A message from "The Nation"

[damonm]

This was part of a subscription shill by Katrina Vanden Heuvel, but I thought it worth repeating here: (emphasis mine)

In many ways, the 2008 election was a referendum on an extremist conservatism that has guided (and deformed) American politics and society since the 1980s. But a year later we remain a long way from building a new order and reshaping the prevailing paradigm of American politics.

The Nation recognizes a president committed to people's lives and to the renewal and reconstruction of America. Obama signed a stimulus package that averted economic collapse; his foreign policy is a rebuke of the failed unilateralism of his predecessor. We also cover the disappointments-from Obama's failure to restructure the banks, halting the wave of foreclosures and likely escalation in Afghanistan. I'm sure you have your list.

But we'd be smarter to avoid the betrayal sweepstakes and practice a progressive politics defined by savvy strategizing and realistic hope. We now have the political space to push for far-reaching reforms. Let's use it.

Bush and Cheney may be gone, but an army of right-wing nuts and their cheerleaders in corporate media remain. A fierce battle for America's future is under way: Healthcare reform with a public option; real financial reform; jobs; Afghanistan. Sustained pressure is required. It's the future that The Nation is fighting for.

[Cha]

1. Yeah, they're not dumbassses..

they want a future.

[Name removed]

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[NJmaverick]

2. Sound reasonning

We must never forget the danger posed by the right-wing nuts.

[Old Codger]

3. I do agree mostly

There are many things that have been accomplished, but there are also many disappointments involved. I am old enough and have seen enough to know that the president alone cannot do many of the things he and we would like to see done, reality is that he does not have the power by himself to enact laws. He has made several good moves, the dropping of many many lobbyists from committee membership was a major part of his campaign promise to limit them. The main place I am disappointed is naturally that he has not used his influence through use of the "bully pulpit" to push more on the HCR, he talked good during the campaign and then adopted a "hands off' policy at least on the surface and judging by the multitude of rumors abounding he waffled a lot on what he wanted to see, first dropping single payer completely then statements that a strong "public option" was not his top priority. In doing so he told the dems that he was not really behind them on that. The majority we voted in are pretty useless for a fact, they have been deterred at every turn only because they allowed it to happen they cave in before even trying... They have the power, they have the backing of the majority of the American people including a lot of republicans, they are able to ram anything they want through but apparently don't really want it very much. Most of the time they spend their time making sure they will be re-elected this session seems to be bent on self destruction....

For myself, I will vote dem almost every time, but I will contribute in primaries to unseat a lot of the incumbents this next go round!

Our majority in both houses seems to be a large circle jerk... or another saying that starts with "cluster".

[avaistheone1]

4. I agree with the Nation we need to continue to work, advocate,and protest

for the world we want to live in.