Message to the Democratic Left

[H2O Man]

“He who has the gold, makes the rules.”
--Ken Blackwell's version of the Golden Rule.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an OP about two books that I was planning to read on a short vacation: Ken Blackwell & Ken Klukowski's “The Blueprint: Obama's Plan to Subvert the Constitution and Build an Imperial Presidency”; and Jonathan Alter's “The Promise: President Obama, Year One.” I noted that I find it beneficial to read as wide a range of political/social writings as possible. I remember reading, many years ago, where Malcolm X advocated this approach, because it allows one the advantage of knowing what their friends and enemies are really thinking.

I found some information in each of the books that may be worth our consideration and discussion. I have no concerns about the fact that not everyone who reads this forum is a progressive or liberal member of the “democratic left.” In fact, not everyone here is even one of our moderate friends. But that doesn't bother me in the least, because we have some important issues to focus on, something we have proven to be capable of doing here.

Let's start with “The Blueprint,” from which I quoted above. This book is authored by and aimed at our political and social enemies. There are a few paragraphs that are intended to stir up the fears and hatreds of the rabid-right, including the Tea Bagsters. But it primarily a blueprint for the more intelligent republicans, a blueprint for stifling any and every liberal move the Obama administration will attempt to take.

The core message in the text is that the republicans have to disrupt President Obama's plan to have community-based activists participating in things political. On page 109, for example, they write, “They would be involved in voter registration, opening community centers, and implementing public programs. They would work to essentially create a massive, permanent political campaign to try to directly sell President Obama's agenda to the American people. And they would also work to defeat Obama's political opposition in elections to create a Congress, statehouse, and governorships that are more amenable to President Obama's plans for America.”

Clearly, they have great anxiety about the potential for an outbreak of democracy. But it is not republicans alone who subscribe to the belief that democracy is dangerous. Evidence of this is well-documented in the second book, “The Promise.” Let's take a look.

Jonathan Alter is, in my opinion, a moderate democrat with an open mind. He wants President Obama to succeed in getting this country out of the ditch that the Bush-Cheney administration rammed it in. While I do not think Alter believes this requires the radical changes that I know are required, he is sincere, and went so far as to call out democrats in Congress who are roadblocks to progress.

More importantly, Alter exposes the intense and on-going conflict between the top brass in the military and President Obama in regard to US policy in Afghanistan. The military brass consider Barack Obama to be a temporary leader, and view themselves as playing a far more important role in “protecting the nation's interests.” The military is not in support of President Obama's plan to have the “surge” in troops in Afghanistan be a temporary thing, and to begin withdrawing the troops in 2011. In fact, they are actively promoting the right-wing media sources' reporting that this is a dangerous political tactic by an inexperienced President.

Before the 2008 election – in fact, during the democratic primary season – I said that I supported Barack Obama, but was convinced the democratic left would need to continue to organize protests against his policy in Afghanistan. Obviously, I still believe that. More: I think that we have both an opportunity and obligation to advance our grass roots' organizing, and to fulfill Blackwell & Klukowski's nightmare. We need to do some serious voter education and registration. We need to increase our participation in the political process.

I think that this is an important topic for forum members to discuss at this time. I hope that readers will give this OP a “K&R,” not because I wrote it, but because we need people to actively participate in this type of open discussion.

Thank you for your imput!

Peace,
H2O Man
Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party

[MisterP]

1. niggling, but vital, observation:

Obama actually shows little indication of "turning the country around" or "getting it out of a ditch," so any shortcomings are not only caused by R and conservadem blockage, or having to appeal to them, but also a neoliberalism--ie, conservatism--shared throughout the WH, and shared with the conservative 60% of Congress

any talk of "smashing Boehner" or "you use R to go backward and D to go forward" is rendered nonsensical

[sansatman]

22. We need to have Obama's back.

This problem has been with us for decades and is now a pervasive part of our American life style. We are a nation at perpetual war with any threat perceived or real to to the wealthy and powerful that own the world.
It may be to late to stop our rush to complete world fascism but we have a President who is working on our behalf in my opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPr_T7btVgA

[LWolf]

28. If, in my opinion,

we had a President working on our behalf, I'd have his back.

I don't believe that. Neoliberalism is not good for us, and neoliberals aren't working on our behalf.

I don't have any neoliberal's back.

That's the core of the current civil war in the Democratic Party. In my opinion.

[Individualist]

36. +1

[BzaDem]

47. Ah, the civil war. When Obama has 85% approval among liberal Democrats, and a Democratic approval

that beats every Democratic president since John F Kennedy.

Sounds like a civil war to me.

