For those of us who suffered through the Bush years (W) and simply could not tolerate the man, the intense dislike (hatred) of Obama is understandable. We know some of what you feel. We suffered greatly under the Bush WH. There was nothing we could do, and when he won a second term, we moaned and groaned -------we wore sackcloth and ashes, we were in mourning.
In my heart of hearts I believe that the intense dislike of Bush, his cronies (including Darth Cheney), his wars, his utter contempt for anything, or anyone, not dyed-in-the-wool , conservative Republican rich folk-------all this, and more, were enough to put Obama in the White House.
Will the intense dislike, I say utter hatred, of Obama put Romney in the White House? Obama , in 2008, was new, charismatic, educated and-----------COOL, he was, and is, likable to the bone. He's funny, he's quick witted and down to earth, he has an equal in his wife and he is the father of two teenage girls. He is now experienced in foreign policy, with 4 years under his belt to build on the next 4 years and make the progress he has envisioned.
We had Clinton and things were good. We got Bush and things went all to hell. We got Obama and things are getting better---------why would anyone want to do the Romney thing which harkens back to the bad ole days of Bush?
I admit to being a Conservative voter here in Australia. I claim to be bipartisan in my comments about your elections as I use the electoral experience to learn more about your History and by extension your Politics.
ReplyDeleteCarol has written a well thought out commentary and appraisal which should be read and considered objectively by all who intend to cast a vote. For those who will not vote, nothing you read or write matters, your contempt for the wellbeing of your fellow citizens is there for all to see. Please however do not complain if the next administration disappoints you.
To look at Carols point re the Bush years, I wonder if her major complaint concerns his economic or foreign policy? In economic terms we need to compare the situation with the rest of the world and here there is a great disparity between America and the other developed nations. Under Bush your economy contracted and the export of jobs accelerated. We saw the collapse of the Banking and Auto industries and the housing debacle as a spin off. I suggest that these problems cannot be laid entirely at the foot of Bush; they had been building for decades because of successive government’s reluctance to do what you elect them to do; that is to Govern.
It seems that Americans value “small government” more than good government. I cannot understand why there was not more federal oversight over the banking industry. The banks had an easy run as they pursued personal and corporate greed to the exclusion of all else and under the noses of successive governments which simply turned a blind eye. The Glass Steagall act had been replaced by the the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act which allowed far more manipulation within the finance industry.
Foreign Policy was another bone of contention. America has for over a century been the wealthiest country in the world and by following a well established FP has continued to amass wealth, avoid war on the North American continent and last but not least, acted as the policeman for the rest of the free world. The problems accelerated with the difficulties in Vietnam. Korea was a long forgotten war but the humiliating defeat in ‘Nam cut deeply into the confidence of the American people. Was Iraq necessary? Many say no and many more still believe the attraction was the continued access to Middle East oil. In any event, the overthrow of Saddam cost a hell of a lot more in lives and in material than the prize was worth.
9/11 in my view was going to happen in some form or other irrespective as to who was in Power. That it did occur produced a reaction which could be foreseen by the whole world except the American people. From past experience it became obvious that massive retaliation was likely and of course we have Afghanistan as a direct result. This conflict will no doubt end without a satisfactory conclusion as have so many other conflicts we have stumbled or rushed blindly into. I say we because Australia has always been by your side. One success in the present conflict has been the despatch of Osama B L to a better place. If we negate this aspect, has the Afghan war been a success? I think not although there is now, at last an exit strategy.
We have looked through the wrong end of the telescope to see history; can we turn the instrument round to see the future? Probably not but I do think there is a reasonable chance that the current Administration would have at least as much chance of righting the past wrongs as their opponents. Hope and change brought electoral success 4 years ago, I wonder if the American people will be prepared to give it time to work. Whichever government you elect, it has four years to repair the damage caused by both sides of politics over a period of about twenty; a tough task requiring patience and understanding from those who put them in power and silence from those who simply could not be bothered to vote.
Cheers from Aussie
I would disagree with your assessment that Americans value a small government. We wouldn't have the behemoth that we have now if we truly valued small government. We have a large and ineffective government. I think that the legislation that our DC reps have enacted truly started as ideas that were good for the country. Nobody was watching the budget and we wound up in a no win situation. I don't think it is a wise thing to just terminate all of the non-essential government programs to achieve a balanced budget. The suffering in this country may be enough to tear it completely apart.
