Popdose: Political Culture: Obama Sews Up My Bleeding Heart | Popdose
DwDunphy
· 1 year ago
Wednesday morning found me breathing a sigh of relief. Four years previous, even though I knew John Kerry wasn't all he could or should have been as a candidate, I was certain four more years of W was near-suicidal. I was equally sure that America knew it too and wouldn't allow him more unfettered activity. On that Wednesday morning, I woke up believing that power, the power of fear, and the power of big money ruled all. My cynical side stormed my hopeful side saying, "Do you see? This is exactly what I was talking about."
Now, don't get me wrong. Obama has the burden of some wild expectations sitting on his shoulders and he's going to disappoint people after a time only because they'll have to view him without the boots, cape and magic lasso. But for the first time in eight years, America speaks with a confident voice of eloquence. Hell, for the first time in eight years, America speaks! Add to that a knowing feeling that Obama is going to surround himself with the best of the best and not just former oil buddies, bar-room amigos and those who wanted favors called in.
Cough cough Alberto Gonzalez sneeze cough.
In a single moment, the youth of America took the crown away from the web-covered monarchy and, even if Obama doesn't reach the heights of political greatness, that's a notable achievement alone.
autodidact
· 1 year ago
You're saying by implication that the people who elected Bush in 2004 are not America -- that America had not spoken in 2004. I think that is, if not an insult, a misperception.
But I prefer to recognize that we are not a unified people. In many serious ways, we cannot become unified. I'm not saying that one side is all right and one side is all wrong. But there are irreconcilable differences. If the economy continues to head in the way I forsee (not that I consider myself an economic guru or prophet), the "irreconcilable" part of that is going to boil to the surface even more than before.
DwDunphy
· 1 year ago
George W Bush: "We do not speak to our enemies"
Come on, man. My inference is crystal-clear.
Malchus
· 1 year ago
Dude, you fucking kick ass. This post clearly stated everything I wish I could get out of my head and on to the computer screen. Bravo, Jon! I am so lucky to be a part of Popdose and be in the company of a writer like you.
ramon
· 1 year ago
Thank you for this posting. I've often enjoyed your musical selections (and accompanying commentaries), but this posting was like food for the soul. Thanks again, for sharing such a wise, compassionate point of view.
Old_Davy
· 1 year ago
I was appalled at the McCain supporters who booed during the concession speech. The partisan attitude in American politics has been tearing this country apart ever since Reagan turned "liberal" into a dirty word.
I'm waiting for the "Don't Blame Me, I Voted For McCain" bumper stickers to start showing up.
arensb
· 1 year ago
I like the one that says "Don't blame me, I voted". Though if turnout keeps going up, it might be time to retire that one.
autodidact
· 1 year ago
The people voted. Then, Wall Street voted. I would call Wednesday and Thursday pretty much a sustained booing.
Pretty soon, Main Street is going to vote. The dictators and evil axis and the opportunistic nations will vote with their actions as well. Obama is not prepared to lead, his philosophy unhealthy, and this will become apparent soon enough, not that his sycophantic worshippers will take note. But about 80% of the country will.
About 40% of Americans view themselves as conservative on issues of taxes, government spending, and regulation. 40% call themselves moderate on these issues. Only 12% identify themselves as liberal. If Obama governs according to his stated plans, he obviously cannot satisfy the majority of the people. If he restrains his immoderate and industry-killing intentions, maybe we can avoid catastrophe.
On the other hand, catastrophe may already be baked into the pie no matter what Obama does, and McCain might not have stopped it either. (On economics, McCain was also unprepared to lead.) Four years from now, will people say they are better off? The market forces now at work and those yet to make their entrance on the stage make this a difficult goal. Obama, like Bush, passionately believes in things that simply aren't true, and this has policy implications.
My best friend put it best: "It's time to buy a 'Who is John Galt?' T-shirt."
JonCummings
· 1 year ago
It must be comforting for you to imagine that Wall Street's tanking is a response to Obama's election--rather than, say, the fact that 240,000 jobs disappeared last month alone, the US automakers are in free fall, etc., etc.
Election's over. You may wrap yourself in your percentages if you like -- but for the moment, I believe we can assume that about 52 percent of the country consists of Obama's "sycophantic worshipers," by your definition. That's the only number that really matters, apart from 74 -- the number of days til Bush can't do any more damage.
