Liberal/Progressive Weakness?

The Obama administration is, in terms of accomplishment, the most effective since that of FDR! This fact is not universally recognized by the public generally or by Democrats themselves. The fault lies with the Administration. (This essay is written before the midterm election in November but the assessment, explanation and program to demonstrate to the electorate will apply regardless of the election results.)

There is constant reference to an “enthusiasm gap” wherein Republicans are all fired up and energized to vote for their candidate, notwithstanding the takeover of many races by the frankly looniest members of the Tea Party. And make no mistake, many races which by many measures should be taken by the non-incumbent Republican will be lost by that candidate because of the Tea Party positions. In Delaware, Palin-endorsed Tea Party member Christine O’Donnell is called “delusional” by Delaware’s GOP leader. In Kentucky, Palin-favored Rand Paul says the Civil Rights Act of 1964 shouldn’t apply to businesses. In Colorado, Tea Party member and supporter Ken Buck talks of getting rid of the 17th Amendment, which provides for the direct election of senators. In Arizona, Palin-favored Sharon Angle has called for “2nd Amendment remedies” if Congress doesn’t change hands.

While all of this is going on, President Obama is beset with members of his own Democrat base who feel disappointed that he has not caused a reformation of the entire society in accordance with its views. Democrats have, for the most part, allowed the Rightist Wing of the GOP to frame the issues confronting the country.

Republicans, when asked to state the biggest problem in America is today, and the answer is likely to be taxation, a sexualized culture, lack of respect for authority, insufficient church-going or big government running amok.

Moreover, the same conservative would state the cause of all of these problems could be summed up in one word: Liberalism. Beginning in the early 1990s, Republicans attempted and, to a substantial degree have succeeded, to define “liberalism” in a distorted image. Instead of arguing against liberal beliefs, Republicans have adopted a policy of speaking only in clichés and slogans, bumper sticker stuff: belief in equal rights for all Americans is redefined as “special rights for homosexuals”, a belief in the rights of those accused of crimes is now “soft on crime”, a belief in freedom of religion is portrayed as “hatred of Christians”, and questioning the success or failure of our foreign policy in Iraq, Afghanistan or North Korea is simplified as “cut and run”. If one supports providing adequate public services, he or she is a “tax and spend liberal”. This has the dual effect of making an opponent a cartoon-like character and, at the same time, avoids addressing difficult issues. Up to now, these views have had an audience, and the Left has allowed it.

While the public may decry “liberalism” and “big Federal Government” are there many people who disagree with Social Security? Are there many seniors who would argue against Medicare? Recent polls conducted by the Kaiser Foundation, the AP and USA Today all show that growing numbers of Americans disagree with the GOP stated aim to repeal the health care reforms instituted by the Obama legislation, although a majority of people state that they are not totally familiar with the law. Those who profess to be familiar or somewhat familiar express the view that the reforms did not go far enough!”

While the Right is “energized” by the Tea Party folks and will vote, Democrats are failing to cater to their base and are failing to explain to America what a GOP-dominated Congress will mean. The Left is failing to support its president and its ideals, with which most Americans agree, and is failing to shout out the consequences of Republican victory.

As to the Democrats, I share in the disappointment of many liberal-progressives. I acknowledge that actions by the current administration — including passage of landmark health-care and financial-reform legislation and a stimulus bill that mitigated the impact of the recession — were too limited. In an effort to reach compromise with people will not, ever, compromise led to a failure to push for a public option and no consideration for single-payer health care. Moreover the president failed to take on Wall Street in a meaningful way.

But what are the alternatives facing us if liberals fail to vote and allow the cohesive Right to prevail? Progressive apathy will hand right-wingers a victory. Far-right conservatives are ready to roll back many of the civilizing advances of the 20th century, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Republicans are also gunning to repeal and replace President Obama’s health-care overhaul — and the 20 or so states already fighting to overturn health-care reform in the courts would be emboldened by a Republican victory. Meanwhile, according to the Bloomberg Report, “Wall Street is preparing for a Republican surge in Congress that could help it block proposed taxes on banks and investments, blunt new financial regulations and regain some of the lobbying firepower it lost.”

I hope that progressives appreciate the stakes and vote.

Tags: 2010 election, enthusiasm gap, far right, GOP policies, healthcare, healthcare industry, mid-term election, obama, tea parties. tax protests, “Healthcare Reform in the United States."