Richard Trumka and the White House...

[old_gregg]

I don't think that is the issue here.

I'm not familiar with this particular issue or individual, but I thought the concern was that the White House is circumventing the democratic process by using unelected/unconfirmed advisors on policy matters. Accountability and congressional oversight is impeded.

because he regularly consults with the leader of essentially all unionized workers in the country? i'm not sure that's a reason to get one's panties in a wad. i also do not think the fact that he hasn't specifically called every member of his cabinet indicates that he is somehow not consulting with his cabinet writ large. msnbc deals in hyperbole almost as often as fox. it wouldn't be as compelling if they say "obama regularly consults with union leader," i guess.

[il Padrino Ute]

i don't think this is accurate, compelling cell phone footage of trumka's sweaty ass notwithstanding.

I'm not sure I understand why you don't think it's accurate. Now, perhaps Trumka is exaggerating his involvement, but when we see and hear him making the comment, then it's a problem.

If MSNBC is reporting it, it should also give some cause for concern, as this is the network that worships Obama.

[old_gregg]

Now, perhaps Trumka is exaggerating his involvement, but when we see and hear him making the comment, then it's a problem.

wait, so it is somehow not trumka exaggerating because we see and hear him talking?

If MSNBC is reporting it, it should also give some cause for concern, as this is the network that worships Obama.

if that's the crux of your argument, you've got to see why that's kind of silly.

do you think that obama literally spends more time meeting with trumka than his own cabinet?

[il Padrino Ute]

wait, so it is somehow not trumka exaggerating because we see and hear him talking?



if that's the crux of your argument, you've got to see why that's kind of silly.

do you think that obama literally spends more time meeting with trumka than his own cabinet?

I'm just asking why you don't think it's accurate. And yes, from the video, it does cause me to believe that Obama spends more time with a union boss than his cabinet. Or do you think the cabinet members are lying?

And you have a point about MSNBC. That network would never turn on Obama, so there is a chance that it might not be accurate.

[Moliere]

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but the video and report is from MSNBC.

wait, so it is somehow not trumka exaggerating because we see and hear him talking?



if that's the crux of your argument, you've got to see why that's kind of silly.

do you think that obama literally spends more time meeting with trumka than his own cabinet?

You have absolutely nothing to support your basis in this argument. Absolutely nothing....well except for your ASSumptions. We at least have a video of someone and some commentators (from MSNBC mind you) that form the basis of our argument.

And yes, it is a concern to me if someone is in a position to influence the POTUS and that position is not disclosed in a way. I guess we all just knew he was in bed with the unions, but it seems shocking that it's a personal visit a couple times a week and a phone call everyday.

[byu71]

Doesn't surprise me a bit. I think the unions gave 200 million to the dems in 2010. That kind of dough gets you access.

Plus, based on most of the reporting on CNN and CNBC, the unions represent the little guy. Obama is for the little guy, so why wouldn't he be talking to the guy that represents them.

As a passing note. I hear the teachers in Wisconsin make $50,000 starting and up to $100,000. I don't know if that includes benefits or not. I don't know if that is annualized or is for the 9 months.

That being said, what I am interested in is what do they call the people that say make 30,000 and work 12 months will little benefits. Do they call them the "little, teeny , weeny, small, midget people". Maybe Walmart represents them because they aren't unionized.

[old_gregg]

You have absolutely nothing to support your basis in this argument. Absolutely nothing....well except for your ASSumptions. We at least have a video of someone and some commentators (from MSNBC mind you) that form the basis of our argument.

Im making assumptions because I don't think it's a huge deal that Obama (or his staff... It just says he visits the white house) meets with the head of American labor regularly? I bet he meets with a lot of people regularly. To think he has some wanton disregard for the advice of his cabinet because of this seems like a stretch to me.

And yes, it is a concern to me if someone is in a position to influence the POTUS and that position is not disclosed in a way. I guess we all just knew he was in bed with the unions, but it seems shocking that it's a personal visit a couple times a week and a phone call everyday.

it's hard to disagree that this shouldn't be the case, but I wish it was a problem unique to politics. When you have to sell your soul to be elected, this is inevitable. I also don't think the situation is nearly as extreme as Ipu and msnbc want it to sound.

I'm making assumptions because bec

[byu71]

Im making assumptions because I don't think it's a huge deal that Obama (or his staff... It just says he visits the white house) meets with the head of American labor regularly? I bet he meets with a lot of people regularly. To think he has some wanton disregard for the advice of his cabinet because of this seems like a stretch to me.



it's hard to disagree that this shouldn't be the case, but I wish it was a problem unique to politics. When you have to sell your soul to be elected, this is inevitable. I also don't think the situation is nearly as extreme as Ipu and msnbc want it to sound.

I'm making assumptions because bec

The only thing that bothers me about him acting like other politicians is I really believed he was going to be "change I could believe in." More tranparancy, less bickering, et. al. Now that I see he is like any other politician, I will stick with my roots and vote republican next time. If you are going to have to vote for a politician, then I might as well vote for one who is more in line with my policies.

I really am hurt. I thought Obama was going to be different.

[Borderline Divine]

The only thing that bothers me about him acting like other politicians is I really believed he was going to be "change I could believe in." More tranparancy, less bickering, et. al. Now that I see he is like any other politician, I will stick with my roots and vote republican next time. If you are going to have to vote for a politician, then I might as well vote for one who is more in line with my policies.

I really am hurt. I thought Obama was going to be different.

And see I'm happy that he has finally given up this attempt to be bi-partisan that did nothing but get him bitch slapped. His attempts to make nice with big pharma, big insurance and the Republican leadership drug out the healthcare debate for so long that the opponents were given way too much time to put out bullshit messages like death panels.

Like him or not we all know he is wicked smart. Now I'd like to see more wicked.

And it's just laughable this faux outrage about a President rewarding his biggest supporters. He loses them, whose he got?

Where was the outrage when Cheney's first meeting in office was with big energy? Good Gawd you reward your friends and you punish your enemies. I don't care which side does it.

[byu71]

Where was the outrage when Cheney's first meeting in office was with big energy? Good Gawd you reward your friends and you punish your enemies. I don't care which side does it.

Seriously now, who gives a shit what Cheney did, unless of course you want to use it as an example of what not to do. You don't, because you are trying to justify what Obama is doing by pointing to Cheney. Did you like Cheney.

So, let the debate continue on good policy going forward and let's get past my douche bag isn't as bad as your douche bag.

Like I have said before, let the Unions win in Wisconsin. I am all for it. They can be a test case for businesses not heading to Wisconsin to do business or for businesses going to Wisconsin. I would like to test this theory.

Let's freeze all the right to work states right now. Those that have it keep it and those that don't can't have it.

[Borderline Divine]

I'm just surprised that CERTAIN posters in this thread seem to have just become politically aware about a week after the 2008 general election.

71 I do not name you among those posters.

[byu71]

I'm just surprised that CERTAIN posters in this thread seem to have just become politically aware about a week after the 2008 general election.

71 I do not name you among those posters.

Thanks, there are some ingorant sob's on both sides. I don't include you among them.

[old_gregg]

Thanks, there are some ingorant sob's on both sides. I don't include you among them.

thanks a lot, pal