Connect with us

President Obama: Git R Done!

Published

on

There. I said it.

Like so many Americans with at least half a brain, I am sick to death of ignorant, stupid jackasses who think they know what’s best for America. We all know them. The ones who don’t read — but claim to. The ones who can’t name the founding fathers — yet use the memory of them for their own misguided, selfish purposes. The ones who think that government is bad — but have no idea how to replace it or make it better. The ones who spend their time bashing Obama because they feel powerless, never realizing that — right or wrong — their own words have power.

Obama rode into office on the white steed of populist anger at a Republican government that didn’t believe in government and worked hard to prove its misbelief right, and a left-wing that thought they saw their hearts in his eyes — and thought they heard their hearts in his words. Pre-election Barack Obama was an agent of change. But now, we fear, post-inaugural Barack Obama is an agent of big banks, big pharma, and big words – without the big balls to carry through on his big promises — at least to us.

We’ll see.

Ever since the fiasco that was the Massachusetts special election last Tuesday, the word “populism” has seen a huge spike in usage — mostly from the right. Using the Tea Party bigots (I’m sorry, “Tea Party Americans,”), the Republicans are claiming Scott Brown’s victory is a victory for “Average Americans.” Never mind that Brown, a real estate lawyer and graduate of tony Tufts University and Boston College, owns five houses and may just be too cheap to buy another damn truck.

Maybe Obama needs his own truck. He’s made it clear by railing against banks and tossing up a spending freeze that he’s moving toward the dangerous ground of trying to score points by tapping into this populist rage. Tom Friedman said it today, in, “Adults Only, Please,”

“Lately, we’ve seen an explosion of situational thinking. I support the broad proposals President Obama put forth last week to prevent banks from becoming too big to fail and to protect taxpayers from banks that get in trouble by speculating and then expect us to bail them out. But the way the president unveiled his proposals — “if those folks want a fight, it’s a fight I’m ready to have” — left me feeling as though he was looking for a way to bash the banks right after the Democrats’ loss in Massachusetts, in order to score a few cheap political points more than to initiate a serious national discussion about an incredibly complex issue.”

Ditto.

But who knows? In this week’s Newsweek, Michael Cohen writes,

“Three forces have conspired to prevent President Obama from running the country effectively: congressional Republicans, congressional Democrats, and the American people. Obama should confront them in the State of the Union.”

And I think Obama should kick the shit out of them. Seriously.

But we know Barack Obama. He won’t.

But he will find a way to come out swinging when his back is up against a wall. So, Mr. President, start swinging. It’s time to say “STFU” to the GOP, the Blue-Dog Dems, and the special interests. You’re never going to get them to like you, respect you, or work with you. It’s time to lead, take no prisoners — consequences be damned.

President Obama, here’s a list of things we need to hear you say in tonight’s State of the Union address. And, more importantly, follow up on. You want to tip your hat to “populism?” In the words of one of the most famous American populists, “Larry The Cable Guy,” it’s time to “Git R Done.”

Civil Rights

Stop teasing and slowly doling out little bits and pieces. Americans deserve equality — all Americans. Yes, even LGBTQ Americans. Why not put together a comprehensive package of LGBTQ rights — rights that you promised us, rights you campaigned on, and some you didn’t.

Repeal DADT. For the 66,000 LGBTQ Americans now proudly serving, and for the 13,500 who were discharged for being who they were created to be. Embrace them all, and invite back the ones we lost to DADT.

Repeal DOMA, and ensure all couples can adopt.

Push Congress to have ENDA passed. Then sign it.

Economy

Jobs at all costs. Throw caution to the wind. No, you don’t even have to do that. Create a “Rebuild America” program. Fix America’s infrastructure. Our roads and bridges are falling apart. Don’t wait for the next Michigan bridge collapse. Don’t wait for the next catastrophe to happen. Do it now. Repair bridges. Build bridges. Build schools. Build wind farms. Pay people to figure our how to remove our country from being dependent of foreign oil. Pay our best and brightest to go to college. We know you hold dear the value of education — act on that. American minds and spirit are the only assets we truly have left.

