They always say their plan's been designed by "technocrats," but that "ideologues" and "divisiveness" are getting in the way.
But the so-called "ideologues" fighting austerity represent Americans in all walks of life, across the political spectrum. They also represent a growing consensus among most economists who aren't tied to right-wing institutions -- including Nobel Prize winners like Paul Krugman and Joseph Stiglitz, and those who work for the IMF.
There's a word for the people who keep complaining that the "ideologues" are getting in their way: Lobbyists.
10. A "divided nation" elected a "divided government" through a democratic process.
No. Democrats won the Presidency and the Senate by decisive margins, both state-by-state and in the popular vote. They even won a handsome victory in the House, but lost it because of sleazy GOP gerrymandering.
They won because they promised to defend Social Security and Medicare, and to tax earnings over $250,000. Now the President and Nancy Pelosi are pushing a plan that cuts Social Security, even though there's no evidence the Republicans are insisting that Social Security be part of the deal.
Think the election would have turned out this way if Obama and Pelosi had told the public what they'd be doing in December?
Republicans aren't speaking for half of a divided nation. And Democrats who don't live up to their campaign promises aren't honoring the small-"d" democratic process.
11. It's about politicians.
"Obamabots" vs. "Obama bashers": It's on. Again. But it's not about Obama -- or Bill and Hillary, or any other political leader. If you attach your hopes to them you're setting yourself up for a snow job, like Bill's huckstering of late for the Fix the Debt/Simpson/Bowles corporate austerity plan.
But the flip side -- hating or resenting them -- is a distraction, and it can eat away at the soul.
Politics is not a celebrity sport. Corporate interests understand that. They've gotten a lot of politicians to throw the game by throwing their money around, and even some of the better ones feel they'll lose if they don't compromise.
Sure, brave politicians can make a huge difference. (Thank you, Bernie Sanders. And Raul Grijalva. And Keith Ellison. And Jan Schakowsky. It's a long list, and we hope to add Elizabeth Warren and a couple more names to it soon.)
We still need to "emancipate ourselves from mental slavery" -- especially in the form of hero-worshipping or demonizing the human beings who hold or seek high office.
12. We're helpless.
Yes, it's a rigged game. Yes, our democracy's been tainted and compromised.
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