Remember the good ol’ days when the suave young dude was going to come in and really shake things up at the White House? Seems like only yesterday…or 2008.

Welcome to the ranks of the dumb rubes, Obama voters.

The power of contractors is also a big reason why Pentagon budgets are so bloated.

And the Republicans for whom you shill are soooo much better. Not.

Don’t know what the President is thinking with moves like this.

To say that his message in this area is inconsistent is an understatement.

Republicans and LGBT rights? Contradiction in words.

Yeah right,,,,,,give me Romney, De Mint…Allen West…Michelle Bachman….

When the “good guys” start wearing black hats, you don’t know who to shoot at.

“The strongly Democratic Congress from 2009-2010 never got around to it.”

Good one, DD. ;o)

Obama never fails to prove whose agenda he supports, does he? Cold comfort, they call that sort of consistency.

Pish and tosh, Dave. And shame on you for dissing our brave, courageous, preznint, especially when you can follow the lead of some of the other threaders here, and dig up the most outrageous anal-speak from some idjit republican, to cover his ass yet again.

Seriously, a big pat on the back, for not ignoring Obama’s dropping yet another turd in the liberal punchbowl.

I’ll be waiting for Pam Spaulding’s commentary on this. (but not holding my breath…)

As for voting for Obama, I did, and I’m not the least bit ashamed of it. The alternatives were an unabashed bush clone, in John McCain, or a “savvy” HIllary Clinton who thought she could lick rightwing ass all the way to the White House. At least Obama gave progressives some momentary hope, along with more motivation than any democratic candidate in a long time. That he waited until he got in office to start selling us out, is disgusting, but a lot of the people who supported him are still going to be heard from, and we won’t be waving the “Obama sucks less!” pom-pons.

Speaking of that:

Phoenix Woman: “the power of contractors is also a big reason why pentagon budgets are so bloated.”

Which sentence is totally irrelevant to the fact that, as Dave points out, Barack Obama is doing so much to sustain that power…

but thanks for the herring drag; we NEVER see any of that, these days on FDL.

The idea that the congress is supposed to provide the leadership for this, I have to say, is just exculpatory nonsense for Obama.

It posits that all Barack Obama was responsible for was routing the republicans in the General in 2008, and after that, an overwhelmingly democratic congress would take the progressive bit in it’s teeth and run with it, with no prodding or leadership from Obama. I hope no one here is subscribing to that bullshit.

Classic Obummer move, probably calculating:
‘Where are the LGBT voters going to go?’
Anyone who supports LGBT equal rights should
vote third party and not reward this craven
administration. Yes we can!

You’re three times more likely to be harassed or discriminated against if you’re “out” at work.

Fierce advocate. Heh.

“The LGBT community acted very forcefully when denied equality previously, I expect them to do so again.”

Hammer-nail-bang!

Ms. Spaulding, can you drop the “Obama sucks less!” threading, long enough to give Mr. Bipartisan a tiny little goose in the ass?

To me, the most interesting question raised by this “news” is whether it will motivate any Obamabots to reconsider their slavish LOTE mentality. Not holding my breath . . .

Obama, Zero, is the lesser of 2 evils. That’s good enough for most Americans.

??

Potential LGBT donors to President Sellout –
please withhold your funds. Do not enable this nonsense.
Have some ‘pride’, please.

NYC: true.

Except, I’d change one word:

“Where are the PROGRESSIVE voters going to go?”

We might just sit at home…and use this election to demonstrate what happens when a democratic candidate can appeal to enough voters to double the republican electoral vote and come in with big majorities in both houses and a huge mandate for real change, and then proceeds to piss it all down the political urinal while doing wondrous rehab on the GOP.
That might be Obama’s highest value to us; to shitcan him and let the repubs take back the crap that he has done so little to change.

There’s a long time until November, but I see no chance for Obama’s coattails to look good enough to re-take the house, and to hang on to the Senate, he’ll need the same swing states that he got in 2008. I wouldn’t bet a plugged nickel on that happening.

