Intro: "From time to time, someone under 30 will ask me, 'When did this all begin, America's downward slide?' They say they've heard of a time when working people could raise a family and send the kids to college on just one parent's income (and that college in states like California and New York was almost free). That anyone who wanted a decent paying job could get one. That people only worked five days a week, eight hours a day, got the whole weekend off and had a paid vacation every summer. That many jobs were union jobs, from baggers at the grocery store to the guy painting your house, and this meant that no matter how 'lowly' your job was you had guarantees of a pension, occasional raises, health insurance and someone to stick up for you if you were unfairly treated."
Portrait, Michael Moore, 04/03/09. (photo: Ann-Christine Poujoulat/Getty)
The Day the Middle Class Died
06 August 11
rom time to time, someone under 30 will ask me, "When did this all begin, America's downward slide?" They say they've heard of a time when working people could raise a family and send the kids to college on just one parent's income (and that college in states like California and New York was almost free). That anyone who wanted a decent paying job could get one. That people only worked five days a week, eight hours a day, got the whole weekend off and had a paid vacation every summer. That many jobs were union jobs, from baggers at the grocery store to the guy painting your house, and this meant that no matter how "lowly" your job was you had guarantees of a pension, occasional raises, health insurance and someone to stick up for you if you were unfairly treated.
Young people have heard of this mythical time - but it was no myth, it was real. And when they ask, "When did this all end?", I say, "It ended on this day: August 5th, 1981."
Beginning on this date, 30 years ago, Big Business and the Right Wing decided to "go for it" - to see if they could actually destroy the middle class so that they could become richer themselves.
And they've succeeded.
On August 5, 1981, President Ronald Reagan fired every member of the air traffic controllers union (PATCO) who'd defied his order to return to work and declared their union illegal. They had been on strike for just two days.
It was a bold and brash move. No one had ever tried it. What made it even bolder was that PATCO was one of only three unions that had endorsed Reagan for president! It sent a shock wave through workers across the country. If he would do this to the people who were with him, what would he do to us?
Reagan had been backed by Wall Street in his run for the White House and they, along with right-wing Christians, wanted to restructure America and turn back the tide that President Franklin D. Roosevelt started - a tide that was intended to make life better for the average working person. The rich hated paying better wages and providing benefits. They hated paying taxes even more. And they despised unions. The right-wing Christians hated anything that sounded like socialism or holding out a helping hand to minorities or women.
Reagan promised to end all that. So when the air traffic controllers went on strike, he seized the moment. In getting rid of every single last one of them and outlawing their union, he sent a clear and strong message: The days of everyone having a comfortable middle class life were over. America, from now on, would be run this way:
- The super-rich will make more, much much more, and the rest of you will scramble for the crumbs that are left.
- Everyone must work! Mom, Dad, the teenagers in the house! Dad, you work a second job! Kids, here's your latch-key! Your parents might be home in time to put you to bed.
- 50 million of you must go without health insurance! And health insurance companies: you go ahead and decide who you want to help - or not.
- Unions are evil! You will not belong to a union! You do not need an advocate! Shut up and get back to work! No, you can't leave now, we're not done. Your kids can make their own dinner.
- You want to go to college? No problem - just sign here and be in hock to a bank for the next 20 years!
- What's "a raise"? Get back to work and shut up!
And so it went. But Reagan could not have pulled this off by himself in 1981. He had some big help:
The AFL-CIO.
The biggest organization of unions in America told its members to cross the picket lines of the air traffic controllers and go to work. And that's just what these union members did. Union pilots, flight attendants, delivery truck drivers, baggage handlers - they all crossed the line and helped to break the strike. And union members of all stripes crossed the picket lines and continued to fly.
Reagan and Wall Street could not believe their eyes! Hundreds of thousands of working people and union members endorsing the firing of fellow union members. It was Christmas in August for Corporate America.
And that was the beginning of the end. Reagan and the Republicans knew they could get away with anything - and they did. They slashed taxes on the rich. They made it harder for you to start a union at your workplace. They eliminated safety regulations on the job. They ignored the monopoly laws and allowed thousands of companies to merge or be bought out and closed down. Corporations froze wages and threatened to move overseas if the workers didn't accept lower pay and less benefits. And when the workers agreed to work for less, they moved the jobs overseas anyway.
