That the current fiscal crisis is a direct result of the fundamental principles of our economic system is undeniable at this point. One aspect, regulation, is examined in this interview by Bill Moyers. What interests me, as usual, is the presence of religious habits in the general political sphere.
Fact: Timothy Geithner is a tax evader.
Fact: Geithner was responsible for regulating the financial system during the last several years.
Fact: Geithner is directly responsible for the problem, though of course he’s not alone in this.
Fact : President Obama chose Geithner to be Secretary of the Treasury and correct the problem he’s partly responsible for.
So here’s the question. Do those of us who voted for Obama have the balls to demand that he begin behaving in a manner consistent with a President who is acting in the best interests of his constituency? Or are we going to be religious about the issue and maintain that “he’s doing his best” exactly as Bush’s supporters did and do to this day?
Or maybe, just maybe, President Obama is already acting in the best interests of his constituency. This is my suspicion. Nothing he has done makes me think otherwise.
So I have two choices, as always. Religion on the one hand, requiring that I accept a worldview which is inconsistent with any observable reality. Integrity on the other hand, requiring me to open my eyes and my mouth and say what I see.
I choose integrity.
By the way, this isn’t about “giving him time” at all. It’s about being honest about what he’s doing. He’s acting in the best interests of the wealthy and in the worst interests of the taxpayer. Just like most every other politician. There was a better option in Kucinich, but Democrats followed their leaders and voted as instructed, leaving the only trustworthy candidate behind. We screwed up. Let’s have the integrity to admit it.
