The New "Hope" of Barack Obama
These are troubling times for those who supported Barack Obama for President. Troubling times -- with the President telling Congressional Progressives they need to be "good soldiers" instead of good leaders by passing healthcare "reform" without a public option, and caving in to a toothless Glenn Beck by accepting the "resignation" of the superbly qualified Van Jones instead of standing behind him -- with troops still in Iraq, and Afghanistan looking more like Vietnam than ever, and "don't ask, don't tell" still in force when a mere executive order could end it -- with a jobless "recovery" under way because Obama wasted half the stimulus package on tax cuts (without gaining a single House GOP vote in exchange).
But we need to be fair, and when we feel critical of Obama, when we feel dispirited by what feels like a breach of trust, it's important to hearken back to what Obama really promised us, back during his historic, hope-filled campaign.
Ah,the Obama campaign! It seems so very long ago now, but I'll never forget the huge crowd in Portland's waterfront park, roaring its approval of his bold calls for incremental change; his cutting-edge website, "compromise.org"; the chants of "Yes We Might! Yes We Might!" rolling like thunder across that huge stadium the night he was nominated in Denver...
And, of course, the iconic Shepard Fairey poster, summarizing in four simple characters the message Obama offered to all of us who wanted an end to weak Democratic leadership, an end to decades of spineless capitulation to neocons and Blue Dogs and triangulating centrists. Let's remember that poster, representing everything the Obama campaign promised, and everything the Obama presidency is coming to stand for today.
Follow M.S. Bellows, Jr. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/msbellows
Steven G. Brant: Remember, Pres. Obama: "It's the Culture (Not Health Care), Stupid!"
Obama will be giving a speech on health care reform on Wednesday. Here's why I hope he'll speak on transforming the culture of politics here in America instead.
If outright lies end up killing health care reform, the Republicans will have won, but, more importantly, the American people will have lost.
David Dayen: Max Baucus' Plan: What Do We Want? Less Quality! When Do We Want It? Now!
Paying for health care reform is all a matter of priorities -- help millions of uninsured people get the critical care they need, or give Paris Hilton a tax cut.
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As much as it pains me, I agree with your assessment. However, I will give Mr. President the benefit of the doubt and give him a little more time. The right has forced us (progressives/liberals) into a corner, as they have Mr. President, therefore, instead of feeding into their propaganda by abandoning our Great Hope, I'll give him more time to justify why he is making these choices. I believe we owe him that. He has only had 8 months to rectify 8 horrible years of lies, disinformation, un-necessary wars, etc. and he should be given the opportunity to explain (through actions) why he has/will make certain decisions before we completely abandon him.
For a minute there I thought it said "WUSS" ;)
He campaigned as if he was FDR and governs as if he was Mitt Romney.
Excellent commentary. Obama looks more like Woodrow Wilson every day. An excellent academian totally outside of his element in leadership...
He's a teacher, not a leader...
:(
Good on you sir.
When you campaign on hope and change, eventually you have to deliver.
He's betrayed every single pledge more or less that he made in the campaign.
We need to primary him, make him remember why you don't ignore Liberals. That we are no longer just going to march in lock step because you have a D next to your name.
Stop being loyal to the man, stop being loyal to the party, start being loyal to the policy.
Unfortunately, there is NO alternative. The only time I have ever voted for a non-Democrat was for Mayor Mike Bloomberg who is now an Independent after absolving himself from both the Republican and Democratic parties. I'm about to do it again. Mr. Bloomberg may have a slight Napoleon complex; however, no one controls the man left or right. He does what he thinks is best for the city of New York and 85% of the time I agree with him. The opposition is a joke. They are career politicians spewing the same b.s. rhetoric, left and right, that has been said time and time again and I am sick of hearing it. However, because I am obligated to vote it would be a cold day in hell before I vote for a Republican (as the party currently stands).
A new President has the good will of the people for only a short time. Then the opposition party starts to find ways to exploit him. Obama wasted his good will on a stimulus package that looks to reward those same banks that got us into this mess in the first place. Now, it looks like the health care reform we were promised is going to be compromised into meaningless. I'm not a leader in progressive politics. I'm a liberal and keen observer of my community. The poor and middle class have not reaped much from all the spending Washington has been doing lately. Even the "cash for clunkers" program didn't help those who couldn't afford (or have the credit) to buy a new car. Obama has blown his opportunity to make the change he talked about so much during the campaign. And the poor and middle class will be the poorer because of that.
The Audacity of Hope- I mean hype. Nothing that has been proposed is happening. President Obama wanted the power and got it, now he doesn't know what to do with it. Becareful what you wish for, you might get it. The reality is the president is asking for too, too much without justification. No matter where taxes are gathered, the middle and poor classes will receive the business end out of their wallets. Reform needs to occur, just not on the backs of taxpayers.
His "popularity" was misused at a time when it could have made all of the difference.
Was it a smart idea to just say he wanted healthcare reform by August with no blueprint, no talking points, nothing?
One thing I always liked about being a dem and not a rethug was that all opinions were brought to the table. There and only there should a compromise have been worked out so that everyone was on the same page. As an Independent, I now look back at 2008 and 2009 and see two parties with no clue of what to do. Our leaders are the ones who are supposed to be knowledgeable and yet, I don't get that feeling.
