Obama: We’re all going to have to sacrifice for the greater good
posted at 1:07 pm on January 11, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Fair warning from this morning’s long chat with Stephanopoulos; follow the link for fudging about whether he’ll investigate Bush or why it might take more than 100 days to close Gitmo, both of which have the nutroots wringing their hands. When I first saw the headline on this bit, I thought for sure he was hinting at raising taxes. And maybe he is, but that’s not the context in which the exchange occurs. Stephanopoulos’s question, quite explicitly, is about entitlement reform, including — dare I say it? — social security.
Exit question: What does The One have in mind? Click the image to watch.
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When a Democrat speaks of “sacrifice”, he’s really saying “open up your wallet, middle America”.
Anyone who believes “the rich” are going to pay all of these new taxes, is severely delusional.
I notice Democrat politicians never sacrifice much. Seems to me, we’d all be better off if they resigned their positions and went and got real jobs.
NoDonkey on January 11, 2009 at 1:13 PM
It’s not like this comes to us as any sort of surprise. Can’t say that we were all warned well about this before the election.
wise_man on January 11, 2009 at 1:15 PM
I didn’t watch (and won’t) but I wonder if after the subject of “sacrifice” the next topic was more “bailouts”.
Marcus on January 11, 2009 at 1:16 PM
we’re going to sacrifice our liberty and money to create the kind of socialist state that obama envisions….its for our own ‘good’ after all…HE knows whats best for us…and opposing him in any manner is RACIST!!!!
right4life on January 11, 2009 at 1:17 PM
This Asshat is an expert at backpeddling and with a complacent media willing stroking his every…err, he gets away with it. From closing Gitmo, to prosecuting the Bushies. I for one hopes he does both just for the drama. Nothing will make Republicans and I suspect the general public as a whole more angry then seeing these clowns drag Bush Administration officials for hearings over waterboarding dirtbags like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
Please Obambi do it in your first 100 days!
Political War will follow for sure.
Dritanian on January 11, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Sacrificing for the greater good ? so says the guy from Hawaii and the chicago corruptocracy?
“Greater good”. Who is he to decide what this supposedly greater good is? Boy, how i wish Ayn Rand were alive today.
Can someone give this guy copies of the Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged? May be he will complete reading both of them by the end of his first term and… reform ?
Call it Hope and Change.
Stephen Moore at the WSJ was right – Atlas Shrugged is no longer fiction – it is happening right before our eyes.
nagee76 on January 11, 2009 at 1:18 PM
From each according to his ability, to each according to his need (or needs)
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Everyone is going to have to give, except Government. It will continue to get larger and larger and waste all the money everybody else has to give.
Here’s a novel idea that would be a real CHANGE: the Federal Government leads the effort with a substantial cut in programs and services. They could cut 10% -20% in wasteful services and phony programs and not even blink an eye.
Mallard T. Drake on January 11, 2009 at 1:19 PM
This is strangely reminiscent of put on a sweater and lower the thermostat. I really hope Obama doesn’t crush our economy further with a bunch of useless green mandates e.g cap & trade.
drflykilla on January 11, 2009 at 1:19 PM
“Sacrifice for the greater good” means that if you don’t do as I say, you are a selfish, anti-social, unpatriotic person.
Hot tip, Barry: The greatest good is a society of free individuals, where self-ownership entitles every person to the fruits of their own labor and government protects, rather than destroys private property and free markets.
If “sacrifice for the greater good” has a familiar ring to it, it’s because that’s what Stalin, Mao, Hitler, et al. said too.
petefrt on January 11, 2009 at 1:21 PM
The government could just follow the constitution.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 1:22 PM
…………. and the definition of “sacrifice” will be ever changing, as well as what is the “greater good”.
