Seriously, are we? If things aren't exactly the way we dreamed them, if they fall short in any way whatsoever, why is it that we throw a fit? Of course, I'm not talking about me, or you, hopefully.
Okay, the Dems got hammered in the mid term, as predicted here a couple of weeks ago. Did cracks actually open in the earth's surface, swallowing us all? Is not the Democratic Party still in control of both houses, and will be until January? Then why the hell don't they make hay while they can, and and pass some truly progressive legislation while they still have the whip hand? There is a lot to be accomplished in the weeks ahead, if only they tap into some courage. Then, for the next two years, they can and should hone their message, and relentlessly point out to the public every time the Republicans abandon the American people in order to further enrich the wealthy. Believe me, you won't have to wait long for examples to present themselves.
Meanwhile, the breast beating over Obama's performance continues to be way over the top. The guy can't win: If he admonishes someone on the Right, he is "punching down" when conventional wisdom says one should never attack someone weaker in politics, but always punch up. If he fails to correct one of his opponents, then he is accused of being weak or indecisive. Also, I'm as progressive as anyone I know, but I also live in a real world with real obstacles, that I recognize as real. With the blue dogs in his own party, and they mad dogs in the opposition, he was never going to get a single payor health plan, let alone a public option, never mind how much obvious sense it makes to thinking people. The fact is that he got Health Care Reform, something no other President has gotten in sight of.
He passed Financial Reform (albeit a gelded version), something unthinkable in business-friendly Washington. The guy has accomplished a lot. I know, we want more. But for Christ's sake, if you look at it objectively, the dude has done a lot. And he is holding firm (at least for now) to a Rich Guys' tax hike.
I would like to see Dennis Kucinich become President, but that's never going to happen. Not in this country. Realistically, the choice will come down to Obama or someone like Romney, Huckabee or Palin. Is there really any debate? In 2000 I voted for Ralph Nader because I was tired of voting for the lesser of two evils. I wasn't wrong, because if Gore had only won his own state, he would have won the election (for that matter, if he had won the President's state, or had kicked Bush's ass any any of the debates, as was so attainable). So, I don't regret my vote in that election.
However, now we know how perverted the Right Wing of the Republican Party can be. We know how far they are willing to go in order to pursue their neofacist agenda. A wasted vote is no longer a viable option. Let the Righties split the vote between a grey face like Romney and a tinfoil hat wearing Tea Partyer. We can't afford to do likewise.
If Obama gets a second term, it will be his opportunity to do some really progressive things as other second termers have done (I know, Clinton blew that premise big time). He's a pragmatic son of a bitch, but he's also a student of history. We can still hope. Think of the scorched earth policies we'd have to endure under a Republican.
For the last few days, we have been overwhelmed with nonstop news reports about the poor, fat Americans stuck on a cruise liner, denied hot showers and possibly forced to eat Spam (later denied - they were forced to eat hot dogs) for less than a week. Yes, this is far worse than living in a tent city in Port-au-Prince, or having to survive a tsunami, or volcano, or drought, or genocide. After all, these were Americans, forced to deny themselves the buffet. So, by all means let's focus on that as the only really important news item.
Meanwhile, we Americans continue to cry over the potential of a tax increase. When will you get it through your brain pan that 95% of you just experienced a tax reduction, and that no one is calling for an increase that would affect over 5% of the population? For that matter, I am OK with a tax increase. Go ahead, whack me, if it means that we get to keep Healthcare Reform and introduce other reforms that help Americans less advantaged than me. Isn't that what being a citizen means? Do we have to reject everything that helps others, if it means that have to sacrifice the least little bit? We never had to surrender anything in pursuit of two wars (other than those who actually served, along with their families). Are we really such big assholes? Thus, my titled question.
Answer: Yes, we are Babies.
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