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Yes It Was... A Mandate for "Progressive Patriotism"
President Bill Clinton once confided to an aide, "I'm a progressive president in a conservative era." Will Barack Obama be a progressive president in a progressive era, the first since 1965 and 1933?
Several Republicans leaders and media commentaries -- including a recent Newsweek cover story on "America the Conservative" -- say no. Obama ran a cautious, centrist campaign, they conclude, so should not "lurch left" as president.
This is stale, presumptuous and wrong.
First, elections have consequences. Because conservative values and programs - - like preventive war, trickle-down economics, financial deregulation - crashed into a reef of reality, the country is getting bluer. Hence net shifts of at least 11 Senate seats and some 53 House seats to Democrats in the '06 and '08 elections. Polling shows increasing majorities who are pro-environment, pro-choice, pro-expanded healthcare and anti-Iraq war, anti-big business. Indeed, it's hard to think of any issue where Americans are becoming more conservative.
While Democrats and Republicans were tied in registration in 2006, Dems now have opened a seven point registration advantage, which will likely grow as minorities and professionals grow as a percentage of the electorate.
So if Bush could claim a mandate when he lost the popular vote in 2000 and won it by under 3 million votes in 2004, why can't Obama claim one when he won by 8 million votes?
Third, ardent movements lead politicians rather than vice-versa. And today, the new energy appears to be far more progressive at the ground level. Turnout in many Democratic primaries were roughly double the election cycle before. The explosive growth of the Internet and the netroots community heavily tilts to Blue America. Just five years ago, such influential progressive entities as The Huffington Post, Center for American Progress, Media Matters and Air America didn't even exist, and MoveOn had half its current reach.
Last, smart government is back. For years government has been a four-letter word invariably indistinguishable from bureaucracy. But President Reagan's inaugural observation that "Government is not the solution, government is the problem" has fallen flat after events from Hurricane Katrina to E-coli outbreaks, from the dangerous Chinese toys to collapsed mines in West Virginia and Utah, from millions losing their homes in foreclosures to inadequate care in veterans facilities. Alan Greenspan's mea culpa to the Waxman Committee last month confirmed the death of market fundamentalism as a governing philosophy. Seems that laissez wasn't always fair.
If the preconditions for a progressive realignment exists, does a program for one exist Obama won largely because he urged a change from Bush. Now he needs to specify a change for what?
So 18 months ago my New Democracy Project began a joint project with the Center for American Progress Action Fund to produce an agency-by-agency critique for whoever won. Today we released our 300,00 word volume Change for America: A Progressive Blueprint for the 44th President. Drafted by scores of leading scholars, advocates and officials, the results is hundreds of proposals grounded in four values, four foundations of what can be called a Program of Progressive Patriotism - - democracy, diplomacy, economic opportunity and a greener world.
Value 1: A Stronger Democracy. While issues involving war and economy invariably trump other voter concerns -- and 2008 was no exception - the process of democracy should be a bedrock American concern because process is policy. "If we want to solve our problems," writes Michael Waldman in his book A Return to Common Sense, "we have to fix our systems." When the mechanism of democracy is broken--when there's such secrecy, disenfranchisement, lawlessness, dishonesty, and special interest sway that people can't convey what they want or need--then government can't act in the public interest.
As Ronald Reagan kept referring back to Freedom as a primary value, Barack Obama can hold up Democracy as his primary value. It's a good time to not only wave the flag but also to pursue policies that honor what it stands for.
So a new President and Congress could: create universal voter enrollment; make it a crime for any person or official to actively suppress the vote by any form of intimidation; enact a public finance law to provide a funding floor under congressional candidates; establish federal standards for electronic voting, with paper-verifiable ballots, same day registration, voting by mail and felony disenfranchisement laws so all states come into the 21st century in technology and process; and create a White House Office of Democracy ("Democracy Czar") to push for all of these and other pro-democracy reforms on behalf of the President, for the only way such non-headline reforms can be enacted by the congressional and executive branch bureaucracies is if there's a known emissary advocating on behalf of a committed president.
Value 2: Economic Opportunity. America has never begrudged people becoming rich, so long as everyone had a shot at becoming rich. As Abraham Lincoln put it, all would have "an open field and a fair chance [for their] industry, enterprise, and intelligence."
