Archive
2012 Election Season Highlights Devisive Nature of American Politics Pt. 2
Of course I couldn’t let this day go by without discussing the presidential election. The 2012 election is in the books as Barack Obama beat Mitt Romney 303-203 to cruise to a second term in the White House. Regardless of what side you were rooting for, it’s painfully obvious that our country continues to be as divided as ever. Last night, I posted the following message onto my Facebook account following the news of Obama’s reelection:
“Time for a rare partisan moment– Whether you like the guy or not, Barack Obama overcame a bad economy, the questioning of his citizenship and the Tea Party to get reelected as President of the United States. Whether you agree with his policies or not, you must to RESPECT Barack Obama for making history again. My hope is that Congress will actually work with him this time around and we’ll see some real things get accomplished that did not happen in his first term. I hope this election was a wakeup call to the ultra right of the Republican Party that it’s time to put aside their differences and help Obama move this country forward . Plus it’s really telling that neither Mitt Romney nor Paul Ryan won their home states. God don’t like ugly! Lol”
Respect is what I truly want Obama to experience in this second term. There is nothing wrong whatsoever with disagreeing with any political figure. However, there is a very big problem when you hate someone. And it goes both ways. Did former President George W. Bush make the best decisions in the interest our country? No. Should he be as personally reviled as Satan? No he should not. At the end of the day Obama, just like Bush, is a human being with a loving family.
The level of disrespect Obama was shown during his first term was unprecedented in the history of American politics. Remember Rep. Joe Wilson shouting “you lie” at him during the joint session of Congress in 2009? How about the numerous inflammatory statements Donald Trump has made questioning his citizenship over the last several months (including a very hateful Twitter post following the election). And let’s not forget the about Gov. Jan Brewer who pointed her finger squarely in Obama’s face as he was coming off of Air Force One.
Today’s school lesson- How many times can you ever recall this kind of behavior happening to any sitting president in American history? If your answer is none then you get a sticker!!!
For the longest time, very few people on either side of the debate have wanted to admit what is obvious to anyone with a fifth grade education: much of the anti-Obama sentiment is based on the color of his skin.
This election has shown the true colors of a lot of people. And to be fair, I’ve seen a bunch of ignorant statements from blacks, whites, republicans and democrats today. It seems stupidity is an equal opportunity employer regardless of race, age, employment status or gender. Many of the comments I’ve read from educated people in my life have revealed a level of ignorance I did not want to believe existed in 2012. Perhaps the dumbest comment I’ve read was from a person I knew who bragged about not voting at all. That is something I’d dare not share with the world on social media. However, there has been the occasional bright light which profoundly speaks to the current situation facing America. A friend of mine posted the following:
“I don’t understand why you have to be so hateful and disrespectful just b/c someone’s political views differ from yours. Especially people who claim to be a part of a party based on ‘Values’ and so called ‘Christian principles’. Leads me to believe that the root of the issue is just not ‘political’. Other things, such as prejudice, racism, and classism (don’t know if it’s a word but, oh well, I’m making it one now) just to name a few, have to be the root of the hate. Christianity is based out of love, not hate. People really need to re-evaluate themselves and really look at the stuff they’re saying.”
In a perverse way, I truly believe people get a kick out of blaming Obama for all of their problems. If gas prices are too high, blame Obama. If you show up late for work and get reprimanded by your boss, blame Obama. If the dog bites you, blame Obama. If you wake up on the wrong side of the bed and fall on your face, then it must be because of some super socialist plot Obama is scheming to take over the world. In fact, every bad thing that will happen in your life over the next four years will be the direct result of his man. We’re all doomed. Nooooo!!!!!
The next time you think of speaking ill towards Obama, take a second to honestly ask yourself what you hate him for? Allow yourself the opportunity to find the true answer because chances are it will be due to an issue you do not want to confront.
I sincerely believe Romney lost for the mere fact he failed to connect with the general public. When the vast majority of voters are people unlike yourself, you must do everything in your power to reassure them that you care about their everyday struggle. It really says something powerful about our nation that Obama won reelection in what was described by political pundits as the worst environment any incumbent president ever had to run in. Despite the goals he failed to achieve in his first term, voters still had enough faith in him to give him another try.
And for the record, I’ve never hated Romney. I actually think he’s a decent guy. I did think he was in over his head and didn’t have many good policies planned out, but not for a second did I think he was a bad person. If he were to win the race I will admit that I would’ve been a little bummed, but at the end of the day I would’ve accepted him as my president and prayed for him to make the right decisions. In a sense, I feel bad for him after he was openly repudiated (and quite rudely I might add) by members of Tea Party Patriots. They blasted him in a statement earlier today that described Romney as a “weak moderate candidate.”
