But when you're done, its time to act like the adults we're supposed to be and say "now what?"
Because we live in a democracy, we have some choices to make. And the differences between them are crystal clear.
If you think the economy is continuing to struggle because the government spends too much money, rich people pay too much in taxes, and Wall Street is too constrained by regulations - then Republicans are clearly your preference.
On the other hand, if you think those are exactly the policies that got us into this mess in the first place, and that in order to fix things we need to work together to educate, innovate, and invest, then electing Democrats is your only option.
That is what this is all about. Period.
Update: I 100% endorse this comment from Pyro Joe:
Honestly? The job's report doesn't irritate me nearly as much as the reaction to it. I am so goddamn tired of our side going into a full hand ringing, depressive meltdown the moment a single thing goes even slightly pear shaped.
We've done it over healthcare, taxes, the wars, the stimulus, the environment, the economy. We've done it over EVERYTHING. And you know what good it does? NOTHING! It doesn't do a single goddamn thing to fix things we don't like. Armchair quarterbacking and planning your flight to Mexico/Brazil/South Korea/Wherever isn't going to fix a single thing.
And on that note, do you know what makes Barack Obama such a great President? He doesn't do this crap. He doesn't give up, he doesn't wring his hands and collapse into a fetal position under the Oval Office Desk. He's a level headed man who, as I type this, is probably meeting with economic advisers and campaign staff, working out strategies and floating around ideas to win this election and improve this economy.
So what can YOU do, Mr. or Mrs Frets-a-lot? How about this: stop it. It isn't constructive, it doesn't have any tangible benefit, and it probably actually harms the causes you care so much about in the long run by depressing people who might actually support you. Volunteer, GOTV, canvas, phone bank, fact check, post pictures of baby animals. I don't care what it is you do as long as its constructive.
This election is far from over, so stop acting like it is and pull your ass into high gear. We've got a country to save.
It really is this easy.
ReplyDeleteYes Mam, it sure is.
DeleteI am bringing my comment over from TOD
ReplyDeleteWe will have a tough day, and we will have an opportunity to grow from it and emerge stronger.
What will you pledge to do to help us take back the country? I am talking about concrete actions….
Here is my list …
Tomorrow our local OFA is having a phone bank to Wisconsin – I will be there
Sunday we are having a table at the local Farmers Market, we will hand out a list of the Presidents Accomplishments, sell buttons, pass out I'm In Cards, and hold our head high.
I am hosting a phone bank at my house this coming Wednesday.
I will continue to donate to those on The Obama Diary blog
We can either become discouraged or determined……
If we remain strong in the face of adversity, we win.
Everyone is throwing a temper tantrum, screaming doom and gloom, and howling for solutions that won't work.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is....are you done yet? Because it was clear back in 2010 that the GOP was going to muck up the works if they won, and sure enough, they did.
As you said, we need to ask "What now?" and " What do we do?" Wailing about it won't help, but picking ourselves up and getting out there to vote will.
Oh, and will these armchair economists please stop howling about what the President should do? You think he isn't figuring out options right now?
(Warning: Long winded rant is coming up)
ReplyDeleteHonestly? The job's report doesn't irritate me nearly as much as the reaction to it. I am so goddamn tired of our side going into a full hand ringing, depressive meltdown the moment a single thing goes even slightly pear shaped.
We've done it over healthcare, taxes, the wars, the stimulus, the environment, the economy. We've done it over EVERYTHING. And you know what good it does? NOTHING! It doesn't do a single goddamn thing to fix things we don't like. Armchair quarterbacking and planning your flight to Mexico/Brazil/South Korea/Wherever isn't going to fix a single thing.
And on that note, do you know what makes Barack Obama such a great President? He doesn't do this crap. He doesn't give up, he doesn't wring his hands and collapse into a fetal position under the Oval Office Desk. He's a level headed man who, as I type this, is probably meeting with economic advisers and campaign staff, working out strategies and floating around ideas to win this election and improve this economy.
So what can YOU do, Mr. or Mrs Frets-a-lot? How about this: stop it. It isn't constructive, it doesn't have any tangible benefit, and it probably actually harms the causes you care so much about in the long run by depressing people who might actually support you. Volunteer, GOTV, canvas, phone bank, fact check, post pictures of baby animals. I don't care what it is you do as long as its constructive.
This election is far from over, so stop acting like it is and pull your ass into high gear. We've got a country to save.
100% right on!!!!!!
DeleteI'm quoting this up above as an update. Sure hope you don't mind ;-)
Go right ahead. The more people that pull their head's out of the muck on this and press on, the better.
DeleteBest post of the day. And it's miles ahead of the hand-wringing and caterwauling I've seen elsewhere.
