Today I realized just how disenfranchised with politics I am. I have never been as excited about our political process as I was in 2007 and 2008. The promise of hope and change was too much for me to dismiss. I felt as if I was living through a turning point in American politics. A modern day JFK or perhaps even greater. A young, intelligent, progressive, black man who truly seemed to share my generation's values. I thought my dream of a president who loved peace, not war, sought rational compromise (but only where compromise was appropriate) and who understood that the values and ideas of our grandfathers, while important, are not the same as ours.
I must admit, during his first term President Obama has actually accomplished a great deal, especially considering such sharp criticism and opposition from the right. Yet even what he has accomplished he has not done in the way he said he would. And for some of us, it's the WAY you do it that matters. Many on the right complain of "Obamacare." But the people who elected him, wanted much more than just a government mandate to purchase insurance. We wanted real, genuine universal healthcare. Instead he caved, giving in to the interests instead.
He ran on the idea that he would close Guantanamo Bay. Those who elected him, the progressives, liberals, etc., (call them what you will) believed this to be a fundamental point of contention. It was after all, one of the (many) reasons we hated W so much. Speaking of reasons we hated W....the wars. Not just that we entered into war, as this is sometimes necessary. But it was his swift, decisive, almost unreflective way of starting them. Obama has done much of the same in Libya, although admittedly the situations are quite different. Well, somewhat. This administration is simply not being upfront with the American people about the real reasons, that viscous, black liquid that we crave so much. He loves to speak of how his swift decisive action stopped the massacre of innocent civilians, and no doubt it did. But why not this same course of action in Rwanda? The Congo? or any of the myriad other examples of the denial of human rights? One word. Interests.
It's not that I don't understand that we (as a country) have needs. I do. I know that these needs must be met. However, there is no need to treat those of us who elected you, or even those who voted against you, like we are all as ignorant as some may be. There is an old saying that still rings true. Honesty is the best policy. You might want to Google it.
Below is one of the article's I read that inspired this post. I suggest everyone give it a read. Its short and very well -written.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristen-breitweiser/military-commission-9-11-_b_844661.html
