Union labor. Public employees are unionized. They get pensions, greater job security, cost of living. The private sector is not unionized. It can outsource, temp out, layoff, and cut back at the drop of a hat.

Fine post. Couldn't agree more. Obama's bent for conciliation/compromise will still result in far better policies than we've seen the last eight years but might also take a good deal of the bite out of them. A good thing to watch will be the health care debate. If Medicaid/Medicare is not made available to all and the insurance companies aren't told to go jump off a cliff ... then we'll probably end up with a bill that will offer only moderate improvement on the current system. Likewise, Geitner could have easily served under Bush. Granted, the fact that he'll be taking his cues from Obama will make things loads better, but he'll probably keep a keen eye on protecting his buds in the banking industry.

Nixon inherited a country that had seen decades' worth of investment in the public sector and infrastructure; Obama has inherited decades' worth of the systematic rape of this country. To compare the two in the manner suggested here is as infuriating as it is wrong-headed and counterproductive.

If the author cannot learn to contextualize his history he ought to look out for another line of work.

Lind argues for massive research on alternative energy sources to bring down cost. But, such research costs money itself, increasing the cost of these sources, even if paid otu of tax dollars. Where does Lind think this money is going to come from? The fricking tooth fairy?

More importantly, alternative sources already work great to decrease environmental cost. And conservation technologies are even better than alternative sources. Our environmental problems are not primarily technological--it's simply cheaper to produce power through burning oil and coal. What's interesting is how close the cost differential is now--we're within striking distance.

Lind's hero FDR actually laid the basis for cap and trade during WWII, by relying on the work of economists (primarily British) who advocated capping certain commodities and then distributing the right to buy them to consumers. Although these rationing systems were for the war effort (not the environment) and made it illegal to sell the coupons (though black market sales were not uncommon), the basic idea was the same.

Lind misunderstands technology, the environment, economy and basic history. His sort of idiotic revisionism will lead us right back to monetarism and Reaganism just like it did in the 1970s.

Get behind us, Satan. ;)

Stop making sense.

We want Obama to do what we want him to do, no matter if it's politically impossible, and we want it right now! Otherwise, he's a closet conservative traitor to the liberal cause.

Hell, he's already been in office six weeks and he is yet to restructure the entire nation and its financial, medical, energy and infrastructure sectors. What's his problem?

IMO, he has sown the seeds of the most progressive, liberal change that this country has seen in 40 years. It's been a relatively bold attempt that has already generated howls of protest from the right. That alone should make us think he's on the right path. Let's see how these seeds sprout and take root, and what actual policies are enacted before we scream that we are being betrayed.

Before breakfast, I read Lind's article and 38 letters. We are so confused there's no sensibility. Visualize the chaos of "things," our thoughts, ideas and plans disappearing into a black hole--or Alice's rabbit hole. As an alcoholic friend would cry, "I'm a mess." Indeed, we are. He died.

The idea that we should try to solve the problems according to the presumption that "government management = good" without regard to what works to be irresponsible, baffling, and dangerous. We "liberals" should be mindful of making this distinction between liberal goals & aspirations, and the ways in which we make those things happen.

Follow this neo-guru and we'll end up like the "liberal" Commies in Poland c. 1960, Pan Kolakowski &c., who were said to be "firmly in favor of Socialism but opposed to all the roads to it."

I think George Lakoff (republished on fivethirtyeight.com) hit the nail on the head when he tried to identify the traits of Obama that make him so appealing to those of us who seek a better, more just society.

What can be tne matter with poor Mr. Lind, who doesn't want to understand his own psychological quirks but attempts to make an argument about public policy?

Happy days.

What happened? OBAMA LIED, THE ECONOMNY DIED!!! This clueless idiot is destroying America as we know it. He is a momument to incopetency and should RESIGN before he is impeached.

The United States of Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower and Nixon was a rich, powerful country. Its government could afford massive public projects to produce public goods. It could fight wars all over the globe and reduce formidable enemies.

The United States of today is a poor country. It is deeply in debt, its infrastructure is falling apart, it has been deindustrialized. Its cultural, spiritual and material patrimony has been wasted on imperialism and other stupidities. Its leadership devolved into a pack of liars and thieves. It has been kept going by financial tricks; those tricks seem to have run out.

Mr. O is probably doing the best he can, but he doesn't have a lot to work with.

...I certainly understand your angst. I worked my ass off for McCain/Palin. I saw this current disaster coming. I knew McCain wasn't the best choice and would bring his own problems to the Presidency. But he would not destroy the country. Obama is destroying the country and the thing is, this is NOT reactionary alarmism. He, his supporters and many bloggers on this site are, and have been very clear about their aims.

They are enamored with the European Socialist Nations. They long to make America just like that. They are prepared to make great sacrifices to make it happen. Half the wealth of this country? No problem. National security and sovereignty? Who needs them? Freedom? Just another word for hateful bigotry?

It's over. America is over. But for ANYONE who voted for the big O to claim betrayal or surprise is foul. He was very clear. "I want to re-make the Country." "I want a new America" "The Constitution stops us from doing the things we need to do." "I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody". All accurate quotes.