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The problem with Obama caving on extending the tax break for the wealthy isn't necessarily so much that he gave in to it, but that it felt like there was no fight at all.

The Republicans just went "oh you don't want to do what we say?" and Obama just dropped his cards and said "Ok whatever you want!"

We want to see some fight!  Be tough! Sure in the end you might end up having to compromise to get what you want, but I didn't see any fight at all.  The Republicans are just going to keep doing it with every issue.

Obama claims its not about 'moral victory' its about 'getting things done', but he's going to just keep getting walked all over if he just lies down any time the Republicans insinuate they might hold up something he wants done, and he's not going to get what he wants done.

It is *so sad* how the Democrats have wasted their majority.  They had both the executive and the legislative, (and you could debate the judicial though it claims independence), and now we're acting like its all over because the Republicans won majority in one half of one third of the government.  Its not! Toughen up jeez!

posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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Well, there's no guarantee in our constitution of a two party system.  The problem is that us Americans love our dichotomies.  With us or against us! Us or them! Democrat vs Republican!

We know the problem, we just don't know how to solve it, because the problem is us.  The issue goes deeper than needing a change in some political rule, its fundamental to our culture.

posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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He seems to be a genuine and affiable guy.  Still not going to vote for him, but I won't be running around with my hair on fire if he wins. 

There's still basic disagreements, 'cat in a tree? Lower taxes!' and Kitzhaber is a good guy, but compared to so many of the smarmy, sophist Republicans I'm used to seeing on the television all the time, he's a bit of fresh air.

posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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