And the drum beats on

Most progressives are disappointed in the narrow choice between Obama and Clinton.  Progressive ideas have been relabeled, spun and then used to garner support from the progressive base.  Unfortunately there are few if any details in the spin.  

It is important that no matter who is in office that they realize that we are engaged, watching and demanding not only rhetoric but MEANINGFUL change that empowers people.  And it is important that we not vote in November and think we can sit back.  

Congress took us for granted in 2006 - the message we sent was clear, "OUT OF IRAQ" and "IMPEACH THIS PRESIDENT" neither have happened - these are the same democrats sitting in our house in Washington. 

For example, "Universal Health Care" does not mean "Single Payer not for profit health care with an end to insurance companies".  It means something that is form over substance - most likely some type of mandated insurance - advantage Insurance Companies.  [Most likely the vary parties writing the laws as they did with Medicare Part D].

The current engaged electorate [growing] needs to realize that our work has only begun and that the election merely signals a change in the people in the seats in Washington.  The real work then begins.

November may be the beginning of change, but so far neither Obama or Clinton are aligned with the people - they both need to catch up to the will of the people. 

by August Adams (10 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 442 comments) on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 1:46:58 PM
 

Thanks for your "take" on it all.

You've drawn several threads together and it makes a cogent argument.  I for one wonder how Hill Clint manages to find so many fearful folks who tell pollsters they favor her in upcoming Ohio and PA primaries. 

Finally the media is reporting that Obama leads in total delegates as of now.  But the combo of almost 20% at the convention being "superdelegates" (majority of those still not committed) AND the hanging chads of how Michigan and Florida will be dealt with at the convention casts a great pall over the remainder of the primary race.  Unless it actually ENERGIZES Dems to make it super clear that we really WANT THE CHANGE that is not quite captured in the slogans...

Turning Pelosi and the Dems in congress to stand up to Bush twice, once on the Bolten/Meirs contempt citations (which only the Justice Dept. can enforce, but its refusal MAY further inflame the voters and boomerang on Mulkasey and Bush) and the standing up for FISA, is the most exciting thing I've heard out of congress since the Kucinich impeach Cheney bill survived tabling last November!

Monday's new Zogby poll commissioned by OpEdNews will tell whether the people have the will to start change before Jan. 20 next.  Hearings now on Cheney's acts of treason and other high crimes are LONG overdue. Eleven months is a long time in which to let Cheney and Bush go unimpeded.  Hearings on Cheney's impeachment MUST begin in the HJC and, if a fourth article re 9/11 is added to Kucinich's HR 333/799, change can come faster than the three WTC buildings fell on September 11, a proven inside job all the way! www.journalof911studies.com

We must get to a place where the 9/11 fraud is exposed, as it drives every bad thing that goes on -- EVEN the tanking economy -- and very obviously the fraudulent wars In Afghanistan and Iraq.  Afghanistan has been made safe for poppies and pipelines, Iraq is a quagmire that now rivals Vietnam.  

Philip Shenon's new book, The Commission, is a milestone goad for a new and needed 9/11 investigation.  Shenon has proved the first was corrupted hopelessly.

by Carl Weis (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 23 comments) on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 2:00:04 PM
 

AA nails it

"...it is important that we not vote in November and think we can sit back"

read it three times, four if need be. Hell, 5, 6, 7 times, until you GET IT. 

by Tony Forest (6 articles, 15 quicklinks, 153 diaries, 1350 comments) on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 3:38:06 PM
 

True ...

If it is Obama - that is if we even have an election, but that's another story - I'm not looking for anything more than a feel good effect until it sinks in that we're still in Iraq 6 months into his term, then it's going to get real ugly when the betrayed turn on their savior. Especially since we'll be so deep in a depression, most likely in another war with Iran and/or Venezuela, (if not the entire God-damn world) suffering from the shock of another "false flag" attack that being housed in any of the 600 "detention camps" FEMA has waiting might seem like a good thing.

And that's our best case scenario.

Foreign policy under Obama isn't going to change when he's taking lessons from the likes of Brezinksi and neither is the plight of the Working Man judging from his past record with unions.

AA is right on target. We're going to need more than Obama, Clinton, Edwards, Kucinich, Paul, (we certainly don't need any of the Republicans kind of help), and a whole hell of a lot a luck to get past what the near future has in store.

by Mr M (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 1428 comments) on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 4:41:15 PM
 

Not expecting miracles!

If Obama's "rhetoric" inspires folks to get involved and to take responsibility there is hope that real change can happen.  The right wing-nuts are led by brilliant mad men who have fostered an "us against them" state of fear.  That gives rise to infighting and name calling.

If this keeps up there will be nothing left.

We don't know for sure if Obama can or will make a difference.  But we do know that Clinton will be Clinton -- as always. 

