“Just look at the new lay of the land: a friend of labor and its allies sits in the White House.  Larger Democratic majorities control Congress.  A feeling of renewal and hope is in the air.  Public opinion polls show a high favorability rating for our new President.  And the labor and people’s movement that was so instrumental to the election’s outcome, after a short holiday pause, is off and running…

If there were such a thing as an economic tsunami, I would say we are experiencing it.  Not since the Great Depression has the economy been in such bad shape, which leads many economists to predict that the downturn will be L-shaped, that is, deep and prolonged.

…Furthermore, the economic contraction is worldwide.  No country or region will escape its pain and long reach.  Nor can any national economy, ours included, hope to make a full recovery without global coordination and cooperation.  In an integrated global economy, we either swim together or sink together…

Given this situation, the Obama administration faces daunting challenges. Nevertheless, the new President, in my view, is off to a quick start.  In less than two weeks he has:

Issued an order to close Guantanamo prison and end torture - a practice that stains our image, violates our constitution, and endangers our troops in the field. Signed the Lilly Ledbetter bill that would give much greater scope to workers’ discrimination claims as well as a bill that would extend health care to millions of children. Released funds to clinics that serve women’s heath care needs in developing countries.  Expressed support for higher fuel efficiency standards for motor vehicles—something the United Autoworkers Union (UAW) also supports. Opened up a greatly needed dialogue with the Muslim and Arab world. Dispatched George Mitchell to the Middle East in hopes of mediating the Palestinian-Israeli conflict—a conflict that cannot be solved by military means, but only by negotiation between the Israeli government and the representatives of the Palestinian people with aim of establishing an independent and viable Palestinian state and the right of both states live peacefully and within secure borders.  The President met with military generals to map out a withdrawal plan for Iraq.

…Of course, the Obama administration’s immediate challenge will be to revive the economy.  And the overarching question is: from where will the economic recovery come from in the near term?  The only answer is: through the massive injections of money from the federal government.

…If this is the case, the Obama administration and the broad coalition that supports him will almost inevitably have to consider—and they already are—the following measures:

Public ownership of the financial system and the elimination of the shadow banking system and exotic derivatives.  Public control of the Federal Reserve Bank. Counter-crisis spending of a bigger size and scope to invigorate and sustain a full recovery and meet human needs—something that the New Deal never accomplished.  Strengthening of union rights in order to rebalance the power between labor and capital in the economic and political arenas.  Trade agreements that have at their core the protection and advancement of international working-class interests.  Equality in conditions of life for racial minorities and women. Democratic public takeover of the energy complex as well as a readiness to consider the takeover of other basic industries whose future is problematic in private hands.  Turning education, childcare, and healthcare into “no profit” zones. Rerouting investment capital from unproductive investment (military, finance and so forth) to productive investment in a green economy and public infrastructure.  Changing direction of our nation’s foreign policy toward cooperation, disarmament, and diplomacy.  We can’t have threats, guns and military occupations on the one hand and butter, democracy, goodwill, and peace on the other.  Full-scale assault on global warming.  Serious and sustained commitment to assisting the developing countries, which are locked in poverty and misery.

…Staring us in the face are some immediate challenges…First, we have to support the passage of the President's stimulus bill in the Senate. [done]

Second, we have to block any Republican efforts to derail the nomination of Hilda Solis, the nominee for the Secretary of Labor. [done]  This is the first round in the battle to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, which will dramatically expand the right to join a union in this country.

…Third, we have to join others in resisting evictions and foreclosures—not to mention cutbacks and layoffs at the state and city level. [done]

Fourth, the wars of occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan have to be brought to a close.  As former President Lyndon Johnson realized too late, wars of occupation (in his case, Vietnam) can quickly ruin a presidency that has great promise.

In any case, we have our work cut out for us.  But I think we can confidently say that change is coming.  And we will build a more perfect union.  Yes, we can.”

There you have it.  The other side. Very interesting indeed.  So, who is this staunch Obama supporter and why is he so positively giddy about Barack Obama’s agenda? Well, it’s none other than Sam Webb, National Chairperson of the Communist Party of the United States of America.  He and his fellow commies have been waiting for someone like Barack to come into power for a long time, and if the past 45 days are any indication as to where we are headed as a nation, he’ll be worth the wait.  God Bless America and God Bless your family.

…Special thanks to Glenn Beck for giving me the idea for this column