I'm reluctantly coming to the conclusion that Obama is abandoning Democratic Party principles in a spineless effort to triangulate to the right. The primary evidence for this includes his unfathomable preference for former Bush appointees to control the policy-making apparatus for both the economy and defense, arguably the two most important policy arenas.
First the economy. Both Bernanke and Geithner (appointed President Federal Reserve of NY in 2003) are former Bush appointees, now elevated under Obama to positions of unprecedented power over Wall Street and the economy. Unfortunately, the so-called post-crash "reforms" are apparently designed to greatly enhance the fortunes of the Wall Street banksters via unlimited private access to money printing by the Fed (which they themselves own as the only legal stockholders of the Fed), without any transparency or oversight whether sought by Congress or FOI. If you're a saver or retiree the 0% interest you're now receiving is designed to help the big banks (sorry, but you're screwed!). In the meantime good people like Krugman, Stiglitz and Volker are ignored. Perhaps Obama is hoping for a seat on the board of Goldman Sachs after he leaves office. If not, I just don't get it. What's plain is he's no FDR.
Next defense. Gates, of course is a celebrated Bush cabinet holdover. What may be less appreciated is the fact that the military's senior officer corps was ruthlessly purged under Bush of anyone who wasn't a "true believer" in the "Forever War". Ask these guys for their recommendations and I don’t think it will be a big surprise. In the words of a hypothetical anti-John Lennon, "..give Peace NO chance".
Health care? Public Option? Don't count on it. After enriching the Wall Street banks and the need to perpetuate endless war, you just can't afford it... besides, anything that isn't heartily endorsed by moderate Republicans in the Senate it seems won't be supported by Obama. Feeling a little alone, and abandoned? Me too!
Mon Jul 11, 2011 at 9:44 AM PT: First, thanks for all your comments to my apparently incendiary diary of September 13, 2009, although I stand by everything I said. Regarding your previous comments, perhaps I do owe you some explanation. The name "Cato the Elder" derives from memories of Plutarch from college days, emphasizing "the Elder" since this was a long time ago. By way of personal background, I'm a Vietnam era veteran whose first vote for President was via absentee ballot for George McGovern mailed from a military base in 1972. I also count myself fortunate to have been part of the angry mob gathered outside the White House to witness the departure of Nixon in August 1974, participating in a mass "finger" salute as his helicopter departed from the South Lawn. In my opinion, Bush II was appallingly worse than Nixon, getting my vote as the worst U.S. President in history. After this, Obama has certainly seemed to be a breath of fresh air, and I had hoped for something like a new FDR. However, FDR did not "Hooverize" his administration, and I'm concerned that Obama is now overly eager to compromise with the Wingnuts, even before "first contact with the enemy". Here I use the term "enemy" deliberately, as I suspect these basturds would like nothing better than to see you and your descendents as serfs. Obama's now supports the "Patriot Act", an abomination that has essentially "legalized" the crimes of Richard Nixon, and with regard to the Republicans in the house Obama has revealed that he has all the negotiating skills of Neville Chamberlain. I sincerely dislike saying this, but prepare to be "stabbed in the back" on Medicare, Social Security, and making the fiscally irresponsible Bush tax cuts permanent.