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Senator Bernie Sanders: Obama's Tax Deal is a 'Moral Outrage'
WASHINGTON - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement today on the agreement announced Monday between the White House and congressional Republicans:
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has been among the most outspoken critics on Capitol Hill of Obama's capitulation to the GOP on extending tax benefits for the wealthiest 2% of Americans. He called it a 'moral outrage' and vowed to do all in his power to "defeat this agreement." "In my view, it is a moral
outrage that at a time when this country has a $13.8 trillion national
debt, a collapsing middle class and a growing gap between the very rich
and everybody else that the Republicans would deny extended unemployment
benefits to 2 million workers who are desperately struggling to pay
their bills and maintain their dignity. It is also beyond comprehension
that the Republicans would hold hostage the entire middle class of this
country so that millionaires and billionaires would receive huge tax
breaks. In my view, that is not what this country is about and it is not
what the American people want to see. Our job is to save the
disappearing middle class, not lower taxes for people who are already
extraordinarily wealthy and increase the national debt that our children
and grandchildren would have to pay.
"The immediate political task in front of us is to rally the American people so that in the next several weeks we can find at least a few Republicans who will join us in saying no to increasing the deficit by giving tax breaks to the wealthy and no to holding the unemployed and the middle class hostage.
"I believe that we have the American people on our side on this issue. My office, and I come from a small state, has received more than 600 calls today, 99 percent of them in opposition to this so-called compromise that the president negotiated with the Republicans.
"I will do everything in my power to stand up for the American middle class and defeat this agreement."
155 Comments so far
Show AllThe Class War is being fought on all fronts and they are winning badly...
No, they're winning well.
Class war is not even on most Americans' radar screen. Although a small number of American workers have started debating the existence of a class war, the elite have already won the class war.
LOL.
Wait, there was a class war? Where was it, I didn't even notice!
And wait, what? We lost the war?
Damn.
--
Sad, but true.
Think of it this way:
AMERICANS FINALLY WON A WAR!
Unfortunately only 1% won and 99% lost - but it is a better score than our last three wars where 100% lost.
Come to think of it, maybe it is the same 1% who the are war profiteers who benefited from those wars as well. So nothing changes.
It is good for someone who has more public presence than most of us to start talking about the class war. Sanders illustrated it very well, so his speech moved past the point of an abstraction but described what we are going through and a lot of what caused it. Those who are jobless and losing everything will take it to heart. Those who are subject to all the oppressive nickle-and-diming like losing school bus service will take it to heart. Those whose rising public university tuitions are making education impossible will take it to heart.
Right now the class war is completely one-sided, but the more people who break the silence, who explain what is going on, the better. Right now we are unfortunately only planting seeds of thought, but it is a start. Sanders and Olberman reach people beyond the usual audience. Class war may be an idea whose time has finally come.
Joe
I called Sen Sanders office today and thanked them for their leadership in resisting the republican terrorist tactics. Republicans are holding America hostage to get their bonus for billionaires. Democrats could force Obama to use Tarp funds, or even executive decree to help the middle class and unemployed and finally turn the economy around. Millions of Americans can win this class war big time if we fight these low life repugs and their sociopath corporate masters.
Greed, I understand ----- stupidity, not so much ---- if greed is the driver of the oligopoly ---- starving and destroying the middle class is a self defeating proposition ----- even Henry Ford understood that if his workers could not afford to buy the products they were building, he would not be able to sell to the masses.
What it appears I see is pure sociopathy, psychopathy, and what the study of ponerology refers to as pure evil. dh
Donkey Hote: Henry Ford knows that today he can sell just as many cars across the globe as he used to sell here. They don't need us anymore, they have China and India altho I like to think that when it comes to the end it will be China that will devour them instead.
There was no negotiation. There was no compromise.
There was an excuse.
How convenient that the unemployment benefits extension coincided with the Bush Tax Cut sunset clause.
That timing gives Senators (Democrat and Republican) all the cover they need to assure total capitulation.
Sanders needs to direct his remarks at Obama and Senate Democrats, rather than directing his remarks at Republicans who are doing exactly what we and Republican voters expect Republicans to do. The Democrats own this travesty...they are still in control and let Republicans control the agenda.
ray, no, "Sanders [does not] need to direct his remarks at Obama and Senate Democrats".
He need s to direct his efforts to the establishment of a truly progressive / socialist "Peoples' Anti-Empire Party" ---- hopefully leveraged off of Kevin Zeese and Ralph Nader's efforts with the establishment of the Peoples' Anti-Empire Movement!
We are far FAR beyond the stage where dealing with this gutless, and worse, "COMPLICIT" Democratic Party is doing anything but delaying "The Coming Insurrection" (Negri et al) "Against Empire" (Parenti).
Somehow, perhaps by pure lucky coincidence, Julian Assange has now lit the fuel to begin to confront this GD ruling-elite global corporate/financial/militarist EMPIRE, which has been hiding behind the facade of its 'owned' TWO-Party 'Vichy' sham of democracy, and we need to immediately begin the rebellion against EMPIRE now.
