“Playing the race card” will be just one of the tropes invoked by the right when African Americans suggest, no matter how innocently, that economic or racial disadvantage is a reason to support both the stimulus package and the president’s proposed budget.

Obama’s attempt to have the rich bear a larger—and fairer—share of the tax burden is being labeled “class war” by many on the right and a few so-called moderates.

I have been very worried about the mischief that the outgoing president could engage in during his final days in office. Now, I am mortified and angered by the destruction being done to democratic (small d!) politics much closer to home.