Maybe ... MAYBE .. after 2012 we can reverse this POS deal.

I'm probably being ridiculously hopeful, but maybe the American People have awakened (e.g., Wisconsin) and after the 2012 elections, we can throw the teabaggers the hell out, UNDO this POS deal and get some real CHANGE: end the wars, cut defense spending, get the revenue increases we desperately need to restore some modicum of fairness to the tax code, and bolster the basic American safety net.

Or am I dreaming?

Bake

I think reversing that is the last thing I want to do. What the hell is the matter with people? For months all I hear is "Obama absolutely must protect entitlements". He does -- they aren't touched by this deal. But you guys still have to believe this is some catastrophic cave-in despite being unable to articulate any reason why.

That's the one that goes into effect if the Commission recommendations are ignored...

...your claim is that they're really going to do it this time, and your previous three freakouts were just rehearsals?

I remember a fable that might be relevant... something about a boy and a wolf.

So again, let's recap.

The 'protections' ONLY extend to raising the debt ceiling -- something that should, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, require a 'concession' IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Secondly, the Guillotine Proposal AUTOMATICALLY hits SS/Med/Medicaid, thus providing a HARD LIMIT timewise -- November 2011. Now, let us keep in mind that BOTH TIMES the Teahadists have threatened something catastrophic for the country, Obama has been forced to cave. Under what POSSIBLE scenario can you envision the people who were willing to let the ENTIRE COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC PROSPERITY FOR THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE DIE suddenly force them to raise taxes? Under what POSSIBLE scenario do you see them NOT forcing corporate tax restructuring (a guarantee since Obama wants it ALSO) while protecting EVERYTHING on their platform...OR ELSE THEY'LL SIMPLY LET THE GUILLOTINE DROP. The Guillotine ONLY HITS SPENDING. Even if it hits the vaunted Defense industry, the spending cuts to SS/Med/Medicaid would be country-breaking for people who rely on them.

There is no good outcome. All there is is relenting to their demands AGAIN or else they'll threaten to crush the country AGAIN and they have a POLICY that the PRESIDENT SIGNED to back them up on it SO THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE TO TAKE THE FUCKING BLAME FOR IT. 6 more months of Boehner weeping about shared sacrifice for everyone but the wealthy while our shaky economy provides 'investment opportunities' for the wealthy. If you can't see this, you're utterly and completely blinded. By what, I'm not sure...but blinded nonetheless.

the Guillotine Proposal AUTOMATICALLY hits SS/Med/Medicaid

Wrong.

none of them Blue Dogs.

Somehow, I don't see that happening, esp. the latter.

While I share your sentiments, history shows its real hard to repeal legislation. Plus this is a fluid situation...this deal doesn't solve problems and I'm fearing that it will make things worse for millions. The concern is that many who are angered and suffering will opt out of the system...stay home next year to "punish" this President. But I also think that this vote will have faded by next year's election and a whole different set of issues will be at the forefront.

I just wonder what it will take to restore sanity.

We're fucked.

Bake

It's gonna take young people to be more energized...not forget that elections happen all the time, not just every four years. Sadly we're seeing a lot of buyer's remorse about this President...and in many cases it was projecting upon him something he really wasn't. One can fault his campaign for fanning these "hopes" but that wasn't what was the main cause of what we're facing now. It's the fall out of last year's election that were driven by an energized rushpublican party and supressed Democratic turnout. It wasn't a lot but enough in enough districts to turn the House into an insane assylum and energize the Senate tebaggers. But I'm not saying anything that you don't already know.

Where do we go from here? I don't get good feelings as the economy is stagnant at best. As long as gas prices remain obscenely high. credit all but impossible to get (especially for a real small business) and corporates continues to call the shots inside the beltway the working class in this country will get the short end. That's why unions as much as a rejuvenated Democratic party are important. We'll see if people can see beyond their own interests to form the common cause needed to bring about real change.

I know what will happen. It's simple nature. The 3 wolves will eat the rabbits then eat the hens. Bet on it.
I, for one, will not be shocked when the rabbits are eaten, unless it's some chess game where the rabbits figure the wolves will be too full to eat the hens.
That's the ticket.

authorized. In any unified government situation, future Congresses will do whatever they please (and even in divided government the parameters of those negotiations will matter much more than a years-old deal by then).

we'll all be dead. :)

Yeah, you're dreaming...Obama, if re-elected, will make it worse.

Yeah, right.

:sarcasm:

Bake