Esteemed Eli!

Exalted egreg!

Eli!

Welcome to the Screw Deal…

Or maybe The Skewed Deal.

Or if you want to be really juvenile, the Poo Deal…

but with less government.

nancy sharpened her less government skills by throwing impeachment off the

table, then skillfully with the less government banter keep it off the table.

An American hero i tell you !

So was La Pelosi already “grilled” at that idiotic Kosfest in Vegas yet? Will the audience be, once again, cautioned not to be “mean”? And how did the traditional Reid ass-kissing go?

Eli, once again you have precisely nailed the arrogant fabulists for what they truly are … in all their splendid and pathetic dissembling.

Pelosi, who infamously “took” impeachment, even though she said that we, the people, ” … don’t know the half of it”, “off the table”, has NO credibility whatsoever.

Her tenure as Speaker is one of failure and complicity in some of the worst abuses of the rule of law and human beings that this nation has ever experienced.

It is a wonder that the entire Democratic party is not lame and sore from reaching “around” to pat themselves on the back while awarding themselves B pluses for the rigor and humanity of their self-serving “endeavors”.

FDR and Eleanor would be most disappointed and disgusted with the weak and spineless corporate sops who control the Democratic Party today while attacking and disparaging those who truly represent what the Democratic Party once, proudly, stood for. Now, that party will lay down and roll over for any who can afford the price of cheap tricks.

DW

Excuse me while I go throw up

Eli! The Dew Meal? Not so affective or satisfying.

Demi!

I do like that shot of the president, though. I don’t know why, but I do.

No, that was Van Jones’ duty today.
Pelosi is in charge of “firing up” the troops for Congress & Dem stars like Harry Reid and Babs Boxer for this Fall.
Look for Reid to be recast as a decent, misunderstood ally against the Evil Teabaggers. The Obedient Left crowd, along with the “Responsible” Dems (see: Yglesias, Matt) will be humming this narrative, likely complimented with photo galleries and the predictable slobbering posted by blackwaterdog.

Posted elsewhere also, but it’s funny, progressives and our response to the dearth of accomplishments was a topic tonight on the PBS News Hour tonight. Axelrod was asked about it, he actually used the phrase “don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” And later David Brooks used similar language, “can’t believe liberals want more.” It is like Groucho Marx’s old line “What are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes.” They can all kiss my ass.

Good Evening, David. How’s your Friday evening, so far? Failure and complicity not withstanding?

Eli! But but Van Jones says we should leave Obama alooooooooooooooooooone!

Van Jones can kiss my ass.

Gee, I can see the campaign slogans now:

Democrats – we’re fucking you up, just not as good as the Republicans could.

Democrats – we took impeachment for wars, lying, traitors, and torture off the table so that the Republicans can impeach Obama for a hang nail.

Democrats – As long as you vote for us, we’ll continue to treat you like you’re fucking retarded!

Well, these slogans just write themselves! Can’t help but see how November will be a smashing success for SOMEBODY.

***Mod Note: Even though the White House CoS seems to like that phrase, many of us at FDL would prefer it wasn’t used.***

I really liked this Americablog post.

You can write “Healthcare Reform” or “Financial Reform” on a cardboard box, but it’s still a cardboard box.

Margaret!

Well said Eli.

Rachel Maddow on her show just claimed that Financial Reform was “sweeping” & comprehensive.

Hope someone will inform her that it’s not sweeping or comprehensive if the fundamental structure that created the problem is still in place.She knows better but she has to show her WH party invitation does some good for the WH.

Democrats – we gave Wall St the Treasury, but we’re going to need your Social Security to pay for it.

No, I’m pretty sure Social Security is already earmarked for Afghanistan and tax cuts for the rich.

Margaret!!! Did they fix your connections today?

I like that picture too. Maybe it’s because I associate the cigarette holder with an actual Democrat.

Well, demi, seeing you here, has made my day.

Especially, as I have noted your very reasonable concerns, of late, regarding behavior, civility, and just plain reasonableness on the threads.

Cheers to you!

;~DW

Yep. Somebody had been fiddling with the box to my building, like they tried to hook up free cable or something. The repair guy said he was surprised that anything was working at all.

Maybe you’re sensing distant echoes of some alternate America where Obama actually is seizing his FDR moment.

Yeah, Poo Deal wins.

