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Dear George, President Obama's negotiation cannot be viewed, discussed, or considered without also considering the advisability , wisdom and civility of the threat from Republican Mitch McConnell that Republicans would vote as a block to interrupt all other legislation until they received their way. Literally, the threat was simply that firm. No Democrat has organized Democrats to oppose a Republican-backed measure that strongly in my recent memory of the last 20 years. How about if Democrats had told George Bush he had to end the War in Iraq or not have it funded? How many people would be alive? There are some who view this as tough, bold negotiating tactic. For others, it seems an uncivil approach to reasonable governing. The conversation is all about Obama and the Democrats when it should all about how reasonable the Republican tactic is or is not, and how much responsibility they bear for employing such irrational measures in defense of the rich, who already are not in terrible straits. Of course, when someone takes a bullying position like this one we all want to see them opposed. 'Bullies should be socked in the nose', as my 6 year old has put it when watching cartoons. It is a natural human urge to see Popeye hit Bluto or David, Goliath. When Obama does not answer the call, we feel vulnerable - afraid he might sacrifice all when bullied to do so. Mr. Obama is in the most unreasonable of positions. His opponents seem willing to sacrifice the good of the majority of the nation. His presentation of the compromise as a compromise is perhaps more questionable. Perhaps he should have explained to the country they had been robbed and he begged the thieves with a knife to our throat to offer the concessions of extended unemployment so the poor would not starve. Perhaps if he described the American people as being assaulted by monied interests in Congress whom Republicans refused to abandon while pretending to be voting in the interests of the American people. Compromise is mandatory but in speaking about the compromise he could publicly humiliate and vilify Republicans in Congress . He must call Mr. McConnell and his Republican allies for the scoundrels that are opposing change and he must be clear that if they want to accomplish anything during the next Congress they will have to warm to him or all of their initiatives will be waylayed as well--while the country flounders. But Mr. Obama is reasonable, not idealistic. Probably the best quality for proper governance. Peace,
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