Yeah, even though those Republican policies have long been proven not to work… it’s pretty hard to educate a born-again Conservative.

Beautifully constructed article, David. It’s definitely a keeper. Many thanks.

A few related eports from around the ‘net:

Behind Michigan’s “Financial Martial Law”: Corporations and Right-Wing Billionaires [including Kochs] from Mother Jones

“The Mackinac Center’s is a fervent advocate of privatization—its scholars support outsourcing everything from public school districts to Amtrak to state prisons—and backs anti-union legislation for Michigan.” LINK.

The Rightwing Koch Brothers Fund the DLC LINK.

You have two seconds to say who the 2 dissenters were:

[USSC] Justices Back Employee In Wage Complaint Case

“Workers who complain to their employers about wage violations are protected from retaliation whether the complaints are oral or written, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday in a 6-to-2 decision.” LINK.

Republicans love Fossil Fuels. They will do anything to please fossil fuel industry lobbyists. Killing rail – mass transit – will keep people burning gasoline. Republicans love insurance companies. Killing mass transit keeps people paying for auto insurance.

They hate Green energy.

To be fair, Democrats also suck.

The teaparty Kooks are causing major harm to each state they control. Only a very few jobs are popping up and the ones that are will be undercut by this insanity.

To be fair? Heck, they suck more right now. I don’t see any of them standing up for citizens aside from Bernie Sanders and that little man is getting no support from within.

These are Republicans who are doing this. Let’s not let them off the hook. It is the result of many many years of planning to undo workers’ rights and the middle class. The Tea Party boobs are only their enablers.

Robert Reich on one of the MSNBC programs was powerful in his demands for Obama (by name) and the Democrats to stop trying to be more Republican than Republicans. I also heard Ed Rendell say something similar a time or two. Not enough but maybe a beginning.

The Republican Party is a national security risk.

{Echo} Democrats suck, too.

Hurting the WI economy is a small price to pay for helping destroy unions.

It’s not just conservatives that it’s hard to educate. Their discredited trickle down, Randian theories have now become the “conventional wisdom”, because they are good for the people with the money and the people with the money control the message.

Do you think Obama and the Dems will pay more attention to those two than they do to us?

I think they are too busy looking for campaign support than doing what they are suppose to do.

And the media are trying to be more like Fox News too. Fox sets the “conversation” agenda, and they say OK let’s talk a lot about what Fox talks about.

I’ve just gotten my computer cleaned. I got a virus Sunday evening or Monday morning. The computer guy told me it was probably an attack from here, FDL. Not sure if he knows what he’s saying, but just in case I want my Pups to know that somebody is attacking the site.

As knowledge workers are replaced by technology or outsourcing, they will look back and realize the destruction of the unions (succeeding) was Act I. Their displacement will be Act II.

“Keep in mind that this is going on during a period of relatively decent job growth in the rest of the country.”

Sorry, huh? Good article until that point. Teapartiers are clinically insane to the point of being downright dangerous. The reason these idiots were elected is because the republicans have become so fragmented that they are now anti republican republicans which are what tea partiers are considered. Theyre even more insane then libertarians. Their supporters are also seriously stupid because if you follow any of their logic it really doesnt go anywhere.

I am not holding my breath but at least some people who have access to media are being more explicit and one can hop.

A couple of weeks ago, my computer was being attacked when I refreshed the page. I thought I had solved the problem by installing a firefox update but just now, as soon as I came to this thread, my Norton pop up box appeared again, telling me my computer had just been attacked.

relatively decent job growth in the rest of the country

Baloney.

Right? Relative to what? 2009? That’s an extremely low bar.

Hey, what if we can get them and others like them on 24/7 to say the same things? Either that or we are going to have overwhelm them with calls and letters about jobs and economic growth.

The reason these idiots were elected is because the republicans have become so fragmented that they are now anti republican republicans

I respectfully disagree. The GOP has had this agenda since the New Deal.

They are no different now than they were in 1930. The fact that they have been willing to engage the clinically insane for votes is not enough to let them off the hook.

Heh. My computer got attacked a couple of weeks ago. Seemed to come thru aol, but who the heck knows.

Hang on to that hope. :-) I am with you.

Yeah, mine too. Well the malware and virus protection told me. You think I should send a note to the higher ups? It may be the HB Gary Crew or other ex-military ops using military crap on us here in America.

Who knows what it is? I think it may be associated with an ad.

I remember, friend. I immediately thought of you. Thank goodness the man is a friend, otherwise I would never have been able to get it fixed!

aol is like that but I’ve never used it on this computer.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately of the Obama campaign. The things I remember the most about those days are John Edwards talking about the two Americas. If he had been able to keep his dipstick in the right resevoir he would have been a hell of a lot better than what we got.

I’ve been thinking about that too.

However, if Edwards had won, he would have fallen prey to the forces we are observing anyhow. The way he handled his affair showed how morally weak he was.

Even if that situation hadnt happened Edwards never would have won the nomination. Americans are simply too stupid and too brainwashed and programmed to vote for the corporatists. With all the crap thats happened over the past 10 years how many people continue to believe the same policies need ot continue as anything else is socialism?

