Just saw John Kerry on MTP and he did a good job.

[dkf]

I feel renewed confidence that our guys in the Senate are trying to do the right thing. We are the adults in the room. Before I saw this I was just frustrated, but now that Kerry talked through the discussions they were having I can't disagree with how our guys handled things.

[politicasista]

1. Interesting

If he did a good job (and he did), then why did some DUers accuse him of "selling out" or "caving", when there was no deal done?

Don't understand what people were expecting, but those comments should be saved for the GOP.

[pinto]

2. Thanks for the heads up. I'd like to hear more than talking head one-liners and second hand accounts

at this point. Tell the truth, I've purposely avoided the "analysis". Willing to let the dust settle to see what's what. :hi:

[dkf]

4. I doubt we will get much illumination because it's pretty much a moot point.

But even Kyl acknowledged that the Repubs are fighting to keep the Bush tax cuts. And they are pretty useless partners for cutting the deficit because Kyl says only growth will work and you know where they are going when they talk about growth.

I wish there was a pro growth magic bullet but I think we've seen that tax cuts aren't that.

[JDPriestly]

3. Is there a link?

The tiny bits I have seen did not make me happy at all.

[dkf]

5. Here.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8132577/t/get-podcasts-nbc-news-msnbc-msnbccom/

I get mine free on iTunes if that is easier for you.

Yeah I am probably more satisfied than you will be.

[politicasista]

6. People here seem to be screaming at him more than the GOP

Maybe it is because their favorite liberals/Dems are saying this, or people just can't forgive him for beating the 04 favorites or any other thing else that happened, having dough, etc.

Thankfully, Obama thinks differently and isn't screaming at Kerry (or the Democrats). Guess it is much easier for people here to blame Dems rather than the GOP for everything that is wrong with this country.

[JDPriestly]

8. Thanks. I will not vote for anyone who cuts Social Security and/or Medicare

beyond the extent that they have already been cut.

Older workers are the first to be laid off and the last to be hired.

Once you are over 70, you cannot get a decent job.

And many people in their 50s who have lost their jobs during this Depression will never work again and are living on or have already lived up their retirement savings.

So, the older generation in their 60s, early 70s and the pre-retirement generation in their 50s are going to suffer the worst repercussions from this Depression.

If there is a recovery, and we have experienced recovery after past Depressions and recessions, then young people will make up for at least some of their lost income and their lost work record. Older people will not. That is why Social Security and Medicare should not be cut.

In the end, the younger generation will end up paying for the older generation no matter what. The young can pay the payroll taxes to help fund Social Security and Medicare or they can feed and clothe and house their indigent and perhaps sick parents out of their own paychecks. That is the cruel reality. It has always been that way.

Social Security and Medicare enable older people to live independently and with dignity for a longer time. If Social Security and Medicare are cut, older people will either be on the streets or crowding into their children's homes.

Of course, a man like Kerry who probably has more than one home and prosperous if not well-to-do children cannot imagine what that is like any more than I could imagine what it is like to have more than one home.

I worked very hard for Kerry's campaign in 2004 -- really, really, really hard. But, at this time, when class differences are separating one American from another to an extent I have not known in my lifetime, I do not trust wealthy Americans of any political persuasion.

I look at the situations of my neighbors. I see their struggles. One woman's elderly husband suffered from kidney failure for many years until his recent death. She is now alone and trying to make it on a meager income.

Another neighbor who is not elderly herself tries to work and still care for a very irritable, frustrated husband who is crippled by a stroke and barely able to communicate much less walk.

Then there is the family whose oldest child just started college. Once she is on her way, that family has three more children to educate.

Every house has a story -- people out of work, people whose jobs are insecure and in some cases, and people whose homes are under water, people just waiting and hoping to survive somehow.

That any committee anywhere is contemplating cuts that may eliminate the jobs of these working people or force these women to tighten their belts still more is just beyond comprehension. Shame on the people who are pushing the cost of the wars and the Bush tax cuts onto the poor and lower middle class Americans.

The injustice of it will not stand.

[Divine Discontent]

9. wonderful post. i worked hard for Jk too. sad weve come to this... :(

[dkf]

10. What options are there when Medicare is growing faster than GDP?

It will crowd out other spending and it is pretty much unchecked growth.

[Divine Discontent]

16. Just saw Dr Oz talking about how it's horrible in this country we have so many millions without care

so I think the answer is we need to keep pressing politicians to raise taxes on the wealthy and enact some type of Universal Health Care... we shouldn't have people walking around with exposed tumors that break through the skin, as was shown on Dr Oz, because they have no health care. Our country is shamefully too easy on the super rich, and ignores the care of the nation.




Get it now, or one of a million other designs! http://www.zazzle.com/republicans_2012_keeping_millions_out_of_work_bumper_sticker-128659602907896843?rf=238107662556833486

[politicasista]

11. Figured he was going to take heat from some of his supporters over this

Wishing you to best too. :hi:

[karynnj]

14. Alternative point of view

Kerry has expressed concern for the impact of the automatic cuts to the programs that directly help the poorest people.

In the interview, he speaks of means testing Medicare - which I think already exists to some extent as the premiums are income based. To me, it is not lack of understanding for how those in poverty survive. It is almost the opposite. Here, in addition to his strong push for more revenue from the top, he is agreeing to some additional sacrifice from the middle class - because otherwise the poorest of the poor shoulder far too much.

Look at your own examples:
The family with the oldest in college may have been able to do that ONLY through Pell grants and subsidized loans - two things in the discretionary spending that will now be cut.

The non elderly woman with the crippled husband likely gets some help from programs that are discretionary and will be cut.

As to jobs being cut, MANY jobs for things like Head Start will be cut as part of the automatic cuts.

The job that Kerry tried very seriously to do was to find a compromise that could pass - and there was no compromise that he could accept offered. The problem with that is that the automated cuts will hurt those who you described who need government help the most. It is a sign of how bad the Republican offers were that the automated cuts are not worse than the offers. Kerry's willingness to look at sacred cows to avoid the automated cuts is a function of how bad they are - mostly in the pain they will cause, but also because they will destimulate an economy that needs stimulation.

[Hamlette]

7. nice to hear we had some representation on the Sunday shows...

it's usually 10 to one republicans. So I stopped watching. Maybe I'll try the podcast. Easier to skip over the "bad" parts.

[Yooperman]

12. I agree... I saw the entire interview and was impressed with his

intensity. He was insistent with his message and wouldn't allow himself to be misdirected that the stalemate in negotiations was a result of BOTH parties. IF he would have had the intensity that he showed on Sunday during his campaign... he may have had enough votes to overcome the voter fraud the repugs orchestrated 2004.(referring to Ohio)

In my opinion ... he brought to light exactly why the repugs didn't budge... "Their (repugs) agenda is to bring down Obama! At any cost!"

:toast: to JK and those that really tried to get a deal done.

YM

[politicasista]

13. Glad that

you, Obama and other Dems are putting the blame where it should be. The GOP. They want Obama to fail at all costs. :)

[politicasista]

15. Sorry your ruining your thread.

Peace.