What (White) Progressives Don't Understand about Obama

[pnwmom]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/opinion/12reed.html?_r=1


Progressives have been urging the president to “man up” in the face of the Republicans. Some want him to be like John Wayne. On horseback. Slapping people left and right.

SNIP

What the progressives forget is that black intellectuals have been called “paranoid,” “bitter,” “rowdy,” “angry,” “bullies,” and accused of tirades and diatribes for more than 100 years. Very few of them would have been given a grade above D from most of my teachers.

When these progressives refer to themselves as Mr. Obama’s base, all they see is themselves. They ignore polls showing steadfast support for the president among blacks and Latinos. And now they are whispering about a primary challenge against the president. Brilliant! The kind of suicidal gesture that destroyed Jimmy Carter — and a way to lose the black vote forever.

Unlike white progressives, blacks and Latinos are not used to getting it all. They know how it feels to be unemployed and unable to buy your children Christmas presents. They know when not to shout. The president, the coolest man in the room, who worked among the unemployed in Chicago, knows too.

[elleng]

1. Posted several times:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4655882

[pnwmom]

4. Not according to your link. But it can't be posted enough, IMHO. n/t

[boppers]

6. That seems to be about Biden losing his cool, not Obama keeping cool....

I took your statement to mean that this was a dupe, were you saying something else?

[pnwmom]

7. Excellent point! I just assumed that person was actually

pointing to the same article.

[elleng]

11. My mistake! MEANT to be 'same' story,

as this has occured several times last couple days, interesting/controversial articles re:posted couple times!


Here's one example of this, Reed article being re-posted.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=388x25900

Here's the 2d example, much more 'excited' comments:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x559937

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. America does not have a dictatorship!

how many time do we hear Obama this and Obama that. The American government has 3 branches. Congress is actually the pwerhouse of legislation not the president. Basically the executive branch is not a dictatorship! Checks and balances!

[pnwmom]

5. Did you get lost? This is the Presidency G/D Forum.

Of course it's "Obama this and Obama that."

[Rosa Luxemburg]

12. well no

[Laelth]

14. For two years Obama got nearly everything he wanted out of Congress.

Democrats in Congress carried water for Obama for two years. We had a very disciplined caucus. Most Democrats in Congress supported the President's agenda and did not make waves, even if they privately disagreed with him. They did not challenge him, for the most part, in public.

Then came the 2010 elections, and Democrats in Congress got to see, first hand, what they gained by following Obama lock-step. They were slaughtered.

Now, Congressional Democrats are finding their independence again. Personally, I think that's a good thing.

It's too easy for Obama to hide behind Congress and to blame them. The fact is that Obama got nearly everything he asked for from Congress.

-Laelth

[Rosa Luxemburg]

15. checks and balances that how it should be?

[Laelth]

18. Yes, now that government is about to be divided, there will be more checks and balances.

But for two years, Democrats in Congress walked in almost perfect lock-step behind the President. He got the legislation he wanted.

-Laelth

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

94. It's the most frustrating thing, isn't it? This is basic Civics, people!!

[boppers]

3. Interesting perspective.

Kick for hearing the thoughts of others, I am simply reminded that being cool is about getting shit done *without* getting angry, pitching a fit, or needing to call other people names.

[doc03]

8. Oh white progressives don't know how it feels to be unemployed!

I am retired now but in the past I was laid off many times, once for over a year. As a matter of fact if I hadn't turned 62 and had a company pension plan I would still be laid off today, my last day of work was April 14, 2009. I also went on strike three times once for 100 days and the last time for 10 1/2 months. I like Jimmy Carter but he was a week and ineffective President and as of now I see the same in Obama. GWB was an idiot and strutted around like a peacock and managed to get nearly everything he wanted.

[crim son]

9. So for those of us who are dissatisfied with Obama's failure to

act on his campaign promises, and are appalled that he would call us out as whiners, the author's advice is "aim low." I'm not impressed and definitely not convinced.

[FrenchieCat]

10. Most of what is in the article is true.

calling him names, or even cutting him off at the knee
in order to hit him on the head, ain't gonna solve
any problem ever.

As for minority groups that have been treated nearly as invisible for years and years?
Yeah, they are used to it. They damn well know that Rome wasn't built in a day.
When we see the impatience on the part of some, that's part of why we translate that as
acting spoiled or as some would say, unreasonable feeling of entitlement and priviledge.

[elleng]

13. Well said as usual, Frenchie.

[dsc]

16. actually the most invisible minority group for this Congress has been gays

and we have every right to be livid.

[bigwillq]

62. Good post.

:thumbsup:

[bemildred]

17. Oh good, the reverse race card.

:popcorn:

[FrenchieCat]

20. Yep....anytime Black folks have any sentiments to express,

it called the race card or whatever.

When someone else say, I'm staying home for like the last year at least if not longer,
that's principle!

[martymar64]

75. So are you saying that anybody that opposes Allen West would be a racist?

This is a legitimate question. Are you saying that voting against any Black candidate equates to racism?

Does that mean that Charles Taylor or Idi Amin or Robert Mugabe would also be above criticism from white people?

[TheKentuckian]

92. Nah, not the reverse but plain old racism used as a shield

[Warren Stupidity]

19. oh geez not this shit again.

[butterfly77]

21. Is it..

that he is white too,or did they forget that part...

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[FrenchieCat]

26. This article is saying that Black folks neccessarily support Obama BECAUSE he's Black.....

It's because many simply have more patience and understand that legislation and change
come slow, and therefore, many are not as ready to criticize him on everything all of the time.
In addition, Black folks have always supported Democratic President, for some time now,
at a higher level as a group than any other.
Why do you think they continued supporting Bill Clinton with such ardor?
It wasn't that they liked Monica....it's that they aren't as quick to judge, because
they know how quick judgement is not always correct judgement.

But you don't understand and don't want to.

That's too bad for you, that the only think you get out of reading this is
offended, and ready to call names and shit.

Pathetic.

