All Those Who Think the Dems Should Forget Bipartisanship After the Recess, Check-in

[berni_mccoy]

It's clear the Republicans have slapped down the hand of brotherhood and have escalated the issue of Healthcare Reform to an all-out battle. In conjunction with the Health Insurance companies, they've ratchetted up their extreme nut-job wing of their party into violence to intimidate Democrats who would seek to have open discussion on the topic. They've made it impossible for that kind of discourse to happen. As such, it's time for the Democrats to use the power they were given by the people to do the peoples will. No more compromises. Push through an agenda that will bring forth a new era of life, liberty and prosperity. It's clear the Republicans have chosen a destructive path. Let's show them what the constructive side can do.

[KittyWampus]

1. Berni, you got dupes of this topic. But I am happy to sign on. Obama can carry the torch

a bit further. But Congressional Dems should forge ahead on their own.

[berni_mccoy]

3. Thanks. I know, I've marked them.

Something weird happened when I tried to post.

[Mermaid7]

249. It's time to stop expecting our elected officials are going to get it right, WE NEED

to take into our own hands. And we can do it.
Take a look at the DU post this morning, that may have escaped your notice.
Here is the way, we mobilize.

"Mad as Hell Doctors" Embark on Cross Country Care-A-Van to Demand Single-Payer from Congress.

It's there under the greatest threads and making it's way up to the top.

[bjobotts]

254. There's no middle on HC reform when one side rejects it completely

[bjobotts]

255. you can't compromise with defeat or a lynch mob after the fact. Maybe is no compromise

[SoFlaJet]

2. Reconciliation

fuck them all BM

[SusanaMontana41]

101. "I'll hug their elephant if they kiss my ass"

n/t

[Brigid]

202. Bumper stickers! Bumper stickers!

Get your bumper stickers here! :rofl:

[madmax]

177. LOL thanks - you took the words out of my mouth n/t

[grytpype]

193. Yep, that's the way its going to happen and I can't wait.

Teabagger heads are going to explode.

And after that, immigration reform. More exploding teabagger heads.

[liberal N proud]

4. The tactics the republicans use should be met with ramming single payer

down their throats.

The republicans are not needed for this shit.

[Edweird]

65. +1. "We tried to play nice, but you wanted rough. So here it is"

[dotymed]

197. SINGLE PAYER

Is the ONLY option that will work. It will save a shitload of
money and stop the health insurance raping of America.
Everyone knows it, but the Dems don't have the balls to force
it.

[peace13]

5. The world can't wait for the rthugs to wake up!

Move forward without them!

[babylonsister]

6. I'm convinced and hope the prez sees the hopelessness of this

now, especially after Grassley's stunt yesterday. Kent Conrad needs to pay attention, too.

[eleny]

7. I'm in

[lamp_shade]

8. ENOUGH!! Go with reconciliation. Don't look back.

[bjobotts]

256. Though not all parts of the bill can go by the reconcilliation process, most of it can

Let's do the parts that can. Screw Baucus. Grassley is a lying dog braggingg how he's lied to keep HC ins reform from getting out of committee and will continue to do so. Quit talking to him and tell Baucus to quit screwing around with the most important legislation of the past 50yrs. Time the people came first.

[RT Atlanta]

9. checking in

The gesture is appreciated because, at the least, it tells those in the electorate who didn't vote Democratic, that "we made an effort."

I contrast this approach with the last 8 years of *'s reign, and particularly the last 4, where I recall * and his party essentially saying "fuck you" to those who didn't vote for them and their party and their policies, programs, etc. were being geared solely to those who saw things from their perspective. Stated another way, they couldn't have been any more partisan if they tried.

Quoting Patrick Swayze's 'Dalton' from Roadhouse (how's that for an early morning quote?):

"Be nice, until it's time not to be nice."

The "time" has come to not be nice.

(edited for spelling)

[Myrina]

10. Bring on the battering ram!!

To hell with trying to play nice to those who prefer to DO NOTHING than serve their constituents.

[mbperrin]

11. Serve them up with a nice side of fava beans.

Just kidding - no one would eat them, so just chop 'em up and throw 'em away.

Really.

[here_is_to_hope]

15. Not even sure you could compost them, what with

hearts of stone and all.
I say to hell with them and the bluish dogs too!

[MNDemNY]

12. Damn Skippy!!!!

[catrose]

113. ditto

[vi5]

13. You'll forgive me if I don't hold my breath....

..not going to happen. Never going to happen. Nobody on "our" side wants to get the cable news talking heads angry at them, and doesn't want to make the DC coctail party circuit uncomfortable.

[RainDog]

14. republicans are the problem, not part of the solution. n/t

[hwmnbn]

16. Should have done that on Jan. 21st....

The election was a referendum, we won, they lost, we call the shots, end of story.

If they don't like it, they have to win the next election to change anything.

[PSzymeczek]

205. That's how they played it

for eight years.

[quakerboy]

260. Thats how they are still playing it

and its a bit of a problem. How do we make it stop? Only think I can think is to make it pointless for them to keep going by making them irrelevant to the proscess.

[OHdem10]

17. I have indicated all along that the GOP Goal is to Stop the Legislation

Either "pull the plug on Health Insurance Reform" right
now and stop the Theatrics or Go to Reconciliation.
Twist enough Blue Dogs Arms and get it passed.

If it is to be tabled, Do it Abruptly so we make the
call.

Do not go to Reconciliation unless there is a Public Option.

No Public Option and this program is a big failure. It will
be a Republican Program and we once again go off the cliff.

[debbierlus]

186. We must demand GOOD reform. You don't negotiate people who won't give anything

Obama should just come out and say - 'Medicare for ALL'.

The Republicans have been talking about how wonderful Medicare is - saying health reform will ruin it.

Obama should just say 'you know - the Republicans are RIGHT' - Medicare is excellent. And, Medicare is a government administered health insurance programs. Let's expand that model for the whole country.

We will pay for it by getting rid of the health insurance leeches.

Health care for all.

He should do it. If all he does is push a private insurance mandate for big insurance, he will own a bill that will be realized as a sellout to corporations.

Be a hero, Obama.

[blm]

18. Check in.

.