We want to try the hope and change remedy -- just to see if it works. 

by Rainbow Law (26 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 42 comments) on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 4:53:26 PM
 

Don't Hold Your Breath

Waiting for Mr. Corporate Barack Obaa do do anything either. Can't you see that they are funded and supported by the same interests? Believe me, they aren't the "people's" interests.

by Timothy V. Gatto (348 articles, 177 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 574 comments) on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 5:34:23 PM
 

Staying Positive

As difficult as it has been -- we have decided to remain hopeful of a better future for our children and grandchildren.

With the way things have been heading the last 15 years, the alternative is just too depressing to contemplate.

If we give up now, then what's the use of thinking or caring about anything except our own little universe?

by Rainbow Law (26 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 42 comments) on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 6:08:30 PM
 

What is the basis for the claim that "Change" is....

NOT just pure rhetoric?

How do we know that for sure?
By checking the Congressional voting record.

Obama voted for the Patriot Act not once, but twice. (So did CLinton). He (unlike Clinton) voted for the flag burning amendment: Jail time for free speech anybody? Yeah some people have a right to be offended by flag burning, but who ever said that offense is illegal and jailable? That's when we are in serious trouble. Further, don't people have an absolute right to be fully disgusted---and offended---with the state of affairs as it is, and to visibly express that disgust?

I trust no man (or woman) who opposes free speech and votes for the Police State.

That's why I trust neither Obama nor Clinton. Nor any other Candidates except the ones which have been ousted.

Seems to me that yes, "Change is in the air"....but not for the better.

Especially if we Americans vote based on pure impressions and pure opinion without checking out the voting record. Check it out: It's absolutely important. And please spread word: Even more important. Thank you.

by Kathryn Smith (93 articles, 2 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 361 comments) on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 8:53:34 PM
 

Fearful? NOT

I'm proudly for Hillary. Fear does not enter into the equation. She's the best candidate for the job.

I don't  buy pie in the sky speeches. Only practical, hands-on, political work will get us to where we need to be.

Hillary is my choice. Proudly.

by fou (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 90 comments) on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 9:23:46 PM
 

Obama may not be the point.

If the change we are all clamoring for happens, it may be in spite of Obama rather than because of him. He's fairly Centrist, and his record of voting for things like the Patriot Act is a huge problem. The movement, however, is genuine and may push him further than he might otherwise dare to go. If he actually wins, he'll have tremendous pressure on him to deliver results. I just hope he's still positive enough to try and shake up the status quo when he gets there. If he doesn't, he's going to have a lot of pissed off people to deal with.

by Morgaine Swann (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 17 comments) on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 4:29:34 AM
 

Morgaine You are RIGHT ON

Obama inspires people to care. Regardless of the reason, his message resonates and thus an Obama presidency may be transformative in a positive way -- not necessarily because Obama himself is "better" than Clinton -- but because more American citizens may be moved to action than would otherwise be. If that happens -- and it is a big IF, we might see something positive.

We are going to stay positive since it does no good to imagine the worst before it happens. We'll do the same if Clinton gets the nod, even though she is having a harder time in the inspiration department.

by Rainbow Law (26 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 42 comments) on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 7:36:04 AM
 

Obama = Inspiration

Read this in an article this morning:

"Inspiration persuades "swing" voters because the candidate makes them feel good in his presence. He makes them feel more powerful and meaningful.

But inspiration also mobilizes voters because it overcomes the major obstacle to voter's participation -- the feeling of powerlessness.

It's his ability to inspire that allows Barack Obama to appeal simultaneous to swing "persuadable" voters and the vast number of "moblizable" voters who don't vote in [residential elections.

Obama's attraction to swing voters isn't that he promises to "compromise" with the right -- or adopt right wing values. It is that he inspires them with the traditional progressive values:

• That we're all in this together, not all in this alone;
• Unity not division;
• Hope not fear;
• That people are not commodities to be paid what the market will bear and discarded when they aren't needed, but human beings whose happiness and success are the purpose of the economy.

Inspiration comes from appeals to values, not ten point plans.

If Obama is the candidate for president this fall, he will attract Democrats, independents and even some Republicans. But he will also bring out a massive surge of young people, minorities, and many others who have never voted before. His candidacy will transform the presidential electorate.

That's why Obama is without doubt the best candidate to lead a potential progressive realignment of American politics this fall."

by Rainbow Law (26 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 42 comments) on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 8:04:35 AM
 

The Democrats are feeling empowered --

in part -- by the resounding echoes of change that is ringing in their ears. That would be a hopeful message, if it were true.

But what is ringing in their ears is a phone call from Squibb or Martin-Marietta.

We've seen the first act of the play yet to come, titled "Democrats Back in Charge." and it's had a bunch of bad 2006 reviews. Pelosi and Reid are terrified, not of impeachment, but of their personal parts in the Democratic complicity that an impeachment trial would reveal.

Newt Gingrich and Tom DeLay at least had the guts not to give a shit.

American government has been on the take for decades, mainlining the intravenous drip of special interest money until the body politic expired from neglect. Democrats were (and are) in on the deal and that sets the stage for massive disappointment once November has come and gone.

"Change" is a feel-good, but meaningless word. Defined as "Become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence."