And at every step along the way, the majority of Americans went along with this. There was little opposition or fight-back. The "masses" did not rise up and protect their jobs, their homes, their schools (which used to be the best in the world). They just accepted their fate and took the beating.
I have often wondered what would have happened had we all just stopped flying, period, back in 1981. What if all the unions had said to Reagan, "Give those controllers their jobs back or we're shutting the country down!"? You know what would have happened. The corporate elite and their boy Reagan would have buckled.
But we didn't do it. And so, bit by bit, piece by piece, in the ensuing 30 years, those in power have destroyed the middle class of our country and, in turn, have wrecked the future for our young people. Wages have remained stagnant for 30 years. Take a look at the statistics and you can see that every decline we're now suffering with had its beginning in 1981 (here's a little scene to illustrate that from my last movie).
It all began on this day, 30 years ago. One of the darkest days in American history. And we let it happen to us. Yes, they had the money, and the media and the cops. But we had 200 million of us. Ever wonder what it would look like if 200 million got truly upset and wanted their country, their life, their job, their weekend, their time with their kids back?
Have we all just given up? What are we waiting for? Forget about the 20% who support the Tea Party - we are the other 80%! This decline will only end when we demand it. And not through an online petition or a tweet. We are going to have to turn the TV and the computer and the video games off and get out in the streets (like they've done in Wisconsin). Some of you need to run for local office next year. We need to demand that the Democrats either get a spine and stop taking corporate money - or step aside.
When is enough, enough? The middle class dream will not just magically reappear. Wall Street's plan is clear: America is to be a nation of Haves and Have Nothings. Is that OK for you?
Why not use today to pause and think about the little steps you can take to turn this around in your neighborhood, at your workplace, in your school? Is there any better day to start than today?
P.S. Here are a few places you can connect with to get the ball rolling:
Main Street Contract for America
Showdown in America
Democracy Convention
Occupy Wall Street
October 2011
How to Join a Union by the AFL-CIO (they've learned their lesson and have a good president now), or
UE Change to Win
MoveOn
High School Newspaper (Just because you're under 18 doesn't mean you can't do anything!)
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Comments
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Yet none of us band together for real and storm "the Bastille" of our corrupt and greedy corporate government.
Why is that? Enough is enough? It seems not. We, the people, are gluttons for punishment the same as "they" are gluttons for riches and out demise.
N.
I agree that we just sit back and take it but we must stop doing that! We need to get organized and expose all these fascist corporate bullies. We need a strong leader to help us get our country back before it really is too late, Read up on ALEC and private prisons where prisoners are taking the jobs away from the unemployed. These corporate rapers and their bought and paid for politicians will do anything for more of the pie.
I hear ya. I've been there, too, but I'll be there again as long as this injustice continues.
We can choose to be a Gandhi or we can choose to let the Hitlerian-type government continue to run us over no matter what.
If not the streets, how? I'm thinking a Shadow Government that makes DEMANDS that if not followed to the letter, "they're" out!
But we have no guts...I remember Vietnam, free-speech movement, civil rights movement, and more. It's happening in Wisconsin USING the laws to recall people. This is what every state should do.
N.
These are five Republican presidents in a row who by their actions that were totally illegal should have been impeached.
IF we let any Republican ruled by the corporate power elite to take the White House or ANY other part of our federal government without a fight from us. WE will implode like a hot-air balloon sailing along oblivious to the power lines marking its path.
A Shadow Government, organized, and ready to move is in order.
N.
Journalists add the mediated discussion. The news has become the sensationalized drama of everyday events. Truth matters not at all: that would take investigative reporting, which costs money an risks exposing sponsors, or potential sponsors It started with "The Hostage Crisis", continued with "The Immigration Crisis" and has reached its absurd level with "The Debt Crisis" It's not about critically assessing the historical and fabricated un-truth of political sensationalism. It has become only how to sell products, how to keep them glued to the entertainment set.
Don't underestimate the power of media control. Whole movements have been created by it: the Nazis, the War on Terror, the Tea Party.
Together, they began to takeover everything - including politicians. Their money is "mob" or syndicate funded. They've become quite sophisticated, but their are a few that still Ponzi, get caught or sacrificed and end up in prison. No real Elliott Ness(s) lately and the government by design has focused on wars outside of the country to obtain more money for the syndicate. In return, politicians are re-elected. Politically divided is on purpose so they can better control us. It's a lot worse than just bad politics.