:rofl:

[Usrename]

51. That's one way to keep yourself amused as the ranks dwindle.

By the time they get done running the liberals out, there will 100% approval.

Democratic ranks have sunk to 30% of the registered vote. Obama's running them off in huge numbers.

We've lost almost 20% of our faithful in two years. http://www.gallup.com/poll/15370/Party-Affiliation.aspx


Why is that hilarious?

[derby378]

74. +100

Some "compromise Dems" just don't get it yet.

[Jim Sagle]

76. It's only hilarious to DLC hogwash dispensers who get paid five bucks an hour to see it that way.

[Stellar]

82. The only somebody that did better were Bush 1 and Bush 2....

go figure. Clinton's ratings were at 39% at this point in his administration and Reagan at 42%. Bush 1 was at 76% in his second year, and Bush 2 was at 65 percent. Things that make you go hmmm...

http://pollingmatters.gallup.com/2010/08/update-on-obama-job-approval.html

[ooglymoogly]

77. Yes I am a liberal Democrat

And yes I was asked in several polls, whether I supported O. I had no choice but to say yes, though I believe he is naught but a Dino. My support is only to the D after his name and not his policies which are disgraceful for a Democrat.

I will vote for him only if it is the only "Democrat" choice in the final. In the primary I will write in the most sound and strongest Democrat I know who adheres innately to Democratic principals and values that will hold the huge majority; The peoples interests above the minuscule minority; The greedy corporate interests of banking and Wall st,; Which is the only path to a sound economy and a successful democracy for everyone, the rich and the poor; As so righteously and incontrovertibly proven by FDR and his policies.

[Enthusiast]

53. +1........nt

[MissDeeds]

68. Well said n/t

[Erose999]

90. I agree 100%. The DLC (including Obama) works to serve the interests of the corporations

rather than the interests of local communities and the average Joe. Those "democrats in Congress who are roadblocks to progress" are the same "Democrats" endorsed by Obama... Blanche Lincoln, Ben Nelson, etc.

Theres a narrative that Obama and the party are plagued by obstructionists in congress, but I really think its the other way around... the progressives in Congress aren't getting enough support from Obama and the rest of the party. That being said, Obama and our "democratic" majority in Congress are still better than Boehener and the GOOP.

I'll do what I can to promote progressive causes and progressive congresspersons, but I am not going to throw my support behind Obama himself if the best he can give us "professional leftists" is a surge in AFGN, Race to the Top, mandates to buy private health insurance, the Catfood Commission, Arne Duncan, etc etc.

[H2O Man]

32. One of the problems

that I see with the administration is that the President is in a bubble. No matter if one thinks he is or is not liberal or progressive, there was a time when he at very least communicated with real life liberals and progressives. Those avenues of communication have been cut off.

I do not expect them to be re-opened by the administration any time soon. There are roadblocks created by the administration, and stumbling blocks placed there by corporations, republicans, etc.

My goal is to come up with a way to either go around those road blocks and stumbling blocks, or -- my own preference -- to crush them.

[LWolf]

88. I think much of the anger and frustration

from the left boils down to this:

How, exactly, do we go around those blocks, let alone crush them?

Most of our elected reps DON'T LISTEN. Our demonstrations, marches, etc. don't seem to move them, and certainly don't get the high media profile that the tea-party and Glen Beck do.

We write letters, and get patronizing form letters back explaining why we're wrong.

We make phone calls, and those calls rarely seem to have an effect.

What do we actually DO, besides talk to one another and agree that "something" needs to be done?

[H2O Man]

92. That is the key question.

I think that this thread documents that there is a variety of opinions on the issue of if President Obama and/or his administration is "liberal." (I do not think that anyone would say that he and/or anyone in the administration is a "progressive," though there could be some debate on if the Michelle is.)

My central point in writing the OP was two-fold: first, to indicate that the variety of opinions includes a number of valid viewpoints -- the differences do not make some of us "good" or "bad" democrats; and second, that dispite those differences of opinion on the topic of the President and his administration, we must still find the common ground that provides us the potential to promote the values of the democratic left.

Let's look at an example, health care reform. Good people can have very different opinions on what President Obama's goals really were. However, what cannot be debated is that Barack Obama decided to push the issue in his first year, against the advice of virtually everyone around him (including Biden, Rahm, etc). His approach in pushing it belongs to him, alone. The results of his effort belong to a much larger group, though I doubt that many people would say he did everything correctly (considering that he recognizes that he did not). So, we ended up with something closer to "insurance reform" than the "health care reform" that even the President campaigned on and advocated in that first year.

