Memo to the American Left: Barack Obama is Our New iPad

When Obama came into office with a mandate for change, Congress sat back and took the platform off the table. Instead, something else should have happened other than a Palin presidency where corporations still rule.

I read a piece in Common Dreams suggesting that the American left had let Obama down. I don't think so. The kindest and most succinct response was "The only positive thing to be said about the Obama presidency is that it's hard to believe that McCain/Palin would have been better."

I too had some hope that Obama would be different although many red flags were apparent along the way and a few friends in Canada's academic community warned me that Obama was not what the progressive community hoped for and suggested that that he would surely continue on the path Empire. I knew that we would have our work cut out to shape a more humane presidency and facilitate change. I became an outspoken critic even before Obama assumed the role of POTUS. Even today, I hear the criticism that Obama needs more time. I can't agree because too many actions have taken a direction opposite to the promise of the platform of the platform upon which he ran. However, I couldn't resist repost the following:

Barack Obama Is Your New iPad

by Balk posted @4:05 PM

I had no plans to buy an iPad—I have no plans to ever buy an iPhone, and if I do you are authorized to strike me in the face with something sharp and rusty—so I did not really follow the frenzy of speculation on all the functions what we until very recently referred to as the Apple Tablet might contain. Still, I'm a little taken aback by the immediate and vocal lack of enthusiasm for the product. What does it lack? What was everyone hoping for that did not materialize? This is a very rough thought that I may or may not refine, so take it as such, but the iPad is a lot like Barack Obama: Everyone was able to project their own fantasies and aspirations on a product with which they were mostly unfamiliar, only to sour on it once they realized that it did not live up to their impossible expectations. Only with the iPad it took about seven minutes for the disappointment to set in. I don't know what that says about our accelerated culture or how we confuse hype and excitement for the tangible realities of life, but it says something. I mean, probably. Like I said, I'm still trying to work it all out.