Yes we can - but will we?

Why did the Democrats lose the recent gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey? Was it only because of local /state issues? Partially, but mostly not. I think it is because Obama and his chief aides did not really believe the Obama chant of "Yes, we can". Not only did he not do it; he did not even make the attempt. Instead, he has been trying too desperately to get the approval of those who won't (republicans and conservative democrats) in any case. What do I refer to?

The health care "reform" that he is trying to get approved is not a single payer health care, like medicare, but a lukewarm version of medical insurance reform. And without the public option, which is a bad compromise, or regulations which force insurance companies to insure all people with or without pre-existing conditions, rich, poor or in-between, it is barely reform at all. And worse for the economy, it will cost more, because the profits are being made by the insurance companies, not by the government.

The same applies to the stimulus package, which did not do what it promised because money was not channeled
1. to the poor,
2. to the unemployed,
3. to create jobs,
4 for shovel-ready projects.

Instead, much was put aside for tax reductions, which are at best delayed and for projects that may at one time become shovel-ready, but until they are, must the considered "pork".

The success of the TARP package would have been far greater and worked much faster had it included regulation. No compensation package should be greater that 100% of the person in the company with the lowest pay. Money that went to the banks should have gone with conditions:
- that most of the money would be spent on loans to individuals in need and SMEs,
- that some of the money should be spent to introduce systems which at the same time mitigate risk and make reporting to the banks cheaper, faster, easier and much less of a burden. (In the interests of disclosure, My company is building such a system.)

There was no pension reform package to ensure that pensions are handled independently of employers. Employees would not be left high and dry if the company went bankrupt, pensions would be portable and not be dependent upon union negotiations or the beneficence of an employer. In addition, it would not force companies like GM to increase the price of their cars and become uncompetitive because of pension obligations.

"Yes we can." Maybe, but only if "we" try. And captivated by the idea of working together and compromise, we haven't. So no wonder those who came out to vote for Obama a year ago from hope (the young, some of the underprivileged, blacks, etc) did not bother to vote now. And the right, which stood on their principles, becomes stronger. Can Obama do it? Maybe. But will he? - Frankly, I doubt it. Because he shows no indication that he wants to try.