We are all human, and I think he has a lot of credibility. Still, I think it's sad that they DO NOT seem to be in control of anything.

This all seems so orchestrated, like peering into a looking glass at smoke and mirrors. It's as if we are being led down a path not of our own choosing, where the destination is anything but pretty. The American people are being forced into a corner, where choices no longer exist, and where their opinions no longer count. In the end, I think the people will be sacrificed in favor of Continuity of Government, and continuation of the status quo (i.e. control by the upper 1% oligarchy.

There is no liberal-progressive arm of Congress (if in fact there ever was). The silence of the Democrats on the Neo-Con agenda (in fact actually giving it support and justification during the Obama Administration) is indicative of a country that has taken a turn to the Right.

Above the gates of Hell is a sign that says: "Give Up All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here," and I think that is where we are headed since Dick Cheney took us to the Dark Side. I am sad, not just for myself, or my country, but for future generations to come. For my children, and grand children, and the failure of democratic standards throughout the world, in favor of fascist economic imperialism.

The "Neo-Liberals" are no different than the "Neo-Cons," especially when it comes to the "New World Order" spoken of by G.H.W. Bush. This drive toward control, domination, and exploitation of the world's resources and people will lead to the destruction of sovereignty of nations (including our own) and the inevitable destruction of the planet.

Post-democratic capitalism

The problem is that the Democrats cannot restore any trust, respect or confidence the American people have lost in the government. I watched as Senator Sanders danced around many of the questions asked, and instead of addressing the questions head-on, would continue to bring up the Republican shutdown. Yes, we all know the Republicans and their right wing supporters have brought this country to its knees, but Sanders failed to answer questions of Constitutionality that were raised, or what constitutes treasonous activity by those in Congress, Supereme Court, or Executive Branch.

Sanders is like a lot of Democrat and Republican clowns on Capitol Hill that avoid serious questions about our loss of freedoms via the Patriot Act and NDAA. They fail to address the failure of the Democrats to impeach Bush in 2006. They fail to address the failure of the Democrats to oppose the illegal invasion of Iraq based on lies. They fail to address the increase of expenditures on the Military-Industrial-Espionage Complex, and the fact that the U.S. now has over 700 bases in over 100 countries. They fail to address the fact that 911 was never investigated, and that the greatest violent crime in U.S. history was never treated as a crime scene. The Democrats have never addressed the illegality of Extraordinary Rendition, torture, and the summary executions taking place by UAV Drones under the Obama Administration. It is understandable that the Republicans and their extremist right wing evangelical base (Tea Party) would not want to investigate or address any of this, but it is not understandable for the Democrats not to.

I stopped calling in to Thom Hartmann back in 2011, on the 10th anniversary of 911. I called in to discuss the events of that day and was immediately told “we do not discuss that topic” by the woman who answered the phone. This from someone who was on Free Speech TV!

So I think it is disingenuous for any member of congress, whether Democrat or Republican to get on any show and hedge around questions of the violation of the Constitution, when that document is what justifies their existence as a government. Thom Hartmann still likes to play partisan politics, and yes the Republicans are the worst of the bunch, but the system itself is flawed, corrupt, and broken. When corporations have their lobbyists plying the halls of Congress, and stuffing money into their campaign coffers, how can we have a fair and representative government? Organizations like ALEC, AIPAC, and the influence of Wall Street and the criminal elements that were bailed out, are the ones who have the greatest influence on legislation, not the American people.

So it’s time for the media such as MSNBC, FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, as well as FSTV, LINKTV, and shows like Thom Hartmann to stop playing this Left-Right mind game, and come to grips with the fact that it DOES NOT MATTER WHO IS ELECTED WHEN BOTH PARTIES ARE IN THE POCKET OF THE UPPER 1% OLIGARCHS.

I am not even sure that a Third Party would make any difference, when those who were “too big to fail” were also too big to control or punish. They were not only bailed out with our children’s future, but were given positions of authority within the government. Nancy Pelosi, Dianne Feinstein, and all the rest of the Democrats are just as corrupt as Boehner, Cruz, Ryan, Paul, and the rest of the Tea Party, that are backed by the Koch Bros and corporate/banking interests.

