If he is so confident that his policies will pass and work then he shouldn't give a damn about trying to bring republicans on board. But if is seeking political cover by spreading blame if they don't work then this is how you do it.

Remember the GOP is irrelevant and is its final throes, he shouldn't want to have anything to do with them.

oh good, the "bipartisan" game again. Should we save time and just have an official statement from the GOP that there will be no agreement on anything, even if they get 100% of their recommendations ? Then we can all sit around and cluck our tongues at how Obama is so evil for only giving them their way and not also bending over for an atomic wedgie on network TV.

It still comes down to who can afford the most congresscritters.

Dear GOP,
If we, as a nation really wanted what you have to offer, last November's election would have been different.
Not Yours, most sincerely;
-America

P.S. Stop Whining!

I like how the GOP defines bipartisan to be everything we want or else.

President Obama has altered the New Deal. Pray he does not alter it further.

FloydA: as a nation really wanted what you have to offer

The GOP isn't about representing the people, they're about controlling the people.

Just watch how they do things.. leading questions, stories that bend the facts to how they want them represented, etc.

Hasn't the Congressional GOP'ers threatened to 'go to war' on 3 or 4 issues now?

Time to let them. Let's rock.

I think that perhaps if the the House and Senate Republicans really want to be taken seriously, they need to either put up or shut up. Go ahead. Filibuster. Do it. Go ahead.

That, or do your damn jobs, and come to damn compromise. If you're both a little pissed off by a bill, chances are, it's fairer to both sides than either of you wanted. Go for that.

Meh.
Obama compromises, he's weak.
Obama tries to do it on his own, he's a tyrant.

Keep it up GOP. There's a reason you lost in 2008. And this is it. Instead of showing how big of dicks you are, why not swallow some f'ing pride and work for the good of the goddamn country.

SilentStrider: Keep it up GOP. There's a reason you lost in 2008. And this is it. Instead of showing how big of dicks you are, why not swallow some f'ing pride and work for the good of the goddamn country.

That might be the problem: many of them think they are working for the good of the country, except that they see their way as the only good way.

Can someone name a single GOP policy proposal that Obama could have been expected to incorporate but chose not to?

SilentStrider: why not swallow some f'ing pride and work for the good of the goddamn country.

Interesting that you have to put it that way. The f*cking imbeciles would be doing themselves an enormous favor if they decided to act like adults and do their jobs in good faith... but there's not even a glimmer of a chance that they'd see that.

Aren't you cute subby. Let's try that again.

Obama: I know this has been a contentious election, but our country is facing many problems and we need to come together as Americans in order to solve them.

GOP: MUSLIM TEABAG SOCIALIST MARXIST TELEPROMPTER LULZ

Obama: Well, I tried. Say, have you ever heard of the Chicago Way?

Ahhh, today's dose of whining politicians.

Anybody else remember in the 90's when we got a fresh influx of senators who promised "term limits"

Wanna guess how that went.

Mentat: Aren't you cute subby. Let's try that again.

Obama: I know this has been a contentious election, but our country is facing many problems and we need to come together as Americans in order to solve them.

GOP: MUSLIM TEABAG SOCIALIST MARXIST TELEPROMPTER LULZ

Obama: Well, I tried. Say, have you ever heard of the Chicago Way?

ROFLAMAO
_{/doo-doo-de-dootoo}

I like how the GOP defines bipartisan to be everything we want or else.

Everybody defines bipartisan as the other guy voting for your stuff. All the word means is the people take it in two orifices at once instead of one at a time.

DamnYankees: Can someone name a single GOP policy proposal that Obama could have been expected to incorporate but chose not to?

If anyone can, I'd assume that that person also has a bridge for sale in Brooklyn.

The GOP's only three policies seem to be "F*ck you, Obama! We're gonna oppose every single policy you propose no matter what!", "Tax cuts for the rich!" and "F*ck you, Obama! We're gonna oppose eevery single police you propose no matter what!"

DamnYankees: Can someone name a single GOP policy proposal that Obama could have been expected to incorporate but chose not to?

You know what we should have done? We should have changed Social Security over into the stock market like Bush wanted. That would have been awesome, wouldn't it?

Hmm... sounds more like:

Obama: So the last two times I incorporated your views in my major initiatives, you took the low road, trashed me in public as the heir to Marx, and voted against the bill we slaved over to include your perspective. So, let's talk health care. What's up?

