I’m not a political person. I’m not a news junkie; I don’t troll the internet trying to stay on top of things. I do listen to OPB and NPR, and read the occasional CNN web page. That said, something has been bugging me and I want to get it out there at least once.
I’m really tired of people bashing President Obama because he hasn’t fixed everything that is wrong with the world. People really need to stop talking long enough to really think.
- The mess we’re in? President Obama didn’t create it, he inherited it. It didn’t happen overnight, and it is not going to be fixed overnight.
- President Obama never promised he would personally fix everything. Throughout his campaign, he repeatedly said that “we” would do it together. His slogan was “Yes We Can”, not “Yes I Can”.
- We elected a president, not a dictator. He’s our leader, the CEO of our country, but our bylaws don’t let him make unilateral decisions. He can draft proposals and try to influence, but his powers for making policy are extremely limited.
- Want to blame someone? Blame the 100 senators and 435 congressman we elected to be the policy makers, who spend so much time posturing and pointing fingers that it is a wonder they accomplish anything. If this were a company, they would have a set of goals to accomplish that meets the company’s objectives, and their performance would be rated against their results in helping the company achieve their goals. Too bad we don’t elect people who can actually perform.
- And for the people in the Senate and Congress who have publicly stated since the start of President Obama’s presidency (and again recently) that they will do everything in their power to thwart every one of his initiative to help solve the problems we’re facing–get over yourself and start doing your job. The Republican Party (or the Democratic Party) don’t pay your salary. The people who elected you do.
- And then there are those who can’t stop talking about the fact that President Obama is black. Like it’s a big secret. Really? I don’t care if he’s purple, if he can lead this country.
- Speaking of which, one of the promises he did make was that he would improve strained-to-the-breaking-point relations with our allies and other countries. That’s his to own, and guess what? He’s doing it.
Suffice it to say, I’m tired of the bickering, backbiting, special interests, and especially the polarization between Republicans and Democrats. Enough so, I finally had to say something (not that anyone is reading this).
I want my government to govern with MY interests in mind, not theirs. We’re the customers here. If everyone in Washington just did the job they were sent there for by the voters, then unless it was required by law (such as presidential limits), would there really be the long, painful, nauseating, and overblown political battles every times someone’s term came up? I don’t think so. We would just keep electing the people who were doing the job.
Okay, enough said. I’m getting off my soapbox now.
Categories: Random Thoughts
MOMENT by MOMENT 
I completely agree with you! I get tired of people blaming Obama when our elected representatives should be answering to us. I especially get really steamed when ‘people’ state they will do anything to prevent Obama from being successful. Grow up!
My 10-yr old son has weekly writing assignments at school designed to engineer family discussions. A recent topic was about government and what it means to us. It’s interesting how simple democracy really is when you ignore the politics and adhere to the founding principles.
Wow, I’m so glad you’ve got this blog and made this post. If I could write, it’s exactly what I’d say. Thanks.
I could draw a cute cartoon, but…
…hey, I’ll draw a cute cartoon.
Hey, Tom. If you draw a cute and subject-manner appropriate cartoon, I’ll look at posting it and giving you credit for it. Thanks for stopping by. Glad to know I’m not alone.
Amen sister! You’ve just echoed most of what I’ve been thinking for a while now. (And yes — we too reading!) He’s been in office 2 years, and there’s AT LEAST 8 years worth of neglect and wrong thinking to undo and make right again. Four years isn’t enough — and as broken as our system is, 8 probably won’t be either.