Obama is back in office. Though this is a time of celebration and depression (I believe so after some of the things I’ve read!) for many, I hope the next four years will mark a notable change in the level of respect Obama is shown across the board. His election is 2008 was the result of an historic moment in American politics and a promise of change. This go round, Obama clearly deserved the win and fought hard to get it. Regardless of your political affiliation, play your part by asking God to grant Obama and those in Congress with the wisdom and capability to make the decisions that will lead this country in the right direction.
Like it or not, he’s your president!
2012 Election Season Highlights Devisive Nature of American Politics
Being that the word politics is included as part of my blog’s tagline, I figure now is an appropriate time to talk ….politics. This upcoming election is important. Regardless of your beliefs or level of satisfaction of both candidates, you should exercise your right to have your voice heard.
I’m sure the majority of today’s water cooler chat was centered on last night’s town hall style debate. Immediately following the debate, several pundits on cable news and online media, who covered numerous debates dating back decades, said last night’s was unquestionably the most spirited in history. Both President Obama and Governor Romney came out swinging hard. The general consensus is that Obama came out on top, but boy did he have to fight for the victory. Many felt it was the kind of performance he should’ve given in the first debate.
From what I saw of it I’d say Romney’s shining moment came in his criticism of Obama’s record on the economy and job growth. He painted a picture with pure facts that certainly gave one the impression that Obama made a lot of empty promises four years ago. If that’s the key issue he feels he can beat Obama on then he should stick with it.
Obama really came off best when discussing the recent events in Libya, specifically when it came to accepting full responsibility for last month’s attacks on the consulate that left four Americans dead. When pressed by Romney about his decision to attend a political fundraiser the day after the attacks, Obama gave a firm response that reaffirmed his status as an ideal commander in chief. Even the most skeptical critic must admit Obama is uniformly excellent across the board when it comes to addressing any issue dealing with national security. He spoke with such conviction that I fully expect to hear the news of the deaths of the terrorists who perpetrated the attacks any day now. In that moment, Obama did what he’s always done best and that is use his superior oratorical skills to convey a genuine concern about the struggles the people of our country experience on a daily basis.
Despite the fact Obama won, a win he definitely needed coming off his previous subpar performance, the real story of the night was the sheer venom spewed by both candidates. There were numerous smart remarks, inappropriate interruptions and other things I never would’ve expected to see in a presidential debate. In many ways, both came off very unprofessionally. Even though I’m a Democrat, I take both men to task for their conduct last night. On the flipside, it did make for compelling television.
The fact of the matter is that from now until the election, both guys should play to their strengths. Obama should continue being an advocate for the hardworking middle class community. He needs to reassure us that better days are on the horizon if selected for another term.
Romney should continue attacking Obama’s record on job creation and the economy. I feel it’s the one true area where he could best Obama.
Another topic I’d like to address is the overall polarization our country has experienced in this campaign. Actually, it’s been happening for a few years, but it seems it’s taken on epic proportions as of late, specifically when it comes to people I’m connected with on Facebook.
Back during the Republican National Convention, I posted a comment voicing my approval of the speech delivered by vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan. Keep in mind that I never once said I would vote for Romney or that I necessarily disliked Obama. I merely commended that man on what I thought was a fine speech with lots of valid points. The next morning I was greeted by a slew of negative comments from my friends on Facebook. Since most of my friends are Democrats, it was considered a sin to remotely like anything involving a Republican. Every day, I read so many ignorant comments from people as it relates to politics. Even in the wake of the first presidential debate two weeks ago there were people who actually felt Obama won and that Romney did a terrible job. No matter what you think of Romney and the Republican Party, I don’t see how anyone could’ve come to the conclusion that Obama won that round.
Even today, I read multiple comments from people who found Romney’s interruptions of Obama as offensive. Yet I saw no contrary opinions offered about Obama doing the same. So many of the comments I’ve seen over the last several weeks are so immature in nature that I have a hard time believing they are coming from my peers. At times I think they were written by a third grader. It’s ok to dislike a candidate, but you don’t have to vilify them.
It pains me to me say, but I honestly believe that many Blacks (at least those in my Facebook universe) are supporting our president purely for the color of his skin. At the same time, there are those on the right who will reject anything Obama’s ever done based on the color of his skin. The ignorance needs to stop both ways.
If you’re a non-white who wants to vote for Romney, go for it. If you’re white and love Obama then more power to you. At the end of the day, vote for the candidate whose goals for this nation most closely aligns with your personal beliefs. Most important, we as citizens must pray for our elected leaders and ask that God grants them the wisdom to lead our country in the right direction.
May the best man win!
Where was the civility last night fellas???
