A Time For Bold Leadership

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Other Politics
Posted on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 11:27:28 AM EST
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I believe that we are at the threshold of a fundamental change in our popular economic thought, that in the future we are going to think less about the producer and more about the consumer. Do what we may have to do to inject life into our ailing economic order, we cannot make it endure for long unless we can bring about a wiser, more equitable distribution of the national income. [. . .] It is toward that objective that we must move if we are to profit by our recent experiences. [. . .] True leadership calls for the setting forth of the objectives and the rallying of public opinion in support of these objectives.

[. . .] The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. The millions who are in want will not stand by silently forever while the things to satisfy their needs are within easy reach. We need enthusiasm, imagination and the ability to face facts, even unpleasant ones, bravely. We need to correct, by drastic means if necessary, the faults in our economic system from which we now suffer. We need the courage of the young. Yours is not the task of making your way in the world, but the task of remaking the world which you will find before you. May every one of us be granted the courage, the faith and the vision to give the best that is in us to that remaking!

FDR's words in 1932 ring true again today. The time for bold leadership is now.

Speaking for me only

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A Time For Bold Leadership | 28 comments (28 topical)

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Well he's done it with Afghanistan (5.00 / 2) (#1)
by Militarytracy on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 11:37:56 AM EST

He finally has everyone at the table and he isn't listening to whoever it is he'd like to fawn over this week. He is looking at the total package and the reality we deal with and he will have results for his investments. Can he do it with the economy? Can he do it with Larry Summers sitting their beating the table that NOTHING CAN BE DONE? The world that Larry Summers helped create and sooooo believed in is DOA. Greenspan said he believed Ayn Rand and now he knows Ayn Rand was wrong....and he knows this at this late date?

That news about Afghanistan (5.00 / 4) (#4)
by Cream City on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 11:45:40 AM EST

was so great, and with the timing of Veterans Day.

I'm teaching the Vietnam War now, so I told students today that someone in the WH may have paid attention in his history class, huh? Have a strategy, then ask for the troops for it -- as just asking for more and more troops is not a strategy.

Our ambassador in Kabul deserves kudos, too, as does the State Department for which he works (cough, HRC) for questioning the Defense Department on this, if only for helping to give Obama some cover as he asks the generals for strategic options.


I actually think his recent participation (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 12:10:10 PM EST

in greeting the coffins, and speaking at Ft Hood brought him close enough to the reality of how our troops encompass more than those in combat fatigues.

Now I'd like to hear he's taking some time to visit the military hospitals, neighborhoods with high rates of foreclosed homes, soup kitchens, local shelters, etc. He needs an updated experience in getting in touch with the people who really trusted him to follow through on what he promised. And, when he's got a real grasp on what the population is feeling, I'd like him to go to the home of the CEO of United Healthcare for a real eye-opener.


I think he has been closer to the (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by Militarytracy on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 12:20:05 PM EST

"people" that are soldiers than Dubya ever was. Dubya fed the soldier competitiveness though by having the runoffs for your unit to vote you the best soldier....and then you could be his backdrop for his next speech :) I'm very grateful that we can now view the remains of our troops coming home and it was nice that Obama even practiced formally receiving them at Dover. Obama already has a record of "visiting" with troops, more than Bush ever did. Bush was a chest pounder though, we'll always have a place in our hearts for one of those.


: Attitude is everything (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 12:37:23 PM EST

whether either one gets close enough to shake a hand is less significant than seeing the troops as real people with families. I thought Dubya pretty much viewed them the same way a kid views his bag of little army men.

Yep -- I think I replied to you last night (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by Cream City on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 01:27:27 PM EST

that not only the Fort Hood experience but also the Veterans Day experience might have had impact, when he went on an unscheduled trek from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to the area at Arlington with the many graves of Iraq and Afghanistan vets. And he encountered vets' families there. And he talked with them. Imagine their surprise! But he also may have had some surprises from them, in return.

Even if not, it was an interesting trek to see on Veterans Day and amid the decisions he is making. There are historical parallels from the past and other presidents doing so, of course . . . and those who did made some good decisions then, as we can see now. May the history books on Obama's decisions now look as wise in hindsight, too. . . .


: You did, and I agree (none / 0) (#20)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 02:03:39 PM EST

His choices recently have begun to look like he is remembering what it's like to connect with the people. If he keeps moving in this direction, we will all benefit.
The extended reach is something WJC would have done. I hope it's the beginning of a trend.

