Progressives (and Obama) are Doing Better Than We Think ...

[babylonsister]

Progressives (and Obama) are Doing Better Than We Think -- and We Won't Know What We've Got 'Til It's Gone

By Nathan Newman - November 30, 2009, 9:01AM


Polls show the Democratic base is unmotivated to turnout in 2010-- and it's no wonder given all the rhetoric that Obama hasn't done much with his 2008 victory. Those attacks from the rightwing are understandable from a partisan position, but many progressives seem to oddly be aping similar rhetoric-- wallowing in glass half-empty complaints of what Obama and Congress haven't delivered while failing to actually educate the public on the successes they have. We should be able to demand more while publicly praising what we do achieve -- basic political walking and chewing gum at the same time -- but a lot of progressives seem not to have mastered the skill.

Maybe it helps that I had such low expectations of Obama's administration to begin with-- but then I thought significant federal reforms would fail due to the filibuster. So the progress actually made is a pleasant surprise. And those successes are large and profound. This post will summarize those gains, and even in summary form will be quite long, reflecting the incredible victories involved. Yes, we all wish for more, but the best way to get there is to educate the public -- and especially the progressive base -- about what we got in the last year and how replacing moderates and conservatives with more real progressives could deliver even more in the future.


Quick Summary of 2009 Progressive Victories (more explanation below)

*
Three major health bills (SCHIP, tobacco regulation, and stimulus funds for Medicaid, COBRA subsidies, health information technology and the National Institutes of Health) enacted even before comprehensive reform
*
Stimulus contained myriad other individual policy victories, not only preventing a far worse depression but also:
o
Delivered key new funds for education
o
Expanded state energy conservation programs and new transit programs
o
Added new smart grid investments
o
Funded high-speed Internet broadband programs
o
Extended unemployment insurance for up to 99 weeks for the unemployed and modernizing state UI programs to cover more of the unemployed
o
Made large new investments in the safety net, from food stamps (SNAP) to affordable housing to child care
*
Clean cars victory to take gas mileage requirements to 35mpg
*
Protection of 2 million acres of land against oil and gas drilling and other development
*
Executive orders protecting labor rights, from project labor agreements to protecting rights of contractor employees on federal jobs
*
Stopping pay discrimination through Lilly Ledbetter and Equal Pay laws
*
Making it easier for airline and railway workers to unionize, while appointing NLRB and other labor officials who will strengthen freedom to form unions
*
Reversing Bush ban on funding overseas family planning clinics
*
Passing hate crimes protections for gays and lesbians
*
Protecting stem cell research research
*
Strengthening state authority and restricting federal preemption to protect state consumer, environmental and labor laws
*
Financial reforms to protect homeowners and credit card holders
*
Bailing out the auto industry and protecting unionized retirees and workers

more...

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/30/progressives_and_obama_are_doing_better_than_we_th/index.php

[Cha]

1. Thanks, babylonsister..I didn't have any expectations..

I just knew we were dealing in reality now and the abandonment of our country was over.

[Clio the Leo]

2. Well, Duh! ;-) NT

[Cha]

4. Not so "duh" for

some. It will never sink in.

[AVID]

3. good post - kick

[Hekate]

5. Kick and Rec. Thanks as always, babylonsister.

:hi:

Hekate

[HughMoran]

6. If a non-DUer says that progressives are "aping" right-wing rhetoric

Is it still considered a personal attack?

:rofl: