[Pen-l] Notes on an Orientation to the Obama Presidency

[Charles Brown <cdb1003@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Notes on an Orientation to the Obama Presidency

By Linda Burnham 


The election of Obama, while enthusiastically embraced by 
most of the left, has also occasioned some disorientation and confusion.
Â
Some have become so used to confronting the dismal 
electoral choice between the lesser of two evils that they 
couldnât figure out how to relate to a political figure who
Âheld out the possibility of substantive change in a positive direction.
Â
Others are so used to all-out, full-throated opposition to 
every administration that they wonder whether and 
how to alter their stance.
Â
Still others sat out the election, for a variety of political 
and organizational reasons, and were taken by surprise at 
how wide and deep ran the current for change.
Â
Now thereâs an active conversation on the left about
Âwhat can be expected of an Obama administration 
and what the orientation of the left should b e towards it. 
There are two conflicting views on this:
Â
First, that Obama represents a substantial, principally
Âpositive political shift and that, while the left should 
criticize and resist policies that pull away from the
Âinterests of working people, its main orientation 
should be to actively engage with the political motion thatâs underway.
Â
Second, that Obama is, in essence, just another steward 
of capitalism, more attractive than most, but not an agent
Âof fundamental change. He should be regarded with 
caution and is bound to disappoint. The basic orientation
Âis to criticize every move the administration makes and to
Âremain disengaged from mainstream politics. 


Full:Â
http://alainet.org/active/29144&lang=es

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