Ah, I stand corrected:

Democrats – we need to keep spending trillions to kill people half way around the world because it’s not like there’s anything good to spend it on in America!

This week’s Wall Street-reform legislation has] the boldness and enthusiasm of the New Deal but with less government.

That sounds like something that could have been uttered by the Republicans/Bush admin during the past 8 years. Wall Street reform was a fail because it didn’t actually fix the problem, but by claiming that this is the best thing in 70 years, it prevents actual Wall Street reform from taking place in the future. Institutionalizing and solidifying the destruction of Glass-Steagall is nothing to cheer about and celebrate – get ready for more taxpayer-funded bailouts despite what they’re saying.

LOL, good analogy, Obamarahma’s HCR is like baking a stone and telling your kid it is a cake. “What, I promised you a cake, here it is.”

It’s sweeping problems under the rug.

Well last Sunday I woke up in a universe in which David Gregory was a competent interviewer. Is it too much to hope that someday I might wake up in one in which Obama isn’t a Republican in donkey drag?

I know I’m a freak and a brat from time to time, so that my wish for reasonableness is somewhat enigmatic. Whattaya gonna do? :)

But, but, but — President Palin!!!

You don’t want that, do you, Eli?

Stick heads! Glad you’re around. It’s Friday night. Let’s party! ]]]

In the Politics Daily. Sure seems crafted for inside the Beltway consumption. Goosing the inside-the-Beltway media narrative.

Most likely the emphasis was indeed on the “with less government” part no matter how oxymoronic the formulation.

The way I understand the legislation is that the immediate effects (if the right person is selected to head the CFPA) are strong. It is the protections against future meltdowns that are weak. If I am right, those can be fixed later, even after 2012.

That occurs tomorrow.

w00t!

The way I understand the legislation is that the immediate effects (if the right person is selected to head the CFPA) are strong.

I personally think that’s a pretty giant if. I’m pulling for Warren, but appointing her would be out of character. Unless it’s to let her languish in limbo for a year waiting for a confirmation vote and then finally cutting her loose.

The Half-Assed Deal: three sheets one cheek to the wind

REALLY hard to turn the other cheek if one is half assed….

It seems so 2008.

But the cigarette is something they share.

Too heavy on the language shock button?

Sorry about that, it is rather vulgar.

bun there, dud that.

Enigmatic … hmmm.

Is that not your prerogative as resident Blonde Bombshell?

A part of the, um … mystery?

;~DW

FDR and Eleanor would be most disappointed and disgusted with the weak and spineless corporate sops who control the Democratic Party today while attacking and disparaging those who truly represent what the Democratic Party once, proudly, stood for. Now, that party will lay down and roll over for any who can afford the price of cheap tricks

so true

No one does it butt … er, punaise.

DW

The critical question to ask is which Republican will break on cloture if Warren is the nominee.

I actually think pushing the CFPA part of the bill will put pressure on Republicans to break cloture. It provides an opportunity to focus on the banking practices that made the legislation necessary.

I suspect this will begin around Labor Day. And the magic Republican will not be Scott Brown. Or Lindsey Graham.

The other question is will Ben Nelson or Joe Lieberman, Chris Dodd, or even Kent Conrad ratfuck the leadership.

In the 74th Congress [1934] 71 of the 96 Senators were Democrats. 332 of the 435 Represenatives were Democrats.

FDR had unprecedented congressional strength to muscle his programs into law. Even then, on programs like Social Security, FDR had to make unpricipled compromises to enact into law.

Deb is the resident Blond Bombshell and I’m the resident Blond Bomb Shelter….

Bingo
saw a documentary on all the levies in the country…………INFRAstructure crumbling!!!

The other day I asked my mister if I was boring and he said Never A Dull Moment Deborah.
And, you are too kind.

see levees.org

Jest because Pelosi sez it doesn’t make it so.

I don’t think it’ll be Dodd. Yes, he’s a shill for the financial sector, but I don’t think he’d vote against his caucus on cloture. But Nelson and Lieberman would do it in a heartbeat. Dunno if it’s too soon to start reminding them that they have to run for re-election in 2012.

Conrad, I dunno. I don’t think I remember any cloture threats from him either.

Both biz & commies worked tirelessly for it. For diff reasons, of course, but otherwise it would have failed.

“Just like the New Deal but with less government” may very well be a true statement, it’s just not a very meaningful one.

The other question is will Ben Nelson or Joe Lieberman, Chris Dodd, or even Kent Conrad ratfuck the leadership.

