Progressive Group To Supporters: Withhold Donations To Obama If He Cuts Medicare, Medicaid

[Hissyspit]

Source: Sam Stein @ Huffington Post

Progressive Group To Supporters: Withhold Donations To Obama If He Cuts Medicare, Medicaid

First Posted: 04/12/11 01:45 PM ET Updated: 04/12/11 02:59 PM ET

WASHINGTON -- One of the thorniest progressive groups in the side of the Obama administration is launching a new campaign against the president on Tuesday, this time targeting the president’s vaunted grassroots donor base.

One day before President Obama is slated to outline his blueprint for deficit reduction, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) put out a preemptive warning shot, of sorts. In an email to its list, the group asks members to withhold money from the Obama re-election campaign should the president endorse cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

The pledge reads as follows:

"President Obama: If you cut Medicare and Medicaid benefits for me, my parents, my grandparents, or families like mine, don't ask for a penny of my money or an hour of my time in 2012. I'm going to focus on electing bold progressive candidates -- not Democrats who help Republicans make harmful cuts." Click here to sign.”

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/12/progressive-group-withold-donations-obama_n_848139.html

[freshwest]

1. They won't get my money if they don't stop what is being done right now.

[wordpix]

17. I told the campaign caller from DFA just that last night---he got my message loud and clear

[Fearless]

45. +10000

[mitchtv]

2. I signed

[Cleita]

4. I did too.

I don't know how else to get the message to them in their little insular DC cocoon, where they don't see how the rest of the nation is living and suffering.

[Cleita]

3. Believe me, if one cut is done to Social Security or

Medicare and if I find I have to buy more private insurance to supplement Medicare than I already do, withholding donations isn't the only thing I will do. I will not vote for him. This is the deal breaker for me. Selling out the poor and elderly even further than has already happened is going to make me turn my back on anyone who enables this Republican agenda. I'm done.

[neoralme]

51. I'll be doing more than that. I will be part of a revolution/riot that

starts within weeks. The boomers will be out in force. Steal my money, I come after you. Simple as that.

[freshwest]

62. Leave the riot out. That's what they want.

[neoralme]

66. In the end a riot will happen. Has to...

ddd

[freshwest]

68. Sorry to say, but they will use it as an excuse to take away more and have the technology to do so.

The idea that what we are fighting for -- while there is still daylight-- being won by violence is counterproductive.

The further notion that the forces arrayed against the people are not popular, is a delusion.

Even if they were not popular, revolutions and riots can be handled by the advanced weaponry various peoples have worked years perfecting for military purposes, and have even been demonstrated on television.

These devices are not only useful on 'the enemy.' They can be used on anyone anywhere.

Save the powder for something else. This is still in the realm of a civilized, but violently contentious discussion.

But I certainly understand the disgust and passion. Welcome to DU.

[neoralme]

70. Thanks for the welcome. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

[zeemike]

5. He don't need your money.

They will get all they need from the big boys....if it takes a billion they will provide as long as they get what they want....the trillions in SS....a small investment for a big payday.

[inna]

8. nope he doesn't. remember who his real constituency is.

[KoKo]

48. He does if his campaign has to report "small donors." It's not good if Dem Campaign

only gets money from Big Corporations...and his small donor base went down since last election.

[zeemike]

60. And who will tell?

The big corporations own him if they give all that money....and the media will never mention it because those big donor's are also big sponsors.

[Newest Reality]

6. Say NO to sub rosa culling! - NT

[nashville_brook]

7. pledge isn't necessary -- no one their right mind will support SS cutting Dems

but i'm glad they're spelling it out, anyway.

[jimic]

16. Even though I signed the pledge today,

I have already said goodbye to Obama. His re-election committee emailed me last week asking for a donation; I told them they must take me off their list of supporters and to never EVER contact me again. In some ways, he's worse than Scott Walker. Walker has lived up to his campaign promises (apparently he just forgot to tell us he was going to bust the unions and stamp out what's left of the middle class, etc. etc.). While Obama has just flat-out lied and/or rolled over on his many many progressive promises. And then today . . . . . He disgusts me.

[tanyev]

32. Obama worse than Scott Walker.

*sigh*

[Carolina]

42. I feel likewise and

did likewise with his campaign solicitation.

