This blog, and most political blogs, traffic in arguments. I give an opinion, make a point, argue. Those who come here generally agree with my overall thrust, some don’t. More points are made via comments. Arguments sometimes erupt. This is fine by me. To be totally honest, these arguments rarely change my views but on occasion I do learn something and prefer a debate to an echo chamber.
Most readers of political blogs self select. They go to the blogs they trust are generally “on their team.” I know I do. Since Obama came to power I’ve found it important to read more conservative points of view. Not because I’ve morphed into a conservative. I haven’t. Outside the “Pumasphere” intelligent conservatives have been the only ones analyzing Obama with any muscularity. I find their conclusions generally incorrect but the paths to those conclusions are usually thought-provoking and sometimes helpful. I’ve got no illusions about this practice. Most of those engaged in political debates are, in fact, engaged with their side only. Every one is looking out for the gotcha moment, including me.
This brings me to my thought for the night. Is consensus even possible anymore? I am not a proponent of false consensus, a tactic both Bush and Obama have elevated. Of course, I believe in reaching across the aisle as long as I get my way! A bipartisan bromide is followed shortly by an insult. Neither side trusts the other. This distrust is earned. Republicans and Democrats have proven themselves to be unworthy of trust. Only a fool would trust these people. The level of untreated sewage we are subjected to from our politicians is extraordinary. Almost none of our alleged leaders ever actually leads.
Obama promised to heal our divisions. Given the narrative of his 2008 campaign his failure on this score is epic. There is no historical precedent here, no instance in which what a candidate telegraphed during a campaign and what happened after he won are so antithetical. Who Obama said he was has no relationship whatsoever to who he is as President. This can’t be blamed on intransigent Republicans. Obama said the oceans would start to recede upon his ascendency, not Sarah Palin, not Fox News.
It’s doubtful Romney has greatness in him. At least I see no signs of it. But so far he’s not running on potential greatness. Should he win he’ll have to run away from some promises, he won’t have to run from his entire narrative. Should Obama win again he’ll be in the same vice he’s in now. Once again he’s running on his alleged wisdom and greatness. Tom Hanks tells us so.
If there is anything that recommends Romney over Obama – and there is precious little – it’s that Romney does not evoke fainting spells or any other infantilism. No one is passionate about Romney. It’s possible he’d be a President who is simply a President.
Sadly, we need more at this point in our history. We won’t get it. Ironically, Obama has provoked a situation that demands a consensus builder and a healer. All we needed in 2008 was a true change. We did not get that either. Now, again ironically, we need the kind of leader Obama promised to be but wasn’t. Need is the operative word. Not want. Not it would be nice if…We’ve rarely needed the great man (or woman) but somehow when we did, we got him. Not this time.
My diagnosis is not flip or overdramatized. Things will change in the next 5 years. Things as they are and have been cannot last. So they won’t. The question is whether or not our government will be up to this change. Currently it’s not. The people aren’t either. We get the leadership we deserve. Right now our ’leadership’ consists of Mitt Romney, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, John Boehner, Rush Limbaugh, Bill Maher and assorted other small people. We need a big person, animated by our greatest ideas. We need a leader, a consensus builder, and a healer to get to the other shore. Not 1 out of 3, not 2 out of 3. We need all three. We, the people, have produced and accepted a choice between a cult leader with a dwindling cult, and a Sam’s Club manager. This is very bad news.
Things as they are and have been cannot last.
So what is your prediction? Civil war? Economic collapse? Foreign invasion?
I think you’re wrong. We’re a long way from the bottom.
* $8/gallon gas would crush the economy
* Continued climate change will disrupt food production & delivery
* Emboldened, nasty countries like, Iran, NK, Pakistan, China could wreak havoc with impunity, exploiting our over-extended military
* 4 more years of the obama crime family in power means the loss of our remaining constitutional freedoms
I predict breakdowns all over the place. I’ll put a time line on this: between now and 2016.
Civil war? No. Not like the last one at least. But the panic of those in power is evident all over the place. The civil liberty draw downs indicates a real fear of blow back from the population. Why? The economy is propped up by invented money right now that’s why. This is what “cannot last” in my book. We’re on another bubble right now. It will pop. After that we’ll see something like Greece – not a civil war but mass civil disruptions.