Yes. I can see ALL of them holding out on Warren, UI benefits, just about anything to keep the Bush tax cuts in place for their patrons.

thanks for the plug… err, let me rephrase that.

Stop that! BTW, who watches those stupid prison shows that come on after Rachel on MSNBC?

NPR of all places
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91041006

plenty of New Deal programs could put all Americans back to work
if we had a leader

The “on par” statement is pure bullshit though, unless you’re cynical enough to adopt my suggestion that maybe she was just saying it was on par with minor details of the New Deal, not any of the big stuff. But that would be some pretty dishonest parsing on her part.

This deal is to the New Deal as [insert favorite comparison]:

Bologna is to a Kansas City steak,
David Gregory is to Ed Murrow,
Clarence Thomas is to Thurgood Marshall,
Shrub Bush is to Winston Churchill,

Keep it rolling…

It’s like a steak & potato dinner with just the potato.

Current pop music is to Classic Motown.

Dunno. Not me. :)

(Forgive me if I repeat; I haven’t read the comments.)

According to Yves Smith, the virtue of the 1930s reforms was that they confined fin corps to plain vanilla products (I’d already come to the conclusion that was what was required.) That primarily means less leverage, but also was the notion behind Glass-Steagall, i.e., isolate the risky part, with upfront fees into a handful of investment banks. (Partnership org vs. today’s public corps an important & negative change owing to agency problems.)

In exchange for plain vanilla, fin corps, thru regs, were allowed to earn very high profits. (Economists call this bribery, but are all in favor of it if it contributes to the stability of the economy in excess of the cost of the bribes.) 3-martini lunches, et al. Who gives a ff about those if poor folks aren’t cheated out of their income & homes, etc.

Current finreg bears no relationship to the structure that Yves Smith describes from the 1930s, so expect another debacle within 5-10 years, prolly sooner than later.

Ha! It’s only got the condiments.

Shame on FDR, then, oldgold, … “unprincipled compromises” are … well, compromisably unprincipled, and, if I were you, I’d have nothing to do with the disgusting results.

Which is probably why Obama will do away with the embarrassment of Social Security and wisely invest those monies in warfare, where they may have endless effects and benefits.

What do you think, is Social Security a bastard child which should be driven from the midst of the good and noble company of today’s Dimocrats before it sullies the great and glorious progress which is as “progressive’ as may “succeed in the current political reality”?

DW

See my 68. Was reading until 10 min ago, so catching up.

Did any of ya’ll order the Limited Edition Team Pelosi tote bag, designed by DVF, today? Just stunning…

just the chives and toothpicks made in China

Really dumb of Nancy to say this is on a par with the New Deal. The critters seem to forget that some of us out here in the wilderness do read, listen and understand what is being said and done. It may take a long time but we will win because there are more of us than they could ever have.

Margaret;

You are a pistol.

Of the highest caliber, with the most-accurate of sights.

A total delight.

;~DW

I declined to order it. Sort of made me sick.

Not referring to any of you regulars as elderly or anything for remembering all this history, but I am remembering and rejoicing in having lived during a time that I was able to listen to Dan Schorr, R.I.P. Visited my Mom today, who is in extended care, talked with a local artist who just got his drivers license renewed, age 100, and in a different sort of mood for a Friday.

tee hee

Don’t forget bridges, sewers, dams, roads, water systems, power grid, you name it, it’s old and crumbling:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91041006

Pelousy is as out of touch as elite princePoppy Bush….imo

Hey! I like vanilla. Vanilla ice cream. With nuts and butterscotch Baileys. Oh, damn, now I want some.

Two birds, etc.

I have a girl crush on Peggy. Can you tell?

Wow! Thanks. I like you too. :)

yup ….graded as a D……………..and Europe flourishing

So I guess with the awesomeness, the boldness and the enthusiasm of the ‘New” New Deal…the gutting of SS and Medicare will be crowning jewel of the good ship Lollipop these gracious and humane sociopaths will be flying.

As for me, along with my sweet bride of over 35 years, we could be out on the street, unemployed, retirement money just about gone, with no health care…I don’t find no fuckin humor in that!

Sorry for the bummer, but this shit ain’t cool…

Your mister is wise and very honest, a true, gentle man in the best sense, demi

He is also very lucky.

