With friends like these...

[Joe Steel]

Within the last week, Democrats have surrendered to Bush on funding the occupation of Iraq and free trade.

With friends like these who needs enemies.

[loosecannon]

Within the last week, Democrats have surrendered to Bush on funding the occupation of Iraq and free trade.

With friends like these who needs enemies.

The only potential silver lining is that the bill the dems agreed to likely will not even pass the congress.

They may have intended to capitulate in gesture only just to stall. Oh and pose behind the charade.

But yeah, They are really starting to piss me off.

[Mr. P]

Within the last week, Democrats have surrendered to Bush on funding the occupation of Iraq and free trade.

With friends like these who needs enemies.

No they caved to the public..which despite the left wing claim that they disapprove of the war, don't. I can go with unhappy maybe, disapprove is a stretch.

[avatar4321]

so funding the troops and free trade is bad? (Im not sure what you were refering to in detail on the free trade because I havent heard anything. Im just assuming based on the way you are stating it that you are objecting to free trade in and of itself)

[avatar4321]

But yeah, They are really starting to piss me off.

join the club.

[Yurt]

Within the last week, Democrats have surrendered to Bush on funding the occupation of Iraq and free trade.

With friends like these who needs enemies.

Don't the dems get something like 15 BILLION for "local" projects etc...

[Hugh Lincoln]

Within the last week, Democrats have surrendered to Bush on funding the occupation of Iraq and free trade.

With friends like these who needs enemies.

So you're starting to feel like your preferred political party has sold out. The leaders are out of touch with the base.

Hey, wait... that's the Republicans!

[Joe Steel]

so funding the troops and free trade is bad? (Im not sure what you were refering to in detail on the free trade because I havent heard anything. Im just assuming based on the way you are stating it that you are objecting to free trade in and of itself)

The Democrats made a backroom deal with the Bush Regime on NAFTA. The deal is so secret, the leadership hasn't even released the language to the Democrats in the House; probably because they completely ignored the concerns of American workers and soldout to Big Business.

And, yes. Free trade is bad. American workers can't compete with workers who'll work for pennies an hour. American business can't compete with foreign business who don't have to worry about funding employee healthcare or protecting the environment. We need fair trade not free trade.

[Gaffer]

The Democrats made a backroom deal with the Bush Regime on NAFTA. The deal is so secret, the leadership hasn't even released the language to the Democrats in the House; probably because they completely ignored the concerns of American workers and soldout to Big Business.

And, yes. Free trade is bad. American workers can't compete with workers who'll work for pennies an hour. American business can't compete with foreign business who don't have to worry about funding employee healthcare or protecting the environment. We need fair trade not free trade.

I really want to see where you got your info on the backroom deal that even the democrats in the house don't know about.

[Joe Steel]

I really want to see where you got your info on the backroom deal that even the democrats in the house don't know about.

This is from David Sirota's blog at Working for Change.

In a stunning interview with reporters, House Democratic leaders began bragging that the reason they kept the deal secret in the first place - and perhaps the reason the legislative text of the deal remains secret - is because they feared the concessions they were making to K Street lobbyists, the Bush administration and top congressional GOP leaders would elicit opposition from the majority of their own congressional Democratic colleagues.

SECRET TRADE DEAL - DAY 13: Dem Leaders Brag About Appeasing K Street By Keeping Dem Colleagues In the Dark

[loosecannon]

This is from David Sirota's blog at Working for Change.

This reminds me of the way B Clinton was transformed after a year in office.

[Birdzeye]

This reminds me of the way B Clinton was transformed after a year in office.

The GOPers had 14 years to show what scumbags they were; now the Dems are taking up the opportunity to show they're no better.

[loosecannon]

The GOPers had 14 years to show what scumbags they were; now the Dems are taking up the opportunity to show they're no better.

It is kinda sickening. Altho I still think 1/2 of the GOP party is concentrated evil.

Whereas on the opposite side I see 1/2 of the Dems as ineffectual flimsies.

Between the two the flimsies are less of a threat.

[5stringJeff]

Free trade is bad. American workers can't compete with workers who'll work for pennies an hour. American business can't compete with foreign business who don't have to worry about funding employee healthcare or protecting the environment. We need fair trade not free trade.

Wrong. Free trade is good. It works to make all economies involved more efficient. That means that manufacturing jobs will likely be exported to foreign countries; it also means that industries which cannot be exported, such as the service industry, will expand.

And as far as funding employee health care, such a decision should be made by the employer, not the government. No American company should be forced to provide health benefits to any of its employees.

[Joe Steel]

Wrong. Free trade is good. It works to make all economies involved more efficient. That means that manufacturing jobs will likely be exported to foreign countries; it also means that industries which cannot be exported, such as the service industry, will expand.

And as far as funding employee health care, such a decision should be made by the employer, not the government. No American company should be forced to provide health benefits to any of its employees.

Wrong.

Efficiency is secondary in importance to equity. The goal of public policy should be an equitable distribution of resources. If that requires forcing business to do whatever the policy demands, so be it.