What will happen next in the budget fight (sacrificing the safety net for war)

[woo me with science]

Here comes the war machine.

We need to push back. Republicans, this administration, and key Democrats in Congress will end up supporting preserving military spending, but cutting Social Security and Medicare, in Round Two of the budget fight. It will happen, because the Third Way has infiltrated our party, and we no longer have a unified defense. They AND the Republicans are beholden to the banks and corporations who profit from the wars.

You will see a shift in rhetoric to defending the war machine as necessary to our security and safety, and you will hear it from Democrats as well as Republicans.

"The Shift" already happened this month on the issue of the social safety net. Against the advice of 300 economists, our Democratic President just spent a month pushing for unprecedented cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and explaining to the people why his proposed "big deal" would be healthy for the economy and good for the nation. Next step for these cuts we have been told are so good for us: The Super Congress.

And now we are seeing the beginning of "The Shift" with regard to military spending.

Today, this administration's Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, spoke out to recommend cuts in Social Security and Medicare, in order to preserve military spending: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x736883.


It has to happen now. The downgrading of our credit rating this week will result in a push like we have never seen before to cut from the budget, and the stage is being set for a battle of cuts in military spending, versus cuts in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Panetta's statement today is an opening salvo to the next stage of this battle.

We may now see a repeat of the "good cop/bad cop" Kabuki routine that we saw during parts of the SS/Medicare Shift, with certain Democrats defending Panetta's position and others assuring the public that the ultimate goal is to wind down the wars. Principled traditional Democrats may step forward to shout bloody murder at what is happening. However, when push comes to shove, you can be assured that the military industrial complex will be funded and will proceed.

............................................................

Remember: The Third Way differs from the Republican party mainly on some social issues. They have the same corporate backing, and the same economic goals and policies, as the Republicans. They may move around troops or replace them with mercenaries or drones, they may spread into new countries and "draw down" in others, and they may juggle the budgets, but they will not end the wars that make the banks and corporations rich.

We need to fight back, loudly. We need to say, "Enough." We cannot cede our Democratic Party to the Third Way, because if we do that, we cede our country to the banks and corporations.

www.thirdway.org

[mmonk]

1. They are already in control. We need to take it back or die on the vine.

[villager]

2. That's it. The "call for the question" has come in our lifetimes -- is here now

n/t

[woo me with science]

6. +1 It really is now or never.

The pace of all this is disorienting. They are moving swiftly.

[Peregrine Took]

3. Very interesting. Thanks. Food for much thought. We need action...now

before they plan anything else.

[dana_b]

4. agreed. I think what you have

written here ties in well with this thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1678802

WE need to be the ones to make them change (I know - we've heard that before!). "Principled Democrats need to stand up and say, "Enough." Also true and we have to hound these good Dems to keep it up. I am writing to and calling my congressman to see when/if he will have a townhall. If not, why not? I am lucky that mine seems rational.

[woo me with science]

5. Thank you for the link.

I agree wholeheartedly.

[inna]

7. oh, shit. Thank you, Woo; I admit - I quit following the current developments because

it's just too depressing.

"Resist". I could not agree with you more; it's been my motto for years, since the time i first "became political", in late 2001/2002, to be precise.

I know for the fact that what is happening now - not only here but in Europe and possibly other places - is unprecedented and will have the most grave consequences. It needs to be stopped, in the name of Humanity.

[jwirr]

8. I fear that you are correct. Ironic that an organization created to protect

and defend our nation is the one that will eat it up in overstretch.