[FrenchieCat]

51. I meant to say.....Black Folks DON'T necessarily support Obama simply because he's Black, but.....

because many simply have more patience and understand that legislation and change
come slow, and therefore, many are not as ready to criticize him on everything all of the time.

[Clio the Leo]

23. "Mother **** him and John Wayne"

.... sorry, that reminded me of http://www.publicenemy.com/index.php?page=page5&item=3&num=74">Public Enemy :)

Great post.

Of course what's so amusing about all of this outrage is that the President IS "manning up" he IS "showing spin" he IS using "the bully pulpit."


..... just because some dont LIKE the way it's happening doesn't mean it's not. Ya know?

[jillan]

24. Obama is just as much white as he is any other color.

[FrenchieCat]

25. Doesn't work that way......

Most Black folks in America are mixed with White or Indian or both.
My mom is White, but that doesn't make me White.
It's just the way it is.
Sorry.

[Colobo]

28. Sadly, that's the kind of thing one has to live in other to understand.

[Number23]

41. It's amazing the folks here who refuse to grasp this.

They run in to "remind" all of us that this president had a white parent. Oblivious to the fact that Obama has always self-identified as black and that even his white mother identified him (CORRECTLY) as a black man.

[TheKentuckian]

64. How is it CORRECTLY? Are you declaring I am wrong to identify as multiracial?

Where did you get the power to decide what is "right" in this area?

Why do you think it is "right" to buy into the absurd and innately evil "one drop" ideology?

Seems to me what is "right" is either honesty or self determination.

I have no issue with the President self identifying as black but I do have serious issues with you declaring it is CORRECT that his mother identify him as black anymore than identifying him as white or multiracial.

[Name removed]

77. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LawnLover]

98. In this country, if you are only 8% black, you're considered black.

The way it's always been.

[Number23]

100. The only thing I'm saying is that when Obama's mother identified him as black

she was CORRECT because years later, her son came to the same conclusion based on his life experiences.

[dbmk]

90. Hardly

I think most people get that. Its not what you share with the norm that sticks out.

[jillan]

30. And black people are not the only people that have to live with discrimination or in poverty.

[pnwmom]

33. No they aren't. But the point is that black men have to be more careful

than white men as to how they present themselves. Angry White Men are applauded in the broader culture. Angry Black Men are not.

[FrenchieCat]

52. Like Boehner can cry about nothing on National Television, but if the Prez did that,

all hell would break loose.

[pnwmom]

54. Or if Hillary Clinton or Pelosi did that. n/t

[dbmk]

91. Not so much with racial undertones I think

That would just be the usual MSM standard approach.

But if he got agitated/loud... the amount of dogwhistles on tv could blow the ears of every dog in the country.

[golfguru]

35. Considering the recent evidence that

modern man left Africa only 60,000 years ago, all races are
more connected than separated. Only 2400 generations back we
all have common relatives if you consider a generation is about 25 years.
You can not transfuse blood from type A to type B but there is no
problem with blood transfusion across any race.

All the racial differences prove to me is that we are speedy adapters
to climates where our ancestors lived.

[johnlucas]

63. Technically you're both

If your mom is White, you are White.
If you dad is Black, you are Black.
If your mom is White and your dad is Black, you are White AND Black.

BOTH/AND not EITHER/OR.

SOCIALLY, you may be seen AND TREATED as if you're ONLY Black but BIOLOGICALLY you are what your parents are.
Mom has European base, so do you. You are her descendant.
Dad has African base, so do you. You are his descendant.

You don't fully resemble either ethnicity exclusively. Full Africans don't quite look like you & full Europeans don't quite look like you either.
That is because you are both at the same time.

How each multiethnic person defines themselves is a personal decision.
You choose Black & that's your decision.
But take away the social component & you are BOTH Black & White.

I call myself Black for shorthand but if you look at me I don't look like anybody who came from the heart of Africa (the modern-day Egyptians are ancient mixed people).
People have mistaken me for Puerto Rican before.
In my ancestry are Native American and even European forebearers.
In reality, I'm mixed too even if it's through my great great great great grandparents.
I am their descendant.
John Lucas

[JustAnotherGen]

66. Thanks Frenchie Cat

I think you have explained it well. And another person with a white mother here . . . growing up in the 70's and 80's that never prevented me being called the n-bomb.

[CakeGrrl]

85. Public Enemy (the rap group) put it quite succinctly:

"White woman, white man, white baby."
"Black woman, black man, black baby."
"Black woman, white man, black baby."
"White woman, black man, black baby."

A take on Mendelian laws.

That was a core theme of their CD "Fear of a Black Planet".

[pnwmom]

27. Yeah, and I'm a redhead -- since my father was. Doesn't matter

that I have dark brown hair. I'm half redhead and half brunette.

Right.

:sarcasm:

If you saw him on the street and didn't know him, you would identify him as an African American. You wouldn't guess that he had a white mother, anymore than a passerby would guess that I had a redheaded father. Get real.

[jillan]

29. Oh please! If you saw me on the street you would not be able to tell if I was hispanic, italian or

jewish. I've been "labelled" all of the above.

Who gives a shit? I am who I am.

[pnwmom]

31. But when people saw Obama on the street -- before he was

a Senator or the President -- they simply saw a black man. And treated him however they would treat a black man.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

39. Genetically, yes. In society, no.

[hedgehog]

49. We went over this during the primary. Here's the test:

Should an anonymous Obama go out and hail a cab in NYC, what are his chances?

[Empowerer]

53. You can say that about most black Americans . . .

I often smile at that argument since American government, law, culture and society for centuries rejected any argument that the white blood that most blacks had running through our veins justified our claiming to be white or half-white or a quarter white or to even deserve equal treatment. We were and always have been black, no matter how much white blood we had. One drop was enough to "taint" us and our progeny in perpetuity.

Now, all of a sudden, we get a black president and folks want to go all multi-racial on us. As a relative of mine once said, "We finally get a black president and they want to take that away from us too!"

