The anatomy of a DU post - Democratic Underground

FourScore

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Mon Apr-11-11 02:35 PM
Original message

The anatomy of a DU post

Edited on Mon Apr-11-11 03:30 PM by FourScore

I logged on this morning to the headline, "Obama’s new approach to deficit reduction to include spending on entitlements" on the home page. I glared at the headline in disgust, the (now) familiar fury churning in my gut -- Fury caused by my President, a democrat, betraying me. Betraying his party. Betraying seniors. Betrayal, betrayal betrayal! The fire of anger felt explosive, and I thought to myself, "I got punked!" It was all an illusion -- the 2008 campaign, the promises, the pretty words, the smile!!!
I GOT PUNKED!!!!

I decided I would list each of the beautiful promises made by Obama the Campaigner, followed by either The Great Compromise (code for "F*ck you, Liberals!") or it's inexplicable death at the scene of the inauguration. This was going to get ugly!!! I was fully prepared to show how this wolf in sheep's clothing continues to go for the jugular on liberal ideals.

So I began:

"Protect the jobs and benefits of workers and retirees when corporations file for bankruptcy by telling companies that they cannot
issue bonuses for executives during bankruptcy while their workers watch their pensions disappear." - Didn't happen, stalled in Congress, no real leadership

Repeal the Bush tax cuts for those making more than $250,000 (couples) or $200,000 (single) - In a stunning compromise with the Republican Congress, these exact tax cuts have been extended for 2 years further increasing the debt by (according to the NYT) 80 billion over the next 2 years.

Close the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center - on March 7, 2010, Obama signed an executive order to resume military tribunals at Guantanamo.

Universal health care promises - Where to even start with this one?

Cap and trade - DOA at the Senate since 2009 (Thanks, Harry!) Again, no real leadership.

Not to mention the Wall Street crooks who destoyed our economy continue to laugh all the way to the bank each year with their mega-bonuses and NO repercussions for their criminality.

Damn I got punked!

But, during this process something happened. I started reading the Republican agenda:

Make Bush tax cuts permanent for the wealthy

Cancel unspent stimulus

End government control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Enact conscience protections into health law making it legal for health care professionals to decline to provide abortion services

Block funding for implementation of the new health care bill

Update nuclear warheads

Fund weapons research - 'Cause God knows there isn't enough money going into the military budget yet!

But there is more, so much more:
The ongoing war on women and women's health issues
De-funding Planned Parenthood
Deregulating environmental protection
Privatization of Medicare and Social Security, and the abolishment of Medicaid.
Busting unions while demonizing teachers, fire-fighters and police

And so much more. So much more. I can't even list it all.

My anger toward Obama and the democrats began to ebb. I sighed. The boiling fury in my belly got reduced to a sorrowful burp. Obama may not be the liberal president I want. The Democrats may appear feckless and ineffectual. But, they are the best I have right now. Maybe my husband is right. He thinks this is all good. Let the country see the real GOP agenda. Let them have a taste of what happens when Rand Paul takes a machete to stalwart government programs that countless families depend on.

But I am afraid. I am afraid that they will continue to destoy this country with their agenda. So, I may be mad at Obama. I may want to shout till I am red in the face at the cowardice of the Democrats. But they are my party and I will support them.

I think it is time to stop piling onto the anti-democratic message machine and start screaming about what is wrong with the Republicans.

I think my next post will be about that.

Let the 2012 Battle begin!

ON EDIT (due to criticism in the comments section): If anyone has a better idea about how to keep the government out of the control of the Republicans, please enlighten me!!! At this point, the only way that I know to keep them out is to vote for the Democrats, including Obama (unless someone else wins the primariy - uh huh). I don't like the betrayal I feel by my own party, but at this point, they are the lesser of the two evils. And at least this time, I know what to expect.