Many democrats view the results as an important victory that can be built upon; others see it as far too little. The common ground is that we need to do more, and that there is a large force opposed to greater reform; the split is if we concentrate on our different opinions on the process the reform took. One option provides us with an on-going, extremely tough fight; the other offers certain defeat.

I wish that I had "the answer." Obviously, I don't. No one person does. What I can say is that my experiences in life have convinced me that combining a "right now" and a "long-term" approach works best. I think that grass roots activism/ community organizing offers our best chance. I've talked about my plans to run for a local school board seat. Small stuff, I know, but if on this itty-bitty level, only the viewpoints of conservative republicans are voiced, it means the foundation of a democratic society is crumbling. My "right now" goal isn't to have the board be restricted to the democratic left -- but rather, to have everyone seated, and everyone to enjoy having a say. The "long-term" goal will be to use this experience to move up in county and state government (and, though I may be delusional, I would like to eventually consider another step up.)

What others do interests me, though I would not think it my place to tell them what to do. I'm always happy to add my two scents as far as helping others consider the options for reaching whatever goal they may have. In that vein, I think it is important that liberals and progressives recognize that we can't afford to let differences of opinion divide us. We need to be invested in the idea that we should all be doing work at whatever level we are most effective, coordinating and supporting each other to the extent possible, and respecting each other even when we strongly disagree.

[LWolf]

93. I think it's a great idea to run for a school board seat.

You'd make a great board member. That option's out for me, at least until I retire, since I am an educator. I've always thought that's what I'd do with my retirement, when the time comes, though.

As far as the divisions go, for me it's not that an attempt to do something good isn't successful, or that a step is smaller than I'd like.

It is two things:

1. The direction. It doesn't matter how slowly or quickly you go if you are headed the wrong way, and I think this administration has headed the wrong way on way too many issues. If we were going down a path likely to eventually end up where we want to get, I'd be there creeping along with everyone else. I think we're going the wrong way.

2. The process. When you don't allow the best solutions at the table at all, how are you even going to move in that direction? Example? I didn't expect to get a single-payer health care reform. Had it been allowed on the table, had the players started with the best case scenario, I think we would have gotten a better bill. As it is, it's not that I think the health insurance bill wasn't enough; I think it headed the wrong direction. That, and the more personal. It looks like the only benefit I'm going to get is that it will cost me MORE to not be able to afford actual health care than it already does. Starting next month, in fact, 30% more.

The process has seemed to favor some groups and agendas over others, specifically over left-of-center Democrats. The process needs to be different. For me, it's not about big steps or small, but about trampling on those who elected you along the way.

[RKP5637]

2. Highly Recommend!!! n/t

[H2O Man]

33. Thank you.

Much appreciated!

[customerserviceguy]

3. Not shocking to me what you read in "The Blueprint"

If we had a book out thirty years ago saying that we have to disrupt the way that Reagan was using the religious right to achieve his agenda, it would have been saying the same thing. It would have focused on the fact that Reagan was for abortion before he was against it, that he and his wife believe in astrology, etc. Too bad we didn't try that tactic, but the other side always seems to learn from our mistakes better than we do.

Clearly, McChrystal's attitudes are reflected in the description of the Pentagon brass that you describe in "The Promise". The question is, how many others are left in the military that feel the way that Alter describes?

[L0oniX]

4. The Dishonor of Militarism...

It is unseemly to brag about how good “we” are while the U.S. government causes such misery day after day across the world.

http://www.fff.org/comment/com1009a.asp

[Capitalocracy]

5. Here's what I don't understand

Why is it that people criticizing Obama from the left is considered working for the Republican party? I've seen very few people advocate not voting (although I really do think that in some conservadem districts an organized voter boycott might send a powerful message) and I haven't seen people telling other people to vote third party. Some people have expressed that they are not willing to donate to or work for the Democratic Party because of their disappointment in the direction it's heading, but they're within their rights to not get involved in a political process that shuns them out. And it actively shuns them out. Now, it may not be the best strategy, the best strategy is to vehemently and adamantly stay involved no matter how hard they try to shut us out, but that can't be done without a little criticism, again, from the left, of the administration and Congress.

But what I don't understand is people advocating, 'Don't get involved, just vote and keep your mouth shut. And work for a party that doesn't want you anyway, and would rather appeal to an improbable base of dependents even if it means alienating the actual active base of the party.' Who would do that?

And one other thing I think can't be pointed out enough: The independents aren't especially ideological. Sure, they might respond to accusations of Communism, but the bottom line is, they tend to respect strong leadership and transparency over secrecy, broken promises, and weakness, even if they don't necessarily agree with every policy.