Sorry, no matter how much folks try to spin it, in this America, Barack Obama, notwithstanding his white mother, is a black man.

That's just the way it is - I didn't make the rules. America did it a long time ago and have perpetuated them ever since - often with violence, intimidation and the full force of government - so it's a little late for the rules to change right now just because it's politically convenient for some folks.

[AspenRose]

69. Perfectly stated.

Most blacks in the US who can trace their ancestry to the Middle Passage have white blood. At least 30% on average.

(Which also means there are some white folks who may get a little bit of a surprise if they choose to test their DNA for ancestry purposes.)

[SidDithers]

32. K&R...

good article. Thanks for posting.

Sid

[Gator_Matt]

34. Give me a break; he has a pattern of caving

Just look at the ridiculously diluted health care bill. This recent capitulation is nothing new, so don't bring out the race card to defend him. You're cheapening true racial debate.

[craigmatic]

36. This argument has been going around alot lately. Personally, i don't think that they'll find a

primary opponent. It won't make blacks abandon dems if they do try the primary thing because we all hate the repubs more than we could ever hate dems plus black people vote democratic for a number of reasons other than race issues.

[Ramulux]

37. Whoever wrote this is a racist

What the fuck is this asshole talking about?

"Unlike white progressives, blacks and Latinos are not used to getting it all. They know how it feels to be unemployed and unable to buy your children Christmas presents. They know when not to shout."


I honestly dont know what to say. According to this person, all black people and Hispanics are poor so they understand what its like to be unemployed and unable to afford Christmas presents. Am I the only one who sees this statement as flat-out racist? They also apparently know when to keep their mouth shut. I wonder where black people may have inherited that trait.


"The kind of suicidal gesture that destroyed Jimmy Carter — and a way to lose the black vote forever."


So now he says that if anyone dares primary Obama, the democratic party will lose the black vote. What? Is he really implying that black people are so fucking stupid that they will never vote democratic again just because we primary a black president. This article is like an attempt to cram as many derogatory stereotypes into an article at once.

This is easily the most racist thing I have read maybe ever, I honestly cant believe this was in the NY Times.

[burning rain]

38. This sort of thing doesn't help from a Democratic or liberal point of view.

I realize it's not really meant to "help," though. It's a cri de coeur, an expression of some black Democrats' exasperation that some white Democrats have the gall to harshly criticize, and perhaps primary, the black president after all the loyalty blacks have shown the Democratic Party. But in the end people like what they're getting from their elected Democrats, and they primary them or they don't, and it's surely more fruitful to have it out on the issues rather than make it a matter of loyalty to a personality and, by dubious extension, the demographic(s) he belongs to. As for the idea of Democrats "los|ing| the black vote forever" in the event of a primary challenge to Obama that helps sink him in the general election, I think it's highly debatable whether that outcome (blacks abandoning the Democratic Party) would ultimately be more harmful to black Americans or the electoral fortunes of the Democratic Party. Hopefully Democrats pull together and avoid that sort of thing, as primary challenges to sitting presidents have never served any good purpose, save from the point of view of the opposition party.

I agree with Reed's able points on the race-based dangers Obama would face if he showed much more more anger, and I find it bemusing that a number of white Democrats don't get the need of a black president to show more caution there (they don't call 'em "Jacky Robinson Rules" for nothing, folks). But of course, the idea that white progressives are "used to getting it all" gave me a good laugh.

[democracy1st]

40. this is flat out retarded article, I mean how stupid can you be to buy this crap!

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mass]

43. My only criticism is that white progressive are not used to get it all. If they did, this country

would be a lot better off. And many have been unemployed and unable to buy their children presents.

I understand the point, and it has certainly validity, but the analysis is faulty.

What is even more bothering is that this article promotes the theme of the subservient black man. I am not African American, so I will not say I understand what the author went through, but, as a white woman, I know I hate reading about women who want to explain everything because women were and still are discriminated. We fought for that and continue to do so, and so did and does the African-American community.

[mmonk]

44. I don't see what his positions have to do with race currently.

It's an ideological fight at present between progressives and the administration.

[political_Dem]

45. K and R. Thank you for bringing this up.

I don't care how many times this article has been posted. People need to read it and understand what it says. Or else, the same type of ugly BS regarding the POTUS will happen due to a lack of respect and cultural misunderstanding.

It seems that some folks would rather bury this article than just read it and take the time to learn another type of cultural perspective. :(

[Honeycombe8]

46. No one is asking him to be John Wayne-like. They are asking him to be a LEADER.

Leader's lead. They don't follow....esp. the opposing side.

This article refers to negotations. Did you hear any negotations? Neither did I. Did you hear about Obama's first offer, then second offer, then rebuttal offer? Neither did I. Did you hear the Republicans on TV explaining why they were rejecting Obama's offers in the negotiations? Neither did I.

That's because there apparently were no negotiations. The Republicans seem to have just given Obama a wish list, and he granted it. Period.

He's been outmaneuvered by political pros. His inexperience lead to this disaster for him. He has been played like a fiddle.

He has also lost the respect of political pros, and they now know how to get him to turn over whenever they want.

Worst of all....this will come to haunt him in 2012, when this becomes one of the main reasons Republicans rush to the polls to vote for stopping "huge tax increases!" Obama will tell his party members that he will not make them permanent. But who will believe him?

[JamesA1102]

47. Some would say doing something unpopular is being a leader nt

[avaistheone1]

55. When it is wildly popular with the republicans, I would not call that leadership.

[JamesA1102]

56. In other words when you disagree nt

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JamesA1102]

58. Never said I did. Don't dishonestly put words in my mouth.

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[hedgehog]

50. I'm going to tag along on this post and ask how community

organizers go about the job. My guess is that they go out today and get what they can. The key is that they go out tomorrow, and the next day and the next.

[johnlucas]

59. This Black ain't supporting Obama

This whole 'get in line' jazz is tired.
Underlining that crap with the Blacks & Latinos is irony.

