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I love the dialogue between these two.

First, an interesting, counter-perspective on yesterday’s news conference.

The Obama administration capitulated to Treasury Secretary Geithner who argued against caps on executive pay or limitations on the choices banks can make about how to spend our tax dollars. Barack showed up with a little fear mongering of his own yesterday. Gone was the inspirational rhetoric of how ordinary people can make a way out of no way. It was replaced with hand wringing and prophesy of catastrophic outcomes if Americans fail to support the plan.

credit: matthewberry

Their True Colors, Shining Through

Second, it always amazes me how we forget that history repeats itself.

The initial wealth of this nation was built on the broken backs of enslaved people who worked lands to which they had no rights. The post WWII expansion of American wealth was driven by the unpaid domestic labor of women who never received wages for the surplus value they created. The recent housing bubble was inflated by the underpaid labor of immigrant workers. Our big profits have never been free, they have always been bought and paid for by those who labor without the possibility of becoming wealthy or well known. This is not just rhetoric. It is the grim reality that underlies our collapsing economic system.

Finally, the true colors of our ‘leaders’ will eventually shine through.

I appreciate that the Democrats are bumping up against an obstinate GOP. I appreciate that the GOP is revealing what they really believe: that their political power is more important than the common good. I appreciate it because now we will see what the Democrats really believe. If the Republicans won’t get on board for a bi-partisan effort, then why capitulate? Let’s see whether Democrats really believe in living wages, universal health care, investments in education, sufficient food availability, worker retraining, and civil equality.