Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Time to Take The Gloves Off, Democrats!

HEY! We hope the senatorial debacle in Massachusetts is a wake-up call to the Democrats. It's time to take the gloves off and knock out the RepubliCONS. Get angry and scream louder than they do. Get the media's attention and STOP the RepubliCONS - Don't be nervous, and please stop trying to be centrists, that'll never work. Obama's offer of bipartisanship was rejected by RepubliCONS, so let's move forward without them and get health care reform passed into the law of the land.

Doofus former nude centerfold model Scott Brown bamboozled his way past MA voters (a NeoCon wolf in an Independent sheep's costume) yesterday and won Ted Kennedy's Senate seat because Democratic candidate Martha Coakley came across with a sense of entitlement after taking an early 19 point lead over Brown and then went on freakin' vacation instead of campaigning. The Democratic establishment in MA took her early lead for granted. But voters in MA were fed up with local Democrats (because of MA issues; they love Obama in huge majorities in MA) so they pulled a lever for change. Easily duped syndrome? Yeah probably.

The senatorial election in MA was also a popularity contest. Most people simply prefer the All-American hunky and gregarious white guy who drives a truck (and once posed nude) to a woman-- and maybe to some voters (i.e., the ones who like Sarah Palin too) that nude modeling made Brown "transparent" (wink wink). Also, let's face it, the Deal Maker here could very well have been the fact that Mr. Brown's lovely daughter appeared on American Idol! Sadly, American Idol "resonates" deep w/ in a too large percentage of Americans, in our always humbly elitist opinion.

Brown calls himself an "Independent" as he promises to stand with RepubliCONS to kill "ObamaCare." The guy's a charlatan, and a wingnut, and this'll become obvious to everyone soon enough. But you gotta give the GOP credit for getting their candidates elected, even though most of them can't govern once in office.

Just 7 months ago, 72% of Americans supported some form of government-run health care, but now polls suggest that more people oppose the plan than support it. That's a big swing. I guess for a lot of people health care's not an issue until you need it and don't have it. If you pay your own health insurance, like we do, then it's a top priority issue, since insurance has become nearly unaffordable. Maybe it would have been easier to pass health care reform if the Democrats had kept it simpler. Just extend Medicare to all who can pay it, and provide subsidies for those who can't. Now we are stuck with a plan that seems maybe too complicated, and definitely caters too much to the powerful insurance companies. Still, there are many benefits to the bill, and we'll take 'em. There's always Obama's 2nd term to get more. But if the bill is killed, we may never have another chance at real progressive reform, making it even harder for Dems to make progress on the economy because they'll have a lot less political capital to work with.

Democrats need to LOUDLY establish that the rabidly Pro-Business (no matter how broken or crooked it is) Republican party is the party that is in opposition to the well-being of the American people. The GOP just wants to obstruct Obama and then claim that the Democrats can't govern, while playing politics with the lives of the American people. Dems need to take the gloves off and start fighting back against the smears and lies from the right to move America forward/left.

Here are two of the ways Dems can slam dunk health care reform in the GOPs face:

1. They can display the intestinal fortitude to pass the bill before Scott Brown is sworn in. If the roles were reversed, this is exactly what the Republicons would do. The Dems can also use stall tactics on Brown's being seated just like the GOP does.

2. The "Ping Pong" approach. The Senate has already passed its version of the bill, and the original plan was for the House to blend its version with the Senate's version, and then both houses would vote on it. But if the House would pass the same version of the bill as the Senate, there would be no need to blend the two bills. This "ping ponging" would be a way to save health care reform. Flaws could be fixed later through the reconciliation process. Passing a compromised bill is better than starting from scratch. And it's way faster.

Just because Dems lose their 60 seat filibuster-proof majority should not mean the end to health care reform.

It's time to throw a 1-2 punch combination at the GOP and knock 'em out.

[Mr. Dottie contributed to this post]

43 comments:

Bill Villa said...

Email we just got ...

