Obama’s First Two Years

Barack Obama’s second year in office ended with the Tucson tragedy. Gunfire and death vividly show just how explosive the situation in the U.S. has become. The hot, parched state of Arizona has become the focal point for hatred toward immigrants, hatred of progress and hatred of Obama. It’s sadly ironic that Obama’s emotional eulogy for those killed and wounded increased his popularity while simultaneously driving newly elected congressional representatives seeking to exploit their recent electoral victories on to the defensive. Sarah Palin, who bears some measure of responsibility for the shootings, relinquished considerable political advantage, due to her shameful reaction to it. Millions were reminded once again of Obama’s speaking talents and that he has a heart — things that he neglected to show very often during his first two years in office.

His supporters think it was high time for him to do so. The euphoria of 2008 — exit Bush, enter someone intelligent and the beginning of the end of racism — quickly gave way to sobriety. His oratorical skill, his intelligence and his heart weren’t enough. That was apparent to the millions of unemployed or uninsured and those made homeless by unscrupulous mortgage bankers: Americans who had fallen through America’s puny social safety net. But to assuage the suffering, people had to be prepared to go up against the captains of industry, those more interested in profit and loss sheets than in their fellow human beings. Or against those industries selling weapons to everyone. Against big oil and the insurance industry giants controlling health care, the pharmaceutical industry with their astronomical prices and, above all, against the increasingly wealthy czars of finance in their penthouse offices. Obama did well around the edges, but he never went up against the giants.

And abroad? Although hardly the only player in the game, the U.S. brings far more death, destruction and sorrow to one country after another than the Tucson shooter ever did. They grieve in Honduras. In the Congo war over mineral rights, murder and rape continue. Afghanistan continues to be bombed. Despite all the rhetoric, the suffering in Ramallah and Gaza hasn’t been lessened one iota.

So what can we do? Progressives, as usual, are squabbling with one another. Some think Obama was so weak that the tea party fanatics and racists will soon attack in full force. We have to support Obama! On the other hand, some think the only answer is a movement independent of a Democratic Party already tainted by lobbyists and super-wealthy donors. They feel counter-initiatives for worker’s rights, immigrants, women, environmentalists, gays and peace activists have to put pressure on Obama. Difficult? Yes, very. But it has been done before in other struggles. Obama has to be coerced from below, not pressured from above.

And he has to hear clearly what the rest of the world is saying: Get out of Afghanistan! Close the military installations in Iraq as well as in Germany! Hands off Venezuela, Cuba, Iran and now Tunisia! That holds true regardless of whether the president is named Obama. If Obama starts listening to the people and not to the money, there’s a good chance his next two years in office won’t be his last.