Link: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/04/13/obama/
Some of my worse fears are now realized. I just didn't think -- or maybe hoped against hope -- that it wouldn't be so blatant, so extensive, so flagrant, and so soon.
As this essay indicates, the Obama administration is guilty of supporting and even extending some of the worse abuses of the Bush administration with regard to secrecy, executive power, and human rights.
Now, we must acknowledge -- as does the essay -- that there have been some progressive successes and victories since the Obama administration came to power. However, they are minor and limited when considered in light of the disappointing record so far on much larger issues, i.e.:
- continued bailout and subsidy of corporations and the powerful and wealthy;
- continued rising military budgets;
- continued illegal, immoral, unwise, and unconstitutional wars;
- continued escalation of such wars (simply trading Afghanistan for Iraq), and;
- continued non-solutions to the health care crises.
Now, whereas the new attitude from the White House is refreshing, when it comes to the imperative issues of war and peace, human and constitutional rights, executive power and privilege, corporate power and abuse, and the health and well-being of the people: whether it comes with a smirk and stumbling Texas drawl, or delivered with a pleasant smile and pretty words....bad policy is still bad policy.
While I am proud I voted the way I did -- for Nader not Obama -- any sense of vindication is and will be overwhelmed by a sense of disappointment, and a concern for all those who did vote for Obama, their deep hopes entrusted to him, and how some of them now may well become cynical, disaffected, and withdraw from civic and political involvement.
