There is understandable elation in the Daily Kos community and with fair minded people in general over the legislative victories of the past few days. DADT repeal, health benefits for 9/11 responders and ratification of the START treaty are all good things, but we need to remember the Republicans ( and many Democrats in positions of power) got what they wanted most before any of this was allowed to happen.
First and foremost the unconscionably low tax rates for the very wealthy were allowed to continue. 9/11 relief only happened when closing tax loopholes for foreign corporations were taken off the table. Potential Republican presidential candidates all voted against START in order to use that as campaign fodder for 2012.
The accumulation of wealth in the hands of the very few will continue and accelerate. Unless the people of this country force their representatives to start taxing that wealth and use it to rebuild the national infrastructure, revitalize our educational system, create rational and affordable health care delivery, and initiate and fund scientific, environmental, transportation and technological research that can keep the United States a world leader, we will continue the downward spiral towards feudalism.