Economic collapse? More or less. Collapse is a big word. Economic retrenchment is a better phrase. What we lack is a person who is able to contexualize the coming downsizing in a way that avoids the rise “corn pone fascism” like say an FDR. The idea of perpetual growth cannot last yet no one understands this – and it will shock many.
Foreign invasion? No. No one could and if they could no one would bother.
A well thought out post John..thank you.
Greatness is not conferred at birth, like blue eyes. It is acquired by meeting life’s challenges. O has never met a challenge he can’t manage to avoid, when up against it, he resorts to tin pot tyranny. He will never rise to the occasion, in the way those rare mortals who achieve greatness have done.
.Unfortunately, the’ West Wing’ spoiled us, can we have Martin Sheen audition for President?
Word press is still giving me fits..I have morphed from Sophie to my grandson’s first name, and my first street address..I must have used that name eons ago to order pet meds or something..
True, Sophie. Also, greatness may not be appropriated for oneself, as Obama did, to a chorus of delighted squeals from his minions and the MSM. I always thought it laughable that in ’08 Obama ran on the empty notion that he had ‘good judgment,’ as if that were a virtue one could appropriate to oneself. Good judgment is an attribute that must be earned and is a characterization that may only be conferred on one by OTHERS. Only a classless git like Obama would appropriate the attributes of ‘good judgment’ and ‘greatness’ for himself.
JWS I think what we are seeing here is a slow march towards what basically amounts to the average citizen of the US having to real power with their vote as to the overall direction of the country.
My biggest problem with the Obama brand is he’s essentially a cipher. He doesn’t MEAN anything. His persona allows you to project upon him what you think he means, or what he means to you.. rock bands, Oprah, movie stars, all have this quality… he’s a demagogue. He doesn’t have to DO anything, he just has to give the impression that he’s doing something and we’re better off with him in there, just like GW Bush had to give off the impression that we were “safe” with him in office.. that brand held after the Sep 11 attacks but people lost faith in it once we invaded Iraq… so 2008 became a “change” election and basically anyone who had a D next to their name was going to win… obvious choice was Senator Clinton.
We all know how that went, and I wont rehash those issues… but the Obama persona was able to remain above the fray while his campaign fought a very dirty campaign and he got the nomination.
What Obama said he was going to do, and what people projected upon the Obama persona in terms of what they thought he was going to do isn’t really the issue itself in my judgement, the bigger issue is that this is the first Presidential cycle in my knowledge where the “brand” and the “persona” are more important or resonant than the actual facts of the elected official in office. The Obots, for lack of a better word, continue to make excuses for the performance of the man based on their emotional investement and belief in the persona.. it’s not REAL.. and as Bill Clinton said “it’s the biggest fairy tale going (sic)”
My biggest fear as the Obama brand was ramping up and that the media was getting in the tank for him was that this guy was going to co-opt and thusly DESTROY the left in America. Not the lunatic fringe left, but the rational and “change” oriented left that was fighting for things like the middle class, the economy, education, health care, you know, all the stuff that matters when you’re not getting a tingle up your leg hearing some guy give a speech… and again, that’s pretty much what happened… when one political party has up until a certain point been the party for middle class, working class, social programs, social reform, etc. one tends to rely on that party to be if nothing else a counterpoint or check and balance to the more influential and powerful monied class, the business class and corporations.. and I think my worst fears have been realized… Obama has not only blatantly rolled over for the wealthy banking cartels, but he’s continued to be protected and lauded in the media while doing so.
And if the Obama brand has changed the face of American politics in any way, it’s to show that an individual of little legislative or executive accomplishment can not only get elected, but pretty much do whatever and continue to stay elected through a complicit and compliant media.
So the politicians, the requisite and omnipresent media, talkshow hosts, comedians and pundits will provide lip service to and bicker over the 5% or 10% of voters that are “undecided” and make a tidy career over it, and also provide a tidy distraction while the country continues to circle the bowl.
Cause honestly, if Obama is the best we could do then, and Romney is the best we can do now, then I’m afraid that the other 90% of people who occupy space in this country and vote blindly by party WAKE UP then it’s pretty much game over for the popular vote in the United States.