Parse that, baby. Become different (Democrat rather than Republican) without permanently losing former characteristics (power, greed) or essence (the best government money can buy).

The self-servingly constructed framework of government has to be ripped apart and reconfigured to serve society. Like the Drug War, we need to pull the money out of the Legislaive Wars and I don't see a program (or even an admission such a thing exists) on the part of any candidate.

I am uninspired that the very legislators who have pounded together these lobbyist-congressional and military-industrial complexes (nail by nail, like Jesus on the cross) are the ones upon whom we rely to tear it all down.

Barack can't do that, nor can Hillary or John.

Only citizens in the streets can do that and they are busy at the moment, lowing like cattle behind the fences government has erected for them.

by Jim Freeman (108 articles, 51 quicklinks, 221 diaries, 382 comments) on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 8:49:57 AM
 

Right-On Jim

Real change will not happen unless and until we the people say it must. 

Many of us have been -- for more years than we can remember -- so discouraged -- by Republican rule, the raping and pillaging of our economy,  environment, health care, military and job security by free market adherants -- and by DEMOCRATS who are too fearful and weak to stand up to the rabid right. 

Though many of us do speak out and wave our arms frantically trying to get others to notice that the country is tanking, most citizens felt too overwhelemd to do anything about it.  As if trying to do or say anything would be a waste of time and enegy -- and it was.

Obama is able to tap into our need for change combined with our need to take action. 

Perhaps he will be able to awaken the masses to the point where they will be empowered to rise up and demand accountability and real change in our government.

If a movement such as we describe really does result from an Obama presidency -- he may be powerless to stop (assuming he will want to) the tidal wave of progress that ensues.

by Rainbow Law (26 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 42 comments) on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 9:12:01 AM
 

Elisia and Carrie Ross-Stone get it so completely and say it

so well.

The point is not to say, ahhh, Obama is it and I vote for him and thats all, everything good will come from that. No Obama fan here on OpEdNews is saying that. The point is to recognize that his candidacy has become a movement and that movement is for a change from what we have had at least these past six years if not what we have had most of these past 60 years. The point is for us to become a powerful voice within that movement and help stoke its fires and shape it to our liking.

I also do not believe that within the span of one Presidency that the entire progressive agenda can be attained. I AM hopeful for at least six things this Obama Presidency.

1. Fully equal rights for the GLBT community including marriage. (And no, I am not saying this just to pander to Elisia and Carrie). I know Barack has made at least one major mistake this campaign season with regards to the GLBT community and I thoroughly pounded on him for it at the time and you can look at my profile here on OpEdNews and see the article I wrote that did that. Still, I do not think that is what he is about and the GLBT for Obama folks assure me of that (and if they hadnt, I would not have endorsed him).

2. A stop to the current war and no more future ones. Enough said.

3. A Universal Healthcare program that is a strong precursor to Single Payor.

4. A strong and meaningful anti-poverty program that really lifts most if not all impoverished Americans out of that hellhole.

5. Restoration of foreign respect for America. I am going to travel to France in four days. I fully expect this to be just like the last time I travelled overseas during W's Presidency. As soon as I engage people in politics, I find myself having to apologize for what our idiot-boy President has done and explain that I voted against him and vigorously campaigned against him each time. Then I have to explain how 50 million Americans voted for him each time and try to defend our country. I fully expect that to change under Obama and to change rapidly. If one travels abroad in 2010, for instance, it will be completely different to be identified as an American. That isnt just a feel good thing. That translates into all kinds of economic benefits in terms of purchase of American products, etc.

6. The wealthy will be forced to pay their fair share of taxes and this, along with bringing an end to our involvement in Iraq will balance our budget and start to bring inflation under control.

But, again, if you are looking to one person to accomplish all of this on their own, it is not going to happen. JFK was not JFK before he became President, FDR was not FDR before he became President and VERY LITTLE in their history before taking the oath of office would have led one to believe that they would become what they did. In fact, none of them became any of these things on their own. They both made some fantastic decisions, but they did them surrounded by good people who themselves were influenced by many other good people and a strong activist population who were demanding change.

by Steven Leser (212 articles, 45 quicklinks, 33 diaries, 1389 comments) on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 10:29:53 AM
 

Thanks Steven

Yes! You aptly state our reasoning.

by Rainbow Law (26 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 42 comments) on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 11:12:18 AM
 

Lesbian Grandmothers from Mars

We are tough -- and practical.  We saw the writing on the wall and knew the economy was tanking at least 5 years ago when we bought this land and started building our little fortress for next to nothing.

We have adult children ranging from 24 to 35 and two little grandkids under age 6.  Our hope and optimism is for them really. We want them to have a decent life that is not based on needless consumption.

Congress has been powerless over the last years.  We hope a strong and empassioned leader will help to end the stranglehold that corporations have on our democracy.

Hope for the best.

Prepare for the worst.

That's our motto.

by Rainbow Law (26 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 42 comments) on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 12:29:33 PM