Find an appropriate path to dress down Wall Street — one that doesn’t force the DOW to drop 5% in two days. But one that says, “Bankers, we’re in charge now.”

Demand Congress pass a health care bill. Demand the public option be put back. Tell America that they wanted it, and you’re going to fight for it.

Congress

This may be hard for you sir, but the time has come to play hardball. Dirty, nasty, mean-spirited, low-down, roll up your sleeves, roll in the mud politics.

Call out every Congressman who voted or stood against health care reform.

Call out every Congressman who voted or stood against your nominees — like Erroll Southers.

Call out every Congressman who voted or stood against the stimulus.

Call out every Congressman who voted or stood against any of your platform.

Connect the dots for the American people. Show us why obstructionists are the real terrorists.

Fight back, sir.

In short, Mr. President, tell America you’re going to fight for us. And make sure you do. Because, right now, it feels like you’re not.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment
 
 

Enjoy this piece?

… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.

NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.

Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.

News

Fox News Host Suggests Trump ‘Force’ Court to Throw Him in Jail – by Quoting Him

Published

17 hours ago

on

April 19, 2024

By

The Fox News host who targeted a juror serving on Donald Trump’s criminal New York trial is now suggesting the ex-president should violate his gag order and “force” the court to throw him in jail, by quoting the Fox News host.

Jesse Watters came under fire earlier this week for profiling juror number two, sharing possibly identifying information published by a myriad of reporters but then using that information to pass judgment on her ability to serve.

“I’m not so sure about juror number two,” Watters concluded on Fox News.

Jurors, at the judge’s direction, were to remain anonymous, for their protection and the protection of the trial.

The judge excused her, after she said she felt she was not able to be impartial because friends and family were calling her asking if she had been chosen to serve on the Trump trial, after the media blitz.

New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan admonished the press for reporting the information, but some news outlets appeared to ignore his warning.

Watters on Wednesday “did a segment with a jury consultant, revealing details about people who had been seated on the jury and questioning whether some were ‘stealth liberals’ who would be out to convict Trump,” the Associated Press reported.

READ MORE: Gaetz: ‘Corrupt’ Republicans Could ‘Take a Bribe’ and Throw House to Dems, Blocking Trump Run

Trump later posted Watters’ quote on his Truth Social platform, leading some, including New York prosecutors, to ask the judge to cite him for allegedly breaking his gag order.

Judge Merchan ordered Trump to not mention witnesses, jurors, prosecutors, court staff, or the family members of prosecutors and court staff, CNN has reported.

New York prosecutors told Juge Merchan Trump has violated the gag order at least ten times.

“Prosecutor Christopher Conroy described the ‘most disturbing’ example as a social media message Trump posted on Wednesday evening quoting a Fox News host as saying, ‘They are catching undercover Liberal Activists lying to the Judge in order to get on the Trump Jury,'” Politico reports.

That host was Jesse Watters.

RELATED: ‘Afraid and Intimidated’: Trump Trial Juror Targeted by Fox News Dismissed

Friday afternoon, Watters appeared to egg Trump on, urging the ex-president to violate the gag order.

“I would make them put me in jail,” Watters said on Fox News. “I would have a tweet about something perhaps I said on ‘The Five’ or ‘Jesse Watters Primetime,’ and I would force them to throw me in jail.”

Watch Watters’ remark below or at this link.

 

Continue Reading

News

Gaetz: ‘Corrupt’ Republicans Could ‘Take a Bribe’ and Throw House to Dems, Blocking Trump Run

Published

19 hours ago

on

April 19, 2024

By

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) says some of his fellow House Republicans would “take a bribe” to throw the razor-thin GOP majority to the Democrats if a far-right faction calls up a motion to oust Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, allowing Democrats to hand the gavel to the Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries. he warned if that happens, Democrats would immediately declare Trump ineligible to be President, pack the U.S. Supreme Court, and pass numerous laws like the American Rescue Plan.

