Five Years Ago
I realize that my post on Monday was critical of Barack Obama and in particular his decision to allow a Super PAC, Priorities USA Action, to work for his reelection. Some friends have commented that this might not be the time for a a supporter to be criticizing the President during the Republican primaries, but it is hard to keep the faith when that faith demands blind followers. I want a candidate who is accountable to his/her constituents and willing to talk and listen to their feedback.
I have never met President Obama and know no more than his books and our objective media reveal (yes – intended!). But something in his grassroots campaign resonated with me: the hope, the honesty, the optimism.
That campaign kicked off five years ago last week. This might be a good time to remember why we got energized half a decade ago.
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Alon Shalev is the author of The Accidental Activist and A Gardener’s Tale. He is the Executive Director of the San Francisco Hillel Foundation, a non-profit that provides spiritual and social justice opportunities to Jewish students in the Bay Area. More on Alon Shalev at http://www.alonshalev.com/ and on Twitter (@alonshalevsf).
Left Coast Voices 
Count me as one disappointed in Obama. And scared to death of the alternative.
If Obama is re-elected, he will be a lame duck for the next four years with no reason to pander at all to his progressive base. Free to do what he wants: what his bosses on Wall Street pay him to do. A Rep will do the same if elected, of course. Long past time to look at other choices. One small thing is to send a message by voting for a “third” party or independent candidate: a small gesture of refusing to comply.
Have to disagree with you my friend. Revolution cannot come from without. This is a two-horse race. It’s our guy or theirs. I fear a protest vote will only bring in a Republican President.
We need to find other ways of showing dissatisfaction without exposing ourselves to a worse option. We also need to give President Obama a government that will work with him and not derail every effort to create change.
What say you?
Alon
He had large majorities in Congress for two years, and what did he do? A big giveaway to the insurance companies. Thanks.