Obama's Journey from Charismatic to Polarizing

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The American problem is not Democrat or Republican, the solution is not Liberal or Consertive. This country was founded on each person having the right to succeed or fail by their own efforts. If you fail the goverment has no obligation to soften your fall, but that failure should make you better prepaired for your next attempt. The moral attitude of the country has collapsed to the point that what is best for America is now what is best for me, and Congress seems to be the worst. Our Representives care more about what needs to be done to be re-elected than what is best for the American people.
It is time to institute term limits on all elected officials.
It is time to use public funds for election campaigns and stop the private purchasing of an elected office.
It is time to force our elected officials to live by the same rules as the public they represent.

Gene of TN 2:08PM April 20, 2009

Be happy that the repressive days of Bush are over and atleast some amount of international confidence is restored. Bush was acting like he was the ruler of a country, not like a leader who had the capability to listen and take appropriate steps for the good of the country. He lacked totally "we the people", concept in democracy, with the lowest rating ever, and alienated himself even from other democratic countries, in the process of writing his historic dumb-witted tenure. The sad part is other than his jokes and good tax return, I have nothing else to remember about him. He was like the weak roman emperor who tried to keep people happy, fed and believe in reason for wars. I wish he were more prudent fiscally.
Everyone is going to have some complaints about one or other president. Even if God were to come and run this country his ratings would never go above 70%, so these mere mortals can be excused. Instead of blaming presidents or other government servants, people need to take active role in defining who we stand as a country. Probably that is why the US constitution is written the way it was and open for interpretation. It doesn't limit individuals rights which makes it truly a beacon to other democracies in the world.
Stop writing about democrats and republicans, write about what will work for the country, instead of trying to get ratings by thrashing the ruling side and praising the opposite side, to show as if the publishing world has a neutral stance. A true servant of God or people is some one who lowers himself and always available to serve. Even in the worst of any historical moments in world, hope and good will always triumphed, not just from the leaders of the country but more from bottom up.
First sow the seeds of hope and good will, followed with taking the right steps in the right direction to get a good solution. Always there are many solutions to the problem, only the right steps take us to the right solution that will work. I think it is getting too abstract, so I'm dropping off now.

John of PA 3:43PM April 19, 2009

The worst thing that Obama has inherited has little to do with Bush. The worst thing that he has inherited are fellow members of his Party who pursue a strong ideology that is out of step with a majority of Americans. This is a reality check for all those who thought that a charisma alone, without experience or political savvy, is enough. Obama´s learning curve is very steep, having little political experience. If he does not learn quickly and well (and I pray he does) the ancient words “You have been weighed and found wanting” may be the epitaph for his time in office.

KWC Germany 1:54AM April 13, 2009

For all the critics on both side of the aisle, I would like to hear your answers, not just cry cry cry!!
Also, even though I did not vote for Obama, all I can say is what would be your answers?--- and what were your answers for the past fifty years??
Please include a lot of common sense. I have seen no common sense and very little ethics in a direction of doing "what is right", for too long.
The Golden Rule still stands. God was not kidding!

Don Sherrid of WA 3:00PM April 12, 2009

I see so many people complaining about Obama bring us closer and closer to Socialism.
Yes I believe this is true and personally do not believe that it is a good thing.But when I see all these comments about the fact that Socialism does not work I have to laugh. Socialism works just fine as long as you are a member of the ruling class and even better when people find they have no choice in the matter.
Whether this lack of choice comes from lack of knowledge about different ways of doing things or from it being forced upon you due to lack of means to fight back Socialism will work best for the ruling class.
The type of complacency that comes from taking happy pills,legal ones of course,and filling your mind with useless drivel such as celebrity gossip,or who did what on American idol last night while knowing that your whole purpose in life is to do as told whether by your boss at work or by the commercials on TV and other assorted ads your senses are assaulted by daily also tends to be a great help in making Socialism work.
If you have any clue what so ever as to the point I'm trying to make here then maybe just maybe there is hope.Maybe if enough people realized who the true enemy is and were to stop this petty squabbling about who is to blame Dem or Rep.Obama or Bush,rich or poor,this religion or the other.....whatever is being used to divide and conquer us then maybe the is hope after all.

Rev. Vince of AZ 6:35PM April 10, 2009

Jim of GA: "The common link to almost all of Obama’s critics is pure emotional personal dislike of him ignoring the fact that he has inherited the messes that face our country rather than being a cause of those problems."
Actually, most people do like him personally, even those vehemently opposed to him. It's his policies, the manner in which he pursues them and his apparent indifference to the America's clearly-stated wishes that have the country seething in anger.
And so what if he inherited problems? Every president does. He was elected to fix them, remember? Not to say "I won, so your opinion doesn't matter."
Obama doesn't have Bush to kick around anymore, the whine of "it's Bush's fault!" has grown very, very stale. He's going to have to stand on his own two feet.

Rich of CO 6:32PM April 10, 2009

Prez. Obama has polarized more adults, less college hangers-on, than is reported. Get out of Washington and see what the "other part" of the country thinks and is saying!!

WildBill of IL 5:59PM April 10, 2009

When Obama told the Republicans to shut up because he had won the election, he set the negative tone. Botox Pelosi has continued this same partisanship in the House and will not listen at all to any alternative dialogue.
Michael Simpson is sure confused between leadership and dictatorship. Somebody must have mixed up the pictures in his illustrated dictionary!

Holder of the Barf Bag of WI 5:00PM April 10, 2009

Any attempt to push "comprehensive immigration reform" a/k/a mass amnesty for millions of illegal aliens -- will be very polarizing.
Over 13 million unemployed Americans are desperately looking for work. The LAST thing Obama should be doing is looking for ways to legalize millions of illegal foreign workers!

Steve of OH 4:25PM April 10, 2009