Don't you know? America IS the greatest Ponzi scheme ever.
N.
who will move this flaccid and clueless mountain?????
and with all we've got?
And they will create huge distractions.
Voting Democratic isn't much better these days. They have sold us out too. But I do agree with all the comments which say we have to DO SOMETHING. The links that Michael provided might be a first step.
Your comments are the best yet. I would like to repeat them but feel I must seek your permission. OK to attribute them to Sallyport? Larry Miller
By all means! Spread the word far & wide. A spark here & another there & we'll have some growing enlightenment.
We've given up the house to democracy thieves. And I am sick to death about it. I see few ways out, but I want to ask all of you to take seriously this idea of a Shadow Government. Look for more about it soon on RSN and elsewhere.
We are organizing, and we will tell you how to become involved if you want.
Meanwhile, take care of your families and friends, of all you love and hold dear to you. And be unafraid to say, "No more!" to anyone who treats you unjustly in any way whatsoever. You do not deserve that kind of treatment.
N.
A PROGRESSIVE YOU ARE NOT! Reagan obviouly was more interested in beng the "big bad boss," than public safety in ANY CAPCITY!! You can THANK HIM for stopping the workers from trying to make the airways safer. That was NOT a heroic move by Reagan! Would you want to be on a plane at Kennedy, DFW, or Chicago O'Hare where the controller is drowsy and incoherent because he has worked 14 consecutive hours? So, you think Reagan deserves a "medal of honor" for firing a group of good American workers who simply wanted their fellow Americans to travel safely? You're a PROGRESSIVE? NOT!!!!!
Sorry, a typo! "REGRESSIVE" I mean, "I AM A REGRESSIVE"
Moore, of course, has his finger on the reason Republicans have been able to continue their dismantling of the American dream and the middle class: a lack of involvement from the rest of us. What is happening in Wisconsin is what absolutely needs to be happening in every state in the union. People need to get involved. Otherwise, our present-day robber barons will finish the job.
In 1981, Reagan started the "full-court press" on the working families that Republicans and Tea-baggers dare to call their constituency. It was wrong and he got away with it.
In 2001, Bush 43 got his wish to show up Bush 41 by being "manly" and attacking Iraq. It was wrong and he got away with it.
In 2011, Obama repeated his performance on health care, the environment, the Bill of Rights and caved in to the rabid right wing. It was wrong ... but at least he isn't Sarah bin-Palin.
So, when (if ever) will the people of the United States of America stop enabling their oppressors, and being satisfied with ineffectual Democrats who lack insight and conviction wven (or especially) when they have the power to effect real change?
It's time to abandon slogans, images and the longing for heroes. It's time to take the Democratic Party back and return it to the people who make up its base ... not some right-wing ideological faction, xenophobes, homophobes, corporate media owners or Wall Street thieves, but the AMERICAN people.
I wonder how much hedge fund investing Scalia, Roberts, Alito and Thomas's wife Ginnie had riding on the negative outcome of that amazing leap of judicial invention ... and what S&P analyzed in terms of value-added nature and stability of our AAA world leadership by example.
And, of course, half the country stayed home on election day.
We need to constantly keep in mind that, after all, the number of millionaires, billionaires and their minions is miniscule compared to the rest of us.
Reforming the Democratic Party apparatus isn't going to happen. That's how we got "change we can believe in!" instead of Hillary. The alternative I propose would reform the entire system of governance and allow good liberals and conservatives to vote their conscience, which the majority wanted to do when they first entered politics.
Lengthen the terms of office, but allow only ONE term. Serve 8 years passionately, then step aside to mentor your successor from private life. Admittedly, a few good careers would be compressed, however with no need to raise campaign cash after winning office, think how much more effective each term could be. Election cycles would still be staggered - every two years.
And all the registered voters that didn't bother to vote abetted him every step of the way down to this week and the crash and the AA credit rating.
Hallaleuluh! The King is DEAD.
