the vg-r collective

I agree with Cornel West, perhaps obviously. Yet, I think he is overly optimistic of the ability for an individual to transform an office with 200 years of history behind it.
Also, I think he mistakes the presidency for a democratic office, this also ignores the reality of the presidency of the United States.
I for one had no illusions of an Obama Presidency though in image, and some policy, I knew it would be preferable to the George W. Bush presidency, but in substance it would be what the presidency has always been an elected king/emperor, administrating the American Empire.

If Obama had wanted to do what Cornel West is advising he would have never run for President of the United States. My suspicion is that Obama doesn't want to change the system but do good within and as the American Empire.

I know what you mean, Larry. I was excited when Obama was elected for a number of reasons (not least of which was getting someone in the office who wasn't white and of European descent), but I never thought he would somehow change everything in American politics. For many, it seems that their original, ridiculously high expectations have shaped their current negative assessment of his presidency.

I don't think Cornel had these kinds of unrealistic expectations, though. We spoke to him last April when he was at Calvin and he was saying the same things then, with tempered optimism. I feel like he's trying to get the president to do what good, kingdom-oriented leaders are intended to do: provide justice for the poor and opportunity for all. He hasn't changed his message, necessarily, but Obama might be more receptive to it than others.

I suppose we shall see ...