This is the piece that I hoped to never write. As long-time readers of Beyond Chron will remember, I was a harsh critic of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign – and worked hard to get Barack Obama elected. An Obama Administration, I believed, would not only break from the Bush era – but also prevent the pitfalls that set back progressives in the Clinton years. One year later, I have a tough time seeing how defeating Clinton was worth the trouble.
Obama could have put the Blue Dogs and Lieberman in their place months ago. But his defenders – myself included – argued for months that getting in a knock-down brawl is just "not in his DNA." Obama has to remain cool and cerebral, and let Congress evolve on its own. But insurance companies have been running Capitol Hill for decades, stand to lose millions of dollars in profits from reform – and were not going to give up without a nasty fight.
Organizing for America has tried to keep the activists who elected Obama working in the health care fight – by making phone calls to Congress. But they made a choice early on not to target the right-wing Democrats hostile to reform – i.e., precisely the group that needs to be made to feel pressure. Without the fear of primary challenges, Blue Dogs who hold the balance of power are running the show – because they're just following the insurance money.
Obama always said that change would not come unless we demand it. He also said it was up to activists to get health care. But while the people may lead, the leader must direct – and a fight like health care reform requires the leader to get his hands dirty. Lyndon Johnson never got civil rights legislation without threatening his colleagues – Obama needs to do the same.
I never meant to write a rant about Obama's failures. Diatribes that moan about how a Democrat "let us down" are a dime a dozen – and can be found in any alternative media outlet. I don’t want Obama to fail, but success relies on progressive accomplishments.
And right now, I'm skeptical about what has – and will – be done in this Administration. At this moment, I seriously wonder why I worked so hard to get him elected President.
Just admit it, you got bamboozled, as Obama is so fond of saying. Barack is another Bush in sheep's clothing. Maybe next time you'll know not to look at the outside, but, I don't know, perhaps do some research on what's truly on the inside of the slick show! A quick internet search showed me Barry votes "present" a whole lot, and sides with his corporate buddies. Not to mention the fact that he's a crooked Chicago pol. Guess we know what's in your stocking this Christmas.
__________________
Barack/Barry: If you're NOT LEGIT, then you MUST QUIT!!
At this moment, I seriously wonder why I worked so hard to get him elected President.
The short answer to this is: Because you, like the rest of your Obot pals, were a dumb a$$. lol
__________________
It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.... Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less. ~Susan B. Anthony
What this yehaw and the rest of the Liberal yehaws out there is this YOU CAN'T THREATEN A BLUE DOG WITH A PRIMARY BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL HE KNOWS THAT THE DEMOCRATS WILL LOSE THAT SEAT. THE BLUE DOGS REPRESENT CONSERVATIVE DISTRICTS. PRIMARY A BLUE DOG AND YOU WILL LOSE THAT SEAT. This explains why the Blue Dogs have so much power