President Obama is running for re-election in 2012. If you're thinking, "Tell us something that is news," here you go. Even in his campaign video, he's saying it's OK if you don't love him. The president is openly allowing people to criticize him in his own campaign video.
In a video dubbed "It Begins With Us," a host of supporters are driving home the message that he's got a country to run, so it's up to US to get him re-elected. But the one voice that stands out is a man named Ed from North Carolina. Because Ed is an Obama supporter, but he's no puppet. And the Obama campaign is completely OK with that. Says Ed:
I don't agree with Obama on everything. But I respect him and I trust him.
There. That's what we look for in a politician. Not a yes man who stands in front of us and tells us what we want to hear so we can agree with him (or her) on every single issue. No, the politicians who make us happy 100 percent of the time are lying to us and lying to themselves. Because it's human nature to cultivate opinions based on personal experience, and no two people have the same personal experiences -- not even identical twins.
In the past two and a half years, President Obama hasn't made me happy every day. There have been days when I've been downright pissed off. When he appointed Ben Bernanke and Tim Geithner to "watch over" our money, I did the typical American unhappy with her president grumbling about moving to Canada. Then I got over it. Because according to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 311,102,692 Americans. He serves all of them, not just me. He has to try to make all of them happy at least some of the time, not just me.
Unfortunately, as Americans, we've lost the ability to balance our views and allow for disagreement. Between pundits screaming at us on TV and Internet debates that devolve into vicious, hate-filled rants, the death knell for civil discourse seems to have sounded sometime in the late '90s. And that goes for our politicians too. You're either with them or against them. Disagree, and you're branded unpatriotic, a terrorist. You can't simply be an American, with the Constitutionally-protected right to free speech.
That hive mindset has compromised one of the most valuable of American rights: our ability to cast a vote for our politicians. It's left us feeling too often like we vote against someone rather than for them, that we are picking the lesser of two evils.
But here's what you can take from Barack Obama's campaign video. There are no perfect politicians. You won't agree 100 percent of the time. And that's OK. He didn't promise to make me happy all of the time. He left room for disagreement:
It's too early to tell if he'll get my vote in 2012, but President Obama did something greater than securing votes with this video. He reminded me it isn't about ME; it's about WE, the entire country, and some compromise.
What do you think of the video? Were you surprised the announcement came now?
Image via YouTube
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Comments 87
I dont think SGR has any right to say that the republicans are hateful and only spew hate. She has told posters that they are ignorant and too stupid to form an opinion, because they dont agree with her. Thats is very nasty and hateful in my opinion. Hoticed nor pony has said anything to personally attack you SGR. So why dont you refrain from calling people names and debate the facts.
Americans are not incapable, but corporate America makes it near impossible to attain the lifestyle we want and need.
It's not corporate America's job (or the government's) to help you attain a lifestyle you "want and need" - that's your responsibility. If you've failed to eek out an existence that satisfies you, that's on you - own it or change it - the only one holding you back is you.
Now, do you think you could stop insulting other countries.
I haven't insulted any countries. Socialist societies don't need to strive for excellence - that's a fact - the citizen's needs are taken care of by the government so nobody needs to work hard for that "lifestyle we want and need" (and man, if that isn't the most entitled sentence I've ever read on The Stir!!!). And yes, we have a prime example of that socialist society you so love on our northern border. Pretty sure Canadians aren't offended by the fact that I pointed you in their direction....though I could be wrong....maybe their government isn't looking to supply you with all you want and need, either. Their system works differently, and no, I don't embrace it. America is better than any other country on this planet because anyone can do anything if they're willing to work hard, quit crying and bitching and looking for a safety net, and trying again if they fail. If you find that an arrogant attitude, then by all means, send me a damn button and I'll wear it every day with pride.
I dont think SGR has any right to say that the republicans are hateful and only spew hate. She has told posters that they are ignorant and too stupid to form an opinion, because they dont agree with her. Thats is very nasty and hateful in my opinion. Hoticed nor pony has said anything to personally attack you SGR. So why dont you refrain from calling people names and debate the facts.
I'm pretty sure she hasn't brought any facts to the table - it's all insults, spin, and "hurt feelings" - typical child's play when there isn't a valid point to be made, just a pot of $hit to stir and stink up the kitchen.
Billsfan, I haven't said one word to you, nor have I called anyone names. Ignorance is a state of being uneducated about a particular subject. If you find that insulting, that is on you.
SGR, Please point out where Hot or Pony have been ignorant??? They are pointing out facts and have laid them out in an intelligent matter, without being personally insulting to you. Why cant you do the same? Oh I forget, when you cannot debate with your own facts, you start hurling insults, because you have LOST the debate.
Americans are not incapable, but corporate America makes it near impossible to attain the lifestyle we want and need.
It's not corporate America's job (or the government's) to help you attain a lifestyle you "want and need" - that's your responsibility. If you've failed to eek out an existence that satisfies you, that's on you - own it or change it - the only one holding you back is you.
I am perfectly happy with my place in life. That is not the point I am making. My husband and I are very fortunate, however, others are not so much. Citizens have a right to be able to afford a roof over their head, food in the bellies and healthcare. Sometimes, no matter how hard a person tries they can not acheive those basics. Corporate America is to blame and all one needs to do is pick up a history book to see what I am talking about. There is too much to say on the subject and it would not all fit here. I just don't believe that anyone should have to be homeless, hungry or sick. Do you not agree with that?
Billsfan, I haven't lost anything. When people start ganging up on one person is when they have lost the battle.
Who is ganging up on anyone?? Noone is ganging up on you. I seem to remember on a few post, you and a few other liberals, ganged up on me and called me nasty hurtful things. So much that some of your comments were removed and people that usually didnt agree with me, had to stick up for me. Me pointing out that you cannot debate without personally attacking someone, is not ganging up on you, is just poitning out that you dont know how to debate.
Nevermind, I tried to post something and it was too long. I have kids to get to bed and lesson plans to create, so I have to go. You all enjoy your Obama bashing.