Following the election, President Obama was hailed as a savior by some, and a devil by others. Those on the political left hailed his election as a victory for peace, tolerance and the end of worn out dogma. Those on the right shuddered in their three piece suits and cried that this was certainly the End Times.
Critics of his first 200 days say that he has failed to achieve anything except driving the nation deeper into debt. He has not achieved consensus on health care, climate change legislation, or our true role in Afghanistan and has put having a beer before the crucial issues facing our nation.
There are apologists on the left who blame the right for any failures and delays and who claim that any financial concerns are merely a holdover from the eight years of the Bush administration. If we have learned anything from our political history, it should be that truth is rarely found in the right or the left. For that matter, it is not even found in the middle, as that seat on the political spectrum is the result of compromise, where bits of truth come together to form a consensus which is merely a place of acceptance, not one of truth. Each side gets a little, but the solution is not necessarily the right thing to do, it is the expedient thing to do.
Have President Obama's first 200 days been a success, despite political failures? My answer is yes. Not because all kinds of new and progressive legislation has been passed; not because we are now at peace in the Middle East; and not because our budget has been balanced. It is a success because we are now talking about the crucial issues that affect our nation and the world. We are talking about climate change, health care reform, education reform, and about others ways to solve political tensions, other than by use our military might. We are thinking about new ways to do things, new approaches to pressing issues, and new solutions outside the old political boxes. To me, this is encouraging.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Baronius
Great description of the political middle, Philip.
2 - Arch Conservative
People are revolting against this fascist pig!
His gestapo tactics of sending union meatheads out to intimidate people will not work but rather backfire horribly.
It's just a matter of time now.
3 - handyguy
This article is similar to what another 'progressive conservative,' David Frum, has been saying lately. The GOP and other opposition need some kind of substantive message other than "No."
4 - Arch Conservative
I think saying no to fascism is pretty fucking effective handy.
5 - Philip Harris
i thought he was supposed to be a socialist and George was the fascist pig. Oh well. I guess when you go to far to the left, you end up on the right?
Yeah, the just say 'No' is really getting boring. But, I suppose when you have nothing to offer, saying no is the safe way out.
6 - Doug Hunter
"I guess when you go to far to the left, you end up on the right?"
The modern US idea of right-left doesn't really apply to different times or different countries very well. The Nazis, or national Socialist, were socialist and their economic policies would definitely be more well represented by the Democrats than
Republicans.
The Nazis despised big finance (run by the evil Jews of course). One of their original planks was the abolition of the corporation and it's takover by government. They were very interested in social welfare policies (for native Germans of course). The parties origins were in a labor movement, they embraced rent control and profit limits, etc. All very left wing stuff.
To be fair, they also believed in a strong national 'defense', had racist tendencies, and were nationalistic... all attributes currently associated with the right.
They don't really fit in anywhere in our current spectrum, but the fact that they're always pinned on the right bugs me to no end. Those with a libertarian bent, who make up a good portion of the right in the US today, are almost completely in opposition to everything Nazis stood for. On a policy by policy basis we're almost the definition of an anti-Nazi but we still get painted with that broad brush.
7 - Philip Harris
I am not sure who you mean by 'we.'Almost any historical political system had some merit. From the Divine Right of kings, communists, Nazis, etc-you can always found something positive like making the trains run on time.
But, yes, the old right vs left is outdated and many things do not fit. But I am not sure I would put the Nazis in line with the Democrats. The German war machine industries called a lot of the shots just like banks do today. Let's be real, big business has always called the shots and to a degree, they are not in the political spectrum, they control that spectrum choosing to support whoever, right or left, serves their purpose. Add big religion to the mix, definitely to the right and not part of the Democrats agenda, and you have a system that controls all other systems-whether they know it or not. In other words, they control outside the spectrum.
8 - Jordan Richardson
Those with a libertarian bent...are almost completely in opposition to everything Nazis stood for.
Thank God for that, too. Gotta stay current.
9 - Jordan Richardson
People are revolting against this fascist pig!
Really? Where? Town hall meetings? You think the people picking up a cup of complimentary coffee and waving ridiculous slogans around signifies a "revolt?"
It's just rank immaturity, champ. These poor people don't even know what they're revolting against and your continued characterization of the Obama Administration as "fascism" is not only insulting and disrespectful to those who died under actual fascist regimes (ditto to the constant Nazi references) but downright stupid.
10 - roger nowosielski
Good analysis, Philip. It's good to have you here.
11 - Clavos
The people ARE revolting...
12 - handyguy
I think if we all made a gentleman's agreement not to compare each other or anybody else in contemporary politics to Nazi Germany, the world would immediately be 25% less ridiculous than it is now. At least.
13 - Coo-Coo for Odrama
I appreciate your confidence. I myself was a Democrat who voted for McCain. Same story.