[Donnachaidh]

19. most definitely -- and while we're at it

bring back the fairness doctrine. Drive a stake into Fox Noise.

[OHdem10]

47. If we had a Fairness Doctrine, tell me which Democrats would

go on TV to refute one thing.

Do not let people pull progressive activists around by the
nose. Democrats could be on TV right now if they so desired.

The GOP starting in the 90s train their candidates for office
on how to present themselves on TV. It is easier for GOP
since they all believe in similar points of view to be prepared.

Here is the Democrats problem.

Progressive V Blue Dog.

The Blue Dogs do not want progessive ideas out there. Their
Conservative constituents might get upset.

Progessives do not agree with Blue Dogs. There are no progessives
who are willing to stick their neck out.

Our Party has a problem.

The fairness doctine would do nothing. Fox is here to stay.
The Democrats must therefore work at grassroots and local
level educating the public.

We do not have

[druidity33]

209. let's start with

Rus Feingold, Barbara Boxer, John Kerry, Howard Dean, Sheldon Whitehouse, oh and........


wait for it......











how about Rep Kucinich?


an OHdem should know who's gonna stand up.

[Enthusiast]

264. The fairness doctrine would help

As is, these misinformation sound bites go completely unchallenged. I do not understand why anyone that has a progressive bone in their body would be against the Fairness Doctrine. It served this country well for many years.

[dotymed]

198. AMEN ABOUT THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE

We the people OWN the airwaves. If we can not mandate that the
TRUTH is broadcast then we should, at least, let everyone own
and operate their own TV and Radio stations, no strings. Then
we can broadcast the truth. BTW, why is it illegal if I want
to broadcast an AM station from my home? Why should I have to
pay them money to do so? WE OWN THE DAMNED AIRWAVES. Just
think of the educated masses reinstating THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE
would produce...

[myrna minx]

20. K&R n/t

[Champion Jack]

21. Sounds good to me

[shaniqua6392]

22. I think we should mow them down and get this done.

They are the party of obstructionists. We have always had to run them over to get anything done when you look back at history. If it were up to them, slavery would not have been abolished. They are dead weight.

[BecomingBrainy]

23. Absolutely!

Time to stop f-ing around, we have some major problems that NEED to be resolved.

[Control-Z]

24. k and r n/t

[TankLV]

25. WE WON THE GODDAMN ELECTION!!! ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!!!

I have NEVER been in favor of the so called "bipartisanship" CRAP!!!

WE WON - it's time WE got OUR ideas ENACTED!!!

[johnfunk]

26. Remember when Grover Norquist called bipartisanship "date rape"?

Time to castrate the rapist, if you know what I mean...

[Vidar]

27. Yes, but Obama won't go along.

[formercia]

28. Don't get too complacent

This recess campaign by the crazies is starting to look a lot like the The Beer Hall Putsch

snip--

Hitler and the Nazis hatched a plot in which they would kidnap the leaders of the Bavarian government and force them at gunpoint to accept Hitler as their leader. Then, according to their plan, with the aid of famous World War One General Erich Ludendorff, they would win over the German army, proclaim a nationwide revolt and bring down the German democratic government in Berlin.

They put this plan into action when they learned there would be a large gathering of businessmen in a Munich beer hall and the guests of honor were to be the Bavarian leaders they wanted to kidnap.

On November 8, 1923, SA troops under the direction of Hermann Göring surrounded the place. At 8:30 p.m. Hitler and his storm troopers burst into the beer hall causing instant panic.

Hitler fired a pistol shot into the ceiling. "Silence!" he yelled at the stunned crowd.

Hitler and Göring forced their way to the podium as armed SA men continued to file into the hall. State Commissioner Gustav von Kahr, whose speech had been interrupted by all this, yielded the podium to Hitler.

"The National Revolution has begun!" Hitler shouted. "...No one may leave the hall. Unless there is immediate quiet I shall have a machine gun posted in the gallery. The Bavarian and Reich governments have been removed and a provisional national government formed. The barracks of the Reichswehr and police are occupied. The Army and the police are marching on the city under the swastika banner!"

None of that was true, but those in the beer hall could not know otherwise.

--snip--

http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/putsch2.htm

We know how that turned out....

[MindPilot]

29. Democratic leadership needs to hear one message loud and clear:

If we do not see Universal Single Payer coupled with some heavy-duty insurance regulation, there will be a Republican majority in january 2013.

[MadMaddie]

192. No what they need to hear is that they will be replaced with

true Progressives not Repugs. We will come out in droves to replace them...we need to light a fire under their collective asses.

[SIMPLYB1980]

30. Yep I know Obama really wanted to try,

by the time for trying is over.

[DinahMoeHum]

31. Hand raised. It's time to crush the GOP like a bug.

:kick::kick::kick:

[Cresent City Kid]

32. Write bills, put them on the floor for votes and pass them.

Apart from 9 votes for Sotomayor, the GOP has done nothing but obstruct this term. Their one acomplishment is to end the gun shortage at national parks. Their refusal to offer solutions is based on their belief that there are no problems. It would be debatable whether to compromise with them if they compromised in good faith. As it was pointed out here, we won the election and the majority wants our brand of reform. Their intransigence makes that debate moot. Fuck 'em.

[slipslidingaway]

33. Medicare for All n/t

[47of74]

34. Amen, fellow DUer, Amen.

It is time to stop playing nice with Republicans. We have tried to do unto them as we would have them do unto us, but that's proven to be ineffective. So now it is time for the Democrats to do what needs to be done. And if the Republicans don't like it, tough shit.

[progressoid]

35. Yep.

[Frustratedlady]

36. Didn't Obama give them until September to get on the wagon?

Maybe I dreamed that...I seem to do a lot of that, lately, but they are closer to nightmares.

[PSzymeczek]

207. We're two and a half weeks away from September.

The Final Countdown.

[PVnRT]

37. Damn straight

[Sparkly]

38. No doubt about it.

[AngryAmish]

39. agreed

[zipplewrath]

40. Redefinition

Let's be clear on the definition of bipartisanship that we are working with. The health care bill is ALREADY a bipartisan bill. It contains alot of previsions the GOP wanted. The whole death panel/pulling grannies plug stuff comes from a provision requested/proposed by the GOP. The fact that there is no real consideration/proposal in here for anything that even looks like single payer (such as say just merging the "public option" with medicare) is a concession to the GOP/Blue Dogs. It IS a "bipartisan" bill. We can't define bipartisanship as "getting a majority of the GOP to vote for it". The definition has to be that in includes a proportion of ideas/amendments/features/proposals that they agree with, or prefer, that is proportional to their representation in congress.

