Today in Huffington post I read something that was the last straw for me...
In Obama's signing statement the Huff Post article noted in part..
"The Obama administration announced in the statement it would disregard provisions of the legislation that, among other things, would compel the Obama administration to pressure the World Bank to strengthen labor and environmental standards and require the Treasury department to report to Congress on the activities of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).....
As Keith Olbermann would say, WTF?
This for me is definitely the last straw. If a so-called champion of the people won't stand-up for labour and then the environment,then who will?
The signs are everywhere. What have we seen lately, well how about Gore (SHAME ON HIM!), and the White House pressuing progressives to back down on key provisions of an environmental bill for the sake of the farm and coal lobbies. WTF. Now, a possible signing statement denying Habeous Corpus. WTF. Time Gietner et al and protection and extortion on the behalf of the Big Banks. WTF. Pressure on the workers of GM, Ford and Chrysler to make the sole sacrifice in hard-earned pensions and other benefits to bail-out the bad decisions made by incompetent mangagement. WTF. Nomination of a Supreme Court nominee with a questionable progessive record when he had the chance to nominate a real Liberal to promote and protect the progressive cause. WTF. Support for Charter schools and faith based institutions. WTF. And. lasty but certainly not the least, cowardice in dealing with DOMA and DADT. WTF??????????????
Sorry folks, the horse is out of the barn, and we've been had. You know during the campaign, Mike Malloy was one of the few progressive media voices who told us that Obama was a conservative. As much as I like Mike, I chose to ignore him. I am 51 and let myself believe that "real change" was possible. I thought Malloy was crazy; I truly regret it now. I am wondering if Hillary would have been a better choice? It is hard to know now. And Health Care with a public option, don't hold your breath.
Lets face it, we were duped by this guy and by that weak-kneed and cowardly Senate and Congressional leadership. I have never seen such cowrdice and fear as I have recently. I spent 25 years in the Navy, and though I was in a few tight situations, I never let fear or opportunity make the decision for me. All I can say is WTF????
There is real irony in the realization I have come to that McCain was right in one thing, Obama didn't have enough experience. I think there is real truth that this partially explains why he has taken some of the stances he has, and the decisions he has made. It also partially explains why he has chosen to surround himself with so many top advisors and appointees whose motivation I am only able to rationalize by saying they are just evil. Yes, I mean what I say, he is surrounded by some really evil people who are guiding him in making some of the most terrible and tragic decions regarding domestic and foreign policy at every level....
So where do we go from here? Well, for one thing, support Howard Dean. And in addition, its time to "raise the heat now" through united voice and lobby. The bloom has come of the rose and it is time to unite and lobby our leaders to do what is right, just, and true. There was a vote for change. It is right to expect it. We need to raise our voices so loudly that they won't hear us. And if that doesn't work, well then lets vote with our pocket books.
Shame on you Barack Obama. You are a fraud.