The people who should be MOST upset are the Blacks & Latinos.
If Obama fails, forget about the Black Agenda ever having any kind of voice on the inside track of Washington ever again.
Also just as many in this still racist country distrust a mixed Black President, they will be just as reluctant to put a Latino in there just the same.
Remember they are demonized too as the "forbidden minority".

So Obama's success is crucial for ALL populational minorities in this country.
He does stupid stuff, he ruins it for all the rest.
There's a reason why the Tea Party is predominantly racist & they'll make sure no one other than a like-minded White will ever get in office.
White Progressives have a lot to lose too. Obama's also the last hope for the Progressive Movement in this context.

I have said all of this before. The thread is below.
Here's a Black man who's sick & tired of all these phony politicians including Obama
John Lucas

[ecstatic]

60. Tavis, is that you?

:crazy:

[johnlucas]

67. You'd be surprised. I was against Tavis in 2008

I fell for the marketing campaign of Obama in 2008 & stood AGAINST Tavis when he questioned Barack's political allegiance.
I understood his concerns but believed Obama to be The Answer.
Because of this I didn't support Tavis' potential derailing of Obama's support.

He got death threats, gave up his spot on Tom Joyner's show because he dared to question Obama.
I feel foolish for not backing Tavis up just because I thought Obama was that one who was gonna make the breakthrough.
Tavis was right in the end.
John Lucas

[snagglepuss]

68. The clincher: "The people who should be MOST upset are the Blacks & Latinos."

It's depressing to see those who are really getting shafted by Obama remain enthralled with him simply because of his color. Obama is concerned with preserving class and corporate interests. His being black is simply window dressing.

[johnlucas]

70. I understand where that comes from

I understand when that come from, snagglepuss.
Centuries of degradation & marginalization...growing up with that from direct experience or gleaned from the larger culture.
Your hair ain't good enough, your skin ain't good enough, you're dumb by nature, you're savage by nature, etc.
Beat up, killed, bombed out, assassinated, hung by neck from trees in a family picnic setting, dragged by rope from moving cars on asphalt roads, etc.
Seeing Jesse run in 1984 & 1988 & not even make it out of the primaries.

All that & then this guy with the name Barack Hussein Obama II is actually winning???
All the combined phobias of a Black man AND a Muslim in one man & he's BEATING those still-here racist mentalities on the charts???
All that & he seeming to stand for the Progressive Agenda that made people want to support the Democratic Party in the first place???
Whoa, what's this?
He married a Black wife too??? From the Southside???
AND he has a loving family & seemingly stable AND lustful marriage to boot???

It is no wonder why the Black vote by & large got behind Obama.
Indeed, some only voted for him BECAUSE he was Black. That is definitely true.
They wanted that breakthrough. It would be the psychological relief from all of those terrible centuries which made Black Americans feel like they had no homeland.
They're not really African anymore & yet they're not American either, not the way this country operates.
We're still the Outsiders Within.

But for others (like me) it was ALSO the fact that he seemed to be the REAL DEAL for the Progressive Movement.
He looked like he would be a force for social & economic justice AT LAST!
No more Reaganism, Bushism, or even Clintonism.
He worked with the streets of Chicago & had a multicultural upbringing.
It looked like he would add new life to our international affairs as well.

He looked perfect & when Tavis said "hold on, let's take another look" most Black people couldn't handle that.
They came too far now. Those who grew up in the Civil Rights era knew that this would probably be the only shot they would see this possibility in their lifetime. It would be the final justice for the injustices of Martin, Malcolm, & every other advocate of social change who lost their lives for that change. The crown jewel achievement.
They couldn't let that go due to dissent. Not now.

They saw it through to the end & he got elected! History was made & a new day was upon us!
They didn't expect miracles seeing how we've been treated in the past but they thought we had an inside track of influence at the heart of power.

The image of that Black family united & together in that White House built by Black slaves was poetic justice.
All the laments the Black community had about the breakdown in the Black family unit & this family could be the living role model to teach the children.
Little Black girls model themselves after Michelle, little Black boys wanna be future Baracks.
This prominent family at the heart of power in what is called the most powerful nation on Earth could change the image of the African, of Black people worldwide.
No more "Darkie" toothpaste in Asian countries—excuse me—"Darlie" toothpaste in Asian countries.
Don't get me started on that tobacco.

All he had to do was act intelligently, put forth the right plans, & use his oratory skills to assure the country of his direction.

Instead he triangulated, wimped out, compromised, got scared, sold out, half-assed, whatever descriptive you wanna use.
And we are only left with a hollow image.

I hear so many of my people saying "They won't let him do such & such" "They keep him from doing such & such"
They make excuses for who is supposed to be the leader of the land. And they do this because too much is invested in having what he represents within that office.
That's how psychologically important it is to many Black people who came from all those horrific centuries which still affect the modern day.

Because it means so much to them, because HE means so much to them, it makes me ANGRIER that he betrays them.
He is their hope & in reality he is undoing EVERYTHING that has held them together.
I'm not mad at them at all, I love them. I know their pain because I live it too. I'm mad at HIM.
I'm mad at him because he knows better. He knows what is at stake. It's a one-shot deal & he has no room for failure.
Yet he gives away the store for the sake of "bi-partisanship".

The Republican Party & the Conservative Movement need to be rendered politically toxic. The national tone should shift from their lines of bull.
Eventually people would stop claiming those beliefs & that party publicly. They would be ashamed. Rush Limbaugh wouldn't have an audience & Fox News wouldn't have all these ratings.

Obama had this power, the power to change so many things yet he refused to use it.
And for that Blacks & every other populational minority should be furious with him.
Once he drops the ball, don't expect any Latino, Asian, Native American, much less Black to have a chance at the White House.
You barely have representation in Congress now!