[rosesaylavee]

56. I have seen many posts here advocating NOT voting.

I think that that is primarily the work of trolls (some of whom have figured out how to 'live' longer here than in the olden days) and that feeling is sometimes tranmitted successfully to frustrated liberals who also post here. I am hoping that all that is IS frustration and not the strategy that most of us here will adhere to come November.

[Mr. Mustard]

64. They Are Trolls and

the media narrative of a resounding RepubliCON victory is not true.

Anyone, ANYONE who advocates not voting as a means to improve progressive fortunes are deceitful.

These trolls are pathetic little people being played by corporations who have them actually believing that corporations and the free market will magically provide us health care and jobs.

Jobs are going overseas.
We spend more on health care than any other nation, and the uninsured list grows.

But the trolls are weak minded people who somehow fall for the obviously false meme that the corporations will care for us, in spite of the centuries of evidence to the contrary.

The weak little trolls are so confused they actually will believe Rush Limbaugh and oil company shills, over objective scientists who say global warming is man made and dangerous.

The weak and simple little trolls will forgo health care and saving the planet because of a playground style taunt, from the very people who are getting rich off of our resources.

Throw in the fact that many of the trolls believe there is an invisible cloud being who loves them, and they are special and will have a place in the magic kingdom and you have deadlock.

No wonder Europe and China are beating us in every possible economic and social measurement but the weak trolls don't know that because they are not allowed to read or watch anything except Fox and Rush.

Pathetic.

And we concede to these idiots time and time again because they pound their chests and talk loudly.

[LWolf]

87. I have seen very few, and those were from some very frustrated

people. They may have been just venting their frustration, or they may actually not vote. That's not good, obviously, but the fact remains that their frustration has a strong foundation. The Obama administration has been offending many traditional Democratic voters since he began making appointments after the election, and this hasn't seemed to bother him.

Most of us who are unhappy with the Obama administration realize that he isn't on the ballot this November. We'll be voting. Anger at a Democratic majority, especially in the Senate, that did a piss-poor job of making progress while they HAD a majority may put some of them at risk, especially the blue dogs and neoliberals. If Democratic incumbents were faithful to the Democratic platform, to traditional Democratic principles and voting blocks, they'll probably be okay.

I would happily replace the Obama administration with a LEFT OF CENTER administration if I could. It is very unlikely that Obama can earn my vote for 2012. This isn't 2012. I'm still voting for my Democratic Senator, and for the Democrat challenging my Republican rep in the house. I'll probably vote for the Democrat running for governor, even though I'm not thrilled with him.

I don't think I'm alone among those disaffected with the Obama administration.

[rosesaylavee]

89. I would say I am too among the disaffected...

just not so much I will NOT vote this November. It will take a few more terms for me to give up on the Dems if I ever do. The republicants are just definitely not an option for any sane voter and by NOT voting, that inaction does indeed benefit the Republican or Tea Party candidates.

[Kalun D]

6. Observations

""for the more intelligent republicans, a blueprint for stifling any and every liberal move the Obama administration will attempt to take.""

Actually the Obama admin has made very few "liberal moves"

""the republicans have to disrupt President Obama's plan to have community-based activists participating in things political.""

The Obama White House is doing quite well at squashing their own community based activists, just look at how quickly they threw Acorn under the bus based on the lies of right wing nutbars.

[robdogbucky]

10. and Jones

and Sherrod, and......

soon the rest of us?

[bobbolink]

25. Thank you.

It needs to be said.

[RKP5637]

35. Yep, it's makes me often wonder where my party and my country went and who

is directing whom. It's quite unsettling... I often wish there were a strong 3rd party to stir things up. I do resent being told you'll vote for us because the alternative is so grim. That's what Gibbs was pretty much saying IMO.

[Recursion]

66. Oh for God's sake

Actually the Obama admin has made very few "liberal moves"

What color is the sky in your world?

[KittyWampus]

70. if you think Obama's Admin. has made very few liberal moves you're not paying attention

or are being willfully ignorant.

DU'ers have posted lists of the MANY liberal moves.

You just choose to ignore them.

[panader0]

7. Rec number 21.

[suffragette]

8. I went to see Dr John last night and he's not letting it go either

not Katrina, not Iraq, not BP. He played a very political set and has updated lyrics to his song "Black Gold" to add his views on what BP has done and voice how it's all connected. He also called out people to contact their Congress members to voice their views and get action.

Found a video here which represents his new version of Black Gold, close to what I heard last night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFTBfAqzUKY

[Mimosa]

11. WooHoo, love the Dr. John.

Thank you, Suffragette! :D

[suffragette]

13. He was fired up!

I wish I'd been able to stay for his 2nd set.