GOP [desperately blustering, knowing that if they cooperate, they will appear as sellouts to the perpetually outraged constituents they rely upon for donations]: WHERE'S YOUR TELEPROMPTER TAXES EARMARKS NATIONALIZE GM HURR PENGUINS TEAMING UP WITH CHAVEZ TO PIRATE AMERICAN FISHING BOATS HURR WATERBOARD TERRORISTS WITH CHAI LATTES YOU SHOP AT BANANA REPUBLIC

Obama [mildly frustrated, but appearing resigned]: Well... I tried. [Looks around room to assembly of aides, shrugs] I tried, right? Seriously, did you see the massive tax breaks in the stimulus? [ORSZAG nods, stonefaced.] I was meeting with these people every day, greasing the wheels, constructing tax breaks so they could support it, and now they're calling it "government overspending". Right. So, f*ck off then. Pelosi will play ball. [Shuffles papers on desk] Door's over there.

[RAHM gestures with the place where his middle finger used to be towards the door. REPUBLICANS exit.]

Snowflake Tubbybottom: If he is so confident that his policies will pass and work then he shouldn't give a damn about trying to bring republicans on board. But if is seeking political cover by spreading blame if they don't work then this is how you do it.

Remember the GOP is irrelevant and is its final throes, he shouldn't want to have anything to do with them.

This is why I really hate- and I do mean hate- people like you, Snowflake. You represent the cream of the crop, what's left of the Republican party. You sat by and let the fundies and the crazies take over, you enabled them (and joined in!) their mindless cheerleading, and even now, you can't take your head out of your ass long enough to see what you and the party have become.

Obama asked the GOP for input. They could have given it to him. They could have put forward some bona fide conservative ideas into the legislative process, and showed those of us who left the party in disgust, there was maybe something worth saving; something worth coming back to. Showed the American people we could rise to the occasion.

But as you have so succinctly demonstrated, that's not true; Obama gave the GOP as much rope as they needed, and now they're swinging from the rafters, wondering why they can't breath- thinking it's probably because they aren't using enough rope.

Hope you're happy.

I will grant that the elected officials themselves do have their hands tied by the need to cater to their idiotic supporters. Imagine a world where politicians actually look good compared to common citizens.

GAT_00: DamnYankees: Can someone name a single GOP policy proposal that Obama could have been expected to incorporate but chose not to?

You know what we should have done? We should have changed Social Security over into the stock market like Bush wanted. That would have been awesome, wouldn't it?

I helped worked on that campaign in 2005.

:ashamed:

What a damn shame...after the incredible back-bending efforts the GOP has made to work with the President.

DamnYankees: I helped worked on that campaign in 2005.

You supported that? That was one of the most painfully stupid ideas I had ever heard. What on earth made you think that was a good idea?

ragekage: Snowflake Tubbybottom: If he is so confident that his policies will pass and work then he shouldn't give a damn about trying to bring republicans on board. But if is seeking political cover by spreading blame if they don't work then this is how you do it.

Remember the GOP is irrelevant and is its final throes, he shouldn't want to have anything to do with them.

This is why I really hate- and I do mean hate- people like you, Snowflake. You represent the cream of the crop, what's left of the Republican party. You sat by and let the fundies and the crazies take over, you enabled them (and joined in!) their mindless cheerleading, and even now, you can't take your head out of your ass long enough to see what you and the party have become.

Obama asked the GOP for input. They could have given it to him. They could have put forward some bona fide conservative ideas into the legislative process, and showed those of us who left the party in disgust, there was maybe something worth saving; something worth coming back to. Showed the American people we could rise to the occasion.

But as you have so succinctly demonstrated, that's not true; Obama gave the GOP as much rope as they needed, and now they're swinging from the rafters, wondering why they can't breath- thinking it's probably because they aren't using enough rope.

Hope you're happy.

I wish people would listen to things like that, but he'll just get mad instead.

GAT_00: What on earth made you think that was a good idea?

He was a kid. He heard time after time how the evil baby boomers were going to bankrupt Social Security and there would be none for him.

ragekage: Snowflake Tubbybottom: If he is so confident that his policies will pass and work then he shouldn't give a damn about trying to bring republicans on board. But if is seeking political cover by spreading blame if they don't work then this is how you do it.

Remember the GOP is irrelevant and is its final throes, he shouldn't want to have anything to do with them.

This is why I really hate- and I do mean hate- people like you, Snowflake. You represent the cream of the crop, what's left of the Republican party. You sat by and let the fundies and the crazies take over, you enabled them (and joined in!) their mindless cheerleading, and even now, you can't take your head out of your ass long enough to see what you and the party have become.

Obama asked the GOP for input. They could have given it to him. They could have put forward some bona fide conservative ideas into the legislative process, and showed those of us who left the party in disgust, there was maybe something worth saving; something worth coming back to. Showed the American people we could rise to the occasion.

But as you have so succinctly demonstrated, that's not true; Obama gave the GOP as much rope as they needed, and now they're swinging from the rafters, wondering why they can't breath- thinking it's probably because they aren't using enough rope.

Hope you're happy.

It was my fault? If only I had known my vote was weighted to such an extent.

Do you not remember when Obama asked for GOP input on the bailout package? Don't you remember his response to their proposals: "I won".