“I do believe in a one seat majority there could be one or two or three of my colleagues who would take a bribe in one form or another in order to deprive the Republicans of a majority at all,” Gaetz said Friday on his podcast (video below.)

He added, “the risk that one or two of my corrupt Republican colleagues might take a bribe, take a walk, feign an ailment and flip this thing to the Democrats is a risk that is too high for me at this time.”

Gaetz’s fellow far-right Florida Republican member of Congress, Anna Paulina Luna, told listeners, “I heard that when, if and when the motion vacate is introduced, that there will be immediate resignations of a couple of more moderate members of Congress. And in the event that that happens, that ultimately means it does go to a Democrat speaker.”

RELATED: Jeffries Vows Democrats Will Ensure Ukraine Aid Passes as Johnson Defectors Grow

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) last month filed a “motion to vacate,” which she can use at any time to force a vote to oust the GOP Speaker, Mike Johnson. U.S. Rep. Tim Massie (R-KY) and just today, U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) has signed on as co-sponsors.

Congressman Gaetz told listeners if Democrats do take the House through a force vote to remove Johnson, Democrats would “be declaring Donald Trump an insurrectionist and setting up a barrier to him being able to become the president United States.”

“That’ll be their leadoff hitter, and then the chaser to that shot will be a massive spending package that looks a lot more like the American Rescue Plan. They will blow past every concept of every cap ever imagined. You’ll be looking at Universal Basic Income, you could be looking at packing the Supreme Court.”

Watch a short clip of Gaetz’s remarks below or at this link.

READ MORE: ‘Stop Bringing Up Nazis and Hitler’: Marjorie Taylor Greene Smacked Down by Democrats

Continue Reading

News

Jeffries Vows Democrats Will Ensure Ukraine Aid Passes as Johnson Defectors Grow

Published

22 hours ago

on

April 19, 2024

By

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vowed Friday the majority of Democrats will support Republicans’ Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and Gaza foreign aid legislation as Republican Speaker Mike Johnson lost support of another member of his conference to a faction determined to oust him.

“Democrats will provide a majority of our majority as it relates to funding Israel, humanitarian assistance, Ukraine, and our allies in the Indo Pacific,” Minority Leader Jeffries said. “It remains to be seen what Republicans will do in terms of meeting the national security needs of the American people, but it was important for House Democrats to ensure that the national security bills are going to be considered.”

Despite Republicans having a one-vote majority, more Democrats on Friday voted to move the critical and long-awaited foreign aid bills forward than did Republicans.

READ MORE: ‘Stop Bringing Up Nazis and Hitler’: Marjorie Taylor Greene Smacked Down by Democrats

The 316-94 vote included 165 Democrats and 151 Republicans voting yes, and 55 Republicans and 39 Democrats voting no.

Axios’ Juliegrace Brufke posted the list of Republicans voting against their party’s legislation.

Calling it a “rare” moment in modern congressional history to have to rely on opposition party votes to pass legislation, BBC News reports Speaker Johnson’s “hold on power is tenuous, and the legislators who oppose him – and his bid to provide aid to Ukraine – occupy some key positions within the House’s power structure.”

Amid the procedural vote to move the foreign aid funding bills forward, U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, a far-right Republican of Arizona, announced he is joining Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), and Congressman Tim Massie (R-KY) in formally announcing their will vote to oust Speaker Johnson.

Gosar, like Greene, is reportedly a Christian nationalist. In 2022 CNN reported his “lengthy ties to White nationalists, [a] pro-Nazi blogger and far-right fringe received little pushback for years.”

RELATED: ‘Repercussions’: Democrats and Republicans Stand Against ‘Pro-Putin’ House GOP Faction

“We’ve been very honest in our assessment of the situation from the beginning,” Jeffries on Friday also declared. “At the appropriate time as House Democrats, we will have a conversation about how to deal with any hypothetical motion to vacate.”

“Moscow Marjorie Taylor Greene, Massie, and Gosar are quite a group. But central to our conversation is to make sure that the national security legislation in totality is passed by the House of Representatives.”

Watch the videos above or at this link.

 

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2020 AlterNet Media.