[lbo-talk] The Neoliberalization Of Higher Education: What’s Race Got To Do With It?

[Somebody Somebody]

Shane: But the reason for the pathetic failure of Obama is also his refusal to advocate, or even his covert opposition to, any program for real social, political, or economic change. His excuse has been precisely that advancing such programs would be met with opposition even more violent than the stupid foxist outcry against his ineffective compromises and that he would be blamed for the ensuing "fearmongering mudthrowing and negativism." Clinton had much the same excuse. The cowering, whimpering liberals like Obama are in fact the main clowns in "this vile political circus."
Somebody: OK, but why is it the sole responsibility and burden of Obama to advocate radical reform in this country? Are the workers of America silly putty in the hands of the President, taking the shape and imprint he chooses? Apparently so. Let's face it, most Americans aren't fighting for any progressive change whatsoever. The ones most engaged are, by and large, involved in what's been unfairly characterized as "identity politics" on this list. 
Honestly, I'm amazed that the executive committee of the ruling class in Washington institutes ANY progressive policies in this country, considering the utter lack of any working class resistance, whether measured in terms of hours lost in strike activity, or number and scale of public protests or riots. Why, for instance, do we have a government bureaucracy that seeks to protect rare wildflowers or endangered insects, and will impede private developers to that end? Because a few environmental groups would raise a stink otherwise? Or because the bureaucracy also has a progressive life of it's own?