There is an interesting piece in the Wall Street Journal by Arthur Brooks on why Obama is struggling. The whole thing is a great read, but here is the key passage:
Despite the vote in November, it is clear that when Americans are not in an abject panic, we dislike government fiscal promiscuity. The president’s sinking approval ratings are due precisely to his administration’s free-spending ways. In a July 2009 Gallup poll, the No. 1 reason for disapproval of the president’s economic policies was, literally, “spending too much.” In second place was the worry that the president is “leading the nation toward socialism” through government takeovers and bailouts.
What exactly is our problem with government spending? It is not just that we think it is wasteful and ineffective (although most recognize this to be true). Americans actually think the government makes it harder for people to get ahead in life.
In January 2009, the Pew Research Center asked about 2,000 Americans, “Do you think the government does more to help or more to hurt people trying to move up the economic ladder?” Amid the most frightening economic crisis in decades, more Americans still said the government would hurt than the number who thought it would help (50% versus 39%). Independent surveys from roughly the same period found that only one in five Americans believed he or she could trust the government.
Obama’s ratings are about to plunge. His base is getting angry. Backing off the public option is a complete repudiation of everything he promised.
I am a LIBERAL before I am a democrat.
Too many ignorants getting the info from foxnews o Lou Dobbs.They don’tknow what the HCR is about.They know what republicans are telling them.. All negative. Read.These rightwingers don’t have their best interest for the U.S. It’sabout ideology and religion.They aren’t different form these terrorists who attacked us. Religious freaks. We are going to end upin acivilwar. They shouldn’t allow these nuts in tow meeting especially those carrying guns. These Sociopaths are dangerous around anyone especially the Prez. Give him a chance. After all Bush and his cronies left a big mess that he has to fix.
Wow… your comment wreaks of exactly what will bring this country into another Civil War: Close minded logic backed by ignorance.
You comment about Republicans not knowing what the HCR is about. Do you even know? Have you read it’s nearly 1,300 pages in person? No, then who are you to make judgment towards those who have read at least the first third. Which, might I add happens to be more than what any politician has ever read to date.
You may want to curve your tongue in regard to us Right Wing Religious Freaks… regardless of current theory, our country, its founders, and our documents all speak of or have spoken of a God. Even those who wrote our Declaration volleyed between various religious practices. To consider us a terrorist is ignorant, we are citizens just like you. Consider us respectful toward and knowledgeable of fact. Our country as well as many others have religious base, not religious bias. It’s countries in the Middle East that suffer from the bias side, hence they live at war.
As a Conservative, I as well as millions of others don’t want war. What we want are equal rights and the right to be heard. The American Citizen means nothing to any form of government at a federal level. We cast a vote to elect a president, which isn’t evenly represented. Our current president won by over 50% of electoral votes… however, he only won by approximately 10% of the peoples vote. Again, an unfair means to appoint a person. Besides, once elected we cannot direct instruction or participate in vote for rights. Face it, if the current officials where doing something not in your favor, you’d surely voice opinion as well… just as you did in your comment about Bush. Further fact remains: What Bush left behind wasn’t his mess alone, nor was it strictly the mess of his predecessor Clinton. The mess in which you speak of stems from many terms of legislatures with private agenda… not just one individual. If perhaps our country’s officials truly looked to the opinion of the people, our country may not be steaming at the head right now.
In general, you may try to give a bad name to the Right Wing Party, but it’s your single sided, close minded, Liberal debacles that are what is causing stress. Too many Left Wing Partisans have become forceful, demeaning, and belligerent in their comments. People like you are childish. You sir, you are no greater, no better, and as far as I’m concerned are worse, than those you prefer to listen to or consider decent leaders and sources of fact.
There is much more to this government, its policies, its legislators, its laws, and its ability to overrule and destroy American Life than you could fathom. In many instances our government has been involved in scandal, schemes, ploys, and wars all for the sake of its own agenda… not for the sake of the people and their welfare. But, if you were open minded you would know that.
You comment that we just listen to Fox News… well my friend, you are ideal for socialism as you apparently cannot and have not thought for yourself. Do your own homework, read both sides of the story as each has benefit, and study your American History… you just may shut your mouth next time before you speak.
Yours Truly,
A proud American Christian Citizen.
Mario,
WE the people means you and I. I think you will find as many Democrats opposing HCR as other parties. I regret that politicians have realized what they can gain by taking office. Thomas Jefferson eluded to this being the downfall of Democracy. The Federal Government needs reform. They don’t need to be in the Automobile Industry, Health Care Industry, Retirement Industry, Human Species Research business, Marriage Right Business, Abortion Business, Mortgage and Banking business, and most of all Education. You and I can work together in “For Profit” organizations to resolve 99% of these issues through our State. You cannot blame Obama, Clinton, or Bush, they are just a reflection of our decayed values.
You and I allowed the Federal Gov’t to deviate from what ” We the People” stands for, and we can unite and become the America, that so many before us gave all to defend. One Nation under a Almighty God. In him we find Liberty, apart from him we find bondage. Today we only see the remnant of God, and look how our nation is suffering.
“…taking our faith away”? How inciting can that line be read from the WSJ?
He is a great president! just like the one before him and the one before that, and you call your selves Americans??
I trust Obama even when I didn’t vote for him.I am willing to give him a chance for the good of the country. I am an american first. We should be united. I bet Bin-Laden is laughing at us. He wants us to destroy ourselves
and if we continue with this hatred, we’ll end up in a civil war. wake up. What you are doing now isn’t patriotic.
Ratings change.Don’t believe them. If Republican take the poll it will show results against Obama and vice versa.
Mario:And maybe when the Koolaid is gone…
Mario wake my man! you really think that any president is gunna come from nowhere and change up washington??? hes doing what bush jr wouldve done just a better mascot and better orator! from a global and local perspective. he is doing what all pres b4 him have done promise big things give the govmnt back to the people and then do exactly what the people signing his and every1 else checks want. WWWWAAAAAARRRR. He is so honest and politician for the people y has he increased military spending? dnt we have aenough guns and bombs to blow the world up 100 times? Ur the man Obamahahahah. what a discrace IMPEACH!!!
Mario wake my friend! you really think that any president is gunna come from nowhere and change up washington??? hes doing what bush jr wouldve done just a better mascot and better orator! from a global and local perspective. he is doing what all pres b4 him have done promise big things give the govmnt back to the people and then do exactly what the people signing his and every1 else checks want. WWWWAAAAAARRRR. He is so honest and politician for the people y has he increased military spending? dnt we have aenough guns and bombs to blow the world up 100 times? Ur the man Obamahahahah. what a discrace IMPEACH!!!