By that standard, the American economy in 2008 is failing. There's a vast amount of data - especially lower real earnings for medium-income workers this decade -- that most Americans feel as if they're always running faster after an accelerating bus called prosperity.
Partly it's due to the "invisible hand" of global economic trends, where $3-an-hour Mexican laborers and 67ยข an hour Chinese using the same technology as $24-an-hour American autoworkers will produce cheaper cars. But it's also due to the visible hand of public policy. Just as Franklin Roosevelt's labor and regulatory policies and Truman's GI bill helped create the American middle class, Reagan's and Bush's labor, tax and deregulatory policies are shrinking it. Indeed, over the past 60 years, the real incomes of the middle class rose twice as fast during Democratic administrations and six times as fast for the working poor.
The best way to lift people up from poverty and provide real income gains for the middle class is for the 44th president to concentrate on the value of economic opportunity for all. Fulfilling an Economic Opportunity Agenda would: reduce tax rates on those earning under $200,000 and raise top rates on the fortunate few back at least to 38 percent, as in the 1990s when the economy was steaming ahead; push for some version of universal health insurance, perhaps with a "Medicare for All" program that the public would understand; cut poverty by half by 2016 by focusing on programs that help children from birth to 5 years of age, starting with a program for "Universal Pre-K" for 4 year-olds; push for the Employee Free Choice Act; and establish a wage-loss insurance program to help workers, for a specific period of time, who lose their jobs and are forced to take a new job at a lower wage.
Value 3: Diplomacy for Security. Churchill and FDR understood the value of collective security and diplomacy. Both were witness to the fierce nationalism and pride that helped ignite World War I and were determined toward the end of the next World War to make sure that allies with common interests had common institutions.
It's time for Obama to return to FDR's and Churchill's vision. The 44th president should in effect issue a Declaration of Interdependence because so many international problems - - like pollution, extreme weather, AIDS, terrorism, refugee flows, and nuclear proliferation - - don't respect sovereign borders. The only way to defeat these threats is for nation states to cooperate rather than hide behind Maginot lines or oceans.
Diplomacy-for-security would include: withdrawing responsibly from Iraq and repudiating the strategy of preemptive regime change by military action - and engaging in diplomatic efforts with stakeholders in Iraq and then with its neighbors Iran, Syria, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States; shutting Guantanamo and providing due process rights to remaining detainees, as the Supreme Court has insisted; promoting more trade with provisions for labor and environmental standards so we don't have a "race to the bottom" like industrial America in the 1890s; and pushing for the abolition of nuclear weapons world-wide by a) establishing the primary strategic objective of preventing any new actors - state or non-state - from seeking or acquiring nuclear weapons and b) reducing towards zero the risk that actors who already have nuclear arms will use them.
Value 4: A Greener World. Not that long ago conservatives regularly mocked liberals as "tree huggers" and George H. W. Bush called Al Gore "the ozone man." But that was before extreme weather produced six of the hottest eight years of the past century, four of the most severe hurricanes, the melting of Arctic and Antarctic ice -- and nearly all scientists agreed that unmitigated climate change would lead to massive casualties as oceans surged and desperate neighboring nations went to war.
Given all the sins of emission and omission, Obama will have public support to launch an Apollo-like project to produce a green, low-carbon economy that delivers more prosperity by making our nation more energy efficient and internationally competitive. The only way to serve as a model to China and India is to build a green consciousness into every economic decision, every transportation decision, every tax decision, every regulatory decision.
Creating a "clean-tech" economy requires: the creation of a new White House "National Energy Council" that is equivalent of the National Security Council for climate change; the implementation of a carbon "cap and trade" system that sells corporations permits to emit greenhouse gases and that can a) push us from a high carbon to a low carbon economy, b) generate hundreds of billions annually in revenues to promote alternative energy like wind, solar and biomass and c) provide rebates to struggling Americans hit with higher energy prices; a program to develop a new line of ultra-efficient vehicles, such as plug-in hybrids that can get 100 miles per gallon as well as new battery systems; and mandatory policies to increase electricity generated from renewables, something dropped from the 2007 Energy Bill.