Seven Percent Solution on January 11, 2009 at 1:22 PM
RACIST!!!
right4life on January 11, 2009 at 1:27 PM
The “greater good”. We may have just elected Wesley Mouch.
flyoverland on January 11, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Sacrifice may ass! Didn’t all the nitwits on the hill in D.C. just get a pay raise? WTF! Start at the top or STFU.
greasywrench on January 11, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Not with the idiot messiah in charge. He hates the US Constitution and thinks that our Founders didn’t know what they were doing. Amazing, coming from someone with such a limited intellect. But, that’s how they raise them in Indonesia.
Everyone ought to hope and pray that one of those eligibility cases is granted cert and actually heard by the SCOTUS … but that would entail following our own Constitution, which has been declared uncool, these days … and so many on the right are scared to death to apply Constitutionality to the idiot messiah. Down the rabbit hole we go …
progressoverpeace on January 11, 2009 at 1:28 PM
The USSR worked out so well.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 1:29 PM
“The greater good.
The greater good”
Obama has obviously seen “Hot Fuzz”
drjohn on January 11, 2009 at 1:29 PM
How about letting those responsible for the current mess, like imprudent borrowers and lenders, suffer the consequences of their actions?
Instead, Obama wants everyone, including the vast majority who did not act irresponsibly, to pay the price.
cool breeze on January 11, 2009 at 1:30 PM
“Everyone will have some skin in this game”?
Wow, does that ever sound Presidential.
drjohn on January 11, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Stalin, Mao, and Hitler all sacrificed millions ‘for the greater good’. The only difference with Obama is that he has to find a way to destroy the American Constitution and the Bill of Rights to get his way and connive his way to repeal the 22nd Amendment (limiting the Presidency to 2 terms). Unfortunately most Americans do not view Obama in this manner. After all, America is the land of Disneyland, Hollywood, Yellowstone National Park and ‘working across the aisle’. It could never happen here. Wasn’t Germany once regarded as the land of culture and order. Didn’t Castro once appear on the Ed Sullivan show as a Cuban patriot who had noble intentions? Obama is dangerous; it is up to the American people to remain vigilant and to remember freedom will not be considered a God-given right unless we are prepared to view it as so.
technopeasant on January 11, 2009 at 1:31 PM
He’s preemptively silencing dissent.
rhombus on January 11, 2009 at 1:32 PM
“Liberalism is a mental disorder”.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 1:33 PM
A much larger, more intrusive, and more powerful government. The rest is just details. Easiest. Exit. Question. Evah!
Mike H on January 11, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Let’s face it. With Obama, Reid and Pelosi, we’re all fucked.
GarandFan on January 11, 2009 at 1:35 PM
CHANGE for an America he can’t stand!
I’ll have to pass, nothing Barry says shocks me. Nothing good will come from this man
christene on January 11, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Obama’s ahead of the curve. Didn’t it take Jimmy Carter a couple of years to get that dumb?
DarkCurrent on January 11, 2009 at 1:35 PM
How do you lump social security in with entitlement programs, unless you are talking about social security disability, which is out of control, I agree. A lot of people depend on social security benefits after working 45 years of their lives and paying into it. This is outrageous.
Glynn on January 11, 2009 at 1:36 PM
I am some how offended by the recitation of this basic democratic concept.
crr6 on January 11, 2009 at 1:36 PM
You go first, Barry. Set an example. A pay cut, maybe?
Wethal on January 11, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Hallelujah!
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Maybe, he means charity. In that case both he and Biden are a disgrace.
Blake on January 11, 2009 at 1:37 PM
When I look at him lately, I just want to smash his face in. /Barbara Rose
Rae on January 11, 2009 at 1:37 PM
And then congress.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 1:37 PM
OK Obama………
……….. let’s start with the politicians that got us in this mess, starting with Chris Dodd and Barney Frank, who constantly blocked efforts to reign in Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac.
Why don’t we start with them……………..?
Then, let’s follow the money……..
………….. where the hell has all this “bailout” money gone? To every bureaucrat who’s social engineering policies to the managers of the investment firms who didn’t want to loose their houses in the Hamptons, should be forced to liquidate their assets and be forced to live on unemployment.
This is truly………….
……………….. how Revolutions start!
