Liberals playing defense

My latest issue of Harper’s arrived today.  It featured an article by Adolph Reed, Jr., a professor  of political science at University of Pennsylvania, criticizing Obama and Bill Clinton for abandoning liberal principles and giving in to the right.

Dr. Reed says the liberals are constantly playing defense, and that every election is cast as an important battle to prevent the right from taking over rather than advancing liberal programs to alter the course of American politics.  What’s more, both Clinton and Obama cater to the right.  The Affordable Care Act, for example, placates the insurance and pharmaceutical industries.  If you look at the economic advisors for both Clinton and Obama, they were Wall Street cronies.  

What Dr. Reed does not discuss is the “Citizens United” decision, the House Republican intransigence, or the fact that President Obama is considered a socialist or an illegitimate president by a large minority of the population.  Of course we are playing defense.  Look at gun control issues, or family planning, or health care, or attacks on unions.  This country is so far to the right that even a moderate liberal like Obama is seen as a Commie by a good portion of the American electorate.  

I, too, wish Obama would rein in NSA snooping and support a single payer health program and tax the 1% and move to the left.  Given the political climate in the U.S., however, I think at this point we need to hunker down and play defense.