I’m the first to admit that I have criticized those areas of Obama’s policies with which I disagree. I shall continue to do so. To do otherwise would be dishonest. However, I consider condemning Obama, because he has not delivered everything we want both misinformed and dangerous.
Never before in my lifetime has an American President faced such a broad panoply of crises, left over from the Bush/GOP regime and beyond: addiction to foreign oil, crumbling infrastructure, declining education, the greatest imbalance of wealth in our nations history, a federal bureaucracy gutted of talent and replaced with ideologue GOP loyalists, global climate change, thousands dying monthly for the lack of health care, the worst economic crisis since the great depression, and two wars, to mention just a few.
Never before in my lifetime has an American President faced a minority party so intent on regaining power that they have taken every possible opportunity to undermine the steps Obama has taken to address these crises. GOP use of the filibuster and individual holds in the Senate exceed previous records far and away. Their intent is simply to exacerbate our national suffering so that they can blame Obama for what they have caused.
Never before in my lifetime has an American President accomplished so much, and he has done so in spite of all the above. Rachel Maddow spelled this out on Friday night.
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Like she said, there are many things we progressives want and have not gotten: single-payer, TBTF breakup, etc. Nevertheless, as she also said, that last time a President accomplished this much, booze was illegal.
So do we forget the things we want? Hell no! We continue to fight for them, demand them, lobby for them, and educate for them. Never give up! But in the meantime, let us recognize how much this administration has accomplished for us. The reality of US politics dooms an all or nothing approach to failure.
To my progressive friends, who take the opposite view, whom I respect for their dedication and love for their idealism, I ask this. Where would we be today if John “McConJob” McCain and Sarah “Drill Baby Bimbo” Palin had won?
32 Responses to “Editorial: Should We Cut Obama a Little Slack?”
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TC, Shaw and I have posted this too, we ALL need to!! I am guilty of wanting an in your face kinda president instead of being grateful for the man we elected. He is a good man who is working extremely hard for us and we are acting like cry babies!! I guess my complaint really lies with Congress and their inability to inact these progressive policies we asked for. The watering down of bills just to get some thugs on board has got to stop! No matter how much water is poured on the THUGS ARE NOT VOTING YES!
Obama’s administration is not tooting his horn loud enough so we must do it!!
Thanks Sue. I have more complaints with Congress, especially the Senate, than I do with Obama.
read this TC and friends, it says it ALL….
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/06/24/republicans_are_undercutting_national_economic_rec/
Great minds, Sue. I said the same thing in today’s open thread.
I saw this on Sue’s site last night – when you put it that way, he has accomplished a lot. But, I’m still pissed about Iraq, Afghanistan, and DADT, not to mention DOMA.
On Iraq and Afghanistan, he is doing what he said he would do during the campaign. My beef with him on Afghanistan is not adapting to a reality that is shifting from bad to worse. He’ll get DADT gone. Congress passed DOMA. It’s up to Conress to repeal it.
For nearly two years I have defended Obama against attacks by the right and the left and the MSM media as well. He isn’t perfect and he doesn’t have a perfect record but, as you say, he has been faced with a devious and unrelentless wall of opposition while faced with problems like none other.
Thanks Leslie. While I criticize, it is the helpful criticism of an ally.
First, my original comment is the most garbled comment I think I’ve ever written. Second, there is nothing wrong with constructive criticism. Third, I don’t think there’s a person alive who could have accomplished what Obama has accomplished given the problems he’s had and the effin Republicans and even the spoiled Democrats. Fourth, fair weather Democrats should think about changing teams or, at the very least, take a few classes in history and political science. Fifth – question: is the glass half empty or half full?
Good piece, TC. Know that I have no problem with healthy criticism – just with petty nit-picking criticism borne of a lack of knowledge of the political process.
Leslie, I didn’t think you did have a problem with healthy criticism. I was just clarifying my point of view. We’re on the same page. 🙂
I don’t see the dems as switching parties when they get impatient and plain angry, just staying home and not voting at all. I’d rather be dead then vote republican….
TC: Oh, I understand. Was just having a stream of conciousness kind of moment. : -)
Sue, I was being a bit sarcastic. Anyway, I’ve kind of come to the conclusion that Dems would rather bitch than switch.
I do that all the time myself. {{hug}}
Tom,
I respect you opinion and I value our online connection / friendship. So I’m not going to comment. I feel differently.
My reason for commenting it to acknowledge your point of view, my friend. Have a grand Sunday….!