A functional definition of democracy is, "the minority agrees to be ruled by the majority". If the GOP can't vote for something merely because they can't admit to this fundamental feature of democracy, then the democrats will have to include what they can and just move on.

[berni_mccoy]

67. True...

But I'm talking about the spirit of bipartisanship. They could be doing much more. If they put their names on this bill, they could, instead, be educating their base and their pundits as to why this bill is important instead of creating a political football by which they are throwing a hail-Mary pass in order to garner more seats in the next election. That's what they are up to. But they are allowing much worse to happen.

[rhett o rick]

41. First of all the republicans don't participate in "bipartisanship".

Everything compromised is from our side. And even after a compromise we still don't get votes from them. So tell me what is gained by our "bipartisanship".

[Buns_of_Fire]

42. Obama tried. They refused. Fine. Now squash 'em squishy. n/t

[katkat]

227. squish squish squish

Problem is, we here could do it, but Obama, Reid, Pelosi are wimps. How different things would be if we had a President Kennedy now.

[Old Codger]

43. absolutely

Rethugs are not required.

[Orsino]

44. I think the Dems ought to abandon conservatism, actually.

But that's not gonna happen. They'll continue to struggle with the GOP for power, and little will be done for us.

[gopiscrap]

Absolutely

Fuck the GOP...render them meaningless and impotent...paint them out to be second class citizens and defective like they did to the liberals after Raygun was elected!

[euphoria12leo]

45. Enough

The just say "No Crowd" is saying "No" to everything. What, do they need to tell Democrats in several
different languages?

I am just :puke: sick of the word "Bipartisanship." Mr. President have you noticed how your Republican
friends continue to turn on you? And some Blue Dogs have done the same.

[Crunchy Frog]

46. Check.

[alsame]

48. Definitely. nt

[Hugabear]

49. The GOP idea of bipartisanship is doing what THEY want

So no, fuck "bipartisanship". True bipartisanship disappeared a long time ago.

[lpbk2713]

50. The Grand Obstructionist Party cares nothing about bipartisanship.

Piss on em. Let em all whine and cry for the next eight years.




WAAAH!! No fair!!

[titoresque]

51. Check

[kentuck]

52. Yes and No...

It is always better politically to say you are looking for a bi-partisan solution. However, when it is obvious that the Repubs do not want to act in a bi-partisan way, the Democrats need to do whatever needs to be done, with or without the Republicans, which includes passing health insurance reform.

[sinkingfeeling]

53. The quicker, the better.

[madmom]

54. Count me in!

[tbyg52]

55. Here. nt

[newspeak]

58. and what does bi-partisan bring us?

Where is justice, during the Iran-Contra, BCCI scandal? Where is justice exposing the death squads? Where is justice exposing the lies to prompt a war and the torture? Where is justice for the war profiteering rape and the harm perpetrated on our soldiers and civilians for that war machine's greed? Where is justice for all of those who were bilked (hardworking Americans and senior citizens) from the S&L debacle and Enron.

I'm tired of unfettered corruption, lies and stupidity. Someone just make it go away, please? Can't some of these clueless SEE that they're being used? When you got major networks promoting your cause, can't they see that they are being used as tools for greedheads? I"ve always thought the majority of Americans were well reasoned and informed. I should have known better after * was sworn in the second time-after lying us in a damn quagmire, torture, wireless wiretapping and 9/11. There's no reasoning with the unreasonable--screw bi-partisanship. After the repukes shut out the Dems for eight fekkin years--I don't want to play nice to neo-cons. I'm still into reasoning with the repuke moderates (if there are any left), maybe Olympia Snowe?

[tbyg52]

69. Uh, are you under the impression that you are arguing with *me*?

*I* was under the impression that I was just agreeing with the OP.....

[bvar22]

56. Moving to The Right and "Working Across the Aisle" has always been ...

...a BAD idea, but DID give the CorpoDems a cover story for BAD legislation.......like the current Health "Insurance" Reforms.

[Lorien]

57. Yep. nt

[AwakeAtLast]

59. Hell yeah!

:bounce:

[Echo In Light]

60. Rec. Let the Right sink like stones n/t

[robinlynne]

61. damn straight. but what do we do about the blue dogs? Do they count as Democrats?

[placton]

62. Like Grassley said

there are no negotiations. Take the man at his word. BTW - the Dems wont do any of this. Sigh.

[kenny blankenship]

63. Was there ever any doubt about what would happen?

"Bipartisanship" "centrism" are simply indirect ways of defending the status quo. It may be honest on the part of the unconscious ignorant and fearful, but it is most often a DISHONEST pose by some politician whose real aim is to change nothing.

[BlueIdaho]

64. The rethuglicans do not want reform

They never have, they never will.

[LeFleur1]

66. They Are Not the Party of Bi

[robertpaulsen]

68. Checking in. Focus on the Blue Dogs. Let them know their JOBS are on the line with this vote. nt

[newtothegame]

70. No doubt; down with all opposing viewpoints!! n/t

[berni_mccoy]

71. I'm not for that. It's OK to have an opposing viewpoint. But if you resort to violence

and refuse to work together, then you take your viewpoint out of consideration. That's what the right has done.

[gkhouston]

72. The Dems need to do the job. I haven't seen the slightest hint that the Republicans

want to pass any good healthcare legislation; just the opposite, in point of fact. I wouldn't go out of my way to run them over, but doing anything to accommodate them further is a waste of energy. They cannot be appeased and this issue is simply too important on many levels. Not only do people need healthcare for simple humanitarian reasons, this has to happen for economic reasons which are ultimately intertwined with the country's security. The Republican party is not acting in good faith and it's time to stop pretending they are.

