Reply #111: Spoken like a truly naive and ignorant idealist. [View All]

[Merlin]

JFK prided himself in being an "idealist without illusions." Here we have a thread begun by an idealist full of illusions. Evidently DerekG was too young during the Clinton years to be aware of the political environment at the time, much less that during the 12 years of Reagan/Bush that preceded him.

Evidently DerekG is unfamiliar with the fact that in a democracy, consensus is required to accomplish anything. Nor does DerekG evidently have a clue about the healthcare episode in '93-'94 when Clinton proposed the most significant, dramatic new program since the days of FDR. It was a progressive program which was attacked by industry adversaries with millions of dollars worth of commercials. And the progressives of America did nothing but sit on their hands and watch it crash and burn.

DerekG does not factor in to his "analysis" the rise of rabid, right wing hate politics. He gives no credit to Clinton for economic policies which helped lift millions out of poverty, brought unprecedented prosperity, and led to the highest percentage of minority home ownership in our history.

Nor does DerekG consider the teachers added to the school systems particularly in the inner cities, nor the profound reduction of crime in poverty centers.

DerekG seems to have forgotten--or missed entirely--the context of the times in which Clinton was President.

Forgive me if I despise the naivete of DerekG.