Home run, Dr. Reich. Home run.

And not change his tone one bit during the campaign.

I might quibble with a couple of his points to a minor degree, but the thrust of his arguement is dead on.

That's why we must not fall into the trap of becoming overly ecstatic over Obama's decision of personal support for gay marriage.

What has he done to actively and structurally support income equality?
What has he done to actively and structurally disrupt "too big to fail" institutions?
What has he done to actively and structurally support increase in real jobs?
What has he done to actively and structurally disrupt the hold on health care by the drug industry?

Gay marriage is not really an important issue in terms of whether ofr not this nation is going to be able to serve the needs of its people in terms of survival. While we are still a long way from that destination, we are heading toward a third world status, and changing our marriage laws is not going to divert us from that course.

I know Obama has done some executive tweakings that don't amount to much in the big picture. But what could he realistically do that would have a large impact?

Pushing the stimulus at the beginning of his administration was one big thing. I think there was an honest miscalculation (possibly from listening to the wrong people) that resulted in far too small of a stimulus program.

But, get these bills to his desk and he will sign them. (What will Romney do?):

* rescinding the Bush tax cut for the wealthy
* funding massive infrastructure repairs that are desperately needed
* giving DOJ more antitrust power


... for just a few.

We need a Congress that will deliver those bills to his desk.

Obama is (finally) doing the right thing on the "bedroom" issues but he has done next to nothing on the "boardroom" issues and there is no reason to think that is going to change.

His defenders will point to the obstructionist Republicans and his support for the "Buffett rule." It's true that the Republicans will not allow meaningful budget and tax reform, but they do not control the bully pulpit. In discussing the economy, Obama can set the context. He can talk about 91% top marginal tax rates during the high growth rate 50s and 60s. He does not. He can talk about rising income shares for the 1% (rising from 8.3% in 1981 to 22.8% by 2007). He does not. He could have offered some support or at least waved hello in Madison, Wisconsin and Zuccotti Park. He did not. He appointed members of the catfood commission, not the Republicans.

I give the President credit for doing the right thing in coming out in support of same-sex marriage. I will give him credit for courage when he sticks his neck out for working people.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.

:kick:

hey righty... why can you not open your eyes and mind? Let go of the hatred.... you'll live longer.

I'll settle for one

...to divert attention from the real problems.

This is again a wedge issue, but it's on our side now. No need to go into It's The Economy Stupid mode.

very well said