since, and worked my ass off to get Democratic candidates, both local and national, elected to office. I have been a staunch Democrat my entire life and believe with all my heart in the principles of the modern Democratic Party.

What I do NOT like is someone with a "D" after their name attempting to do the GOPers work for them by fucking with programs that he should be going to the mat to protect and expand.

Obama needs to wake the fuck up and start acting and leading like a Democrat, not some GOPer lite.

[bluestate10]

135. Send that paper to me. I have good use for it. Add a tiny amount

of water and presto.

[eilen]

156. Maybe they are the ones who's back was stabbed

and don't want it to happen again.

Betrayal is often a matter of perspective. What you might call "pragmatic" they would call "betrayal."

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. "Not progressive"? Comapred to Obama?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[TreasonousBastard]

18. Compared to people to actually work for progressive causes, not just talk.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. Which is exactly what they are doing.

Unlike a centrist president who doesn't.

[bluestate10]

136. I seriously doubt it. I am a centrist. I contribute more to a progressive

society in one week than the majority of the idiots that will be marching outside President Obama's headquarters contribute in a fucking year. All I see from the DU variants of the protesters is incessant pissing and moaning without one solution being advanced. I have no use for that type of progressive.

[EFerrari]

142. What a bizarre claim. n/t

[bluestate10]

144. Disprove it. nt

[EFerrari]

152. LOL. No, your bizarre claims can be between you and you.

[inna]

162. .

to put it mildly

:spray:

[AlabamaLibrul]

131. Getting into the streets is work. You're the one just talking - over the interwebs no less. n/t

[Tesha]

26. I think a lot of folks are in for a real education as to who the assholes are and...

...who the assholes aren't.

And a whole lot of folks here need to take a Dale Carnegie course.

Tesha

[xchrom]

7. direct link to bold progressives

http://boldprogressives.org/home

[Karmadillo]

28. Well worth a click. MSNBC's Ed Schultz calls PCCC "the top progressive group in the country."

nt

[xchrom]

38. i've certainly given them money & will again. nt

[bluestate10]

138. I certainly gave President Obama money and will again, many times.

Fuck the so called progressive protesters.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

10. Bravo! K&R

[FSogol]

12. Their signs will read, "I'm More Liberal Than you."

:shrug:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. Being more liberal than a centrist president is kinda easy.

[krabigirl]

104. He is a center-right neoconservative.

[JoePhilly]

122. and he kicks puppies for distance!!!

[mopinko]

15. who is behind this? i smell a rat.

a bold progressive organization headquartered in dc? seems a little fishy to me.

[DevonRex]

17. Ah, I was hoping someone else smelled said rat.

:hi:

[dionysus]

21. cringe in terror before the firebaggers and treebaggers!

:scared:

:rofl:

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

56. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Larkspur]

22. Adam Green is the head of Bold Progressives

so it's a legit progressive group that was founded during the Obama 2008 campaign.

Green has been a guest on the MSBNC evening talk shows and speaks for many progressives.

[mopinko]

31. founded during the campaign?

and someone who is a commentator on ge news is for sure for real?

i am not arguing with you. just saying that i am a little tired of these phony organizations, and phony teevee "experts", too.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

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

[SidDithers]

42. Good for you....

Sid

[dionysus]

57. maybe you could go on strike

[fascisthunter]

165. wow

[Hutzpa]

24. I'm a proud progressive but, I WILL not support an action such as this

it is moronic and stupid at the same time. If they are who they say they are,
surely they should know where to go and protest, the headquarters of a
democratic president is a NO NO...

Are we dealing with fake progressives, just as in Wisconsin with
the fake democrats.

[DevonRex]

27. I'd say the PCCC is made of faux Dems.

[Karmadillo]

30. On what basis?

nt

[DevonRex]

33. On the basis that any IDIOT knows that Democrats will be protesting Republicans

during this fight. Republicans and tea party morons will be protesting Democrats. That BS org is only trying to weaken Dems. It's so obvious it's laughable.

[Karmadillo]

41. Agree an idiot would think Democrats should protest Republicans over Social Security/Medicare cuts,

but people who aren't idiots know Democrats need to conduct protests against the person putting the cuts on the table, and that would be Obama. Good to see the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party in action.