(Which he knows)

DW

Aww. Stop, you’re embarrassing me. :)

Hmmm….I have some Cherry Garcia in the fridge….

the suffering is deep……sigh

I don’t remember it. My source for commies working for it is Noam Chomsky on democracynow (what else). Can’t remember where I picked up that biz PTB worked for it, but it makes sense. The economy really was falling apart and for a brief, shining moment, interests of both extremes were united.

I’m looking for a book that describes the process, but haven’t come on the one I’m looking for yet. In the meantime, I ‘pologize for jumping to conclusions from snippets.

Pelosi says that the bill was “on a par with some of the measures that were passed at the time of the New Deal to address the Great Depression,”

Great news, Nancy. One trivial little point, however: Define “on a par.”

Mmmmm….More fancy rhetoric with a fraction of the substance, but a whole lot more of the tasty bullshit.

Most women and minorities were excluded from the benefits of unemployment insurance and old age pensions. Job categories that were not covered by the act included workers in agricultural labor, domestic service, government employees, and many teachers, nurses, hospital employees, librarians, and social workers. These jobs were dominated by women and minorities. Exclusions exempted nearly half the working population. Nearly two-thirds of all African Americans in the labor force, 70 to 80% in some areas in the South, and just over half of all women employed were not covered by Social Security. At the time, the NAACP protested the Social Security Act, describing it as “a sieve with holes just big enough for the majority of Negroes to fall through.”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_(United_States

Yes, FDR could throw folks under the bus with the best of them.

Um, don’t want to disillusion you, but plain vanilla does not include nuts, butterscotch, Baileys, etc. Maybe it does include gin on ice cream. *g*

Oh, I see, it’s this eleventh dimensional chess I hear so much about:

Step A – pass crappy laws to allow the economy to re-create 1929,1930,1931,1932, and 1933 – our very own Great Depression!

Step B – and viola! We get a 1934 Congress all over again!

Why, that’s just BRILLIANT!

And we’ve already re-created 1929 and 1930 so all is proceeding as planned.

Nance washes it down with wine from her vinyard

She owns part of Gallo?

See? Extend a girl’s ui, and she goes wild and mad! I’ll be right over with the Baileys.

Probably Two Buck Chuck. :)

Good point. I overlooked that one one.

Ewwww. I’ve never tried that and may have to continue that trend. I might have to run out after dinner for the desert, though. And, here I was going to make sugar free raspberry jello with sugar free vanilla pudding. Hmmm, what should I do? I think we know, don’t we?

Actually the Cherry Garcia has been there for a couple of weeks. I’m ready for the Bailey’s though!

nope ,her own

Sugar free dessert is surely an oxymoron, with emphasis on the moran. Go for it. I’m into the scotch which I was sipping while reading in the gazebo, so I’ll leave the ice cream for future consumption.

on a par = a mulligan

or banannas fried in brown sugar,over vanilla,,,,,,,,,yum

No, it isn’t 11 dimensional chess. I am trying to distinguish myth from reality.

FDR was a politician. A very good one that understood the art and necessity of compromise.

and rum, then you light it. Banannas Foster!

Always plan ahead. Get the dessert first and then the main meal. Works so much better that way.

It’s good with tonic water, if I recall. Kinda like a float.

So can I.

yup
Commanders Palace…NOLA

I think I’ll just crunch it down right out of the carton.

Well, since I quit the gym job, I might have gained a few, so I was trying for good girl dessert.
Regarding the scotch sipping in the gazebo, why I love you. You can be so decadent from time to time. *g*

i always do that……..haha

The Baileys, sillypuss.

I think Obama has confused or conflated “compromise” and “capitulate” though.

I think I have some Bailey’s too but it might be way old. It’s in the back of the fridge.

We have a winner.

http://www.commanderspalace.com/menu/dessert/

scroll down

Those that ignore history get to repeat it – 1934 and all.

Too bad the rest of us are along for the ride.

Just doing my bit to distinguish economic myth from reality.

He “refudiated” us.

Cajole.

Well, it was 1930s, not 2010s, so one might expect that to make a diff. Apparently the intervening almost 80 years makes huge diff; can’t do anything nearly as structurally significant now (see my 68) cause no pol in D.C. is willing to stand up to Wall St.

he just likes the sound of his own voice imo
silver tounged

I thought you were Twain, as in Mark, not Shakespeare, as in William. :)

Decadent on a regular basis. Sip scotch & read in gazebo on every opportunity. Prolly 3-4 dozen evenings/year, but oh what a treat!

