Almost 6 months ago, Barack Obama was inaugurated as president of the United States. As soon as he got in office, well actually before, the pressure began. The media is always quick to say he's failing or that the people are turning on him. Many people said Obama promised this or that because it's what they wanted and now have declared he failed. On it goes and won't let up while he's in office or likely even after he's gone. It never does on the others.
I was one of those who heavily supported Obama and want to say, 6 months later, I am happy with the results. I understand that the right wing is not. Well, I spent 8 years having to deal with that feeling when they were in power. Temporarily, at least, there has been a shift and I am pleased.
No, the problems aren't solved. No, I am not pleased with everything he has done (Obama Administration Okays Logging Rain Forests), but he is doing much of what I expected based on his campaign. I expected him to be left wing but also a pragmatist. I expected and feel that he is in a learning curve and unfortunately, because of two wars and the economy, doesn't have the time some presidents have had to get his feet under him.
He gets complaints, such as Zell Miller recently lobbed against him, that he should stay in Washington instead of traveling like say to a world economic conference overseas.Some don't like that he has date nights with his wife or goes out to get a hamburger. Remember there were those who found fault with Bush for being in a bubble. You cannot win and Bush certainly learned this lesson early-- if he didn't come into office knowing it. Give up trying. The most you can please is your base and not always them.
From my perspective, Obama's recovery package is not as disastrous as Bush's stimulus was in terms of the worst people getting it. Is it solving the economic problems? I had hoped it would be more infrastructure, but whether it's working to help the country come back, that I don't know yet. Maybe we are facing a worldwide readjustment which nothing can stop.
My personal concern is for Obama to work to stop the country's rush to dissolve the middle class, which would end up with a have and have not society. There is tremendous pressure from the wealthiest to keep to the trend of concentrating wealth. Greed has become a virtue which amazes me in a nation that calls itself Christian but then a lot amazes me where it comes to politics.
The recent suggested surtax, to pay some of the cost of health care, is being misrepresented by the right which won't surprise any leftie. Basically it is a graduated surtax but won't tax anybody below the level where Obama promised to not raise taxes. Is it a good idea? Again, I don't really know but putting things on the tab as we have the last 8 years, that's definitely not a good idea. You can only do that for so long. We've done it for too long.
I hope for the best from Obama's suggested programs and want to remind people that it took awhile to get us to where we are. Even if Obama is doing all the right things, it can't be fixed instantly. I never expected it would. I also understand we have a lot of Americans who have been led to expect something for nothing. They won't be pleased with any suggestions that cost them something.
Knowing how the right has defended their guys/gals no matter what they do, some think the left should the same thing and the temptation is apparent when you hear your people being attacked or even ridiculed. If we operated like the right, with emotions and visceral responses, we'd ignore what Obama does, his programs, and support him without paying attention to the plans. If instead we are about ideas for solutions, we can support him and still disagree with his programs. That's called having the ability to think independently.
After the righties lost the last election, the way they have behaved since, their anger and vindictiveness which has been illustrated beautifully in Sarah Palin, I am more than ever convinced our solution lies with Democrats-- imperfect though we all may be.
However, because I believe in the two-party system, I really hope the Republican party nominates someone of real quality next time, someone capable of running this country, someone of the actual conservative political viewpoint, not libertarian, not fascists, but real conservatives. I am not confident that can happen in the Republican party of today. [Peggy Noonan] said it well for what the right is seeking and what Palin provides.
Listen to them talk for long or read what they say and you know that this country has those who don't care what is best for the nation but only for themselves. They cloak their self-interest in words like patriotism, but there is nothing patriotic in what they shrilly demand.
There is nothing patriotic in slyly using racial words to prove how clever they are. There is nothing patriotic in gender or racial bias. They worry so much that there might be affirmative action but their real goal is to keep 'others' in positions where they can't compete or get their share of the economic pie. Obama stands against everything they believe and they are doing all they can to tear him down.
For me, I am happy with seeing a president I can be proud of, one who displays, as David Brooks said in a recent New York Times column, dignity. When he goes overseas, it's not to tell the world what we demand (upsetting as that is to neo-cons). We are not in any economic position to dictate anything-- nor should we want to do so. What we take power over, we also inherit responsibility. As Powell told Bush, if you break it, you own it.
I grew up in a time where the United States didn't think our obligation was to run the world. My coming of age came during an era of trying to help nations work together on solutions and many organizations were formed with that goal in mind. It hasn't always worked. Some right wingers believe only might makes right. Usually the same ones who don't want to pay any taxes.
The biggest complainers and probably the ones who are quickly saying they don't like him anymore, are likely those who never voted for him. He won 52.9% of the vote and if his numbers dip below 50% then someone might say he's disappointing supporters. That could happen but hasn't yet. Currently he is back to the numbers that he had when he started. Makes sense to me.
Obama must do the best he can with the time he has because in 4 years, the Republicans are likely, despite my hope, to nominate another inept politician who makes them feel good, who feeds their emotions, who satisfies their need for revenge, or promises something for nothing. Telling right wingers the true cost of anything is not the way to get their votes.