[jtown1123]

87. Nope. They are just being true to democratic values and not the label.

[Ikonoklast]

107. You got it. Real allies don't shoot you in the back.

They carry the protest against the common foe, the Republican Party.

Seems that many of these self-styled 'progressives' only pop out of their basements to take pot-shots at Democrats.

They never seem to be able to find a Republican to demonstrate against.

Like here.

All the same voices.

They hate Democrats, and seldom seem to say much about Republicans.

Funny, dat.

[DevonRex]

110. It is funny how that works, isn't it?

Stabbing the Dems in the back nonstop.

[Ikonoklast]

111. Gives one pause, for certain.

They say one thing, but their actions belie their real purposes.

Fifth Columnists disguised as political purists.

[Karmadillo]

155. Protesting attacks on Social Security and Medicare is shooting you in the back? I would think the

shot in the back would be the attack on core Democratic programs.

[Tesha]

121. That's okay; that's how I've felt about the DLC/Turd Wave/etc. since their founding. (NT)

[LoZoccolo]

29. The Obama campaign's already broken their fundraising goals so far.

lol

[Jefferson23]

100. If that's true, you certainly can sit back and laugh, as Obama will have

no reason to respond to concerns from progressives.

[Karmadillo]

32. The Nation's Honor Role for Most Valuable Online Activism: Progressive Change Campaign Committee

http://www.thenation.com/article/157281/progressive-honor-roll-2010

The Progressive Honor Roll of 2010
John Nichols

<edit>

MOST VALUABLE ONLINE ACTIVISM: Progressive Change Campaign Committee
"We're trying to teach Democrats how to fight," says Adam Green, co-founder (with Stephanie Taylor) of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which a year after its founding has shaken the Democratic establishment with unblinking demands that President Obama and Congressional leaders stand on principle rather than compromise. That's earned PCCC and its allies condemnation from White House press secretary Robert Gibbs (who gripes about the "professional left") and an expletive-laden dismissal from former chief of staff Rahm Emanuel . But on issue after issue—healthcare, banking, the Obama/GOP tax-cut deal—the group has pushed Democrats to throw punches rather than throw in the towel. Bridging the enthusiasm gap, PCCC signed up 650,000 "bold progressives" on its e-mail list and backed its campaigning with TV ads. As with Progressive Democrats of America, PCCC's independence is its strength. At a time when it's clear what Republicans stand for, PCCC holds that Democrats can excite their base and win only if they are equally clear—and uncompromising on core values.

[mopinko]

34. and what "bold progressive" is going to run this time?

if they are focused on electing bold democrats, obama is a stupid place to start.

eta- because no democrat is running against him.
and the top is a stupid place to start.

[somone]

36. Recommended

[ProSense]

37. Oh, it's

PCCC, the group that sends out hair-on-fire mass e-mail with lies.

Adam Green is an idiot!

[DevonRex]

39. Thank you for that and yes he is.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

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

[RandomKoolzip]

43. Agreed. The arrogance and condescension is kinda gross.

The Democratic party ought to be courting these people and their money and their votes and voices, not spitting on them and laughing snootily at their grievances. And so long as they continue to ignore and insult the millions of self-proclaimed leftists in America, no progressive change will ever be enacted, because of the Dems' refusal to be inclusive and to LISTEN instead of dismiss. It's kind of sad how superior and paternalistically elitist "the sensible center" thinks they are.

[ProSense]

47. Oh

"The Democratic party ought to be courting these people and their money and their votes and voices, not spitting on them and laughing snootily at their grievances."

....the condescending irony!!!

Anyone who thinks distortion is progressive activism needs their head check.

[RandomKoolzip]

48. Thanks for proving my point.

[ProSense]

55. Oh,

I forgot that only people who call Obama supporters "obnoxious" are allowed to be condescending.


My bad!

[RandomKoolzip]

60. See, what you don't get is that there's a power imbalance between Obama supporters

and Obama critics. An already-marginalized liberal calling Obama supporters obnoxious on an internet message board is simply not as great of a crime as the Obama Administration and its supporters shutting out progressive voices and ideas completely. WE have no power or representation. You guys got the power and the money in the real world - or don't you see that?

