Is Who Becomes the Next President All That Matters?

[Better Believe It]

Published on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 by CommonDreams.org
Is Who Becomes the Next President All That Matters?
by Danny Schechter
News Dissector Danny Schechter blogs for Mediachannel.org. He directed In Debt We Trust (indebtwetrust.org) and has finished a book on the financial crisis called PLUNDER.


Sure, we are militarily powerful but apparently not powerful or smart enough to subdue Iraq or Afghanistan after five years. Our warriors on terror have yet to capture Bin Laden or even neutralize the Taliban. The truth is the Democratic candidates don’t think they can tell the military what to do and so have withdrawal plans that will take years. That’s the reality.

The military industrial complex often has a mind of its own.

And so does Wall Street, which won’t take marching orders from any president. Both Clinton and Bush turned to Goldman Sachs to run the Treasury, and it’s not clear if their former execs were ambassadors to The Street or from The Street. Financial power trumps political power in a country dominated by a corporate system.


.... they don’t know what to do; they have no “fix.” There may not be one. We are dealing not with a political debate but a structural crisis of American capitalism in an era of waning Empire. We can throw money at these problems as we probably should, but they are all intricate and subject to pressure politics. When the Senate run by Democrats tried to bring relief to distressed homeowners, their final bill was shameful with more giveaways to home builders and lenders than mortgagees.

Who is the next President matters, matters deeply, but is that all that matters?

Please read the entire article at:
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/05/13/8927/

[Andy823]

1. Yes it does matter.

Without a leader that is willing to make changes, things will go on the same as before. It also matters who we put in congress. If we don't make some needed changes, on both sides of the isle, nothing will change either. This country is in deep trouble right now, and it is going to take a lot to get us out of the mess Bush has gotten us into. Obama has good ideas, but will need help in congress to get things going. We need to take a strong look at the leadership in congress and start making changes that will put people in office that are willing to work "for the people" not the corporations. We can do it, we just need to start kicking out those who only want to take money from special interest groups, and lobbyists!

[Better Believe It]

3. But Is That ALL That Matters?

"we just need to start kicking out those who only want to take money from special interest groups, and lobbyists!"

Not a bad idea, but, if we did that, how many would have to be kicked out of Congress .... 200? 300? 400? I don't know how many members of Congress receive corporate funding but perhaps someone has that information and could provide it in this string. My guess is at least a few hundred. What's your estimate?

I think we have to be realistic and not engage in fantasy. I don't think a several hundred members of Congress will be replaced this year with people not bought and paid for by the corporations. We need to do much more .... as the author wrote: "Who is the next President matters, matters deeply, but is that all that matters?"

Please read the entire article.

[texastoast]

2. No, it is not the only thing that matters by a long shot

A new president without a cooperating congress is quite impotent.

Now as far as the MIC, there is no depth to which it will not sink for an extra dollar.

[adigal]

4. I think a filibuster proof Senate is VERY important

and I am hoping we get one this cycle, especially if the Dems keep eating their own, and we end up with a PResident McCain. God help us.