Bill & Angie--

Yesterday's disappointing election results show deep discontent with the pace of change. I know the OFA community and the President share that frustration.

We also saw what we knew to be true all along: Any change worth making is hard and will be fought at every turn. While it doesn't take away the sting of this loss, there is no road to real change without setbacks along the way.

We could have simply sought to do things that were easy, that wouldn't stir up controversy. But changes that aren't controversial rarely solve the problem.

Our country continues to face the same fundamental challenges it faced yesterday. Our health care system still needs reform. Wall Street still needs to be held accountable. We still need to create good jobs. And we still need to continue building a clean energy economy.

The President isn't walking away from these challenges. In fact, his determination and resolve are only stronger. We must match that commitment with our own.

But it won't be easy. Real change never is. For that reason, I am grateful you're part of this fight with us.

Thank you,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

Bill Villa said...

"Bill & Angie-- I am grateful you're part of this fight with us." -Mitch Stewart

Notre plaisir.

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Angie Villa said...

Ed Rendell was on TV last night, and I liked what he had to say. He said that Democrats have to stand up for what they believe in, and get things done. He says let the R's filibuster and make fools of themselves to the American people.

Obama says he will wait until Brown is seated. I guess it's only fair to follow the democratic process. And other Dems like Barney Frank and Jim Webb have spoken out in favor of waiting, so I guess our option number 1 is out. Anyone for ping pong?

Angie Villa said...

This is really bad news for our democracy. Our conservative majority Supreme Court ruled today (5-4) to give more political power to corporations. Big Corporations can now run ads for political candidates. Unlimited greed and power, more corruption, more politicians being bought. Disgusting.

Supreme Court ruling

the realistic optimist said...

Don't worry Mrs. Dottie, I am sure those "populist" teabaggers will be out in droves to protest the Supreme Court's ruling. Now they have got nude model Scott Brown to lead the way and represent "the people's seat."
(wink, wink wink)

Angie Villa said...

Ha! Good one realistic optimist. RepubliCON hypocrisy has no limits. Same with corporate greed and power in this country.

Angie Villa said...

Money is not free speech. Corporations are not people.
Sign the petition

http://movetoamend.org/

Anonymous said...

Hi Mrs Dottie,

did you see last week's Economist cover? It's the same image as in this article, with someone handing Obama boxing gloves through the White House's window:
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15271012

The headline was "Time to get tough". Great minds think alike!

I'm looking forward to next week's State of the Union, and your comments on it.

Angie Villa said...

Morning Call imflammatory headline:
"Free Speech ruling appalls Democrats." Piece of crap paper. This ruling should appall everyone. And Tony Ianelli says it's good because it gives business more power. What a moron.

Thanks anon 11:53 I will check it out. Right now I am really steamed about this unbelievable Supreme Court ruling. This could be the end to democracy. Last night Barney Frank said Congress can work on legislation to regulate the corporations.

Angie Villa said...

I'm sorry, the headline reads "Court ruling on Speech appalls Democrats."

Bill Villa said...

"Tony Iannelli ... What a moron."

How bout it. Tony's also an O'Hare-Duped Dunce.

Anonymous said...

First paragraph of an article in the New York Times: "The Supreme Court has handed lobbyists a new weapon. A lobbyist can now tell any elected official: if you vote wrong, my company, labor union or interest group will spend unlimited sums explicitly advertising against your re-election."

Wow.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/us/politics/22donate.html?hp

Angie Villa said...

Thanks for link anon 10:58. This ruling will have all sorts of scary repercussions. Just think, school board positions can be bought and there could be corporate control of our schools. Talk about "indoctrination."

I hope Dems seize this opportunity to exploit the glaring difference between Dems and R's. Mitch McCOnnell, Boehner and the Republicons are siding with the corporations and against the people. Obama has spoken out for the PEOPLE, not the special interests.

I read the Economist article, interesting. I agree, and think Obama needs to be a leader and get tougher. Not just with speeches, but with action.
I am disappointed.

Citizen's Arrest said...

