Your perception probably caught your interest in this post based solely upon the title. The word (or perhaps brand) “Obama” currently invokes emotion of some sort for pretty much everyone. Funny how that works, eh?
I am not one of those political bloggers and quite frankly, I hate politics; whether it is with regard my nation or my office. The term “politically correct” sends shivers down my spine as I find it inane to think that I must make an elaborate attempt to ensure my words, my actions, even my attire are the least offensive to every single person with whom I might come in contact.
So therefore, this is not a political post (and frankly, I don’t give a damn if it offends you). Rather, it is an observation on perception. My perception. Not yours – so my opinion is the only one that is right here (but feel free to argue my points because you might be able to change my perception).
There have been four United States Presidents where I have memory of their campaigns and/or society during their terms: Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush. That’s R, R, D, R respectively. For the record and supporting evidence later, I was alive during Carter’s term, but was too young to remember it.
From what I recall about Reagan’s terms; people loved him, but they hated their lives and times were difficult. Bush’s term was characterized by war and people generally hated their lives more than during Reagan’s. Then came Clinton. People hated him and his lifestyle, but I cannot recall a more economically prosperous time in my lifetime and people generally were happy, jobs were abundant and there were no wars. Gas prices were low and life was good. Then game Bush part deaux. More war, terrible economy and people are again downtrodden and pissed at the world.
See a pattern here?
This is where someone will undoubtedly say
“What about Carter? Times sucked then.”
You’re probably right, but I don’t have any perception of that era and I genuinely admire Carter as a person. Maybe he was just a crappy President. I don’t know. I was four when he was voted out of office.
This is where someone will undoubtedly say
“Well, all of the good things that happened during Clinton’s term were clearly the works of Reagan’s economic policies – it just took time for them to ripple.”
Uh, sorry, but that’s not my perception. Bill Gates and the Internet had more to do with the prosperity of the economy than Reagan.
So now, we are enthralled in a new election where we have the presumptive Democratic nominee talking about “hope” and the presumptive Republican nominee talking about more war. I watch their appearances and see Obama engaged with a youthful, exuberant audience who appear open-minded enough to truly change the world because they realize there is no damn box. I watch McCain and I see a tired old man blinking to a group of people who are just as old, stuck in status quo and caring only about their own wallets. (Although, I do love a good game of “Pork Invaders” from time to time).
I want a country that isn’t afraid to hope for something more. I want a country with a leader that the rest of the world can admire and view as inspiring. I want a country that seeks innovation first and personal wealth second.
My perception is that Obama will provide that. My perception is that McCain will continue to entrench our nation – MY NATION – further into the chasms of war and economics where only the wealthy prosper and the poor . . . well, the poor die.
If you have to ask why I may vote for Obama, your perception must be a different reality. Leave a comment to tell my why I am right or wrong.
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This is a great post! I’m so used to the political wonky reasoning from political junkies like myself. It’s refreshing to hear such good reasoning coming from somebody who isn’t just into it as a game.
Good luck in our battle. You’ve got the better post in this one for sure.
Well, perception about Reagan is wrong. There was a major turnaround after the disaster that was the Carter era.
Obama, he may talk nice, but he lacks content. Nobody, not a single person I know, who is going to vote for the guy can tell me what he is going TO DO that they like. They simply like the way the media portrays the freshman senator who has never really won an election.
Obama’s gaffes are many… They just aren’t widely reported by the media. I fear his ideas. He wants to nationalized healthcare. He wants to nationalize our refineries. He will prevent policies that lead to energy independence for the US. He will roll back the Bush tax cuts, which means my family will end up facing a greater tax burden.
The question this leaves me with is why should I like Obama?
Many people love the guy. Few people know why the love him.
one final thought: economics 101…. No nation can tax itself into prosperity, and tax cuts take time to take effect. Tax hikes may take time to take effect too.
One more thought: Carter’s second term doesn’t sound like anything I want any part of.
@Jason: Ha. Not sure I have “good” reasoning. But it’s mine I guess.
@MTR: I somehow knew you’d chime in on this. I think you are missing the point of the post. I’m not talking about policies, content or any of that riff-raff. “It’s perception stupid.” I will never sit and watch a bunch of C-Span to make sure I am voting for the best candidate. Even if I did, I’d constantly have the the thought that it’s all political posturing in the back of my mind. I’ve become so numb to political campaigning that I really don’t care to watch it or listen to it. But what I see with Obama is a chance to throw out old Washington. What I see with McCain is more of the same.
I am sorry to bash Reagan b/c I know he is your personal hero, but keep in mind that I was 9 at the beginning of his second term. What I remember is struggle. Much the same way most of this nation is struggling now.
My family is surviving the current economic climate b/c we didn’t foolishly go out and borrow for everything we have. But it’s not easy. We both work multiple jobs and bust our @$$es to make sure we provide a much better life and legacy for our children than what my parents did for me. My perception is that life in general will be better with Obama as our President than McCain. It’s as simple as that.
“My family is surviving the current economic climate b/c we didn’t foolishly go out and borrow for everything we have. But it’s not easy. We both work multiple jobs and bust our @$$es to make sure we provide a much better life and legacy for our children than what my parents did for me.”
I wonder then, how is it any president’s fault when a family IS foolish?
See what you did there? You glanced at three paragraphs and pulled out the one portion of info that really wasn’t part of the argument. Then you made that the focus. No only that, you’ve twisted my words to suggest something I DID NOT state. NOT ONCE did I say that it is the President’s fault when people are foolish. Foolish people will be foolish and do foolish things no matter when or where.
That’s exactly what happens when the spinsters in the media get ahold of things in our soundbyte environment. Let’s get back to the original scope. My perception is that life and the economy was drastically better while Clinton was President than during the Bush reign.
But that’s my perception of what you wrote….
And therein lies the heart of the issue. Think about it.
I followed what you said in the post, actually. I think it hits the nail on the head of why BHO is so popular right now. It may also give some insight into why some of that popularity seems to be waning.
Mr. Hope Obama doesn’t sound so hopeful if you ask me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR_GJviltL4. If you listen to him clearly he is constantly ripping on America. It would be nice for him to talk about how great of country we are instead of how great a country we were.
Obama’s views on abortion aren’t too hopeful either. Take a look at his voting record.
The link I posted didn’t work but this one will: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR_GJviltL4
nevermind… here they are… I’m going to go watch Dukes of Hazzard reruns now.
Okay, finally got aroudn to viewing the videos. I guess I have a different take. Obama is painting a grim picture - true. But he’s paiting a picture of where our country is heading. He’s clearly stating that he does NOT want that pitcure to be painted. I tend to agree. Oh, and as far as abortion goes, Bush was elected based upon an anti-abortion stance. Last time I checked, abortion is still legal and even more of our children are overseas dying in a futile war.
1.) If Obama wanted to make changes why did he not start any of these while years ago.
2.) This man who states he is for “America” will NOT stand or salute the American flag.
3.) He is a front man for old money - do not let him fool you.