We "get some (important) things done", but at what cost?

[Go2Peace]

My thoughts on the recent legislative activity:

So it seems like the tax compromise appeased the rich and powerful conservatives (momentarily), that combined with the public "shame" being placed on the Republicans over the 911 Responder's and Start bills. Add that the Republicans didn't want to spend Christmas and New Years in Washington and we ended up being able to push legislation like DADT etc through.

So yes, in my opinion Obama does get credit for starting that ball rolling (taxes), but what he (we) gave away for that is not acceptable. The ends do not justify the means.

We can pass a lot of legislation by giving away the public interest strategically to the Rich, and make a "Darwinian Paradise", which is the direction we are going.

Isn't that *exactly* the kind of world the Rich want?

But the question is, is it ultimately beneficial for the rest of us and the world as a whole?

What a win for the elite if they get this world of supracapitalism. The rich are not against having clean air and water, there are gay in the households of the super elite who want to be free from discrimination as well, there are extremely rich people who like having a decent environment to live in (but often don't mind trashing the places they do not live). But that model (Darwinian Capitalism) sucks for most of us.

But that seems to be the direction we are embarking on.

[Aramchek]

1. you're not unemployed, are you?

[Go2Peace]

2. I may be in two months, what about you? And do you *really* think that unemployment would not have

been reupped? That was a bullshit fight. The *existing* unemployment extension would have been reupped on it's own. Too many people would have been affected. That was a great "feint" and we fell for it.

[Aramchek]

9. it's easy for you to say that when you're employed

[Go2Peace]

3. Still waiting for you answer, you made the connection. Are you employed?

and will you be affected? Because I am currently being threatened with layoff so the legislation would have a direct imapact on me. So if you must have a "skin" in the game to "qualify" to make a judgement, as you implied, what is your "skin" friend?

Or were you just hoping to take a quick swipe and try to discredit my opinion?

[historylovr]

4. I like that term, Darwinian Capitalism. nt

[Go2Peace]

8. It's apt, they want us to all fight each other to survive

[BeFree]

5. heh

It's Xmas (is that allowed?) and we are all supposed to be happy. The republicans are happy, the rich are happy. Lets all be happy. Just act like you are rich, and republican, and all your worries are like so last year.

[bvar22]

6. Oh...You HATE the Unemployed!!!!!

...doesn't have to make sense,
but that is the Logical Fallacy you will be attacked with.

[Go2Peace]

10. I know, it's a false argument. Unemployment would be extended, republicans could not have avoided it

[lostnfound]

7. As in sailing, they sail us upwind (straight to hell) by tacking back and forth

The majority of Americans are not authoritarian, nor do they favor a fascist police state.
But we end up headed in that direction anyway through a series of left-right incremental steps (or more accurately, center then hard right, center then hard right directions).
The one consistent theme is pro-corporate. So we get health insurance reform only because it guarantees extra income for the insurance companies.. The social safety net is great, except that it becomes a tool for intrusions into people's private lives. The Internet is a great tool for empowering ordinary people with information and the means to communicate, but it morphs into a tool of mass surveillance, and eventually perhaps for preventing those with non-conforming views to hold any positions of influence in the real world. (i.e., Be careful what you write on Facebook, it may affect your job prospects; if you want to get a job with the government, don't spend any time looking at wikileaks.)