[Blue-Jay]

67. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[damntexdem]

9. He'll already get no money from me.

With Medicare, Medicaid, or SS cuts, he'd lose my vote.

But maybe he'll stand tall, instead.

[SugarShack]

10. Agree, one cut to Soc Sec or Medicare or Medicaid he's done! One term louie for the Corportists?

[freshwest]

73. Medicare and Medicaid have been in trouble since Bush took office. The cuts have been severe...

Through changes in coverage in certain states, as they are not equally reimbursed, have been enough to run doctors out of care in rural and other settings. Many care networks were completely gutted with no replacements. Those people formally covered are left with no coverage, period. This continued under Obama, as the legislation and changes in regulations passed by the GOP majority, often in closed meetings, in the Bush era were never repealed.

In my progressive state, as the feds made unsustainable programs mandated with federal funding, it fell on them in a less prosperous economy to make up the shortfall. The standards were set under the Bush administration, cutting the healthcare system by billions of dollars each year.

The costs of wars are a factor, as explained best by Obama when he was campaigning but other Democratic voices did as well. Increasingly, the GOP plans of block grants instead of entitlement to medical care have been adopted state by state, with little or not public input, only brief venting sessions.

Their concerns are simply being ignored as part of a trend toward privatization. Out of sight, out of mind, no accountability. Their failures are never mentioned. And by applying the concept of block grants, the help is only temporarily and persons previously covered, most likely poor or disabled, come to a sorry end. But they are no longer a public concern, and the private engines of society can't make any money off them, so they are forgotten.

AG Olson during the Bush administration sided with those who wanted entitlements from earned benefits to be considered as welfare and thus at the pleasure of state legislatures. This gave legal authority to state budget cutters already impacted by the loss of jobs and tax revenues even though people protested vigorously. The cuts have been drastic and cost lives since Bush got into office. But these are the ones who have no voice, no strength to demand that they be regarded as human beings with long-term needs.

The Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid cuts you refer to are legal, going on now, and have been going on for a decade. Believe me, I share your outrage on this issue. My good representatives are fighting a losing battle because there are insufficient numbers of Democrats in D.C. to get anyone to vote their way. The GOP will vote lockstep to cut these programs by any means possible, as it benefits their sponsors for profits as privatization, or rather as you correctly term, corporatism advances with Democratic electoral losses. In order to have a fighting chance to return the party to the rule of the progressives, we need sufficient numbers.

It's not Obama's fault, as this has been coming for a long time, brought to us by the same people (GOP) who have been protesting anyone receiving Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, DCFS, unemployment or any other thing.

All of those programs created to mitigate the financial disaster that has been wrought by eliminating oversight of the banks and other institutions, and our enormous debt incurred in the pursuit of endless wars, offshoring jobs and creating sovereign wealth. Just as in the other Great Depression. This is nowhere near over, their intention is that this will last at least a generation to create a rigid, socially and economically stagnant society that is unrecognizable by most of us and is in the process of stealing our inheritance.

:rant:

Welcome to DU.

[Citizen Worker]

11. Not only will I not donate money, Obama won't get my vote either. And if the two democratic senator

in my state vote to cut either program I won't for the one who is up for re-election.

[still_one]

12. I have a major problem with this coming from huffington. I will sign a legitimate progressive site

not a right wing front to stir up the pot

[Hissyspit]

14. Here is PCCC's site with the petition. This is not a Huff Po thing.

http://boldprogressives.org/home

As much as I dislike Huff Po, Sam Stein is a good reporter (he gets paid) and this is the news article from which I found out about the petition action.

From Wikipedia.org:

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee is a U.S. political action committee which focuses on electing progressive Democrats in Congressional elections.<2><3><4>
Contents

In the past, PCCC has partnered with Democracy for America in running political advertising aimed at individual members of the Congress who have not supported the public health insurance option as part of U.S. health care reform, including Chuck Grassley,<5> Olympia Snowe,<6> and Max Baucus.<7><8> PCCC raised funds by encouraging Democrats to donate $1 for each day Norm Coleman refused to concede during the recount battle over the 2008 Senate election in Minnesota.<9><10>

[Thumper79]

15. Thanks for the link. I just signed the petition.

[tpsbmam]

54. Signed it but in truth

he gets no more from me this time anyway but my very reluctant vote in the general election. And if he has a viable progressive primary opponent, he won't even get my primary vote. Sorry to those who think that's foolish -- I no longer care. I've had it. What little I have to give in terms of time and money goes to progressive candidates only.