DeleteGWB could have blamed all of the problems that his administration faced on Clinton. He didn't do it because, above everything else, he had class. BHO could have used a little shot of that class.
ReplyDeleteStormy
ReplyDeleteYour prejudice is showing! This should not be about class but about America. What good is class if the corpse is rotting in the noonday sun?
So Clinton could have blamed Bush G H W, then Reagan and then Carter ad infantum until we reached Jefferson Adams and Washington.
Is there no goodwill to find common ground? Point scoring on the hill is becoming boring even here in Australia. As an aside, and a weird concept for us to follow, I was of the opinion that the President was intended to follow the dictates of his conscience rather than the dictates of his party. At least that is the way I understand the intent of the Constitutional congress a little over 200 years ago
Cheers from Aussie
Kingston,
DeleteThe dictates of his conscience rather than party? My view is that the president, who SHOULD have access to more information and counseling than the rest of the world, should use all of that to decide and lead along the path that is best for the country as a whole. In a sense, that could be construed as following his conscience in a better informed way.
I think Obama has been presiding in a manner that would best serve his chances to be re-elected.
Jean
Jean
DeleteAgain my thanks for the response.
I think that we agree although my opinion is gained from reading the accounts of the Constitutional congress and I suspect your similar opinion comes from informed study of more recent events.
I guess the Pres needs to select his advisors with care. As an example the presence of WMB in Iraq was a false trail which is still costing Politicians of all complexions world wide. Your final point? Yes possibly,but then could he fo otherwise.
Cheers from Aussie
First of all it's not HATRED OF OBAMA. It's Hatred of Obama's policies and ideology.
ReplyDeleteLS, I respectfully disagree--------it is about the hatred of Obama-------his policies are Democratic and his ideology is somewhat Liberal, HOWEVER I don't think he is anywhere nearly liberal enough to suit me. He's turned out to be more Centrist.
DeleteFor all the hissin' and moanin' about his ACA-----he caved to pharma and insurance. I had hoped he wouldn't but he did.
Carol,
DeleteAnd that cave to which you refer, isn't it odd that the MSM hasn't highlighted that. It certainly isn't odd that Obama hasn't.
Nowhere near liberal enough? Geez, Carol.
Jean
Obama is a centrist? OMG!
DeleteCompared to who? Chavez? Castro?
I think it's pretty clear now that Obama really isn't all that cool or charismatic. He was a product of the Media. He wasn't vetted by the media as he should have been. We aren't electing a First Lady, but I'm certain that whoever holds that position next year will do a fine job. If you think that Bush was just for rich old white guys you are sorely mistaken. He spent additional bundles on the poor, the elderly, the houseless, and those under the age of 18.
ReplyDelete"Anybody But Bush" didn't work for the Dems in '04. "Anybody But Obama" isn't going to work for the Pubs in '12.
ReplyDeleteRomney's gonna have to show something quick. Early voting starts in many states this week.
Interesting, one would think that O would have to run on his record, the economy, employment. However as the media has his back, we can expect more diversion from the real issues. How about that solid foreign policy, LOL.
DeleteAnybody but Bush worked pretty well in 2008.
DeleteThings are getting better Carol???
ReplyDeleteWhere??
The 23 million people looking for work would disagree.
p.s. I love the inflation that has been cooked into the system, helps when blaming the wealthy.
Well you can call it hate if you wish but I have a great disdain for those that abuse the documents which gave rise to their ascension, twofaced hipocretes who can't tell the truth with the use of either direct deceit or lies by ommission, total incompetence in either fiscal responsibility or foreign policies through an Islam background which supports its' efforts and mirror the EU nazis with goosestepping militairies of the 1930s and '40s.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased to see that Carol now seems to remembers and acknowledge how utterly hateful many were to Bush----how disrespectful to him and to the office of president and how violent they were in their expression of this disrespect and hate.
ReplyDeleteAs I recall on MW she claimed to have forgotten all that and found dislike/disrespect of Obama to be something completely new and different. And, no doubt, racist.