The threat of misinformation, conspiracy theory and social media to our democracy

[David Horn]

(04-22-2022, 01:08 PM)Eric the Green Wrote: Obama, any more than any other president, was not perfect in his decisions and actions. But this was mostly because he was not given support from young people who decided Obama was not perfect or change did not happen fast enough, and then gave up, as well as independents and moderates who decide to blame the president for everything that happens. He says what we need to hear now, and we need to listen rather than blame the messenger. We need to move away from conspiracy theory, misinformation and the misuse of social media.

Obama made one strategic error: going for healthcare first.  He then went cautious on everything else (perhaps, understandably so).  Unfortunately, that was the window that needed a leader with real teeth.  He had his army behind him, but picked the wrong issue to advance, then compromised on that.  He needed to do FDR's 100 days, and didn't.

If a do-over was possible, here's the strategy:

1. Pick easy wins and pass them
   
2. Promote those wins as a new dawn in America
   
3. Negotiate with the Senate Dems of the time, and kill the filibuster
   
4. Pass healthcare the way all but one or two Dems wanted it passed
   
5. Go for higher taxes on the rich and corporations and lower taxes on everyone else.
   

From that point on, the GOP would have been in full defense mode, and the attacks would have diminished because they would have been highly unpopular.  

But unfortunately, do-overs are impossible.