Long live the king.
you said it best. STOP BUYING ANYTHING! by all means, pay your rent, pay off your credit cards and don't put anything else on them. buy food, yes bit not from a chain grocery store- grow some in your yard or on your fire escape and find yourself a local farmer and join a CSA for the rest. you'll get healthier and be less enslaved by the medical pharmaceutical complex.
if you can walk to work, that's the best. if that's not possible, buy a used bike from a 2nd hand store.
anything that's for sale at wal-mart, target, duane reade, starbucks, macdonalds or any other large chain- you don't need it. you can still find a non-chain pharmacy and you can make your own coffee.
where will you find the time? get rid of your cable tv and you'll save not just $100 a month, but also countless hours that you can devote to sharpening your mind, being a parent to your children and a neighbor in your community. as an added bonus, you will thwart advertisers in their constant attempt to brainwash you and take $$ from their pockets.
move your bank accounts to small credit unions. you'll get better service and punish the big banks, since the gov won't.
you don't need that latest i-pad that was made in china by people paid so little they commit suicide.
this is war and the only way to win is to refuse to do the only thing they need us for- SHOP TILL WE DROP!
I think that those who care about and work for environmental, social and economic justice would do well to also work for honest verifiable elections where our votes are actually counted as cast. There is too much documentation of problems with electronic vote counting machines. We must stop allowing our votes to be counted in secret by electronic voting machines that are manufactured, programmed and serviced by hard-right republican supporting companies. For more information, please check out:
http://www.handcountedpaperballots.org/
http://bradblog.com/
http://electiondefensealliance.org/
http://electionintegrity.org/about/
http://richardcharnin.com/
http://markcrispinmiller.com/
http://www.countedascast.com/home.php
http://www.freepress.org/departments/display/19
http://votescam.org/Votescam/Front_Page.html
Peace
I smelled vote tampering in WI, since those election board officials were handling paper ballots and digital votes equally amateurishly. It's time to wake up, WI, and insist on monitoring ALL the votes; don't leave them alone any longer than you'd leave your luggage in the airport, and be present and able to count them yourselves.
He has a podium in America. Work with him and Al Gore and others who SEE the truth and have a voice that will get media attention.
N.
Take today. Michael Moore is reminding us of the events of 5 August, 1981 and I am reflecting on the events of 6 August, 1945. Air Traffice Controllers and the citizens of Hiroshima. Two bad days.
These events, as well as moments of significant achievement and occasions for joy, are really insignificant. They are like the beautiful white caps on the ocean or the thunderous waves that crash upon a shore in a hurricane. They get our attention and may stick in our memories, but they're not the real deal.
What's important aren't the bits of flotsam and jetsam on the surface, but the deep and powerful (if slower moving and invisible) currents beneath.
I'm thinking of phrases such as "the mode, means and relations of production and distribution," the imposition of "ideolgical hegemony," a culture built on "social amnesia."
Abstract and difficult? Yes! But determinative all the same. Mr. Obama was pretty flotsam for a short time. The Wall Street thieves are still ugly jetsam.
The solution to local, national, regional and global problems of the environment, the economy and what pass for ethics in our increasingly decadent society? Look deeper!
Let's stop being confused. We need people with conscience and that means change. Michael Moore, Bernie Sanders, Dennis Kucinich -- What is happening in Wisconsin is one puzzle piece of the whole.
For a long time I worried. Now I get it. We need for the middle class to totally destroy itself. That's the only wake-up call that will work. So let's quit fretting and let them parish.
It's like so many diminished organizations and even families--loser s can't win, and you can't win with losers.
So Michael, join me as I quit trying to help those who only seem intent on hurting themselves--and all of us. Instead, focus on the poor, the young, and the good at heart. People who really care, and care about others. There may not be many, but there are enough.
Now that institutions like Social Security are on the chopping block, I wonder if there even IS a bottom to hit. Corporations could make even more money if they re-instituted slavery. Maybe they'll give that a try. And the slaves would probably just do whatever their masters told them to do and say ain't it awful.
Run for President, Michael1 Not with the aim of winning an election, but with the goal of helping millions of us to join with our neighbors and work mates to organize into the local groups to both cooperatively survive the economic disaster and to plan and act together to create a new economic system which will serve the needs of the majority of the people, not merely the wealthiest one percent who now control us all.
Run, Michael, Run!
We need you to help us organize a new society which serves human beings, not corporate profits.
BERNIE??
I am the typical target they went after and they succeeded! We MUST FIGHT BACK! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
http://youtu.be/sMMSCCH7w_4
What is needed is a more realistic view of our resources and how people can use them equitably to promote the greatest happiness and security for all. Step one would be the cessation of military hostilities, which, by their nature, waste resources and alienate groups of people. The American war machine must be phased down, the result of which would be a reduction in government deficits and an increase in mutual confidence and trust between the United States and its antagonists.
