In addition to this discouraging reality, Obama was not and still is not a man with a challenging personality. He does not appear to have the capacity to speak truth to plutocratic power by organizing people to stand up to the plutocracy with democratic power. He does not appear to want to rally the masses to throw off the private economic power that controls Washington. He appears to not want to confront the rise of fascism.
Obama does not wish to oppose the white power structure. The white power structure, for Obama, is the elephant in the room and something progressives and liberals will have to encourage Obama to confront.
A significant amount of support for Obama came from the white power structure, and while confronting the white power structure might lead to a crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos and improve problems poor Whites, poor Hispanics, and poor African-Americans have with payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead, segregated public schools, voter disenfranchisement, predatory military recruiters, etc., the probability that Obama opposes the corporate power and special interests in Washington is unlikely. Obama would not do anything to alienate the powers that be.
Obama was largely victorious because of statements he made about being able to bring together all parties, be inclusive, and form a consensus on the most pressing problems America is facing. Therefore, Obama will most likely choose to not squander the reputation he built during his campaign by taking a decisive stand against corporate power, which is a parasitic leech on the backside of consumers and the people of America.
The Tribune on Sunday acknowledged that Obama will be “pulled by core Democratic groups who have waited years to advance their interests, by the weight of his campaign promises, and by the expectations of the beleaguered right.” But, the response to all of this will most likely be “clear-eyed realism.”
This is no reason for progressives or liberals to dampen the fervor or energy of their message and no reason to settle for less before making difficult and righteous demands of an Obama Administration. If progressives and liberals are willing to struggle and make it known to Americans that what they are fighting for his not for them but for all Americans, they may succeed in many of the battles waged.
For example, this presidential campaign saw a major shift in policy ideas discussed as possible solutions for confronting the economy and greening America. Progressives and liberals can take credit for that.
Earlier in the election, there was no widespread discussion which advocated for creating manufacturing jobs in alternative energy. That type of talk only came from Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, who advocated for a Works Green Administration which harkens back to the days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Now, in the Tribune, talk of an imminent economic stimulus package that Obama says is “long overdue” may be built around energy development and the modernization of electric grids, the construction of mass transit lines, and as stated above, the creation of manufacturing jobs in alternative energy, which is a policy idea Kucinich advocated for when promoting a Works Green Administration.
The Tribune highlights the Center for American Progress’ John Podesta who is behind a $55 billion proposal which “aims to immediately boost energy production and efficiency including weatherizing 1 million homes, encouraging solar panel construction, and funding transit projects in 23 states.” Such a proposal would “cut heating costs, save energy and nudge the country away from its dependence on foreign oil.”
John Podesta may become a member of the Obama Administration and is Obama’s transition chief, a fact which should be refreshing to progressives and liberals.
But, any of these proposed changes would definitely be fought against by the white power structure, oligarchy, plutocracy, or the private economic power which controls the purse strings of Washington.
Obama would have to choose to challenge the corporations. He would have to turn to the people ask that they be organized and support him in his battle to squelch corporate opposition to his proposed reform. And progressives and liberals would greatly and gleefully support his effort, but would Obama take the chance? Would he risk losing to the corporations or would he come up with some compromise that only half fixes the dire situation we are in?
Would he form a consensus that eases everything in the short term but guarantees problems in the long term? How proactive would he be?
Would he depart from conventional politics and support unconventional politics?
Obama already faces critics who sense his presidency could be a lot like Jimmy Carter’s. This criticism could significantly affect the decisions Obama’s administration makes or does not make.
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