Obama’s face photoshopped onto an image of the great FDR is painful even as parody/satire.

And, you listen to la de da music.

and that is why we are doomed

I think Obama has confused or conflated “compromise” and “capitulate bend over and grab the presidential ankles,” though.

Suggested edit.

We have a winner.

Oh goody! What did I win?

M’eh…Too Limbaughish for me….

so true
like Sidartha he spent 10 years in the wilderness,with plain folks of Warm Springs

You betcha!

Oh you betcha. Came in after only the first disc of Orfeus & Eurydice with Anna Moffo. But late enough for reading.

Apologies, but one has to wonder whether a similar gesture was not executed during (for example) the $20B deal-cutting exercise a few weeks back with Tony Hayward. “We know $20B won’t cover the damage, but we’ll spin it good for ya, Tony. Now can you throw some grease on the party wheels for us?”

Ugh! Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings is so stupid and cheesy compared to the books. Why spend all of that money and create such beautiful visuals just to ruin the story?

Yep. Book I’m reading is Road to 9/11. Details powers behind the scene that control what USG does in foreign policy. Same could be detailed for economy as for foreign policy. Both specifically shit on regular folks.

The other question is will Ben Nelson or Joe Lieberman, Chris Dodd, or even Kent Conrad ratfuck the leadership.

Whose turn is it to be the villain?

‘evenin’, all…
No Scotch for the gazebo, but bourbon for the porch swing…and a creeping feeling that Obama will be remembered for the names of his legislation, and not the content…people will be telling my grandkids that Obama was the second coming of FDR.

I agree that there was some major kowtowing going on there but I’ve never thought much of that metaphor is all.

the more i know,the sicker i get, and NSA will keep all the Soylent….Green

You prolly would enjoy a nice massage, too. I’ve got an Herb, Pomegrante and Collagen mask to put on later. (Got it at the 99 cents store.) A girl has to take care of herself.

Eww! Bourbon. Well, I guess nobody’s perfect. Join the party. :)

I will grant you that it is coarse.

Sounds nice.

Also seems like I’ve come to the end of my rope for tonight, so have a grand time all!

Having read the books hundreds of times, I was totally prepared to hate it…but I thought he made it as a labor of love, and in spite of some issues, I thought he did it reasonably well. Much better than we might have gotten:think LOTR produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Michael Bay.

My cat gets very disturbed when I use a mask. She either hates it or want to lick it off. Silly Kuroneko.

here have a Bellini

http://jenniferjeffrey.typepad.com/writer/images/2007/07/22/bellini_2.jpg

Crown Royal and Coke. It’s a weakness…:)

Bee good…nite nite

Netroots Nation should not have invited the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to their gathering. They should have been organizing campaigns against them. Of course, Pelosi is going to say some dumbshit kind of thing. She leads, we advocate. What did you expect?

The casting is great, the visuals are spectacular, I can see why he did some things to advance the plot but a lot of it was just gratuitous and he really should have studied the notes on pronunciation of the Elvish language in the back of Return of the King. I thought he went way over the top embellishing a lot of scenes as well. I own the extended versions of all three movies but I still don’t like what he did with the story.

both millionaire corporatists,out of touch

You come sit by me, honey. ((Ron Dog)) Glad to see you here lately.

Okay. Crown and coke is about the only kind of bourbon drink I can do. More of a vodka or tequila girl myself. :)

Night eCAHN!

Take care. Maybe I’ll see you in the am. 5 am comes too early for me, some mornings.

Think I’m going to take a page from eCAHN and go to bed myself. I have a book waiting to start. Night all! Be good Deb. ;)

nite Meg

Nancy Pelosi is the most distasteful duplicitous phony lying elite suck up that ever walked the planet. I know there are Republicans that serve the elite shamelessly but at least they don’t pretend they are helping the common American while they do it. Nancy Pelosi shamelessly sticks it to Americans and then calls it a great service to them.

One of her best moments was actually thanking the Medical health care industry for the bill they were about to pass while saying “We have listened to the American people” concerning health care, then she thanks the MHI . It didn’t even make sense. People laughed until she went on and realized she meant it because they wrote the bill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9QD1GlWOQQ

I want her gone. She is not serving Americans. She is not a real Democrat. She is a person that serves the elite, then goes out on the podium and acts like she is serving Americans while telling them how she is serving the elite. She IS The Enemy and she plays Americans for drooling fools while she helps serve them up to the Elite.