14 - Dave Nalle
Jordan, tomorrow Russ Feingold is holding two townhalls in Wisconsin with SEIU thugs in attendance. Thousands of grassroots activists will be there. It's not going to be pretty.
Dave
15 - Philip Harris
Actually, people did revolt, in a way, when they elected Obama. The old, throw out the rascal routine. It was a revolt against ideas whose time had long since should have passed. Don't get me wrong, there is a place for conservative ideas-it keeps things in check, just as the left keeps the right in check. The revolt was against 'business as usual,' i.e., no regard for the environment, undaunted control of our lives by big business, wanton consumerism, we're right because of our might and all of the rest of the ills that plague our society. I think people finally decided that it was time to talk about these issues.
Those rallying against health care have no clue what they rally about. Actually, most people have no clue. That is the sad thing and is what may just lead to our downfall. And I agree, running around and calling people fascist or communists is so very counterproductive. Those who do that have no grasp of reality and are totally ruled by emotions and have been duped by the very forces they think they are opposed to.
The desire for change does not make you a fascist or anything else, it just means that something is not right and we need to talk about it.
This nation and this world is on the precipice, like the Fool in the Tarot. We do not have a lot of time and mindless debate does not help things. It is clear, and this has been widely reported, that people are being paid to falsify information (coal lobby, climate, drugs) and there is a definite effort to derail legitimate debate on issues. Despite the election, the 'old powers' are still in power. There is still much to revolt about, the problem is that the enemy is unseen behind board room doors.
So how about offering solutions and not just point blind fingers? People who shout and yell really have little to say. It is a sad commentary that America may fall because people simply could not have productive discussions and debates. Again, we do not have much time.
Thanks Roger.
16 - roger nowosielski
"So how about offering solutions and not just point blind fingers?"
Especially in the framework provided by the BC, free exchange of ideas forum, since we're not tainted by the corridors of power. And if we cannot do it here, what chance is there for the usual movers and shakers?
17 - Philip Harris
My concern Roger is that those willing to actually discuss and not discourse is rapidly dwindling. I am on many sites and those looking for a true exchange of ideas are getting fewer. Too much time is spent on allegations, innuendo, arguing dogma (which is an oxymoron), and too little time looking for answers. I mean, there is always disagreement, and that is fine, but so many discussions get sidetracked on pointless concepts. We shall see where this all takes us.
18 - Dave Nalle
Those rallying against health care have no clue what they rally about. Actually, most people have no clue.
Phillip, your ignorance is dismaying, but at this point hardly surprising. You're just repeating what your masters tell you. The truth is that these protesters are the ones who have read the legislation and know what they are talking about, but no one is listening to them.
That is the sad thing and is what may just lead to our downfall. And I agree, running around and calling people fascist or communists is so very counterproductive.
Not nearly as counterproductive as acting like those authoritarians.
Those who do that have no grasp of reality and are totally ruled by emotions and have been duped by the very forces they think they are opposed to.
This would explain how Obama got elected. I think the resurgence of reson in reaction is very heartening.
The desire for change does not make you a fascist or anything else, it just means that something is not right and we need to talk about it.
The desire for change isn't the problem here. It's the desire to silence dissent and expand the power of the state which makes you an authoritarian.
This nation and this world is on the precipice, like the Fool in the Tarot. We do not have a lot of time and mindless debate does not help things.
So let's just all shut up and give up our rights as citizens.
It is clear, and this has been widely reported, that people are being paid to falsify information (coal lobby, climate, drugs) and there is a definite effort to derail legitimate debate on issues.
True, but what you aren't seeing is that the falsification and attempts to stifle debate are coming from the left. Wanting to have TWO points of view
So how about offering solutions and not just point blind fingers?
I've offered solutions. People with higher profiles than I have are offering solutions. Those in power aren't interested in real solutions.
People who shout and yell really have little to say. It is a sad commentary that America may fall because people simply could not have productive discussions and debates.
So stop silencing those who want to engage in the debate process.
Dave
19 - roger nowosielski
"The truth is that these protesters are the ones who have read the legislation and know what they are talking about, but no one is listening to them."
That's quite a stretch, Dave, and you know it. Being informed does not translate itself to this kind of angry, mob-like behavior. And thus far, judging by their behavior - and what else can you go by? - they are ignorant. Being angry, yelling and shouting is a substitute for rational discussion and for thinking, not an indication of it. But you know that of course.
I'm not going to get into other points of your response to Philip, like "real solutions." Were "real solutions" even half-way feasible in the present environment? I'm not in the position to answer but I'm glad that you are. So perhaps they did take a partial, piece meal approach to reform rather than overhaul the entire system, to include the single payer concept and doing away with "the middle man." But do you really suppose any such radical reform would have even the slightest chance in hell given the opposition to what's being proposed right now - inadequate as it may be? I'm glad you think so.
