Jesse Jackson: "Back off Obama and solve some problems"

[Soul Crusher]

Back off Obama and solve some problems
www.realclearpolitics.co m
August 17, 2010

BY JESSE JACKSON

________________________ ________________________ _____


American politics isn't beanbag. It is rough, bare-knuckled and often dirty. In today's 24/7 media environment, attack ads are remembered, and the truth has a hard time catching up with a lie. We now have entire TV networks that are essentially ideological propaganda outlets. With Republicans consolidated as the party of white sanctuary, anchored in the South, and Democrats championing diversity and inclusion, the politics of race is accentuated.

But given all that, have we ever witnessed anything like the unrelenting assault on Barack Obama? "Birther" nonsense is believed by some 40 percent of Republicans. Staggering numbers think he's a Muslim. National Republican leaders denounce his "socialist" agenda. When the first lady takes a vacation with her daughters, it's a scandal. Senior senators embarrass themselves by endorsing the big lie of "death panels" in the health care bill. Republicans openly decided that they would obstruct virtually everything the president tried to do. Zero votes for financial reform in the House. Zero votes for the recovery act. Zero votes for health care reform. Judicial and governmental nominees blocked for months by senatorial "holds" grounded on nothing but wanting to obstruct the operation of the government. Now every major vote is met with a filibuster, in numbers we've never seen before, rendering the Senate virtually dysfunctional.

This comes as the country faces its worst economic downturn since the Great Depression (begun under Obama's predecessor), two wars (started by Obama's predecessor) and the calamitous malfunctioning of key industries -- finance, housing, health care, energy and more. Yet, instead of an effort to come together to meet what are national crises, the right-wing echo chamber talks only about bringing the president down, and the Republican leaders embrace and parrot the extreme anger of the right. The so-called moderates duck and cover. No more mavericks allowed.

Yet, while there are differences between the two parties, they are not nearly as great as the debate suggests. Crisis drives action more than ideology. George Bush did the first stimulus plan. Bush pushed through the bailout of the banks, the controversial $700 billion TARP program. Obama's program was but a continuation. Obama's stimulus included the top-end tax cuts that Republican senators called for. Obama would continue all of the Bush tax cuts, except those applying to the top 2 percent. Bush provided the first money to rescue the auto industry. Bush started the two wars that Obama now wages. If anything, Obama's strategy in Afghanistan reflected the conservative criticisms of President Bush's policy. The trade policies, alas, are indistinguishable.

But the venom ignores the areas of agreement by simply peddling lies. Obama is assailed for running up deficits, but the great bulk of the deficits -- as any honest analyst knows -- were inherited, the results of the recession, and the funded wars and tax cuts of the Bush years. And in fact, the single act that has done most to reduce projected long-term deficits -- by more than $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years -- is health care reform. Ironically, Republicans are moving to repeal exactly those parts of the bill that would most hold down costs.

People have the right to say what they wish, particularly in political speech. But having the right does not make it right. Opposition to the president's policies should be combined with respect for his office. Political tactics ought to be informed by the reality that we all want this country to succeed. Democratic House leader Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan were diametrically opposed, but managed to find ways to work -- and to share a drink -- together. Dr. King always taught us to appeal to the better angels of our opponents, even those unleashing dogs and armed with billy clubs. It is a lesson we should not forget.
Related Blog Posts

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I agree with Jesse - simply having the right to do something does not make it right. 

[BM OUT]

Back off Obama and solve some problems
www.realclearpolitics.co m
August 17, 2010

BY JESSE JACKSON

________________________ ________________________ _____


American politics isn't beanbag. It is rough, bare-knuckled and often dirty. In today's 24/7 media environment, attack ads are remembered, and the truth has a hard time catching up with a lie. We now have entire TV networks that are essentially ideological propaganda outlets. With Republicans consolidated as the party of white sanctuary, anchored in the South, and Democrats championing diversity and inclusion, the politics of race is accentuated.

But given all that, have we ever witnessed anything like the unrelenting assault on Barack Obama? "Birther" nonsense is believed by some 40 percent of Republicans. Staggering numbers think he's a Muslim. National Republican leaders denounce his "socialist" agenda. When the first lady takes a vacation with her daughters, it's a scandal. Senior senators embarrass themselves by endorsing the big lie of "death panels" in the health care bill. Republicans openly decided that they would obstruct virtually everything the president tried to do. Zero votes for financial reform in the House. Zero votes for the recovery act. Zero votes for health care reform. Judicial and governmental nominees blocked for months by senatorial "holds" grounded on nothing but wanting to obstruct the operation of the government. Now every major vote is met with a filibuster, in numbers we've never seen before, rendering the Senate virtually dysfunctional.

This comes as the country faces its worst economic downturn since the Great Depression (begun under Obama's predecessor), two wars (started by Obama's predecessor) and the calamitous malfunctioning of key industries -- finance, housing, health care, energy and more. Yet, instead of an effort to come together to meet what are national crises, the right-wing echo chamber talks only about bringing the president down, and the Republican leaders embrace and parrot the extreme anger of the right. The so-called moderates duck and cover. No more mavericks allowed.

