I don't know for certain what you think about various things, Don...but I have the same objection to what you often say about GfS...or some other people here...you seem to think you know what THEY think, and according to what I know of GfS, you're way off the mark. So I say to you, Don, to quote your own words above "if you will just stop insisting on telling me—and others here—what you're so certain that GfS thinks (despite what he keeps saying to the contrary) and cavalierly misrepresenting his views. . . ."

See? Same problem going the other way.

None of us can know for sure what the other is thinking...but wouldn't it be a step in the right direction to at least not leap to the most negative possible conclusions about what you imagine the other person is thinking?

Regarding Obama: I don't have as generous a view of his intentions as you do. I don't think that his personal values tend to be progressive, I think he's right-of-center, but brilliant at sounding like whatever his listeners hope for. I don't think he has made the error of trying to be a conciliator...I think he's doing exactly what the powers that be put him in office to do, and that his squabbles with the Right are nothing more than a form of political theatre to delude the public into imagining he's not doing what he's doing, which is advancing a Rightist agenda.

You say, "I also think there is an undertone in many of those who hate Obama so much of considering him not quite the right hue, although they know better than to say as much (and I suspect that holds for a few people right here on Mudcat, unfortunately)."

I think that is arrant nonsense in regards to the people on Mudcat. I don't think there is a single person here on this forum who would object to the color of Obama's skin and let it prejudice them against him, quite the contrary, the majority would rush to support him precisely because of the color of his skin (among other things)! I was absolutely delighted to see a half-Black man get elected president when it happened. I was delighted that Obama got elected. I hoped he would really change things. I deeply regret that he has not done so.

I don't think that's because he's a "conciliator". I think it's because he's a puppet, frankly....a puppet of the same power brokers who helped him become president...and he's a damn good actor.

Their business is war, power, corrupt banking procedures (pyramid schemes), and feeding a rich elite at the expense of absolutely everyone else...meaning the 99% (which is us). I think Obama works for those guys. I think he's a very smart man. I think he knows what he's doing. Whether it causes him some sleepless nights, I cannot say.


What I can say though is that you, I, and GfS all share many of the same progressive ideals. We all want honest government and real democracy and financial and election reform. So does everyone else who posts here.

By the way, I would also prefer a preferential voting system, same as you. And I'd prefer a no-party system. Or, failing that, a multi-party system with instant runoff voting.