[This is not about censorship. This is about getting our priorities straight as progressives.]
Like so many here, I think President Obama is a great guy. He may even be an "incredible human being" whom some can't help but love.
We know this. And it's also time to get past this. Our president's unique heritage, good looks, basketball skills, and overall "coolness" are well documented. But each of these is completely tangential to his job as President.
Let's not get distracted. We did not elect Barack Obama to be just an "incredible human being." We elected Barack Obama to do a job. The campaign being long over, we now owe it to ourselves and to our President to no longer marvel at him for who he is, but to hold him to his promises, while not neglecting to give credit where credit is due.
Like most modern presidencies (with the exception of the previous White House occupant), Obama's so far is a mixed bag.
I don't deny that symbolism itself means something. But the difficult truth is this: the first African American president, though inspiring millions of African Americans into believing they can do anything, has failed to address the deep systemic problems that continue to plague African American communities, and are more glaring than ever amidst the recession. The "race speech" in Philadelphia recedes into our collective memories now that the President barely, if ever, even mentions the word "black".
Though conventional wisdom gives the Obama Administration credit for saving our economy from utter collapse--and some credit is certainly due--I fear that, in many ways, the same structural problems in our economy that propelled us into this mess remain. "Systemic risk" isn't going anywhere; in fact, the moral hazard is now amplified. What is there to stop the major investment banks from taking even bigger risks now that they can rely on Uncle Sam as a guaranteed insurer if (rather, when) things go wrong again?
Obama has far from "failed us". Most notably, he and the Democrats just passed a health care bill whose imperfections are glaring, but which takes the fundamental first step in recognizing health care as a right for all Americans. As a result of this legislation, I--as a sufferer of Crohn's disease--will never have to worry about being denied coverage due to my pre-existing condition. Better than nothing? You better believe it. But the bill, riddled with loopholes, will also reveal itself as a boon to the insurance companies and other special interests whom we thought Obama had pledged to fight.
A mixed bag indeed, as you can see.
But a kind request: Can we not turn this site into TMZ?