Headlines on TPM as I write this indicate that Democratic leaders will recommend a slap on the wrist to the vile and reprehensible Joe Lieberman and that Obama will not pursue any sort of meaningful investigation or prosecution of the criminals responsible for violating our national and international laws against torture.  In recent days we see the Obama people going out of their way to indicate their desire to include Republicans throughout the government. 

Reading these sorts of headlines is particularly disturbing after the 8 years of lawlessness we have just endured.  Jefferson, Adams and Washington would certainly all agree that we have been living under a tyranny since the Presidency was stolen in 2000.  Countless laws have been broken, our sacred Constitution shredded time and again, and corruption has been rampant throughout the Bush regime's reign of error.  And still, none of these outrages and abuses can get a rise out of the DC Democrats so ably led by Obama, the alleged outsider, who, for an outsider, has acclimated himself pretty damn well and quickly to Washington insiderdom.

So, if waging illegal wars of aggression, reviving torture, trampling the Constitution and nearly bankrupting the nation's treasury isn't enough to make these DC Democrats do something to bring those responsible to justice and punish them, what the hell will it take for them to grow a pair?  What the hell is wrong with those people?  The whole "why can't we all just get along" crowd of DC Democrats seem to be acting out the old George Wallace line that "there's not a dime's worth of difference between the Democrats and Republicans."  It seems that my old Poli. Sci. Professor Murray Levin was right when he said that we do not have a two party system in America.  We have the slightly left of center and slightly right of center wings of one, unified national Party that represents the interests of the upper classes.  Given the headlines, it's getting more and more difficult to deny.  Next thing ya know we'll be hearing that the 16 month withdrawal plan is no longer feasible and that we'll be "forced" to stay in Iraq for the forseeable future.  If that happens, I'll never even consider voting for another "centrist" Democrat as long as I live.  May as well have a genuine imprerialist Republican screwing us instead of a pale imitation of the real thing.

I know it is unpopular to point out that the newly elected administration might be betraying millions of those who voted for change so soon after winning, but I can't help but notice the stench of deception not too far off in the distance despite the euphoria of beating the hated party of tyranny and endless war.  I've seen this Democratic bait and switch con numerous times in the past.  "Give them time" cry the apologists, but ya know what?  We just went through an election where the winning candidate said he was going to change the way Washington does business and that was his mantra for two years.  It's what got him nominated certainly and perhaps it was enough to get him elected though methinks the proper credit goes the economic catastrophe that broke out in September more than anything else.  Other than some window dressing in terms of lobbyists not being able to work in the adminstration directly, I have seen nothing since the election to indicate that the Obama administration is going pursue any significant changes in Washington anytime soon.  I pray that I'm wrong, but it's one corporate centrist after another being floated as potential advisers and staff, it's DLC rhetoric and it's the usual cocktail of lame Democratic excuses for not doing what was promised and sometimes not even doing a good job at seeming sorry that they are doublecrossing their core constituency.  Some of that should be expected of course, but I see nothing but that coming out of the Obama camp.  It sickens me to think we may have to endure 4 years of maintaining the status quo when we so desperately need to move away from that foolishness.  The status quo is illing our nation and destroying our common people's standard of living.

I am once again reminded of what the very wise, insightful and courageous Helen Keller (no centrist she) once said:

"We the people are not free.

Our democracy is but a name.  We vote?  What does that mean? 

It means that we choose between Tweedleduma nd Tweedledee.  We elect expensive masters to do our work for us, and then blame them because they work for themselves dn for their class."