Lastly, I do find it ironic you're accusing Philip of trying to silence the debate process while he's pointing out that anger, yelling, and shouting are counterproductive.
20 - roger nowosielski
I'm sorry to hear, Philip, that this is not a unique situation on BC but prevalent on other internet sites as well. Of course, I suspected it.
To tell the truth, the number of people here with whom you have a semblance of a discussion, those who are really interested in solutions in this rapidly changing world, is dwindling. I can count 'em on the fingers of my hand. I shan't name names, but you'll soon see how small a circle we form. This is what I find most discouraging.
21 - Philip Harris
Dave, umm, I take that kind of personal when you address the comment by name and THEN spell my name wrong. But, that is okay. Not sure what 'masters' you are talking about but I suppose we all have our delusions.
here are some news reports:
Violence Increasing At Town Halls
Outbreaks of violence in Tampa. and St. Louis town halls. HuffPost notes in Tampa: "Many of the hundreds of protesters said that they had been inspired by a conservative activist group promoted by Fox News host Glenn Beck and some received emails from the county Republican party ... some protesters carried racist caricatures of President Obama..."
More from HuffPost on dishonesty from protesters: "Congressman Steve Kagen, (D-Wisc.) found himself interrupted during a town hall meeting on health care on Thursday evening which, considering the boisterous protests going on at these events all week, wasn't much of a surprise. But towards the end of the Wisconsin Democrat's health care forum something a bit peculiar happened. A woman who initially identified herself as 'just a mom from a few blocks away' who was 'not affiliated with a political party' was outed by a reporter as a GOP operative who worked for Kagen's election opponent John Gard as well as the Republican Party of Wisconsin and the Republican National Committee ... [the] deliberate misleading of the local NBC reporter feeds into the suspicion that she - like other protesters at these events - are there because of political reasons not policy disagreements."
Steve Pearlstein lets loose on right-wing lies: "The recent attacks by Republican leaders and their ideological fellow-travelers on the effort to reform the health-care system have been so misleading, so disingenuous, that they could only spring from a cynical effort to gain partisan political advantage. By poisoning the political well, they've given up any pretense of being the loyal opposition. They've become political terrorists, willing to say or do anything to prevent the country from reaching a consensus on one of its most serious domestic problems."
CNN's Rick Sanchez grills scandal-marred chief of Conservatives for Patient Rights' Rick Scott: "Some people are going to look at your record and some of the things that you and I just talked about and say, this is the guy who is leading this charge. Is he the one that we should be listening to? Not exactly a perfect past when it comes to what's right for taxpayers and patients."
I would guess that your response to this is that these are left wing controlled media reports and truth only comes from right wing media reports like RUSH and company-who has a master?
I have no desire to silence debate-but debate cannot occur when all people want to do is engage in name calling and labeling.
It seems to me that the patriot Act took many rights away, but I am sure this was also a left wing event who controlled Bush and Cheney without them knowing it.
If no one is looking for solutions, why bother with any kind of meetings at all and why not just abolish Congress. You see, the statements made make no sense-who are those in power who do not want solutions?
Do the banks want solutions? Do big corporations who stole from the public to give more raises want solutions? Do those who oppose any consumer oversight want solutions? Do the biggest polluters who falsify reports want solutions? Do drug companies who pay for favorable reports want solutions? Do you really know who is in power?
So what you seem to saying is that unless we all agree with your point of view-whatever that is-we are stifling debate and are under the control of some master that exists-well-wherever.
All you are saying is that everything I say is wrong and manipulated. I do not call that a debate or a discussion.
22 - roger nowosielski
I'm reprinting a comment from another thread, concerning the ignorance of the average citizen:
Bill Maher:
Just because a country elects a smart president doesn't make it a smart country. And before I go about demonstrating how, let me just say that ignorance has life and death consequences. Take the health care debate we're presently having: members of Congress have recessed now so they can go home and "listen to their constituents." An urge they should resist because their constituents don't know anything. At a recent town-hall meeting in South Carolina, a man stood up and told his Congressman to "keep your government hands off my Medicare," which is kind of like which is kind of like driving cross country to protest highways.
23 - Clavos
It seems to me that the patriot Act took many rights away...
It certainly did.
Strange that the Obama administration has not seen fit to rescind it.
Could it be that they, too, find it useful?
24 - Philip Harris
I am sure they do-I cannot help but wonder if you screamed bloody murder, fascist pig, Nazis dog, etc. when they were discussing it.
25 - Baronius
Philip, we do talk specifics sometimes. Sometimes we don't. Looking over your article, I see that you didn't get too specific either.
Dave's been pushing for a single-payer plan. Tort reform often comes up. There are a couple of commenters who get medical care through the VA or Medicare, and they've offered some pretty constructive comments.
And yes, a lot of BC people on the right screamed bloody murder over the Patriot Act.