JimmyJet's posts above nicely sum up most of my own feelings of why I'm pretty much okey-dokey about the effects so far on our nation by the new adminstration of President Barack Obama
Those who don't share our enthusiasm are likely far better served on focusing their energies towards getting a new President in 2012 rather than wasting their spunk griping about this or that aspect of Obama's presence in the White House.
I speak from experience being that for the first couple of years GW Bush was in office, I lost way too much of my life griping about him - time that I learned to more smartly channel into efforts to find a replacement with who I could more respect and whose policies I could support.
And none....I emphasize NONE of my complaints about GW Bush resulted in a single change in how he and his supporters went about their business.
Nor will any of the complainers about Obama inspire any change in what he and his legion of supporters are set out to do during the next 7+ years.
Moral of the Story - Stop Bitchin' and Get To Work creating real and believeable alternatives to what you don't like in your community, whether it be national, state or local.
-Bman PPub post for June 6 (so I'm a day late....)
We've had this conversation before and I beg to differ. Perhaps if you had been a little more vocal prior to 2004 (in addition to a handful of other people), the results may have been different (both of Bush's election were extremely close). The head in the sand approach is a defeatist attitude and ignoring the present may doom you in the future (in particular if we end up experiencing hyperinflation). I hope, as I said before, that people continue to talk ad nausem about this. Ignoring it will surely result in a re-election in 2012 and the time to talk is now. I personally am pleased with the amount of internet talk and what media coverage I see against all this spending, and I think it's starting to pay dividends. Things aren't exactly floating through in Congress anymore and the recent vote on IMF bailout is a great example. A Politician's main concern is to be re-elected and regardless if Obama wants something to pass, no politician is going to jeopardize his future by voting on something that might cause them to lose an election. I find it interesting how you equate complaints with "wasting one's spunk" and walking around with intense anger. I assure you that's probably not the case with many of us (myself included). I still have very nice vacations, go to nice dinners, and enjoy my job. I actually find debating items very therapeutical (especially when you can change someone's thinking...and I have had success with some). The forum is great for sending out a message to multiple viewers and serves its purpose (short of taking out an ad in a newpaper, what other venue could one use to get out information and not incur a cost?). Posts like this gives others a chance to express their viewpoint and as far as I'm concerned, if I even get one reader to say "wow, I had no idea that was the case", I've succeeded. I believe there's quite a bit of misinformation ("spin") put out there that confuses quite a bit of people. You'd be surprised how many people at work had no idea what this Universal Health Care was all about (even though they voted for Obama). It's easy enough to point them in the right direction so they can see how it works in other countries. Some were OK with it, and some were shocked. I didn't bias the info, I simply let them make their own decision (amazing how effective that can be). I only wish when people vote (whether it's for a President or just local issues), they take the time to really understand the issues instead of seeing a snapshot or sound byte from the media, or being memorized just because a politician is an eloquent speaker.