[Ignis]

73. About 10 years too late, but YES YES YES!

:thumbsup:

[loyalkydem]

74. Sign me on

I knew the repukes were not going to coorporate

[Bobbie Jo]

75. Hell with 'em, lets just do this thing! nt

[Cleita]

76. Raising my hand.

We tried to compromise, gave them a foot, and now they are trying to take the whole mile. I say Medicare for all or bust.

[omega minimo]

77. They would have to also forget that corporations rule our government now.

You trying to blow their cover? If they really have the numbers (do Blue Dogs count as Democrats?), they'd have to quit playing and start "to use the power they were given by the people to do the peoples will."

[frogmarch]

78. checking in!

[noiretextatique]

79. they are irrelevant

time to go nuclear on their sorry asses :nuke:

[blueworld]

No more Democratic enablers - time for a little "tough love"

Sorry, but as an old-time 12-stepper I believe you are keerect! If the GOP sincerely wants to "compromise" anything, I'm sure the Dems will welcome the change, but continually attempting to reason with a bunch of dysfunctional ranters is illogical & obviously unproductive. Wish them well & cut them loose!

[DefenseLawyer]

80. You are delusional

if you think it is Republicans that are fucking us on healthcare. "Ma'am, we've traced the called... and it's coming from INSIDE THE HOUSE!!!!!"

[woofless]

81. Here.

[LovableScamp]

82. Damn right they should!

[MasonJar]

83. K&R

[Sebastian Doyle]

84. Do you mean bipartisanship with the admitted Repukes

or also with the DLC/Blueballed Treasonous Cowards?

I'm fucking sick of dealing with either one. None of them give two shits about the American people, so fuck em all. :grr:

[City Lights]

85. Yup. They had their chance to work toward a solution for all Americans.

Instead they kicked us in the stomach.

Screw 'em.

[liam_laddie]

86. Big LOBBYI$T$...

There's not a scintilla of doubt in my cynical mind that the $iren $ong of lobbybux has seduced far too many of the Dems in both houses. The Blue Dogs and rethugs are beneath contempt. That Congress is unwilling to seriously study and absorb the success of most all advanced countries' health care systems tells me they have been BOUGHT. Maybe even Obama...although I hope not. It's a sad, sad scene.
The rabble-rousing insanity from the reactionary mob sure sounds like classic fascist rhetoric.

[BonnieJW]

87. YES.

As Obama said: This is our time. This is our moment. We must win this battle and take back our country once and for all. We must get rid of the lobbyists and make corporate ownership of our country illegal.

[Glorfindel]

88. Bipartisanship = capitulation to Repukes

They will never, ever compromise. Neither should we.

[sagetea]

89. I never thought we should have played that game.

So fuck 'em, I am sick to death of co towing to stupid, ignorant, selfish greedy, fuck faces! Is that passionate enough? lol!

[chieftain]

90. Count me in. n/t

[2Design]

91. They are not interested in what is good for the people - leave them behind n/t

[peace frog]

92. F*ck 'em

and the corporate whores they rode in on.

[Fire1]

117. Ditto! n/t

[Rottenmac]

93. Check. +vote/rec (n/t)

[cui bono]

94. Bipartisanship only works when BOTH sides play along.

We all know the GOP ain't playin'. We should have left them on the side of the road long ago. Although the benefit of having had the terrorist's threats exposed to the masses could help us.

[R. P. McMurphy]

95. Agree - Time to Go it Alone and Do it Right. n/t

[bkkyosemite]

96. The majority of this Country voted out the Republicans to hell with what they think!

[LoZoccolo]

97. They should never forget to maintain at least the appearance of bipartisanship.

The Republicans are digging themselves a hole now by appearing so divisive. Advertisers are ditching Glenn Beck. We haven't lost any of our support. There's no reason to appear combative; it will gain us nothing and will take away the differentiation we have that is key to our support. Sure, the first instinct is to fight back with more; that kind-of shit works when cavemen are stealing each others food. Not so in the world of modern politics. Ditch your reptile brain and do what it takes to win. The Republicans were extremely partisan during the Bush* era and it ended in long-term fail for them. I don't get people who want us to attain the same long-term fail by going through the same actions.

[dothemath]

98. Go for it !!!

Klem Kadiddlehopper Grassley be damned. Get single payer done and tell the repubs to go to hell. They will remember .... they sure as hell did it enough to dems when they were in power.

[csziggy]

99. Already called my senator's office, tried to call the rep. but his line is busy

[PSzymeczek]

210. My Senators are totally useless.

McSame and Kyl.

[csziggy]

243. Yeah, my other Senator is Mel Martinez

I suspect Crist will be pressured to appoint a replacement before the health care vote. I just hope he does not cave in to the party and appoint a right wing ultraconservative, but appoints someone more moderate like Crist and Martinez are.

[lame54]

100. in

[tekisui]

102. Check. They can't be trusted. nor should they be. Their plans have

broken the country. No More!

[Hepburn]

103. Here and chiming in...

...fuck the opposition and fuck 'em good ~~ go for single payer and muscle it through.

:hi:

[EnviroBat]

104. Yup!

[CKennedy16]

105. 2010 can't come soon enough

Time to vote the bums out!!!

[LoZoccolo]

107. Are you talking about voting the Democrats out? n/t

[rvablue]

108. Of what "bums" do you speak. The lying repubs? n/t

[LiberalLovinLug]

106. here here

Obama is the next Great Communicator.

Use his fantastic oratorical skills and quick mind more often to explain things to the people directly.

Tell the Blue Dogs they are with us or against us. If they choose to go with the Repukes, then its no support next election, and in fact a vigorous campaign to oust them.

And in 10 years down the road, when everyone has health insurance, and "pre-existing condition" is a thing of the past, they will know who gave it to them, and who tried to block it.

[rvablue]

109. K&R! n/t

[Douglas Carpenter]

110. if there are still one or two Republicans in Congress who are not batshit insane..they should be

given a break and their opinions should be considered and respected.

But, I'm afraid we are getting down to only about one or two on a good day.

