[To be published or published in Worldwide Libertarian]
There is a little over a year, January 20, 2009, Barack Obama took the oath and became the 44th president of the United States. The
Obamamanie was then at its height, and woe to those who do not share the general enthusiasm of the "progressive".
That month, I wrote that several of them at once sharply rebuked me: "To avoid too bitter disappointment, I recommend to dive head for a moment in the icy waters of a minimum clarity. Without denying the importance of the grassroots who worked very hard for him we must first remember that Obama holds positions that no one can take without having won this game of public relations largely coordinated and directed by the dominant institutions and agreement. Moreover, its gain, minimal (almost half of votards (46%) chose the McCain-Palin tandem), it is thanks in part to having been able to present himself as a sort of blank table on which everyone has was asked to write what he wanted. At these words can cover almost anything you like (for example, "hope" "change," we can "), everyone heard it wanted to hear. Many divergent interpretations have already been given of what these words mean in international relations, economics, social justice, human rights and environmental policies, which are among the most important projects facing Obama. The time has arrived gestures. This is one on which we judge a politician. "
A declining popularity
can know what the Americans have found the light of these polls that are made daily on Obama's popularity since January 2009. They show the dramatic drop and surprisingly Fast. 70% approved of his decision in February 2009 that number has now dropped to less than 50%. The number of dissatisfied with the Obama presidency has meanwhile also been a dramatic jump from 10 to nearly 50% of Americans.
The reasons for this dissatisfaction are due in part to what Obama has inherited, especially a major economic crisis and two wars imperialists - but we must remember that he himself had enthusiastically supported the one in Afghanistan.
But it is also due to decisions taken by Obama and his administration in these major issues where he had raised some hope.
Its failures here are those of an administration made if not always the same people, at least the same types of people than those who made the Bush administration: Friends of the dominant institutions of American society, particularly the world of finance and business. The thing was not difficult to predict and its effects too easily predictable, have indeed produced.
Foreign policy: more of the same or nearly so
In international politics, he has, as predicted by Condoleezza Rice, well placed to know, continued the policies continued under the Bush II administration.
Both wars continue. Guantanamo Bay is still closed. The Armenian genocide is still not recognized. Global warming could not be taken seriously as it should be. The policy against Israel remains the same - and how was buried at the United Nations Goldstone report on war crimes in Gaza in 2008 and 2009 reminds us eloquently.
The overriding principle that guides so many of these policies is still and always maintain control over oil, this "Stupendous source of strategic power" and "one of the immense material wealth in the history of mankind", as already said the planners of U.S. foreign policy at the end of the Second World War.
But you can not blame Obama not hold some promise: he had such a commitment to increase spending for high technology military aircraft, and he kept his word! In fact, spending already pharaonic military budget is increasing, while the unemployment rate, as the means to calculate, between 10 and possibly 20% and that countless people have lost and still losing their homes. This brings us to the second issue of the Bulletin of Obama.
Domestic policy: or very nearly the same thing
us exclude the health care reform that we will discuss two categories of promises made by Obama had attracted attention. The first ones to clean up a little delirious and fiscal policies and in particular to eliminate loopholes that benefit companies and employees high and create a watchdog of tax havens. The second was to exercise some control over lobbyists and former elected officials putting pressure on politicians: even though they were usually only cosmetic, the changes are still waiting. The major project
Obama's domestic policy was and remains that of health. The number of Americans without health insurance is almost $ 50 million, resulting in dizziness and health care cost a fortune. They are responsible for oceans of suffering which is hard to come fully into account when you live in countries where there is universal health care. It should also take note of the fact that the same interests that prevent these universal care exist in the United States are working hard to dismantle the existing ones in other countries. In Canada, the fact is obvious and the public system of health care is already seriously eroded.
yet very centrist
The Atlantic Monthly recently described what is happening in Washington as a "silent coup" by which the elite of business people [...] use all its influence to prevent that we make the reforms that are necessary. " The Empire is just about the same point, the savior announced stuck once again on the agenda of corporations and business circles and the military-industrial complex is stronger than ever. The elites have done everything for this, and they work remarkably well.
propagandists unbridled
They also get their way these mass media they own and control virtually all their rampage and a year ago, particularly against any attempt to modify, even modestly, the regime tax or the status quo in health. The famous Tea Party, demagogic, populist and anti-tax, are the most visible is where the poor argue fervently that they intend to continue to vote for the rich, the excluded are pleased with their exclusion and where all they say with enthusiasm will not stop anytime soon forge the chains in which he looks forward to be enchained.
I suggest we can have a real and proper perspective on all that rubbing a little to one of the most effective organs of propaganda: the information broadcast on the Fox television network. Go to YouTube and put in the engine research, for example, Terry O'Reilly or Glenn Beck. Change of scenery. Obama is commonly described as a socialist, and even likened to Hitler or Stalin. You can be sure of being on another planet. She called the United States and yet it is the same planet where the MIT or Princeton University and a thousand other places flourish among the most remarkable minds on Earth. It's also one on which this year was awarded this year's Nobel Peace Obama, the staining of blood once more.
A year ago, I thought that Obama could carry some of things awaited him the people who voted for him as if they and the groups they belong were able to exert pressure strong enough to challenge that of his entourage and corporate interests he represents. Must admit: it was not the case. I confess that I would have liked to have been wrong.
Normand Baillargeon
(Baillargeon.normand @ uqam.ca)
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