[ProSense]

64. Hmmmm?

"An already-marginalized liberal calling Obama supporters obnoxious on an internet message board is simply not as great of a crime as the Obama Administration and its supporters shutting out progressive voices and ideas completely. WE have no power or representation. You guys got the power and the money in the real world - or don't you see that?"

So you expect Obama supporters to coddle people who continue to portray them as "obnoxious" and distort and discount everything the President does?

[RandomKoolzip]

66. Again, you don't see cause-and-effect relationship there?

Obama's critics on the left are critical because this administration and its supporters refuse to see their ideas and their voices as legitimate. The criticism that's been levelled at Obama and the Dems in power comes out of frustration, not out of some sourceless pathology. If they'd listened to us, we wouldn't be criticizing them. Add to that our lack of any power or reliable representation in Washington AND a lot of Obama supporters online who treat the left like we're (ahem) a bunch of irrational "retards" and can anyone still wonder why the left is pissed?

And YES, frankly, the center right Dem establishment SHOULD be trying to absorb and include progressive, leftist ideas and voices, even if those voices are critical. I think it'd be a smart way of picking up a LOT of voters. Instead, the Administration continues to piss off already disenfranchised voters and further exacerbate an existing rift.

[ProSense]

72. Yeah,

"Again, you don't see cause-and-effect relationship there?

Obama's critics on the left are critical because this administration and its supporters refuse to see their ideas and their voices as legitimate. The criticism that's been levelled at Obama and the Dems in power comes out of frustration, not out of some sourceless pathology. If they'd listened to us, we wouldn't be criticizing them. "

...."me, me, me, I'm the only important one."

Here's the "cause-and-effect relationship" at play: "Obama's critics" who refuse to see the President as legitimate and working to solve the crisis. Every action is attacked, and primarily through distortion. He's been called evil, deserving of impeachment, soulless, a tool for the rich, an "errand boy" and uncaring about what happens to Americans who are suffering.

These are not people desperately wanting to be convinced that he cares.




edited typo

[RandomKoolzip]

93. But again, this is where the issue of power and representation comes up.

""Obama's critics" who refuse to see the President as legitimate and working to solve the crisis. Every action is attacked, and primarily through distortion. He's been called evil, deserving of impeachment, soulless, a tool for the rich, an "errand boy" and uncaring about what happens to Americans who are suffering."

Obama's critics on the left have no political power. They have no representation in government. All they have is the ability to demonstrate, protest, and whine and moan on the internet. You seem to think we have some ability to call Obama a name and have it come true or something. If leftists on the internet call Obama names, that is simply not equivalent, in real life terms, to the Obama Administration and its supporters shutting the left out of political discussions. In other words, the complaints of leftists on a message board do not carry the same political weight as an action or a speech coming from this Administration...but complaints are all we have left to convey the depth of frustration we feel.

And it's not about ME ME ME, for crissakes. Gah! :bangingheadagainstwallwishingyou'dlisten:

[socialist_n_TN]

132. "me, me, me, I'm the only important one"

Well according to a BUNCH of polls, we're closer to what the American public wants than the "sensible centrists" are. Most polls show big majorities for "leftish" positions, NOT "centrist" ones.

[Karmadillo]

45. One would think they would at least spice up their insults with a few facts.

nt

[EFerrari]

53. BP put up their petition about the time Bernie and Whitehouse did.

I can't be the only one on this thread that signed it.

[somone]

46. "Resistance Is Futile"

"Your New Deal Will Be Reformed"

[SidDithers]

44. Go Progressive Democrats!!...

:rofl:

Sid

[Autumn]

49. Those sorry bastards, how dare they

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:


Good for them.

[somone]

52. Yep. Shouldn't they be raided for marijuana or something?

:sarcasm:

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

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

[EFerrari]

61. These are the same "useless assholes" that got Keith thousands and thousands

of signatures right away when he was fired by Comcast.

[somone]

63. Just send them to Gitmo

useless eaters :sarcasm:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

79. Can't. Obama closed Gitmo....oh, wait.

[dana_b]

67. amazing, isn't it?

and who is to say that all of those people are Dems? I signed that petition but am not a Dem. I guess it's much more "useful" to insult these folks on a message board than to go do their own protesting.

