I think what bothers me most about Obama/Congress "compromising"

[Horse with no Name]

is that "they" don't see it that way. "They" see it as a victory. "They" attribute it to weakness.

You CANNOT negotiate with fanatical terrorists. That is what "they" are.

So...Obama/Congress end up giving everything away to make "them" happy...but the truth is, "they" are only happy when it is 100% "their" way.

We end up suffering by trying to make "them" happy...but it never works anyway, so my question is...WHY even bother??

[Skittles]

1. it IS victory for them

Obama just doesn't get it - you don't compromise with rabid dogs

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Trust me.

He gets it.

[Skittles]

4. yeah, I know

I keep hoping but....really, I have always known

[droidamus2]

2. You are right

The problem is that if the Mepublicans were working in good faith there would be other times that they would move in the Democrats direction on legislation. With the current crop of Mepublicans when you move from your position towards theirs they will just move further right and next time demand that you move in their direction. Like you said their only goal and agenda is to get absolutely everything they want. If watch the talking head shows (cut Dishnetwork due to money problems but used to watch) you will hear the Mepublicans stating things like 'well we got this and this but we will have to work harder next time to make sure we get the other things we wanted' while the Democrats will say things like (mostly to save face) 'we think this was a good compromise and look forward to working with the Mepublicans in the future'. A complete disconnect by the Democratic leadership as to what is really happening.

[Logical]

5. We have lowered our standards in the last two years! n-t

[ProfessionalLeftist]

6. Thats's what my letter to Obama yesterday says . . .

That this is NO time to compromise. This is NOT an entity that 'they' should be compromising with. WHY are they compromising? What are they compromising? And WHO are they compromising? I asked him to think about that.

Doubt he'll listen but it's going to him certified mail.

[elias7]

7. Who are we to break the chain of history?

pick your terms: good vs evil; oppressed vs oppressor, serf vs king.... history repeats itself. But we keep up the good fight...

[inna]

9. it's all about workers vs. owners; capitalism is a dying system

- let's hope it doesn't take the entire humanity with it while it dies.

[elias7]

12. I think it will

There is no cure for avarice unchecked. Capitalism is just one of many forms our social hierarchies take, but in the end they usually look the same. The planet will take a beating in the final death throes of our species. Not to be cynical or anything...:)

[hfojvt]

8. the terrorist metaphor does not work for me

Yes, they are using their leverage to get some of what they want. That is what political power is for, and unfortunately the voters gave this to them in the last election.

Now, as the alternative to negotiating, then in this metaphor, what is the equivalent of the SWAT team, tear gas assault?

I think Obama/Democrats should have fought in December, when I think we could easily have won, but I don't see a better alternative now. Do YOU really want to shut the government down over a mere $38 billion in cuts?

[msongs]

10. it is not the $38 bil, it is WHAT is cut, and the bragging about parroting repub framing nt

[yourout]

11. Like Capt Pickard and the Borg.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGF1NP-FrCU&feature=related>

"We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats. They invade our space, and we fall back. They assimilate entire worlds, and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn here! This far and no further!..."