Sarah Palin is perfect for those Republicans. When I think, nah, they wouldn't do that, I remind myself that these are the same people who gave us George W. Bush. Palin will be worse... maybe. Who knows, including the right, what anybody will get with her. Her time in Alaskan office, her pointless lies and deceits don't encourage one to believe it will be good though.
She could well win. I have seen a lot in my many years of observing politics, but the one thing I have learned is never underestimate the ability of the people to be fooled. W.C. Fields had it right many years ago and people haven't changed since.
As for me, I will enjoy the current direction (grimacing now and then when I see something like 'logging the wilderness' okayed) for as long as I can, and hope for the best if that direction shifts again. At least for now the Senate has a 60 vote Democratic majority (welcome Al Franken) which admittedly isn't any guarantee of victories on programs, but it's a lot more than we had.
I am not one of those who wants to see one party running everything but if the Republican party is going to earn the trust of people like me they have to put forth real conservative candidates It's up to the Republicans if that happens. Do you suppose they even remember what the word conservative means?
11 comments:
Rain I think that the next six months of Obama's tenure could be turbulent and very challenging. I want him to succeed for the good of our nation and our people, but a fair amount of Americans don't want him to succeed. People like the Rush Limbaughs and Bill O'Reilly. They will never say it, but it is what they would prefer to happen. The country is in danger from without and (sad to say) from within.
Very well said! We haven't seen a true conservative since Barry Goldwater who I consider the last truly great Republican. I find it interesting that his son supported Ron Paul in the last election.
I considered voting for Paul, too, but living in a 'swing' state, I was forced to mainstream. I particularly like his HR 1207(?) which demands that the Federal Reserve Bank be audited.
I'm not unhappy with Obama although I do think the bailouts were ill-conceived but I don't really blame him for those.
I too wish we would see some real leaders and real conservatives that are not bible thumping whack jobs from the Republican Party. I really hope we get so see Mitt Romney again. I do not think Palin is presidential material, but I like that she is different. Just like I liked that Obama was not a Washington insider. But I forgot he was from the Chicago political machine so about the same thing. The left does not like her because they cannot make her out to be one of those rich blueblood republicans because she really is Joe Six-pack.
People do support Obama without looking at his plans and programs. All the polls show BO with good numbers but when people are asked about an individual policy of his they often do not like it.
And spending so much that our deficit is 13% of our GDP is good? That is double the next closest deficit since WWII. How is that better than the last 8 years? And they are looking to spend trillions more with this health care farce that will just make worse care for all Americans except the super rich. So that will just drive a bigger wedge between rich and poor.
It is the left that has to keep people down in order to stay in power. The Dems need people to need government services to keep voting for them. The conservatives want people to not need the government and believe in smaller government. The left tries to bring everyone down to the lowest possible level while the right tries to bring everyone up to the highest possible level. Under Ronald Reagan more millionaires were created than at any other time in history. Those were people who worked hard and became successful because the government got out of their way not because the government sent them a check every month.
And as for being racial the left has plenty of their own issues with that. You should watch the video of Barbara Boxer try to debate the guy from the Black Chamber of Commerce on the Climate Change Bill. He tries to tell her how it will be bad for jobs and business and all she can do is put up an NAACP resolution that says they are for the bill. Of course they are for the bill they are a big liberal political group. But her answer to a black businessman is to quote liberal black groups instead of debating the issue on the merits of the bill. She really is an idiot.
I was one who knew he came through the Chicago machine and saw no problem with that fact since he has yet to be proven to have done anything illegal-- and boy have they tried to stick him with something. Something could still come out with Rezko's trial but it hasn't yet. Better they be naive about big time politics? That didn't serve Carter well. I want Obama to be tough, talk soft and do what has to be done. I never thought he'd do it all my way. None of them will and even if they would want to, it'd be getting it through that would stymie it.
No I do not want him to be naive. I did not mean that he did things that were illegal I just do not like what you get in a Chicago machine politician. I mostly do not like Rahm Emanuel. I see him as Obama's Dick Cheney.
And so far Obama has played the naive card as he lets Prime Minister Pelosi develop all of the details of his legislation.
The other thing that you did not mention in the tax for health care is if they do not meet the revenue projections which you know they will not that they can increase the percentages and decrease the income levels. But hey they are not taxing me so who cars right. They are only going to make other people pay for it.
Rain, you are clearly a thoughtful political liberal. Your take on Mr. Obama's first few months in office is fascinating to me. Your reasoning is carefully documented - and perhaps that is what is so troubling. Yeah, I'm a far right person more inclined to favor Ron Paul's positions than virtually anything coming out of the Obama Democrat camp. I dislike the rude, right wing radio jocks who grandly presume they know it all. Their contrary far right opinions are, however, often correct and should not be dismissed without consideration. Generally, these people spout out that Mr. Obama has been and continues to be a catastrophic disaster for America. You say "so far so good". They say Obama's ultra liberalism is turning the nation toward socialism and away from our founding fathers concepts of liberty, freedom, and individual initiative. Deadly dumb as I am, I fail to see why our nation should give up the values and traditions that have resulted in our distinction as the finest, most productive, and most charitable nation in the world. To my humble mind the larger the necessarily beaurocratic government becomes, the less efficient and effective it will be. This concept appears diametrically opposed to that of Mr. Obama's direction. So far - NOT so good.
