Reply #12: I'm kinda where you are on this.

[Old and In the Way]

I'm disappointed, too. My wife got a chance to meet with him for an hour with three other people up here in Maine. Just regular folk who could let Obama know their concerns. No question that he was sincere and motivated to bring the change.

But I've come to the conclusion that there are institutional forces aligned against the interests of the middle class and for the status quo....financial, media, religion, and that nebulous shadow government....that do not want to see Obama (or any Democrat, really) succeed. They are privately short selling this country while publicly professing their love of flag, Constitution, and whatever props they can come up with to convince the easily impressionable that they are the party of American values. But even with these formidable forces opposing progress, I thought Obama could overcome these obstacles and unite the bottom 98% to enact an agenda that would correct the abuses of republican rule.

Apparently, not. I now realize that these institutional forces have succeeded in exploiting the fear, bigotry, paranoia, and racism of almost half the middle-class into voting, yet again, against their best interests. That's a democracy killer right there. These institutional forces have demonized the Democratic Party by a relentless campaign of misinformation and outright lying about the intentions of progressives. It amazes me that, given the actions of Republicans for the past 40 years (particularly, the last 10) that any sentient person would identify with this Party. Yet, here we are, with a more virulent, unstable group of new Republicans elected. More corrupt, more stupid, and less inclined to do anything to fix the problems this country faces.

So, I really can't blame Obama. I blame 1/2 of the American voters who bought the lies and bullshit of Republicanism. They are complicit in their screwing. In fact, maybe Obama and all Democrats should just announce a hiatus, "fuck it...you want Republicanism? Have at it." Get out of the way and let the Republican vision unfold in all of it's full potential. Give the rubes what they think they want. Maybe in 10 years, when 90% of the country finally figure out who is really fucking over and fucking up this country over....maybe then we can start to elect people who are serious in rebuilding it.