[Ignis]

91. +++

Well said. :thumbsup:

[Jefferson23]

59. K&R, thanks for posting Karm.....quite a few surreal responses you've received. n/t

[Karmadillo]

151. This can be quite the place some days.

nt

[Jefferson23]

163. True! On a more positive note, centered on the front page of DU

is the ad from boldprogressives.org. The pic of Obama and the words, If you cut Social Security...

Just thought I'd pass that on, some may not see it if they have donated to DU recently? I'm not sure...but I got a chuckle
out of of seeing the ad prominently displayed.

[meow mix]

62. K&R

[MadHound]

65. Wow, the responses to this are, well, surreal

Here we have a group of Democrats, strongly urging the President to preserve signature Democratic programs, and so called Democrats are calling them everything in the book, including communists.

This is democracy at work, this is how you get real change, and in fact the president himself urged this kind of action when he asked Democrats to "make me do it".

Yet these people are berated and belittled by many around here.

So much for them being Democratic or democratic.

[ProSense]

68. You know what's surreal

Listening to the President's press conference and then getting an e-mail from "so called Democrats" (progressives) saying he came right out and said he's going to cut Social Security and Medicare.

Rove would be fucking proud!!!!

[MadHound]

71. Thanks again for proving the point I was wanting to make. I knew I could count on you.

Rovian comparisons:eyes:

[ProSense]

75. You're mistaken

I didn't prove your point, I responded to it. You seem to believe that "so-called Democrats" should ignore the fact that PCCC lies in it's e-mail.

[MadHound]

77. You seem to think that any criticism of Obama is treasonous,

And those who engage in such criticism, no matter how mild, aren't real Dems. So yes, you are proving my point with every post you make.

[Poll_Blind]

81. I've noticed this too. It's disturbing and off-putting as someone who comes to DU to..

...read about the promotion of Democratic ideals.

PB

[ProSense]

82. Hmmmm?

"You seem to think that any criticism of Obama is treasonous"

No, I was very specific, here: You seem to believe that "so-called Democrats" should ignore the fact that PCCC lies in it's e-mail.

[MadHound]

85. We're not talking about your email,

We're talking about the action that the PCCC is taking in Chicago. Please, stay on topic.

PS: If people go back through the archives they can easily prove my point that you think any criticism of Obama is treasonous. You've essentially said that time and time and time again.

[ProSense]

92. My e-mail?

"We're talking about the action that the PCCC is taking in Chicago. Please, stay on topic."

And I'm talking about PCCC's lies.

Beyond that, the group is a joke!

[MadHound]

99. Please, stick on topic

The topic is contained in the OP. Try sticking to it. You have the unfortunate habit of trying to divert attention elsewhere when you are losing a debate. You try and bring all sorts of different issues and wander badly off topic as a diversionary measure.

Please, stick on topic.

[Jefferson23]

106. You have a link to the email that contains the lie? This link you

posted is not it.

[DevonRex]

78. Rove could be behind it all.

Certainly no friendly group would attack us from the rear when we are facing an all-out frontal assault by the Repubs.

[MadHound]

84. So a group urging a Democratic president to stand strong for Democratic programs

Is now attacking us?

You know that old saying, paranoia, the destroyer.

This is democracy in action, what, you have a problem with the democratic process? Rather un-American there, don'tcha think?

[DevonRex]

89. I speak Russian so I'm un-American?

Glupii chelovek.

[MadHound]

94. It's not the languages that you speak that are the problem,

It is the fact that you think that honest Democratic action, and honest democratic protests are somehow treasonous. This is democracy in action, get used to it.

[DevonRex]

109. Um I didn't say one single word about treason. Perhaps you're confused.

I doubt the motives of anyone who protests the Dems instead of the Repukes. Sorry if you have amproblem with that.

[Name removed]

112. Deleted message

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

[EFerrari]

88. LOL. Telling the President to protect the New Deal is not an attack

[Jefferson23]

95. When you discover any information to substantiate your "could" post it please. n/t

[Inuca]

101. They are not "strongly urging"

they behave like the lefty equivalent of tea partiers. Sorry, but I think it's true. "No new taxex" no matter what. "No changes in SS, etc." no matter what. Nothing is so black & white. The world is not a simplistic construct.

