President of All?
Earlier today I wrote a short piece just as my flight from L.A. was about to depart (thanks, Emily, for getting it edited and posted), and now that I'm on another coast, I wanted to elaborate on one portion of the piece. In it, I observed that this administration has been evaluating the performance of voters when it was supposed to be the other way around. They're busy ripping into the Right (ignorant bigots) and the Left (whiners who need to "buck up") while ignoring their own shortcomings. They seem to have forgotten that they were elected to represent all of us, no matter how distasteful that might be for them.
It got me thinking about the attitude some voters on the losing side of an election have expressed in past campaigns: "He's not my President!" Well, I've never subscribed to that mindset. In fact, every President is our President. That's why we're supposed to show respect for the office even as we criticize policies. But something disheartening and alarming is going on. For the first time, I'm beginning to feel as if this man is not my President, and that feeling is not coming from me. He really can't stand Tea Party people, and he really is exasperated with carping liberals. He appears suspicious of anyone who succeeds in the private sector and positively angered by anyone who had the temerity to become wealthy. He seems to like no one except those who continue to idolize him.
Politics is a rough game, and politicians are expected to have a thick skin. What they're not expected to do is to shut out, dismiss and demean those who criticize them. And as to the argument that this Commander in Chief's critics have been especially brutal, I remind everyone that not one of those critics is President of the United States.
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Jul '10
Re: President of All?
It's not surprising. We like to think "Our President" should love this Country, but something tells Us otherwise.
Re: President of All?
The man is unAmerican, not because he's foreign or Muslim or subscribes to wacky ideologies, but because he absolutely despises huge segments of the American population. I find his contempt for private citizens to be the most disconcerting feature of his presidency.
Jun '10
Re: President of All?
I agree. Obama obviously feels that a large portion of citizens of the United States are little more than unnecessary irritations. He forgets that his duty is to Constitution and, through it, to the people of this country--all of us.
There a some things about democracy that can be irritating (especially when one's views are not in the majority). However, as Roger Scruton points out, "[T]his is the strongest argument in favour of democracy, and the reason for retaining democratic procedures at the heart of politics: namely, that they enable us to get rid of our rulers.”
In November we'll begin the process. I can only hope that conservatives can maintain the discipline and energy to finish the process in 2012, when we can send Obama to a permanent vacation in Martha's Vineyard. The people spoke and instead of listening to us, he hectored us like little children. In November 2010 and 2012 we get the chance to speak.
Jun '10
Re: President of All?
For instance, those fortunate enough to have made millions on two autobiographies before they had really accomplished anything of substance? Or maybe those with spouses making in excess of $300K/yr for no-show hospital jobs? People like that? I'm confused.
May '10
Re: President of All?
When I complain about the political "elites," I am basically ranting about the professional class of politicians and the familial dynasties that have arisen.
The argument in favor of the professional politico is that he becomes well schooled in governance at the lower levels and then works his way to the top. Only in Obama's case, he never really proved himself in any job before he found himself in the ultimate job.
Then, when things don't work out the way you fantasized, what do you do? It's obviously not you... No, your predecessor is to blame! And when that doesn't work out you blame the opposing party. But if the opposition is in the minority in Congress? Then that only leaves the people.... the little idiots.
Re: President of All?
What I find sad, not to mention a bit annoying, is thinking back on the grace, restraint and respect for ordinary people exhibited by George W. Bush throughout his presidency--and the vicious treatment he received from his opponents in return, far harsher than anything that's happened to the ever-so-sensitive O-Oh. Bush could hardly bring himself to defend his policies, let alone fight back against the people who excoriated him: like Shakespeare's Henry VI, too godly for his own good. Liberals are always mesmerized by elegance and eloquence no matter how much it masks viciousness and stupidity. Bush was common and inarticulate, so they assumed he was stupid and mean. Which was stupid and mean of them. So why be surprised to find a man like Obama at their head?
May '10
Re: President of All?
We only have one President, so he's our President. Not like there's a Shadow Cabinet. But by willfully giving the middle finger to the voters in a way I haven't seen ever, he has lost The Mandate of Heaven.
Aug '10
Re: President of All?
Well, at least we're not [griping] about this on the op-ed pages of the nation's newspapers. Because they have closed their doors on us, first from hauteur and now from economic necessity. They can only afford one channel and its leads right to the applause sign at the White House.
Presidents are often disconnected,spiteful,and distant from their countrymen. It is a matter of perspective.
We really don't know this man except through the filters we read and observe.
That the MSM treat him as the Sun King brings a totally foreign concept to our shores and it confuses and confounds us.
