My tracking information tells me that some of you out there are still reading my posts, and for that I thank you. The lack of recent comments leads me to believe that my conservative Republican friends have either 1) given up in disgust on their plan of converting me to their doctrines or 2) withdrawn from the public discourse as they mutter among themselves about what to do about their marginal position on the current political landscape.
Either way, I can’t blame them. I sort of miss the interaction, but I can see why the more educated and intelligent members of the GOP (General Opposition Party) may need some quiet time right now. Things in general are going very, very well in this country, which sort of takes the wind out of the sails of those accustomed to being motivated by outrage and anger. (Except, of course, for the FOX news pundits, who make their living from fomenting outrage and anger.)
Everything but prices are inching up—housing starts, the stock market, the reputation abroad of the United States. The American economy is a slow, heavy barge, but it’s starting to turn. And while we’re still at war, we’re finally sending our young heroes into the places where our enemies reside. People have a few extra dollars in their paychecks to spend, new industries and thousands of new jobs are being created by the stimulus funds, and America is no longer in the business of torturing its accused enemies. It’s hard to sell doom and gloom when people are hopeful and proud.
Perhaps now is a time for all of us to reflect—Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and those among the nearly 40% of Americans who—even in the historic 2008 elections—did not and do not vote.
If there is one thing our charismatic and inspiring young president stands for it’s the power of an individual to make a difference. Maybe this is as good a time as history will ever provide for all of us to take that lesson to heart and ask ourselves, “Is there something more I should be doing?”
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2 comments:
I'm glad to see that you miss the common sense responses to your off-the charts obama cheer-leading and Republican bashing posts.
I must admit, I have not looked at your blog for a couple of months now. So today, when I happened to follow a saved link, I decided to read what you had posted. Lots of the same old nasty accusations, sparse facts and demeaning attitude toward your readers who have opinions different from yours. (Time to stop listening to Keith Olberman, he seems to be rubbing off.)
Getting back to why people may not be responding to your blogs. You know the saying about "leading a horse to water". Well, I for one feel that trying to clear up some of the outright "misconceptions" in your postings with facts, is pretty much a waste of time. So I guess choice #1 (given up in disgust ... that facts do not matter, just blind, adoration of everything obama does or says, even when he contradicts himself over and over again, many times in the same sentence.)
If things are looking up, as you so hopefully point out, it's in spite of obama and his massive 'make over America plans.' Are you seriously suggesting that if Bush and a Republican Congress were doing exactly what these ##@@# people are doing, out-of-control spending, voting for trillions of dollars without even reading the bills, unbelievable earmarks & pork, taking over private companies, appointing tax-cheats to run the Economy, the IRS, Commerce, etc ... that you wouldn't be posting outrageous, condemning articles about them? But because it's the sainted obama's administration, you totally turn a blind eye.
Time to take the blindfold off! This country is in the hands of an inexperienced, socialist leaning, BIGGGG-government advocate and his corrupt appointees and tyranical congressional leaders. God help us all!
Hi, Idna,
I have to admit that I don’t listen much to Keith Olbermann, although I think his heart’s in the right place. And one of the highlights of the 2008 campaign was when John McCane failed to show up on the David Letterman show, and Keith Olbermann took his place. That was classic.
But your point is well taken. Attitudes are contagious, and too much emotionalism clouds reason and judgment. Which is why I don’t understand this FOX News thing. Why do people listen to the likes of O’Reilly and Limbaugh? What is appealing about continual ranting and rage—especially when so much of it has to do with misinformation and non-issues? Are a large segment of the Republican party addicted to anger? Is the emotionalism a big part of the attraction?
I’m not saying that Democrats are immune to irrational, emotional thinking. Far from it. But one of the things I admire most about Barack Obama is that he is calm, rational, reasonable, and willing to listen and compromise with others. In that sense, I think he’s a great role model for us all.
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