Put it like this: he came in with a chance to make real progress in reducing the corporate stranglehold that we’re enduring. He had the emotional connection with the voters, and he had the congressional tools, and, whether from corruption or stupidity, he has utterly screwed the pooch. If the democrats do manage to keep the Senate, is Obama going to miraculously discover his inner political courage? And if he does, what can he do, with the republicans holding the purse strings, and with a Senate that’s full of blue dogs?

“that’s good enough for most americans…”

You mean like in the mid-terms?

It’s true.

Little difference, if any, between the dead-enders that blindly supported GWB and the Obamabots that slavishly follow Mr. Bipartisan. Support your team no matter what.

Good catch (re: PROGRESSIVE voters).

Agreed. As a progressive voter there is
no way I will reward this administration’s behavior.
I’d rather write off this election than participate
in the further hollowing out of this so-called
democracy by this con man (his enablers) and LOTE-ism.
But I will vote third party as a protest vote.

I’m just wondering why you brought it up in the context of this conversation.

Been saying that to some of my liberal buds, for a while now.

“My mind’s made up; don’t confuse me with facts.”

Is at least as dangerous coming from democrats, as it is from republicans.

And Obama in the WH instead of a Republican is going to be different how? Obama is the lesser of two evils in what way?

and the “liberals” were the ones that were supposed to be able to think for themselves. Americans don’t want to think and consequently “democracy” doesn’t have long in the good ole USA.

I just followed the links above and found it right there on the front page of the study.

http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Sears-Mallory-Discrimination-July-20111.pdf

answer: Obummer is better at neutering the Democrats.

I suspect that the US never had democracy to begin with. The kind most of us imagine only exists in civics textbooks. If it did exist, it was gone a long time ago thanks to rapacious capitalism, public education and the television. Stick a fork in it already.

Remember Obama wants to be the $1 Billion Dollar Candidate for re-election, so he’s open for business!

But how is that relevant to Obama refusing to require federal contractors to not discriminate against LGBT empoyees?

“The only plausible explanation I’ve heard from the White House is that they want something lasting, rather than an executive order that can be repealed.”

“Plausible” is not the word that comes to mind for me. “Complete and utter lying laughable bullshit” seems closer to reality based on his past actions.

That’s exactly what Rafe admitted to in welcoming Obama voters to the “ranks of the dumb rubes”–as opposed to the smart ones. As an apparently seasoned veteran of those ranks, Obama voters stand to gain much from his wisdom.

Nation_of_wimps_deserve_to_be_taken_over_by_fascists
_
I_can’t_give_these_homos_their_spines____they’re_gonna_hafta_get_their_wussie_asses
_into_the_streets_themselves
_
I_live_in_San_Francisco___tell_the_gays_here_to_do_anything_other_than_whine_and_dress
_up_for_another_Aids_fundraiser_and_they_look_at_you_like_you’re_from_Mars
_
Slap_a_rainbow_flag_on_a_beer_can_and_they’re_yours_to_betray___
_
Enough_pearl-clutching___Obama_HATES_you___Waddaya_gonna_do_about_it___

“…is going to be different, how?”

Otto, can I take a shot at that, sorta kinda? Thanks. :o)

I’ve been thinking about this. Here’s what I come up with.

If Obama wins, he MIGHT hang on to the Senate but I see no chance for him to take the House. That means that even if he wanted to bring up some real reform measures (and so far, his “desire” to do that has been almost non-existent…) he would be hamstrung. He just doesn’t want to rock the boat. For whatever reason, a purposeful sellout, or political cowardice and stupidity, he hasn’t taken one substantial political risk by leading us toward the changes that have to come if we’re going to put the brakes on this corporate reich that’s taking control of the country.