Running out to get vanilla ice cream and Baileys, then going to watch Brookland’s Finest. Richard Gere, Ethan Hawkes, Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes. All very fine actors. Talk about ooh lah lah. Laters.

I am getting torpedoed with a Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA, about 8 or 9% in it. One is plenty.

Agree it is not as much “change” as the new deal – and indeed is corporate approved in contrast to FDR beating up the corps and rich and passing legislation that hated by them.

However it is the largest by a few magnitudes of the finreg laws passed since the 30′s – has the most new regulation – etc.

Granted the expansion of regulatory oversight simply matches – or better said, tries to match – the expansion in financial “innovations” since the 30′s. Like the Bill Clinton’s 1996 Telecom Reform Act that eliminated major ownership restrictions for radio and television groups and his 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act that was a cave-in to the media companies, but both of which had provisions necessary for economic expansion and internet growth, this Obama FinReg bill is a cave-in, but has provisions that are needed.

But I agree – it is no FDR bill. It is just that Clinton never pretended to be a second coming of FDR – and Obama does pretend to be a change agent like FDR. And Clinton had to get the GOP majority to let whatever good those bills had get through the process – and Obama screws a Democratic majority that often has the votes to do good – filibuster be damned – if Obama would lead.

Tequila is the only thing I still drink straight, and then only on stage…Sleep well…

oh Shirley Temple in the Little Ptincess,yea ill say nite,nite all you good peeps

Tequila is the only thing I still drink straight

Me too. Have a brand new bottle of Patron in the freezer.

Historically cowardice you mean.

(Scooching over next to demi)
It’s been nice to be able to be back. Between school and kids and g’kids and work and…and..and…I hadn’t really been around in a while. Notice some absences as well.

I would call all of this the Old Deal.

Swopa is Up Top! Yes he is, he really is up there!

My anthro prof way back turned me on to a great tequila-Tres Generacions.. Excellent, very smooth. Many happy nights, sitting around a fire drinking with Stew. Good times.

Raw Deal?

sadlyyes…

for you and the gang!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNwFXLcrsbc&feature=related

“Yes, FDR could throw folks under the bus with the best of them”

You are talking about a time when women had just recently been allowed to vote and all the civil rights acts of the 60s hadn’t happened yet. The only way I could see your point as relevant would be if you are equating average people with Jim Crowe era minorites in the South, however, I would agree with Obama corporatism that is increasingly becoming true where he’s working for the rich at the expense of everyone else so that if you’re making less than $250K per year, you’re a second class citizen.

Spanishinqisition:

Ever hear about FDR auhorizng the internment Japanese-Americans?

Ever hear about FDR attempting to eviscerate the 3rd Article of the Constituttion?

I think well of FDR, but this half-assed mythology some here have bought into is a bit much.

Just wait until you see what they pull on us with the Fiscal Commission (Cat Food Commission) after the elections. They are going to cut Social Security, Medicaire and Medicaid with the lame duck Congress. This commission appointed by this President right after he came into office.

Bunaise, your cheeky wisecracks are an asset we all enjoy to the maximus.

;~DW

God this is depressing. Next time I vote, I think I’ll just skip the “choices” on the ballot and write in “metaphorical rape”.

I can’t help but agree with this. Lincoln, Wilson, and FDR are all mythologies I approach with a heavy sense of skepticism.

FDR certainly presided over many great things, but the means to do so still concerns me, even irrespective of the quite horrible things he presided over as well. We talk about the power of the bully-pulpit, and it’s true. The President, today, has quite a bit of political power, and obviously I’d rather that power be used for ends that I find favorable for myself and for the country. However, that reality concerns me greatly, because just as was the case with FDR, what that means is that we’re clamoring for the friendliest soft-dictator to manage our needs and desires. The 1930′s brought about the heavy hand of fascism to the Western World, but it wasn’t limited to Germany, Italy, Spain, etc. The UK and the US experienced it too, we were just lucky enough to get friendlier fascists.

Some of that language is probably too harsh a descriptor, or too conclusive, but I’m at a lack for terms to succinctly describe the subtleties.

