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Current feelings on Obama's Administration and upcoming midterms
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| MisterOpus1 |
A few points I'd like to get off my chest. I've been less than enthused with Obama over the past 2 years. In fact, I've been downright pissed at him on a number of topics, some of which include continuing with Bush's national security policies i.e. torture, rendition, and especially warrantless surveillance; his health care bill was so horribly watered down, and evidence points to the fact that it was done deliberately so by this Administration itself; his stimulus plan was also again horribly watered down to the point that I'd contend is a big part of why we're in this mess today; and he's continued Bush's revolving door of economic cabinet members and advisers with Wall Street - just to name a few.
It's been disheartening in many ways, and gives a sense of helplessness to a large number of progressives like myself to see the old mantra of "the more things change, the more they stay the same." If you Conservatives could ever stomach lurking over on some of the liberal websites like DailyKos every now and then, you'd see pretty much on a daily basis a bit of infighting in the Recommended diaries between those like myself who are pissed off with Obama and spineless Senate leader Reid, and those who defend him at all costs. And of course you have those who want to play referee and try to keep both sides together. Other bloggers who were highly critical of Bush's policies, such as Glenn Greenwald, has been relentless of his criticisms on Obama as of late, and rightfully so (www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald). I appreciate Glenn's criticism not because he merely attacks those in power, but that he's staying logically consistent with his arguments, and does not back down on Obama simply because he's a Democrat.
While it's patently clear to me that in examining the arguments and policies of Conservatives, I cannot agree with them and will not vote for them, it's equally clear that this current Democratic Administration may have been successful in some ways, has also been terribly disappointing in others. With all that said, it's very understandable why many progressives and especially independents who voted for Obama are less than enthused coming into the midterms for Congressional candidates. It's hard to vote for a particular party when they've brought so little to be even slightly enthused about. Couple that with a ty economy and the worst recession since the Great Depression in the 1930's, plus a nutbag Tea Party fringe taking over the Conservative Party's voice, you've got a perfect storm brewing for this coming November. It's also well documented historically how midterms under the first 2 years of a party in power of the Executive tends to hand that party a defeat in Congress.
happens. That's American politics. I've stated in the past that Americans as a whole are ing idiots, and I stand by that. I equate it to our weight-loss infomercials and advertisements - we want the quick fix and we want it now. In my line of work, I see it all the time. No one wants to lose weight by actually changing their lifestyles into an actual healthy state of wellness, combining both a healthy diet and consistent bouts of exercise. No, they want the ing pill that temporarily speeds up your metabolism, suppresses your appetite or eat less altogether, lose weight quickly - only to eventually tack on all that weight and then some once the diet crashes. There's a reason why diets never work some 98-99% of the time, yet people are so ing stupid and impatient they overlook the obvious. They never bother to examine a better, more sound long-term solution because they want results NOW.
That's us. Yea Americans. Our stupidity, impatience, and rise of technology has compelled us into believing all fixes must come tomorrow, and the large majority of us can't ing see past our noses. Hell I'm guilty of this at times. So in the end, I have no choice but to hold my nose and pull the lever for the Democrats because the alternative party is currently outright ing nuts and being run by nuts.
I'm currently re-reading Zinn's People's History of the United States. Just like the first time I read it, it's both depressing and inspiring on so many facets this second time. I do hope one day that no matter who is in power, they finally do start to listen to the People a little better over those powerful groups who's financial interests tend to supersede Us. |
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| yukii |
| quote: | | Originally posted by MisterOpus1 |
Excellent post. I agree with everything you just wrote, especially on how ing stupid 99.8% of Americans are, expecting Google to solve all their life problems and Kim Kardashian drinks that slim you down.
I have to admit, I was ecstatic when Obama became President. I really did believe that he could bring some form of change. I mean, isn't that what we all believe after seeing so much failure with the previous administration? It's reminiscent of when the Germans were in extreme poverty after the war and suddenly Hitler emerges giving everyone an overwhelming sense of hope. I mean, at least that's the way I felt when Obama came around. Hopeful that things could turn around.
