In First 100 Days, Obama Takes Criticism From All Sides

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ZmRwDxpQmtYYu of 8:30AM August 09, 2009

First, I think the most balanced and sensible post so far has come from Kathy Rubino. I read optimism and intelligence in her comments. Which says to me that the two are not mutually exclusive. One can be hopeful and discerning at the same time! And yes, there is a deluge of problems to fix; many of them created by the previous administration. But I suppose that some of these have been on-going challenges for many presidencies past. In essence, it does us very little good to look back in anger. So, we start from today.

But in having an open debate we need something very crucial...facts. But I am hearing mostly fear and vagueness.

My brothers and sisters and I grew up poor southerners who relied on the monthly check for most of our sustenance. Though we were often short by the end of the month, I think the government did right by us overall. Yet, when Carter defeated Ford, I remember my siblings and I being disappointed and tearful that a Democrat was in office. We had no idea exactly why, we just thought that we were Republicans and that now things were going to go to hell in a hand basket. I suppose that point could still be debated but I am not versed enough on why Carter's term in office was not considered a rousing success(though I'm sure someone will be more thant happy to enlighten me). The point is that we feared and judged simply on the basis that we were Republicans and that nothing good could come from this man. Well, the monthly checks never stopped coming and our lives were not really better or worse for the four years that Carter was in office.

Now my brothers are both staunch Republicans and they foresee doom and gloom in our future. Yet, when I press them for examples of how they believe Obama is making poor decisions I am met with silence. Still, they just know we are going down the wrong path. It just doesn't add up. At least not for thinking adults. Even armchair quarterbacks will give you specifics, "their secondary is too strong, throw short passes; number 57 is still getting through on the right side, they need to double up," etc. But all I am hearing is how wrong and poor our president's decisions and actions are with no specifics or alternate remedies. And the language used is decidedly negative and biased. My brother used the word "meddling" the other day and for some reason I find that most disturbing.

But I guess what really gets me is when they paint Obama supporters as these ultra-liberal, blind-faith yahoos who worship the ground he walks on. I am supportive and hopeful but I hold him accountable and am willing to listen to substantive critism.

So people, when you come to the table to voice your opinion and you REALLY want others to understand, bring some facts! Help me see your point of view. And I'll bring my facts and I hope you will want to see my point of view too. Then, maybe we can see where exactly we differ and, perhaps more importantly, how we are the same.

Tim Cody of MI 10:30AM May 06, 2009

As far as some of these comments on this site go I have one thing to say:

Yesterday when his teleprompter when on the fritz and he had to talk to it and let it know it was repeating the speech, it was pretty funny. Even Clinton could improvise and know what he was talking about. Talk about dependency. The big question- who is the person behind the scenes being the president if he's doing the acting? Gotta laugh!

Tom of NJ 9:29PM April 28, 2009

Even when these libs are getting their way they're still angry people.

So-for lady of az yes, he can take any critizism as long as he has a 'WORKING' teleprompter with him. And as for him handling this job, any college student with a backround in economics could do a much better job. Some day when all this tactics crumble around you, you will see.

Amy of NH 4:49PM April 28, 2009