Right, and I can give Obama more time but it has to start mattering on more and bigger issues.

Leaving 50,000 troops in Iraq and calling it a withdrawal isn't what I voted for. Ramping up operations in Afghanistan at great cost to the treasury and to our military isn't what I voted for. Continued domestic spying and a justice department that seems eager to protect the same government secrets the Bushie's did isn't what I voted for. They're still following Bush's economic crisis strategy as you point out.

This is not the time to give up hope or faith. But enough time has past that the left can start criticizing from the left.

Des, I know you were paying attention during the Campaign. That said, you can't be surprised by the escalation in Afghanistan.

Honestly, as much as I approve of and like the things mentioned here these items are mere window dressing.

I'd be much happier if we had a list that looked more like this:

Amdinistration announces sweeping investigation into illegal behavior during Bush years including war crimes abroad and corruption throughout the federal government at home.

Administration announces goal of reducing "defense" spending by 50% in 5 years in order to fund domestic programs and end the permanent war economy. Obama says coutnerproductive, wasteful and immoral policy of "endless war" is being shitcanned forever!

Administration announces program to put all insolvent banks and financial institutions into receivership and bring a halt to any further "bailouts" for Wall Street and the wealthy.

Administration announces formation of new unit in DOJ to investigate fraud, malfeasance, and other illegal activities in the financial services sector.

President changes course, abandons insurance subsidy program and endorses Rep. Conyers' bill for Medicare for All as the cheapest, most practical, and realistic course for covering every American and resolving the health care crisis.

Administration announces new review of illegal domestic spying programs: promises no further domestic spying from now on and proposes legislation with specific penalties for President's, Vice Presidents and cabinet members who knowingly violate the law or conspire the violate the law.

Administration announces it will not defend bogus claims of executive privelege from prior adminstrations. Support announced for the right of Congress to issue subpoenas and the duty of executive branch employees to respond to them: suggests toughter penalties for executive branch employees found to be in contempt of Congress.

Administration announces it will actually end the Iraq War as promised by the President when a candidate. No troops to be left in Iraq.

Administration announces reversal of escalation in Afghanistan and instead decides to emphasize nonmilitary approach that might have a chance of working.

These are just a few real consqeunces the election might have brought about that I'd like to see. Criticize it if you like, you may have your own preferences of what you'd like to see the administration doing, but this seems to me to be a list far more consequential than the baby steps listed above which amounts to little more than saying: pay no attention to the trillions being stolen from you right before your eyes by Wall Street and be happy with these crumbs.

Taplin has this right.

There's a lot of yelling and screaming about Obama and how he's not doing anything. But the truth is that the man has been on the job, and has already started to undo the Gordian mess left by the Crawford Clown.

I don't agree with everything he's done. But things are already much different than they were under Bush. And *that* was what *I* voted for. So, count me happy to this point.

I voted for Obama and supported him financially twice during the campaign. With that said:

A sneaking little suspicion is entering my mind, its got its nose under the tent flap;

Is Obama another Bill Clinton? A very likeable guy, quite articulate, highly intelligent, the ability to speak flowingly with no; ehs, ums, ehs,
a sympathetic figure due to the atttacks from the right, a guy you just have to like and defend, but who...........is Business friendly, Banker friendly, Corporate friendly?

My take today is what its been since he won the election; he has a choice, represent the public first or the business interests first.

If he chooses to represent the Corporate boys first he will become known as the biggest snake oil salesman to sit in the oval office, and he'll most problably serve one term only.

If he chooses to represent the public first he may well go up on Mt Rushmnore after his second term.

(I know, I know, its a false dichotomy.)

you either have integrity or you dont.
that means you speak up when you believe you should.
no free passes.

and if you really believe at this point that obama has not been a disapointment then you are indeed a kool-aid drinker.

an d time is running out.

the republicans have showed their strategy.

obama has only the people and this AIG is a major shift in public perception. losing the people and being ill served by staff and appointments is a disaster that escalates and gives cover to other dems in arguing against policy change.
thats the real danger and the reality that i see increasing , as i predicted last week that it would.

obama knows this.
thats why you see him on leno and now a press conference.
he must change perception.
i predict he wont be able to.

By clamoring for instant gratification, we are all perpetuating the problem; things do not change overnight. For those who want their way now on legal/police/military issues are severely confused. This country is much older and more complex than our day to day lives and desires.

Sure peace sounds great, but centuries of human behavior is working against this goal. It seems that the biggest weakness of the democrats is the expectation of idealism being translated into reality. This does not mean that idealism should be shunned, but a bit of reality should be considered when looking at the process time line.