If you want change, you have to change Congress

Submitted by KatyMunger on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 3:35pm

Apologies if this has been posted; did a search and did not find it. From the Feb 22, 2010 edition of The Nation -- I believe it sums up the feelings of many progressive voters very well:

How to Get Our Democracy Back

If You Want Change, You Have to Change Congress
By Lawrence Lessig

We should remember what it felt like one year ago, as the ability to recall it emotionally will pass and it is an emotional memory as much as anything else. It was a moment rare in a democracy's history. The feeling was palpable--to supporters and opponents alike--that something important had happened. America had elected, the young candidate promised, a transformational president. And wrapped in a campaign that had produced the biggest influx of new voters and small-dollar contributions in a generation, the claim seemed credible, almost intoxicating, and just in time.

Yet a year into the presidency of Barack Obama, it is already clear that this administration is an opportunity missed. Not because it is too conservative. Not because it is too liberal. But because it is too conventional.

Entire article can be found on-line here.

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Great article

Submitted by James on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 4:52pm.

Not because it is too conservative. Not because it is too liberal. But because it is too conventional.

I increasingly see "conservative," "liberal," and even "progressive" as irrelevant. For me the name of the game is "independent-minded" ... which implies fresh thinking, unconstrained by inertia, free of corporate influence and cronyism.

Thanks for the post.

I am re-energized

Submitted by Foxtrot on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 5:02pm.

To see this from you, James, is SO inspiring.

For me the name of the game is "independent-minded" ... which implies fresh thinking, unconstrained by inertia, free of corporate influence and cronyism.

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“Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument is an exchange of ignorance" __ Robert Quillen

Thanks, Mr. Fox

Submitted by James on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 5:06pm.

Did you try the thought experiment?

No, but hit me square in my psyche

Submitted by Foxtrot on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 5:33pm.

Looking forward to listening to your radio program tonight.

James, I wouldn't do well on the radio, but would you ask whether or not there is a class or course in high schools today that teach "environmental citizenship"? Maybe even named that as a class?

I don't mean teaching about "climate change" or "global warming"....I am talking about what my wife and I do with recycling and other things that we can do to protect "mother earth" that does not go to co2 emissions and such.

We have to start our kids out at a young age (in my opinion) learning to do anything and everything we can to keep our enviornment pure and consistent.

Just a question for your guest, if that comes up.

Been out of power for 3 days...sorry, James, for not being involved here. And, sorry if I have cause too much dissention along the way lately.\\

P.S. I cannot say I am all that "independant", but I am someone that has never had a ring in my nose so as to have to follow along one particular line of thought.

Foxtrot/Dale

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“Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument is an exchange of ignorance" __ Robert Quillen

Obama can't transition to governing

Submitted by teepack on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 9:20pm.

I think Obama may be one of the greatest campaigners of all time, but he is struggling to make the transition to governing. Almost every one of his speeches is filled with promises and ideals and short on substance. His State of the Union address was a prime example of that. He blamed all his problems on everybody but himself and continued to cast himself as the crusader who can save us all.

Reality check

Submitted by usna77 on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 10:42pm.

The President is eager to govern. Yet the opposition party is intent on obstruction at every turn. See, for example, this story this week from Politico:

Alabama Republican Sen. Richard Shelby has placed a unilateral hold on all of President Barack Obama’s executive branch nominees in an apparent protest over home state concerns.

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Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. -- sign on Einstein's office wall.