The narrative is clear. I'm ready for the worst.

[CoffeeCat]

It was crystal clear from the memes and soundbytes on "Meet the Press" this morning.
Our worst-case scenario regarding the debt-ceiling legislation--will happen this week.

The likable heavyweights, including Tom Brokaw, were rolled out to carry the banners.
I guess they think if we hear it from a friendly, respected former network
anchor, we'll accept and fall in line. Jim Cramer was brought in as the financial
and Wall Street expert to add emotional appeals and to present his dire warnings.

The narrative--complete with two cogent points--couldn't be more clear:

1.) We're facing financial armageddon of global proportions if we don't pass a bill by Tuesday.

2.) The problem is the Democrats who are acting like spoiled brats on Social Security, Medicare
and Medicaid--and the Democrats must step up to the plate, compromise and cut these programs
if our country is to avoid a financial catastrophe.

We shouldn't be so surprised. The elites, the neocons, the corporations and the rest of the
Koch Brothers players--have wanted to dismantle Social Security for many years. Bush tried to
privatize it, but he was smacked back and his effort failed. So, they're going to take it
apart, brick by brick. It appears the first bricks to be tossed in the trash, will be cuts that
raise the retirement age. Straight up cuts to Medicare and Medicaid can be expected as well.

We all know this "debt-ceiling crisis" was manufactured political theater. They NEVER had
to die the debt ceiling to all of this. It was done to manufacture what we're seeing now--a
hair-on-fire crisis that gives the appearance that cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid
are absolutely essential and the only way to "cure" the "crisis".

It's going to happen, no matter what we say or do. Our bought-and-paid-for politicians
do not care how many phone calls we make or how many emails we send. Our democracy is
the best government the corporation's money can buy.

I don't know what kind of government you would call this, but it's no longer a democracy when
"We The People" are regarded with disdain by elected representatives who have formed a new
government with elite corporations who have bribed and corrupted our politicians.

I'm ready this week---for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to receive their initial
death blows, and I'm also ready to watch millionaires, billionaires and corporations get
their tax-break windfalls as the middle class gets kicked in the teeth.

[CanonRay]

1. Yup, done deal

we're screwed as usual. The usual suspects, e.g. Grijalva, Kucinich, Sanders etc will scream and vote no and be duly ignored. And we will march 10 steps to the right of where we've ever been. Until next time.

[villager]

2. I try to avoid MTP but caught that propaganda swill this morning -- nary a word about war spending

...corporate subsidies, or tax giveaways to wealthy elites...

I was disgusted -- remembering why I stay away from it -- but not in the least surprised...

[pleah]

3. Pass out the vasiline and bend over.

:(

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. And at this hour Boehner still isn't on board

Washington Reporters from the usual suspects (Post, HuffPo, MotherJones) are all reporting that Boehner won't go to his caucus with the bill because the cuts to Defense MIC are too high.

Ain't life just grand?

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. AND now Lieberman is echoing him

@samsteinhp Sam Stein
Leiberman puts out statement of concern on defense cuts in deal.

[CoffeeCat]

11. Unbelievable...

He will stomp his feet for military spending, but has no problem throwing seniors under the bus.

Crazy!

[ticapnews]

5. Corporations are people too!

They have no heart, no brain and no conscience but they're people!

[Ruby the Liberal]

7. Its a good thing they can't participate in elections, aye?

:sarcasm:

[arcane1]

8. That was, after all, the entire purpose of this debacle n/t

[blkmusclmachine]

9. How long have they lied to us?

n/t

[Coyote_Bandit]

10. I'm hacked off

at the asshats in Washington. All of 'em.

Fuckers need to lose their jobs.

They have failed to fulfill one of their most basic responsibilities.