Yes We Can ________

It's a new day and a new slogan for Obama supporters. Overnight, the infamous "Yes We Can" transformed into "Yes We Did." Voters proclaimed it from their Facebook statuses, their Twitter updates, and I even saw the affirmation branded across the chest of a baby's jumper.

A strange thing happens when you ask an Obama supporter what the subject of their slogan entails. What did they do? Most reply that the "Did" means collectively supporting and electing the first African-American president. Anyone with a beating heart knows this is indeed a momentous occasion, and it's very moving to see relatives of MLK celebrating the evolution in American society.

But by that definition of the "Did," the journey is over. Yes We Did Elect A Black President. For some, the slogan means Yes We Did Elect Someone Better Than Bush. True, but by that definition, John McCain would have been better than George Bush, and I like to give Obama supports more credit than assuming they would vote for the lesser of two evils.

Other Obama supporters claim a massive overhaul of the executive agenda is their "Did." And early signs are encouraging with the Obama camp claiming they're ready to reverse the Bush administration's stacks of ill-conceived executive orders. However, there is no collective citizen mandate rumbling from the people to help guide Obama's fledgling White House.

If the people aren't asking anything of Obama, then he owes them nothing in return. That's like you right now being pissed at me for not having mailed you twenty dollars. You didn't ask me for money, so why should I have sent you anything? (I'm not giving you money.)

Yes We Did What? Elect Barack Obama on good faith alone? It appears Obamanites think their journey is over, and that good people are at the helm, and all will be well.

But Obama is indebted to Wall Street for about $9.5 million. That amount of cash transforms into favors once your guy gets elected. Obama will be hesitant to strongly regulate the billions of bailout dollars if the people he's dealing out the cash to are his donation buddies. On day one, Wall Street will thrust a litany of demands before president Obama, but the American people will not be represented in the Oval Office. Yes We Did Leave Our President with the Wolves.

Others claim the "Did" is a movement toward universal health care. It's totally illogical to assume Obama will defy his insurance company friends and his past rhetoric, and suddenly adopt single-payer health care. Thousands of physicians have already gone on record to say that Obama's idea for a hybrid of private health insurance plans and government subsidies will not work, and in fact has already failed in Oregon, Minnesota, Washington and several other states, including Massachusetts, whose second go-round at incremental reform is already failing.

It's not enough to know in the warmest places of your little hearts that Obama really is a good man, and he wants to end Americans' suffering. The American people have to swiftly demand single-payer health care, or the insurance companies will greet Obama at the White House and quickly neuter any plans for universal health care coverage.

Yes We Did Elect a Good Man. President-elect Obama does seem like a decent guy, and a good family man, but the government system doesn't care if he's a good man. It's impossible for Obama to keep his fingers on the pulse of the nation when he's living in a severed limb like Washington. It will take an engaged citizenry living in the real, breathing world to help him fight every step of the way.

Now is the time to outline a plan for the Big Four, four ultra-important demands that need to be addressed within the first 100 days. I would suggest something like: universal health care, strong regulation of the bailout cash, ending the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan (enough of this Afghanistan is the "good war" silliness,) and serious movements toward building a green economy and ending our dependency on foreign oil.

Google the issue nearest and dearest to your heart, find a local group that shares your agenda, and get together. Your strength is in numbers. If you're not really the go-out-and-change-the-world type, just add your name as a contribution, or open your wallet to an already established Progressive group like November5.org.

It's not enough to simply watch over president Obama, either. As director Eugene Jarecki explains, the three branches of government are like the stand-off in a Quentin Tarantino film with each body aiming a gun at someone else. It's not enough to change one part. We have to change them all. Obamanites must also monitor the behavior of their Congressional representatives and put pressure on them to implement the Big Four.

If all of this sounds like a lot of work, it's because it is. But that's the point. Democracy is a constant battle to suppress the evil motives of corrupt politicians. Or, in the words of our beloved Dubya: "If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator."

He will be missed.

Add your voice to the Yes We Are forces. Yes We Are Living Wage Warriors. Yes We Are Congress Watchdogs. Stay alert, engaged, and don't be afraid to offer Obama some tough love. He can take it. He's already asking for help with his Change.gov website, so get working.

