Unraveling the Right-Wing Attacks on Obama

Obama is the target. Racial fears, economic anxieties, and gender unease are the triggers. Shooting down progressive policies that seek equality and fairness wins the prize for those seeking to defend and restore traditional social and political hierarchies.
 
Corporate executives, insurance industry CEOs, the Christian Right, economic libertarians, radio & TV demagogues, and Republican hardliners lead the attacks to defend unfair power and privilege. Meanwhile, as PRA founder Jean Hardisty points out, their elitist trick is mobilizing resentment among large numbers of the White middle class  who are convinced to organize against their own economic self interest. The subtext here is a defense of traditional race and gender hierarchies, as well as a militaristic worldview..
 
These are the Three R's of Civil Society: Rebut, Rebuke, Re-Affirm. Rebut false and misleading statements and beliefs without name-calling; rebuke those national figures spreading misinformation; and re-affirm strong and clear arguments to defend goals and proposed programs. That's exactly what President Obama did on in his nationally televised address on Sept. 9.
 
While keeping our eyes on the prize of universal quality healthcare, we must also prevent right-wing populism as a social movement from spinning out of control. Since Obama's inauguration, there have been nine murders tied to white supremacist ideology laced with conspiracy theories. It is already happening here.
 
Since centrist Democrats are selling us out, it is time for labor and community organizers to turn up the heat. We should defend Obama against the vicious and racist attacks from the reactionary political right; but we can have Obama's back while we are holding him accountable to his deepest values. Vigorous social movements pull political movements and politicians in their direction -- not the other way around. We need to raise some hell in the streets and in the suites.
 
Chip will base his talk on his new report: Toxic to Democracy: Conspiracy Theories, Demonization, & Scapegoating.

______________________
Chip Berlet is senior analyst at Political Research Associates in Somerville and co-author of Right-Wing Populism in America: Too Close for Comfort. He recently was interviewed on NPR's Fresh Air by Terry Gross and on Democracy Now by Amy Goodman.