Is Obama's Health Care Maelstorm the Birth of Millennial Politics?
For a nation enmeshed in a generational and technological realignment, it's not shocking that doubts have begun to surface about the viability of our unprecedented president's vision for a new American era. As casual citizens and politicos terrified for years by threats of violence, economic collapse and moral certitude cling to the familiar mechanisms of the news cycle, partisan sparring and polling data, I'd argue that we're exactly on track to achieve the reform this country badly needs, despite all the hysterics surrounding health care. We need, specifically, to embrace online communications, welcome the Millennial generation to fruition, abandon the limitations of political party infrastructure, and reframe stagnant debates so that progress can take its course. Before any of that can happen, of course, we'll have to brace ourselves during the unraveling of institutions we've grown accustomed to, and a lot of people will probably freak out. (See: Lou Dobbs.)
Barack Obama introduced us to a new kind of politics, and veterans of the old guard aren't sure how to handle it while the emerging young leaders who built it haven't established enough clout to reinforce it. Meanwhile, legal-based technology constraints on the inside of the executive branch illustrate the efficiency of private industry, as Obama's reliable multi-media management tools and connection to the blogosphere can't be used to fuel his governing agenda the way it did during his campaign. This hands power back to the MSM, which is run by old people who want to tell the same old stories about politicians whose 25-year-old legislative aids probably have a better shot at rebuilding the GOP than they do. And suddenly it appears to be 1992, with pics of Bill Clinton and North Korean dictators headlining the evening news while Americans scratch their heads trying to understand "The Public Option."
Such is the nature of transition and "change." It comes with growing pains.
The new politics is: community organizing, vested interest from multiple and non-traditional political alliances, equality of opportunity, personal responsibility and efficient government. Notice the terms leave room for bipartisan interpretation and execution. This is the philosophy of the Millennial generation, and it will ultimately permeate political discourse as we assume more influential leadership roles. Under these auspices, liberals and conservatives will appropriately debate the limits of our Social Contract issue by issue, and health care is our first example. Not everyone will agree on it, but we'll tackle the next issue with zeal and the electoral process will error correct us along the way. For now, Obama is the first leader of this genre, and people of all ages, races, classes and ideologies will impose their perspectives onto him, as is easy to do given his multi-racial heritage and relative youth.
I read two pieces of commentary this week that perfectly encapsulated the dichotomy of the present moment. On the macro-level, Yale professor David Bromwich explores the challenges (or what some would characterize as flaws) in Obama's Saul Alinsky-inspired community organizing leadership philosophy. On the micro-level, former Hillary Clinton new media strategist Peter Dao breaks down how the summer's health care battle specifically illustrates community organizing's effectiveness gap between campaign and governance. Both men's posts have merit, and in terms of minutia they are correct in assessing some missteps and constraints preventing Obama from delivering on his promises. Yet.
Obama is a man at the epicenter of a convergence of external factors. Where we have little evidence to doubt is his ability to step into such a maelstrom and provide leadership. Yes, he could be short-sighted and push through health care reform by leaning on Democrats, but that would be counter-productive to the larger implications at stake. His greatest responsibility is to show us, no matter how vehemently we resist, how the new politics will be executed.
In recent weeks he has struggled, but the crescendo has come. He's engaged at the micro-level too much and will now return to the basics using his unique methods. He must provide a metrics for success (winning an election was obvious, legislation is not). He must use direct channels to the public and stop relying on press conferences where his message is misconstrued into side shows like the Beer Summit. And he must provide local, actionable options for supporters. Evidence that this is happening is already emerging, with the White House's creation of the health care smear fact page, and an email sent out to supporters this afternoon asking them to recommit to the grassroots activism they invested in last summer to pass health care legislation.
If Americans could remain poised, rely on facts, and be bold instead of submitting to fears about this confusing time, we might find ourselves face-to-face with the antidote to our long-held complaints about government. We'll be more collaborative, individually empowered, and capable of perfecting the American dream.