And please don't feel so concerned about the GOP... they will recover and maybe in an election or two make up some real ground because if there is one thing we can count on to ensure that is that the Dems excel at is they will overreach and destroy their advantage.

I've not always liked many of the policies of my party, usually detest most of the people in it, but in general ideology I prefer the concepts over that of the so called progressives.

The party left me, not me of it.

GAT_00: DamnYankees: I helped worked on that campaign in 2005.

You supported that? That was one of the most painfully stupid ideas I had ever heard. What on earth made you think that was a good idea?

I was a very conservative Republican up until the spring of 2006.

DamnYankees: Can someone name a single GOP policy proposal that Obama could have been expected to incorporate but chose not to?

GOP: Stimulus bill not good enough

Key Republican senators charged Tuesday that President Obama's economic stimulus package does not do enough fast enough to turn around the recession-bound economy and planned to amend it by cutting more taxes and lowering 30-year mortgage rates to 4 percent. ...

The Kentucky Republican indicated he planned to offer an amendment to the legislation that would create government-backed 30-year mortgages at interest rates of 4 percent that would drop current mortgage payments by $400 a month for a savings of nearly $5,000 a year. Current mortgage rates are about 5.3 percent.

In addition, Mr. McConnell said, there should be reductions of income taxes for married couples that would save them $500.

-- The Washington Times, Tuesday, February 3, 2009

MorrisBird: He was a kid. He heard time after time how the evil baby boomers were going to bankrupt Social Security and there would be none for him.

Fark, I don't think I'm going to get any of it. I find no reason to suspect that SS is going to be around 40 years from now. This isn't the way to fix it.

DamnYankees: I was a very conservative Republican up until the spring of 2006.

Ah.

hey, republican'ts:



obama offered you his open hand when he came to washington. you gave him a closed fist in return. you need to eat a bowl of farking dicks and die now, mmkay?

Alien Robot: The Washington Times, Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Fact: Tax cuts are horribly ineffective as stimulus measures.



Removing the need for Americans to pay for health care could do a lot more good than one time benefits and making the already shaky mortgage market worse.

Mentat: Obama: I know this has been a contentious election, but our country is facing many problems and we need to come together as Americans in order to solve them.

GOP: MUSLIM TEABAG SOCIALIST MARXIST TELEPROMPTER LULZ

GOP: I know this has been a contentious election, but our country is facing many problems and we need to come together as Americans in order to solve them.

Obama: B-b-b-but Bush! It's my way or the highway, bub. I won. We need to spend, spend, and more send to enrich as many of my frends and supporters as possible. And just so no one takes too much notice here are some classified CIA memos and Abu Ghraib photos.

/FTFY

FlashHarry: obama offered you his open hand when he came to washington.

Exactly how? By demanding everyone agree 100% with everything he does?

Alien Robot: Exactly how? By demanding everyone agree 100% with everything he does?

Is that why the stimulus bill was extensively redesigned to include Repub demanded tax cuts, tax cuts that they actually voted against? How can the Repubs say they want tax cuts when they've already voted against them in the stimulus bill?

Alien Robot: Talking point talking point lie lie talking point talking point

And you wonder why no one listens to you any more.

Mordant: Interesting that you have to put it that way. The f*cking imbeciles would be doing themselves an enormous favor if they decided to act like adults and do their jobs in good faith... but there's not even a glimmer of a chance that they'd see that.

see, if they did that, i'd be fine with that. Its one thing to disagree honestly. But to be pricks about it, well, thats just today's republican party.

Alien Robot: FlashHarry: obama offered you his open hand when he came to washington.

Exactly how? By demanding everyone agree 100% with everything he does?

he convened a meeting with house republicans to offer additional tax cuts and cut spending in hopes that they would support the ARRA. the trouble was, the house GOP leader, john boehner, instructed his troops to all vote "no" on the ARRA before the meeting was even convened. in other words, no matter what concessions obama offered, the house GOP was going to vote "no" out of pure farking partisanship.

since then, they have offered none of the constructive alternatives (a budget without numbers? please!) that a truly "loyal opposition" should do. they have done NOTHING but stamp their feet, hold their breath and roll around on the floor in apoplexy. they are a party bereft of ideas and without honor or leadership. they would rather see the country FAIL than see a single obama policy succeed. and americans know this. which is why they are in their death throes as we speak.

Obama: "Zero Republican votes on the Stimulus bill."

"Zero Republican votes on the Stimulus bill."

"Zero Republican votes on the Stimulus bill."

"Zero Republican votes on the Stimulus bill."

Yeah... Zero Republican input on Stimulus bill. The stimulus bill was every sidelined liberal dream rolled into one massive fark attack....

real shaman: Talking point talking point lie lie talking point talking point

The stimulus bill was put together with billions in concessions to the republicans' demands, not the least of which was a whole bunch of tax cuts added.

