...one of the most consequential aspects of the Obama presidency thus far: the conversion of numerous Bush/Cheney policies from what they once were (controversial, divisive, right-wing extremism) into what they have become (uncontroversial bipartisan consensus). One sees this dynamic most clearly in the Terrorism/civil-liberties realm, but it is quite glaring in the realm of war as well.This is why I have previously argued that Obama is the perfect presidential puppet for the US ruling class. He masquerades as an outsider (an African-American), a change agent, a nice, eloquent guy who always purports to do the right thing, but somehow things never change. Well, he can't help it--it's the Republicans, corporations, the Tea Partyers, etc. (sarcasm)
This is why the ruling class used Democratic Clinton to pull the globalization rug over our eyes. Remember how free trade was a win-win for everybody? And it is why they used "war on poverty" and "guns and butter" Lyndon Johnson to expand the war in Indochina. It is why they used joke-cracking, smooth talking, former GE salesman and actor Ronald Reagan to "get the government off our backs" (remove all restraints and regulations on corporations).
Jesus Christ, people--wake up!