Follow Maegan Carberry on Twitter: www.twitter.com/maegancarberry
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I really like what you have written here, but find myself really struggling to wrap my mind around it. Are things realigning, or just flat out changing? Sometimes I'd swear Obama is like every single Democratic president since 1932 rolled into one, with a little Licoln thrown in to mellow everybody out! Other times I wonder if we're on to something completely new, but that's more on the technology side of your argument (even though Obama does embody a lot of firsts, especially first African-American president).
Excellent Maegan--
Maybe we are evolving away from the old authoritarian model of “leadership” consolidated in one person or one group of people.
The changes you feel and see may be the result of technology enabling the vast intelligence of people around the world, which is on the verge of being able to apply that intelligence to action. The "grassroots" feelings into which Obama tapped, were as much a result of recognizing the limits of decisions being made based on position in hierarchy, rather than sound analysis of issues. Bush and Congress had the position to make the decision to invade Iraq, but lacked the reasoned analysis of shared dialogue which was nascent.
This evolution will erupt when we have a "core" source in which to engage in reason and evidence based debate, open all people, structured to be efficient. That core will then be “leadership”, in the sense that reason will lead the discussion rather than the fear based lower brain functioning you aptly describe as the fear of institutions to change.
Group intelligence is the key benefit to democracy, and what is sorely lacking in our representative position or hierarchical based government. As a member of the cold war generation, I long to see the Millennial generation bring about this change in my lifetime.
Me, too. From your lips to Providence's ears!
Yes, Obama has ushered in a new era of political strategy, communications and policies. I might find hope in this except he has just taken verbatum all the viewpoints of early 20th century socialists. Their ideologies are as outdated as the manufacturing economic corruption they rose to fight.
Obama is using his blackberry warriors, his armies of activitst groups, to destroy and bury the means of production of jobs in the new information economy. It's just economic sabotage, under the guise of political correctness, or hope and change. Also, his political paybacks, his abolishment of IGs, and lately, his prejudiced defense of Gates is not new. It is very old, very corrupt, Chicago politics at work.
All leaders know change is hard and potentially factious. But, the ones who are wise, know you must have a vision for folks to follow. Obama has mastered the medium of the new century. He just has an old century agenda.
Please. To quote the editor of "The Socialist" magazine, "if he were one of us, we would know." Using blackberry warriors to destroy jobs in the new information economy? That seems more like creating IT jobs. What political paybacks? The only people he's slapped down so far are his former progressive allies.
I vehemently disagree with one line: If Americans could remain poised, rely on facts, and be bold instead of submitting to fears about this confusing time...
Poise and Facts will not win the day. They are important obviously, but people are moved by passion and values. Obama's most moving speeches were not about facts, they were about ideals, values, emotions. Facts ALONE don't persuade people. Obama has not brought any passion to health care reform. The town halls have not had passion either (except from right-wingers opposed to reform)
I would also add that we have years more to go before we have the proper progressive infrastructure to truly displace old media and/or control the debate within it.
I have to agree with you DA12. And peoples' paradigms will just not shift in the light of facts. People read the facts through the filter of their world view. It will take more than poise and facts to convert the unconverted and the way to do that is through values, passion, emotion, personal experiences that force one to grow and to change....
And yes, with you as far as a proper progressive infrastructure. It takes years to build and it is a generational project. It doesn't mean we shoudln't try, but this kind of politics will take a generation or two to birth.
Your thesis has great promise. Where it falls down is in the analysis and execution.
I agree that Obama's politics are what I would call 'postmodern' rather than millenial and do represent a new way of doing things. And I agree that people don't know what to do with them and those who have this vision still are struggling as to how to implement these kinds of politics.
I don't see that your recommendations are the ones that will work. I think Obama will do the best he can, but he's a transitional, rather than a transformational leader. He is paving the way for the kind of politics you're talking about, but it will take more of a critical mass to see real change. Still, we need him and he is pioneering a new way forward. I just think change will be slower than any of us want as it will take some of the old generation dying out to move forward. The old guard just aren't going to relinquish their power and they just don't get it---they don't know how to do millenial politics. We're going to have to wrest the power from their cold dead hands.