He was getting on people to step up make demands. And doing it all with a good dose of the "fonk."


There was also sales going on there in support of the New Orleans Music Clinic. They were doing well enough that they'd already sold out of some items.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. He has a new CD out

Just got it. Love it!

[suffragette]

27. He played some songs from it last night

He was hammering the points home, musically and politically.


I loved it so much I got it from iTunes today.

[bleever]

9. Does Blackwell specify how Obama is supposedly subverting

the Constitution, or creating an imperial presidency?

Recommended, for a good discussion.

[H2O Man]

15. Yes and no.

The book is, in the most literal sense, fucking pathetic.

All US Presidents have (with only one exception that I am aware of, Jimmy Carter) attempted to expand the power of the executive office. The most glaring and dangerous examples, of course, were Richard Nixon and Dick Cheney's puppet, George W. Bush. The efforts have almost exclusively be related to "war" and "national security." The police-state mentality, which restricts the promise of the Bill of Rights, is always endangered.

The authors attempt to assure readers that they are not suffering from "black helicopter" (their quote)delusions when they claim that President Obama is creating a police state. One could agree to the extent that Obama has continued some of the Cheney policies that are toxic to democracy. But he has not expanded them.

They also rely upon the example of FDR's attempt to expand the size of the USSC -- something I haven't heard President Obama advocate -- plus focus on his ability to appoint judges to the lower-level federal courts. Their claim is that he is going to appoint "activist" judges, and destroy Constitutional rule in this country. Odd that they weren't concerned about Cheney/Bush doing exactly these things, quite openly.

Blackwell's fear that the democratic left will register poor people is especially offensive, considering his history. The authors are also strongly opposed to the democratic left advocating for the environment and for public school systems.

[barbtries]

26. isn't blackwell supposed to be in prison?

election fraud?! ohio 2004? or do i have him confused with someone else?
your note that the book is fucking pathetic is why i don't read them. i already have high blood pressure.

[mod mom]

73. If we had justice in this country absolutely, along with kkkarl,

and the war criminals who financed the theft.

I really hope the book was borrowed and not purchased. Blackwell is an intellectual lightweight and not worthy proceeds from authorship.

[another saigon]

12. k&r

you always come through when I am at my lowest.

Thank you from my heart H2O Man.

peace,

as

[AtomicKitten]

14. The wingnuts took out Acorn, but Pres Obama won by some 9 million votes.

Moving that base will yield substantial results, but I agree we need to aggressively expand the base and that will enhance the liberal progressive voice. We need to keep moving forward purposefully and not be sidelined by the vicissitudes of politics.
Quoting Cher (gawd I'm old), "Life is not a dress rehearsal."

Good post. K&R

[NYC_SKP]

16. So, yes. Let's make "Blackwell & Klukowski's nightmare" a reality.

K & R.

:kick:

[blondeatlast]

18. One of the most satisfying times I spent on DU is exposing

Blackwell's corruption in Ohio.

Of course, his corruption no longer matters to the RW Noise Machine, but it should alsways be within smelling distance of him.

[Chan790]

19. K & R and a recommendation.

I'm doing a lot of similar type reading myself to better understand how to turn the corner, one thing you might want to look into are the histories of conservatism written covering the period between Goldwater and Reagan (a period of "desert wandering" for conservatives.), the roots of their strategy don't go back 30 years...they go back 50 years...and I think the liberal wing of the Democratic Party is somewhere in the middle of our own "desert".

We've got to learn from history. Republicans attack from where they are weak; from their strategy they reveal their weaknesses. Learn the game, win the war. You're a boxer so you'll appreciate that...it's all about counter-punching and strategy. If they've got their hands up protecting their face and throwing lots of jabs, that's where they're hurt. Punch 'em in the gut so they drop their hands, then go for the jaw.

[mmonk]

20. Imagine.

Imagine if each of us helped create an oasis of democracy, justice, and community in our neighborhoods or states. Imagine it spreading.

[lunatica]

21. kick and rec'd

I'd love it if we could be Republicans' nightmares. Lordy knows they've kept me up night.

[democrank]

23. Peace to you, H20 Man and bless you for what you stand for.

One of the most confounding issues facing us is the "other" side`s success in convincing their followers they should vote against their own interests. That`s why we see signs against health care, unions,equal rights for gays, public schools, on and heart-breakingly on.

Corporate media helped the "other" side sully the meaning of liberal and they helped the "other" side by providing them with a platform to spew hatred toward and lies about Mexicans, immigrants, gays, Muslims, anti-war protestors, African-Americans, unemployed workers, single payer advocates.