Seven Percent Solution on January 11, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Barney Frank ran FM/FM for the “greater good”, didn’t he?
petefrt on January 11, 2009 at 1:40 PM
………….. where the hell has all this “bailout” money gone? To every bureaucrat who’s social engineering policies to the managers of the investment firms who didn’t want to loose their houses in the Hamptons, should be forced to liquidate their assets and be forced
to live on unemployment.get a real job.This is truly………….
……………….. how Revolutions start!
Seven Percent Solution on January 11, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 1:41 PM
CRA is ‘for the greater good,’ is it not?
petefrt on January 11, 2009 at 1:42 PM
I can’t stand the sight of him, nor the sound of him, so I will never see him speaking. Will have to come in here to find out what’s happening in the world. What’s with the “skin” remark? He sounds like the boyz in da hood, standing on a Chicago corner. I knew this would happen.
UnEasyRider on January 11, 2009 at 1:42 PM
That’s right! Social Security should be lumped in with “Bernard Madoff” and other Ponzi schemes. Typical retirees get much more in benefits than they ever paid into it, all paid off the backs of current workers.
Gotta admit that Barry’s got some balls to even mention Social Security reform with everything else on his plate right now.
cool breeze on January 11, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Hate speech laws are ‘for the greater good’. So is the ‘Fairness Doctrine’. Maybe gun control too.
petefrt on January 11, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Watch what you say. Big brother is watching.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 1:45 PM
God help this man and his party if they raise taxes(or repeal the Bush tax cuts which would be the same thing). We’d be looking at Great Depression II: The Wrath of Khan.
Just repealing the Bush tax cuts would cost my fiancee and I an additional 4 grand a year. Raise our taxes even higher than that and we’d be lucky to have anything left after paying our bills(and we’re fortunate to not have any car notes at the moment).
And our combined incomes don’t even total 6 figures, so we’re far from what even most Democrats would consider rich. This is why the prospect of Obama, Pelosi, and Reid running the country scared the living crap out of me during the election and why anyone who blindly voted for these idiots will be on my sh-tlist for the next 4 years and beyond.
Doughboy on January 11, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Here’s mine – the middle finger.
Here’s my other middle finger.
~ ~ De Toqueville
Entelechy on January 11, 2009 at 1:48 PM
I was thinking the same thing. How long before we hear the “National Malaise” speech?
conservnut on January 11, 2009 at 1:48 PM
…says the smirking chimp thats willing to partake of a 50 million $$ party to honor himself. If he means what he says, he would flatly discourage that type of grand ego stroking. How about reversing the auto pay raises that just gave the congress members an additional $4700./yr?
Exactly what “skin in the game” are they and him giving up? Maybe for the next vacation in HI. he’ll be able to find something cheaper than 3500./day to stay in?..find a school that is cheaper than about $30,000/yr. per child?
Just wondering what they’ll suffer..these are out of the ordinary times, and carrying on as if its just another year seems a bit hypocritical even if they get stung a tad in increased taxes.
Itchee Dryback on January 11, 2009 at 1:48 PM
No. That’s how Precedents of the Harvard Law Review speak. Presidents of the Law Review usually use a more refined English, but when you’re looking for a Precedent, instead, you have to give a little.
progressoverpeace on January 11, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Perfect. Here’s mine too!
petefrt on January 11, 2009 at 1:50 PM
“skin in the game”. Geeze. I’ll donate some butt skin.
Key West Reader on January 11, 2009 at 1:52 PM
You are going to need more than two hands.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 1:52 PM
One question for the One:
“When can we fiwah Bawney Fwank”?
Key West Reader on January 11, 2009 at 1:54 PM
To pay for Obama’s coronation?
Knucklehead on January 11, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Pre-empting Godwin’s Law:
“This state of mind, which subordinates the interests of the ego to the conservation of the community, is really the first premise for every truly human culture … The basis attitude from which such activity arises, we call – to distinguish it from egoism and selfishness – idealism. By this we understand only the individual’s capacity to make sacrifices for the community, for his fellow man.”