The other problem with Edwards is that he was and is wealthy. I forget how much hes worth but that became an issue during his campaign. Because theres the entrenched idea that liberals are anti wealth. So the idea that he was wealthy and yet for working people just didnt compute.

Yep. I think he was totally unprepared for the snakes and roaches that crawl around in the dark. In fact, his own mistress was trying to play gotcha with him.

and from First-draft.com:
Now, a group of House Republicans is launching a new stealth attack against union workers. GOP Reps. Jim Jordan (OH), Tim Scott (SC), Scott Garrett (NJ), Dan Burton (IN), and Louie Gohmert (TX) have introduced H.R. 1135, which states that it is designed to “provide information on total spending on means-tested welfare programs, to provide additional work requirements, and to provide an overall spending limit on means-tested welfare programs.”

Much of the bill is based upon verifying that those who receive food stamps benefits are meeting the federal requirements for doing so. However, one section buried deep within the bill adds a startling new requirement. The bill, if passed, would actually cut off all food stamp benefits to any family where one adult member is engaging in a strike against an employer.

These are the actions of an elite who do not care what happens to anyone in the bottom 98% of the income distribution. We are ruled by cruel and stupid people who are dangerous radicals bent on delivering the wealth of the entire country to those already at the top of the income distribution.

and this isn’t about unions big time?

What an epitaph for the country: “Ruined due to the inability to keep a penis in it’s pants”.

The GOP attack of him going after corporations and being one of those nasty corporate lawyers drug him down bad. Let’s not forget that the media totally blacked him out until they were forced to show him in the debates.

Like I said, if he had not ran around on a dying wife he might have been better than the Obama Rama we are living through.

PeasantParty,

Even if John Edwards kept his dipstick in a safe place, he’d still be a cad and dipwad. We’re lucky he never became preznit.

But more to the point: Who would make a good President? I mean, who would willingly give up the powers of a unitary executive? Dismantle the national security state? Restore checks and balances?

I just don’t see it. No matter who’s elected Chief Magistrate.

I think he was not that wealthy, in the sense of hedge funds, Wall St. and his money came from defending class actions against large corps. So his bona fides were not suspicious on the surface. My problem is that it would have taken lot more money than he or trial lawyers/unions have & thus he would have caved.

Ha! It’s the Clenis!!!!

I got a securiey alert while watching the livestreaming of the Bradley Manning protest.

Hmm… our DOD in action against us dfh’s whom they seem to fear so much.

As well they should!

I know a great deal of people that would make excellent leaders for this country. The problem is that they are not billionaires. They are regular decent, hard working, patriotic people.

A regular non-crazed person can’t be President.

Well i started liking him a bit late. I dont remember who i was into beforehand. Actually nobody i think. But when Edwards started talking about his ideals and they explained where he got his “wealth” i started taking a shine to him. But he was not put in a good light in genral by the press as was mentioned so it was obvious he had no chance. In teh same way i doubt Al Gore would have a chance.

This goes into the issue that personally im becoming more cynical about the chances this country has for recovering. And no i dont mean the deficit.

We are not supposed to be attacked in that manner. Guess I’ll have to call up the cousin at the Pentagon and have him find out.

I guess I owe you a beverage of your choice.

I don’t wanna go all tinfoil but the HBGary shit is freaky.

The problem with that idea is once the money and power would be offered to them they probably would forget about their roots. Which is why the dems have become so horrible. They used to be for the people or something like that but then power got to their heads and they became worse then repubs. We need a SERIOUSLY strong leader that somehow wont be influenced or as influenced by all of that power and money. At one time my hope was somewhat with Howard Dean but hes ended up becoming completely corrupt and a dem power whore instead. Some of the things hes said over the past 6 months or so have been completely bizarre.

Yeah. The Corps hated him and the righties were afraid of him. Oh well, maybe someday there will be someone that can do the job right.

That’s the Twooph! I’ll take a vodka and cranberry tonight.

Oh, the other thing in your comment I meant to respond to is your denigration of the U.S. public as “too stupid, brainwashed & programmed.” If you believe that, why bother with 3d party, your screen name?

I happen to disagree with you on that. Despite all the pressure & propaganda that economically & emotionally stressed 4-5 jobs/hh are subjected to, the majority still support the kinds of policies we advance at FDL.

Besides I find such name calling repulsive on first principles. It is the kind of attitude that not only prevents progressives from allying with one of our key body of supporters, it is a form of intellectual superiority and blame-the-victim that is more than counterproductive for people on our side.

I was an early Edwards supporter and caucused for him in Iowa.

I liked his ‘fighting for the little guy populism’ but down he went.

Agreed! I thought I would flip outta the chair when he said Obama should not be primaried. Sheesh! Evidently he is not seeing what is actually going on in this country.

Indeed. I’ve suggested there might be a Black Swan moment. Although the monied/corporatist interests have completely bought the two-party system, perhaps it’s time for something totally different.

Cheers,

And a pleasant goodnight to all.

