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rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)
Thu Jan 1, 2015, 04:15 PM Jan 2015

Sen Sanders Says No to TPP – Why Do Conservative Dems Say Yes? - Part 1

Why are some Democrats willing to look the other way?

1. TPP will allow corporations to outsource even more jobs overseas.
2. U.S. sovereignty will be undermined by giving corporations the right to challenge our laws before international tribunals.
3. Wages, benefits, and collective bargaining will be threatened.
4. Our ability to protect the environment will be undermined.
5. Food Safety Standards will be threatened.
6. Buy America laws could come to an end.
7. Prescription drug prices will increase, access to life saving drugs will decrease, and the profits of drug companies will go up.
8. Wall Street would benefit at the expense of everyone else.
9. The TPP would reward authoritarian regimes like Vietnam that systematically violate human rights.
10. The TPP has no expiration date, making it virtually impossible to repeal.

This information came from Sen Sanders. Support Sen Sanders opposition of the TTP here: http://www.sanders.senate.gov/stop-the-tpp

Please contact your Senators and tell them to side with Sen Sanders and vote no on the TTP.
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Sen Sanders Says No to TPP – Why Do Conservative Dems Say Yes? - Part 1 (Original Post) rhett o rick Jan 2015 OP
Because "Conservative Dem" is an oxymoron. If you know what I mean, and I think you do. n/t djean111 Jan 2015 #1
Yes I do know what you mean. Democratic principles are not conservative principles. nm rhett o rick Jan 2015 #7
I am starting to think that "principles" are very few and far between, in politics. djean111 Jan 2015 #8
I think many of us are feeling that way. CrispyQ Jan 2015 #21
With a very few exceptions, "liberal Senator" is also an oxymoron. merrily Jan 2015 #12
Oh, I can certainly see that. It is clear to me that, while campaigning is, in our fucked-up djean111 Jan 2015 #15
It's no mystery. The financial reporting standards of Congress are a joke. merrily Jan 2015 #16
I will go a bit further - it is not charmingly naive, it is stupid. n/t djean111 Jan 2015 #17
A conservative dem is a republican. Just like there is no such thing as a Liberal republican. Autumn Jan 2015 #2
Correct. That's why they come up with all these names for democrats who act like something else. TheNutcracker Jan 2015 #10
If repubs are infiltrating and running as ConservaDems aspirant Jan 2015 #3
Because the two Parties are very different. Our tent is very big and we let just about rhett o rick Jan 2015 #4
I often wondered why we don't do that. But actual Dems would find it very hard to pretend sabrina 1 Jan 2015 #5
I Wish I Knew colsohlibgal Jan 2015 #6
They SHOULD ignore this thread. This forum is supposed to be a "safe haven" for DU's left. merrily Jan 2015 #13
There are no conservative Democrats - just Republicans gaming weak Democrats... whereisjustice Jan 2015 #9
I don't think Dem Senators get gamed by Republicans. merrily Jan 2015 #14
yes, tried to compress too much of an analysis in a title block... whereisjustice Jan 2015 #18
Yep. I don't think any pol cares how hard you feel you have to pin your nose in the voting booth, as merrily Jan 2015 #19
I don't believe that hearing from constituents changes the vote of a Senator. merrily Jan 2015 #11
K&R! This post deserves hundreds of recommendations! Enthusiast Jan 2015 #20
Recommended. (nt) NYC_SKP Jan 2015 #22
 

djean111

(14,255 posts)
8. I am starting to think that "principles" are very few and far between, in politics.
Thu Jan 1, 2015, 08:36 PM
Jan 2015

That's why I am so cynical about the campaign and support stuff. We feel so strongly about what is right and what is wrong, and right and wrong are lobbied away or murdered in the name of getting elected, and then reelected, and obtaining the money for that.
Feel like a fool, at times.

CrispyQ

(38,269 posts)
21. I think many of us are feeling that way.
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 02:24 PM
Jan 2015

The dems are on thin ice. They have no credibility with the liberal wing of the party. Every time I vote for the lesser of two evils, the party shifts to the right, so what the fuck, next time I'm going green or writing my vote in.

 

djean111

(14,255 posts)
15. Oh, I can certainly see that. It is clear to me that, while campaigning is, in our fucked-up
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 08:37 AM
Jan 2015

system, kind of completely disassociated from what the elected does when they win, the internet has let us know in great detail what
really happens when everyone gets to Washington and The Lobbyists and The Donors who are not only Owed bur have to have their asses kissed and their desires legislated in order for the elected to be able to run in the next election. Starts the first day of a new term. And here we are, foolishly waving banners and sticking signs in our lawns and putting our teams' bumper stickers on our cars, sending in our pittances, and hanging on every word of campaign blather. Then they get to Washington and Monsanto or Jamie Dimon or their whip tells them what they are actually going to vote for, what bills are actually going to be permitted to get to the floor.