DeleteThanks for this post, Pyro Joe. I couldn't agree with you more. I hate when the jobs reports come out. We know the right will blame President Obama, and the left will act like it's the worst thing that can happen, and somehow this will doom the President's chances. We know the right is doing everything they can to slow down the recovery, the people I believe, despite the media, know that the President is working hard for them. Look at all the people that show up at his events. You can tell they are all happy to be there. Compare it to the paid people who show up at Romney's events or even those stupid people that blew bubbles at the Boston Event, yesterday. All it did was confirm they really have nothing to run on.
DeleteI'm planning to go to a GOTV Phone Bank for Tuesday's Primary in New Jersey. We've been having a phone banks at least once a week since April. We've been calling PA about what they need to vote, and calling into South Jersey for some upcoming events. Although it is hard to get people to spend the time to volunteer, most of the people will definitely be supporting President Obama and quite a few are interested in coming to our South Jersey Summit on June 19th.
Our group will also be having a joint summit in Media, PA so we can help them with canvassing and Phone Banking.
Bravo! I've had it up to here with the nervous nellies. This is the verbal 2x4 that they need upside the head, on a daily basis if necessary.
Delete@Pyro Joe
ReplyDeleteYou need to post this at every progressive site there is. Better yet, tweet it. Absolutely the best " thanks, I needed that" slap of the day. Thanks to you
It's my pleasure. Copy and paste it yourself if you want.
Delete@Pyro Joe
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that your comment made my day. Despair never motivated anyone. We will have setbacks and dissapointments but we must adjust and press on.
Kath
@Smartypants --
ReplyDeleteThe selective amnesia of the national media and politicians is astounding. Despite the constant nonsense spewed by blowhards, it's worth reminding everyone (including the cantankerous "pundits") about what was occurring with the U.S. economy in May 2008, when Pres Bush was still "running the country".
From The New York Times in May 2008:
"The unemployment rate surged to 5.5 percent in May from 5 percent, the largest monthly spike in more than two decades, as the economy shed 49,000 jobs for a fifth month of decline, the Labor Department reported on Friday."
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/business/07jobs.html?pagewanted=all
Did everyone catch that? The unemployment rate "surged" in May 2008 and we LOST 49,000 jobs under Pres Bush, which was part of a five month decline. Contrastingly, we GAINED 69,000 this past May under Pres Obama.
Now, explain to me how Obama is "ruining" the economy? Oh, that's right -- the Republicans and the national media have conveniently created a new set of rules in the middle of the game.
Go figure ...
I love it !
ReplyDeleteI know this is off topic, so If you want to delete this you can.
ReplyDeleteSmartypants, I just want to tell you that I love your site. I didn't realize you had the DOJ Watch here. I'm so glad I found about it. It really annoys me when our side is so harsh when It come to Attorney General Holder. I think he's doing a great job with what he has to work with.
Thanks so much sjterrid. I totally agree about AG Holder.
DeleteI haven't updated that section in a while and have been feeling a bit guilty about it. But more folks are noticing these days that he's taking on voting rights and crazy immigration laws. So they're giving him some well deserved credit.
Said it many times before and will say it again: I'm very glad that the civil rights movement wasn't left to the Professional Whiny Poutrage Posse to fight. If one bad jobs report sends them to the fainting couches, imagine how they'd react to clubs, dogs, firehoses, shooting, beating, arrests, etc., etc. Hell, a mild scolding from Rahm Emanuel (which, contrary to what the Moron Lefties think, wasn't aimed at all "progressives," but was instead meant for a very narrow cohort) sent them into paroxysms of predictably useless angst.
ReplyDeleteSaid it many times before and will say it again: I'm very glad that the civil rights movement wasn't left to the Professional Whiny Poutrage Posse to fight. If one bad jobs report sends them to the fainting couches, imagine how they'd react to clubs, dogs, firehoses, shooting, beating, arrests, etc., etc. Hell, a mild scolding from Rahm Emanuel (which, contrary to what the Moron Lefties think, wasn't aimed at all "progressives," but was instead meant for a very narrow cohort) sent them into paroxysms of predictably useless angst.
ReplyDeleteMy anger is directed toward a media that refuses to hold republicans responsible for their obstruction. Honestly, people in the media act like they aren't citizens themselves. Democratic talking points are nice, but not enough. Democrats on TV need to start naming people, and challenging the media to do their job. When Dems say 'congress' instead of 'republicans in Congress', they let the repubs off the hook.
ReplyDeleteI will also start directing snail mail, email, tweets and facebook comments toward 'moderate' republicans, in hopes of shaming them into doing the right thing. There has got to be more we can all do than being hostages to radical republicanism.
People should get over it and stop living passive lives. When I lost my job, I moved out of the country. Best decision ever. One year later, they are still unemployed and I am a successful entrepreneur.
ReplyDelete