Democrats In Congress Want To Have A Quiet Friendly Little Talk With Barack Obama... Before His Jobs Speech

This afternoon, the chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian and Pacific American Caucus-- who seem to be speaking for over half the Democrats in the House-- have asked for a meeting with the president before the joint session-- although with more and more Republicans declaring they're not going to even bother to attend, I'm not sure how joint a session it really is shaping up to be. Here's the letter the chairmen sent over to the White House today:

September 6, 2011
 
The Honorable Barack Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20500
 
Dear Mr. President:
 
As chairs of the Congressional Asian and Pacific American Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Congressional Progressive Caucus representing more than half of the Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives, we are requesting a meeting with you regarding your upcoming speech to the nation on job creation. With unemployment at 9.1% nationally-- approaching 12% in the Hispanic community, 16.7% in the African American community and with Asian American and Pacific Islanders remaining unemployed for longer periods than any other group-- we are in a national crisis. We have learned throughout American history that big, bold action is required to put people back to work and promote economic growth.
 
Throughout the month of August, we heard repeatedly from our constituents and neighbors that their primary concern is the state of the economy and chronic unemployment. The American people want us to pass emergency jobs legislation that puts our nation back to work now. Further, Americans know we cannot cut our way to prosperity. The best, most effective way to tackle our debt problem is to put people back to work.
 
We can stem the tide of mass unemployment and meet our long-term national commitments by being bold now. The chairs of the CBC, CAPAC, CPC, and CHC look forward to an opportunity to talk with you about proposals we would like you to consider before you address the nation this week.
 
Sincerely,
 
Emanuel Cleaver, II, Chairman, Congressional Black Caucus                

Judy Chu, PhD., Chairwoman, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
                                 
Keith Ellison, Co-Chair Congressional Progressive Caucus                        
 
Charles A. Gonzalez Chairman, Congressional Hispanic Caucus  
                
Raúl M. Grijalva, Co-Chair Congressional Progressive Caucus

               
If I were a congressman I'd be doing the same thing... trying to talk Obama into facing reality and making him understand that you can't have civic engagement with nihilists bent on your-- and, more important, the country's-- destruction. It hasn't done any good to meet these fascists half way. In fact, it has done irreparable damage. But I'm not a congressman and I'm done listening to Obama. I don't want to hear him any longer. I've heard enough. Let me know if he does something. Until then, I'll assume he's going to lose his reelection bid and I'll be working my ass off to help elect worthwhile progressives to the House and to the Senate. (Take a look; see if there's anyone you'd like to get behind.)

I just saw this post by Matt Taibbi in Rolling Stone. Looks like we're on the exact same Obama track:

Listening to Obama talk about jobs and shared prosperity yesterday reminded me that we are back in campaign mode and Barack Obama has started doing again what he does best-- play the part of a progressive. He's good at it. It sounds like he has a natural affinity for union workers and ordinary people when he makes these speeches. But his policies are crafted by representatives of corporate/financial America, who happen to entirely make up his inner circle.

I just don't believe this guy anymore, and it's become almost painful to listen to him.