2010: A Year of Resurgence For Democrats
A recent survey, which focused on the “mood” of the American people, concluded that the majority of Americans felt dis-satisfied with their jobs (those that were still working), and were generally pessimistic about the current state of domestic and foreign affairs. Quite naturally, many people lay the blame for America’s economic woes and (seemingly) endless foreign wars squarely on the back of the Obama Administration. Although President Obama still enjoys the support of the majority of Americans, there is no doubt that his popularity has fallen from it’s astronomical level, achieved shortly after his election. There are many reasons for the President’s declining popularity; some reasons are justified but many are unjustified.
President Obama was elected to office shortly after the American economy went into a serious tailspin, and was rapidly heading into a total financial meltdown. At the time of his election most of the damage had already been done, including the loss of millions of American jobs, combined with the most serious crash in real estate values since the time of the Great Depression. As a result of quick actions to prop up the crashing financial system, combined with a significant economic stimulus package, Mr. Obama brought the economy back from the brink of disaster. Although the economy still has a long way to go before full recovery, the Obama Administration should be given credit for acting decicisively when bold actions were needed.
During the 2008 Presidential campaign, Mr. Obama promised that his Administration would create legislation to reform the health care system in America, and to provide health insurance opportunities for 35 million people who were left out in the cold. Along with Congressional Democrats, the Administration delivered on its promise by crafting a health care bill that will greatly reduce the abuses of the health insurance special interests, and lead to significantlt lower costs for future generations. The President showed enormous courage during a bitterly partisan fight with the Republicans, who were dead set against changing a broken system.
After only one year in office, President Obama has done a truly remarkable job in advancing a badly needed, progressive agenda for the benefit of the American people. Although America is going through difficult economic times, we should not lose sight of the accomplishments of the Obama Administration, and it’s determination to continue to move forward with other priorities such as financial system reform, immigration reform and the development of sustainable energy resources. Now is the time for all Democrats and Independents to rally behind the Administration, and to send a clear message to the Party of “No” that filibusters and stall tactics will no longer be tolerated. It is not too early to let Republicans know that reactionary politics have no place in America today. The myth that conservative candidates will stage a major come-back in the 2010 elections should be exposed for what it is; another desperate attempt by the Republican Party to block the people’s agenda in America.
—Rich
29 Comments »
Leave a comment!
There was also the ending of the Gag Rule, funding for Abstinence-Only education, the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, stopping the EPA from preventing states from enforcing their own emission standards, overturning the Bush stem cell research policy, refocusing the Justice Department on actual Justice rather than partisan attacks, in particular restoring some oomph to the Civil Rights division, which the prior Administration had neutered.
A lot of good happened in 2009, unless you are a business fat cat or religious zealot.
Healthcare “reform” isn’t law and, if it does become law, Obama will simply replace one group of “special interests” with another. A majority of Americans are opposed to the healthcare “reform” going on right now on Capitol Hill, by the way and the lead “reformer” of it – Harry Reid – is far behind in the polls and has been exposed as a racist.
There’s some change for ya!
Harrison,
The people opposed to the current healthcare reform are opposed to it because of what the Republicans and blue dogs have done to it. They aren’t going to reward them for destroying it.
Harry Reid is so incompetent that the Republicans should do everything they can to keep him in power.
The Democrats strategy going into 2010 elections could be a simple one, ask one question, “Name one good thing that the Republicans have done for this country in the last 20 years?”
I’d like to see a Republican answer that.
bluzdude,
You are right, Bluz, there are many, many things that the Obama Administration has accomplished that weren’t mentioned. The Republicans will concentrate very hard on blaming Obama for the recession and unemployment when, in fact, his administration saved America from the near total melt-down he inherited from Bush.
Harrison,
I don’t really think that picking on Harry Reid is going to get the Party of “No” very far, do you? He did a great service to the American people by getting health care reform through the Senate. Is a personal attack on Senator Reid the best you can do? Just how low can the once-mighty Republican Party go? Sad!
Project Savior,
Let’s see now. The Republicans gave us tax cuts for the wealthy while they funded the war in Iraq with deficits, and they gave us the war in Iraq which was based on bogus intelligence, and they gave us a reputation for torture in our prison in Guantanamo, and they made us the pariah of the world by engaging in Bush’s “cowboy diplomacy”. Oh yeah, a few other things; the Republicans left us with recession, unemployment, and Sara Palin. Hooray for the Party of “No”.
Yes, those poor Americans who can’t make decisions or think for themselves… how they’ve been mislead by the evil Republicans bent on destroying the country. Give me a break. Americans supported Obamakare when it first came out but as details of the backroom deals and rationing and other sellout policies became known support dropped to under 50%.
