For the record, I believe in him. I believe he is doing the best he knows how. He's had a tough first year, and his eyes show it. They don't dance as much. They're harder, more weary. The circles under them are more deeply etched. And no wonder. The stony faces on the Republican side of the room said it all. What must he be dealing with behind the scenes? The really ugly stuff that we don't get to see (the stuff we do see is distasteful enough). I am concerned that the system of government is broken, that the way the legislature and political system are set up can produce nothing but grandstanding and deadlock. How frustrating it must be to try to actually do something for the people when your hands are tied by partisan career politicans who care nothing for the people, who care about nothing but making sure you do not succeed. But I do still believe in this man. I don't always agree with him, I don't always understand the decisions he makes. But he is tough and principled. I trust his intelligence. I trust his heart. I trust his intent. And for me, that is enough.
I'm in the same boat. Like him, trust his decisions (even if I don't always agree), but I worry that government as a whole is broken. What to do?
ReplyDeletei really wanna believe in him. but i think i'm starting to lose faith. nothing has changed in a year. but i know he's at least aware of this and i think his goals are our goals.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDeleteI also thought the speech was good. I have faith in obama, his heart is in the right place. the mess he inherited is mind-blowing - and the problems go back much further than the bush administration (many of us believe the RR administration started us down a very troubling path!) I'm frustrated with the impatience of people to expect obama can fix things in a year and I'm frustrated with the level of obstructionism conservatives and republicans display.
obama tries to promote bipartisanship, but if both sides won't participate, nothing will get done.
of course, I also think that the two party system we have is very, very problematic, but to try and get a more representative parliamentary system in the u.s. would probably be near to impossible - geez we can't get the country together on something as basic as health care and don't even get me started on the equal rights amendment (something we don't hear about anymore but talk about basic!) oh sorry for the wee rant.
Scarlethue, what to do indeed. That's the crux of it. I wish I knew.
ReplyDeleteCandice, don't lose faith. I think we at last have a president in whom we can have faith. Which doesn't mean he will achieve what we all hope. The obstructionist movement may be too great. I do believe he is trying.
Kimy, rant away, friend. I personally think bipartisanship is overrated. If you have a majority then go for it, because when neither party has a majority, politics prevails and nothing moves forward. Which is what we now have with the loss of Ted Kennedy's seat in Massachusetts. I fear the cynicism that the last presidential election erased in me may be returning.
My daughter has a history essay assignment: How does the past decade mirror the gilded age (1877-1901)? Fascinating on many levels.