This is an exciting time. Unlike the bullheaded asshole playing Snood in the White House for the past eight years, Barack Obama is an intelligent, reasonable, open politician that we have the chance of influencing if we are at the negotiation table alongside Big Business. But we have to demand our seat the table. No one is going to come hand it to us.

So I would suggest the Yes We Did camp change their slogan to Yes We Will Be, or Yes We Are, but they can't quit yet.

Follow Allison Kilkenny on Twitter: www.twitter.com/allisonkilkenny

Comments

[klmebane]

wow, lotsa venom here, but also many great comments. allison, i think that you rub quite a few people the wrong way... good for you! keep people thinking and talking about the issues. some people may get mad, but you can't please everybody at once. besides, anger often seems like a substitute for deep thought and reflection. can't wait to see you, ice queen.

lof,

kim

[lilymarie14]

ok lets try this since all of the other ones have not gotten posted: I agree with the writer's intention to conjur up an 'us" and "them" tone in her article. Today is opposite day. If this one doesn't post - please someone tell me what it takes to get something through moderation here?

[lilymarie14]

I get it. We must agree with and make guest writers feel good - otherwise the moderators send your posts into oblivion. Guess I will email guest writers directly from now on.

[ggm1957]

YES, WE DID!!! I know President Obama has a lot of work ahead of him and he has told everyone that he needs our help. Wow! Talk about hitting the ground running! I am totally impressed with the work he has already done for US. I believe we will have an incredible First Family and I am looking forward to when the transition has been made. Yes, we did and yes, we will keep right on working to get our country on the right track.

[Burnsey]

For goodness sake. Can't anyone just let people stop and breathe after such a long election process? Everyone deserves to bask in the victory and say YES WE DID. And they then need to keep involved, but this derisive commentary about not letting our gaurd down, or how Obama is beholden to so many corporate institutions is getting a little old, and it's only been 6 days...

Give people a chance to savor the fact that after two devestating election losses, that YES WE DID WIN. I don't think a short time out for a few weeks is such a bad thing. Peoeple are not machines and must stop and regroup after a while, get their energy back up and then head in and keep up the work.

Just because we are proud and need some time to decompress does not indicate that we are complacent in the future of our country.

[dagdavid]

Amen! Allison seems to like correcting people for mistakes they have not yet made. I am proud to be able to say, "Yes we did!" and it sure as hell doesn't mean I think that everything is right with the world. We took a huge first step and yes, we can pat ourselves on the back. You make assertions about what will happen as though they were fact and not just the lunatic ravings of someone who believes she can see the future: "Obama will be hesitant to strongly regulate the billions of bailout dollars if the people he's dealing out the cash to are his donation buddies . . ." Is this a fact, or speculation by an intentiona­lly-cynica­l, pay-attention-to-me soothsayer.

[dagdavid]

Forgot to mention, don't you think Obama feels indebted to the nearly 4 million americans who donated less than $100 each? I think he does.

[russpix]

In the nearly nonstop discussions I've participated in or read since the election, I haven't heard anyone imply that everything is "fixed" or wonderful now that we have elected Obama. Even here on HuffPo, we already see bashing and warning and criticism - and the man has not even taken office yet. What I have heard is many people, people who previously felt little responsibility for personal involvement in improving the country and its fortunes, say that they regard this moment as a call to action; a reminder that while Obama can set the framework, it is up to us to set and keep America on a good path.

The watershed moment (and even that is probably an understatement) for African Americans and race relations in general is enormous, but I believe that's just the bonus. What we "Did" is wrest our nation from a gang of thieves who had gamed the system so badly that electing anyone from outside their circle seemed nearly impossible. What we "Did" is to elect, for a change, a man who thinks broadly, deeply and critically. I don't expect Obama to be perfect; nor do I expect to agree with every choice he makes. But the prospect of a leader with a scholar's knowledge of and an abiding respect for foreign relations and constitutional law - not to mention prodigious organizational and consensus-building skills, is an amazing turn. THAT is what we DID.

[osalover]

I was going to post a comment here until I read your post. No one could say anything better than you did ~~ russpix.

So well written and so very, very true. Did this writer not see all the volunteers who worked so diligently to get Obama elected? And you can include me on that list ~~ a 64 yr old white woman who never donated to any other campaign or worked on any other campaign ~~ except Obama's. He has the potential of becoming a truly exceptional President. I have faith in him and in us. We are here to help him reach his potential. And you can take that to the bank!