Slowly one realizes that not much has changed with our economy, health care, and even the "war" in the Middle East (which he so promised his objective was to bring all the troops home). I understand Obama is not Superman, however, it makes me question if it matters anymore who becomes our President? Given, one candidate can be a bit more nutty than the other, but they still seem to have the same agenda and no real commitment to actually fixing the problems we have here in America.
Do the American people have any influence anymore over running their own country? Or are we bound to electing people who promise change and return watered down success? Should the American people bother voting anymore?  We barely do anyway. |
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| Arbiter |
| The pseudo-conservatives spent the better part of three decades creating this mess. Even with extremely prudent policies, it would probably take at least as long to rectify the situation. So, the hand-wringing over the fact that the Obama administration has made only marginal progress so far is as inane as it was predictable. For the most part, the Democrats have done better than I expected, though that may say more about my expectations than the Democrats. |
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| pkcRAISTLIN |
as an outsider looking in, i do find it depressing when im following the news. as i mentioned elsewhere, political discourse in the US feels like a game of football. nobody cares what's right/wrong, just as long as their team wins. and they'll defend their team and hate the opposition no matter what.
as an aside, i think the presidential model, which admittedly may suit a country the size of the US, is hugely inefficient when it comes to enacting legislation. again as an outsider, it really does appear like a big game of bribery rather than sound, effective policy-making. |
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| The17sss |
| quote: | Originally posted by yukii
It's reminiscent of when the Germans were in extreme poverty after the war and suddenly Hitler emerges giving everyone an overwhelming sense of hope. I mean, at least that's the way I felt when Obama came around. Hopeful that things could turn around. |
:wtf: |
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| ziptnf |
| quote: | Originally posted by The17sss
:wtf: |
Wasn't that a talking point of the republican party leading up to the election? |
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| yukii |
| quote: | Originally posted by The17sss
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Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about dammit. It was just an example of how someone can come around when everyone is devastated and give lots of hope. Kinda like Bush for you guys, and Palin.. a glimmer of hope Kev. |
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| Comrade Stalin |
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| Shakka |
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....waits for Josh to come around waving his Supermanbama flag to tell us why we're all so stupid, why Reagan is dead, why fiscal prudence is not needed, why things are really a lot better than they seem, why rich people are evil, why radical leftist politicians are inherently better and more trustworthy than bat crazy right-wingers, why Castro is really just misunderstood, why Che is the man and why he got an F in Theater 101. So many questions, so little time.
After the daily Obamasturbation threads we were all privy to in 2007-2008 ahead of the election this thread doesn't really make me do anything other than want to fart in the wind. Yay for disappointment.
Who will save us? Whoever it is will almost certainly be a 1-termer because the pain we must all endure to really cleanse our over-indebtedness will surely be unpopular like Volcker in the early 80's or Cameron/Osborne in the U.K. today. I think Obama is destined for 1 term, but he is likely to be remembered as a failed social experiment rather than an effective leader with good ideas (IMHO). |
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| Lilith |
| quote: | Originally posted by MisterOpus1
we want the quick fix and we want it now. |
Nobody is interested in preventative medicine either if it makes you feel any better.
This great big financial turd in the making was festering away for ages of inactivity, incompetence and outright denial there was a problem. Until "suddenly" it popped out and apparently took a lot of people by surprise, I don't know how in the hell they didn't see it coming! "But oh, we mustn't over-regulate the banking industry because it slows down a vibrant economy!"
:wtf:
Here's something people should bear in mind instead to live by- "Trusting any big business to do the right thing off their own volition makes you a complete cretin"
Personally, I feel sorry for Obama having to clean up this mess and probably having to (wrongly) take the blame for it sucking well beyond his term of office, for something that he didn't really do. In the meantime any errors made by him are just guaranteed to be amplified to excessive levels by the usual dingbats currently in opposition. |
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| LazFX |
It took years to get to this mess; it will take years to clean it up. We Americans are spoiled lil children that expect positive results over night.
I am just going to ride the Wave.
Pay your Taxes. :)
@lillith sup woman. :)
@pkcRAISTLIN sup nerd? Ha ha |
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