It’s still happening on his watch. It’s not a big stretch to say that he’s been a godsend for the GOP. So many of bush’ s policies are still in place, and they just don’t work, for most of us. But the republicans can shreik “socialism” as Obama does almost nothing to change things, and in fact, as he, himself, has said, his priority is to NOT scare Wall Street, and the sweet irony for them is that they’re shrieking it at a democrat who’s protected most of the 10 commandments of corporate greed. And the result of that, Romney is going to CAMPAIGN on! It’s just crazy, and Obama, by his near-total absence from the “pulpit” has ceded it to them. I think it’s too late (see the mid-terms) for him to get it back. He’s nothing but a caretaker president, and if anyone on here thinks he can be anything more than that with another 4 years, please tell us how he’s going to do it. Another term of political “drift” will let the GOP go into 2016 with every chance of getting a political tsunami that will equal if not eclipse, Reagans’ big wins, and to far worse purposes.

Short-term, Romney may well be worse. Probably will, since if he wins, the repubs will almost certainly re-take the Senate. He might “do” Iran…of course, Obama’s saber-rattling every bit as well as Bush did. But the greed-based policies are failing, and if they fail; if there’s a collapse, I want there to be a Hoover in office to point to, not a democrat. And I think that without radical changes in the role of government relative to corporate power, I think they WILL fail.

I think the bottom line is this: Obama is sustaining the republican ethic of “What’s good for corporate amurka is good for amurka”. It won’t work; poor and middle-class americans are tapped out. No help can come from anywhere but the government, and again, Obama’s not willing to do that, and with the current congress and the likely one, even if he wins, no FDR-style programs will pass the republican House.

The idea of rewarding him is repugnant to me. He’s been a horrible president, for the simple reason that he inherited an “either/or” situation. Either he immediately went to bat against the republican policies and mistakes, and the people who implemented them, or they would eat him alive. He went “bipartisan” and they have eaten him alive. I will be sad if Romney wins the White House, but playing frantic “defense” for Obama, right now, just isn’t in me. I honestly don’t know what I’ll do.

“Obama’s better at neutering the democrats.”

Unfortunately, I think NYC’s got it right on that most-important fact.

Good lord, the political horseshit is getting deep. Let’s see, if my calculations are correct, the first term ended and the campaign started about 6 months to a year ago (or maybe the campaign never ended?)

“Over the past couple weeks, not one but two potential restrictions on them have been lifted.” I would include another I saw in Monday’s WaPo (4/9/12 p.A10):
“U.S. to allow larger companies to qualify as small businesses”. Obviously, this does not support small businesses.

I would be up in arms about this latest outrage from our current president regarding this LGBT discrimination issue, but I’m tired of being jerked around by the latest headline.

Everything in the media is beginning to feel like a big campaign marketing/PR/propaganda/BS shell game to me. “Look at this, look at this, look at this… here’s the issue right here” then the next day, “stop looking at this, now look at that…” My, my, how easily distracted we are.
Whether with the divisions of gay rights issues, women’s issues, birth control, abortions, religion, the environment, labor, jobs, small business big business, health care, fear of terrorism, fear of everything… we are being manipulated, jerked around and distracted in more ways than you can shake a stick at.

And what we do get from our current president?

“While it is not our usual practice to discuss Executive Orders that may or may not be under consideration, we do not expect that an Executive Order on LGBT non-discrimination for federal contractors will be issued at this time,”

I may be wrong, but it feels like the psychological equivalent of the “good cop, bad cop” routine that they seem to be laying on everybody. It may be subtle, but I think the insinuation may be there: “if the gay community supports my campaign I can help you, if not well…?” And this seems to be the game they play with everybody, from big business issues, to minority issues, to women’s issues… And perhaps, not long before the election, they will allow some key “victories” regarding some of them. While all the time giving a wink and a nod to big business. Kabuki and a half.

Playing both sides against the middle. Or all sides against all other sides.

I wish I understood all the ways we are all influenced and manipulated by the corporations, the corporate media, and our political parties. And I wish I could communicate them better.