When Liberals don’t have their ideas supported by the public the blame is never on the ideas themselves, always on the people who oppose them. Funny how not accepting responsibility is a core Liberal trait.
Good to see, even in this economy, that one can still find work as an Apologist. It warms my heart.
This is absolutely true. I find it interesting that people are unhappy in their jobs and seek to blame it on the current administration. I’m deeply unhappy in my job but that has to do with choices I made 2, 5, 10 years ago. It has nothing to do with any politician who has only been in power for 12 months.
Even when it comes to aspects that are beyond my control, what you said was spot on:
“At the time of his election most of the damage had already been done”
Harrison,
You couldn’t think of an answer to my question could you?
Savior, I’d say keeping the country safe since 9-11 is one thing. There are many others, but you’re not really interested in those so I won’t waste my time (but at least you have your answer!).
No matter whose at fault I am continually disappointed that both parties (all parties) once elected or in waiting, are never willing to be bipartisan so we can all do a great job for the voters instead of plotting for the next election it’s so discouraging and not going to change because there is too much at stake for the winners. Great article and good comments from both sides.
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
when a new head of state is elected, the previous administrations’ bad business becomes a lost thought; even when like today – the present administration is cleaning up old elephant poop left over by that administration of circus clowns.
Yeah it stinks, and it’s wrong; but americans seem to forget too fast where that poop came from, instead of appreciating someone new coming in and picking it up.
it’s clear from our kids who know 800 words; that this is a B I G job and little mindedness won’t help get it done. just think “harry reid”; then look up the definition for GEN-X. duhhhhh,, they don’t have a dictionary let alone a clue my dear.
what time is it ? TERM LIMITS TIME!
Keeping us safe since 9/11?
By blocking Obama’s TSA nomination?
Or how about the terrorist attacks after 9/11?
The Anthrax scare, the shoe bomber, the DC sniper, the church shootings in Tenn.
Republicans have not done squat to keep us safe after 9/11.
And if you’re going to bring up 9/11 who was it that ignored the memo titled, “Bin Laden determined to strike within the US”?
The Republican’s only response to terrorism is to freak out, and that is goal of terrorism, to have your enemy freak out.
I agree 100% Cher! Obama hasn’t been perfect, but we’re not asking him to be. We’re asking him to lead in a very difficult climate and he is doing just that!
As always…well said!
It is so unfair when it is only what we do wrong throughout our lives that people chose to take note of or remind us of. What about all the rights we do?
If I have learned anything about the human mind…it is, that it is quick to find reason to justify its own unhappiness or bad choices.
Whether it be the President of the country or ones own parents….the person in the highest level will always be blamed for everything.
A true human reaction to any type of failure.
This is not the most commendable characteristic of being human!
I believe that ‘for the people’ has long ago taken the back seat to “for me’.
What is the root of all evil? Money & Power….need I say more!
~D~
If you study history, you will see that this is how things always are in the American democracy. The party in power is held accountable by the voters.
You may not like it. You may think it is unpleasant or unfair or whatever. But that’s the way it is.
And that’s why the Democrats, locked in denial the way they are, won’t see the tsunami coming until it engulfs them.
Emm,
In today’s vitriolic political environment the Republicans are willing to use any tool they can to bring down the President, even when it means blaming him for a situation that is not of his own making. Sometimes the Republicans act like spoiled children (just listen to Rush Limbaugh)!
Dorothy S.,
You are absolutely right. The lack of bi-partisanship among our elected officials is very discouraging, and prevents the interests of the American people from being served. In my opinion there are two changes that need to be made; 1) term limits should be put in place for all elected officials, and 2) the ability of the Senate minority to filibuster should be eliminated. If majority rules, then the minority will be forced to cooperate.
Re,
I certainly agree that term limits would help enormously in ridding the political landscape of those politicians who are deeply indebted to the special interests.
One of the Guys,
Americans must never forget why we kicked the Republicans out of office in 2008, and why we elected Obama as our new President. The Republicans are trying their best to fool the American people into believing that the current state of affairs is President Obama’s fault. All Democrats and Independents need to get behind Obama, and push forward with the reforms that are crucial to the future of our nation.
Dorothy L.,
How true! William Shakespeare said in his play, Julius Caesar “The evil that men do lives after them, but the good is oft interred with their bones. . .” It seems to be a common human frailty that we tend to dwell on the negative, rather than look for redemptive qualities. In the political environment that we live in today, the “negative” has been raised to new levels by the Party of “No”. I believe that President Obama is a good man with good ideas, who has been unjustly demonized by the Republicans for their own selfish interests.
