Year One of Obama in Power

January 2010 marks the first anniversary of Barack Obama's inauguration. The first African American president, Obama came to power as the candidate of "hope" and "change," and his victory represented the repudiation of the Bush Agenda by millions of workers, youth, and people of color.

But the first year of the Obama presidency has been a tremendous disappointment.

* He gave trillions to the banks, and left workers to suffer from the worst economic crisis in decades.

* He has escalated the war in Afghanistan, sending thousands more troops to fight and die for US imperialism.

* His healthcare "reform" gives billions to the insurance industry and does little to help working people.

* He has ignored the demands of the growing LGBT liberation movement.

* He helped to scupper the Copenhagen climate summit, and has done nothing to tackle the global environmental catastrophe.

Why has Obama betrayed so many of the hopes of those who elected him? Can the Democratic Party ever be the vehicle for progress in this country? What can workers and students do to make real change in 2010?

Join the International Socialist Organization, Santa Cruz, for this discussion of Obama's first year in power.