By Randolph Hurst
Despite never-ending extremist attacks, President Obama displays brilliance, grace and humility. In the face of Republican animosity and obstructionism, he has remained poised and steadfast, calmly arguing the case for the American people. It is a kindness to suggest that the GOP’s behavior is based on ideology.

It does not become a president to call them out about their conduct. But most of us know that the attacks against this president are more about resentment of a man of bi-racial heritage who has demonstrated the acumen, leadership and bravery to do what none of his foes have the will or backbone to do. That is, to champion peace, justice, integrity, ingenuity, environmental stewardship, harmony in our diversity, and a reasonable quality of life for all Americans.

But there is more. Their conduct is grossly influenced by corporate money and manipulation of government officials through unbridled campaign and political action committee (PAC) activities. Controls on these ended after the Supreme Court ruled in the Citizens United case of 2010 that corporations have the same free speech rights as individuals. The court’s decision could easily be called the Koch Decision, for the gas and oil billionaire brothers who invest millions to gain political control of our nation and to ensure their own wealth.

It is no longer of the people, by the people, and for the people. It is of the corporation, by the corporation, and for the corporation. Lincoln would be aghast.

Why is it that McConnell, Boehner, Cantor, and Republican presidential candidates attack and reject every initiative President Obama proposes even when to do so is contrary to positions they have taken previously? It defies common sense, and disgraces our country. The answers are fear, greed, power and envy; envy that a black man just might succeed in doing what they would not.

These politicos are empty suits and empty skirts behaving as members of a corporate goon platoon. As long as they toe the party line, they will have access to millions of campaign dollars and the marketing resources to denigrate opponents and cover their own agendas. And all this is predicated on the misguided and insulting assumption that the American people are gullible, uninformed and easy marks; that the disenfranchised are so disillusioned they will not vote, and that party loyalty, deceptive rhetoric and prejudice will trump intuition, sound judgment and the American spirit.

President Obama is betting on the American people. He has more confidence in us than we have in each other, and it is going to be a long and arduous battle to November and thereafter should he succeed, and depending on who takes the House and Senate.

In his State of the Union address, President Obama laid out a common sense vision that encompasses many noble initiatives, all articulated in a clear and forthright manner. He made an overt attempt to persuade his “Republican friends” and fellow Democrats to follow the good example of our armed forces; men and women putting differences aside, selflessly watching each others’ backs, working together to the achieve their mission for the good of our country. In his way he extended an olive branch to his “colleagues.”

Yet, after listening to the Republican response by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and others, it is evident the president’s words fell on deaf ears. Corporate money and special interests will drive this historic election and turn it into a circus. Romney, Gingrich, Santorum or maybe Paul will carry the corporate banner and it will get even uglier than their own campaign for the Republican nomination. Are they really the best the conservative establishment has to offer?

The campaign will be a crapshoot. Will Americans go to the polls and vote? Will bigotry and racism be major factors? Will we vote with our heads, our hearts and our conscience, or will the clever, dishonest and deceptive marketing that caters to baser attitudes win the day?

Randolph Hurst, a guest writer, is a Vietnam War era veteran, green technology advocate, and a member of the 99 percent. He lives in Orange County.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, February 4th, 2012 at 12:38 pm and is filed under Guest Contributor. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.