“Half-assed Deal” is about right. All this angst and smoke and mirrors to really rectify a couple little problems (and it’s not Glass-Steagall although I agree restoring that is a priority). Number one would be amending that part of the National Bank Act, 12 USC sec. 85, which allows national banks to charge the same rate of interest of the state with the highest rate of interest.

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=search&court=US&case=/us/439/299.html

There are other “deregulatory” statutes which should be repealed, but it all comes down to this: state laws which have traditionally established usury limits and regulations are a dead letter. Because of the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution which invalidates states laws which conflict with Acts of Congress. Most of the crappy late fee and other fee BS that are foisted on depositors would be usurious if traditional, historical state usury laws would be put back into effect. So would many of the mortgage foreclosures which have stultified the economy. Solution: Congress needs to repeal lot of shitty laws.

I am not mythologizing FDR as I think he did some pretty awful things, but just because FDR did awful things, it doesn’t mean he also didn’t bring a lot of “change.” The problem I am having is with Obama’s actions being trumpeted up as being so great and grand, when they are not. Both HIR and FinReg have entrenched the bad parts of the status quo so it will be even harder bringing real change in the future. With your example with SS, those who were excluded didn’t have to pay for those who were included (which it is bad that certain groups were excluded but they didn’t get stuck with the bill at the same time), but Obama is hurting the middle class to the benefit of the rich.

LOL, “The Poo Deal.”

Nancy Pelosi’s comment should be put in a jar with some ether, to preserve it as one of the most perfect specimens of her STOOPID,substance free pandering to both sides,that ive ever heard out of her. And she says something like that almost every time she opens her mouth in front of a microphone.

He hasn’t earned that look of confidence.

Pelosi has been a good Speaker. Did you prefer Foley? Wright? Albert?

