Jordan Zakarin

I’ve been disappointed by the weak negotiating from the White House (you don’t have to start out with half a loaf) that started with so much momentum, and disgusted by the pathetic cowtowing to corporate greed from the Congressional Democrats, but Maher is right.

The right wing in this country is bat shit nuts. I don’t like to get all hyperbolic - that’s their job - but if Tea Party policy (which, really, is corporate wet dream policy dressed up as “freedom” for people too racist/ignorant to tell the difference) becomes law of the land here, the land will be raped and pillaged and polluted and unsafe to drink from its waters.

If asked to choose between slow progress (far too slow in this time of crisis, but progress nonetheless) and a government system set up by people who pine over times when slavery was legal, I’ll choose baby steps progress. I’m a Democrat, but it doesn’t mean I like most Democrats. But it does mean they’re sure as hell getting my vote next month.

Just look at Christine O’Donnell and Rand Paul. That’s the alternative.

“The facts of the coming election are [that] Democrats have real accomplishments to run on, like preventing a Depression and forcing insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions. Like stopping the banks from being the useless middlemen on student loans and lowering taxes for non-rich people. Obama has passed a Credit Card Bill of Rights, he re-started stem cell research, got our ass out of Iraq, and signed a nuclear treaty with Russia - not to mention the intangible of having a president who can pronounce ‘nuclear.’

Why can’t the Democrats get props for what they’ve achieved? Oh, I know, I know - Obama’s black: he’s used to being denied credit. [Turns to Cornel West.] That’s for you. [Both laugh.]

And there’s nothing wrong with being hard on him. He is the president, it’s our job to keep him honest. But when it comes to voting, when we only have two choices, you gotta grow up and realize there’s a big difference between a disappointing friend and a deadly enemy. Of course the Democrats are disappointing - that’s what makes them Democrats! If they were any more frustrating, they’d be your relatives!

But in this country, they’re all that stands between you and darkest night. You know why their symbol is the letter ‘D’? Because it’s a grade that means ‘good enough, but just barely.’ You know why the Republican symbol is ‘R’? Because it’s the noise a pirate when he robs you and feeds you to a shark.”

— BILL MAHER, Real Time

(Source: inothernews)