Monday, April 6, 2009

presidential update

I hate to waste energy dwelling on this stuff, but our President is doing too much good in the world to ignore.
The Obamas went to Europe for the G-20 recently - where some fans in the streets still cheered as they did before his election, but many world leaders weren't quite as in love. He asked for other countries to pour money into their economies to bail out banks and other hurting companies/ industries, preaching what he does here, that the government is the answer (and also that the key fixing a huge deficit is to increase it). Some European (Germany, France, etc)countries' leaders said no thanks, they've been there before.
Funny how Obama dreams of making the U.S. more European while much of Europe becomes more conservative and less like the Europe Obama romanticizes about. He's still convinced socialism is the solution. Meanwhile countries that have been down that road are now turning away from it.

Obama's trip has turned into an apology tour, telling the world he's sorry for the U.S. being a superpower, sorry for the last 8 years, sorry for being so bossy and independent. And then he goes around saying how the U.S. and the world needs to get rid of nuclear weapons and will quit being so annoying and pushy. We'll quit trying to lead the world and just work towards a one world government where our constitution is replaced with a panel of leaders from around the world representing different cultures.

I think he looks weak and naive and is making the U.S. look pathetic.

Now a word about Obama making himself the CEO and head car designer of GM and Chrysler.
I already wasn't into most American cars due to there ugliness and my belief that other car companies like Honda or Subaru make better cars. Thus, I (along with many, many Americans) wasn't planning on buying one from them. That's why they're failing (that and labor unions, also something Obama won't let go away)! Obama somehow thinks that by the government taking over these car companies and then dictating what type of car they should make, people like myself will suddenly buy a GM. I actually am now even more, far more, inclined to avoid buying from these companies because of this. I think Obama's vision will fail and companies that continue to do their own research and development and make cars accordingly will succeed. Obama will probably tax us all if we buy a non Obama-motors car so we slowly all must obey, at which time I'll move to New Zealand.

A caller on the radio made this comparison: it's like sending a package to someone. You know the Post Office is probably the cheapest, but FED Ex or UPS is probably faster and will get the package there more reliably. That's the nice thing about having choices. The government does some things that are fine, but often times private companies do the same things better and more efficiently. Imagine your car being designed and made by government employees now. No incentive to be inventive or excel beyond the minimal requirements. Sound good? I'm just afraid that by using taxes, Obama will try to MAKE it sound good.

I enjoy and take seriously the power I have as a buyer and consumer (and want to write posts on the subject more, what items i like, which business deserve our business, etc). I know that we are the backbone of a capitalist economy. If stores sell things we want at the price we want, they succeed. If not, they fail and disappear. Obama and his minions, as the elite humans they are, believe their opinions and preferences have more weight than we the buying public. They, for some reason, think they have the power to take companies over, tell CEOs they don't like to quit, and then tell those companies how to do business. That is not capitalism, that's not even constitutional, as far as i can tell.

New polls show Obama is already one of the most divisive presidents in history, shown by the huge numbers of approval by Democrats and huge disapproval numbers by Republicans. He said he was beyond partisanship, he was going to be a uniter! But we've quickly learned it's his way or the highway and his way is just as extreme as some of us feared. His followers in the Democratic party fell in love with his image and his promises of change, even though he never really outlined what the change would be. Strangely, now that we see him taking the country to a place it shouldn't be, many of his devoted are willing to close their eyes and trust in him- This is supported by the polls showing a much lower percentage of people that approve of his policies than of him in general.

I am excited for the day that people wake up and realize the mess he's making.

ps: no, the fact that Michelle is planting an organic garden at the White House doesn't cancel out all the other crap her husband is doing. I still cannot support the Obamas. My priorities must be messed up.


photo: Obamas taking care of business- breaking protocol (left) and bowing to the Saudi King (right).

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I haven't been following politics lately, so perhaps I shouldn't comment. However, I did think I'd read some things about how Obama was taking on the teacher unions--a pretty large part of his base. I thought dad had commented that perhaps he can do more than a republican president could because he has the support of the democrats but he is disagreeing with them on some fundamental things.

Perhaps I'm being stupidly optimistic, but I want to give the guy a chance. Todd heard our beloved mormon fox news host (can't remember his name) talking about how Obama was ignoring the massive crisis by going on Jay Leno and LAUGHING. The guy was attacking Obama for LAUGHING. I thought Republicans were blaming the democrats for making the economic crisis worse by making such a big deal about it. So which is it? Truth is, Obama is d***d if he does, d****d if he doesn't. No matter what he does, republicans won't like him. Even if he tries to lighten the situation and be encouraging about the economic crisis, which republicans were doing before he got elected and saying he should do, he will be seen as "wrong" for not doing something else. Not everyone has to like him. But I promise that he isn't pure evil. Michelle's planting a garden is a start!

Bill Hastings said...

But Obama is so wise! He wants to stop GM from making those nasty SUVs and trucks (on which they make money) and make only fuel-efficient vehicles (on which they lose money). (Toyota subsidizes losses on the Prius with profits from its pickups and SUVs.)
It really would be simpler if he would just outlaw all pickups and SUVs and require us all to purchase the new version of the "volkswagon" to be manufactured to government specifications by all remaining car manufacturers.
As for my opining that he might deal with the teachers union -- it was mostly wishful thinking. No indication so far that he's prepared to seriously take on any of his key constituencies.

the silent warrior said...

court:
he SAYS good things sometimes, like whatever about the teachers unions. great. but i'm looking at what he's DOING.

Are you a fan of this insane spending, doubling our debt in a matter of months with no end in sight? how about taking over the failing car companies, telling the ceo of GM to quit, and using our tax money to do it? How about handing out millions and millions to banks and businesses and individuals that should be going under because of their bad business practices, but basically rewarding bad behavior?
how about hiring a bunch of tax cheats for his advisers and then calling for accountability from big evil corporations?

i hope you follow more what he's doing. he's making some pretty fundamental changes to the way our country runs, if you are all for that, then good luck.

but, i'm glad you like that garden.

the silent warrior said...

qwan- don't mean to sound jerky...
it really is fine if you like what's going on/ if you like the garden too...

don't mean to sound harsh or like I'm putting you down. peace

Liz said...

Christian,

This is your aunt Liz. I enjoy reading what you write and wish you could get together with your cousin, Eric. He's also very passionate about politics, and I think you'd find you agree on most things.

I haven't followed politics like I should, but from what I've heard, I have to admit that Obama scares me. It seems like he's moving too quickly and with a democratic congress, there aren't a lot of checks and balances.

Thanks for sharing your insights.