We almost never have control of our own message, we react to someone else`s.....liberals don`t go to church, "welfare queens" drive Cadillacs, unemployed people don`t like to work.

This is one of the main reasons I took a stand early on in Obama`s presidency. If we continue to negotiate our principles away, we might as well stand for nothing at all. You can dilute a Democrat down just so much before you get a Republican.You know, one of those always for the boss, never for the worker people. The trickle down folks. The let`s send the kid from the project to Iraq folks

The Democratic Left needs to ignore what the conservatives and "moderates" are doing and use our energy reaffirming our age-old principles and getting really, really getting tough.

[KoKo]

58. "Getting control of our own message.." Remember Lakoff and "Framing Training?" in 2003?

I remember reading that Reid and Pelosi had invited him in to give them some training. What happened?

Here's an article by Lakoff on lack of "Framing" in the health care reform debate and it would seem to still apply. Why is it that as you say: "We almost never have control of our own message, we react to someone else`s.....liberals don`t go to church, "welfare queens" drive Cadillacs, unemployed people don`t like to work."

Did anyone see David Axelrod this Sunday on "Meet the Press?" He certainly could use some "Framing Training" and maybe a "Sports Psychologist" to help him appear more positive and confident. Some "Assertiveness Training" wouldn't hurt either.

----------

The Policy-Speak Disaster for Health Care

Thursday 20 August 2009

by: George Lakoff, t r u t h o u t | Perspective


Barack Obama ran the best-organized and best-framed presidential campaign in history. How is it possible that the same people who did so well in the campaign have done so badly on health care?

And bad it is: The public option may well be gone. Neither Obama himself nor senior adviser David Axelrod even mentioned the public option in their pleas to the nation last Sunday (August 16, 2009). Secretary Sibelius even said it was "not essential." Cass Sunstein's co-author, Richard Thaler, in the Sunday New York Times (August 16, 2009, p. BU 4), called it "neither necessary nor sufficient." There has been a major drop in support for the president throughout the country, with angry mobs disrupting town halls and the right wing airing its views with vehemence nonstop on radio and TV all day, every day. As The New York Times reports, Organizing for America (the old Obama campaign network) can't even get its own troops out to work for the president's proposal.

What has been going wrong?

It's not too late to turn things around, but we must first understand why the administration is getting beat at the moment.

The answer is simple and unfortunate: The president put both the conceptual framing and the messaging for his health care plan in the hands of policy wonks. This led to twin disasters.

The Policy-List Disaster

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Howard Dean was right when he said that you can't get health care reform without a public alternative to the insurance companies. Institutions matter. The list of what needs reform makes sense under one conceptual umbrella. It is a public alternative that unifies the long list of needed reforms: coverage for the uninsured, cost control, no preconditions, no denial of care, keeping care when you change jobs or get sick, equal treatment for women, exorbitant deductibles, no lifetime caps, and on and on. It's a long list. But one idea, properly articulated, takes care of the list: An American Plan guarantees affordable care for all Americans. Simple. But not for policy wonks.

The policymakers focus on the list, not the unifying idea. So, Obama's and Axelrod's statements last Sunday were just the lists without the unifying institution. And without a powerful institution, the insurance companies will just whittle away at enforcement of any such list, and a future Republican administration will just get rid of the regulators, reassigning them or eliminating their jobs.

more at link:
http://www.truth-out.org/082009B?print

[H2O Man]

59. Vey good.

Axelrod is, in my opinion, an example of a person who is talented in campaigning, but not in governing. It's rare for anyone to be really good at both.

[barbtries]

24. you're right, you're right

i know you're right...if enough people vote in November the republicans will NOT take back congress. i really believe that is key.

and thank you for sharing your reading choices with us. i personally will never read a book by the likes of ken blackwell.

[veganlush]

29. K & R

[Joanne98]

30. Thanks.

[Me.]

31. The Real Problem The Military Faces Isn't Obama

It's the country at large, which is rapidly getting fed up with the was. Support has been eroding steadily and whether or not Petreus and the boys like it, they are facing a reality that's going to smack them in the face. It's been ten years and they still are losing the battle. And I don't believe the security of the country is the primary reason for wanting the war to go on, I think their survival, their reason for being is uppermost in their minds. What will they do without a war to fight?

[RKP5637]

38. War is very profitable for the MIC. It's about all about profit and the powerful

interests making lots of money.

[BrklynLiberal]

34. Marked so I can find this later.

[kgnu_fan]

37. Kick!

[bertman]

39. K & R, H20 Man.

[spanone]

40. k&r

[rucky]

41. 10/2/10 - DC

http://action.onenationworkingtogether.org/content/main

Let's make this happen!

