U.S. Domestic Policies

This issue focuses on domestic policy, and looks at both the resurgent conservative movement and how the administration is doing from our prospective. As we read the articles on different topics, we should keep in mind two things.

First, when the Obama administration took office in January 2009, we were in an economic meltdown the likes of which we had not seen in our lifetimes. This was not like the periodic, though dramatic, stock market nosedives that happen every few years (e.g., 1968-70, 1973-74, 2000-02) – it was more, at least potentially, like 1929. While today the rich continue to get richer (the top one percent of earners get close to half the nation’s income), income inequality continues to increase, and unemployment declines only slowly, at least we have a functioning economy.

Second, despite our frustrations with the administration, and in particular with President Obama’s pervasive “moderation,” we need to be alarmed by the alternative – by, for instance, Michelle Bachman’s recent rantings in New Hampshire, Gov. Walker’s strong-arm attacks on unions in Wisconsin, and the general tenor and vigor of the resurgent right wing. Our opposition needs to be directed at this anti-woman, anti-immigrant, anti-union, anti-tax, anti-everything-progressive movement.

In the articles that follow, we look at some of the good and some of the bad: the conservative attack on women’s rights, the administration’s abandonment of Clinton-era Defense of Marriage Act and “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” the failure of the administration’s efforts to ameliorate the foreclosure crisis, and the anti-public sector union movement.

We also pay tribute, and say goodbye, to our old friend, Larry Shubow who passed away in late February.

- David Kelston & Chrissy Foot-