Yet, while there are differences between the two parties, they are not nearly as great as the debate suggests. Crisis drives action more than ideology. George Bush did the first stimulus plan. Bush pushed through the bailout of the banks, the controversial $700 billion TARP program. Obama's program was but a continuation. Obama's stimulus included the top-end tax cuts that Republican senators called for. Obama would continue all of the Bush tax cuts, except those applying to the top 2 percent. Bush provided the first money to rescue the auto industry. Bush started the two wars that Obama now wages. If anything, Obama's strategy in Afghanistan reflected the conservative criticisms of President Bush's policy. The trade policies, alas, are indistinguishable.

But the venom ignores the areas of agreement by simply peddling lies. Obama is assailed for running up deficits, but the great bulk of the deficits -- as any honest analyst knows -- were inherited, the results of the recession, and the funded wars and tax cuts of the Bush years. And in fact, the single act that has done most to reduce projected long-term deficits -- by more than $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years -- is health care reform. Ironically, Republicans are moving to repeal exactly those parts of the bill that would most hold down costs.

People have the right to say what they wish, particularly in political speech. But having the right does not make it right. Opposition to the president's policies should be combined with respect for his office. Political tactics ought to be informed by the reality that we all want this country to succeed. Democratic House leader Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan were diametrically opposed, but managed to find ways to work -- and to share a drink -- together. Dr. King always taught us to appeal to the better angels of our opponents, even those unleashing dogs and armed with billy clubs. It is a lesson we should not forget.
Related Blog Posts

________________________ ________________________ _____________________

I agree with Jesse - simply having the right to do something does not make it right. 

As usual,Jesse Hymietown Jackson is a proven fool.That poll of 40% of republicans believing Obama wasnt born here is a lie.The pollster is being sued because the poll was a fake,yet Jackson quotes it,which isnt a surprise as he still thinks the Duke 'rape" case was a case of white men lusting after black women,instead of the lie it was PROVEN to be.

Jesse used to spit in white peoples food,why would anyone listen to a thing he said.

[SAMSON123]

As usual,Jesse Hymietown Jackson is a proven fool.That poll of 40% of republicans believing Obama wasnt born here is a lie.The pollster is being sued because the poll was a fake,yet Jackson quotes it,which isnt a surprise as he still thinks the Duke 'rape" case was a case of white men lusting after black women,instead of the lie it was PROVEN to be.

Jesse used to spit in white peoples food,why would anyone listen to a thing he said.

Please provide the links of your claim that Jesse spits into the food of white people..... I will give you time to find this Queen Mimnaugh I know you have to make your drug runs to keep the bills paid as well as shoot yourself up to avoid wearing a size small shirt...

[Soul Crusher]

Please provide the links of your claim that Jesse spits into the food of white people..... I will give you time to find this Queen Mimnaugh I know you have to make your drug runs to keep the bills paid as well as shoot yourself up to avoid wearing a size small shirt...

Look it up. 

[LurkerNoMore]

Jesse Jackson needs to be prison whipped with a bar of soap in a sock on a daily basis.

[Soul Crusher]

Jesse Jackson needs to be prison whipped with a bar of soap in a sock on a daily basis.

I want to know how a minister can afford a mansion, bang chics like he does, father out of wedlock children, and still be deemed a Rev. soliciting 501 c3 money? 


Sounds like a great gig to me. 

[LurkerNoMore]

I want to know how a minister can afford a mansion, bang chics like he does, father out of wedlock children, and still be deemed a Rev. soliciting 501 c3 money? 

Well you know those religious hypocrite types.

Hell, look at MLK.  Some dunce on here actually think he got his own holiday simply because he was a Rev.   

[BM OUT]

Please provide the links of your claim that Jesse spits into the food of white people..... I will give you time to find this Queen Mimnaugh I know you have to make your drug runs to keep the bills paid as well as shoot yourself up to avoid wearing a size small shirt...

 I can give you 100 links but he admitted in in a 1969 Life magazine interview.So,once again,you stupid little black idiot,your wrong and have been owned defending another little koon.You humiliate yourself on here everyday.

Im 310lbs and will lift in a meet this weekend.In your entire life you could never get to 310lbs,could never compete in powerlifting or bodybuilding.Why do you post on a website of weightlifters when you cant lift?Jesse Jackson spit in white peoples food,I wish he,or you,would try to spit in my food because Id beat the black off both of you you dim witted spook.Now go pick some cotton,or go march on Selma you black idiot.

By the way,save your insults spook,Im easy to find,dont post it,come say it to my face coward.

[George Whorewell]

"If it doesn't fit, you must acquit-- Knick Knack Paddy Whack, Lawd Have Mercy, Action Jackson 88, Amen"- Jesse Jackson leading opening prayer before world leaders at Middle East Peace Conference in 1998