Politics The Elephant in the room...The GOP today

The Democratic women in the Senate are appealing to Republican women in the House to squeeze the fucking prick and get this done.

“As mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and women intent on protecting the inclusive and bipartisan history of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), we are reaching out to you to ask for your help… In 2013 and beyond, the women of the House and Senate are primed to play an even larger role in guiding national policy and we should do so by working across party lines. Let’s not wait any longer to take a critical step forward. We urge you join us by working with your party leaders to put women’s safety first. Saving the lives of women is and should be above politics, and every one of us without regard to party should cast a vote for the safety of all women.”​

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Once again, the extremists among the Republicans put ideology above common sense legislation and they will pay for it if this law expires.

 

This sums it right the hell up.

Daily Kos: An open letter to the people who hate Obama more than they love America

 

Ball is back in Boehner's court today after the Senate passed a bill at 2:00 am this morning extending the Bush tax cuts on all below $400k (and extending UI for a year, extending stimulus tax credits, fixing the AMT, raising estate tax and capital gains, and postponing sequestration cuts for two months).

Will Boehner bring it the floor for a vote and face the Tea Party insurrection?

Now the clock is really ticking.

 

Are there any spending cuts? And I even think the unemployment insurance extension shouldn't have been in there. Does this mean that you can get 3 years of UI if you have lost your job in 2010?

This issue is very difficult to get 'right', but I have no confidence that either side will do it.

 

The defense spending cuts are still there but have been postponed for two months. There will be defense cuts. If you're talking about cuts in SS or Medicare, they are both non-starters with the majority of the public. The Republicans are aware of this. If they have any intention of winning elections in the future, they know they cannot continue to pursue it.

No, it's my understanding that you can get 9 months of full benefit through the state run unemployment insurance pool and another 9 months of benefit through the federal program. I believe the 9 month federal benefit is 1/2 the time at full benefit and 1/2 at half benefit. I don't know where you got 3 years from. Does that change your opinion of the UI extension?

Obama and Biden got most of what they wanted. As it should be. The will of the majority. The minority will benefit....whether they like it or not.

 

I have been away for awhile and I have read many of the comments on American exceptionalism - and it is clear to me that the concept is being confused. Are American's arrogant? In many measures, yes. However, arrogance is different than exceptionalism. Many nations can emphasize what makes them exceptional. Some may emphasize their exceptionalism without displays of arrogance. Personally, when I emphasize exceptionalism, I do it in a arrogant way - it is fun, a form of entertainment. Even within the US, there are sub-cultures that view this form of arrogance in different ways - in order to understand this one would need to at least attempt to understand cultural differences - which many here are unwilling to do - "if you don't think the way I think we mock you, we be-little you, etc., etc. - one suggestion from a Micheal Jackson song, if you want to change the world start with the man in the mirror. The height of real arrogance is not attempting to understand others.

 

Arrogance and exceptionalism are exclusive. One can be exceptional and arrogant or exceptional and not arrogant. Your explanation does not address exceptionalism - being overbearing is being over bearing - being presumptuous is being presumptuous, etc. I agree that in addition to being arrogant some Americans can be overbearing and/or presumptuous. I suppose one could be exceptionally flawed.

I agree with this too. In fact, personally I will tell you when I have double standards. Having double standards is not always a bad thing. For example I was a B/C student in school, my standard for my son is that he be an A student. He says it is a double standard and I say it sure is!

By the way, I think Canadian Bacon is an example of Canadian exceptionalism, don't you take great pride in that? You should.

 

I don't know how what you wrote relates to exceptionalism, but when I think of exceptionalism I am reminded of the central message in the Wizard of Oz - the story line made famous by the movie - where in the end all four main characters are shown to be exceptional in their own ways by the Wizard. I am sure my view of this is far from the intellectualizing you are engaging in that seems very convoluted to me.

Responding simply encourages me, but you are welcome. I suggest ignoring diversionary comments perceived as irrelevant.

Speak for yourself - I am going to get an exceptional Egg McMuffin in the morning - all this talk about Canadian Bacon! You realize Egg McMuffins are made with an exceptional product of British origin, the English Muffin. I will do a moment of silence in honor of both Canadians and the English for their contributions to the quality of my life. Does McDonald's sell Egg McMuffins in Canada?

 

...that Americans are arrogant SOB's, no thanks.

American exceptionalism changes overtime. That which made America exceptional in the world in the 1700's is different than what makes or made America exceptional at other times - I doubt many here could clearly state what makes America exceptional in the world today - your understanding may be very different than reality - but you folks can discuss your understanding as much as you want.

 

Has there ever been, in the history of the world, a nation of people with national exceptionalism relative to other nations? If yes, can you share an example?

 

Let's be clear over time there have been various commonly held definitions of American exceptionalism - many look at it as a form of mockery or disdain. Others view it as a divine purpose from God. somewhere in here you think you know the right way to discuss this - I don't share the communist view of American exceptionalism nor the right wing view (Newt Gingrich (US is a shining city on a hill or however he put it) - I see it in terms of that which makes the US unique and special in the world. I believe there is Canadian exceptionalism. I believe there is Iraq exceptionalism. In fact I believe there is TFP exceptionalism. I have and people like me have a need to believe (rightly or wrongly) that which we are a part has exceptionalism. You don"t have this need. the problem is that you believe that your lack of having this need makes you better - I say it is o.k. for people to have differences. I also believe it is the height of arrogance when people choose not to try and understand differences in people.

That is it, that is all there is to this from my point of view. You folks can do what you will on this topic - I will always take great pride in my country, or unique role in the world - American exceptionalism.