The timing has been set, and the building momentum will carry the day, just as it did in 1789 and 1917.
Alan MacDonald
Sanford, Maine
Alan McDonald,
I could not agree more with your commentary. I have been cogitating on the idea that, if all these minor parties, or even some of them could unite on some common goals putting differences aside, and put forth united mission statements and solutions, we could mount the genesis of a viable third, and possibly fourth (later on)party. The current tweedle dee tweedle dum(b) options we have now are ever more transparently bought/sold out to the oligopoly, which seems bent on a death spiral of stupidity and greed, caring nothing for the survival of even the planet earth, which is increasingly evident to anyone with even half a brain cell, (but, maybe I am giving the troglodytes too much credit) LOL.
Ray:
I expect Republicans, like anyone else, to do what is best for the country.
On the timing. Yes, and now Obama is putting the timing of the next tax expiration, once again, right after an election in two years and in the hands of a lame duck Congress.
Agree. Sanders, Kucinich and plenty of others complain about Republicans and "Congress" as well as others but refrain from criticizing Democratic party Congressmen by name, as well as Obama by name. The "political correctness" accomplishes nothing.
O.P. Exactly it was the plan all along. Tony
"In my view, it is a moral outrage that at a time when this country has a $13.8 trillion national debt, a collapsing middle class and a growing gap between the very rich and everybody else..."
It is not merely a 'moral' outrage.. it is the death knell of the country sounding.
The educated middle class know how to run the ship. They know how to sink it too.
They will not go down without taking the Captains down with them.
No country should be insane enough to rid itself of the barrier between the very rich and the very poor.
I'm sorry, but the American middle class is pathetic; educated or not.
Let's see what happens when Obama's compromise takes place.
How about... NOTHING!
Ya think the middle class will take to the streets??
...taking down the captains??
I'd love to see it.
Don't hold your breath...
why can't the present congress pass the changes before the changeover, when things will be much worse? Obama has no spine; can't he at least sweeettalk them, as Reagan did??
Obama does have spine; he is a Republican.
exactly right...though not merely a republican (nixon would've been better!), but a died-in-the-wool, chicago-school neo-liberal, believing the wealthy are the anointed class and doing everything in his considerable power to reinforce that perverse assumption.
Since when do "neo-liberals" believe that the wealthy are the anointed class? If they believe that, then they automatically lose the right to call themselves liberal!
I do not believe Obama has the right to call himself either "liberal" or "progressive." (I also question whether he would want to. He sure seems to hate us.)
I'm tired of being sold out and then lectured by the one I thought would start the process of leading us out of the dark morass of lies and greed cultivated by Bush. Go lecture yourself, Sir. I know how to compromise, and I'm OK with compromising to accomplish goals. But I also don't give away all my bargaining power before I even enter the room.
Stop acting like the patriarchal Lecturer-er in Chief.
Lakshmi, "neo-liberals" are not liberals at all but their antithesis. They are almost Libertarian in some (economic) respects but schizophrenic in key belief in bending greater state force, especially military conquest, to serving entitled elites at the expense of the masses---essentially they are neo-feudalists with a new reverence for the divine right of kings.
The term 'neo-liberal' actually does not refer to 'liberal' as we typically use the term. I don't know the exact origins, but it refers to economic policies put forth by the likes of Milton Freedman and the Chicago School (Obama's old base) of Economics. Neo-libs believe in a 'free' market, where corporations are not regulated and allowed to suck up the natural resources of a country. They leave a devastated middle class in their wake.
Read Naomi Klein's 'Shock Doctrine.' It's all happening right here, right now.
Better than copying Reagan: he should do what FDR would have done - spoken directly to the people, the Fireside Chats as they were called. Obama should have told the 80% who disapprove of giving away more millions to the überrich to put the screws to the Republicans.
MORE WEALTH THEN DEBT
To many people have wealth at this time when the entire lower of half is in debt.
The educated upper half of society, virtually all having great jobs, all with more wealth then debt and they in love with the way Obama is protecting it for them.
It is not the educated upper 50%. 20% of the people in this country own 93% of the wealth. That 20% included not only the educated but people like Sharon Angle who are as dumb as a bag of hammers.
Education is not the enemy. The gluttony of the wealthy and the American war machine are the enemy. They are both sucking all the wealth out of this country with the help of the right wing main stream media.
"I will do everything in my power to stand up for the American middle class and defeat this agreement."
That's nice talk, but after the health care capitulation, one must question whether Bernie has what it takes. Is it puffery or is it real? Past history says it's puffery. Bernie likes to lead us into battle, then duck and let us take the bullets. If he is serious this time then let him address his past capitulation and unconditionally assure us that he is in the fight to the end. Either that or forget him.
That's right Bernie. Put your money where your mouth is.
And what, exactly is he to do? Is Sen Sanders a god who summon the mass of working USAns to the barricades in DC? It is up to you and me.
I am really getting sick and tired of holier-than-thous bashing Bernie Sanders who is one of 99 senators, who fights the fight every single day. He is an Independent who caucuses with the Democrats and he is incredibly gutsy and fearless. Have you ever seen him on C-SPAN taking on Greenspan, Geithner or other corporate elites? He certainly gets no corporate support because of all his populist and democratic socialist stances but the people of VT do support him.
