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.
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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.
He's a teacher, not a leader...
:(
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.
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.
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.
It's merely a protest vote.
The other alternative is the lesser of two evils.
Not much choice.
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.
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!
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.