"Have you not noticed that where unions once ruled that the unemployment is the highest?"
Why is that you think? The corporations have systematically crushed unions and taken those jobs overseas, or to towns desperate to beg at the table for corporate scraps.
In the words of Mr. O'Rourke: "WELCOME, TO FANTASY ISLAND!" That was YOUR AMERICA! Either that, or perhaps you were inspired by "Star Trek, TNG" and built your own holodeck.
As for the areas hardest hit by the recession - hmmm, I live in California. The areas hardest hit - uhmm - not agriculture but building. And unions have been extremely weak in the many of the building trades here for a long time.
knees
Outharp the Harpies!
There is no dearth of progressive analysis or formulas of what is to be done. What the Left lacks is capability to counter the monumental brainwashing that has become ingrained in the psyche and lifestyle aspirations of the masses -- who accordingly rush to "vote against their own interests," and willingly surrender personal freedoms to feel safe against "imposed" imaginings of attacks by unspecified enemies.
This endemic "fear of all things" is what differentiates the US, negates the likelihood of a domestic "Arab Spring," and forms a firewall of resistance to Left messages and analyses that the miniscule progressive movement has shown no ability to penetrate.
And do not forget that Reagan also deregulated and urged privatization of the utility companies. Once upon a time the utilities were publicly owned; they were built with tax money and well regulated as everyone NEEDED them to survive. By being publicly owned and monitored we could all have access to a reasonable rate. But Reagan said competition was good. In Michigan, the new "fees" on our electric bill are exactly double the consumption costs. There is no competition. And the sad part is that I knew it would happen when Reagan did it.
Do not forget he started us on the Health Care mess too. Competition..
I think God took His revenge early by giving him the Alzheimer's.
If it were not for right wing propaganda, and religion, Reagan and GWB would be known as the union buster and the Texas Air National Guard deserter, with credit cards; that’s what the public records show. A couple of real prizes to head up a political party; but of course the Democratic Party is about as corrupt, otherwise we would not be in the mess we’re in now.
Results of leaving um in office till death.
jane@confluenceproject.org
I think our culture helped, too. The Rugged Individualist ideal, I Can Stand Up to The Boss by Myself, Man to Man, has always made organizing more difficult here than in, say, European countries.
I still think what we have to do is get together, get organized, then get behind BHO and the other Dems and PUSH. We should primary (new verb - thanks, Tea Party) the Blue Dogs, too, and perhaps BHO himself.
I agree with you, the Dems and BHO both need the heat raised on them appreciably. And we should run a strong progressive candidate against Obama. Let him know, in no uncertain terms, that we expect A LOT more from him in his second term..... or else.
Strikes are the only thing we can do, and they must be selective, focused and preferably, EASY!
Here is the first, and certainly the easiest: move your banking from the Reagan de-regulated commercial banks to your LOCAL, never has been de-regulated, CREDIT UNION !!
It is a no brainer. After we pull that one off, hopefully on a massive scale - OH, how I would love to hear how the banksters quarreled amongst themselves and their Republican whores, trying to figure out what happened to their financial foundation - we must focus on the nest easiest target that yields the biggest oligarchy whimper.
No leadership or organization needed. Just do it. It is not difficult, and don't tell me how nice the girls at Farmers and Merchants talk to you. Take the hour to close your account, and drive the 3 or 4 blocks to a Credit Union, and open an account there. They are even nicer there - that has been my experience!
Today, the commercial banks, what would you propose to be the next easy target?
The Tea Party did not take over our government. We elected them.
Yes indeed and the same people who elected them will try again because #1 The magic "they" do not want to admit their mistake. #2 "they" still think they are special and going to profit over the less fortunate or non-white. These idiots are like the WWII Germans who did not realize they were Nazi too. This is the last gasp of the wannabe slave owner and they may succeed.
If you have a GOP gov - then REGISTER and get mail-in ballots NOW - and help all Dems get these now too -- bc you've been warned that the GOP will make it impossible or near impossible to vote in 2010.
All of the ideas tossed out are wonderful. How practical are they? We don't even know if it is a death sentence for someone to stand up to corporations and the Republicons. We simply don't know how far out of control this country has become. There are too many unanswered questions. Nothing is on the level anymore. How does one who would be willing to throw their hat into the ring, actually know what they might be bargaining for?
