The era of bipartisanship promised by Obama truly inspired millions of America. They anticipated Democrats and Republicans working shoulder-to-shoulder for the good of the country. Instead, both sides are at the other’s throat. Millions were duped by the false hope of "change."
The Economist notes that some Obama supporters feel betrayed by their guy, worrying the President is “treating the economic crisis rather as George Bush treated September 11—as a convenient excuse for pursuing a long-held ideological agenda.” They rage against massive deficits and untold financial burdens placed on generations to come. Obama, it appears, is willing to "bail out anyone with a tip cup," notes The Economist.
Other solid Obama backers, such as the New York Times’ Paul Krugman, worry that Obama is low-balling the stimulus package. That Nobel Prize winner fears endless rot and stagnation as the economy withers.
The Republicans, for their part, offer nothing but venom. They have embraced the mantle of the “party of no,” rallying around windbag Rush Limbaugh as their leader. The GOP lustily cheers for failure by the President, which will take the rest of us with him.
The Economist frets that Obama’s most important weapon during the election was his ability to turn “anti-Bush anger into pro-American hope.” It fears the next few years will be shaped by “managing anger rather than transcending it.” If that rings true, we are all cooked.
Howard Beale’s “I’m Mad as Hell” speech in “Network” has been the battle cry for many in America these days. Beale, who was played by Peter Finch, did offer sound advice, urging people to turn off their TV sets.
Today’s cable TV bloviators stoke much of the anti-Obama rhetoric, blaming him for the collapse of banks and tanking markets worldwide. They act as if the Bush Administration’s blind eye to corporate corruption/thievery during the past eight years had nothing to do with America’s sad state of affairs. Turn off those televisions.
Let’s give Obama’s program a chance to get put into place before it is dismissed as a complete failure. He has only been on the job since Jan. 20.