By DemocracyRules
John B. Judis of The New Republic does an excellent job of summing up Obama’s political history and philosophy, especially focusing on his community organizing period, which Obama is very proud of. Obama based his approach on the ideas of Saul Alinsky, a Communist/ Anarchist who also influenced Hillary Clinton a great deal.
As I read John Judis, Obama was particularly influenced by these Alinsky principles: (1) Focus on the grass-roots by empowering the people of the community to deal with "here and now" problems themselves (2) Handle citizen self-interest as the most important thing. Then try to channel this self-interest into things that will benefit the whole community. One way Obama did this was by getting more collective community support for fixing up subsidized housing in Chicago. (3) Never take the lead, always work with natural community leaders to do that for you. (4) Avoid political circles and politicians, to avoid being co-opted by the politicians’ goals.
Obama has now abandoned these 4 principles. He replaced “dealing with here and now problems” with “vision.” He tries to get people to go beyond their own self-interest. He takes the lead. He became extremely political. John Judis does not damn Obama for any of this, but the paradox is clear.
It’s also possible to see why Obama would deny that he has flip-flopped. He could cogently argue that his tactics have changed, but his overall strategy, to get help to those who need help, is still intact.
From my own days of community work, I think both Alinsky and Obama are wrong, and people like Sarah Palin are right. That is, when one elevates self-interest to the key goal, one creates an alternate currency. Money is primarily a quantification of self-interest. If one focuses on the poor and strives to help them achieve their self-interest without money, then one competes against the currency. That’s unnecessary. Just help people do better at earning money, and you don’t need Saul Alinsky, or Communism, or Anarchism.
Sarah Palin uses a very direct approach. She gets in there and does it, and she helps others do it, and money is part of that, and for her there’s nothing wrong with that. Palin did not invent her approach, it is the approach of most not-for profit work that is done in the USA.
As far as I know, Alinsky’s philosophy has never been scientifically tested or validated. Alinsky-inspired community organizers claim they are successful, but I have not seen it succeed. In contrast, Palin’s approach has proven itself very successful. Almost every successful charity does it that way.
Pro Patria
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