[MadHound]

128. Not saying that the world is a simplistic construct,

But hey, thanks for sticking words in my mouth.

The fact of the matter is that SS, Medicare, Medicaid are necessary programs that millions depend on. Despite the rhetoric, SS, etc. are not in crisis, and they aren't contributing to the debt load. So why are we messing it when it isn't a problem? Oh, yeah, because the president wants to use it for some sort of bargaining chit. Damn the fact that it is tax cuts and loopholes for the wealth and corporate that are a large part of the problem, damn the fact that the military is the largest line item in spending, we're going to "compromise" which means taking cents from the upper class and dollars, along with a pound of flesh, from the middle and poor classes. This has been going on for decades, is a huge reason why we're in the shape we're in, but hey, let's keep banging our head against that brick wall:eyes:

The fact of the matter is that the poor and middle classes are getting tapped out. As money flows to the top, as the rich control more and more of our resources, we, you, I and tens of millions of others, are coming to the end of line. We can't afford anymore, it is that simple. Unless you want millions homeless, civil unrest, riots, etc., it is time for the rich to pay their fair share.

That's not simplistic, that's reality.

[Inuca]

160. Of course they are necessary programs

But they ARE in trouble, especially Medicare and especially down the road.

[pecwae]

159. No it's predictable. nt

[VeryConfused]

69. I signed it- fuck the professional left

and I am counted as part of their 200,000 pledges

[bluestate10]

139. Well, they are lucky they did not show it to me. I would have wiped my

ass with it.

[somone]

70. Since when is defending Social Security & Medicare a bad/stupid idea among Democrats?

[Yavin4]

74. How Is Demonstrating In Front of Obama's Campaign HQ "defending Social Security & Medicare"

It's an absolutely pointless waste of time.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

76. How is offering the Republicans deals to raise the eligibility age "defending Social Security"?

[Yavin4]

73. Why Use The Time and Energy To Get Alan Grayson Elected in Florida?

Or work on the recall elections in the next state over, Wisconsin. Or help with the collective bargaining issue on the ballot in Ohio?

Oh, that's right. I forgot. Why let actual work that would help the cause get in the way of a good old fashioned, useless, sound and furry demonstration.

[Poll_Blind]

80. Yours is a nasty "false choice" fallacy.

Either people (work for Democratic goals) or protest?

Sheesh.

PB

[uponit7771]

114. No it's not, they can focus their energy towards getting a progressive congress

[uponit7771]

113. Nah, lets not focus their ire towads something useful might make em break out in hives

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

90. Obama has only to guarantee no cuts to SS or Medicare to stop the demonstrations.

Why doesn't he do that instead of whining about "tough political decisions"?

[somone]

108. He sounds like a corporate manager who is about to lay off people

"Geez. You know, it's a really TOUGH decision, but we have to lay you off. BYE!"

[Ikonoklast]

96. I bet they never demonstrated at a Republican politician's headquarters.

As noted above, these people are useless.

[VeryConfused]

115. That's the professional left's stock and trade

being less than useless

[Forkboy]

127. Stupid argument, worthy of a second grader.

Bitching at Republicans won't accomplish a goddamn thing, and won't make them even budge in your direction. THAT'S fucking useless. Might as well smash a brick over your head repeatedly (if you haven't already done so).

Let me ask you something: When you see a family member doing something you feel is wrong for them and you, do you remain silent?

[Ikonoklast]

133. I don't let strangers pretending to be my friends interfere in my internal family affairs.

Funny how the PL whines about President Obama *not* using the bully pulpit to jawbone Republicans...but then say it is useless when *they* are asked to do it, in direct action.

Second grade, indeed.

[Forkboy]

141. That's not a very good dodge. Can you try harder?

[bluestate10]

140. Fucking your cause for the next half century is infinitely separated

from logic. The protesters should make themselves useful, stay the hell at home and shut-up like they did on election day during the midterms. Talk about screwing your own best interests.

[Forkboy]

145. Personally, I have mixed feelings on the whole thing.

But the "sit down and shut up" mentality doesn't fly with me. Shouldn't with you either. If you choose to be quiet about issues you're worried about that's your choice, but I don't criticize those who choose to use their own voice, whether I agree or disagree with whatever issue is at hand. I don't like to tell any group of Americans to shut up (though I admit it's tempting with the WBC).

