Randi Rhodes: Obama Nails It

Yesterday President Obama drew a line in the sand, just as liberals were afraid he was going to let the conservative tide wash over him. It’s not that Obama was saying that he’s not willing to compromise. But he finally made it clear that he’s not willing to capitulate. It was the perfect speech—it appealed to liberals and independents, and it appalled conservatives.

One of Obama’s best lines was “They want to give people like me a $200,000 tax cut that’s paid for by asking 30 seniors to each pay $6,000 more in health costs.” Yes! Basic morality meets basic math! It takes 30 old people ponying up $6,000 apiece to give one rich guy his tax cut. That means it takes a full 60 old people just to pay for the Koch brothers. What a beautiful way to explain it. It’s one thing to think you’re making sacrifices to balance the budget for your grandchildren’s sake. It’s another thing to realize you’re making sacrifices to pay for golden bathroom fixtures for Donald Trump.

Congressman Paul Ryan was in the audience for the speech. Hey at least Obama didn’t close the speech by telling Ryan “You’ve been punk’d!” After the speech, Ryan accused the President of exploitation, lying, demagoguery—and partisanship. I think the conservative notion of what is “partisan” must be highly… well, highly partisan.

Of course, conservatives quickly pounced on the speech to condemn it. But they would have done that no matter what Obama said. He might as well deliver a good speech. Rush told his listeners “If you are productive, if you work, if you are successful, if you create wealth, if you earn wealth, if you create jobs – then you are Obama’s target.” I wonder when Rush is describing people who “create wealth,” “earn wealth,” and “create jobs,” how many Tea Partiers living in trailers while collecting disability for morbid obesity are thinking “He’s talking about me!”

Dennis Miller upped the ante by actually attacking everyday Americans. He said “There are some people in the working class who aren’t working as hard as they used to be.” Hear that, you there cleaning the grease trap at Burger King? Dennis Miller doesn’t think you’re working hard enough. Get back to work! Remember, each and every one of you has to come up with $6,000 a year to pay for his tax break!

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Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) leads the whine line after President Obama tore his plan to shreds yesterday…