[cornagainstsorcery]

I disagree with the premise of this. I think that may be true for a percentage. But the netroots is determined to stay involved. And the incoming Obama administration has a big email list of supporters. I think many of this will be involved, at the very least, when called upon to act.

[JayInDallas]

The biggest difference between us and the GOP is that we've been waiting 8 years and we have something to prove!

[JayInDallas]

It's good to play devil's advocate, but the majority of Obama supporters have a sense of purpose and a steely resolve as to what unknown difficulties lie before us. The fact he was elected should indicate that we are not sheep looking to be led, but people who feel as though their future has been returned to them and are willing to step up and participate in it's creation, whatever form it may take. Few believe the election was the end. Most know it was just the beginning.

[csavage]

We HAVE to continue working!
Just yesterday, I was told by 3 different neo-cons that
1. Obama was going to nationalize their 401 K/403b retirement plan. I checked with my stockbroker brother, not true of course, but the person in question would not be dissauded.­...
2. My allegations of a Repub majority in Congress from 1994-2006 was just an opinion...­.

History is being remade as we speak, so , yes, we can't stop...

[ohioan73]

Barack Obama put the spirit of organization back into people's hearts. Community Organizing is BEING AMERICAN. Don't let far right knuckleheads tell you that protesting against the government is unAmerican when in fact its the ONLY thing that really makes us different and exceptional in the world. Bush is not America. Barack is not America. America is the People and it always was and always will be. If you don't like what the president is doing, FIRE HIM! Its your right. Please let us remember that.

[Myshkin57]

"But Obama is indebted to Wall Street for about $9.5 million. That amount of cash transforms into favors once your guy gets elected. Obama will be hesitant to strongly regulate the billions of bailout dollars if the people he's dealing out the cash to are his donation buddies."

Don't the guys on Wall Street always donate to the guy they think is going to win in one fashion or another? I think the suggestion made here is inappropriate and unfounded. How much money came from people who are members of the teachers' union (ie. teachers)? How much came from people in the service industry? How much from factory workers? I just don't see how divvying up money by what profession the donors are in tells you anything.

And, I don't get the sense that people in general have some idea that the work is over. If anything, my sense is that people are anxious for the transition so that they feel once again like their help is wanted and needed.

[Seldon]

Considering that Obama raised $150 million in one month - $9.5 million from Wall Street actually struck me as a shockingly paltry amount. I would be surprised if anyone ever got NO money from Wall street but I think Obama is about as close as we could ever hope for in terms of a president-elect who doesn't owe many corporate favours.

[PeaceCzar]

You should really think again and take a more critical look at that.

It's fine and understandable to think the best of Obama and his fundraising--but he's corporate through and through and has received massive amounts of their money.

It's like the mob. They make a guy like Frank Sinatra big and then he sells mountains of records. You think he doesn't owe the mob because suddenly he's getting more money from regular people? Who got him there in the first place?

Ask the same question of Obama. If he didn't owe corporate favors, you'd think some of his policies (healthcare, energy, etc) would involve preference to the worst titans of those industries (private insurance corporations, coal & nuclear, etc).

In summary--Obama is CORPORATE. VERY CORPORATE. Can we change him? I dunno.

[CrimeaRiver]

"It appears Obamanites think their journey is over, and that good people are at the helm, and all will be well. "

You're kidding, right?

Good management includes acknowledging and celebrating incremental achievements along the way. (This works for diets, too.) Yeah, I guess five days is PLENTY of time to recover from eight years of what Frank Rich rightly pegged as "abuse" by Bush&Co. Time to shut the celebration down for the overwhelming victory that even those of us who voted for Obama-Biden weren't sure about, given the rampant criminality in the last election.

I guess happy people have a tendency to look stupid?, but I'm still celebrating and simultaneously taking stock of the changes that the President-Elect and his staff are planning (yes, Change.gov), and instituting (yes, Rahm Emanuel, et al) with reassuring lightning speed, and the sense of purpose and promise that made me vote for Mr. O in the first place.

Anyway, thanks for all the helpful reminders! (Srsly, thanks.) But someone has to be first to leave the celebration -- that would be you?

[research]

I got the Email from Move-On offering a free "yes we did" bumper sticker, and

it struck my wrong right away.

Yes We Can!

We have only just begun to fight!

[libertylatina]

YES WE MUST :)