Who was the speaker when Bush pushed through his horrid tax cuts and his psychotic wars? Dennis Hastert from my old district in Illinois I think. What we want is results.

~~~link repaired~~~

Good point. I adore Rachel, but I don’t get it when she heads off on a tack like she did tonight. Wondering about the “Obama Paradox” . . . why, when he’s achieved all of these “landmark” initiatives, are his poll numbers so low?

Well, duh, Rachel. Putting the best face on it, they’re half measures. And lots of folks on the left understand that and have jumped off his bandwagon.

Rachel is smarter than that, and more principled. You really think it can be explained by WH invitations? (I’m asking, not being a smart ass.)

reddflagg:

Pelosi has gotten results in the House.

And, Hastert had the title of Speaker, but that was about it.

I just don’t see it, same with Obama. Back to the original point, baking a rock and calling it a cake doesn’t mean you have accomplished baking a cake. And if you tell your kid on his birthday that he should be happy with the rock his reaction will be the same as many of us have had to Pelosi and Obama’s half-baked “health care reform”.

You know, that photo of F/ODR looks creepier every time I see it.

UPDATE: But it’s the perfect image for “The Half-Assed Deal”.

Democrats – we gave Wall St the Treasury, but we’re going to need your Social Security to pay for it.

Damn, that’s good. I think we need bumper stickers and t-shirts.

it’s hard to believe Rachel could sell out for access after all the stuff she’s done in exposing the bs. but weirder things have happened. lol. some people choose to think the Party is enough. watching Obama sell Americans down the river like Bush, it is possible to realize Rachel sees what she wants.

sad, but power is the ultimate drug for these people. they sell themselves and us out for more.

I have a suggestion for the Book Salon. Any decent history of 20th century American politics. Cripes!

Maybe another one could be:

Democrats — Wellpoint or the IRS. It’s your choice.

there can’t be harsh enough criticism on Obama for being Bush in the Democrat format, especially when he is as good as Bush. or even better. Stealing Social Security has been a long time Republican desire. that Obama will get this Mission Accomplished, this time, should rank him up there with Cheney Rove and Atwater. Obama will have a really big notch in his belt to show those uppity white Elites who’s who. after all they couldn’t steal Social Security, even with ST. RONNIE on their side!!

now that ought to buy him into the “Club” Versailles! you think!!

Yes,I do OutWest.

Remember the endless critisms of bad Govt during GWBush’s time by Rachel & Keith ?

Most of their criticisms were valid….they were appalled how an American Prez can enact or try to pursue such policies…..I agreed with Rachel & Keith at that time……But for the most part those same policies are still in effect and Rachel & Keith are silent…..even boosting the WH.
Quiet cuz their friendship with WH staff is more important than being critical of bad policies.

Shameful,I hardly watch their shows anymore cuz it’s mostly bull…..Olberman had Sen Whitehouse on his program a few weeks ago to tell us how wonderful the Financial Reform bill was…..Olberman didn’t bring a Wall Street consumer advocate, he brought a Senator….so it’s almost like an infomercial.

That one pretty much sums it up. Sad, ain’t it?

Sad, creepy, insidious.

beleck

“power” the access to the Prez of the USA.You hit the nail on the head.

Go take a look at Rachel’s interview with Treasury Secretary Geithner.
And you will see what I am talking about.It was like 2 friends just chatting,laughing & having a good time.

Thanks Eli. I hope you like your Republican majorities! That will really solve the gridlock problem! Not that it matters, things are EXACTLY the same as they were under Bush.

This White House and congress are under the impression that if you enact legislation with names that give the impression of “sweeping reforms”, then the public should shower them with praise as if the legislation actually contained such reforms.

‘Scuse me while I puke Madame Speaker. Any comparison of the legislation you’ve passed to FDR’s New Deal is barfable.

Economic recovery? Turd sized stimulus to keep states afloat for a year or so when way more was needed; a third of it pissed away in ineffective tax cuts to please hateful assholes who didn’t for vote for it anyway. Now that you realize it wasn’t enough, you’re too scared to do anything for fear of losing YOUR job in an election year.

Health care? Fascist mandate to pay greedy corporate pigs for over-priced, limited insurance coverage or directly to the fascist state itself – for nothing.

Financial reform? Institutionalization of ‘too big to fail’ banks and greater authority for their lackeys at the Fed or Treasury to bail them when they do – with no need for Congressional approval next time.

No ma’am, Roosevelt knew the greedy rich weren’t going to invest or spend their money to help the economy, so he used the government to revive it and directly employed the people in building public works – all the way through WWII.

Your crowd has been kissing big business’s ass so long you couldn’t cross them if you wanted to. So stop comparing your corporatist laws with the progressive New Deal. Your Screwed Deal is nothing like the New Deal.

As one last pathetic appeasement to the right she had to throw in ” with less government “. Ahhh, it’s just like Bush lite but ” less filling “.

Excellent slogans, GlenJo! The “fucking r*t**d*ed” one has the right sentiment. I just wish Rahm had called us “fucking assholes” instead, so that slogan could be used! Otherwise, you should print up signs next time your favorite Democrat holds a town hall meeting.

Nailed it.

You are right on track with your observations. They both have become so lame.

“Pelosi has gotten results in the House.”

Yes, WellPoint must be thrilled. However, just because you get results, it doesn’t mean you get good results.

And we’ve already re-created 1929 and 1930 so all is proceeding as planned

Yeah, so far it’s been shades of Hoover rather than FDR.

Of course, the Wallstreet plan was to put a real fascist like Al Smith in the Whitehouse in 1933.

Al Smith, who had been the 1928 Presidential candidate for the Dems. Smith went on the help create the American Liberty League to fight against the New Deal. Despite it’s name, the American Liberty League was funded by Du Pont, Chase Bank, Standard Oil, US Steel, GM… it was the corporatocracy/Wallstreet.

I for one am sick of politicians saying this do-nothing legislation is the best we can get. If it was, the New Deal and Progressive era reforms never would have happened, nor would the strides made during the Civil Rights era have been achieved. No more lame excuses for why they refuse to do their jobs.

What it all boils down to is that both the Democrats and the GOP have long been bought out by Wall Street, the War Chest, and the huge corporations. How can we really expect reform if we vote for either of these “choices”? We can’t.

It’s not only politicians who say that. My white liberal friends and neighbors are also parroting that line.

Tell ya what, I’ll do a book review on Nick Taylor’s book on the history of the WPA. There was no shortage of American politics in the history of the WPA.

American-Made: The Enduring Legacy of the WPA

Maybe could even get Nick Taylor on for a book salon.

I think that some folks just don’t realize that the WPA supported over 8 million American families thru extremely difficult times. And every last nickel and dime that could be squeezed out of Congress was fought over.

FDR is revered not because he was perfect, not because he fixed the country overnight(it actually took a long time). FDR is revered because he took his commitment to the general welfare seriously and worked hard to make the everyday lives of American citizens managable.

Dunno. I lost track of the batting order.

What a crappy job of photoshopping that picture. A baby could see the mistakes.