Look over here! The issue is the way we are being influenced and jerked around, and distracted, and divided (by marketers, the corporate media and our political parties)to the point where can no longer focus on the most pressing problems we face, the environment, sustainability, a just and fair economy, a just and fair judicial system, civil liberties…

The issue is that our government is literally controlled by multinational corporate interests that don’t give a shit (other than a little green washing etc… lip service) about our country or our people. Only profit and power.

Hoover is in office, and he is a Democrat. And while he’s better than Coolidge, he still sucks.

So vote for Dr. Jill Stein (Green Party) or Stewart Alexander (Socialist Party). Because when the world collapses, they will be there to help save you.

This Progressive will be voting for Rocky Anderson for Pres and either leaving the rest blank or voing for Green party candidates locally and for Congress. I plan to vote on any and all initiatives and referendums but I will never vote for the fraudulent Democratic Party ever again.

This hippie is punched out

Another Profile In Courage brought to you by the Political Calculation Committee.

If they can’t take a stand on something this basic, what good are they? Really, someone, please tell me.

Betcha he took a hit in the LGBT demographic. San FRancisco, Houston, New Orleans……Key West, that’s a BIG demographic.

Great summation. “I honestly don’t know what I’ll do.” You and a whole lot of other folks, from what I hear. Well, except for the people in my red state for whom it does not register that a black guy is in the WH. I overheard this line at an adjacent table last night at dinner in reference to Obama’s ability to represent the citizenry, “Obama has no idea who we are. He was raised in Indonesia!” And these were middle class, white collar types. I guess “everyman” Romney does? Anyway, there seem to be quite a few who realize that there is no meaningful choice in presidential candidates. I imagine presidents have far less power than we often think they do–government being the shadow cast by business, and all that.

“And I think that without radical changes in the role of government relative to corporate power, I think they WILL fail.”

I see very little evidence to suggest a soft landing. I suspect the US will ride this strange torpedo out to the bitter end. Well, “it;s better to burn out than fade away.”

Well, that’s all true. But the proletariat MAY rise up in rebellion, armed rebellion and overthrow……….hold it…….somebody is posting to my Facebook page.

Can I get back you guys on that????

“I may be wrong, but it feels like the psychological equivalent of the “good cop, bad cop” routine that they seem to be laying on everybody.”

Indeed. The meaning, existence and function of Obama as president was to play good cop to George W’s bad cop. It’s an old authoritarian con for a reason: It works.

Standing ovation to you sir, well done.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

And the majority of folks I know who own guns have the muzzles pointed not at those in positions of authority and power, but at people farther down the socioeconomic ladder than themselves. Shit rolls downhill for authoritarian followers, especially when the bosses pit them against their neighbors.

You might like this if you have not already seen it. Check out the Burroughs response about halfway down: http://harpers.org/archive/1975/03/0022214

It may be subtle, but I think the insinuation may be there: “if the gay community supports my campaign I can help you, if not well…?” And this seems to be the game they play with everybody, from big business issues, to minority issues, to women’s issues…

Lee Atwater became the master of the use of “wedge issue politics” to manipulate voters back in the 1970′s. It has successfully continued ever since. Which is why as much as possible, I try to analyze a candidates actual record and actions rather than what they say. Unfortunately, monied interests have become so powerful that the only mainstream “choice” we have are between two neo-liberal/conservative candidates. Unless the people in this country wise up fast, we will have four more years of the same type of policies regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in office.

It should be very interesting to see whether the LGBT community makes excuses for President Obama. Will they be angered by this decision yet in general vote for him in 2012? If so, then I guess the presidents decision to throw them under the bus as he has done with union members was the correct one.

If the Republicans get a Congressional majority, Obama will have what he wants. Nothing then impedes his program.

And that whole “team” thing is so well-suited to the zombie brains. The real teams are corps vs. regular people. I am on the regular people team. Obots are on the corps team. Frankly, I don’t give a damn anymore to know whether they realize it or not.