Gwen, agreeing with me has never been necessary for my respect or my friendship. I have both invested in you, and it’s a damn good investment. Have a great Sunday. 🙂
Who’s better than you dude? Much appreciated TC. I just think he’s not living up to his potential. I realize we have never experienced a President who had so much to face so soon with so little in the way of help. But cha know, I EXPECT him to be able to make it happen. I still do. I don’t run away….
nope not yet.
There are 2 reasons for the continous attacks on Obama:
First, and foremost, accomplishment and good news doesn’t sell. So, the press is responsible. FDR had critics to the point of high level assassination plots, as well.
Second, a comment on Human Nature, is just as likely a cause: “Our successes are never remembered, but our failures are never forgotten.”
I, too, have defended many accomplishments that this Administration has done. Not even FDR’s stuff was so perfect it was not revisited in additional legislation. Social Security, Welfare, and several other things were modified over the decades, not all of them in a bad way. We have to start somewhere, this is how our process operates. Even if we had a ‘friendlier’ Congress, it would not be 100% right. It MIGHT be better, but we don’t even have those assurances. We still have all that we can hope for this time around: A start. This is more than the other side is offering, which in Politics is about as ‘winning’ as it gets. You don’t have to be the best, you just have to be better than the alternative.
Thanks for this, Otis. First, you’re right. Conflict sells far more soap. Second, you’re right, If Mother Teresa had committed a felony at age 18, she would be remembered most for that. Third, reminding us that FDR’s legislation needed revisiting es especially relevant.
I appreciate your comments… and I would add that never before has a Democrat POTUS ever had Dem control of both houses so completely unwilling to take any progressive stands. Congress and the SCOTUS are both bought and paid for by the corporate masters. Little wonder progressives are disappointed.
Welcome Jim and thank you, I fully agree that SCOTUS is a corporate tool. As for Congress, the House has passed most of what needs to be passed. The problem is in the Senate, where 60 votes are required for control. Even when we had 60, it wasn’t enough, because a few DINOs are bought and paid for, as you say.
Well said, Tom. I’ll admit I’ve been cringing when the good (liberal) media reports facts that put Obama’s decisions in a bad light.
I feel the same as you do about stuff he hasn’t done. I do believe his first year trying to work with the Republicans has shown him that it’s a worthless exercise. The rest of us already knew that. I guess he’s just a cockeyed optimist.
Now that he’s learned that lesson, I hope it’s no more Mr. Nice Guy.
Thanks, Marva. Part of the problem is that Obama is a centrist, not a hard left progressive. Many have based their expectation on what they wanted him to do. I’m afraid it is in his nature to seek consensus.
I agree with you, Tomcat. I don’t remember in my 68 years of any president having to take over after the previous administration made such a mess of things. I applaud Obama – it’s a job that I wouldn’t want to have to tackle.
Thanks Daine. I wouldn’t want it either.
I have named Obama the Great Appeaser. I still go with that, but appeasement was probably necessary to get anything done. Would I have approached things as he does,NO but then again I’m just an opinionated Blogger.
I personalty like an in your face fighter which would again almost guarantee losses. Time will be the decider of the job he’s doing. He has to do it his way.
Tim, there are times that I feel the same way.
Never before has the minority worked so hard against what is best for the American people. They stopped caring about what’s good for the country. They only care about what is good for there party, and that does not help America, or the American people.
Back in 1980, they got there man. In 1983, they got there tax cuts, and the debt has been climbing ever since. Our top General said today, that our deep debt is a national security problem. DAH!
Welcome back, Tom. You have been missed here.
I thing we need to reduce debt over the long term, but deflation is a greater risk today.
I’ll give the President credit where credit is due, and he is due quite a bit for quite a lot that he’s gotten done in the past year and a half. Really, his accomplishments have actually been quite extraordinary given that half the country wants him dead. He’s dropped the ball a few times, but that’s to be expected. I just wish he would drop the ball on the little shit and get the big shit in better order.
Bee, I hear you, but until the Senate Democrats grow a pair and end the filibuster, the big shit will never get 60 votes.
Brilliantly written, TomCat, and I agree with every single word. This President has been savaged by the far right, criticized heavily by the left, and has received little solid support from much of his Republican-Lite, “blue dog” party “members.” I always maintain that 15% of SOMETHING is FAR better than 100% of nothing, and, if we take an honest inventory, Obama has given us even more than 15%. As you say, we need to wake up and consider the alternatives, none of which are acceptable at this point!
Thank you, Jack. Coming from you, that is high praise. The lack of alternatives is indeed the key here. Were the GOP to go the way of the Whigs (please, God!), and be replaced by a party to the left of the Democrats, I’d join it.