[LiberalLovinLug]

123. There aren't any I'm afraid

Obama TRIED to include some of them by naming a couple he said were receptive to aspects of the bill. One was Johnny Isakson (R) Georgia. He was the Republican who sponsored the "living will" counseling bill. Isakson immediately shot back as if he has erased that part of history and is interpreting his own bill as the Obama "death panel" bill that will murder grandparents.

http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2009/08/the-republican-who-pushed-for-living-willsand-is-now-running-like-a-punk/

Its a scorched earth policy on that side of the aisle. Its destroy Obama's presidency, even if it means rebuking your own moderate sensible input from the past.
Fuck em all! It should be all out war on the Blue Dogs now.

[nyc 4 Biden]

111. Compromising with those that want us to fail is not a plan.

[DesertDiamond]

112. Checking in!!!

[FiveGoodMen]

114. Count me in!

[tomm2thumbs]

115. That 'grandma' and 'be afraid' comment by Grassley was the final stab - what a complete waste

of human space. 75 years and he's still got health care but the rest of America can go suck an egg. You'd think a man who lived 75 years would be a little bit braver and secure of himself by now, but he wimped and caved like a bratty 2nd grader caught in a lie. And he was lying all the way.

[NewJeffCT]

116. Checking in here

No public option, no deal.

Unfortunately, we have blue dogs and Republicans to deal with...

[mckara]

118. Pass a Progressive Health Care Program!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Liberal_Dog]

119. K & R

[Puppyjive]

120. Checking In

I've talked to enough of the crazies and I honestly feel like I have been talking to a box of rocks. I'm ready for reform and I don't care what it takes.

[ClayZ]

121. Here!

K and R

[odai123]

122. Fuck the Repubs, coming straight out the underground.

I'm in

[Uncle Joe]

124. berni, what's happening?

:hi:

[dave29]

125. The Death Panel Speaks:

On Healthcare: GOP input is dead

[SemperEadem]

126. the time has come

to stop bringing a nerf bat to a gun fight.

It's time for the Dems to act like they have the majority.

[orleans]

127. oh yeah. recommend. n/t

[cyclezealot]

128. See Rep. Broun's comment, Obama wants health care to declare martial Law

About 60 Of the Goopers have a screw loose. 35% are hangers on, but afraid to challenge the nutcakes.. And of all the Congress there are maybe a half a dozen that are rational.. Still Obama choose a distinguished Sec Of Transportation and a Goper.. Most of them are so political they would risk the country with wingnut rage.. and incite the militia and their ilk..
Because a half a dozen might be rational is reason to put on a non partisan face with the few who are rational. But, the nutjobs such as Rep. Broun, R GA.. They need be exposed. Maybe the few rational Goopers would like the Dem's to expose them and do their dirty work for them..

[rd_kent]

129. 100%!!!!!Fuck them, elections have consequences.

[DonCoquixote]

130. OK

A certain amount of bipartisanship HAD TO BE TRIED, because as much as some people here would like to think progressives won 2000, they did not do so alone. Many of the votes we got were from those scared, wimpy, frightened people who only voted against McCain because the GOP could not pour any more sauce on the turds they were feeding us. Much as I hate it, Obama at least had to pretend to listen to them, now however, that the GOp has shown it's fangs, we need to start drawing blood.

[PSzymeczek]

212. OK, they tried. It's failed.

Time to move on. Screw 'em!

[Nay]

131. I thought Dems should have forgotten it on Jan. 19, 2009. nt

[texasleo]

132. yes.

yes.

[rainlillie]

133. I highly recommend this post!

.

[Zorra]

134. Count me in. n/t

[Bluenorthwest]

135. The bipartisan thing needs to end. Now.

It has failed to produce results, it is demeaning and annoying and leads to divisive feelings within our own party.

[Blue_In_AK]

136. Me. n/t

[nonsequitur]

137. Risky, very risky. I would rather they get the support, and they will.........

if they ram this through, we own it. If it doesn't turn out well, we could lose it all. I want to keep the Senate, house and president. It's a risky move.

[berni_mccoy]

138. LOL LOL LOL! Oh,... wait... you're not joking...

:eyes: :crazy:

[dmr]

179. We own it already. When it's loved by all, the Repubs will sign on

I say, go for it, Dems!

[TheKentuckian]

139. Check one, two

I was all for cultivating an image and hoping for the best but now it is time to get ruthless. I'll even be okay with rolling it out again but on this issue we have squeezed out all possible usefulness.

We can play god cop again to show high mindedness but this is getting stupid. Even a "reasonable" Senator is pushing lies on this and showing no hint of compromise on his ideology. Not a hint. Fuck 'em!

[Kermitt Gribble]

140. Checking in

but Harry Reid will have to step down for the Dems to ever be able to get tough with the repubs.

[The Wizard]

141. There is no reason for Democrats to

reach across the aisle. Republicans should be begging for a voice. The days of getting cooperation with the enemy are over. And I use the word enemy without equivocation.

[slay]

142. We have no choice - they will oppose EVERYTHING

We must leave them behind otherwise they will drag us down with them. K&R.

[Hestia]

143. One thing I am personally sick of hearing is "give them a chance to talk"

about frickin' what? They've had 8 years to cram their agenda down everyone's throat, and now they are demanding that we let them speak? Nope, nada, STFU.

[kjackson227]

144. This is where I really disagree with President Obama. He was/is naive...

in thinking that the RepubliCONS actually care about this country and its citizens- well, THEY DON'T, and the sooner he realizes this, the quicker we'll get our legislation passed.

[sellitman]

145. Stomp the MFers

In my dreams

[Cobalt-60]

146. Time for Dalek Politics :Exterminate

The Nazis Republicans have definitely shown us what they're made of.
And they've transformed this season into a Summer of Lies.
The time is long past to get ruthless with these brownshirts in the street.
But I'll settle for crushing them in the congress. Nothing less.
Self respect calls for maximum payback!

[Vinca]

147. If we continue down this faux bipartisanship path,

there will be a weakened bill presented for a vote and all the Republicans will vote "no" anyway. Guaranteed. Put up the legislation Democrats want and forget the Party of No.

[frylock]

148. bipartisanship = bohica

will the dems never learn?!

[RagAss]

149. We fart in their general direction !

[Lena inRI]

150. Of coooooouuuuurse!

And these two Congressional leaders better start doing what their job titles say!