If I read correctly, the SEAL team that killed bin Laden are now themselves, dead. I don't like coincidences. Too many people who have answers to uncomfortable questions end up dead. Obama already spoke of the guilt of Assange and Manning ... yet, neither has yet been found guilty. Obama knows that such statements in advance of a trial are anti-American.
The majority of American people did allow themselves into this mess we are living in today! We ignored the red flags that were imposed upon a specific group of people. After all, we thought it did not affect me. We were silent and allowed this trickle of water to become our flood of despair.
We allowed yesterday legislative dictators strip away every vision and dream we had embraced as American people. Since that time the NEW legislative dictators have picked up on our silence and they continue to dismantle every citizen in the working class, senior citizens and the vulnerable econmic disavantage families with their lies and deceit.
They have deceived us to point blame at everybody but ourselves to cover our own shame and guilt.
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a communist, They came for the trade unionist and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. They came for the Jews, I did not speak out because I was not a Jew, Then they came for Me, and there was NO ONE LEFT to speak out for me!
We have became so silent we have become the invisible people of our nation.
Move your bank accounts to small credit unions. you'll get better service and punish the big banks, since the gov won't."
I did cut off TV last Summer. Am more rested, peaceful and my own brain thinking better. Not right we look at so much distortion, violence, vulgarity daily. Read labels. Stop buying food with chemicals you can't pronounce. We're getting sicker because of it.
Get outdoors more, watch clouds, dangle feet in ponds, rest against a tree, in time it will 'speak' to you.
"Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be pure." so said the Quakers.
Give praise, smile at a child an old woman/man, practice humanity.
Walk more! Stop seeing movies that have nothing to do with enriching your mind. Read the classics.
Start your own creative pursuit. Find out who YOU are!
Why I stopped TV. What can I give to the world to inspire or help others? (I speak to kids in school (volunteer) on the environment."
Humongous changes ahead. We must come together and support one another.
I know you are a tired & true Democrat but when are you going to realize they are not going to give up the cash cow of campaign finance & political patronage.
The 60% of the nation who are independents & democrats need to unite under a union of Progressive independent parties to take control of our nation from the privileged by first taking control of Congress but supporting Obama and any other democrat who signs (actually puts pen to paper) the independent platform with its first goal the enactment of legislation that publically funds political campaigns with absolutely no private money allowed. The press needs to be freed of corporate, foreign & government influence by mandating news & current events be broadcast as a public service for use of the peoples airwaves. The Fairness Doctrine needs to be reinstated to ensure all sides are heard at no cost.To help people identify the truth all discussion programs must be labelled throughout "commentary, opinion, not based on fact" and announced at the beginning & end of every commercial break. Any candidate the agrees in writing to enactment of these issue or face recall should be supported by independents
Two of my friends have been jobless for months and are running out of pennies to bundle. My cousin, who went to school to become an educator and who dreams of being a sports announcer, is going to end up running a frozen yogurt shop. A sister-in-law, also trying to be a teacher, works as a bank teller. A brother-in-law is going to school for nursing, but even if he could find employment, I worry about him working in a field where he might get punched or stabbed or shot and then would be fined by JCAHO for possibly injuring the patient if he was only trying to defend himself. I wish I could afford to see a doctor about a whole bunch of things, and I worry about all the defensive medicine the overworked doctors are forced to practice because they're being bled dry by frivolous lawsuits while the rest of us are reduced to a food budget of about $100 a month (if it's been a good month).
I used to think America was the country that all other countries wanted to be when they grew up. Now I see America as an embarrassing relative, one I'm considering cutting ties with if it doesn't get its act together.
Bear with me: the way he always puts up with evil and caves to it, how he gives brilliant speeches but doesn't get a whole lot accomplished... sounds a lot like Democrats in general to me. Sad, he could've done so much, but idealists without lots and lots of loyal, vocal direction from other idealists are little more than chum for the government sharks.
Think of what we did: we elected him, and then we stood back and wondered what he was going to do, when we should've been bombarding him with the orders to fulfill the promises he made to the people he serves. We should've had 'enforcers' on call just like the Republicans no doubt do. His ears were filled with the insidious whispers of Those On High and they don't like leaving enough room for the little people to get a word in edgewise. Except for the talkative liberals, we pretty much stood back and let them have their way with him. So why is anyone surprised what's happened to him and why we can't win?
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