[rhett o rick]

42. Here is what I think the left should do. Fight harder than ever.

Things look bleak but that means fight harder.

Support Pres Obama's reelection. For any chance of progressive legislation we must have a Democrat in the WH and it's not possible to elect someone more progressive than Pres Obama at this time.

Work hard to get progressives elected on the local levels.

Support strong progressive Representatives and Senators across the nation. DO NOT SUPPORT BLUE DOG CANDIDATES. We must take the risk.

Donate only to organizations that support progressive candidates not the DLC or DNC.

Organize locals progressive groups and fight CorpAmerica propaganda via progressive emails, letters and fliers.

Fight to keep the internet free.

[LongTomH]

69. +1

Good on ya' Mate!:thumbsup:

By the way, I'm phonebanking for our Missouri Democrats Wednesday night. What's everyone else doing?

[YvonneCa]

85. Good post. I agree. n/t

[Hekate]

43. Kick and Rec. As always, a thoughtful contribution from H20 Man

[theFrankFactor]

44. Alinsky - Read him and do it!

[H2O Man]

61. Definitely.

The change we have been waiting for ain'y coming from Washington, DC. It ain't coming from a flaming lemon pie that appeareth from the heavens. It can only be the change we have been working for, in the towns and cities across the country. That's where it starts.

[bluescribbler]

45. Here's one idea

What if someone were to picket recruiting offices with signs reading, "A nation which will not care for its veterans forfeits the right to create new ones"? Could we get some people behind an action like that?

[Spazito]

46. Well said!

Fulfill Blackwell & Klukowski's nightmare, indeed.

Recommended.

[Jim_Shorts]

48. When someone is pushing some twisted,convoluted,backward

crazy nut-ball set of ideas, you can be sure that their a republican. The aim is always the same - to take the gold from the peasants and bring it back to their masters.

Before Howard Zinn died, he said it feels alot like the 30's and Obama is still using conservative economic theories. The WORKING PEOPLE NEED TO ORGANIZE. F.D.R. was able to push through the his agenda beacause people were protesting and government was starting to worry about a revolution.

For myself, i thought Obama campaigned as a centrist but had hope that he would govern as a progressive.(no such luck) I don't think Obama or any other politician is going fight the powers that be,unless he knows we have his back. Larger and larger protests would achive that and would be an effective counter to their constant fear mongering.

And i'm sick and tired of spending billions and billions on things that go boom.

[HughMoran]

49. Right on target

:thumbsup:

[elocs]

50. I must say that I admire that you seek out to read & understand opposing viewpoints.

When each side has their own talking heads and fall all over themselves to declare how wise they are, listening only to those who support and parrot their viewpoints.

Just think, it was not so long ago that we had those here who were dancing on the Republicans' grave, declaring that it was all over for them as a viable party. I thought that was silly and short sighted then and nobody had better be singing that sad refrain now.

[Diane R]

52. Excellent. I read 'The Promise', as well. I wish DU posters (& Journal writers) would read it, too.

[H2O Man]

60. I like to view

the world in the context of "family systems." The idea of all systems being similar to a mobile hanging over a baby's crib works. If one piece attempts to move, every other piece must also move to adjust .....or every other piece has to become entrenched in its position, to make that first piece's move impossible. "The Promise" shows that the cesspool called Washington is an entrenched mobile, with all pieces struggling against President Obama.

[opihimoimoi]

54. KnR :o)

[Fly by night]

55. Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party member -- I salute you!

Back when I was growing up in Mississippi in the late-60s, the MFDP did an excellent job of flushing many racists out of our party and sending them directly to the Republican cesspool. The fact that Ken Blackwell, a Black man whose picture could illustrate "Stockholm syndrome" in the encyclopedia, is a co-author of one of these books says a great deal, including just how deep the psychosis defining today's Republicans is embedded in that party.

K&R.

[bigtree]

57. I think one of the problems is this president views Afghanistan through a political lens

. . . and that Mr. Obama regards 'liberal' and anti-war supporters as outside the 'middle-of-the-road coalition he's chosen to appeal to in his occupation policy.

I think that when we look at how we're actually influencing this WH on Afghanistan we have to consider that he may not see our anti-war coalitions as significant, in that he's bent on maintaining his political edge on the deployments by appeasing whoever expresses support (even if that means he's going to be relying on republicans to make up whatever lack of support among Democrats which may exist). The opposition just hasn't made enough of an impact to stand as a 'winning' coalition' in his political eye and hasn't *yet* garnered enough support to pose a political threat to his continuing.