U.S. House Majority Whip---Representative James Clyburn (D-SC)

ROLE OF THE WHIP

The role of the Whip can be traced back to the United Kingdom's Parliament which adopted the term Whip from the fox-hunting position, ‘whipper-in,' or the person who kept the fox hounds focused on their mission. In Congress, the Majority Whip's job is to count votes and ‘whip' up support for Democratic legislation and keep members focused on the mission.
************************************************************



U.S. Senate Majority Assistant (Whip)---Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)

ROLE OF THE WHIP

The Majority and Minority Whips are responsible for mobilizing votes within their parties on major issues. In the absence of a party floor leader, the whip often serves as acting floor leader.
************************************************************

GET ON THE STICK, SIRS! Especially Mr. Durbin. . .for cripes' sake. . .instead of saying to the press you are open to NO public option, get those weasel Blue Dog Dems in line and pass a bill WITH PUBLIC OPTION!!!!!

STAND UP FOR US, GODAMMIT!

:spank: :spank: :spank: :spank: :spank:

[cliffordu]

151. RIGHT THERE WITH YOU.

Anything else is just more of the same same.

[AuntPatsy]

152. Signed in....

[Demoiselle]

153. Yup...nt.

[Paladin]

154. I'm There. Wish The Democratic Leadership Was, As Well.... (n/t)

[Dollface]

155. The Republicans may "bite me".

[katandmoon]

156. K&R Fuck bipartisanship.

[valerief]

157. The bipartisanship excuse is just a means to get the reform watered down to nothing. nt

[hisownpetard]

158. God, yes!

[rucky]

159. ...or check in if you like Ice Cream!

:hi: <-- on both counts!

[indimuse]

160. Flying SOLO!

KNR!

[Roland99]

161. Hear!

[nadinbrzezinski]

162. Yo

[AlbertCat]

163. The GOP hasn't played fair for 16 years now (30?) JUST PASS THE DAMN THING!

[pleah]

164. K&R I warned against holding hands with thugs from the very beginning.

They will bite you every time.

[gleaner]

165. It is pointless ..

to try to include conservative Republicans in a meaningful dialogue on any issue. I thought that Obama was making a big mistake when he tried to go down that path when he was first elected, and I am even more positive about it now.

I have encountered at least four, maybe more Freepers on this board trying to masquerade as progressive DUers and have tried to shut all of them down. They were so interested in trying to promulgate the same old tired myths about health care that they contradicted themselves time after time when I pressed them or tried to find out where they had gotten their information. It was very frustrating. I'm a great believer in conflict resolution, but for conflict resolution to be effective both sides have to listen carefully to the views of the opposition in order to address them. Republicans do not listen. They do not care what effect they are having on the rest of us who need help with the morass that health care in the U.S. has become. They are simply trying to shout everyone else down, bully the opposition and push forward the same tired old Bush agenda. They will use any issue to do that regardless of who it hurts. They don't care, and I don't think they need to be considered in Obama's decisions or the decisions of Congress.

Congress needs to give us a viable, useful health care bill in spite of them, and stop compromising with Republicans who don't know the meaning of compromise or compassion. We voted them out of office with a sizable majority, and I don't think too many people miss them. So, absolutely give us a good single payer plan. As quickly as congress can ram it through and let them go on screaming. Nobody cares anymore. If they get violent or threaten public officials put them in jail. That is the law and last I heard we were all expected to obey the law.

Good post and very timely, too. Thanks for writing it.

[spanone]

166. the white house is delusional. imho

[knixphan]

167. Hell yes.

[FatDave]

168. No doubt about it.

No more watering shit down for assholes who aren't going to vote for it anyway. Grassley threw down the gauntlet. Fuck 'em, their time is over.

[Critters2]

169. K & R nt

[sandyj999]

170. Enough is Enough!

Time to take off the gloves and play hardball. They can never get agreement and majority rules. Obama needs to stop being so refined.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

171. I've been wanting the Dems to forget bipartisanship since 1981

We wouldn't be in this mess if the self-styled "moderate" Democrats hadn't been so damned cozy with the Republicans (which is why I was never enthusiastic about either Bill Clinton or Al Gore).

[MissDeeds]

172. After the past eight years

I have been pretty much opposed to bipartisanship. Reach across the aisle to these people? Not unless it's to smack them. :thumbsdown:

[PSzymeczek]

214. Reach out and CLUB someone!! n/t

[Bluzmann57]

173. The hell with "bipartisanship"

The Democrats won and need to act like it and do it now. Repubs have contributed nothing to recent societies and should be irrelevant.

[OlWiseRedEye]

174. Couldn't agree more...

ISN'T THAT WHY WE ELECTED A SUPERMAJORITY IN THE FIRST DAMN PLACE!?

[DailyGrind51]

175. Yes, it is time President Obama needs to be "Presidential" and take charge.

[xocet]

176. FTGOP...

Working with the Republicans is useless: they have never been interested in the common good and never will have those interests.

[berni_mccoy]

187. Indeed. In fact I think FTGOP should be the next DU t-shirt logo!

[baldguy]

178. Bipartisanship is a dead-end.

[stlsaxman]

180. Rec #238... Takes two to tango- and the GOP ain't dancin'... so why should we?

FUCK BI-PARTISANSHIP

[lenegal]

181. We have the bully pulpit. Time to stop acting like wimps

nt

[emdee]

182. KICK

Kick

[grahamhgreen]

183. Better to negotiate around these people than with than with them. You don't compromise with a leech.

[WheelWalker]

184. Kick !!!

:kick:

[Honeycombe8]

185. The Repubs are clearly taking advantage of the Dems' attempts to compromise...

Those jerks have NO intention of EVER signing onto ANY health care bill by the Dems.

The Dems need to wake up and smell the coffee!!!!! Pass a bill on your own, damn it!

[scentopine]

241. Yes - exactly, they are playing us like a banjo

[Bonhomme Richard]

188. Complete waste of time. n/t

[oedura]

189. Fuck that...

Obama should have told the Republicultists to go fuck themselves from day one. Fuck this "bipartisan" bullshit.

I have very little hope for this country. Those people should be on trial, not bargained with.

[RoccoR5955]

190. Checkin' in.

The Republican bass turds can go to Hades for all I care!
So can the health care insurance companies!

[Plucketeer]

191. They never needed us....

..now just how is it we need them???