But, keep on with this train of thought. It bears further development. And I'm with the poster who said that the Republicans are not willing to renegotiate the social contract. It's those sort that are just going to have to die out as they're kicking and screaming against any real change.
Anyone's streak can run out, but so far, Barack Obama has proven to be a bad person to bet against.
WOW! A lot of buzz words but what do they really mean? I would not dismiss the wisdom that comes with age so easily. The more things change, the more they stay the same, to use an overworn cliche. It seems to me that the arguments are the same, it is just that the communication format (e.g., internet, etc.) has changed. To think that merely changing the communication format will solve the difficult problems we face is pure hubris. Remember, pride goes before the fall.
"The new politics is: community organizing, vested interest from multiple and non-traditional political alliances, equality of opportunity, personal responsibility and efficient government. Notice the terms leave room for bipartisan interpretation and execution. This is the philosophy of the Millennial generation
That is basically a description of Clintonian (Bill) Centrisism, a Boomer "can't we all just get along?" philosophy. Essentially toothless and doomed to failure in the face of an opposition willing to hold fast to their own position. If only one party is doing the compromising all the time, guess where you end up at the end of the day? To quote a Senator from ancient history (for a Millennial, anyhow), "Bipartisanship is just a fancy name for date rape".
proven capableproven capable, ,
Maegan --- BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN!
I enjoyed reading this very much -- and agree with your thought-provoking insight completely.
Better yet, read the proposed bills and understand the specifics included to benefit the special interests. The problem for Congress is having the internet to let out their secrets.
I love this piece - either I've been channeling you or vice versa because this is just how I see this: it's a continuation of Millennialism and change this big is scary for a lot of different kinds of people. This is the chaos of the ancien regime trying very hard to hold onto the past. But that's futile - no one can stop the future and they are way behind the curve of history.
"If Americans could remain poised, rely on facts, and be bold instead of submitting to fears about this confusing time, we might find ourselves face-to-face with the antidote to our long-held complaints about government
That is the one thing I can agree with you on. We do need poise, boldness and a reliance on facts instead of fears.
In terms of poise, we as Americans can't let this sausage factory in DC grind out a 1,000 page document purposed to revamp what amounts to 1/6 of our economy without a thorough hearing about all of it. We must stand firm and demand our representatives do some representing and not rubber stamping mixed in with back room dealing in the dark of night.
In terms of boldness, we must confront those same representatives and anyone else demanding immediate passage as if our healthcare system were on the verge of collapse tomorrow. We must call out misrepresentation and talking points with skewed facts and get to the truth of the matter
If we go back to the founding, the biggest fear for men like Madison, Adams, and Jefferson was the over-reaching power of government. Rather than submit to it, they constructed the Constitution to act as the guard dog of our liberty.
You can fool some people, etc.
I'll have a double serving of whatever Maegan is having.
"Yes, he could be short-sighted and push through health care reform by leaning on Democrats, but that would be counter-productive to the larger implications at stake"
Which Democrats? I was one those who mistakenly believed that Obama along with sizeable Democratic majorities in the House and Senate was a package deal that could bring about that real change I could believe in. Man was I in for a rude awakening. With Dems like Baucus and the Blue Dogs all the GOP needs to do is sit back and wait for this to die in its tracks.
“Under these auspices, liberals and conservatives will appropriately debate the limits of our Social Contract issue by issue, and health care is our first example.”
I hope that the Conservatives at some point become more sincere about debating the Social Contract. So far all I’m seeing on their part are people running around in three pointed hats shouting Obama was born in Kenya, he isn’t the President, and healthcare reform means the government is going to kill granny.
great post....my sentiments
Yup, they're like members of the Flat Earth Society. The paradigm has shifted, a Copernican revolution of sorts, and they are kicking and screaming against the paradigm shift. They're crying into the wind and will eventually reap the whirlwind---sadly not soon enough for us to see genuine health care reform though. Wah!
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