My biggest problem with the Obama brand is he’s essentially a cipher. He doesn’t MEAN anything.
I see a similar problem in Mitt. He’s earned his flip-flop fame.
At least he doesn’t come with a cult of personality, but aside from that he really seems very similar to Obama in fluidity.
I cringe to say it, but even Santorum might be better than either of them. I don’t like him, but he is a clearly defined player with a clearly defined base and a lot of opposition. The country might get to better place if he was in the WH and everyone else was doing their best to push back on executive power because zomg theocracy!
Same for Newt: lots of enemies = better separation of powers.
I agree, votermom – as I said in 2008 about voting for McCain, the best we the people can do with the choices we’re faced with is vote for someone who’ll throw a wrench in the works, and at least force progressives to fight on the progressive side of issues.
This is where our nation is headed.
It isn’t only Democrats and Republicans, it’s not only Wall Street or the 1%, and Obama’s not the problem he’s just the grand poobah that the problem put on top of the cake: it’s a great big fat chunk of the American population that is untrustworthy and becoming more untrusting by the day. There was nowhere else the behavior of the past several years could lead. People who lie and cheat and pretend fake is genuine, and do it with a smile and friendly wink, can be easier to be around than people who tell the truth and make better choices that aren’t as much fun. But over time those seducers and scammers, the Elmer Gantrys, the big ones on Wall Street and the average ones on Main Street, destroy the structure of trust that’s essential to healthy relationships and government, and human comfort. A little lie here, an unnoticed cheat there, hey if you can get away with it why not? Well the why not has arrived.
Do we need a great leader? You bet we do. We also need to be greater, ourselves. The leader will arrive when the leader arrives, but in the meantime we have plenty of work we can do ourselves. Even if it’s two steps forward and three back, if we can at least begin the two forward we’ll be in much better shape.
“We also need to be greater, ourselves. ”
Except Hawkeye refuses to tell us what what that entails, exactly. I dunno, TM?
I’ve posted about what that entails, specifically and repeatedly.
“The leader will arrive when the leader arrives’ How true. When my kids were teenagers, they used to ask “how will I find the right person?” The response was always the same, ” when you Become the right person for yourself, you will find the right person for you..” And they did.
Americans used to care about Country, and were willing to drop everything to defend it. Now it is about me, me, me, all the time. Ego and money have replaced decency and humility, at least among the Power crowd, and there is no going back.
It seems to me that almost anyone can be great, if they know they would be held accountable. If no feet get held to the fire, the band will just keep playing.
The current administration always begs my oft-asked question, “what would you do if you knew you could get away with it ?” Of course the opposite question is ” what would you do if you knew you would be blamed for everything, no matter what ?” George Bush could probably answer that one. One gets a visual of caution being thrown to the winds.
I understand the point about Romney not evoking worship and fainting spells – but I don’t believe Obama caused people to faint either. Our genius press couldn’t figure out that standing for hours on end waiting for a candidate to appear might cause someone to faint. It happened to other candidates as well. Those rallies can be brutal.
Sometimes I wish we could just separate into two different territories. Paranoid conservatives in the middle of the country and loopy liberals on the coasts. I’m not sure you can convince paranoid people to give up their fears – even if they bring about the very things they fear. And I know for sure I’m not giving up my views.
I am encouraged by Occupy Wall Street. I think that Obama has greatness within or we will elect a great leader, in extremis, in 2016. The GOP is the party of obstruction and the Democrats have too many corrupt members.
” I think that Obama has greatness within”
Based on what? That tingle running up your leg?
Come to think of it, Tamerlane, Obama does have a lot in common with sciatica.
How sweet, the blog pet is back…to string the terms “Obama” and “greatness” in the same sentence.
I think WaltBot is waaaaay beyond a mere tingle running up his leg.
IQ said he only made it through the first 43 seconds of the movie. Same for Walt, probably, but for a — eeeww — different reason.
ROFL! Eewwww is right!
JWS, a typically astute post. I was encouraged and discouraged by OWS (I put it in the past tense vs. walthe310), but I do agree with part of W’s post. The GOP obstructs, the Dems are corrupt. My wife insists as do O’s supporters all around me that come the second term, miracles await. I dunno.