(Edited to clarify.)

[ElsewheresDaughter]

13. ABSOLUTELY I will

[wordpix]

18. I'm not giving $ until he stops issuing permits for deepwater drilling while BOPs don't work, either

blowout preventers, that is.

[Purveyor]

19. He has got his 'suits' now to fill his coffers. Doesn't need a penny of progressive money. eom

[DesertDiamond]

20. Damn straight.

[girl_interrupted]

21. K&R

[emilyg]

22. They won't get a cent from me anyway.

[PADemD]

23. I signed.

[Lugnut]

24. I can't afford to donate.

No COLA in a year-and-a-half and increased expenses (gas, food utilties, etc.) up the wazoo make me unable to donate even if I'd want to. I'm in a bigger hole now than I was two years ago and nobody gives a shit.

[bobbolink]

65. Well, I give a shit, but that makes precisely two of us.

:cry:

[Change has come]

25. Done and recommended.

:patriot:

[madrchsod]

26. i`m giving money to the next democrat running for my district

obama has all the money he`ll need from his new best friends.

[alp227]

27. change starts from the house because they control budgets

good for you for donating and i wish your candidate well! since it's the house of representatives originating appropriations bills, whoever controls that body of congress determines what gets spent where. Obama's just doing what he can do with the enemy party in control of the money.

[defendandprotect]

28. Why would "progressives" be giving any money to Obama? -- ??

[mmonk]

29. I've been ahead of the curve on that issue.

[_ed_]

30. Unless your name is "Goldman-Sachs"

Obama doesn't give a damn about your money.

[Logical]

31. I donated $2400 in 2008 and not donating any this time around. n-t

[mod mom]

33. donated time & money in both primary & general. Not a cent or second this time.

[Logical]

34. I'll vote for him. Nothing else. n-t

[madmom]

35. Money?...what money?

[progressoid]

41. Yeah, even if I had some to give I doubt I would this time around. n/t

[teamster633]

36. I signed.

If I have any money left to contribute to anyone, and there is some question there anyway, it will be to get rid of that oinker, Guinta, who is currently disgracing our congressional delegation.

[Search4Justice]

37. For all the good it will do...

... I signed the petition. But given how easily this man has turned his back on those of us that put him in office already, I have zero hope that he will listen. he'll get his payoff from his corporate owners anyway, so he couldn't care less about us.

[katnapped]

38. "Hope you're happy with a Republican in office!"

There, being proactive so the butt-smoochers don't have to waste their time :sarcasm:

[Carolina]

43. we basically have a Republican in office

[Hissyspit]

39. kick nt

[VeryConfused]

40. What does anyone know about The Progressive Change Campaign Committee ?

They don't even have an about us page on their website

[Hissyspit]

44. It's a progressive PAC. Formed 2008.

http://boldprogressives.org/mission

http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=10783

The organization is for real, composed of former campaign staff, MoveOn.org staff, and labor organizers. It is also on track to raise $650,000 this year, and has MoveOn.org backing. It should hit its fundraising targets no sweat, and it's experienced team knows what it is doing in a campaign setting. This is an exciting new piece of progressive infrastructure that should combine nicely with other emerging efforts, such as the primary project that I mentioned last month.

[MJJP21]

46. You have two choices

Bad and worse. Unless the dems put someone else in the race the alternative is the republicans which are by far worse.

[RowdyRacer]

47. WHY???

Why should any of us give Obama a dime?? If he had been any kind of leader at all, he wouldn't need much money to get re-elected. I say let his record be his downfall.

[BlueDemKev]

69. Answer to "Why should any of us give Obama a dime?"

I'll give five good reasons:

Mike Huckabee
Haley Barbour
Rick Santorum
Donald Trump
Michelle Bachmann

What kind of justices do you want on the Supreme Court? Judges like Ruth Ginsburg or judges like Samuel Alito?

There is NO WAY I'm sitting out in 2012. The tea-baggers will absolutely destroy this country if they get a hold of the White House while their political hacks control Congress.

