FUCK the "art of the possible" -- It's time to DEMAND the IMPOSSIBLE

[nashville_brook]

It's exactly the "sensible-ness" of this administration that is fucking this country beyond repair. When the other side consists of nothing but raving lunatics, bringing your most magically sensible game is suicide.

RIGHT NOW folks, European countries that instituted AUSTERITY are expecting contracting economies. CONTRACTING economies. Not slower growth. Contraction. We needed a solid Keynesian strategy out of this economic quagmire back during the anemic "stimulus" debates. Instead we got this 'ART OF THE POSSIBLE" bullshit that was kneecapped by pragmatic capitulations to delicate GOP sensibilities.

So, we're fucked. They are drowning our country in the bathtub, and the "sensible" response we're getting from our "leadership" is "can we please make the water a little warmer."

Since when did we start buying into this "art of the possible" nonsense, anyway?

Did Martin Luther King Jr tailor his actions as to "what was possible"? Did Jack or Robert Kennedy? Did ANYONE who ever did anything worth fucking talking about? Fuck no. You set out to do what's impossible. You set your sights on that or else nothing ever changes.


http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/demanding_the_impossible_20110411/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Truthdig+Truthdig%3A+Drilling+Beneath+the+Headlines


Demanding the Impossible
By Eugene Robinson

Far-right Republicans are winning the budget wars because they understand something that nobody else in Washington seems to grasp: The old truism about politics being the art of the possible is no longer true. There’s no question who won last week’s showdown. The outcome—nearly $40 billion in painful cuts—goes well beyond the GOP’s initial demands. That Democrats were able to save a few pet programs is something, but not much. You really don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing.

(snip)

The far-right ideologues in the House seek to starve the federal government to the point where it can no longer fulfill its constitutional duty to promote the general welfare. I don’t mean to sound apocalyptic, but that’s what this struggle comes down to. Their inspired tactic—which has worked so well that they would be crazy to abandon it—has been to take a wildly extreme position and stick to it with the obstinacy of a mule. When Democrats offer to negotiate, Republicans increase their demands. The result is that they shift the battlefield and end up fighting on terrain so friendly that they literally can’t lose.

So an initial GOP call for $32 billion in cuts was raised to $61 billion—a ridiculously impossible number. Of course they didn’t get it—but they got almost two-thirds of the way there. Democrats, including President Obama, continue to play by the old art-of-the-possible rules. Bless their hearts. They caucus, they cogitate, they ruminate, they make reasonable concessions and ultimately come up with a result that everyone, surely, should be able to live with. Then they get hit with the next sucker punch.

(snip)

Politically, Obama gets to be seen as sensible, pragmatic, and more interested in solutions than political gamesmanship. But step back and look at the bigger picture. Why are we even talking about spending cuts, rather than increases, when the economy is still struggling to climb out of one of history’s worst recessions? If rising medical costs are the real long-term problem, Obama’s reform law took the first steps toward a solution. Why aren’t Democrats saying the obvious: We need to go farther down that road—at least to a government health plan—rather than reverse direction.

[davidthegnome]

1. K & R

Good post... and me without my popcorn.

[nashville_brook]

2. too early for p-corn. cigs and coffee!

[Vanje]

3. So sorry that I can only rec this once.

Outstanding essay.

[upi402]

4. Time to stop pretending that because one uses lube

and the other may not- that we aren't still getting assraped.

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck... it's a damn duck!

Time for change, at least in our awareness of the elephant in the livingroom.

[nashville_brook]

6. and, we'll see how much lube to expect at Obama's speech tomorrow.

[Buns_of_Fire]

5. Here's to you, Mr. Robinson!

:toast:

So here we have ten apples...

Republicans: "We want all ten apples."

Democrats: "We want five, let's negotiate."

Right?

WRONG!!! That's how the Republicans always end up with nine!

[RaleighNCDUer]

8. Exactly.

If they demand it all, and we demand our fair share and use that as our starting point in negotiation we ALWAYS WILL LOSE. It's really simple math.

[nashville_brook]

21. this is a moral fight -- we're either on the side of justice, or not

[nashville_brook]

11. and don't forget that Dems are supposed to negotiation on behalf of the hungry

while the R's argue for CEOs -- so, we have the force of high moral ground. and still...no fight for us.