The Party who utilized the "Southern Strategy" will make sure that those types of "strategists" will always see the heart of power.
Arizona is just the beginning.
John Lucas

[Number23]

79. LOOK at the idiocy that you are agreeing with

Look at the folks "agreeing" with you. Your post is full of tired bullshit and you're getting high fives from folks here FURIOUS that blacks are the president's strongest supporters. They would prefer that we turned on him as quickly and over as little as others have.

You are no friend to anybody black, Latino or anything else.

[johnlucas]

83. It's time somebody quit playing this "all Blacks behind Obama" line. That gets us nowhere.

Even if what you say about the people agreeing with me is true, it's STILL irrelevant.

You forget, I VOTED for him.
I encouraged OTHERS to vote for him.
I DONATED to his campaign.
I bought the T-shirt.
I already DID that 'get in line' nonsense.

I didn't like what I was seeing or hearing during the summer of 2008 from Obama & was prepared to opt out just like I was in 2007.
But after seeing how my people were so hopeful about his potential Presidency, I relented & hoped that those words were to get around the racist realities in this country.
I chalked it up to strategy. The oft-spoken chess game everybody talks about around here.

I got in line. I voted. I was happy. I was hopeful. And I was patient.
I gave him time. I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I shrugged off the Clintonites he added to his Cabinet.
I reasoned with peers about their misgivings with his plans & told them that Obama had the country's best interests in mind.

He's a man not a god. I didn't expect miracles. I DID expect him to be headed in the right direction.
I expected him to use the bully pulpit in order to change the Democratic Party establishment.
Saying the right things & doing the right things could get the people excited & they would put pressure on their Congress-people.
Congress-people respond to polls, right?

I couldn't stand the Democrats after 2007. I voted for those jackasses too. With Obama in the mix I figured he would reinvigorate that lame party & get it back on track with social & economic justice for the people who REALLY make this country run not the CEO class.
That would push the Republicans to the margins in the process & change the national dialogue permanently.

All he's done was waste every single opportunity. He had the power to do it. And he squandered it.
So DAMN RIGHT I don't support him. He doesn't support us.

It's BEYOND Obama. And I'm not gonna get in line anymore.
We cut him too many excuses. The Man ain't out to get him. He IS The Man.

There's a REASON why the Democrats lost in 2010, Number23.
They suck & Obama didn't improve them. They're weak & they won't fight for shit.
The same ignorant Republicans who were toxic waste just 2 years ago are now back on the rise. They are setting up Jeb for 2012.
The Tea Party gimmick re-energized that should-be dead party.
Now I have to live with how many more years of this ignorant Republican mindset dictating the thinking of the country. I have lived with it for 34 years already.

I hear the word "entitlement" being used in the same sentence as Social Security instead of "safety net".
"Oh you know, people have to EARN what they get. No one deserves 'entitlements'". Yeah, good one.
"Oh you know, big business is the one who CREATES jobs & you should be thankful for the opportunity."
I thought necessity created jobs. Businesses are always trying to eliminate as many jobs as possible to keep more money for themselves.
"Evil evil socialism! Bad bad very bad!" Yeah, just like that public library & fire department. Yeah, wouldn't want to do the right thing for the health of a SOCIETY.
Buy my own books & put out my own fires or not if I can't pay.

I ain't waiting for 'em no more. I ain't waiting on the Democrats to do right. I ain't waiting for Obama to do right.
From now on, it's D.I.Y. I'm doing it myself. WE do it ourselves.
That's the only change I can ever believe in now.
John Lucas

[Number23]

87. You have no idea what you're talking about

And I say this as someone who is not even a Democrat myself, for many reasons.

The Dems lost the midterms because Repubs and independents are FURIOUS with the Dems, and especially Obama, for being "too liberal." You need to come to grips with that before you come to grips with anything else. Repubs came out in droves. This should have driven home the point that many people have made time and time again -- THE UNITED STATES IS NOT A LIBERAL COUNTRY. In terms of sheer VOLUME, conservatives outnumber liberals in this country and Democrats of all stripes (liberal, Blue Dog etc.) got their asses handed to them because Obama and the Dems were considered TOO LIBERAL. It ain't got a damn thing to do with being "weak" and "Obama not improving them."

Read this post from me after the election - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=502706&mesg_id=503143 I list several sources that say that large numbers of Americans view the president and the Democratic party as too liberal.

Historically, the Dem losses in November have paled in comparison to other losses to the dominant party during a midterm election and Obama's poll numbers are SIGNIFICANTLY higher than other presidents (many of whom went on to win second terms) have been at this time in their terms. I don't know who the hell you have been listening to/reading but your statements show some serious ignorance and confusion.

I expected him to use the bully pulpit in order to change the Democratic Party establishment.
It's BEYOND Obama. And I'm not gonna get in line anymore.
From now on, it's D.I.Y. I'm doing it myself. WE do it ourselves.

What the hell does any of this mess even mean?

[johnlucas]

89. Oh that line about this not being a Liberal Country

Yeah, there's a reason why that is.
Because the Democrats don't give people an excuse to see things through the "Liberal" perspective.

How in the hell can working class people be more worried about welfare than corporate welfare?
How in the hell can someone even disparage a union seeing what the Labor Movement gave Poor people in this country?
There wasn't always a weekend & overtime & workplace safety.
Why do people demonize the word "socialist" when socialism is exactly what you need for the health & advancement of a society?
All things ain't about money & "productivity". You think people would be literate if there wasn't that public library available?
Should your education be based on what's in your wallet?
Why don't people see the need for universal health care in what is said to be the richest country in the world?
Hell, even Cuba under embargo gets that right.

Why is liberal a dirty word in the land that's always talking about liberty? Do they not see the irony?
Every "conservative" stance fell apart each time in history. If the status quo ain't working why conserve it?
Not until that status quo is beneficial for all should we stop liberating ourselves from it.

I've heard many people on this board say something to the effect that "if this is liberal, then that's a mockery of liberalism compared to the ones in other countries."
America's liberal is Europe's conservative. It's a sham.