Good point, Bobcox! The increased interest on the debt after downgrading to "C" is a tax increase and, I'd like to add, a way to increase the deficit, which is, of course, what the Republicans want. When they bankrupt government they force it to privatize and then government becomes their (rich people's, big business') own personal property and then - like some feudal monarchy - they dominate society COMPLETELY, politically AND economically.

Quote Kend:Obama isn't bring the debt shown. He is just reducing the amount he spends a little.

Kend ~ You are right. Obama has done little to reduce our debt; and, the second another drunken Republican sailor gets in office chances are the debt is going to soar out of control again. If Obama doesn't take decisive action to end this Republican caused debt game, it is going to continue until our creditors give up.

Quote Kend:Wasn't it those high union wages what send the work to China.

Kend ~ No, it wasn't. It was the high cost of living in this country and the staggering inflation rate coupled with ridiculous trade policies that caused that. All unions did is regulate the wage rate so that workers could afford to live. It is Reaganomics that caused staggering inflation, and a soaring cost of living.

Quote Kend:Nobody is trying to destroy anything they are just trying to find out how they are going to pay for it.

Kend ~ I'm glad you asked. Raise the tax rate on any income over $1 Million to 95%. Nothing is destroyed and problem solved. If anyone wants to leave the country, good riddance. It is this income bracket that caused our debt in the first place. If they don't want to pay their bill, then they are more than welcome to move to any of the countries they have bombed into Democracy in the last decade. I'm sure they will be welcomed there with open arms.

Means testing Obamacare stigmatizes it and makes it more like a charitable welfare program than a affirmation and upholding of a fundamental human right to healthcare - and will probably cause people to shun and boycott it..

Well, they made a deal and I thought twas a nefarious plot to default. All this time twas just squabbling amongst the oligarchs.

Kend ~ According to these two year old articles in the Washington Post and the Huffington Post, we have blown at least close to $4 Trillion on oil wars over the last decade. That's in supplies, equipment, bullets, and bombs. That doesn't' even begin to count property or human life lost. If you did factor in the later the staggering cost would amount to more money than exists on the planet.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/29/us-war-costs-3-trillion_n_886879.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/03/AR2010090302200.html

In our normal annual budget we spend about the same amount on defense that we spend on our social safety net. That is wrong! The military is not needed, social programs are. Again, what the hell are we trying to protect? The land where we let the poor starve to death, and the sick die? We have to learn to recognize natural priorities in this nation. If health care takes half our budget, so be it. We have to adopt a taxation policy that covers our needs; and, that begins by maximizing the tax on the wealthy. After all, they are the ones who benefited from these wars. They are the ones who profited by these wars. And they are the ones who manipulated this country into these wars. Don't you think people should have to pay their own bills?

Just a fast question. If the Democrats in the house add an offensive (to us) BUT THE RIGHT WING STUPIDS CAN SAY THEY WON BU ADDING SOME item in the funding/ debt limit bill and get 2 years for no more nonsence and the Senate passes it, Could the president sign the bill BUT LINE ITEM VETO THE GARBAGE IN THE BILL?

If only that debit ceiling warning would have been heeded when bush and reagan ran up the debt, there would be no problem today. But, since reagan, republicans have been running up debt on purpose, per the two santa claus (Grover norquist) scheme., with the intent to screw democrats anytime democrats win elections.

Like Clinton, Obama has been bringing the debt back down. And what money there is, health care is an extreme priority. Otherwise, with conservatives destroying Medicare, SS, healthcare, and welfare, America will become like the midel of Mexico (with people living in cardboard boxes, no health care, no jno hoe hope)..

The solution of coarse, Is to bring back workers unions that made America strong. It's obvious they well-paid worker is the root of a strong economy. The one percent cannot drive the economy buying an occasional pool and an occasional mansion.

I believe we should keep our eye on the ball; excessive profits for the 1% take money out of our economy because it sits in a huge growing bank account that is removed from our economy. Whereas workers on the other hand would spend ths money and therefore fuel the economy. It is the worst of all possible worlds to funnel the lions share of money pie to the wealthiest 1%, Because not only does it destroy our economy, it also gives a few individuals the power to undermine our entire democracy (Because they have so much money they can control politicians like puppets).

Marsh - AGREED! We've enough of these toadies here already without more imported from Canada.