From The Hill:
“The real problem for our country is not the short-term debt. We can deal with that. It's the long-term debt. It's the structural debt of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid measured against the demographics of our nation,” Kerry said.
First, to hell with John Kerry. The man would sell his wife if it were politically efficient. But the real story here isn't John Kerry.
Lets face it. The minute President Obama conceded to Medicare, Medicaid and Social
Security cuts (I refuse to call them "entitlements") was the moment our party lost itself.
The majority of Americans favor taxing the very wealthy and drawing the line at programs that have kept our infirmed, elderly, poor and disadvantage (which, today, can be anyone at many levels of society) from falling into abject poverty and dying like those 70 years ago did.
How much louder do we need to be for our elected officials to actually hear us? It feels to me like I'm yelling through thick glass and those intended to receive are on the other side, smiling and waving, but forever not hearing me (or anyone who's not a lobbyist, for that matter). Furthermore, the disdain our party seems to have for us, its base, is thick enough to block the Lincoln tunnel at both ends.
Our system is beyond broken. It is in shreads. If this same scenario took place even as little as 12 years ago, there'd be hell to pay. Today, however, it's as if everyone in Washington has decided to flip us all the bird.
Still, the democratic party is SUPPOSED to be on our side. On something. Anything.
I am not of the mindset that this is all one big ruse and our party is completely bought and paid for. Some might be, but I just can't fathom that this is a widespread conspiracy against the rest of us. Conspiracies never prove to be true. Instead, I simply believe that our President has not got a single, solitary fighting bone in his body. As such, his actions (or inactions) at this point in history are unforgivable. I do believe that he believes his "compromises" are the best path. His belief in that is delusional and makes me more concerned about what else he's willing to sacrifice down the road. What is it exactly you stand for, Mr. Obama? I'm at a loss to point out one single thing.
And all this bullshit about him appealing to the progressives is equally untrue. Progressives in particular are on our side of entitlements when the right questions are asked. And taxes.
Nonetheless, it's infuriating. And there's no solution. At the one time our country needs it, there is no solution to stopping this reckless drive off our democratic and economic cliff.