They Could Do The Whole Damn Thing Over Again

[20score]

Unless we as a country learn what went wrong in the last eight years. Unless we as a country can see the manipulation for what it was. Unless we as a country change our mindset and look for financial abuse as it happens. And unless we as a country punish the people who took the country down the path we have been walking – this will all happen again.

So far, it doesn’t look good.

Congress has learned nothing from the debacle in Iraq. Although most who were foolish or cowardly enough to vote for and support the war at the beginning have changed their minds, very few have shown signs that they won’t bend under pressure the next time. (Witness the bailout vote of October 2008.) The majority is willing to let the war be chalked up a poorly executed mistake. No reason to delve into the unpleasant past. But, without investigating and punishing the responsible parties, a future corporatist president, with the help of a complicit media and a complicit congress, will abuse power again. And what’s to stop him or her?

A precedent has been set.

Although congress has learned nothing as a whole, there are some who have obviously learned something and have changed their ways. The same cannot be said of the media. These ‘defenders of democracy’ who not only failed to do their jobs, but actively participated in getting us into Iraq, pushed the policies that caused the recession, and failed at every opportunity to give the public the information it needed to make an informed decision, have pointed fingers in every direction but their own.

How can a problem be solved when the people who caused it refuse to admit there is a problem?

This in no way diminishes the effort by people in congress like Kucinich and Feingold, or the people in the media who have been heroes for years. This is an indictment of the institutions, and the people pushing the institutions to work against the interests of the country.

Now, it may sound corny, but I believe it to be true – the people, if motivated, can push the media and the congress to do the right thing.

I hope we do.

[keep_it_real]

1. "Unless we as a country learn what went wrong in the last eight years."

You sure do ask a lot . . . Americans can't even . . . . you know the story . . .

[20score]

2. I know. It is a lot to ask.

I've to Bushies and they're unteachable.

[punkin87]

3. Makes you feel powerless.

[20score]

4. Like watching a train-wreck in slow motion.

Everything has not only been predictable, but obvious.

[babylonsister]

5. What a bullshit post. You didn't mention PE Obama once, and what

he did, and who the majority voted for? And what will be done? I have faith. So sad you don't. Why aren't you acknowledging PE Obama?

[20score]

6. That's the way you address a post that didn't encompass everything you wanted?

Then write your own damn post and address whatever the hell you want.

You're obviously brilliant, so you must be right. Just sit back and do nothing, and Obama will heal all wounds and everything will be alright. There is nothing to be learned from history.

By the way, I didn't even imply that everything is bad and nothing is good. I implied that people have to be active or nothing will change.

[tomp]

8. i think that was sarcasm, but i could be wrong.

in fact, i think you are issuing a challenge to the obama administration, which i support, and which i believe will fall on deaf ears.

in my opinion, the most important issue we face is CORRECTLY summing up and coming to terms with not only the last eight years,
but, at the very least, the last fifty, and more like the last hundred.

[20score]

9. Nope, she was serious.

And you're right about the time frame. But the challenge was to all of us, including the Obama administration, to do the right thing and hold the Bush administration, congress and the media to account.

[tomp]

23. really, serious? unbelievable! nt

[punkin87]

11. OMG! You're on to something! There are hundreds of posts that don't mention Obama!

I'm going to tell them they all suck!

[suede1]

22. Is this response a joke?

I hope so because you sound like a fanatic.

[Triana]

7. do away with corprat media ownership or limit it...

...that would go a LONG way towards helping to fix some of it.

[20score]

10. Hell yes it would!

[ihavenobias]

12. It's true

Think about the right wing media has been able to accomplish for all these decades!

Now we're *finally* getting some small degree of balance (with a long way to go) and that means it's even more critical to push for a progressive agenda.

I'm with you 20.

[20score]

13. Thanks! You're the man!

I'm glad you got. It seemed obvious to me.

[gravity]

14. They did learn what went wrong

which is why they voted for Obama to fix these problems.

[20score]

18. Some people learned. Not all. Or even a majority. Not every vote for Obama was from

someone who will now work to help this country. Or even understands all of the problems. That's why I think people who do know, like the ones on DU, still have work to do.

[AtomicKitten]

15. We elected the smart one this time & he hasn't been sworn in yet.

Stand back and behold his presidency unfold. Judge him on his policies, not what you think he might do or not do. I'm convinced he will surprise many here, in a good way.

[20score]

16. I have no doubt about that. My point is - so what! Should the people do nothing now?

[AtomicKitten]

17. speak up -----> change.gov

[20score]

19. Just a quick clarification. I thought this was obvious, but I guess not to all. This is about the

media and congress. Plus the citizens. It's not about Obama as President; if it's about him at all it's as a citizen.
(I'm looking at what will happen in twenty or so years if we don't do the right thing now. Sorry folks, electing Obama is great for the country, but it doesn't mean all problems are now solved.)

[bertman]

20. Agree 20score. What are the odds that the corporate media will change its stripes?

Zilch.

So, the brainwashed masses will continue to be fed the disinformation that has allowed this to go on. And on.

[CanSocDem]

21. sigh....

"What are the odds that the corporate media will change its stripes?"

They will change when it is no longer about making a profit. When it becomes more important to serve the public interest. I don't think they're there yet.

.