Adolf Hitler, October 7, 1933. Quoted in “The Ominous Parallels,” by Leonard Peikoff.
Everyone should go out and read that book. Of course, American fascism will have a hopey/changey/smiley face.
Kalapana on January 11, 2009 at 1:57 PM
That will happen when Bambi’s plans don’t work out. Rather than admit that he’s in over his head, he’ll blame our culture. It’ll go like this:
1. Bush messed up the country, but I’ll fix it.
2. Bush messed up the country so badly, it’ll take a long time to fix it.
3. Bush messed up the country, and I fixed it as best as I could
4. The country is just messed up and we’ll have to learn to live in this new reality.
All along the way, a compliant media will buck up Bambi.
PackerBronco on January 11, 2009 at 2:02 PM
I`m busting my ass to keep the lights on in my house and food for my family. And I`m barely making it.
How much more can I give?
ThePrez on January 11, 2009 at 2:02 PM
“I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn’t speak to my own”.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 2:03 PM
But, others need it more than you.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 2:06 PM
So does that mean all government employees, including congress, takes a pay cut, and a cut in benefits?
We will see who really makes the “sacrifice”…
and would one of those sacrifices mean not taking from the government?
right2bright on January 11, 2009 at 2:07 PM
I love it when people that never sacrificed anything start telling others that they must start. What a putz. Get use to it, we will all be doing the Urkle dance for the next four years. God help us.
Bald Igle on January 11, 2009 at 2:07 PM
What happened to tax cuts for 95 percent?
JohnJ on January 11, 2009 at 2:07 PM
So did Bush and Clinton. Your point is what, exactly?
Anyone giving business the powers reserved for God is mad.
sethstorm on January 11, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Ha, ha, ha, ha,…..You have got to be kidding. Is that a trick question?
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 2:09 PM
The real cornholing is going to be the USSC appointments.
There is no excuse for this little prick to have been selected for President imo. He told everyone up front what he was planning on doing..that he “found a flaw in the Constitution”…that judges should “rule from a sense of compassion”.. “redistribute the wealth”..”bitter clingers” et.al….or some such bullshit. Don’t know if I have the exact words right. The party of demanding transparency, and accountability are perfectly fine with stealing a couple of “Tril” without much questioning as to where its going or how its getting there.
I’ll try to give him a chance, but all I see are the tactics of a classic Gramcian Marxist.
Itchee Dryback on January 11, 2009 at 2:10 PM
another RACIST!!!!
thats not the way we play in the modern day…
right4life on January 11, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Obama is a socialist. This is the kind of thing we should expect him to say. But we say “no” to socialism. It does not work.
Phil Byler on January 11, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Just a liiittle bit more..and by the time that is not enough, the government teat will have a block of taxpayer subsidized cheese for you, and after a while you’ll learn to like the ways of the collective and not begrudge those from the government who seem to have a better life than you…they deserve it for helping “the people” so much.
Itchee Dryback on January 11, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Everyone will have to sacrifice except for GOVERNMENT!!!
Government is far too important to ever reduce or cut.
My kids are DOOMED!
edgehead on January 11, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Four years of ‘malaise-at-the-fireside’. Bring it, Barry! Remind us all how much we need to help save America and to quit sniveling about it. Nail up the new rules for American sacrifice on every front door……please!
Limerick on January 11, 2009 at 2:18 PM
“This is the struggle final/ Let us group together and tomorrow/ The Internationale/ Will be the race human”.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Hence the tax cuts for non taxpayers.
argos on January 11, 2009 at 2:19 PM
I am from the government and I am here to help.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 2:21 PM
That has been his technique from the get go. He is a master manipulator. A true Communist. Mix his silencing, with a never ending drumbeat of mind numbing marxists principles cloaked as solutions, a mafia style political machine and millions in global money behind him and add a fat, lazy and spoiled populus and you get a passive coup d’ etat.