First of all, I hate all those labels & the only one that makes sense to me by its visual representation is Progressive. Because I am about progress, about improvement of this nation.
Liberal to me doesn't really mean anything. Freeing what? Freeing whom?
And please don't start up with that Center-Right, Center-Left nonsense. Left, Center, & Right are directional positions not ideological affiliations.
It ain't about Right & Left, it's about Correct & Incorrect.

Obama could have converted those wishy-washy independents & even some of those Republicans. It has happened before.
It starts with the economic policy. Nothing speaks more to people in this nation than money. So if his plans showed visible unmistakable improvement they would have to back off of their stance. Their pockets are getting fatter. They won't be able to complain. Any political opposition would begin to look like a cartoon character & they would soon either oppose themselves into obsolescence or comformed with Obama to remain in power.

The Democrats have been weak since before I was born. It's been 40 years of this crap.
In 1973, we should have gotten the signal to change our energy policy permanently. Brazil weaned themselves off of Middle Eastern oil...why didn't we?
Each piece of the New Deal has been under attack & the Second Bill of Rights is not heeded.
If the Democrats were worth the air they breathe, they would have shut down the Republican Party's insanity backed by the moral imperative.
If they were connected to the people as they should have been, the people would have backed them up.

Trickle-down didn't have to happen. NAFTA didn't have to happen. All these ignorant wars didn't have to happen. All these Wall Street bubbles didn't have to happen.
The Democrats didn't do their job.

Oh, you're confused on what I meant by this?

I expected him to use the bully pulpit in order to change the Democratic Party establishment.
It's BEYOND Obama. And I'm not gonna get in line anymore.
From now on, it's D.I.Y. I'm doing it myself. WE do it ourselves.

First line: Obama has mic skills. He has the power of oratory. If he spoke the truth (not politician talk) & backed it up with the proper legislative action, the people would be on his side. With his plans working, he continues to speak in order to excite his supporters. His popularity would make it hard to go against him & the old-style Democrats would match his stances in order to keep their poll numbers up. If they didn't, Obama could push NEW-style proper Democrats for 2010 washing them out of office. One way or another, Obama pulling the country out of its economic & international quagmire would force the weak Democrats to become strong once again. A reinvigorated transformed party. One that can erode the Republican Party into nothingness. He would set a Democratic national dialogue for decades to come. He ended living up to the bumper sticker.

Second line: I'm about the Progressive Agenda which the Black Agenda is a part of. I won't let the road end with a half-stepping Obama. I'm going outside of him to make sure this agenda focused on social & economic justice for ALL citizens bears fruit. I am no longer going to get behind someone who is not about these things & the peer pressure to get behind him won't work on me anymore.

Third line: Revolution. It's up to US to do it for US. Not the Democratic Party. Not the Green Party. Not any Party. Not voting. Not writing letters to your Congressmen. Not fund-raising. Not campaigning. WE have the power. We always did. And it's time for us to use it. The rulers have forgotten who gave them the authority to rule. We trusted these people to have the WHOLE tribe in mind, not just themselves. We lent our power to them so they could manage a nation for well-being of all. That old human cooperation thing. Now we need to take that power back for the well-being of all.

This country can be any country we want it to be.
Including Liberal or as I prefer Progressive.
It's a cop-out to think otherwise.
John Lucas

[Number23]

95. "Because the Democrats don't give people an excuse to see things through the "Liberal" perspective."

Lord, I stopped reading after that.

Best of luck to you in... whatever it is that you're trying to do.

[snagglepuss]

101. "We trusted these people to have the WHOLE tribe in mind, not just themselves."

If that ain't bumper sticker material, I don't know what is.



:yourock:

[johnlucas]

104. One day I hope to be as quotable as George Carlin

Truth compels you to lay it out on the line like that.
George Carlin & others like him live on through their words.
I hope to be able to have that type of resonance someday.

It's as simple as this at the end of the day. Human beings need to treat other human beings better than what they do.
John Lucas

[snagglepuss]

93. Having read the responses to your posts, I fear that my agreeing with you

is probably the kiss of death. It probably won't help matters at all if I compliment your eloquence or suggest you seek elected office.

Your detractors remind me of Thomas Frank's book about disadvantaged whites votong against their interests in "What's the Matter with Kansas?" The bottom line is that Obama has shown that he is not progressive, that he has towed a corporate line.

[johnlucas]

97. Thank you for the compliments

I don't know why others refuse to see the sense in what I wrote.
It's beyond what Obama seems to represent in that office, it's about his actions.

Everybody's happy about the Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal right now but to me something's fishy.
The Republicans who have been obstructionists from day one suddenly back off for this measure??? Yet strongly influence the tax bill???
My suspicion is this means more wars are coming & the military needs to up their numbers.
The age limits have been raised to death so they need to remove any existing barriers to energized recruitment.

As for elected office, if I thought that would make a difference I would be keen on it.
But the way things seem to me, you'll be better off just dismantling the system gradually from the inside out if you want things to get done.
Use the machine against the machine. And work toward the goal of implementing tangible accountability from those who make the decisions that affect all of our lives.
Basically an expanded version of "You break it, you bought it." Personal out-of-pocket payback for every bad measure they put forth.
Maybe next time they'll think about all the political gamesmanship they play while people suffer.
John Lucas

[snagglepuss]

102. I so agree that there is something fishy about DADT and that it signifies

more wars - someone just the other day posted that an arms manufacturer in their area is massively expanding their operation. Also oddly coincidental, Mchelle Obama recently commented about the obesity epidemic severely reducing the pool of recruits. Repealing DADT means a whole demographic has just opened up to army recruiters. I'm willing to bet that an campaign has already been planned to entice gays to join.

[johnlucas]

105. Yep. Repealing DADT right after that atrocious tax bill made me say "something's wrong"

Yeah, your words make me think my suspicion's not unfounded.
My thought on why landmark legislation ever passes is already decided by the so-called Powers That Be.
There's definitely the shadow government going on. This Democrat/Republican stuff is for public consumption.

