General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOK a quick question....
What do you think that Obama was talking about in his economic speech earlier this week about a "new era" and Dems having to be open to listening to ideas for reform of those "cherished programs". I believe I got his quotes right, but if I didn't, forgive me.
What's bothering me is not the cherished programs part of it so much as the "new era" part of it. Do you think he's implying that neo-liberalism (or if you prefer Reaganism and Clinton's Democratic version of same) is the new era and it's an inevitability? If not, what "new era" is he talking about?
This has been on my mind since I read the thread about that speech and I want some opinions from y'all about it.
cthulu2016
(10,960 posts)I didn't take it as being about anything in particular, any more than the rest of the speech.
socialist_n_TN
(11,481 posts)I'm just wondering exactly WHAT he considers a "new era". When did it start? What are the policies that are foundational for the "new era"? To me a "new era" would mean a HUGE dose of socialism, even revolutionary socialism. Now I'm sure he didn't mean that, but what DID he mean? Is he considering the Reagan changes the "new era"? It's concerning to me.
Rex
(65,616 posts)All I know is how his cabinet feels about liberals and social policies.
PowerToThePeople
(9,610 posts)forestpath
(3,102 posts)and other programs that help the 99%. But he'll use plenty of buzzwords. He's already calling for "retirement security" - which I have no doubt is the exact opposite.
socialist_n_TN
(11,481 posts)neo-liberal economic policies as the "new era"? That's my inclination too, but I just wonder if I'm missing some other interpretation.
forestpath
(3,102 posts)And as is if Simpson & Bowles weren't bad enough, this is who Obama pays attention to on Social Security and Medicare.
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)And with it ... the tried and true ... "Obama is planning to kill social security and medicare" translations start to appear.
Why not.
Its been a few months since the last time some one has taken DU down this well worn outrage path.
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)Maybe Obama really is a closet socialist?
He will be introducing a program of cradle-to-grave care for everyone, rich or poor?
Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)socialist_n_TN
(11,481 posts)What "new era" is he talking about?
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)And if not that ... he probably meant something else scary ...
Of course there is the full transcript.
He seems pretty clear to me.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/full-text-of-president-obamas-remarks-on-the-economy-at-knox-college-as-prepared-for-delivery/2013/07/24/fd580f6a-f47f-11e2-a2f1-a7acf9bd5d3a_story.html
GeorgeGist
(25,323 posts)leftstreet
(36,112 posts)...nor is the 'new era' about housing, wages, national healthcare, ending the drug war, cutting the military budget, nationalized banks and massive public transportation. Things like that would signal a new era for the US
His 'new era' sounds like the Era of Austerity happening in developed countries around the globe
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)Corporate Profits Have Grown By 171 Percent Under Obama -- Highest Rate Since 1900
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/corporate-profits-have-grown-171-percent-under-obama-highest-rate-1900
"Average annual corporate profit growth under Obama is the highest since 1900, whereas profit growth declined during both Bush presidencies. As a share of the economy, corporate profits have never been higher.
Unfortunately, this profit deluge has not been shared by workers, whose wages as a percentage of the economy have fallen to all-time lows. Workers also got dinged by the recent increase in the payroll tax, which was large enough to wipe out a minimum wage increase in some states."
8 Huge Corporate Handouts in the Fiscal Cliff Bill
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/8-huge-corporate-handouts-fiscal-cliff-bill
"Throughout the months of November and December, a steady stream of corporate CEOs flowed in and out of the White House to discuss the impending fiscal cliff. Many of them, such as Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs, would then publicly come out and talk about how modest increases of tax rates on the wealthy were reasonable in order to deal with the deficit problem. What wasnt mentioned is what these leaders wanted, which is whats known as tax extenders, or roughly $205B of tax breaks for corporations. With such a banal name, and boring and difficult to read line items in the bill, few political operatives have bothered to pay attention to this part of the bill. But it is critical to understanding what is going on.
5) Subsidies for Goldman Sachs Headquarters Sec. 328 extends 'tax exempt financing for York Liberty Zone,' which was a program to provide post-9/11 recovery funds. Rather than going to small businesses affected, however, this was, according to Bloomberg, 'little more than a subsidy for fancy Manhattan apartments and office towers for Goldman Sachs and Bank of America Corp.' Michael Bloomberg himself actually thought the program was excessive, so thats saying something. According to David Cay Johnstons The Fine Print, Goldman got $1.6 billion in tax free financing for its new massive headquarters through Liberty Bonds."
The Untouchables: How the Obama administration protected Wall Street from prosecutions
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/23/untouchables-wall-street-prosecutions-obama
Yes, Virginia, the Rich Continue to Get Richer: the Top 1% Got 121% of Income Gains Since 2009
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/02/yes-virginia-the-rich-continue-to-get-richer-the-1-got-121-of-income-gains-since-2009.html
U.S. banks in 2012 post highest profits since '06
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/us-usa-fdic-earnings-idUSBRE91P0N820130226?utm_source=Daily+Digest&utm_campaign=de8376aab3-DD_2_27_132_27_2013&utm_medium=email#.US5jjkXSlU8.twitter
This Years Subsidy to Wall Street = the Amount of This Years Sequester Cuts
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2013/02/this-years-subsidy-to-wall-street-the-amount-of-this-years-sequester-cuts.html#.US_yiFwwnHY.facebook
Dont Blink, or Youll Miss Another Bailout
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100466032
America faces more than a dozen deadlines, all caused by billionaires and wealth transfer
http://americablog.com/2013/02/america-faces-more-than-a-dozen-deadlines-all-caused-by-billionaires-and-wealth-transfer.html
Bank Bailout 2: Obama Lets Mortgage Abusers Off the Hook
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/02/09-5
Add his appointment of billionaire worker's rights foe Penny Pritzker to a government position and now rumblings of his supporting Summers, a wall street deregulator and protege of Rubin's to head the Federal Reserve (who printed trillions to banks which we'll never again see, while they continue to cut social programs to fund said banks and banksters). That's called "austerity" and it is nothing but theft under another name.
Their upcoming weapon through which to shake their heads and say "there's no money for social programs"? The Bush Iraq and Afghanistan war debt. I believe they created this debt on purpose in order to shock doctrine the country. It's worked so well for them in Europe. Truly.
SamKnause
(13,110 posts)They are coming after our Social Security and they will get it.
George Carlin predicted this and I think he was correct.
upaloopa
(11,417 posts)better off then their parents.
One where income inequality grows.
One where we shop where we work, Walmart.
One where the US is a global partner with multinational corporations.
And all this is happening at this very moment to many of us. In the new era the rest of us are soon to join them.
GeorgeGist
(25,323 posts)aka The Raw Deal.
socialist_n_TN
(11,481 posts)What did Obama mean with those two words?
malaise
(269,157 posts)he sure hinted at that in his inaugural address.
socialist_n_TN
(11,481 posts)Or getting ready for that. I'm confused.