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. One reason Obama did so well in the election is, we know, his message

of 'hope and change'. It appealed the the young, of course, but also to us boomers who harkened back to JFK and Camelot and the Great Society.

The difference?

At that time "Camelot" and "Man of LaMancha" were part of the common dialogue. The theme for my graduating class was "The Impossible Dream". Drama students used King's "I have a dream" speech for dramatic readings. Despite everything that was horribly wrong with that era, there was nonetheless an air of optimism.

This time around, we were given a hope for the return of optimism, which was subsequently squandered. THAT is why the turnout in 2010 was low - hope and change was seen as a slogan, not as a goal, because of the abdication of principles involved in the compromises that were made.

That essential optimism is no longer endemic in our society. We hoped for hope, and were not surprised to be disappointed.

[nashville_brook]

9. Obama 2012 - "It Is What It Is"

The problem with appealing to "hope" is that when you don't deliver, you've got a steaming pile of cynicism to overcome. People aren't going to be fooled again.

[AndyTiedye]

31. That Was Inevitable. All The Republicans Have to Do is Say "NO" to Everything and they Win

[nashville_brook]

36. completely agree -- having no skin in the game cuts both ways

[Edweird]

10. K&R

[Parker CA]

12. Big fan of Eugene, and he totally nails it again. Kick and Rec!!

[nashville_brook]

13. i think he's really bringing his game lately -- :)

[DirkGently]

14. Things will NEVER improve while Dem leadership agrees with Republican LIES.

Where are the words, "Our economic crisis was not caused by, and cannot be alleviated by the reduction of, government spending? In fact, we must spend MORE for the time being to avoid further collapse" "And while we're at it, the decried deficits are the result of insane military expansionism pushed by Republicans?"

Great piece from Eugene. Great post.

[nashville_brook]

16. Our economic crisis was not caused by, and cannot be alleviated by the reduction of, govt spending

eggsactly.

and, wouldn't it be nice if they actually went after that which caused the crisis -- and reinstated Glass-Stegall.

[Poboy]

15. recommend

[LoZoccolo]

17. You can do that when you have the leverage to make it happen.

Unfortunately, we lost a lot of "blue dog" Democrats who still had substantial partisan voting records (if one of them did not, feel free to name a name and we can go to the voting record and check) who could have provided some of this leverage. The argument from progressives is that this was an intentional purge by progressives, and we should I guess see a progressive onslaught come 2012 if we can wait it out until then, when we'll be able to regain a majority and pass progressive legislation. I don't believe that, but if someone does, then that should reassure them.

[nashville_brook]

19. like, one house of congress?

[Marr]

35. Yeah, it's weird how that works, isn't it?

Why should anyone ever be afraid of Republicans taking the the White House? Apparently all you need is one house of Congress and you can dominate the agenda.

[nashville_brook]

37. it's dishonest in the extreme to say that we can't do anything

if we had this little thing called "leadership" we'd be dominating the agenda. as it is, the GOP are running the table and Obama ought to be ashamed.

[DirkGently]

49. Seemed to work pretty well during the Healthcare debate. Oh, wait, then WE had BOTH houses ...

The times the Obama WH is able to fight for the Democratic agenda seems to coincide with Blue Moons and the time Republicans think are good to raise taxes.

[nashville_brook]

55. it's time to call them on this bullshit.

[RaleighNCDUer]

23. Dude, those blue dogs you are mourning are the ones who kept

Obama from doing anything for the first two years.

There is nothing unfortunate about losing the quislings.

[LoZoccolo]

38. There were bills passed along party lines where they sided with the Democrats.

Now the representatives in those seats vote along Republican Party lines. A net loss from an objective standard.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

18. Obama is to negotiating what Pee Wee Herman is to heavy weight boxing.

[nashville_brook]

20. is he weak/unable to do better...or...is he strong/unwilling to do better?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

22. Niether. Just another SOP professional politician looking towards the next election.

He's convinced that his re-election is to be found in the "center" so he pursues policies that gives the illusion of "splitting the difference" but, in reality, are rightist. He believes that the left is impotent because they are frightened of the right and will accept him as the only alternative. So, it just makes (politically unscrupulous) sense to pursue the votes of the right and ignore the left.

