General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The War Machine [View all]I like to use the model of a mobile, hanging over a baby's crib, to illustrate systems. In order for one piece to move, all of the others must shift their positions. And in any system as large as the federal government, people become deeply entrenched. Non-elected officials, for example, hold significant power. The example that comes to mind is J. Edgar Hoover: he knew that presidents came and went, while he was firmly entrenched in his position. So when RFK became Attorney General, and attempted to get Hoover to change, he met with great resistance.
Carter believed he could effect change by bringing in his own people. But almost all of his plans were stunted, by the other, entrenched sources of power in the system. I believe that this is why Obama made so many ex-Clinton folks into his administration. He thought that they had the know-how and experience to get things accomplished. However, most of them were systems people, and not inclined to making significant changes.
The result of all of this, in my opinion, is that President Obama has changed. He has become another part of the very system that needs to change, if we are to avoid the never-ending violence in the Middle East and Africa.