Ed Schultz is a "sleeper" character. He began as a conservative talk radio (h8 radio) host and then switched to what he was calling himself 3-4 years ago, a "centrist Democrat". Schultz was the blue-collar kind of guy that voted for Reagan. Ed loved Reagan, h8ted liberals, and that's what his show was all about. The problem for Ed was that after Llmbaugh and the end of the Fairness Doctrine, the air waves quickly filled with Limbaugh wannabes, and in that sea, Ed couldn't really gain traction.
When the tides began to turn and Reagan Democrats started feeling the effects of Republican fiscal policies and they were losing their jobs they began to realize that Republican management philosophy of "Last hired, first fired" also applied to their political loyalties ("We eat our young after we get their vote"), Ed Schultz saw a career opportunity and became a "centrist Democrat". Within one year he was referring to himself as a liberal Democrat.
Ed's not well read or big on 'book learnin'. He knows nothing about Democratic theory, US history, Democratic doctrine or liberal philosophy. He doesn't know pretty basic information that movement liberals were weaned on, except that he's been consistently pro-labor union. But Ed's true colors surfaced again with healthcare reform -- Ed's not really on the side of the working men and women; he pushed the bill for the "small business owner".
Unfortunately for Ed, when he ceased support for public healthcare, he proved his true conservative Republican colors. Obama's healthcare legislation really doesn't help small business owners either (the only businesses getting waivers/exemptions are huge corporations). Single payer would help the small business owner. Employers and employees do not want their being able to get medical treatment tied to their job, but that is what the insurance industry wanted so Obama and the DLC-controlled Democrats in Congress have made sure that continues in perpetuity.
Schultz was majorly in love with Obama until after the healthcare legislation was passed. It was only then that Schultz started, and for only a short time, talking about the 'emperor having shoes but no feet'. And then, he got back on the Obama 'love train'.
Ed's nothing if not an opportunist. But I say that in a complimentary sense. And I give him chops -- His screeds on MSNBC about single payer universal health care left everyone else there in the dust. But in the end, he climbs back into bed with the 'Establishment Elites' and does their bidding.
With a sleeper like Ed, liberals are left holding Ed Schultz's bag, trying to defend him, forced to engage in endless tlt-for-tat with conservatives ("You do it, too!"). The 'Establishment Elites' have us exactly where they want us. There are plenty of authentic left-wing personalities out there; throw Schultz to the wolves.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost
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