Reply #21: I do not consider being in one of the above group being far left. I am in

[MasonJar]

all of them. I expected and demand Obama to do what he said he'd do, bring about substantial change in all the above, not mimic the Bush administration, which I utterally despised with my whole being. Where is the improvement, much less change? Not in transparency (just today the White House refused to give out lists of visitors, just like Bush/Cheney) Not in the environment (even Bush did not remove the wolf from the Endangered Species List) and mountain top removal affects real people with homes and lives. Not in Constitutional treatment of prisoners (just ask those who are now in for continued indefinite detention without benefit of court, lawyers and trial.) Not in reducing war (Afghanistan is expanding.) Not in following the Geneva Convention and other treaties we have signed (which say that countries are obligated to pursue and punish war crimes and torturers.) Not in equal rights (since gays/lesbians are quite evidently still second class citizens.) Not in health care reform (where failed policies, like public/private options side by side, and big money corporation donors are the key to Obama reform.) Single payer is the only viable answer and Obama knows it. Certainly not in the economy (where Wall Street rules by virtue of Obama's own selection of economic advisors.) Not in the approach to legal and court hearings (Don Seigelman is still hanging on the ledge, because after all that would involve the Bushies and Rove, but at least three GOPers, who were actually guilty, have been freed.) Have I missed anything? Which of the above makes me a left winger in the mode of the right wingers? I agree with the original poster. And I add: Obama had the chance to really make the history books. He followed a disaster and had so many avenues open to him to really improve the country. He has selected his avenue, and it is not one which will put him up there with FDR or LBJ. Obama is blowing a magnificent chance, and I for one cannot fathom why. I guess he just fabricated agendas for the election and is basically a DLC/Centrist in reality. But that is not good enough for me. I wanted and expected more. DIDN'T YOU?