[Javaman]

72. because the institutionalized political machine wants to convince you

that life is black and white. That you only have two choices.

I am a life long Dem. But the Dem party of today is so far off the mark of what it originally stood for, it's now a parody.

But yet, this same Dem party loves to use the iconography and history of the party to try and lull all of those less informed into believing that nothing about them has changed at all since FDR.

There will always be water carriers for both sides. Just a fact. And they will always argue with outdated memes or talking points that fly in the face of reality. Good for them.

But that doesn't mean I have to take what they say at face value.

We as a nation are struggling. We want a leader. Someone who stands up to the opposition. Not someone who stands up to the opposition in a blatant attempt to win our votes. Where was this speech before he announced his reelection bid?

I will stand behind someone who tells the truth and takes no shit and still loses than I will someone who glad hands the corps behind our backs and gives a speech that is nothing more than a patent attempt to give him money and win our votes. If it wasn't anymore obvious what he was doing, I don't know what was?

[KoKo]

49. If Progressives get enough "action" and money support...they might

just find a challenger. Lots of people here think that wouldn't be a good thing. Lots of others think it needs to be done. Gotta do what your conscience tells 'ya.

[neoralme]

50. That song don't play no more...

[nashville_brook]

52. actually, the party has two choices - successful elections with progressives on board, or retire

as purist Center-Right pols.

[Raine]

53. Done!!! nt

[on point]

55. He and DNC have already lost me. I ONLY give to worthy genuine dems!

[MissDeeds]

56. I signed

No way will I support Obama financially or with my vote if he cuts Medicare and/or Medicaid.

With all the petitions I signed during the * years, I never imagined I'd have to sign one telling a "Democratic" president to do the right thing.

[Rex]

57. Don't worry Obama will get his billion dollars from Corporate America.

Citizens need no longer apply. Just vote.

[pnwmom]

58. It all depends on the TYPE of cut. Some make a lot of sense.

For example, we should REPEAL the law that prevents the government from negotiating, on behalf of Medicare, for cheaper drug costs. Why should we pay more for the same drug here than in Canada, where they do negotiate?

[xxqqqzme]

59. I was at a California Alliance of

Retired Americans (CARA) workshop today. You can believe this was a common topic of conversation. Lots of phone banking done by retired persons. Not going to happen in 2012.

[bowens43]

61. Obama lost my support when he continued tax breaks for millionaires....

No money or support from me....and most likely no vote.

[Marnie]

63. He didn't get my money last time because I thought

Hillary had bigger balls,an more DC experience and still do.
He has already taken my money this time since I am now on SS. He hasn't earned a skinny penny out of with I have to look forward to thanks to him and the Republicans.

He did get my vote last time, but he doesn't have it now. I will vote for no one who is willing to steal the money I and my generation paid into SS and Medicare, and 40+ years of interest.

I would vote for the idiot Ron Paul first. At least he is honest about what he believes in.

[JoePhilly]

64. The "predicted" cuts did not happen, now what?

I mean, for all the screaming, gnashing of teeth, rending of garments ... the folks who breathlessly predicted that today was the day that Obama would announce big cuts to social security and medicare (using "unnamed sources close to the President" as back up) ... well, they were WRONG.

Will they praise Obama ... or simply shift to an alternative reason to not support Obama?

My "unnamed sources" tell me it will be the latter.

[Javaman]

71. Why should I even do that?

he still hasn't close gitmo, we are now involve in THREE wars. He stated that he wouldn't extend the tax cuts for the rich and guess what, he did!

He can say all sorts of flowery things up to and on election day, nothing says he still won't touch SS, medicare or medicaid after the election.

Folks, his first year was pretty great, but since then he has fallen, willingly or unwillingly into the pit of the beltway.

He has lost all touch with us.

He's playing purely a game of tit for tat with the repukes. It's a high priced game of chicken with we as the cars. If both drivers bail out, we still go over the cliff.

So until some hard concrete things are done, his flowery words are nothing more than the washington kabuki theater on the road.

He just wants our votes. And like any typical politician, he tries to light a fire in our bellies. I would be more apt to believe him if he gave this speech BEFORE he announced his reelection bid.