Ted
· 1 year ago
Wonderful post, Jon! I just hope the battle over Prop 8 continues in the courts because there's clearly a lot of room to argue that Prop 8 is unconstitutional.
Regarding Obama's win ... I was having lunch with my step dad yesterday (a big McCain supporter) and even though he was clearly upset by Obama's victory, he said: "Well, it's clear Americans are just ready to try something different, and I truly hope Obama can deliver." His comment reminded me of the pragmatic middle in the U.S. It's a group of voters who tend to rise in greater numbers during certain election cycles when there's crisis that needs to be addressed. We saw it when Clinton was elected in 1992, when the Republicans took over Congress in 1994, and in this last election. It's a pragmatism that echos FDR's view of the New Deal -- which was: "We try something, and if that doesn't work, then we try something else until we find something that does work."
I think Obama appeals to that pragmatic middle, and if he comes in proposing policies that are less ideologically driven, he'll probably make more political gains than losses.
Elaine
· 1 year ago
George Michael's song Freedom '90 is one of the all-time great pop songs, imo. I don't think it translates to politics. (I know I sound like a broken record, but I just want to scream. Please tell me these political posts are over.) For real, that song is so approachable, in an intimately personal way. It's an autobiography! Not Obamaish or McCainiac in any way for me. JMHO.
All Comments
Now, don't get me wrong. Obama has the burden of some wild expectations sitting on his shoulders and he's going to disappoint people after a time only because they'll have to view him without the boots, cape and magic lasso. But for the first time in eight years, America speaks with a confident voice of eloquence. Hell, for the first time in eight years, America speaks! Add to that a knowing feeling that Obama is going to surround himself with the best of the best and not just former oil buddies, bar-room amigos and those who wanted favors called in.
Cough cough Alberto Gonzalez sneeze cough.
In a single moment, the youth of America took the crown away from the web-covered monarchy and, even if Obama doesn't reach the heights of political greatness, that's a notable achievement alone.
But I prefer to recognize that we are not a unified people. In many serious ways, we cannot become unified. I'm not saying that one side is all right and one side is all wrong. But there are irreconcilable differences. If the economy continues to head in the way I forsee (not that I consider myself an economic guru or prophet), the "irreconcilable" part of that is going to boil to the surface even more than before.
Come on, man. My inference is crystal-clear.
I'm waiting for the "Don't Blame Me, I Voted For McCain" bumper stickers to start showing up.
Pretty soon, Main Street is going to vote. The dictators and evil axis and the opportunistic nations will vote with their actions as well. Obama is not prepared to lead, his philosophy unhealthy, and this will become apparent soon enough, not that his sycophantic worshippers will take note. But about 80% of the country will.
About 40% of Americans view themselves as conservative on issues of taxes, government spending, and regulation. 40% call themselves moderate on these issues. Only 12% identify themselves as liberal. If Obama governs according to his stated plans, he obviously cannot satisfy the majority of the people. If he restrains his immoderate and industry-killing intentions, maybe we can avoid catastrophe.
On the other hand, catastrophe may already be baked into the pie no matter what Obama does, and McCain might not have stopped it either. (On economics, McCain was also unprepared to lead.) Four years from now, will people say they are better off? The market forces now at work and those yet to make their entrance on the stage make this a difficult goal. Obama, like Bush, passionately believes in things that simply aren't true, and this has policy implications.
My best friend put it best: "It's time to buy a 'Who is John Galt?' T-shirt."
Election's over. You may wrap yourself in your percentages if you like -- but for the moment, I believe we can assume that about 52 percent of the country consists of Obama's "sycophantic worshipers," by your definition. That's the only number that really matters, apart from 74 -- the number of days til Bush can't do any more damage.
Regarding Obama's win ... I was having lunch with my step dad yesterday (a big McCain supporter) and even though he was clearly upset by Obama's victory, he said: "Well, it's clear Americans are just ready to try something different, and I truly hope Obama can deliver." His comment reminded me of the pragmatic middle in the U.S. It's a group of voters who tend to rise in greater numbers during certain election cycles when there's crisis that needs to be addressed. We saw it when Clinton was elected in 1992, when the Republicans took over Congress in 1994, and in this last election. It's a pragmatism that echos FDR's view of the New Deal -- which was: "We try something, and if that doesn't work, then we try something else until we find something that does work."
I think Obama appeals to that pragmatic middle, and if he comes in proposing policies that are less ideologically driven, he'll probably make more political gains than losses.