[ms liberty]

194. Totally agree. K&R n/t

[Gman]

195. Gotta agree

there is no common ground and they have no desire to do a thing to fix health care. They will use it against us next year as if health care reform is a bad thing.

[BREMPRO]

196. if they had somthing constructive to add to the debate yes, but that is not what i'm hearing

what they are offering to the debate is misinformation, obsfiscation, delay, fear mondering, filibuster threats, LIES, ridiculous comparisons of Obama's reforms to nazi eugenics, and at best watered down compromises that don't include a competitive public option. They don't represent our interests or those of small business, but multi-national coporations,health insurance and drug companines and wall street- none whom want to change the system that makes insane profits off the illness of hard working Americans.

Obama has given them a chance to be involved in a civil and constructive debate where ideas can be discussed and considered, but they have refused to be civil or constructive. IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON AND STOP WITH THE FAUX BIPARTISONSHIP and GET HEALTH CARE DONE!

[Son Of Wendigo]

199. I Love This Thread!

It is absolutely pointless for President Obama to pursue Repuke support in the name of bipartisanship. He won't get it. The Repukes only meaningful contribution to the legislative process is to try and water down what the Dems are trying to do. Remember the wrangling over President Obama's stimulus plan? The Repukes wanted most or all the stimulus money used for tax cuts (never mind that many who needed stimulus the most were paying little or no taxes.) Once the bill was passed, no repuke Representative and, I believe, only three repuke Senators, voted for it anyway. So much for bipartisanship.

I would have thought that the administration figured this out at that time, but apparently not. We went through the same circus with the budget. The President wanted bipartisanship. He didn't get any from the Repukes, and no Repukes voted for the budget. Their way of saying, "up yours!"

Here we go again. Their so-called contribution toward the legislative work of putting together health care reform is identical to their obstructive actions during the stimulus and budget negotiations. Yet the President is still talking about bipartisanship and even mentioned a couple of "good" Repukes by name yesterday who he said were sincerely trying to negotiate meaningful health care reform. One of these so-called good ones, Grassley of Iowa, responded to the kind words by blathering about the health care legislation "pulling the plug on granny" (his words.)

President Obama, if Grassley is one of the "good" ones, what about the rest? It is counterproductive to include any Repukes in the negotiation process. They just want to kill health care reform, and the rest of us as well. Tell them to go quietly into another room by themselves and have a nice circle jerk, and not to come out again until their terms are up. This will help pass health care reform more easily than if they keep throwing amendments at it and talking to the media.

The administration should concentrate its efforts on the Blue Dogs. I suggest that they publish the total amounts each Blue Dog has gotten from the Health Care industry over some period of time. Senator Baucus is well over a million dollars in the last two years, for example. If and when President Obama does a town hall meeting in Montana, he should mention this fact, and make it sound like the bribe it truly is.

There is an old saying. "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and it annoys the pig."

[kath]

200. They never should have been spouting the "bipartisanship" crap in the first place.

Pathetic.

[gordianot]

201. Republicans never fix what they break. Democrats are on their own, n/t

[Historic NY]

203. Lets just go with those that are with us & forget the rest.Its time Reid & Pelosi , its time.

[PSzymeczek]

204. Screw the Rethuglicans! n/t

[Brigid]

206. Count me in.

After the way they've been behaving, I have definitely had enough. With their behavior at town hall meetings, their thinly disguised racism, and using front groups like 60plus, it ought to be clear to anybody that they want to deny us health care just because they think they can. Besides, I'm still mad at them for destroying Clinton's health care efforts in the '90's. No, I haven't forgotten that one either. :grr:

[KathieG]

208. Yep...I agree. There can be no compromise.

[rhett o rick]

211. I think I already checked in. In any case no deals with republicans, none, nada. nm

[Contrary1]

213. I say call them back early, and the hell with what the Repubs want...

no point in having town meetings if the average guy can't be heard because of all the idiots.

[defendandprotect]

215. k

[defendandprotect]

216. Also, please . . .Dump the Corporate DLC . . . !!!

[valerief]

217. K&R

:kick:

[bowens43]

218. to hell with bipartisanship

where was the bipartisanship when dumb ass was president? It's time to get everything we can. The republicans can join us or sit down and STFU.

[NoSheep]

219. Fuck them all.

[galloglas]

220. K & R Game's over. Fuck 'em!

[samplegirl]

221. Eight years of corruption

Move on without them!!!

[femrap]

222. here...

yeah....the powder is dying...let's use it while we still can.

[earcandle]

223. Single payer like all of the other modern nations, please? OR stop saying we are the leaders,

[Maru Kitteh]

224. Checking IN! Screw the puss-bucket Republicans and their cold, dark hearts.

[scentopine]

225. We needed to march like Sherman, instead we pussy foot around

History is repeating.

When people get sick of the Dem mushiness and double talk (again), republicans will take full control and lay to waste the modest and superficial initiatives we've manged to put into place and there will be no mushy centrist focus on bipartisanship from the republicans. I am sick of hearing about bipartisanship. It wasn't a tie vote. This isn't a single party country. Right?

Hello...?

[man4allcats]

226. Sounds like a great idea to me.

The Republicans had their chance to act like adults on this matter. They have rejected that opportunity. I say these children should be seen and not heard. Push health care reform through without them. If they don't like it, too bad. They can kiss our ass:

:dem:

[elleng]

228. I'll leave that decision to Prez O,

but they have proven themselves to be hideous and deceitful liars.

[dobegrrrl]

229. yes! better late than never

[LWolf]

230. Bipartisanship shouldn't ever have been on the table

with a Democratic president and a Democratic majority.

Republicans are not our friends. They are responsible for the last eight years of mass destruction.

[donheld]

231. If not now, when?

[Dinger]

232. K & R Bernie : )

[lib2DaBone]

233. You can't argue with a sick mind... don't even try

[floridablue]

234. We have screwed around too long with Grassley and the like

Pass HR 676 and be on with it.

[MelissaB]

235. Raising hand high.

YES!

[Liquorice]

236. I don't know why anyone ever thought we could work with republicans. nt

[BattyDem]

237. K&R

:kick:

[deep1]

238. I agree

We don't need them. They are trash. Hateful, stupid morons. I am done with their lies and misinformation and the dumb asses who believe in them.