Yes in polls they support the policies. But in the end they still vote for the same people over and over and over and over again and expect something different to happen. Sorry but thats stupidity. Or insanity. And i personally believe americans are some of the dumbest people on planet earth because they blithely allow their leaders to commit crimes openly and do nothing at all about it. Oh occasionally they do a little. But in the end its still very little and nothing will change here.

My screen name is completely tongue in cheek. I coudnt think of anything better.

We all want something different, but we have to be real and understand that a divergence from the DEM and Repug at this time will never fly with the majority of voters. They’ve been through hell and back the past 15 years and will be too timid to vote for something outside the norm.

And Nadar, don’t get me started.

Salute! Goodnight.

People have been outraged, they’ve shown their discontent at the polls as well. It doesn’t register with the DC heads.

Sorry but thats stupidity.

Not at all.

Lack of choice.

And low voter turnout is additional evidence of lack of choice.

But again how many people will vote for Obama and the dems. And the repubs? Sure they may pretend to be angry but we’re so caught up in the two party system that people will just vote for them again. Hence my screen name.

Even on this site i see this. For a time there was talk about running someone against Obama. How quickly did that die? Sure people on this site get pissed but seriously thats about all that happened. Im using this site more just for news and analysis then anything else. And you think the corporatists give a crap? Seriously they care about their masters thats it. Harry Reid even said as much and yet liberals still vote for him. Whats up with that?

Sure its lack of choice. Of course. But maybe if people demanded a choice that would change. Maybe if people demanded from their elected offiacals that they do their job and give them the boot when they dont maybe things would change.

For example why havent liberals called for Obamas impeachment? I simply dont understand this at all. Instead they act like deer caught in headlights. Not really sure what to do with a “dem” thats one of the worst presidents in history. If this was a republican they wouldnt screaming for it. And yet they do nothing.

This is a great article, David.

Conservatives who are not part of the richest 1% of American society should realize that the Republican Party, the Tea Party, and the right-wing in general are NOT “pro-business”. The right-wing is anti-business and anti-job creation. The right-wing presently is promoting crony capitalism / fascism — policies that kill job creation, lead to job loss, and stifle small business establishment and expansion. The right-wing promotes NOTHING other than the upward suction of money and wealth to the richest 1% who OWN and CONTROL the Republican Party and the center-right wing of the Democratic Party.

I keep hoping that someone will come up with a viable plan to save this country but a system based on compromise and deal making seems destined to fail in the long run.

Maybe if people demanded

How should that be done.

Happened to me, too. norton stopped the virus, though.

I feel the dems have had to go more and more to corporate to get campaign money. Then when they get elected, owe them favors.
We need campaign finance reform to get big money out of elections.

Scooter has to go as he has shown to be a reverse robin hood. This sheriff of fitzwalkerstan has displayed no interest in bargaining in good faith, compromising, or negotiating—he said so. He is deceitful and beholden to special interests—shown in prank call from koch. His brand of leadership is out of step with Wisconsin. No bid sale of state utilities—smells of bush/cheny. He has lost creditability. He should RESIGN and spare the state a costly recall election. After all, we can’t afford it as he said “we are BROKE”!!

scooter, your brand of insanity, of sucker punching, is going to end in 9-10 months. Starting April 5, PROSSER, your other clones, then YOU, and finally the fitzys, one by one, are going to be swept out like the dirt on the floor you are and onto an awaiting kochroach bus and taken to Nevada where they store toxic waste. Then the naïve that voted for you will be saved from their ignorance.

Those that support/voted for scooter are what chicken is to KFC!

UNITED we stand—divided we BEG

I added WI to my Red State shitlist, right after AZ, until they throw both Walker and his merry band of Rebaggers in their Legislature out of office thru recalls. Everyone should buy OR cheese or some cheese from other States/

You know, New York and Vermont (both very blue states) make excellent cheese. And if you want to boycott WI cheese, don’t buy Sargento packaged cheeses. Just sayin’.

FDR was very wealthy, and very liberal. People need to have it pounded in them that wealth is not a restriction to being a liberal. Beliefs, empathy and attitude are more critical indicators. Not all of us are Jesus and wear hair shirts!

Even if Edwards kept his dipstick in I agree he would not have won, but he would have had a much greater voice in todays politics. Oh well. That’s another thing we have to pound in people–what’s worse, screwing around with another or screwing people in general, and are you a hypocrite while doing so? Edwards wasn’t as I don’t recall him preaching “family values”. Newt, and almost every republican, on the other hand…

Scott Walker for President!!! I think he is the one, the “Neo” to wake the somnambulant public from their stupor. Anything else will simply be a smooth servant of the oligarchy; like Obama. Useless and dangerous. We need real shock therapy while we still have the idea of Democracy left, like Wisconsin had done to them. Whether we can exercise that will depend on how many get woken up. .

Business was hurt in Arizona, but the private prisons were helped and the wealthy were happy. Until the citizens in the states being destroyed by the Republicans throw out the bums, they will be living in the equivalent of a gated community run by multi-national corporations.