Given what you've been through in the US for so long, it's mystifying from the outside that you don't vote for either of the 2 proven progressive leaders on offer: Ralph Nader and Dennis Kucinich...? Both of them consistently prove themselves to be much stronger than Barrack Obama, less needy of popularity, more focused and decisive. Dennis Kucinich always votes according to his conscience. Ralph Nader has devoted his life to public service and delivered some of the best consumer protection there is. They both have clear manifestos that they would deliver with integrity and skill. All they lack is public support...? What exactly is it that the US public supports? Charisma over substance..? Promises over proven ability to deliver..? Disneyland over reality..?
sad but true. I stop trying to understand it. As it spirals down, there will still be the 20% crazy's
who see calm waters, and americans only listens to the crazy's, it seems.
You can only wait, so long, then its time to leave.
Voting for either of these two is a vote for Disneyland.
It's merely a protest vote.
The other alternative is the lesser of two evils.
Not much choice.
That's really my question: why would it be 'Disneyland' to vote for someone who has proven integrity and ability and who consistently puts the public good above their own egos? It would be the key to freedom from all those disappointing presidents if you could figure out what leads people to ignore quality and dependability in favour of...I don't know what...glamour? charisma? I would not have voted for Barack Obama or George Bush or Bill Clinton etc. so I can't imagine what the attraction is.
I agree, this is our new reality. About the only good thing that can come out of this is that in the future, we Progressives must put our progressive policy agenda above Beltway relationships and access to the W.H.
We have to find and promote candidates who will commit as firmly to fulfilling our agenda as those on the Right who pledge not to raise taxes when they run for office.
See M.S. Bellows, Jr.'s Profile
By the way, don't forget to scroll down and read the bottom of the poster. And don't be shy about right-clicking the pic and passing it on, with or without attributing it to me -- I just would like to see it spread. Thanks!
Its not like he stumbled coming out of the gate. Its more like he fell and broke his leg. What a disaster.
its looking that way.
It's the the fair-weather progressives who are one of the biggest barriers to progress: "If I can't have what I want when I want it, wah, I'll take my football & go home, waaahhhh!"
Grow up people. Politics is a process. We'll be better off in the long run if you redirect that energy you spend dissing the President, and get cracking and put the pressure on your Reps & Sens, you know, in Congress - where they actually write and pass the laws!
See M.S. Bellows, Jr.'s Profile
The two aren't exclusive, of course! Voicing discontent with the President is a way of rallying others and testing one's beliefs and perceptions, and doesn't preclude one from writing a letter to the editor (read by Congresscritters), calling Congress, etc. I hope my readers, at least, follow through.
Progressives are absolutely not saying "I'll take my football & go home, waaahhhh!" - They want single payer - a public option was the compromise. To compromise both is to trade our health, financial stability and our nation's solvency in exchange for votes.
The Insurance Industry is protecting its profit margin at all costs. They stand to make outrageous profits and by no means will they help lower the cost curve. Without a public option, United Health Group and others will run successful non-profits, writing off billions in advertising, exorbitant salaries and lobbyists. We will be forced to subsidize the massive increase in their profits without "triggering" a government run public option for years, if ever. This accelerates the increase in % of GDP spent on health care, already unsustainable;
These Members of Congress, both Republicans and Blue Dogs, are more concerned about elections/re-election than our health and well being. They are complicit in lies and dis/misinformation in order to deceive the public for political gain that will compromise our health, financial stability and bankrupt our country.
The fact that 45-53% believe all these lies is their responsibility and it is unconscionable. Members of Congress who lie, or constituents who believe and propagate those lies, must never be allowed to dominate.
I suggest you grow up and face the fact that "Pitting Profits against Patients" is economically unsound, unethical and a conflict of interest. When you think about this, it is outright ghastly.
Very well said. Now, if only someone will listen.
Very well put.
True & on point!
Anyone here who believes you can make deals with Republicans is either a fool or ignorant or both...
The only deal you get is throwing away your own principles so you can say, "Look, we have achieved bipartisanship in our time!"
Doesn't matter that nothing gets accomplished eh?
When you see the comprimise from single payer to public option, then to the co ops and now a possible trigger. It is hard to remain faithful! Im not taking my football and going anywhere. I am demanding accountability as we should have been all along. What got us here today is our own lack of remaining involved and being watchful to both sides. Today both sidea are corrupt as they play to the highest bidders. THIS IS NOT DEMOCRACY and this is not what the Constitution stands for. The rght wants to scream about protecting the constitution as they sit back and cheer on the corporatism to continue. The Congressional leaders forget who put them in office the moment they arrive in DC. They can all bne bought off and this is what needs to end before any recovery will ever take place.
I put pressure on congress, the senate, and the president.
What makes him so special where he shouldn't get called out if he did something wrong?
Your mentality is what got us into trouble with Bush. You need to stop that right now. Questioning your president is the most American thing ever.
Funny, I thought dissent was patriotic... Hmmmm....
This would be funny if it weren't so sad and true.
My googoo-eyed optimism hath failed me. I'm so p'od I could head on over to the revolutionary sites, but I really hate guns. And stoopid people.
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