But then , we only have to turn it off and click on a blog, and complain. Then we vote ,as we proselytize, our feelings and fears. Great country huh ?
What are the odds, out of 46 presidents, that we'd get a couple of oddballs ?
Imagine the people's feelings as Buchanan slogged through. Remember your slackjawed wonderment as Carter came on TV in a cardigan ? Try sorting out the Nixon memories you have.
Paul Rahe is right, he's the best thing to happen in years. And as Ledeen frets: faster please.
Edited on Sep 29, 2010 at 5:24pmSep '10
Re: President of All?
Great insights here.
Those who say he's not my President fundamentally misunderstand their own country, its Constitution, and the very idea of democracy.
We all agree beforehand that we will abide by the will of the majority (as constituted by our republic). So these folks are either advocating general anarchy or wish to renounce their citizenship. They should recuse themselves from voting if they had any integrity.
I am an American. Barack Hussein Obama is my President. I'm trying to deal with it.
And really, no one on the right has said this. Of all the things that have been said about Obama, I have never heard, nor read, even in comment sections, someone saying Obama isn't my President. How interesting is that?
So the progressives want to progress right out of democracy, that's what it looks like to me.
May '10
Re: President of All?
You're all just bitter that Obama doesn't mean you when he refers to "my citizens."
I'm only kidding. Rabid fanatics of the Right are full of spittle and angst, and thus make great shoeshiners. Don't worry. You will have a place in New America.
Aug '10
Re: President of All?
Whether anyone likes it or not- and I emphatically don't- he is the duly elected President of the USA and is entitled to profound respect in that capacity. The fact that he himself has frequently conducted himself in a manner that may speak to a lack of appreciation of the dignity of his office is good reason to criticize him personally and to vote him and his acolytes out when the time comes. But to question at any level that he is the President of all Americans seems to me to go down a potentially dangerous road.PS, I am neither citizen nor resident of the USA but offer this contribution as an avid admirer of your Nation, its founding principles and its political structures ( while far from blind to the weaknesses of the individuals working within those structures). PPS I agree that Bush 43 understood and defended the dignity of the office in a manner that could inform Obama's conduct for the remainder of his time in the office, if he chooses to be guided by his predecessor to that extent.He could start by not insulting allies.
Jul '10
Re: President of All?
Pat, you are right on the money on so many counts. (I can't tell you how often I hear that as well :--)
I would like to focus on the "Our President" piece. No matter how much we may dislike and even disrespect Barack Obama the person, he is the President of the United States. We owe the office respect. Therefore we should (I do not always hold true to this) always refer to him as President Obama, and to air our disagreements with seriousness and respect. No matter how difficult.
Sep '10
Re: President of All?
I can't wait to see the campaign T-shirts: Another Ignorant Whiner For Obama.
Jul '10
Re: President of All?
The President who disappointed me the most was Bill Clinton, he was Mr. Economy when he was running for office, but he was off to the colonial wars as soon as he was elected, targeting Haiti for another invaision. Next we had the wars with Serbia over Bosnia and Kosovo. Are we out of any of them yet? We bombed Iraq ineffectively for all 8 years. I felt like a fool, I had really thought we were going to concentrate on America first and foremost, remember: "It's the economy, stupid." I was weak and I voted for the big liar. I thought that since we were entering into a New World Order of peace there was no need for adult supervision of the country. Yet he alienated me before he even took the oath, the fact is I was one of the people who was fooled some of the time.
Obama has not surprised me in the least, he is the same man in my eyes he always was. The distainful professor who can't stand the jocks . . . no one ever saw me as one of the jocks before, I like it.
Jul '10
Re: President of All?
I guess you missed the part where Obama was recognized as "A Sort of God" and not just merely a president.
Gods do not revere people, they simply deign to acknowledge those who most please them.
Get with the program!
If you ain't willing to grovel, don't get upset that he's unhappy with you!
Re: President of All?
Has anyone noticed how the usual celebs have abandoned him. No one wants to play the White House now.
Aug '10
Re: President of All?
You must read The Roots of Obama's Rage by Dinesh D'Souza. He takes the man apart and shows exactly why he's motivated to remold America into a twisted crypto-Marxist model of 'social justice'.
Aug '10
Re: President of All?
Saw the National Enquirer at the grocery store, evidently Michelle has warned him about no more parties, or second terms,or something......he admitted to having some Lil Wayne on his ipod, maybe Lil and Snoop can roll by for a concert. Maybe Desiree leaving has cleared the social calendar . Maybe the thought of having dinner with Paul Krugman, Frank Rich, Russell Simmons, and Bill Ayers is too much to handle .