John's Blog

I'm a progressive Dem, always have been. Voting since Clinton's first term. Always voted dem. But I've always kind of known that "politics is about voting for the lesser of two evils". Hoping for the best, voted for Obama, celebrated when he won. But it's quickly becoming apparent, that we have been deceived on many fronts.

The record so far, the promises and the reality.

"I will begin to remove our troops from Iraq immediately."

That went from 6 months, to 16 months, to 23 months, and if you read the fine print it says "we will look at getting the troops out of Iraq" Meanwhile 30,000 more troops are going to Afghanistan.

Leaving Bush appointee Robert Gates as Sect of Defense, you have to ask how is Obama's defense policy going to be different from Bush's?

"Allow five days of public comment before signing bills." Obama promoted and voted for the $700 BIL bank bailout bill which was shown to the full congress minutes before the final vote.

Obama warned everyone that the stimulus package bill was an emergency situation and needed to be approved immediately or there would be economic catastrophe. The 1000 page bill was shown to congress less than 1 hour before the vote. Obama then went on a 4 day vacation before signing it.

Democracy is a sham if the separation of powers are ignored when the legislative passes a bill supported by the executive without even reading it.

"Tougher rules against revolving door for lobbyists and former officials." "No political appointees in an Obama-Biden administration will be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years."

Tim Geitner, president of the NY Fed (the nations largest private bank,) appointed Secretary of Treasury.

Mark Patterson, top lobbyist at Goldman Sachs, Chief of Staff to Geitner.

Tom Daschel, received $1,000's from health care firms, withdrawn nominee as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

William Lynn, top lobbyist for Raytheon, appointed Deputy Sect of Defense.

Ignacia S. Moreno, corporate lawyer for GE the top superfund polluter, nominated for Assistant Attorney General for the Environment.

"Signed an executive order said to close Gitmo." The fine print says, we will look at closing Gitmo in one year.

Indefinite detentions without trial continue, renditions are continuing,military tribunals will continue, which means no basic rights like habeas corpus.

"Swore he was against the Patriot Act." Voted to re-instate the Patriot Act.

"Swore he was against the FISA wiretaps." Voted to legalize the FISA wiretaps.

"Swore he was against the retroactive telecom immunity. Said he would filibuster against it if necessary." Voted for retroactive telecom immunity.

"Swore to Unions he was against NAFTA, GATT." Got caught sending memo's to corporate leaders, don't worry, nothing will change.

Henry Kissenger, mass murderer, deposer of democracies in developing nations, has a position as an informal advisor. He is now on the record saying "His (Obama's) task will be to develop an overall strategy for America in this period when, really, a new world order can be created. It's a great opportunity, it isn't just a crisis." Kissinger also gave Obama his first job right out of college.

The central banks and Wall Street have taken over Washington in broad daylight.

Just like the '29 crash this collapse is intentional, then they ram through a taxpayer funded bailout for their crimes, then they loan the bailout money back to the government as a stimulus package.

Greenspan is on record on the McNeil Lehrer News Hour. Lehrer, "what is the proper relationship between the FED and the president of the US?" Greenspan, "the FED is an independent agency...there is no other agency that can overrule actions that we take...so long as that is in place...what the relationships are don't frankly matter."