Hillary Clinton was recorded at an event years ago saying the same thing. “We’re going to take things from you for the common good”. That audio was squashed quickly. Never heard it again. They are from the same mold.
Let’s face it folks. The democratic party is bought and paid for by the underground Communist Party and they are about to do what they have designed to do for decades. It’s here!!
katy on January 11, 2009 at 2:21 PM
call me what you will,but just looking,hearing or reading at,to or about this fake messiah,gives me the creeps!
spareadime on January 11, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Let’s face it folks. The
democraticcommunist party is bought and paid for by the underground Communist Party and they are about to do what they have designed to do for decades. It’s here!!katy on January 11, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Add Biden, Frank, Dodd and the Obama AG, CIA and Homeland Security picks and we are headed for extremely rough waters.
I have said this before, none of the above could run a local fast food outlet.
We’re seriously screwed.
FireBlogger on January 11, 2009 at 2:25 PM
not just your kids…
right4life on January 11, 2009 at 2:26 PM
When anyOne makes a loaded remark such as that, you can be sure that nothing good will come of it. We’ll have to wait around to see just who will be offended the most!
jeanie on January 11, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Obama’s press secretary? Joseph Paul Goebbels.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 2:29 PM
My family has already given. By being fucked out of promotions by less qualified minorities like him.
LtE126 on January 11, 2009 at 2:31 PM
I dusted off my sweater.
tomas on January 11, 2009 at 2:31 PM
I dusted off my BDUs.
Limerick on January 11, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Good for you! See it’s working! People are already pitching in and doing what they can. I’m so proud!
katy on January 11, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Not every item of news should be published. Rather must those who control news policies endeavor to make every item of news serve a certain purpose.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 2:34 PM
“Not every item of news should be published. Rather must those who control news policies endeavor to make every item of news serve a certain purpose”.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Obama’s interview translation:
“Pay up, Sucka’s”
Key West Reader on January 11, 2009 at 2:38 PM
In his eyes there is no difference between a drug using shiftless person on disability and someone who works 45 years, but I’m wrong. The person who works 45 years and expects to draw social security while sitting on a $500k 401 will be very different. He is going to have to sacrifice every penny he paid into social security, and that’s the skin he’s going to lose in this game.
DFCtomm on January 11, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Key West Reader on January 11, 2009 at 2:39 PM
If Mother Nature decides to exhibit, to the whole world, who the BOSS really is, by a show of force at Yellowstone, I wonder how Barry and Al Gore will move to stop that event. Now there would be an eruption of economic doom that only a Messiah could fix.
Yoop on January 11, 2009 at 2:41 PM
“False, but accurate”.
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 2:42 PM
I have been, for months now, constantly put in mind of the line from Gladiator, when Maximus says, “The time for honoring yourself will soon be at an end.”
Alana on January 11, 2009 at 2:43 PM
If Mother Nature decides to exhibit, to the whole world, who the BOSS really is, by a show of force at Yellowstone, I wonder how Barry and Al Gore will move to stop that event. Now there would be an eruption of economic doom that only a Real Messiah could fix.
Yoop on January 11, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Johan Klaus on January 11, 2009 at 2:43 PM
How dare he question my patriotism!
rhombus on January 11, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Malaise.
Sacrifice.
Carter redux.
Mommynator on January 11, 2009 at 2:51 PM
No . . . we’re going to sacrifice so he can pay off all of his parasitic constituents. It’s their greater good he’s referring too. Get ready to be fleeced by Obama and his Marxist following.
rplat on January 11, 2009 at 2:51 PM
No kidding. I work for state government (VA) who claims to have a huge deficit, and we were told there would be no raise for perhaps 2 years. Yet, guess who took a 16% increase? Our president. “Sacrifice” only applies to the middle class.
scalleywag on January 11, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Jimmy Carter 2.0
Kini on January 11, 2009 at 2:54 PM
All, minus the Federal Government, have to sacrifice for the greater good.
DaveC on January 11, 2009 at 2:54 PM
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