"It is an old strategy of tyrants to delude their victims into fighting their battles for them."

[flpoljunkie]

Can Obama give 'em hell before it's too late?

Why can't Democrats mobilize the public for healthcare reform? Blame the demagogy gap
By Michael Lind

Sep. 01, 2009

"We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace: business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering," President Franklin Roosevelt told an audience in Madison Square Garden in 1936. "They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob. Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me and I welcome their hatred."

Can anyone imagine President Barack Obama saying anything like that? The nickname of Roosevelt's successor in the White House, Harry Truman, was "Give-'Em-Hell Harry." As the Republican minority, backed by an avalanche of special-interest money, mobilizes to thwart the health reform agenda of the Democratic majority, maybe the time has come for "Give-'Em-Hell Barry."

The most dangerous deficit that the United States faces is not the budget deficit or the trade deficit. It is the Democrats' demagogy deficit. Franklin Roosevelt, looking down from that Hyde Park in the sky, would not be surprised that conservatives are seeking to channel populist anger and anxiety, not against the Wall Street elites who wrecked the economy, but against reformers promoting healthcare reform and economic security for ordinary people. As he told his audience in 1936, "It is an old strategy of tyrants to delude their victims into fighting their battles for them." But FDR would be shocked by the inability of his party to mobilize the public on behalf of reform.

more here...

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2009/09/01/demagogy/

[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. The Bushes and the Cheneys are certainly the old tyrants

the tyrants, old kings, leaders led people to war to gain power over them. Another way was religion.

[Overseas]

2. K&R. //nt

[ananda]

3. Yeah! Give me hell, Barry!

For sure.

[bertman]

4. I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for our President to give some fiery oratory.

I'm not sure he's even capable of it. Too measured. Too intent upon being Mr. Cool Reacher Outer.

I wish I were wrong. Imagine what an inspiration he could be if he just exhibited some righteous indignation against the reactionaries.

P.S. I don't want to hear all the crap about him not wanting to be the angry black man. He's the President of the United States, the Leader of the Free World. Get pissed, Barack.

[Myrina]

6. +10

:applause:

[joeycola]

7. I do not think you are wrong,

[iceman66]

8. +1,000

[Cha]

9. President Obama is who he is and I do not

want him to be who you think he should be.

I like him just the way he is..and the good news is..he's not changing for you or anyone else.

[Vidar]

5. K&R

[applegrove]

10. Excellent article.