A Nanny State of Mind

While liberals may rightly bristle at a cranky, diaper-wearing right-winger who wails about a "nanny state" whenever health care, social security, food stamps, welfare or affirmative action come up (or really anything involving so-called progressive social programs, i.e., "big government") those liberal, progressive minds which of late have been chastising President Obama for what they see as a lead-footed response to certain issues are being the thumb-sucking brats their attackers accuse them of being. Their expectations for this president far exceed the reality of a person, even one as capable as Obama, to govern expediently.

In the growing chorus of left-wing Obama critics who feel the president is not doing enough, along with many Americans who were, in some cases, only supporters of Obama once Hillary had dropped out of contention and who decry the president's sketchy support on the issue of gay marriage, his enlistment of the very individuals who were complicit in the economic meltdown and who he now entrusts to fix it, the waffling on Guantanamo (to name a few of the more glaring items), there is an expectation for him to fix what was so obviously, so callously broken right away; to keep the promises he made, posthaste.

But while the "critirati" (catchy, huh?) who ride Obama, now that the coital post-election glow has faded, are rightful to keep his feet to the fire after years of being marginalized by neocons and wingnuts, they are laboring under the delusion that the promised change is an easy one to achieve, as easy to fix as it was to ruin.

In truth, change on the required, massive scale requires nothing short of an actual, total revolution. Not merely an implied revolt vis-á-vis electing a dynamic activist president of color and background and intelligence, whose abilities stand in stark contrast to, in some cases, his woefully inadequate predecessors; nor obviously a violent "take to the streets!!" revolution with rakes and pitchforks. Rather, a revolutionary approach to how this county is run and who runs it.

We're talking a civil revolution.

In the current manner our country is managed, for Obama to keep his promises he would have to employ socio-political alchemy, turning our rusty, corrupt, antiquated system into a shiny, efficient, people-friendly machine. But alchemy is the stuff of lore. The reality is that Obama is the first in a succession of leaders who must begin a governmental renovation, supported by the nation's citizens who uniformly reject the old, broken-down, corrupt formula.

Things are evolving and will continue to do so. But evolution is slow and to attack the main agent of change himself is self-defeating to the point of handing control back to the ones who created chaos in the first place.

It cannot be achieved by one leader. It has to be achieved in concert with those he leads.

There is little question that Obama has accomplished or at the very least genuinely sought to accomplish more in his first six months in office than most presidents do in their entire terms, certainly compared to his many inferior forerunners.

And while some of his liberal critics may roll their eyes at the "he inherited the enormous mess made by Bush" argument, having heard it all before, to discount that salient fact merely because of the boredom of enduring the sluggish-at-best legislative process is nothing less than childish impatience bordering on ignorance. What is glaringly evident, despite his positive performance, is the terminally entrenched system of corporate controlled government, gummed up and bogged down by an impenetrable web of promises, threats, swaps, obfuscation, deals and behavior which is otherwise described more simply as "Washington". Anyone participating in that morass must game the system to survive. Hell, game the people. That's the way it's gone and that's the way it goes.

But it is changing. Our material obsessed culture has all but removed the concept of patience and reflection from the equation. Immediate results are not possible in all situations. The business of national socio-political change will take much time.

But dreamers, even liberal ones, need to wake up. We finally have a leader who is able to fulfill the promise of this country and the promises of freedom and liberty to its citizens. It starts with raising national awareness and starting national dialogues. Both are in motion. Next is action.

But to assume that Obama and a few others will instantly right all the wrongs which have plagued this nation for decades is the same as assuming daddy will fix everything while baby wails. For change to occur, people have to give nanny a hand. And grow up.

Comments

[Laura Carruthers]

Stephen,

It's the little things that count. The little acts of either kindness (courtesy, general respect) or exploitation that add up incrementally to effect change in the positive or negative direction.. These acts are "the stuff" of either constant reform and progress or perpetual oppression and destruction.

So when you speak three or four days after other people have freely and courageously poured their time, their thoughts, and their skills into open communication with others, and try to claim the better, more well received, points made earlier as your own (with no admission of influence), you, too, only validate and exacerbate the insecurities, the degradation of self and others that come with exploitation.

Injustice is not a symptom of conservative Republican politics, of corporate mindset, or of egregious fundamentalism - It is an indiscriminate human problem.