Dixon
I can easily laugh off complaints that President Obama should not have date dinners out with his wife and that he shouldn't ever go out for hambergers with his daughters. Complaints that he travels too much makes me click my tongue. It is important for Obama to first hand see the world for his own understanding. More importantly for his style he needs to reach out in person to foster good feelings among the leaders of the world through words and gestures, place and timing.
Obama is mature enough to realize he and the nation will be better off with a strengthened viable leadership in the Republican party. And I have hopes that Sarah Palin will not be seeking high offices. Sarah Palin has not revealed her true inner self. Just read her biography and genealogy in Wickipedia. She is not the average six pack Joe. She felt she was better than John McCain. She is definately not a lawyer or diplomat. What she is an actress and communications specialist. Maybe her best contribution would be to come clean and then help promote others who she really knows are qualified.
As for medical care: It is a disater now effecting our entire economy. Regardless of the best moves possible in fixing it, health care is and will be imperfect. We can't have a wonderful system until we learn to utilize computers to be an extension of the doctor - not the doctor a slave record keeping tech unable to have time to practice the ART of medicine.
Well guys, I feel your pain and definitely understand how you feel. For the last 8 years, I have feared fascism was going to take over this country using religion and patriotism as its usual tools. I saw our Constitutional liberties eroded, the goodness or our character traded for things like spying on our own citizens and torturing whoever our president decided was dangerous with no evidence. I watched our environment being sold at no value. I saw the rich and powerful being given all the breaks and sometimes with no oversight.
Socialism, like Europe has, seems a lot less to fear than what we have been experiencing from Cheney/Bush, but I doubt personally it's going there.
Health care insurance lack only worries you if you don't have insurance or your family does not. If you are getting it through a job or government, then you have it and so what if someone else does not.
Did you all read up on that C Street group, The Family, in the last blog? These people represent your right wing alternative. Here is one example of how they operate: Give me the money or else.
At Politico (bookmarked alongside my blog) there is also more about the guy who began C Street and more affairs popping out of their 'church' family. Hypocrisy thy name is Republican. Does any of that worry you guys as much as that a few people who are among the working poor might get health insurance?
What you have to understand is Obama ran on an agenda and it's why I voted for him. The fact that I am happy with what he is doing should not come as a surprise.
Keep in mind, if you voted for McCain, you also voted for an agenda, spy organizations with no accountability, tax cuts for the richest and less services for everyone else. You would have voted for a woman potentially to be president who not only had no ability to run the country but also had a record of vindictiveness, ignorance and lies which has been written about in detail.
So you don't like that I voted for Obama and got what I wanted and I understand that, but this country is divided and what you see as virtues in the right, I see as corruption and uncaring about anybody but themselves. The irony is I think we are all good people but boy do we have a different perspective of the world today. I would suggest you guys quit listening to right wing talk radio and Fox for awhile. You might find the world isn't how you think it is.
I have said I don't favor a rush on the health care plans and I say that even knowing good friends see it otherwise. I think if it's worth doing, it's worth figuring out the details and there are plenty of questions.
For instance will it really be free for the working poor? I doubt that. I imagine it will have a graduated amount they have to pay. What if they don't want to pay? You fine them? How do you decide who can afford it? It's a vicious circle. How about the working poor who have a home or say a lot of money in a bank? Do they get their insurance for free or will that be considered until it's gone? I don't see it as a good idea to rush into this BUT it's what Obama ran on.
There are some serious problems for anybody who doesn't have insurance through a corporation. For instance you have high cholesterol, sorry we don't want you. Too high of BMI... nope, you're out too. Cancer, no way. Keep in mind this isn't just about those who want to pay for insurance but many insurance denies for assorted reasons and that is exactly what happens today.
We could do a lot on prescription drugs if we just let Americans buy our drugs online and from say Canada. They say it's not fair but what is fair about penalizing people for not living up there.
I have heard one more thing to throw out here and that it supposedly is because of our high prices that drug development happens. But some of it is being developed overseas; so what we hear is often a long way from the truth.
Another C Street Alumni
Obama did not create these disasters for America. The responsibilty for those things has to be placed on his predecessors many of whom were republican and right wingers. Liberals have to share some of the blame too. Chasing the almighty dollar led to greed and corruption in high places. We live in a time of moral decay and "God is on my side". I distrust people who dare to speak for God and presume to tell me what is right or wrong. I'll use Jesus as my hope and salvation. However, a person should be free to believe (or not believe) what he,or she, chooses to believe. I se no evidence that Jesus espoused capitalism or any other ism. He preached love and mercy.
I'm with Paul 100%. Thanks for saying it more succinctly in both comments than I can write.
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