I would not take this to mean that (none / 0) (#6)
by Militarytracy on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 12:09:08 PM EST

he is not going to send in more troops. His sending in more troops is going to mean that Karzai is going to shape up and fly right. If Karzai doesn't he could find himself dealing with Taliban troubles all by himself in many Dari held areas while we hang back. We have pulled troops back from outposts. That didn't make McChrystal happy because he was told to go with his plan, and then left hanging there....but McChrystal can deal with being told No or Karzai's government must pony up a whole lot more before we send more troops than he can deal with just beng ignored by a President who tells everyone they must make their case. The military is always going to make the military case but Afghanistan is more than that.....it is still a military project though too and there is no way to escape that at this time.


Oh, I know -- I just want our leaders (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by Cream City on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 01:23:34 PM EST

to do due diligence, rather than reflexive flag-waving to distract us from all else. We saw enough of that under the previous White House.

If Obama does opt to send more troops, I still may disagree with him. But if he ops to do so only after pushing the generals and others to make it hard to push him there, then good for Obama. That's all that I'm saying -- that he may still make a mistake, but at least he isn't making this mistake of acceding his presidential power to the military, as we have seen in past presidencies.

In other words, Obama apparently actually is being Teh Decider on this one -- as management theory (and practice) tells us that there is no decision without options, and no good decision without working to find as many good options as can be. And, of course, history tells us so, too.:-)


: I'm very happy that this side of him has (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by Militarytracy on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 04:33:16 PM EST

made its entrance too. If you want a bunch of people to complain that you are micromanaging a war and you should let your Generals run the war...you will get nothing but war and the Pentagon will gladly run it. The Pentagon has never been good at waging peace (it isn't a goal of theirs...trying to figure out how to surrender anything to include surrendering to someone elses civilian common sense) and only recently has the military begun to seriously weigh how much collateral damage takes us out with it.

Public Financing of Federal Elections... (5.00 / 2) (#8)
by gtesta on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 12:19:51 PM EST

is what is needed before we are going to see any really radical reform from our government. Sorry if this is OT.
Since I'm OT, I think a good topic for a future thread would be the viability of an Article V movement among the states for a 2nd constitutional convention to propose amendments...

People are angry (5.00 / 2) (#11)
by mmc9431 on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 12:38:35 PM EST

The country has been screaming for bold leadership and change for over a year now. That's the reason Obama and the Democrat's were able to capture the whole package.

I just hope they wake up and realize it before they find themselves sitting on the outsaide again and looking in.

The populist movement is continuing to grow. People aren't just unsatisfied anymore. They're angry. And they're going to take their anger out on all that don't realize this.

Enough of worrying about Wall St and corporate America. Politicians on both sides better start to worry about the people, if they want to stay in office. Everything coming out of Washington, since Reagan, has been to the total benefit of big business. This has to stop.

10-2008 (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by Jlvngstn on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 01:17:37 PM EST

BHO:

"We can't wait to help workers and families and communities who are struggling right now -- who don't know if their job or their retirement will be there tomorrow; who don't know if next week's paycheck will cover this month's bills. We need to pass an economic rescue plan for the middle-class and we need to do it now. Today I'm proposing a number of steps that we should take immediately to stabilize our financial system, provide relief to families and communities, and help struggling homeowners. It's a plan that begins with one word that's on everyone's mind, and it's spelled J-O-B-S."

Perhaps BHO is a bit mistaken as he has not had much time in public office, but the public never responds well to personal economic insecurity.

After 8 years of "muscle and hustle" legislation, we now have "hope and nope".

And in case there is any confusion, employment is not spelled H-C-R..........

: correction (none / 0) (#16)
by Jlvngstn on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 01:24:01 PM EST

after 8 years of tussle and muscle to pass legislation, we have entered into barter and martyr legislation.....

Bush was bold (5.00 / 1) (#18)
by BobTinKY on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 01:39:42 PM EST

stupid, self defeating and in many ways cowardly (all bullies are ultimately cowards), but bold nonetheless.

I think we need leadership that is both bold and thoughtful with the public interest first and foremost in mind. We haven't seen much of it in my lifetime and unless we start seeing it soon from Obama, we'll be seeing more Bush-like boldness in 2013.