Until we begin to analyze carefully and deeply our own behavior - our own daily inclinations and our own treatment of others, we will never be true to our own struggle for justice, decency, and better human relations, both personally and worldwide.

I just find it somewhat unethical to blog backwards or "in reverse" and to use your inequitable opportunity and position to write much lengthier statements, somewhat after the fact and noticeably off the backs of those who were willing to give a piece of themselves to the matter already and anonymously.

[jchastn]

Steven, Love your posts, but as we consider who you might be refering to as needing a nanny, lets remember that this year is the 40th anniverary of the Stonewall Riots. How long is a reasonable length of time to wait for ones CIVIL RIGHTS? We, the gay community believed then-candidate Obama when he described himself as "a fierce advocate for equal rights for all Americans", and then this week read the text of the Obama DOJ's brief in defense of the Defense of Marriage(make that Bigotry) Act which describes my marriage as equivilent to incest or pedophilia. That in combination with the complete silence and lack of movement by a democratic congress WHO THE PRESIDENT WORKS WITH has led member of our community to question his dedication to civil rights for all

I think that we should all read and consider the words of President Kennedy when he faced a different Civil Rights Crisis.

"The heart of the question is whether all Americans are to be afforded equal rights and equal opportunities, whether we are going to treat our fellow Americans as we want to be treated... Who among us would then be content with the counsels of patience and delay?

And this Nation, for all its hopes and all its boasts, will not be fully free until all its citizens are free."

Should the LGBT community show more patience, perhaps. Should President Obama and the Congress show more Leadership on this Civil Rights issue? Definately.

[ponderman]

Science needs to find a cure for one of America's most serious maladies....instant gratification.

[MNinWI]

As Thom Hartman has said repeatedly, the basic problem with our system is that we must have campaign finance reform. Without that change, our congress will be able to be bought by the large corporations. Our system is broken and is working well for the corp world, but for the rest of America, it is not. They are getting what they paid for. And if we don't change this, we are getting what we deserve. We also have to change the 2 party system. We need more choice and a fairer playing field for qulified people who cannot muster the $$$ to play.

[Laura Carruthers]

Unfortunately, I'm only further convinced that these sites are little more than zones of cyber-cannibalism. We eat each other alive, while resident bloggers feast on the carnage.

I might be the naive sucker, but it's just too bad, we can't do or say anything these days, even on progressive sites for "social justice", without fear of being violated in some way (as subtle as it might be). I'll definitely re-think any desire to communicate extensively with others in this forum next time.

[beingrepubwontmakeurich]

I mean no disrespect, it is clear that you are upset, but to me, your post insinuates that it is more important to you to get credit for these ideas than it is for the ideas themselves to reach people.
Is it not the fundamental point of these progressive sites to proliferate information outside of the realm of the bought-and-paid-for MSM?
I can't spend a lot of time combing through these boards everyday, so I get certain bloggers messages sent to my email. I would never have read any of these ideas - or yours for that matter - had they not been written by Steven Weber.
If you feel violated, that is certainly unfortunate. But the energy expended might be more pleasant if you take
My apolgies if I have missed your point entirely...

[Laura Carruthers]

I'm not accusing anyone of anything per se, as I can't prove anything. I do think, however, that Weber's post last night, right on the heels of week-long chatter on this very subject, conveniently comes to us and "instructs us" just a little too late to be considered uniquely wise, erudite, and indicative of great revolutionary thought or leadership -- on his part alone.

This whole week in comment threads, a number of us have stated and repeated quite eloquently (to the point of frustration) every idea in this post.

Perhaps I wrongly understood that the privileged, "leading" bloggers on this site were primarily supposed to INITIATE discussions, and then allow readers to absorb content, and perhaps share prior reflections or new insights gleaned in the moment, should they even feel like taking the time to craft a fully developed thought.

But if you're only going to comb through the chatter and follow up controversies, already in flow or even somewhat passe now, with a collection of re-stated ideas, largely and extensively communicated by others just over the last few days, you ought to at least attribute some generalized credit to the many who have obviously inspired or informed your "reflections" at this stage. See below a list of excerpts and quotes, from just my own prior commentaries, written two and three days ago. They don't even account for all of the discussions between myself and others.

