Our Dear Leader

Lots of folks are expressing concern over Barack Obama's appointments, and in my new newspaper column I offer three separate thoughts on the worries: 1) Don't worry so much, 2) Worry a little bit and make your worries heard and 3) What did you expect?

This last point is arguably the most important. Because of the structure of the movement Obama built for himself, and because of the refusal/inability of an independent progressive movement to make concrete demands, he has more top-down power than any previous president. Whether you think that's good news or bad news, it is reality. We have elected a Dear Leader, and have ceded a lot of power to our Dear Leader. We have to simultaneously hope he makes good decisions, and figure out how to organize effectively in case he doesn't.

Read the whole column here.

Comments

[PPatt]

It was none other than Bush who demonstrated how appointees serve at the pleasure of the Preisdent and how they take their position as that of an emplyee with a boss until they feel they no longer can.

How many of the appointees will really part ways because of programs reminiscent of the New Deal? How many will cite ethics as a reason for no longer serving should Obama decide that the war in Iraq should wind down? Bush lost Generals and cabinet due when he started the war. Do we really expect to see the same because the war ends during the worst of economic hard times?

[harriscrl3]

There is a noticeable shift in leadership style I do notice that Obama has taken a more top down approach but you know what too that no one seem to notice he realize that is going to happen and he even said that one of the things he has to guard against is this isolation that surrounds the President. Ironically he has put forth a safeguard to protect himself from that and its that board that he created I forgot what its called with Volker and Goolsbee that Progressives should be fighting to have a voice in. Because that is going to be his link to the outside world and what is likely to shape his economic policies. I think he should create one for National Security too.

Carol

[SilviaMaria]

I am not going to sit down and just wait for things to happen. I am going to be active: writing letters to the editors, writing to our senators and congressmen and congresswomen (Republicans and Democrats), etc. This is what we all should do. Obama can not do it all alone; when it comes to health care reform, education, etc. we need to submit our comments and make sure that Congress and the Senate are doing the right thing. I can see Republicans blocking any single thing just to stop the Democrats and when this happens we should be able to write to them, to write to newspapers, etc. The change comes from us too, we need to participate more politically and get more involved.

[anachoret]

David, I still hold high hopes for Obama, while I fear that he will be a very difficult president to persuade or push in a way that he is inclined against. He absolutely does have more top down power than previous presidents, and particularly in urban centers, there is the possibility of fissures which could be very damaging in Democratic strongholds of diversity. I think the liberal base should be careful, though critical, as the right wing will be anxious to seize upon any opportunity to drive a wedge in these areas. Critical thought and questioning authority are necessary, but this is a good time for liberals get physically involved with positive community building programs. Simply throwing stones from the sidelines could exact a very heavy price at a time like this.

[ksyellowdog]

David:
My first choicde was Edwards, my second choice was Kucinich, my last choice is Obama. Not because I'm a racist, I'm a white male married interacially for 15 years. Rather because OBama seemed the centrist that he is proving himself to be before our eyes. As a member of the progressive caucus in Kansas, I have fought very hard for Democrats to become as far left as possible. Research shows that the majority of Kansans agree with our positions on healthcare, wages, taxes, domestic policy and yes, even foriegn policy. Trying to get these dunderheads to understand that being a leftist is good for the party, state, and country requires a long term investment of time and a 2x4 to hit between the eyes with.

[hopeless277]

If what you mean by 'Dear Leader' is that we have no recourse against a sitting president any longer, especially with 'Forgiving Nancy' as head cheerleader, then you are absolutely correct. With the codification of the Unitary Executive by the Corporate Congress, we are now nothing but slaves to the state. All we can do is hope that The State will have mercy on us and not slaughter us in our sleep. I just keep thinking of that next Republican president who WILL slaughter us in our sleep. I'll bet Sister Sarah is just itching to get her hands on the magic 'football' which will free all us non-believers from our earthly coils.

[IndyReader]

Hmm. Someone said that you didn't like Obama. I guess that's true.

[Davwbaird]

Those leaders most effective in making change are those who understand that it is from the ground up and the inside out, where light can shine through the cracks and bring its glare upon the corruption of common greed and abusive power.