03 March 2008

The empire strikes back

All is not well in the inner circles of the Washington establishment. Frankly, it seems there simmers a great deal of unease with the remarkable success of Sen. Obama's campaign for the Democratic Party's presidential candidacy.

Here is a man, until recently quite obscure and unknown to the broader public, who suddenly is taking the country by storm. He has a new vision of the American Dream - a vision in which the establishment of Ivy League and corporate cronies is not enshrined. He blatantly speaks out against the entrenched interests of corporate America, which until now has been very much outside the reach of the democratic vote to alter the vestibules of power. He outright condemns a foreign policy more akin of a teenage boy on steroids than a mature country at the lead. He refocusses resources on education and training and by implication away from the military industrial complex. He aims to reduce the reign of the energy sector by changing the playing field of energy use and resource.

Worst of all for the establishment - the public and especially the younger members of public buy into his message of change and a new vision. The voters and consumers of tomorrow are taking heed of his new direction. It must be most troubling to those fat cats with their bulging retirement packages made up of tonnes of their corporate shares and stock options. The private libraries and studies of the mansions of power must be black with cigar smoke and concerned whisper in equal measure. Why, the entrenched dynasties that have formed since the inception of the USA are suddenly not so sure of their unbridled rule over the free. Because none is more lethal to entrenched rule of the elite than the poison of a fresh idea. Ask the French.

So, now the empire strikes back. My word, Mrs Clinton has become all too strident with a particular bitchiness barely concealed under her makeup. Shame on the Clinton camp - once the stalwart of the Democratic Party of the USA, to endulge in the same fear smear of which they so recently accused the Republican candidates. Now, suddenly, Texans must be treated to a soppy ad in true Hollywood style with the message of who would you trust with your dear little children's security in the face of the gruesome Gollywog at the borders. Of course, the experienced Ms Clinton comes galloping to your rescue. Experience? I beg your pardon, madam. You were the wife of the president, not the president himself. You have never commanded troops or been Commander in Chief of anything more than a bloated household bursting with servants.

Now, Sen. Obama's experience with leading the country and, lest we forget, those armed forces and their Pentagon brigade, is suddenly put up for scrutiny. Rather, all of this sudden concern with experience is none other than the concerned spasms of the establishment. Experience is code for entrenched interests. And not only the corporate interest groups are squirming quite visibly, but also other interest groups - most noticeably the Jewish lobby.

For too long the state of Israel has nestled like little brat brother under the armpit of big brother. Suddenly, there is chance of a presidential candidate who will bring fairness and balance to world politics, including the Middle East. No wonder, Mrs. Clinton has suddenly found her war chest bursting with a most welcome $35 million.

But a word of caution to Sen. Obama: Sir, just as you stand firm against the corporate lobby should you stand firm against any other lobby, including the Jewish lobby. Let democracy return for once to the USA and peace to the world. Such a chance does not come around too often. Yes, you can.