[lafrance]

Excellent op ed. I have been making the same arguments to no avail. the very same people who have been throwing a fit because Obama has not changed everything overnight, cured cancer and ended world poverty by Jan 22, 2009 will never listen.
they are far too self involved to looked outside of their own narrow demands.
Many fail to look at the many and deep problems that need to be tackled and pushed through a congress that is controlled by the hyperbolic republicans - because no matter how many more democrats there are, they are too afraid of the republicans and too spineless to push through reforms.
A good analogy is to think of someone who needs to lose 100 pounds. They cannot possibly lose it in a week's time so, it is the same in fixing a country with a host of severe problems and 30 years of neglect.

[escorpion]

Bill Maher seems to think he speaks for all progressives. I wonder if he'd have to guts to have someone like Steven Weber on his show to debate this issue.

[MadHeart]

Excellent idea! Mahert is just another spoiled boomer and a self-confessed "Libertarian" anyway.i He wants his pot and to be able to do whatever he wants to do, but just don't tax him or call him privileged.

[canobserv]

Steven...........I wish more people were talking like this............patience seems like a very hard thing because we are used to a convienient and disposable society.........................the reality is if the far right and the far left continue to ba sh him for the next year we will lose the next election and go right back into the neo cons hands............if people are that upset why aren't they out in the streets prote sting.......or running for office themselves............or calling their congressman...or senators.......................writing letters.....putting petitions together............WE ARE THE CHANGE

[canobserv]

Steven...........I wish more people were talking like this............patience seems like a very hard thing because we are used to a convienient and disposable society.........................the reality is if the far right and the far left continue to bash him for the next year we will lose the next election and go right back into the neocons hands............if people are that upset why aren't they out in the streets protesting.......or running for office themselves............or calling their congressman...or senators.......................writing letters.....putting petitions together............WE ARE THE CHANGE

[Lannie]

My problem with O is that he continues to promise great reform with his soaring rhetoric, but what he keeps delivering is just the status quo.

[lafrance]

maybe because he has to deal with a congress that clings to status quo. He cannot do these things without the help of congress.
Why aren't you dumping on them for not helping Obama but, will help out the republicans.

[elbzee]

I noticed an interesting mention yesterday that might just help you to see what he's doing:

How bout getting the EPA to do its job!? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20090617/us-epa-asbestos-health-emergency/Libby MT ...""had to wait year after year as the last administration failed to determine that a public health emergency exists." In my opinion, we now have an administration that understands what it's supposed to do!

[Tena]

God I adore you for this! Thank you so much.

If I read one more damn post or comment that says Obama is just like Bush I'm going to throw up. The critics have a really cute way of posting stories that purport to show that Obama is just like Bush by talking about a White House decision that backs up some Bush policy from the past and doesn't bother to tell us why, but just concludes - he's just like Bush. Show me the reasons for the decisions they are criticizing. No one ever does - they don't give us enough information to make our own assessments.

Instead, they are acting like impatient toddlers. He isn't doing what IIIIIIII wanted him to. Well, too damn bad for you - he's the president of my dreams, thank you.

[lafrance]

Just because Bush was the worst president in history, some policies may be just fine. Also, some policies cannot be changed at will but, takes congress to do that.
Where are the infants wailing and screeching when it comes to congress's role.

[bloity]

Well done Steven! Alot of folks seem to see the world as black and white and thus assume every issue has a fast easy answer and fix wherein these big issues are very grey from years of momentum and energy to distract from the truth and doing the right thing. The reason Bush was so successful in his tenure was because he just put the icing on the cake that was built for years previously. Obama is just one cog in a very big machine that logic knows can't control the machine. But if that cog stands back and looks at the machine and all the parts of that machine, if he convinces each cog to turn the other way, thus building momentum in the other direction, the big machine will turn. This is what Obama is doing and needs our patience and our help to turn those other cogs around, and we can't abandon him when it starts to get messy. Children have temper tantrums when they don't get their way; adults use their smarts, their maturity and their tenacity to stay in the fight and resolve to be the last one standing until they get their way.

[oneklj4u]

This is one of Steven Weber's best posts yet. Bill Maher...take note!

[areaman03]

Many of the liberal critics make the mistake of letting their passions for issues become the only factors in their equations. It's as if they belive that they are so freighted in truth and righteousness that those alone will outweigh any other consideration. The problem is that while they may, in fact, be "correct" and their ideas may be "good" they have no strategy for navigating "The System", which, as a general rule, they inherently hold in the highest contempt.

I appreciate the heart that goes into their arguments, but I'd like to see a little more brains, a little more realism. Reactionary criticism will only weaken the odds for real reform in the long-run.