If the submissions from liberal bloggers for the 93rd edition of Carnival of the Liberals is any indication of the health of our so-called “liberal movement” in America, then I’m sad to report we’re in tough shape. Hardly any that I received were critical of the Democratic Party. They were either laughable neo-con diatribes about the Socialist menace of the Obama Administration or lazy articles about Sarah Palin being ridiculous, which is as easy as shooting moose in a barrel. What we were looking for, and what you’ll find below, are honest leftist critiques of the current power structure, which happens to be Democratic at the moment. Unfortunately, most of the liberal blogosphere seems content on kicking their feet up for the next four years.

As a liberal not beholden to any party, it seems to me as though Democrats deal in piecemeal reform while Republicans move in huge world-changing steps. The idea that it’ll take an entire Obama presidency just to undo some of what George Bush fucked up is proof of that. We may take 1 triumphant step forward during a Democratic presidency, but are then pulled back 10 steps during a Republican presidency. Piecemeal reform sedates our fervor, allowing liberals to accept what they can get rather than fight for what they deserve. Marriage equality, single-payer health care, environmental protection, and troop withdrawal are all moral issues which can not be compromised in order to appease conservative and/or corporate interests.

It’s time to demand huge changes in our country. If we can’t do it when the Republican Party is in utter disarray then it will never happen.

• And nothing exemplifies the necessity for some of that classic liberal audacity more than the issue of health care. Guest blogger and fellow potty mouth Allison Kilkenny takes a look at Kennedy’s health care bill, explaining why anyone claiming to be a representative of the American people who then fights against a single-payer system should be severely beaten (and perhaps treated in Canada to dispel their single-payer fears?).
• Next is BuelahMan, who’s ended his long-standing feud with the corporate whores at YouTube to bring us a video commentary from Bill Maher concerning the failings of the corporate whores in the Obama Administration.
• But what about Iran? After all, that’s what all the twits are talking about these days. Well you’re in luck because The Unrepentant Marxist exposes the double standard of Obama’s disapproval of Iran, yet odd approval of other despotic regimes which benefit our capitalist interests in the region.
• Speaking of despotic regimes we’re comfy with, Obama’s speech in Cairo was hailed as a step forward by the Left. Prominent anti-war activists Jeremy Scahill and Anthony Arnove take a look after said speech at how the administration is Rebranding War and Occupation.
• A more recent speech was given by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he finally allowed for the creation of a defenseless and divided Palestinian State with illegal settlements and without East Jerusalem. Hooray! Obama applauded the continued legitimization of annexation, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing as a “step forward” for the peace process. I wonder what a step backward looks like. Can you goose-step backwards?
• While we’re on the contradictory pro-war leftist tip, it is with great pleasure that I introduce an article by Cindy Sheehan on After Downing Street regarding “faux-gressive” organizations. Cindy was widely supported by the Left until she started criticizing Democrats for the same crimes she criticized Republicans for. She has since been marginalized by hypocrites who once touted her as a courageous voice of peace.
• And if we’re going to celebrate the idea of millions of people mobilizing for change after years of oppression, we would be remiss not to also mention the struggle of the people of Latin America with an article about the Obama Administration’s attempts to subjugate more brown people and reign in revolution with a continuation of Bush-era policies. Nice dress though Hillary. I bet they can still smell the sulfur.
• If you have the strength to wade through the latest pics of Lindsay Lohan’s tits and apolitical comedy clips, you may find an actual article on The Huffington Post. This is one of them.
• Barney Frank is an Uncle Tom. Oh no he didn’t!
• And last but not least we have a humorous article from The Onion because satire sometimes tells the truth in ways we’re unable to.

This Way to the Egress.

I hope you all enjoyed the carnival ladies and gentlemen. Please consider hosting a Carnival of the Liberals yourself. It’s a fun time, it’ll make you popular, and you’ll start growing hair in weird places.