My sense is that if Obama has not seen (5.00 / 2) (#21)
by Anne on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 03:16:10 PM EST

the need for bold leadership up to this point, it might mean that we are not likely to see much, if any, of it.

It would have been bold to reject, as he seemed to promise he would, much of the Bush policy on state secrets and warrantless surveillance and accountability for torture and rendition, instead of just taking over where Bush left off.

It would have been bold to put together a really strong stimulus package and start exercising the muscle of financial regulation.

Bold might well have been not making the Treasury Department a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs.

Bold would have been a call for single-payer, in keeping with his remarks from a few years ago, or at the least, inviting single-payer advocates to be a big part of the discussion, as counterweights to the insurance and drug industries.

But, maybe I'm not up to date on the latest entries in the Obama English Dictionary, and the new meaning of "bold" is no longer consistent with my understanding of its meaning; that could explain it.

Maybe he is waiting for us to make him be bold. Maybe what "bold leadership" means is that we have to lead him to that place; he's been doing that hang-back-and-see-where-it's-all-headed thing, and getting away with it, for so long, maybe he really thinks that's what leadership is.

All I know is that it was clear to me long before the election that Obama is about as bold as mayonnaise, with rhetorical gifts that convinced enough people that he was actually wasabi.

We may all want bold leadership, but I don't think we're going to get it.

WEll (4.00 / 3) (#12)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 12:42:03 PM EST

BTD I think it's time for everyone to realize that the Wizard of Oz can't give courage or leadership skills to Barack any better than he could give brains to Dubya. If you want leadership, you are going to have to look elsewhere.

: Mike Elk.... (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by trillian on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 12:51:57 PM EST

...thinks that Unions may be the only answer, since the Liberal Elite appear to be clueless.

Bold leadership (2.00 / 1) (#2)
by Zorba on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 11:39:45 AM EST

Requires a bold leader. I'm afraid I'm not seeing much of that in Bipartisan-Boy Barack.

Paging Lloyd Bentsen (none / 0) (#3)
by Jlvngstn on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 11:45:11 AM EST

I wonder what he would say to BHO right now.....

: "I knew FDR. FDR was a friend of mine. (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by jbindc on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 03:39:55 PM EST

You, Mr. Obama, are no FDR."

Do you have any basis for believing (none / 0) (#5)
by HenryFTP on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 11:50:55 AM EST

that Barack Obama thinks:

[t]he country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation[?]

It seems to me that he doesn't think there's a fundamental economic crisis -- it's just an unusually severe recession to him.

I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see much sense of urgency.

What severe recession? (none / 0) (#19)
by nyrias on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 02:01:11 PM EST

Technically, the recession is OVER.

The economy stopped contracting. Sure the jobs haven't come back yet .. but the picture will improve when the economy expands more.


Do you have any evidence that (none / 0) (#24)
by Militarytracy on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 04:35:22 PM EST

the economic contraction is over outside of opinion?


Sure .. (none / 0) (#26)
by nyrias on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 05:45:27 PM EST

http://www.newsweek.com/id/208633

And I quote:

"In June, seven of the 10 indicators in the Conference Board Leading Economic Index pointed upward, including manufacturing hours worked and unemployment claims. Macroeconomic Advisers, the St. Louis-based consulting firm, says the economy is expanding at a 2.5 percent annual rate in the current quarter. Economic activity "will increase slightly over the remainder of 2009," Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress."

Don't get me wrong. The job picture is NOT rosy. But the recession is technical over in THIS quarter.


It isn't just the job picture (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by Militarytracy on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 06:34:52 PM EST

but nothing can happen without jobs. I'm one of the few out there who do not see how the GDP has bottomed out in any way. We are just experiencing hiccups on our way down right now. Americans experienced the evaporation of 14 trillion dollars of wealth. There is NO WAY we have completely contracted....it just hit a plateau going down.


: Is that just an opinion? (none / 0) (#28)
by nyrias on Fri Nov 13, 2009 at 09:20:53 AM EST

Or do you actually have evidence backing your claim up?
The article i cited is the easiest for all to see. But I have also seen data in my company and things are turning around (NOT jobs yet).
But of course the proof is in the numbers. Wait another quarter, if the economy continues to expand, i am right. If the economy reverts back to contract, you are right.

Where you going to find one? (none / 0) (#25)
by pluege on Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 05:09:11 PM EST

The time for bold leadership is now.