Doyle McManus in yesterday’s press predicted what I have been saying and a few others on this blog (Zal, at least): it’s the incumbent’s race and the GOP (unless black swans fly) is DOA for the Oval Office. GOP’s rallying around Mitt will have to happen, but the enthusiasm for this race is nil. McManus asks “Will Romney be the GOP’s Dukakis?” http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/19/4349515/doyle-mcmanus-will-romney-be-the.html
(P.S. as with Sophie’s complaint, I find something was adjusted with WordPress recently at least on this blog; I cannot enter my replies automatically without logging in to WP with another step. I get a warning now which I never got until last week when I try to “leave a reply” as usual.)
OMG! this is MY narrative!!!! Barack Obama & the corruption of the American Left:
http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/barack-obama-corruption-american-left/434011
Just when you think they’ve started to pay attention, we get treated to this:
http://lonelyconservative.com/2012/03/25-secret-service-agents-accompany-malia-obama-on-mexican-sping-break/
This looks bad on so many levels, maybe Valjar thought so too, as it is being pulled from the Net, read it while you can.
John, a smashingly good and thoughtful piece.
Speaking of the O-movie. There’s a counternarrative flick coming out this summer. Now, mind you, it’s probably right-wing whacky, but it may cause some to abandon Obama. It’s called “2016,” and it’s based on Dinesh D’Souza’s NYT bestseller “The Roots of Obama’s Rage.” Amazingly, it’s produced by a Hollywood-bigwig producer — I forget his name but it’s the same guy who produced Jurassic Park and some other blockbusters.
Anyone heard of the movie?
Also, JWS, it may explain the timing of the O-flick (the subject query of your previous post).
I’m guessing sophie (like I) will be buying advance tix.
And speaking of the Ob-la-de-ob-la-da movie, looks like the Mr and Mrs can’t let go of Obama’s old lie about his mother’s health insurance.
zaladonis I read that. When the initial vetting of that story was going around after the publication of the biography of Obama’s mother I explained what went on. It was not health insurance that she was denied, it was private disability insurance (aka sick pay insurance) that she tried to purchase after the diagnoses. It was like purchasing a home insurance policy after your property is flattened by a tornado. It is called attempted insurance fraud where I live. It is the very thing that Obama argues about in mandating health insurance, that is you cannot go in and buy it when you are sick and not carry it when you are well. I also thought that this Harvard educated lawyer did not understand what his mother was doing but now I think he was in on it when she was threatening the insurance company with her attorney son. He only wrote a letter by the way which the insurance company ignored.
Here’s a link to the official trailer: http://2016themovie.com/
I wonder if Walthe310 will be my date for this movie??
I think yearning for a great leader to rescue us from our current troubles is magical thinking. Today’s problems are beyond management by any person as president, no matter how talented. I do not believe anyone can rise sufficiently to the challenges of the office to avert the coming crisis. Our problems will be solves by ordinary people in their everyday lives as we all try to do the best we can under our individual circumstances. No one is going to come along and make things better except ourselves, working within our communities, with our friends, neighbors and relatives to help each other.
I agree, Sally, but most ordinary Americans are going to be dazed and confused and unprepared. For instance when government assistance dwindles to a trickle and retirement funds are slashed to pittances again (I cannot believe that after what happened to retirement funds in 2008, and government didn’t regulate investment firms and then the resurgence of Wall St while the rest of the country stays mired in recession, people continue to turn over portions of their pay to them – but that’s today’s Americans for you). Urban dwellers will scramble in competition for the diminished resources of jobs and all that goes with that. Our plentiful food is going to be harder to come by and more expensive. Lawlessness, which Americans are pretty well accustomed to indulging in in small ways already, will increase. The decline is in progress and it speeds up as losses mount.
Thing is, this isn’t the first prosperous civilization to fall to this fate; we may be, however, the first to do it so fast.
As losses mount our decline is speeding up.
Mo’s description of ovarian cancer as avoidable, is another big fat lie. It is a stealth cancer that rarely presents symptons until it is too late. It has killed a lot of women who received very good preventive medical care, like Anne Bancroft, Patsy Ramsey, and my mother.
(((sophie)))
It’s so true; there are no reliable early detection tests for ovarian cancer even today, much less back then.
John, the far left dissects Obama with great muscularity…often.