Sometimes in order to keep their ruled from revolting violently they put out some kind of reform such as the New Deal
(Don't credit Frankie Roosevelt, it was the Socialist/Labor/Progressive movements that forced his hand).
Sometimes they have overarching motives for changing the existing laws as we see with this Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal.

The Elite are few (by definition) & they are a scared type of people. That's why they need to live in gated communities & have Enforcer Classes protecting them further.
They are outnumbered by far & have only physical threat (military, police) & mental confusion (propaganda through various media) to keep their position.
They know that in the end they will always fall to the angry masses. French King Louis 16 & Russian Caesar Nicholas 2 are two prominent examples of the House of Cards the "rulers" reign from.

Because of this reality from time to time they have to throw the masses a bone. Give a little to keep a lot.
The problem as always is that the masses don't unite & choose to fight each other.
If the people we trusted to safeguard the tribe don't uphold their end of the bargain, then we need to strip them of that trusted position.

The DADT repeal is a magician's distraction. It's like David Blaine or Criss Angel drawing your eye to one area while doing the sleight of hand from another.
It's good that this ignorant rule was finally discarded but there is still massive corruption going on. I hope people don't get so excited from this repeal that they forget what this tax bill did.
John Lucas

[GinaMaria]

72. Interesting,,, I have a friend who used to say

during the * years that she didn't think * was a racist. She believed he was a classist. She's an African American attorney who has worked in government most of her career. Her comment obviously still stays with me. It brought on a moment of clarity where I looked at pols differently. When you look at various political situations from a class perspective, things start to make sense.

Thanks for the reminder of my friend's wise words.

[johnlucas]

73. Racism is only a strategem to support the real divide, Classism

It's all about human greed.
And these greedy ones who horded resources at the detriment of the tribe have to use numerous strategies to maintain those resources.
Elite means few after all, right?

We all know about the Enforcer Class: the police, the military, etc.
Those are the physical strategies. Weapons, force, imprisonment.

But more numerous are the mental strategies.
And highlighting human features is one way to keep a populace divided.

Reward beauty, reward height, reward light skin, reward golden hair.
Take a feature that is distinct & use it to have the populace fight amongst each other.
Using ethnic features is just one of those many strategies.

See how the Tea Party acts? They should be working with us but their allegiance to the advertised White Way makes sure they remain at odds with their should-be teammates.
Whatever it takes to divide people enough so their division distracts them from the real problem.
John Lucas

[ecstatic]

74. So why did blacks continue to have high support

for Bill Clinton during his presidency? It shows your true colors that you would assume Obama's support is simply race based.

[johnlucas]

86. Misplaced loyalty, that's what

As I said many times before, Blacks are the Outsiders Within in this country.
We got behind the Democrats en masse thanks to what happened in the 1960s.
You know, that Civil Rights thing that made the parties flip overnight resulting in the Republicans of today.

Some of us knew that this was a strategy while others mistakenly looked to that party as a savior.
I was always told as a child that the Democrats were on our side. That our best opportunities come from supporting them.
Voting Democratic for most Black people became a tradition resulting in that stalwart Black voting bloc everybody envies.

Democratic Blacks were disgusted by Reagan & Bush Sr. Ironically, they were hopeful that this Southern Democrat who went by the nickname Bubba would be the antidote to that poison.
Well, Carter was a Southern Democrat too so what could be the harm?
At one time not too long ago Southern Democrats & Black folks went together like tigers & mice.
If the Southerners reformed, then there could be hope. Hell, he went on Arsenio after all.

Clinton triangulated his entire Presidency not giving the nation that proper social & economic justice exampled in the stated Second Bill of Rights.
But because the alternative was so much worse, they made these lemons lemonade & imagined this bitterness to be sweet.
Sister Souljah was your first clue.

They were loyal to the Democratic Party who in many Blacks' minds was the only way to get ahead in this country.
And some even called Bill Jeff Clinton the first Black President. So glad to get away from Reagan & Bush I. Desperation.

The same thing is going on now with the ADDED benefit of Obama actually being part African AKA part Black.
Misplaced loyalty, that's all it ever was.

Then & now, they need to look more at the results rather than the image.
John Lucas

[Number23]

78. Honey, the kudos you got from the folks high fiving your post should tell you all you need to know

And then you decide to post this little gem.

So Obama's success is crucial for ALL populational minorities in this country.
He does stupid stuff, he ruins it for all the rest.
There's a reason why the Tea Party is predominantly racist & they'll make sure no one other than a like-minded White will ever get in office.

This is the stupidest post I've seen this month. And honey, THAT is no small feat.

[johnlucas]

88. You think that's stupid? I think it's truth.

I'll say it again.
Obama's success is CRUCIAL for ALL populational minorities in this country.

He screws up in this office, you can forget about any other non-White seeing that office again.
It was a miracle that he got in office. He almost lost it.
The economic crisis could not be ignored. Ignorant Palin actually boosted McCain's campaign.
The Hillary fights coulda torpedoed him.
Enough people held back their reservations & pushed him over the breaking point.

Remember, the margin was 52.9% to 45.7%.
With the disaster that was Bush & the Republican Party that number should have been more like 75% to 25%.
The ethnophobes locked together & gave McCain that 45.7% margin.

If Obama does not succeed in office, the Black Agenda loses any remaining waning influence it ever had in Washington D.C.
Lots of people think that just because there's a Black President that all issues facing the Black community are over.
That this is a "post-racial" society. That's bullshit.

They will see every other Black running for Presidential office with Obama in mind. They will say "they" had their chance & look at the results.
Judging by the Republican lies about his birth certificate & the drummed-up fear of Muslims running around in this country, forget about anybody with a tanned complexion having a shot.
Samoans, Arabians, Indians, Native Americans, you name it.
The paranoia about Latinos with fools talking about putting up walls on the border & shit keeps any Hispanic from having a shot.
Asians, the so-called model minority, are still disrespected in this country & they won't have a shot either.

