Some Defend-President-Obama-no-matter-what-folks here will do anything to divert,

[BainsBane]

21. Then there is the incredible disconnect between rhetoric of members here

and the reality of their economic circumstances. I was frankly taken aback by how much the average income is of people on this board, according to the poll the OP did. What exactly is it that people want Obama to do to corporations? It's pretty obvious that most DUers who voted in that poll are advantaged under the current system. Incomes here are far in excess of the national average and exponentially higher than the global average. The average American income is in the range of $47K for a family of four. The average global income is far, far lower.

So you want a government that overturns the interests of capital for the people? For a moment we will set aside the obvious historical fact that governments don't do that of their own accord, that such changes are brought about through revolution, but we'll ignore that important historical reality and extend this fantasy of going against "corporatists." We'll also ignore the fact our economy is based on financial services rather than production of any kind. So let's say we have a state that goes after corporations for the benefit of the people. I'm cool with that, but I'm not the one going to lose tons of income. I'll lose, but not as much as most. People in socialist countries live subsistence level existences. They don't starve, but they don't have any extras. That means most of you will see a dramatic decline in your standard of living, in this hypothetical world where the US President doesn't serve the nation's economic interests. Only the poorest members will see an improvement in their way of life. So if you all are willing to give up 3/4 or more of your income to establish an equitable society, I am all on board with that (still, I would like to know how you plan on achieving that).

Or is it that what you really want is the President to say things that echo your own views rather than make any substantive changes in American society? Is his job, perhaps, to provide rhetoric that makes you feel good about yourself, while still living in ways that are diametrically at odds with your stated political values?