[Gemini Cat]

239. Fuck them.

It's time to stop playing nice.

[zoff]

240. They need to sttle intra-party differences.

Fence-sitters and blue dogs need to be reigned in. The repuglicans can go where the sun don't shine.

[Autonomy]

242. Bipartisanship is a farce

There was no bipartisanship when the repugs "owned" congress and the white house. They steamrolled everything, even locking Dems out of sessions. They claimed that their slim majority was a "mandate" to do whatever they wanted. Dems should use their actual mandate to do the will of the people. Dems, do what you were elected to do!

[Greybnk48]

244. me! me! me!

[bluestateboomer]

245. K & R n/t

[VPStoltz]

246. Like mom's rhubarb pie - I love the idea and to taste it would be extra-great.

[WinstonSmith4740]

247. Count me in.

I live in Nevada, so I emailed Senator Reid this morning and told him just that. I was going to write to John Ensign also, but it hurts when I pound my head against the wall. The hell with those jerks. The only thing compromise with them will do is water it down 'til there's nothing left, and then they still won't vote for it.

I hope Grassley's antics of the last couple of days have convinced Obama to get tough on this. I know that constitutionally the bill has to be hashed out in Congress, but instead of telling them to design a bill, he should have said "This is what's needed. Write it up." As soon as you let the Congressional whores (on both sides of the aisle) in on the planning, they'll screw it up.

[bear425]

248. ....

woopsie: k/r

[neuvocat]

250. They could and probably should leave the pukes out

of drafting health care legislation after this.

[DeadEyeDyck]

251. the problem is that we are going to end up with some

watered down plan like the Bush prescription drug thing. We were snookered and never saw it coming. It is happeming again. They will throw us a bone or two and we will yell "Victory".

Sometimes it is better to loose and start afresh.

But what do I know. I am just some half black 22 yr old from Fla.

[grantcart]

252. We have to draw a line in the sand with public option.

[ptownbro]

253. Forget the bi-partisanship! Lets get this done.

Absolutely... The Democrats and Obama should have realized long ago that the Republicans would not work with them on any type of reform. They don't believe in it and are more importantly are unwilling to give them a "win". Party politics above all ... that what they care about.

[truthrocks]

257. Absolutely! Fuhgetaboutem!

[Sebastian Doyle]

258. I'm done being "bipartisan" with the DLC'ers and the Blue Balled Cowards

never mind the admitted Republicans. Anybody who won't support at LEAST a true public option has absolutely no business calling themselves a "Democrat".

[leftstreet]

259. K&R

[BlooInBloo]

261. Question for Obama: Name the last time bipartisanship yielded substantial good results.

[berni_mccoy]

273. When he was in the Senate and Bush was pResident. Oh wait, you said "good" results. nvm.

:hi:

[liberalla]

262. "it's time for the Democrats to use the power they were given by the people"

Hell, yeah!

[Enthusiast]

263. Besides that, they're assholes!

Genuine assholes.

[Veracious]

265. Bipartisanship is on hold until.....

we get some rational, reasonable Republicans to work with. Pass health care now! Public Option OR Single Payer WTF!

[democrank]

266. K & R

[old mark]

267. They don't want bipartisanship - they want to rule even from the minority.

They have nothiing to offer the country, they lie, they are terrorists and anti Americans. Fuck the GOP, and ALL republicans.


mark

[Ganja Ninja]

268. Enough already.

We're trying to talk sense with crazy people. Any input they have in a bill will only make it more likely to flop once it passes and becomes law. Just shove the GOP to the side and do it our way. In the end if it turns out to be popular the Democrats can claim all the credit.

[SlingBlade]

269. Yep, No More Elephant Shit

[nradisic]

270. K&R

Totally agree.....

[WillyT]

271. Yep... K & R !!!

:kick:

[FlaGatorJD]

272. I'm in - They had their chance

I also believe the party and all it's activists should bring the wrath down on the blue dogs.
They can't have it both ways.

[mehrrh]

274. bipartisanship

I agree, berni.
For six months, Obama has made a supreme effort at bipartisanship with Republicans, who have repeatedly bit his extended open hand. They seem to have no concept of cooperation - theirs is the "my way or no way" approach.
The public has observed the belligerency of the Republicans, as they have seen the attempts of bipartisanship by Obama, sometimes to the risk of alienating his Democratic base.
With such a clear message that the Republicans do not want to cooperate in any way, it's time to leave them behind. Gather the Blue Dogs, tell them to get on board, and proceed to do what is best for the nation. The Republicans will pay the political price.

[mehrrh]

275. bipartisanship

I agree, berni.
For six months, Obama has made a supreme effort at bipartisanship with Republicans, who have repeatedly bit his extended open hand. They seem to have no concept of cooperation - theirs is the "my way or no way" approach.
The public has observed the belligerency of the Republicans, as they have seen the attempts of bipartisanship by Obama, sometimes to the risk of alienating his Democratic base.
With such a clear message that the Republicans do not want to cooperate in any way, it's time to leave them behind. Gather the Blue Dogs, tell them to get on board, and proceed to do what is best for the nation. The Republicans will pay the political price.

[Nothing Without Hope]

276. Put more pressure on the Blue Dogs too. n/t

[Blue Belle]

277. Here!

We should stop handling these Republican obstructionists with kid gloves. Its bullshit. They don't have any interest at all in bipartisan anything. If we wait for them, we'll be waiting forever.

[kleec]

278. k&r of course!

:dem:

[Prophet 451]

279. Fuck bipartisanship!

It was always something that appealed more to politicians than the public anyway. When Democrats were in opposition, they were a loyal opposition, open to negotiation and compromise. A loyal opposition plays Devils Advocate and contributes good ideas (Isakson's end of life counselling was a good idea, even if he's now disavowed it). For the last twenty years, teh Republicans have been a DISloyal opposition whenever they were out of power. A disloyal opposition isn't interested in compromise, only capitulation. They don't see their job as checking excesses and contributing ideas, they see their job as sabotaging everything the other side tries to do.

Craft the best reform bill you can. If the odd Republican has a worthwhile idea, include it. If they want to vote for the finished product, great. If not, run the fuckers down.