You know I'm right. This society ain't post-racial by a long shot.
Those tokens in the Republican Party are just for show. They won't ever run the big game.
Besides, they are usually out for self. It's all about self-advancement not the good of the whole.
Alan Keyes becoming the first Black President would have made me throw up. Colin Powell just the same.

White Progressives also have to worry. This is most likely the last shot for that agenda to make way at the seat of power.
They've been fighting the Democratic Leadership Council types for decades now. Looks like the DLC is winning.
Those Whites who cared about more than their privilege fought for justice for all people. They want this corrupt system to end too.

Obama is the key to all this whether he or you like it or not.
He knew this going in & it's up to him to set things straight. He has to be BEYOND the Democratic Party establishment. They are ineffective.
He must lead them into a new way not a Third Way. He must make his political enemies become an Obama Republican just like the Reagan Democrats of old.
Get the economics right, get the social stuff right, & he's on his way.

Letting the already underpaying rich get away with more Bush-era tax cuts is not the way to do it.
When this country was the so-called superpower, the rich paid close to 90%. Kennedy gave 'em a break & pushed it down to 70%.
What good is Reagan's 30%?
John Lucas

[ipaint]

110. Thanks for telling the truth.

I don't know why I clicked on this thread but I am glad I did because of your posts.
As a life long mostly working poor white person who is now unemployed (permanently?) at 54 I cautiously hoped Obama would work towards economic and social justice for all colors of the underclass.

Not happening.

I am now thoroughly convinced washington dc is a greed machine servicing it's own elite needs. Any change will have to come from without.

[johnlucas]

111. Thank you ipaint

I hope something comes through for you ipaint.
No country should have their citizens in positions like these. What good is a country that lets its members flounder in the breeze?
I wish I was powerful enough in my current status to change that situation, ipaint.
One day I will be in a position of influence & I'll do my best to change the way this current order works.

I specifically made sure to put Whites in my post because I don't want people thinking that Obama is only supposed to help populational minorities.
Whites suffer under this system just the same which is why they fought with us to change it in the first place.
Racism is just a strategy. It's not really about Black & White. It's about Have & Have-Not and it always has been.

The reality is that the Black Agenda solves the American Agenda. Every issue facing the Black community has relevance to what faces the American community. Muslim profiling on airplanes? Black profiling in the communities. Gutted job market deflating a town? Gutted job market inflating a ghetto. Housing market bubbles causing foreclosures? See the importance of affordable housing as shown by the HUD program.

It's all connected. WE'RE all connected.
John Lucas

[vaberella]

61. This has nothing to do about Black or White! That is BS to incite something.

Obama just likes analyzing all routes to reach his goals. He takes his time and he does it his way. End of story.

[political_Dem]

71. Thank you. Exactly.

[Name removed]

65. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[OhioBlue]

80. can you calm down for a moment, let go of your

currently held positions and read the article and just analyze it for what it says?

I mean on DU - is there really any debate that the first Black man or woman to do anything has always been held to a higher standard? That there are indeed different rules and factors to be considered? Do we disagree that the President does in fact have to walk a line as to not be painted/characterized/perceived as and "angry black man"?

Is there really any debate that minorities have higher percentages of unemployment and poverty? That they, for the most part have different life experiences that make up who they are? We've made a lot of progress as a society but that doesn't erase preconceived attitudes nor does it erase past experiences.

On a liberal/progressive website, I would hope that we could honestly and intellectually discuss these issues rather than retreating to our "yeah or nay" camps and being rude and dismissive.

I don't see this as a POS cop out article at all - but rather one to contemplate and discuss.

[TheKentuckian]

81. I was perfectly calm but am rather tired of the screed being posted over and fucking over

In a vain and halfassed bigoted attempt to silence dissent and give Obama a license to roll over for those that are strip mining the country for profit because he is black.

This isn't playing outfield or hanging with the ratpack. We can't afford a President that keeps his head down and plays the game.

I don't for a moment dispute the realities you cite but the needs of the people trump the needs of mentally soft white folks to feel like Wayne Brady is President as not to ruffle their feathers.
I called out Jackie Robinson rules during the campaign, may have been the first to make the point on here but now he has the job and there is too much going on to play the meek little lamb.

[OhioBlue]

82. I think you have a valid point to make

but in all honesty, I think your approach hampers your ability to make it.

If you are stating that you agree that there are in fact different societal rules for minorities, however, at the level of "leader of the free world" one has to find a way to rise above those historical rules - I can agree. I think there is a lot of room for debate on the issue if we can at least acknowledge and accept the facts that there are indeed different rules.

But, your comments just feel dismissive and combative rather than calm and productive.

[TheKentuckian]

84. Fair points. Dismissive was near intentional, because I'm tired of this same rink dink lame article

posted as an excuse and reprimand to those who say call these fuckers out and tell it like it is, and go to the mattresses if that is what it takes to take the boot of our throats.

We are getting our ass whipped in a generational class war that our "leaders" refuse to join, which means instead of a war we are getting an execution.

[Odin2005]

76. I believe this is called an EXCUSE.

[niceypoo]

96. Wanting Obama to fight is racist?

LOL

[LawnLover]

99. No, but misunderstanding the OP's point is ignorant. nt.

[niceypoo]

103. Point aside, it is racist tripe

Sorry, the emperor wears no clothes

[LawnLover]

106. Uh-huh. Sure. nt.

[Fruittree]

107. Being Latina

I understand exactly what you're saying.

[rasputin1952]

108. For the record, the color of his skin, the religion, (or lack thereof), he professes

or anything else people choose to see are not the criteria I see. First and foremost, he is a human being, after that, everything else is peripheral.

It is the 21st Century, and yet people still use criteria from the 16th Century to "see" what they want to see. I thought we'd be far away from this now. Judge individuals by the content of their character, but always begin with the reality that first, each of us, regardless of where we are in this life, are human beings.

[DailyGrind51]

109. So, are you implying that we should have nominated John Edwards?

To achieve the 2008 Democratic Platform?