POSTED RESPONSE TO A COLUMN IN TORONTO'S GLOBE AND MAIL
I just want to know what else has Obama done since day one other than compromise?
All of his policies for two years have been compromises, some quite shabby ones in my view, notably his expanding the war in Afghanistan, his health-care monstrosity, and his surrender to Israel on his early demand for genuine peace efforts.
The truth is that this election is one more demonstration that Americans simply cannot govern themselves rationally. Indeed, it provides evidence that American democracy should be on the list of endangered species. It was a huge bought-and-paid-for operation, costing billions, leaving contributors privately glowing and chuckling about their success in getting what they wanted while leaving ordinary people thinking they have actually done something for themselves.
Much of the American electorate is gullible and poorly informed with no critical press left, and they respond to empty slogans and deluges of meaningless advertising. They respond to people like the leader of the silly Tea Party or Sarah Palin who are no more informed or helpful than Jimmy Swaggert or Rex Humbard would be.
The Republican who will become Speaker of the House actually cried in front of the cameras, a pathetic performance. His crying wasn’t about anything of substance or compassion, it was about his achieving personal success. Jimmy Swaggert puts on the same act when he’s passing the collection plate. This is how a great country governs itself?
The Supreme Court gave a decision on campaign funding that is genuinely dangerous, and this campaign shows just why. Ignorant rhetoric prevailed, and genuine public discontent was channeled into directions where it can not possibly shake the nation’s establishment.
I am disappointed in Obama, although I never expected huge changes, but I am even more disappointed in America falling for tired rhetoric and giving no clear thought to the future.
Sarah Palin, the Tea Party – it’s all been done before. They represent nothing but a series of big feel-good meeting by political evangelists moving their tent crusades across the countryside, themselves paid handsomely for their efforts, the whole effort generously paid for by interests whose objectives they do not even understand.
How many times in my lifetime have I heard the ridiculous pseudo-radical expression "We're taking back the country!" rehashed? Well, in this election, it was the forces of wealth and militarism who took the country back from the threat of widespread popular discontent.
Of course, the taxes needed in America are now out of the question. Taxes are un-American, even when you are literally swimming in debt.
Never mind buckling down to hard work and sacrifice. Never mind recognizing the needs of the future. “You can have it all, and have it now because you are an American!” is the message embraced.
Stupid, surely, and on a grand scale.
____________________________
“The People of America are now back in control of their Congress, it is no longer controlled by special interest groups with hidden agendas.
It was funny watching the Dictator being humbled by the People. Obama will learn he has no power at all. It was a great day when FREEDOM came.
I wonder how the turn out was . I bet it was way over 90% of US voters!”
That is an unbelievably uninformed comment, but it does nicely demonstrate what the election represents: slogans with no content and complete lack of genuine information.
Actually not only was the turnout not high, it is a different pool of people to those who vote in presidential elections, as it always is for mid-terms.
The Dictator?
Well, using that term is pretty much a confession by the writer to an adolescent mentality or just plain paranoia.
By the way, the good old American people lost control of their Congress ages ago to the moneyed lot who pay the campaign bills.
One fact is certain, this was the most expensive election ever done.
Corporate and special interest money poured into this election as never before thanks to an idiotic, anti-democratic ruling by the Supreme Court about campaign funding.
The moron Tea Party itself was funded by the billionaire Koch brothers. It is anything but a grassroots movement.
