I've been reading that Obama really wanted a "Grand Bargain" to cement his legacy. He has continuously tried to work with Republicans, despite the fact they refuse to work with him.

I think Obama would have been a great president for the '90s. But maybe not now.

They're only hurting themselves. I mean, really. This is unconscionable, and I think most people are seeing that.

I hope that's true. There seems to be a non-trivial set of people who chose to blame Obama for the results of the actions of the Far Right.

I do think we should pay our bills and raise it to help accomplish that. On the other hand, a fair bit of the debt ceiling news coverage seems to revolve around the US losing it's AAA credit rating and no longer being seen as a good place to loan money. And, honestly, I think that's a fair assessment. The bodies charged with financing the functions of the state have responded to increased fiscal demands (wars, etc.) by cutting revenue (taxes) over the past decade. It's insane. I don't think the US Congress is a good credit risk.

Ugh, I can see that I am being ranty, while many of you all are still talking reasonably. I should go up and edit out my comments, but eh. Please don't take my rant too seriously?

eh, Clinton wouldn't have been any more willing to defend progressive causes.

Not only that, but I think the vitriol thrown her way would make what Obama's getting look mild in comparison. While the not-so-subtle race-bating they are using on the Obamas is loathsome, I never get the feeling it's really, REALLY personal like with the Clintons. The Clinton hatred on the Right is off the charts.

Burrell, I think ranting is appropriate.

I never get the feeling it's really, REALLY personal like with the Clintons.

Not sure about that. Maybe not at first, but it's pretty damn personal now.

But I'm angry and cynical. I think they won't stop destroying social security and medicare until average citizens are marching in the streets, forming general strikes, etc. Unless they suspect revolt, they see no reason to vote for citizens over corporations. It just doesn't pay well enough.

I am that cynical, too. I think that there is a lot of effort devoted to keeping all the average and lower income citizens angry at each other. And that there is no one who is representing liberal and progressive values, or even really articulating what those values are in a way that people can be for the values instead of for the "government" But my congresswoman (Louise Slaughter) is actually pretty vocal against those cuts. Of course she also just sent me an email asking for money!

Not only that, but I think the vitriol thrown her way would make what Obama's getting look mild in comparison. While the not-so-subtle race-bating they are using on the Obamas is loathsome, I never get the feeling it's really, REALLY personal like with the Clintons. The Clinton hatred on the Right is off the charts.

I disagree. While I think the (utterly irrational) Clinton hatred exists, I think the Scary Black Man in the Oval Office blew everyone's previous hatred right out of the water. I absolutely believe that.

While the not-so-subtle race-bating they are using on the Obamas is loathsome, I never get the feeling it's really, REALLY personal like with the Clintons.

I have heard some nasty, nasty, personal things about Michelle Obama. And the racially based stuff, which half the people don't even seem to see as racial based (he's a muslim, he wasn't born here, he must be lying about Harvard) seems almost worse.

Edit: Or what Steph said

Edit: And the people who say it can't be race based because he is as much white as he is black!

Yeah. Quite a lot of Republicans believe the only reason Obama was elected was because he's black, and they're outraged.

I think that certain segments of the American public were willing to believe any lie about the Scary Black Man's intentions, and that was part of the fuel behind the tea party.