Anyone paying attention in the 90's knew that something like 2010 was going to happen if a Dem came across as too centrist. Like I did in the 90's, I'm more concerned with how we can get voters back, whereas your tactic seems to be to drive them away even more. Isn't that fucking your cause? Seems like your thinking is pretty infinitely separated from logic as well, no?

[eilen]

158. Maybe the people that feel that way

just want to attract more disaffected republicans rather than keep the progressive base. That is the only rationale I can come up with for attacking progressives who seek to use their first amendment free speech rights to preserve medicare, social security and medicaid.

I guess we can blame the sit down and shut up group when the cuts go through and we X-gens are sick, starving and homeless because of Obama's "Grand Deal."


Assholes.

[eilen]

157. Currently there is no Republican frontrunner

and none of the people running for nomination have a seat in the closed room debt limit talks. Obama is the only Democratic nominee and he is the one putting the benefit cuts on the table and is running the meetings.

[krabigirl]

97. Good for them, I just wish they would also protest the six wars/patriot act extension etc.

[TheKentuckian]

120. No doubt.

[Major Hogwash]

129. 14 pissed off retirees can't do much.

Except walk around with signs saying "Obama is Unfair to __________" (fill in the blank)

We had people protesting downtown like this last October and they wore 3-cornered hats and even had a guy with a drum beating on it every once in awhile.

[Iggo]

98. Damn!

This thread is fuckin nasty!

:rofl:

[Jefferson23]

116. White House Won’t Rule Out Benefit Cuts

The Obama administration continues to rule out the prospect of cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits under a bipartisan budget deal. At the White House, Press Secretary Jay Carney was asked about President Obama’s campaign vows to protect Social Security.

Reporter: "President Obama in 2008, in a taped addressed to AARP, said 'John McCain’s campaign has suggested that the best answer for the growing pressures on Social Security might be to cut cost-of-living adjustments or raise the retirement age. Let me be clear: I will not do either.' Is that a promise that has gone by the bye, at least regarding cost-of-living adjustments?"

Jay Carney: "Again, I will not get into the specifics of ideas that have been considered. What I will say is that the President has been willing to get outside of his comfort zone to discuss different measures."

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/7/14/headlines#2

[somone]

117. He's willing to get outside of his comfort zone

Seniors, do your part. Eat less, and die sooner. :sarcasm:

Trickle-down über alles

[Jefferson23]

150. I have no confidence about what he care's about any longer. n/t

on edit for spelling.

[Shagbark Hickory]

118. They're no longer needed. The corporations donate more than they could ever raise.

[JoeyT]

119. Shameful.

How dare they imply that He in His infinite wisdom could do anything wrong. We all know that He has our best interests at heart.

I think I'm going to have to go look at a picture of Him on the beach for an hour to calm myself down after reading about the antics of these heretics.

[Jefferson23]

153. lol, that was very good..especially appreciate the capitalizing of Him and He. n/t

[somone]

154. The ardor of a true believer

:sarcasm:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

123. I wish I could be there.

Direct action like this should have started a long time ago, when word was trickling out the Public Option was being willfully handed over in the health insurance reform negotiations. :( I signed the pledge and am proud of it.

Obama wants to make changes to SS and Medicare, he has plainly said it and acted on it.

If we don't strongly tell him tell him what we expect from him, we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

[Name removed]

126. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[EFerrari]

146. Me, too. I signed it when I signed Bernie's and Sheldon's.

People wanted to give Obama a honeymoon and that was a mistake.

[scheming daemons]

130. I expect to be underwhelmed by the crowd size

[bluestate10]

143. The test will be whether hot dog vendors care enough to show up. nt

[Ikonoklast]

164. Adam Green will be happy with the money he makes off this.

In the end, that's all that really matters to fake 'progressive' shit-stirrers, making the money.

Ask Hamsher.

Keeps them from doing any honest work.

[Hubert Flottz]

137. K&R

[NorthCarolina]

148. But, but, but...polls show that like over 80% of Progressives approve of what Obama is doing.

I've read that here on DU like about a bazillion times. So, these must the the other 20% of Progressives...right?

[MissDeeds]

149. K&R