And then, of course, some horse's asses bray that why doesn't your favorite senator DO something instead of just talking about it. As if one senator or Representative can buck the whole corrupt system. As if Reid or Boehner or Pelosi or McConnell or Obama or Dimon or the Kochs or Monsanto have not already decided things.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
16. It's no mystery. The financial reporting standards of Congress are a joke.
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 09:04 AM
Jan 2015

For just one thing, their homes need not be included and, for most homeowners, their homes are their largest assets (except when they go underwater). For another, they get to report in ranges, as opposed to hard numbers. Even with all that, over half of them show up, by their own fudge-y reporting standards, as millionaires and probably several times over.

The notions that I see get repeated over and over on this board and even by professional pundits, that the Democrats, who are supposedly the smarter of the two, are continually getting duped and gamed into benefiting themselves and their fellow multi-millionaires is charmingly naive, but silly.

aspirant

(3,533 posts)
3. If repubs are infiltrating and running as ConservaDems
Thu Jan 1, 2015, 04:47 PM
Jan 2015

Why can't we infiltrate and run some candidates as red dogs or constitutional repubs

 

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)
4. Because the two Parties are very different. Our tent is very big and we let just about
Thu Jan 1, 2015, 04:50 PM
Jan 2015

anyone in. The Republican's tent is small and very tightly controlled. They all vote lock-step. No progressive Democrat would venture near.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
5. I often wondered why we don't do that. But actual Dems would find it very hard to pretend
Thu Jan 1, 2015, 06:48 PM
Jan 2015

to be Republican, even a moderate Republican. I don't think it's possible.

The infiltrators in our Party are people who really are Republicans when it comes to most issues, they would be in the Republican Party except for how crazy they have become.

But on Foreign Policies and Economics, which affects minorities, though they claim to support minority rights, law enforcement issues, Civil Rights etc, they are in agreement with Republicans.

colsohlibgal

(5,276 posts)
6. I Wish I Knew
Thu Jan 1, 2015, 07:35 PM
Jan 2015

But we can all bet that the Obama apologists will either ignore this or have some excuse. They are amazing and they are blind in their loyalty.

whereisjustice

(2,941 posts)
9. There are no conservative Democrats - just Republicans gaming weak Democrats...
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 12:01 AM
Jan 2015

Hear all that shit about "centrist" and "moderate"? The mythical "middle"?

That's just just what it is. Shit. 100% pure shit.

There are no "moderates'. Just the unprincipled, gilded class of comfortably rich who use comfort words like "moderate" to defend their predatory, anti-democratic behavior.

For the Hillary/Jeb class citizen - TPP is pure gold.

More exploited labor in Asia, more bullshit about the global economy, more poverty and wealth disparity, more pollution.

More bullshit about how education is the key, torturing kids in schools while shipping jobs to $1 a day labor in Vietnam - no bathroom breaks, no chairs, no air conditioning, kids on the factory floor, living in dorms, 6 to a room, abused by their bosses.

And more H1Bs

Our infrastructure is LITERALLY rotting, talented kids are being tortured with idiotic testing standards, college $100k and costs rising as faster than gas filled college execs salaries.

Meanwhile, the media will waste no time labeling both candidates "moderates".

Democrats are giving us TPP and Republicans applauding white supremacists.

For the rich, it really doesn't get any better than this.

The sublime irony is how the rich, political class is working both parties against the "middle" class.

It's Hillary and Jeb, and they are both competing for their entitled place at the throne and the right to fuck us over.

And we are perfectly conditioned not to fight back (spying, militarized police, puppet journalism), just where they want us, like helpless fish in the barrel.


















merrily

(45,251 posts)
14. I don't think Dem Senators get gamed by Republicans.
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 07:21 AM
Jan 2015

Rightist Dems do pretty much what they want to do, then blame Republicans for whatever is wrong with the country. That doesn't mean they got gamed. It's all a normal part of D.C. kabuki.

whereisjustice

(2,941 posts)
18. yes, tried to compress too much of an analysis in a title block...
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 10:51 AM
Jan 2015

What I believe is that Democratic voters are the ones being gamed. Just having a D next to your name is enough to pacify the rank and file who are afraid to fight back against ANY so-called Democrat.

Blaming Republicans is a game by the 1% to keep us distracted as their class war plunders the nation.

We've tried rewarding our elected leaders over and over, hoping they'll stop hurting us.

It doesn't work.

Until voters have enough courage to start punishing elected representatives, nothing will change.




merrily

(45,251 posts)
19. Yep. I don't think any pol cares how hard you feel you have to pin your nose in the voting booth, as
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 10:59 AM
Jan 2015

long as he or she gets re-elected.

I am not sure what the solutions are. I did hear an interesting discussion on Free Speech TV, but I was falling asleep and never did get the names of the people leading the discussion. (Why, O why, must I get to sleepy to fight it at all the wrong times?)

Still, it was encouraging to know some people are looking for solutions beyond LOTE. Whether Demlicans or Republicrats will ever allow those solutions to be implemented on a national level is a big question, but I think our voices carry to more places if we work in our cities and towns and in our state houses.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
11. I don't believe that hearing from constituents changes the vote of a Senator.
Fri Jan 2, 2015, 07:15 AM
Jan 2015

I don't think contacting them hurts anything, and I often do so myself, if I want something and I have the time and patience. However, I think the impression that contacting them is going to change their votes is affirmatively dangerous.

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