Not since 1933 has there been a presidential handoff involving a bigger gap in philosophy at a more difficult time, in terms of two wars, a declining economy and a corrupted world environment. In the middle of these multiple crises, the 2008 election has put in place the first progressive president and progressive congressional majority in 50 years. So there's now going to be a transition between presidencies and perhaps between eras. No one can assert we have seen a permanent progressive realignment - - Karl Rove's hubris about a 50 year conservative hubris should give all pause - - only the opportunity for such a progressive realignment.
It's now up to the new President during his transition and "first hundred days" to tactically deploy executive orders, major addresses, well-chosen visits and proposed legislation to convey his substance, his strategy, his plan, his narrative. Not just his list of proposals but a vision of what he wants America to look like when he's done in, say, 2016.
He campaigned on big change so he should now act big. As President, Barack Obama is ideally and historically situated to ideally reframe the American conversation around democracy, diplomacy, opportunity and a greener world. What's more patriotic than the story of progress?
Mark Green, president of Air America Media, is co-author (with Michele Jolin) of the forthcoming Change for America: A Progressive Blueprint for the 44th President (Basic Books).
Related: John Podesta and Mark Green Release Long Plan Transition Book Calling for "Progressive Patriotism."
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I agree with most of your comments. But I think given Obama's penchant for caution; surrounding himself with Clinton proteges and leftovers; and his need to concede to conservatives, bold and innovative policy initiatives will be stifled.
This progressive era is definitely not a mandate to return to the 90s, a new paradigm is needed. He shouldn't have any repeats from past administrations, and should keep very few seasoned bureaucrats as advisers only. 300 foreign policy advisers, my god, that's truly wasteful and redundant.
Is the Department of Homeland Security really necessary? Can't its functions be merged into the Justice Department? HS is a keen to big gas-guzzling SUVs that are supposed to keep you safe but prone to turning over while eating up all of your money in gas.
I've just finished reading "The Predator State" by James K. Galbraith--a professor of economics at the University of Texas. All progressives, and I consider myself one, should read this book and encourage others to do the same so we can appreciate how much it will take to get us out of the mess we have allowed to develop over the last 30 years.
And after reading Galbraith's son's work... Progressives should read some Milton Friedman.
Perhaps revisit the grand debates between Galbraith (the senior) & Friedman a half century ago - and dwell on who's take of the future was more accurate... or who's theories more closely reflected reality.
Milton in a landslide?
KHAAANNN - you got it !Nice summation = )
& Thank you! to Mr. Green for his good work & smart words. I firmly believe Air America radio hosts & programs have made a HUGE difference in this country since '04.
& to the naysayers, I suggest a look @ Bob Cesca's latest piece on intellectual violence...
Thank you, Mr. Green, for the depth and breadth of your and your colleague's clear vision.
It would do well to have this as required reading, balanced by that of whomever strongly disagrees, in high schools and colleges, and for concerned citizens by their own volition.
Change for America: A Progressive Blueprint for the 44th President
This is not available @ amazon.co.uk, thus Europe amazon, though it is in the U.S.
As this is a most important document I would suggest that you highlight what you find the most important and make it available online in more detail than here, perhaps in a series of blogs, or all of it online, and advise us where to find it, if it is not already online in this manner
thanks,
Mark thank you for Air America. I saw you on Matthews. As always you laid it all out pretty clear. Progressive is the Mainstream. And the country is CENTER LEFT. Barack Has to govern from the left.
http://www.hallstyle.blogspot.com
As if he wouldn't.
"Progressive is the Mainstream"
If you live in San Fran where you just wanted to legalize hookers.
When is that next big quake coming BTW?
Obama is in the new center. People from the left of him and the right of him voted for him. The country has moved sharply left.
Unless you plan on an amendment, it is unconstitutional to create uniform voting standards nationwide. Additionally, as all states do not have uniform criminal codes it would be discriminatory to enact a uniform disenfranchisement of felons.
Buying and selling debt is a risky idea to begin with; combine it with the replacement of material innovation with economic marvels accomplished by manipulating fundamentally arbitrary accounting axioms and ...
Medicines for an anti-toxin and a vaccine for the economy:
1) Stop bundling and sales of mortgages;
2) Re-instate Glass-Steagall regs;
3) Create infrastructure investment pool of revenues for Federal Government;
4) Increase Social Security Incomes and
5) Raise interest rates on 10 year Treasury Notes to 10%.