Villas, pardon my going "OT" but you and your readers should know about this ... it's the latest Pusillanimous Provocation of you by Team O'Hare, at the "Send in the Clowns" blog, which O'Hare, Molovinsky, Donovan, Varkony, Joe Hilliard, and LVCI all link to (or are linked to) by this hate blog authored by Chris Casey. Here's their latest pathetic (and impotent) taunt aimed at you ...

[Villas] "Have you been wondering about that strange nasty odor behind your garage in the alley? I walk my dog everyday, and I make sure she pisses in the alley right outside your garage. EVERYDAY! I think your Misses has seen us a few times. Come on out and say hello! We are walking in a public alley, nothing you can do about it. I would have her shit on your front steps (and I have been dared to!) but you would probably cry."

The City Official said...

Sad. And, futile. After all, it's not like Team O'Hare can get any more phony "harassment" charges approved against you by their exposed pals DA Morganelli ... or DA Martin & AG Corbett.

Just sayin' :)

Consigliere said...

What Team O'hare is doing is criminal harassment.

Bill Villa said...

Yawn.

If Team O'Hare really wanted to confront us, they'd ring the doorbell.

Instead, they "forget" (wink wink) to show up at appeal trials they know they can't win.

They're all pussies like Dave Najarian.

Lehigh Valley Ramblings said...

Comment moderation has been enabled. All comments must be approved by the blog author.

The City Official said...

Team O'Hare is soooo over matched.

Same w/ (hiccup) fatso.

Jon said...

WOO! HOO!

Angie Villa said...

Merci! Save the date!

Bill Villa said...

Merci! Save the date!

Anonymous said...

how do all of your posts elevate to an amazing level of genius?

Bill Villa said...

Thanks for asking, 7:16. In our vast and formidable and humble experience, genius just comes naturally (like good looks).

Polish Betty said...

This is so true. Like good looks (which both Villas have in obviously enviable abundance) genius cannot be learned.

Bill Villa said...

Well said (and merci).

Army/Navy Game said...

I have a very special neighbor who really puts the UGH! in Ugly! Just sayin'.

Sondra Wise said...

Ewww. Now that's a face only a mother (or father ) or Pam Varkony could love.

The Blogging Pastor said...

“Give, and it shall be given to you. For whatever measure you deal out to others, it will be dealt to you in return.” -The Bible

Bill Villa said...

Okay, we're starting to veer "OT" everybody (and I was really liking that "genius/good looks" thread :(

Angie Villa said...

I've been talking to friends about this Supreme Court ruling, because this REALLY HUGE decision that will have tremendous impact on our lives and democracy, has not gotten much attention in our "news" media. And I am surprised that some people I have spoken with know nothing about it. I guess John Edward's love child, and Tiger Woods sex rehab is more important to Americans right now. It's really quite unbelievable that even major network news shows are not giving this issue much attention. Thank goodness for Twitter, where I can get news updates from NPR, The Nation, and national liberal political bloggers who seem to be tweeting important news updates 24/7. We will be updating this blog with a post about this important ruling soon, so stay tuned.

Jack Webb Lord said...

Villas, CONGRATULATIONS (again), Lehigh Valley Somebody was the #1 Most Influential Political Blog in Pennsylvania again last month in Liberal Influence, the #1 Most Influential Political Blog in Pennsylvania again last month in Per Post Influence, and (natch) #1 in The Lehigh Valley over all other blogs. For example, LVS is #1 over all The Morning Call "newspaper" Aquiver Lapdog/Attack Dog blogs and LVS is #1 over all the Morning Call "newspaper" "reporter" blogs, e.g., Bill White, John Micek, "Renshaw," and it's been like this, on average for the past 52 weeks and that's a year. Just sayin'.

Angie Villa said...

Merci (and save the date).

Bill Villa said...

Merci (and save the date).

Anonymous said...

i really like your new sidebar text on morganelli :)

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The City Official said...

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

Loopy Lou Hershwhine said...

Well said.

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O'Hare, caught putting the UGH! in Ugly again ...

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