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“We all like telling people what to do, which is perfectly alright, except that most people do ot like being told what to do.”
--Senator J. William Fulbright on “transforming” other nations; 1966
Two weeks ago, I had mentioned buying Jonathan Alter's book “The Promise: President Obama, Year One.” I've considered doing a “review” of it for this forum, because I believe it is something that everyone would benefit from reading. Those who are strong supporters of the President, those who feel betrayed by his administration, and everyone in between, would likely find sections that support their opinions.
Alter is a good author. I find that he is far superior in communicating this way, than on television. (Cable news programs tend to favor guests who make provocative one-liners, and Alter is soft-spoken. More, his thoughts are not easily condensed into bumper stickers.) He also had access to a number of sources in positions within the administration.
In today's world, an American president tends to have less power to do “good” than “bad.” Hence, we have more impact from a George W Bush, than a Jimmy Carter. Some of the issues that I've seen disappointment expressed about by progressives and liberals are actually beyond President Obama's sphere of influence.
However, others are not. One of the areas where I have the strongest disagreements with Barack Obama involves US policy in Afghanistan. The book makes clear that the military has a different agenda in its approach to policy there, than the administration. Also, while Joe Biden is to the left of Obama, Hillary Clinton is well to the right. She has more influence than Biden – which is good if one supports her position, and not good if one favors Biden's position.
I do not agree with any of the three. I think that our increased presence – or any current military/ “private contractor” presence – makes our country less safe. The window of opportunity to make any positive changes there probably closed in the Reagan/Bush1 years. Any need to respond to 9/11 ended in W's first term.
But, on this issue, as well as numerous others, Alter makes clear that the “democratic left” has no voice in this administration. In fact, there is no one in the administration that even lends an ear to listen to the democratic left's voice from the grass roots. And that is, in my opinion, why we are witnessing the strong disagreements on this forum, between those who believe the administration is doing about as well as possible, considering the condition that Bush/Cheney left the country …. and the democratic left, that wants to be heard, and taken seriously.
I was discussing this book with an associate earlier this weekend. I expressed my concerns about the lack of respect the administration gives the democratic left. He said, “Yeah, but you don't have enough political power to elect your candidates.” I said that he needed to re-think that: in fact, the democratic left is being told by the moderate-to-conservative democrats that we need to get out the democratic left's votes this year, or else the republicans will win. Now, think about that. We might not be able to put real progressive candidates in office, but we are in a position to effect the outcome of most elections.
The democratic left isn't going to respond to bumper-sticker slogans, or be motivated by hand-wringing attempts at guilt trips. We demand respect. That includes having a voice. We will not be intimidated by the bullying that results from what Senator Fulbright called “the arrogance of power.”
Just as I recommend that people read Alter's “The Promise,” I strongly urge them to locate a copy of Senator Fulbright's 1966 book, “The Arrogance of Power.” It was a warning to another democratic president, and to Congress. And to the American public. In an era when the right-wing extremists like the followers of Glenn Beck are heard in Washington, DC, it is foolish to ignore the voice of the democratic left.
Peace,
H2O Man
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