Then the republican leadership made it clear that no republican had best vote on the bill or they would lose the support of their party come the next elections.

Keep on spouting the lie though. Maybe if you repeat it often enough it will become true.

Alien Robot: GOP: I know this has been a contentious election, but our country is facing many problems and we need to come together as Americans in order to solve them.

Heh, you almost had me until you got greedy and thought you could slip that one in there.

real shaman: Yeah... Zero Republican input on Stimulus bill. The stimulus bill was every sidelined liberal dream rolled into one massive fark attack....

you are a farking liar. see my previous post.

GAT_00: Removing the need for Americans to pay for health care could do a lot more good than one time benefits and making the already shaky mortgage market worse.

You mean only changing the way Americans pay for health care right? There is no such thing as free.

Snowflake Tubbybottom: It was my fault? If only I had known my vote was weighted to such an extent.

Obviously, I meant it was your fault entirely. Good catch.

Do you not remember when Obama asked for GOP input on the bailout package? Don't you remember his response to their proposals: "I won".

Funny. I seem to remember him offering their input, they dragged their heals, railed about tax cuts, got some of their half-assed ideas included, and then dug in their feet and gave a big "Fark you!" to the American people. Of course, Obama won, and he had the majorities to work with. He didn't have to listen to the Republicans, but I think he was willing to. More importantly than that, I think Obama would have gladly worked with a Republican plan that made sense and worked towards something. If nothing else, the man is pragmatic- I think he's smart enough to know if something'll work and go with it, no matter the political affiliation of who proposed it.

And please don't feel so concerned about the GOP... they will recover and maybe in an election or two make up some real ground because if there is one thing we can count on to ensure that is that the Dems excel at is they will overreach and destroy their advantage.

I hope not. I hope the GOP burns to the ground. That scares the hell out of me, because it leaves the Democrats uncontested control of the entire Federal government, but at least they don't hold part discipline above all else. I read about people who are encouraging their friends/children/etc to get out of the military since Obama was elected, talking about succession because Obama was elected, railing about how horrible things are, about how much power the President has, etc. I've seen you make similar sentiments on a variety of issues in these FARK forums. Just one question-

WHERE THE FARK WERE YOU THE LAST EIGHT YEARS? You say:

I've not always liked many of the policies of my party, usually detest most of the people in it, but in general ideology I prefer the concepts over that of the so called progressives.

But you don't act like it; not what I've seen of it, anyway. You remind me of the people who called me a traitor for daring to suggest the PATRIOT Act was a horrible and dangerous idea, or for not toeing the party line. That's how you come off, anyway. Not as bad as some of the other Fark Independents around here, but maybe I have more ire for you because I know you're smart, and I figure you should know better than that.

MorrisBird: He was a kid. He heard time after time how the evil baby boomers were going to bankrupt Social Security and there would be none for him.

Actually, we can thank the dumbf*ck baby boomers for our current economic troubles.

Thanks so much, BBs. You did a great job, creating the greediest culture in world history. Turning what your parents built into a giant pile of sh*t and inflation.

That's not a comment on SS, which will very likely have to change significantly before the time I'd be able to retire, just saying that baby boomers do, in fact, suck, especially when it comes to long-term economic ideas.

Hold on, I have a phone call... it's from the future. Someone wants to buy my house for $1.5 million dollars, even though it only has one wall and a toilet. Apparently, this idea that property should always appreciate in value ISN'T a well thought-out plan for the whole of the nation.

real shaman: Yeah... Zero Republican input on Stimulus bill. The stimulus bill was every sidelined liberal dream rolled into one massive fark attack....

Yeah, those tax cuts that were put in there to get Repub votes were a real steamrolling. The stimulus was cut, something like $100B in tax cuts were added. Do you want to keep up the indignant false outrage, or do I get to stop posting facts proving you wrong?

Oh, and I don't think I've said this before, but ragekage is quickly turning into one of the people I enjoy reading the most.

real shaman: Yeah... Zero Republican input on Stimulus bill. The stimulus bill was every sidelined liberal dream rolled into one massive fark attack....

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/President44/Story?id=6748037&page=1

"The president was clear that he was going to continue to reach out to us, continue to listen to our ideas and I think we have to remember we're at the beginning of this process," House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, told "Good Morning America" today.

But Republicans came out of their meeting with Obama full of praise for his willingness to listen to them. And in the evening, Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, invited a group of Republican congressmen to a White House sit-down.

In addition, Obama leaned on Democratic leaders to withdraw two elements of the stimulus bill that had been ridiculed by Republicans -- an expansion of family planning funds for poor families and $200 million to resod the National Mall in Washington.

unlikely: Alien Robot: Talking point talking point lie lie talking point talking point

And you wonder why no one listens to you any more.

And you just did...

*facepalm*