I was reading the comments to Cenk Uygur's DK article (here; http://www.dailykos.com/...), in which one commentor wrote:”I must say I remain puzzled and more than a little disappointed with the way he handles conflict.”
I too am puzzled and disappointed by our current president. Surely he knows the hard times the majority of Americans are facing. But how he handles conflict? Well, our president certainly made no bones about military action in Libya. So in that conflict he was pro-active, told everyone exactly what he wanted to do, and fought back against Americans who opposed his plan. About that conflict he took control and acted forcefully.
So that got me thinking: for what things does the president stand up and go to bat, and for what things does he lie down and play dead? Actions speak louder than words, right? So what finally does the president stand for? I decided to compile a little list.
Starting a war in Libya – Stand Up. As I have said previous, on military actions in Libya, the president made his thoughts and intentions known to all, took forceful action, and fought back against those who opposed his plan.
Afghanistan surge – Stand Up. Here again, the president made his thinking and intentions plainly known to all, took action to put that plan in play, and fought back against dissenters. Same with continuing the failed war in Iraq. He continues his stand-up actions on the two failed wars even as Bin Laden's disposal removed the last thread of sanity from the wars' rationales.
Not prosecuting Bush administration war crimes – Stand Up. Though the president has been coy in his public statements, saying only “We will go forward into the future, not dwell in the past” (or some such similar homilies), but he has been forceful in doing nothing, and forcefully chided those who dare criticize his actions, or lack thereof.
Not prosecuting Wall St. fraudsters and banksters – Stand Up. The president has said very little about the criminal enterprises of selling fraudulent securities or the attempts by banks to foreclose on home to which they do not hold the mortgage, publicly criticizing bank officers as a group only for accepting large bonuses while the tax-payers were shoring up the banks to the tune of trillions of dollars. But the administration's officials have been very pro-active in pressuring state Attorney Generals not to bring charges against banks and securities firms, and in seeking a quick settlement before investigations of the extent of the criminal behavior can be done. And the president has opposed those who say the administration should prosecute fraud at banks and securities firms.
Turning health care reform into a give-away to the insurance industry – Stand Up. The president was always shy about saying what kind of health care reform he thought was best for America. But one thing he never shied from was saying that all Americans should purchase private health insurance (and there are good public health reasons why all Americans should be covered by some sort of health plan, though no public health reasons why that coverage has to be through for-profit insurance companies). So he publicly advocated for all Americans to purchase health insurance, lobbied congress pass such a law, and fought those who opposed that aspect of health care reform.
Public Option/Expanding Medicare – Lie Down. The president never advocated for a single-payer health plan or increasing enrollment in Medicare. Indeed, many observers feel these ideas are too liberal for Pres. Obama's “centrist” ideology. So Pres. Obama never spoke up for public health care, never tried to make it happen, and ceded that ground to those who oppose public health care measures.
Curbing abuses by private health insurance companies – Stand Up. In his signature health care reform effort, the president was adamant that health insurance companies must be stopped from dropping enrollees who become sick, failing to pay allowed claims, and refusing to provide coverage to certain groups of Americans. The president put such a plan in play, and fought back against nay-sayers (even those in the insurance industry).
Global climate change/Environmental issues – Lie Down. The president has made no public statements about curbing abuses to our earthly habitat and strengthening the EPA or environmental law, and has made no legislative efforts towards protecting the environment. He has ceded the fight over the EPA and the environment to his political opponents.
Protecting workers' rights – Lie Down. The president has made no public statements in favor of workers collective bargaining rights, has done nothing to protect workers' rights through legislation, and has ceded that ground to those who oppose workers' rights.
Women's reproductive health – Lie Down. The president has made no public statements supporting women's access to abortion services, family planning services, or continued funding for Planned Parenthood. He has done nothing to protect women's reproductive health rights through legislation, and has ceded that ground to those who oppose women's reproductive health care.
ACORN – Lie Down. For a man who proudly claims he was a former community organizer, Pres. Obama's silence on the issue of ACORN and it's demise at the hands of fraudulent “news” reporting is curious indeed. The president has kept mum on his thoughts about the benefits or problems associated with the ACORN group, made no efforts to help out his fellow community organizers, and has ceded that group to his detractors.
Employment – Lie Down. Other than generic statements saying he would like to see more Americans back to work, Pres Obama has not advocated any programs to increase employment, has made no legislative effort to increase employment per se, and has so far ceded that ground to his opponents. However, the president is scheduled to give a major speech to congress to specifically address employment issues, so this position may change.
Rational Tax Policy – Lie Down. The president has advocated extending the regressive Bush tax cuts, signed a bill extending that tax policy, and has fought back against critics of this tax policy
Foreclosure crisis/Helping distressed homeowners – Lie Down. Though he signed into law a stimulus bill that cut taxes, extended unemployment benefits, and provided help to business, the president has offered up no public statements on assistance to distressed/underwater homeowners facing foreclosure. He has made no legislative efforts to help distressed home-owners, and has ceded that ground to his political opponents.
Ensuring voter rights and access – Lie Down. Despite efforts to his political opponents to restrict voting, Pres. Obama has made no public statements about protecting American voter rights, and ensuring access to the polls for all eligible voters. He has made no legislative effort to protect eligible voters, and has ceded that ground to his opponents.
WHA? WHA? WHA? WHA?
In sum, it appears the president, like most people has positions and issues for which he fights hard, and on other matters, offers up no efforts. Now that this lists makes clear and plain the president's thinking, it is now incumbent on you, the voter, to decide how closely the president's political agenda and positions match your own, and whether you want to support the man and his policies through the next four years.
For as wiser persons than me have said: If you don't stand for something, you are likely to fall for anything. And that holds true both for Pres. Obama and all voters. Who will you be voting for in 2012: BofA/Exxon or GE/NewsCorp?