I agree with Sabocat.
SC ---- Thank you for your observations ---- but if it is indeed up to you and me,
before I cast my lot with you, please, tell me what your plan is. dh
Bernie should remain consistent and not vote for this bill if it comes before him! There now that was not too strong for your mind was it?
He is trying to rally folks. Thats probably the best thing he can do. And I'm sure he's strategizing on how to do something legislatively. So you're sitting there and feeling superior in your critique is getting exactly nothing accomplished...if we make a big enough fuss right now we can make a difference or at least move things along. Do something beyond the virtual world call your congress critters repub and dem and demand they stop kowtowing to the rich and remember who else is here. Make them feel it. Thats what Bernie is saying.
We made him feel it during the health care debate, then Bernie ducked and we took the hits. That time 70% of the American People were on his side. Obama showed more spine than Bernie, and now, I'm supposed to follow him again? No, not this time.
The electorate gave the congress to the Repugs. I say, let them do their worst, and see if the electorate is satisfied.
No, Obama gave Congress to the Republicans.
Had Obama delivered the speech (he gave at 2 PM EST today) two months ago, when he could have cast the Republicans as obstructing extending UI and the tax issues, he could have turned voters against the Republicans.
Obama's wish came true when the Republicans took over control of Congress. For the next two years he can deliver a series of capitulation speeches like he did today and claim that he once again saved the middle class from those obsructionist Republicans.
That's right, ray. It's critical for people to clearly understand the connivance and duplicity beneath the surface. His bewildering two-year performance strongly suggests that Obama contrived to be thrown into the briar patch---losing congress---by design. It now gives him all the prickly cover he needs to consolidate the coup for his gang-bankster patrons by finally delivering Social Security to Wall Street---in the same way Slick Willie, under fire, shredded the social safety net and New Deal regulation.
Under the predictable theatrical right-wing assault, Obama can now pound the pulpit with bold, fiery sermons and emote great sound and fury, signifying nothing, as he sells the farm and betrays the American people. What an ugly web he weaves.
Saddest thing is that when Obama told us in his speech today that us working folk would all be poorer in January 2011 if he didn't make this deal, most Obamabots believed him.
Saddest thing is that when Obama told us in his speech today that us working folk would all be poorer in January 2011 if he didn't make this deal, most Obamabots believed him.
Absolutely correct. This is all by design, something I've been saying for over a year now. Remember when Scott Brown won the election for Ted Kennedy's seat? The relief on the faces of the administration was palpable. The midterm loss of the House fits nicely also. Something to run against (cf. Clinton 94-96) and right out of Rahm's playbook.
Never forget this is a bipartisan reaming you're about to receive - you can (try to) elect anyone you like and it'll still turn out this way. The owners demand it.
Go Bernie!! Kick some ass. It is about time somebody has the guts to take on these bastards!!
Filibuster!
Agreed.
Filibuster!
Let's audit every major bank and corporation in this country to show the sleeping public just how these bastards stole taxpayers money from right under their nose.
Gail,
Yes, well, we can dream anyway. The "we" who should be auditing all these criminal MF's is busy (the DOJ) with conjuring up fraudulent charges against those who have been revealing the truth about the empires secretive and lawless doings around the globe. If folks don't get it by now, they are truely willfully ignorant.
OBAMA -- A FREE SPIRIT?
Politicians have two groups to please, the money group that funds all election, and the voters who put then in office.
But they also have there own ego to please, their desire for glory and to be all they can be.
So my guess is, Obama is 80% controlled by the money group and 20% in submission to his ego and his quest for glory.
And so, this is our dilemma, no real ability to know what Obama might do next, except that we voters will have absolutely no impact on anything he may say or do.
Nice smack at the Republicans, Senator...but how about some well deserved hate towards the Democrats who enabled this deal....especially the President who basically threw you under the bus with this "compromise"??
Why not show some true independence, Senator Sanders, and go after the Democrats as hard as you rightfully whack the GOTP??
Anthony
I hope Senator Sanders is preparing well for making a spectacle because I suspect he will not have many, if any, supporters in the Senate.
I might suggest that he have some books on Psychology, Theology, and Philosophy at hand if he is serious about a filibuster.
Psychology can help him explain the make-up and behavioral characteristics of sociopaths so that he can increase the self-awareness of the majority of Senators.
Theology can help him explain to his perverse colleagues about that camel going through the eye of a needle and what is believed to be sacred and what is seen as profane and why it is unwise to punish the innocent.
Philosophy might help him explain to those predatory animals surrounding him that many great minds have pondered what characteristics they might need to acquire to be human.
I wouldn't bother with a lesson in economics because the majority of the Senators consider that a matter of faith, not logic.
Jam the machine.
Best read on the WEB.
Nice.
Very good suggestions as to reading materiel for reading on the floor --- I might suggest one more ---- "Political Ponerology by a Polish psychiatrist whose name is Lobaczewski. It is a study on the science of political (and personal) evil. dh