Question...

[WCGreen]

Does president Obama see himself as a liberal simply for his refusal to seek retribution from those who commit crimes against the country in the past administration?

Does this idea of looking forward, always forward is a liberal, or perhaps more realistically, a progressive trait, that proves to undermine the exercise of power?

Perhaps it is more due to the seemingly insurmountable civic destruction caused by the last three conservative administrations.

I firmly believe that the new conservatives, the ones who have embraced the agenda of a conservative Christian mind set in deed but not in belief, feel that they must defend the virtue as described in the more livid sections of the Old Testament and that doing so makes them immune from the wrath of mortals and god.

While on the other side of the aisle, we look toward secular results, secular motivation, secular agendas.

Compared to the religious fervor and the certainty that entails, many people will gravitate toward that masculine, if you will, kind of power.

It also allows the conservative political figures to take the long view which of course, minimizes their transgressions while seeking that Shining City on the Hill.

I believe that what is happening in Madison sets the sides, for better or worse, and forces our political figures to take a stand, a stand that is based on conviction or pragmatic motivation is not the problem, like I believe so many might surmise.

The problem for those on the left is that the fervor that religion brings to the political forum is not to be reasoned with. It must be taken for what it is. Until we devise a method or agenda that counteracts that sanctimonious trait so ingrained in the new religious right, we will always be on the defensive.

But the good news, as I mentioned above, is that if the cause of social justice can be intertwined with faith then we can overcome the dark side of faith that has become the main public thrust of religion in the public eye.

I am not a believer, I do not need a threat of divine retribution to make me believe that our side is on the right side.

But I think that more of our leaders who profess belief in the divinity of Jesus, should come out and use the true ideals of Jesus to combat those who use his name as a way to attain and maintain power.

They could say that the god is on the side of the workers, that Jesus would be with those who are protesting in Madison.

There are plenty of quotes to support this.

It would not bother me in anyway nor would I, as a non-believer, take offense that many fighting the good fight believe in the divinity of Jesus. That is not for me to say. I do remember, from my catholic upbringing, that Jesus was, according to the scriptures, on the side of justice. The story that is told proclaims that Jesus knew of his fate and yet still went through his personal hell to open up the kingdom of heaven for all who follow his path.

Back to my first point. I think the president made a huge mistake by not bringing to justice at least the bankers and high finance guys who took this country down the drain.

That was his biggest mistake.

Closing question? What is the first thing republicans do when they grab hold of power?

The answer is simple; they always use it to gain their personal agendas no matter what the cost to our country.

In my life time, on our side, only LBJ used his power, wasn't afraid of his power, was comfortable with making hard, right or wrong, decision.

And it cost him his job.

[Sherman A1]

1. I don't think he sees himself as a liberal

I certainly don't.

[WCGreen]

2. I think he might in the matter of always looking forward...

That seems to me to be a trait most liberals and progressives stand by.

Isn't progress the root of progressive?

A community activist is all about sharing the wealth, getting heard, getting a place at the table.

[WCGreen]

3. kick

[HereSince1628]

4. I believe he sees himself as a rational moderate

The rational side of that is that he believes he can use the I-R-A-C method of problem solving for everything. The moderate part of that is that he thinks mediation (compromise) is the solution for everything. This later part of his approach often puts him out in front with compromises, even when from an experienced negotiator's point of view the compromises he makes are untimely, unwarranted, and give away more than is necessary.

[global1]

5. The President Should Take His Lead From The Repugs.......

As long as the Repugs want to take our country back to the dark ages - then the President should also look back and bring to justice all of BushCo for lying us into war and countless acts of treason as well as the Banksters and Wall St for bringing us within and millimeter of financial doom.

It's only fair.

Maybe if he started to do that - the Repugs might be more willing to compromise just to get him off their back.

[WCGreen]

6. Absolutely