"History has tried to teach us that we can't have good government under politicians.  Now, to go and stick one at the very head of government couldn’t be wise." Mark Twain

[nashville_brook]

44. SOP = POS

[sabrina 1]

24. Imo, the only reason for a strategy that is 'sensible'

in the face of the huge problems this country is facing, is that both sides want the same things. Make the people pay for Wall St's gambling debts, and speed up the decades long attempt to privatize everything.

The Health Ins. bill helped move more public funds into private hands. So that is done.

The Education policies of this administration is helping get more public funds into private hands.

The biggest prize was always the SS fund.

If this administration does anything to move any part of SS, now or in the future, towards privatization of even a fraction of that fund, something Bush was unable to do, then we know that the so-called 'budget-battle' is nothing more than political theater with the outcome already decided.

Demand the impossible is the only way to get what we want. That is why the Republicans are going all the way and allowing the demand to end Medicare to be put out there, knowing that people will think they've won something if they only end part of it.

I do not believe our representatives are so stupid they are not aware of this simple and well-known tactic or that if they wanted to, they could not use it themselves.

[nashville_brook]

32. likely, there's plenty of Dems who're eager to privatize SS/Medicare

and Obama may well be one of them.

WE have to demand the impossible of THEM. that they protect OUR interests for once.

[DirkGently]

40. Feels like the public is being "handled" a bit doesn't it? The "two sides" thing feels like a sham.

[nashville_brook]

45. nothing like being "handled" -- except perhaps being treated like a imbecile

[DirkGently]

46. Lucy & the $38 billion-dollar football?

[bluethruandthru]

25. Can we email this to Obama, Pouffe, Reid, Geitner, etc., etc.

Maybe one of them will read it. Better yet, let's see if we can convince Eugene Robinson to deliver a copy or two to the white house!

[nashville_brook]

28. maybe we can get a Million Senior Citizens to deliver it in person, as they protest Medicare cuts!

[disillusioned73]

26. This is pretty strong language for Mr. Robinson

"President Obama, continue to play by the old art-of-the-possible rules. Bless their hearts."

I couldn't agree more, it has become the insane cop/bad cop gambit... ughh

[DirkGently]

27. Eugene doesn't rant easily. The more reason to listen when he does.

[disillusioned73]

30. Exactly.. when the somewhat quiet Libs start perking up - we

got ourselves a situation.

[DirkGently]

39. Wonder we'll hear that Eugene Robinson is a "fringe lefty?"

[nashville_brook]

41. an "ultra far leftist"

[DirkGently]

47. A Maoist Pulitzer Prize-winning looon-itic!!!!

[nashville_brook]

54. with great glasses.

[disillusioned73]

61. LoL..

:rofl:

[zorahopkins]

29. Doing My HIghest KICK

and Recommend.

[socialist_n_TN]

33. Well I always told my kids...................

to reach for the stars. You might not make it, but you'll come closer than if you DON'T reach for them.

Kick for Gene Robinson's great piece. One of my fav pundits.

[opihimoimoi]

34. 5 stars KnR :o)

[Raksha]

42. K & R

[WillyT]

43. K & R !!!

:kick:

:hi:

[nashville_brook]

51. hey Willy T!

:hi:

[nashville_brook]

52. hey Willy T!

:hi:

[ddeclue]

48. Posted to my 2500 FB friends!

:applause:

[DirkGently]

50. That's an excellent start.

[Agony]

53. Democratic politicians need to learn how to "Wage Peace".

Or get the hell out of the way.
It has been clear for a long time that the Repukes want to just run the "government" into the fucking ditch. Then privatize it.

Go for the impossible! Go for it now!


Cheers! :hi:
Agony

[BzaDem]

56. You know what would really cause a CONTRACTING economy? A multi-month government shutdown

caused by Obama demanding more stimulus as opposed to cuts.

[nashville_brook]

57. right...b/c Obama would have been the cause of a shutdown.

[BzaDem]

58. If Obama refused to sign clean continuing resolution (that left spending as is), because it didn't

contain stimulus, Obama would absolutely be the cause of the shutdown.

[nashville_brook]

59. that's only one scenario - another would have been for the Dems/Obama to fight for us all along

[realFedUp]

60. ayup. Be audacious Barry.