Or do some of us still need to witness the upcoming assault on Social Security led by our "Democratic" President to understand that there is no point in supporting this purportedly progressive political party?
More and then better Democrats? A fiction. Accomplishing step one guaranties that step two will never be acheived. The minute voters see that Democrats once in power are just like, JUST LIKE, the GOP in protecting first, foremost and only the interests of the oligarchs their disgust results in a return of GOP dominance. How many times do we need to see this same tragedy play out?
The Obama Administration's two main accomplishments over the past two years are 1) resurrecting a completely discredited GOP brand and party, and 2) destroying whatever pathetic pretense still existed for having a Democratic Party.
The track record:
Not simply continuing the wars, championing the debacle in Afghanistan;
looking the other way on torture;
prosecuting anyone who dare beleive government actions should be opn to public scrutiny;
re-appointing Wall St to regulate and continue bailing out Wall St;
Creating the Catfood Comm and bestowing anew legitimacy on that old chrone and, until lately, thankfully gone Alan Simpson;
Champioing corporate-approved healthcare "reform" that tracks Bush's Medicare Part D, tax subsidies designed to direct public treasure into health insurance industry coffers;
Championing corporate-approved financial reform;
Championing extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy.
And soon the attack on Social Security, to be led by our Democratic President. For what? Why, to pay for all the wars, tax cuts and government bailouts of the rich and mighty that have flowed so easily through Congress for at least the past thirty years like so much crap from an overfull septic tank. And over the same time just the mere mention of any subsistence assistance to working men and women and those the less fortunate generates endless Congressional debate, ridicule and expenditures on public campaigns to blame and penalize further the victims of our morally depraved politics and economic system.
Reform intended not to change the indefensible status quo but to maintain it to the maximum extent possible while quelling the masses, that's obviously how Obama views his job. Obama's incrementalist reform,and I am being kind, may have at best bought the oligarchs some time. I believe, however, that the status quo, unresponsive as it is to the needs of those who increasingly pay for it, cannot be maintained; it is utltimately and inherently unstable.
I heard just this morning that the Bush/Obama tax cuts passed because only worse bills will emanate from the GOP House come January. Like the Democrats have no Senate majority, or this Democratic President does not have a veto. Most, if not all, of what Obama obtained in return for his championing extension of tax cuts for the wealthy he could have gotten had he had the skill and spine to play hardball with the corporate thugs in the GOP. That assumes, of course, that he ever had any inclination to do so.
Liberals can organize and make a difference through sites like dKos and the Internet as a whole. That was shown in the 2004 Dean campaign and, regrettably enough, the 2008 Obama campaign. It is time these resources be used for a third party on the left. Will we win? Not at first. But are you winning now? And can anyone out there after this incredible betrayal, the enactment of the Bush/Obama tax cuts for the wealthy, claim to still be a proud Democrat? There is nothing to lose at this point, Democrats have demonstrated that time and again.
I am glad some have children who can continue on your employer provided health insurance program for a few more years, or can pay uncapped high risk rates for private health insurance. But if you believe that is worth supporting today's Democratic Party all I can say is enjoy your thirty peices of silver. And for those stubbornly clinging on to the self delusion that Democrats are "better," well talk to me in February after our President lays out his "vision" for the future of Social Security.