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I think most of us here are frustrated at the half-assed and half-hearted "reforms" of the past year. But maybe it's worth looking at it from this perspective. For the past 30 years we underwent one "deregulation" after another. Be it banksters, health care, environmental...there wasn't a sector that hasn't been affected. Many bought into the mantra of "Government is the problem" and that included too many Democrats. It lead to the corporates gaining more and more "regulation" in their favor. It wasn't creating "fair trade" or "market capitalism", it was a deliberate and gradual movement to create a special corporate class protected from its own abuses and then "regulated" by those who could job the system. As long as the market went up, people were making money, it was all good. No one dared to look under the hood to see how this new corporate culture was eroding the social fabric of this country...until it all came crashing down in the final years of the booosh regime.
So here we are, my friend. At the bottom of a steep decline and working our way back uphill isn't easy. Erasing 30 years of "trickle down" without destroying the economy is a tricky dance...especially when placed in the hands of politicians who are conflicted and remain under the influence of the cash the corporate culture gives them to maintain their jobs. Doing what's right for the majority is always trumped by what's best for the politician...and their corporate benefactors.
But I like to think we're starting to move in the right direction. Yes, these "reforms" are far from what they should be, but the tide has turned...we're no longer thinking about more deregulation and it appears people are starting to wake up to the need of a beneficial government...one that does regulate and serve the people rather than the corporates. We may even owe a thanks to the teabaggers for stirring up some outrage (even though they're too ignroant to realize it).
The road back wasn't going to happen over night. Be angry...stay frustrated...but, most important, stay engaged. The only way more regulation and reforms can happen is if Democrats and Progressives remain focused on fighting against rushpublicans and not among ourselves. It's electing better Democrats...but even with the ones we have, it's to maintain control of the levers of power and to continue to chip away at the largess of the past.
Cheers...
:hi:
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