David,
I believe that the Democrats are well aware of the mood of the electorate, and are not in a state of “denial”. President Obama and the Democrats in Congress are doing exactly what the American people elected them to do. Yes, there will be many people who will want to punish the Democrats for George Bush’s recession, but the majority will vote to continue the progressive agenda that began only one short year ago. Perhaps the “Tsunami” you predict will only turn out to be a gentle wave upon the sand.
Rich,
Nothing is truly new under the sun. Politics run in cycles. People have a short memory so today only seems new. When times are prosperous people become outraged that the creators of the wealth do so well and punish them by electing socialists. This leads to a contraction of the economy and high inflation. The economy is always the issue so they then elect a Ronald Regan who realizes that the government is the problem. Taxes go down, jobs are created and things get better.
In short it is the Democrats turn to ruin the economy again. People who could create jobs will hibernate. Work will be discouraged by oppressive taxes. In a few years people will again re-elect the Republicans who will restore prosperity.
The Republicans only need to wait. Obama is his own punishment. The smart money is already heading for the hills as the Obama created “double dip” recession is in cards for later this year.
Paul,
I agree with your first three sentences, but not so much after that. It seems to me that the country did pretty well during the Clinton years, when the economy expanded, millions of jobs were created, inflation was low, and the national budget was balanced. And boy oh boy, those “no fly” zones sure seemed to work well! In a mere eight years the Bush Administration drove the economy off a cliff, and the national debt through the roof.
By the way, “the smart money” is pouring back into the stock market, which will probably show a twenty percent gain in 2010. Remember, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”; President Obama still has another seven years to go!
Rich,
I agree with you that the Clinton years were good ones. He was not a socialist and did not try to kill the economy the way Obama wants to. He was pro free trade and pro business. He negociated NAFTA. He did not overspend and rack up trillion dollar deficits. He was reasonable and not a far lefty.
I can only laugh at your assertion that the “smart money” is buying into this stock market. I would bet you a dinner on this one but if all of your money is going into this market then you will not be able to afford to buy me the dinner next year.
Project, I’m glad you blame Bush for the DC sniper. That’s a good one. Perhaps we could talk about the 6 terrorist attacks against America while Bill Clinton was president. A lot of people died. Perhaps we can talk about bin Laden declaring war three times against American while Bill Clinton was president. Perhaps we can talk about Clinton pulling US troops out of Somalia and having bin Laden correctly mock what a weak nation we were. Perhaps we could talk about Bill Clinton launching some cruise missiles against a baby formula factory in the Sudan killing a night watchman. Or maybe we can talk about the three chances Bill Clinton had to kill bin Laden but that he passed on each one. Or maybe you’d like to talk about how the Sudan was going to hand bin Laden over to Bill Clinton and he refused?
There are so many things to talk about regarding terrorism, bin Laden, and the Democrats that we won’t have any energy to talk about anything else.
All of the things I brought up above are actual, true, documented facts. DC Sniper is the best you have?
And might I add that it was under Bill Clinton that 95% of 9-11 was planned.
Paul,
I stand by my assertion that now is a great time to buy stocks. I am predicting that the Dow Jones Industrial Average will rise to a level of around 12,000 by the end of 2010, or up by 13% or so.
By the way, it’s nice to know that your statement, “In short it is the Democrat’s turn to ruin the economy again” doesn’t apply to all Democrats (such as Clinton).
Harrison,
So what if the planning of 9-11 happened during the Clinton years? What does that have to do with the fact that Bush ignored warnings from his own people that an attack was imminent? Then, after the attack happened, Bush started a war with Iraq (based on bogus intelligence) instead of going after al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Project is absolutely right, the Republicans freak out and over-react every time a terrorist incident occurs. Thank goodness the Republicans are currently out of power and in disgrace. If McCain was president we would probably have re-instituted the draft, then sent American troops to Yemen, Somalia, Georgia, North Korea and Iran.
Let’s not forget that as a result of Bill Clinton’s policies in Iraq half a million Iraqi children died and Bill Clinton’s Secretary of State admits on 60 Minutes that it was true and worth it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbIX1CP9qr4&feature=player_embedded
Let’s also not forget about some inconvenient quotes made by Democrats about Saddam and WMD:
“If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction program.”
President Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998.
“He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten times since 1983.”
Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998
“Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process.”
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998.
“We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them.”
Sen. Carl Levin (d, MI), Sept. 19, 2002.
“We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country.”
Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002.
“We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seing and developing weapons of mass destruction.”
Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002.
“I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force — if necessary — to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security.”
Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002.
“In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons.”
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002
http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/wmdquotes.asp