Frankly, I think all you Progressives have been duped.
Obama used Chicago-style Politics to obtain power. That means, "he fooled you".
He has power now, and he wants to keep it. He will be a 'centrist'...
It doesn't matter. The same man, if labeled "Progressive" will be seen as a savior, the man labeled "Conservative" will be seen as Hitler. The corrupt minions of power on both sides of the aisle redefine the terms of argument to salve the the tattered remains of their consciences. And so the world turns.
Obama has convinced these "progressives" that it's a good idea to hand over their hard earned $ to the Government.
And AND... They seem to be HAPPY to do it!
Obama is a genius.
Obama can do anything he wants to the progressives and they will only swoon, they're in love.
"Progressive Patriotism" was defined in 2007 by these guys: http://www.truepat.org
... Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer wrotethe book _The True Patriot_ in '07, destroying the idea that patriotism belongs only to the far right.
Patriotism IS Progressive!!
As long as we're "progressing" towards greater freedom, not greater government.
The Idea of "Small Government' is what got us into the Great Depression and every Recession we have ever been in. It doesn't WORK! Lets get some new ideas.
http://www.hallstyle.blogspot.comhttp
True progressives always progress towards being progressively progressive, in order of course, to progress.
Isn't it interesting that 'patriotism' is now being defined as the masses voting themselves more from the government via higher taxes on the upper income earners... an oppressed minority, if you will.
Where did the concept of 'equality' go with the Progressives? Only the minorities they deem 'oppressed' are worthy of their altruistic help.
I think the Obama presidency will be a wonderful nationwide educational opportunity to demonstrate the real world effects of Progressive ideas on society. It seems every generation needs their Jimmy Carter economics lesson.
Start cramming.
yes...progressive patiotism...take off your teeshirt tie it to a stick...wave it over your head...then run away...
He was elected to fulfill a progressive mandate , I would say he'd better do it then, but do thoroughly.
After seeing what the right wants for America, it would be unthinkable to turn it over to them again unchanged and unrepentant. They will continue spinning the "center right" propaganda to try to drive the debate away from meaninful progressive policy, the Obama administration needs to do as much against that effort as possible but they need help. Keep collecting evidence that proves and maps out the progressive mandate, no pointless and destructive culture wars please. That should be easy enough. I think the mandate is slightly libertarian on civil rights, slightly left on economic policy, and perhaps always slighty right on defense.
Progressive mandate sounds expensive . . . o well, just print more money.
Ok , but Barack won by the same percentage as Prop 8 .. Thus there is a mandate also .... 52% a mandate does not make
LMAO!
Funny that most wanna deem Prop. 8 passage as a mistake instead of the mandate you clearly point out that it is (at least according to Mark Green's definition of what mandate is).
Clinton was elected in 1992 with a Democratic Congress. One of his top priorities was health care. But Hillary's left-leaning plan and her no-compromise alienated pretty much everybody, and Republicans cited it as a reason they should be elected in 1994. Voters apparently agreed, as Republicans took full control of Congress that year for the first time in decades.
You want Obama to lurch left? Go ahead, make the Republicans' day!
In case you have not noticed, it ain't 1992 any more.
It looks a LOT more like 1932, and Americans are reacting the exact same way.
They want Government to do 3 things;
1) GOVERN (the problem was never Government, the problem was BAD Government)
2) Reinstate the protections of the Constitution and it's Amendments.
3) Stop soaking the Middle-Class and return to the FAIR tax laws of the past.
Yes, I agree with the above assertion! He can't get us out of this whole in 4 years, it will take at least 8 maybe longer. WE don't want to go beyond us the American people that elected him, it wasn't just left leaning Dems that elected him it was independents and republicans too.
For Obama and the Democratic to get the Big things done that need to be done in this country to benefit the majority of the people he must govern from the center. I have voted Democratic since 1984, I don't want a left leaning government, no more than I want a right leaning government. I want a government that looks at all ideas and chooses what is best for the majority of the people to prosper, and have freedom.
I don't want my philosphy FORCED on anyone anymore than I want theirs FORCED on me. This is what I believe FREEDOM is.
The Democratics should not turn into what the Republican's were. Or we will end up just like they did, in the minority, with no power to change anything!
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