Somewhat reminiscent of that great Jimmy Stewart movie, but with a new, updated plot, we are now watching "Mr. Obama goes to Washington"; the story of how an eloquent, inspirational candidate became president and went to Washington, vowing to change the Establishment. But then the plot takes an unexpected turn; this agent of change is suddenly transformed and becomes a member of that same Establishment.
This transformation of our president from the agent of real change to membership in the Establishment is happening before our very eyes; and it's not a pretty sight. The contrast between Obama the candidate and Obama the President is astounding; he gives the distinct impression that he has been "born again" that he has "seen the light", and that may be exactly the case as we watch any hope we had for real change quickly vaporize.
What specific objects did Mr. Obama have in his sights as he planned his strategy to bring change to America? He specifically targeted the embedded Washington Establishment and, when he did, he knowingly promised to bring change to the following major entities: lobbyists and special interest groups, Wall Street and its financial manipulators, the corporate-controlled Congress, and the health care insurance monopoly. When he later was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, whether he was aware of it or not, he accepted responsibility for promoting peace and diminishing war.
It is difficult to see any real evidence that the agenda of bringing real change to Washington is being pursued in any positive way. Those millions of us who strongly supported and voted for him could hardly wait to see these changes come to fruition; it was like a new day dawning for America, the beginning of a new, totally different approach to government. But, it has not happened and, by all appearances, it won't. So what exactly happened to sidetrack Mr. Obama and dilute his former message of change?
Well, first off, he and his transition team assembled his presidential cabinet and, almost inconceivably, brought in a cadre of individuals who were clearly a part of the Establishment; card-carrying insiders: Joe Biden, Rahm Emanuel, Hillary Clinton, Timothy Geithner, Lawrence Summers, and Eric Holder among others.
See any fresh new blood or innovative thinkers in this group? If Mr. Obama had wanted to dramatically change the culture of Washington, the formulation of this cabinet doomed that goal right from the start. Included in this group were former members of Congress, strong supporters of the Iraq War, as well as close associates of those who control Wall Street.
Let's discuss the economic crisis and, specifically, the need to initiate reforms in the banking industry and the financial sector as a whole. The American people were victims of the financial robber barons who ignited the economic crisis by their deceitful manipulations and unethical practices. While the financial sector needs new, more effective banking reforms and regulation to prevent future abuses, the president, and the Congress waffle and vacillate and nothing is happening. Mr. Obama rarely even mentions banking reforms, he has no great interest, it seems.
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