That means that we do indeed need to ramp up our opposition efforts if we are to become a politically recognized force like the anti-Iraq occupation movement was in the last election.

[Overseas]

62. K&R. //nt

[blindpig]

63. There is a tendency to mistake reaction for action.

The action(or lack thereof) being that of the Administration. The reaction of the 'left' should be of no surprise, to attribute it to a Republican conspiracy is paranoid, hyper-partisan and insulting.

[Dona Ferentez]

83. +1 n/t

[NJmaverick]

65. K & R!

[Uncle Joe]

67. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, H2O Man.

[Peacetrain]

71. K&R...

A thoughtful piece, as all your writings are :hi:

[RoccoR5955]

72. K & R People need to be made aware of this. n/t

[earcandle]

75. Nice photo! And agree wholeheartedly that we need to continue to discuss and disrupt and focus so

that the needs of the common man are more worthy of our tax
dollar spending than the killing of the common man across the
globe. We have some pretty sick people running things.  If we
could only put them in the position of the troops, force them
to carry a gun and face the so called enemies they have
created in their minds.  They might think differently.

[PBass]

78. Thank you for a sober but positive message

I'm sick to death of the negativity and totally unrealistic whining at DU.

MORE LIKE THIS PLEASE!!!!!

[JDPriestly]

79. Problem is that Obama has not listened to, much less relied on Democratic community organizers.

The core message in the text is that the Republicans have to disrupt President Obama's plan to have community-based activists participating in things political. On page 109, for example, they write, “They would be involved in voter registration, opening community centers, and implementing public programs. They would work to essentially create a massive, permanent political campaign to try to directly sell President Obama's agenda to the American people. And they would also work to defeat Obama's political opposition in elections to create a Congress, statehouse, and governorships that are more amenable to President Obama's plans for America.”

(Quote from the OP.)

Had Obama told us the truth about where he really stood, listened to us, just done a few of the things that we liberals really believe are important and asked for our help to accomplish them and to talk to voters, we would be supporting him enthusiastically.

But when you look at his actions, Obama is just a run-of-the-mill old-time Eisenhower-type Republican. We liberals like him. We could do worse. But, we don't agree with him, and we believe, that in this twilight hour as the economy and future of our country are disintegrating before our eyes, we not only could, but we must have better leadership.

Today, the news is that the fast rail in California is likely to be financed (and I assume built) at least in part by the Chinese. Where is all the investment money that the wealthy are saving in taxes? Why aren't wealthy Americans investing in America? Why are we turning to the Chinese? Why aren't we buying American to the last penny of the economic stimulus funds?

If we don't have the technology to build the rail, why aren't we developing it? Why aren't we putting people to work developing it?

These are just a few of the questions that liberal critics of the Obama administration have asked. At a time when we need a national awakening, we see Americans being distracted by phony threats to burn the Koran and a national discussion of whether to do away with the one last source of subsistence income for many elderly Americans -- Social Security.

Obama has not focused the national conversation nearly enough on positive plans for redeveloping industry -- and with it jobs -- for Americans. That is why many of us have concluded that we need to find leadership within our party that can refocus and get the nation moving.

Let's stop blaming rich folks. I know some rich folks. Oddly, there is just as high a percentage of clinically insane rich people as clinically insane poor people -- maybe even a higher percentage. Our concern about what they are saying and doing is yet another distraction. Let's find and support bold leadership with sound ideas in our own party.

And, as an aside and for those who may still be reading my rant, Obama could start down the right path by appointing Elizabeth Warren to the new post in the financial products consumer protection agency. His appointment to that agency is yet another test of his leadership. So far he has flunked every test. We will see how he does this time.

[BEZERKO]

80. It's Rahm,

he's got to go.

[Erose999]

91. If he were really the problem he would have "went" already. Same with Gibbs etc. Obama has shown

that he will not hesitate to fire people when he thinks it is politically expedient (see also: Van Jones, Shirley Sherrod). Rahmbo, Gibbs, etc are still around because Obama agrees with them.

[h9socialist]

81. It's not simply Obama they are against . . .

. . . it is the whole idea of representative democracy. The right wing wants a "republic" that safeguards private wealth from "the rascal masses." President Obama is a good man but American politics still moves at a snail's pace because the rich own far too many politicians. The real artistry here is trying to move the agenda of the Democratic Left without getting too cynical about the half-a-loaf stuff of the past couple years. (Health care was a great victory, but the bill was watered down like crazy. Combat mission over in Iraq, but heating up in Afghanistan).

[NJmaverick]

84. very true

[2 Much Tribulation]

86. kick for a very good post. nt