Contemporary American politics
9.10.2009 - 11:21 PM - Tim - 5 comments
9.10.2009 - 11:21 PM - Tim - 5 comments
President Obama: "The time for bickering is over."
Republicans: "No, we want to bicker some more!"
The end.
Republicans: "No, we want to bicker some more!"
The end.
5 Comments:
With all due respect, I don't understand why President Obama's pleas for constructive dialogue/civility are any different than President Bush's calls for the same. If I remember correctly, the last administration made similar calls for the political bickering to cease. I think instead of calling for the bickering to cease, the bickering needs to be embraced.
Look, I'm as disenchanted with the current (i.e. last ~20 years) political climate as the next guy, but I think equating opposition to an administration's initiative as mere bickering is simplistic. I am not an advocate of Congressmen behaving like kindergartners ("You lie!", congressman from South Carolina)...but I don't believe that the characterization of an opposing viewpoint to Pres. Obama's comprehensive health care initiative as "bickering" is accurate.
In all candor, I'm not educated enough on the health care issue to aptly defend one side or the other. Certainly, I believe reform is absolutely necessary. To my discredit, I have lately concerned myself more with BYU football fervor more than the political issues that face this nation. But I do know that an issue as sweeping and comprehensive as this administration's health care proposal and otherwise would have been met with much "bickering", meaning opposition, at any point in our nation's history. That's the whole point of a democracy over a monarchy, right? We can disagree, we can debate, we can vote, we can participate in the marketplace of ideas...it's a beautiful thing.
My point is, opposition that leads to constructive debate is a good thing. I, for one, believe the "bickering" will help in the effort to address the current failings of our system.
Now, how 'bout them Cougs?!
The "Liar!" outburst reminded me of the dream Princess Buttercup has when she's being heckled by the old hag. Does that make me less of a Republican?
Kelley: Yes. Please turn in your badge on your way out the door. Your only option left in life is to join the Green Party. I'm sorry it has to be this way. :D
Brian: Of course I have no issue with opposition, only with the tactics used to express that opposition. Congressman Wilson's comment was a symptom of a general "loss of control" by the current opposition party, as it seems like they (as a whole and as individuals) are beginning to resort to ANY tactic necessary in order to convey they opposition.
It would be one thing for the Republicans to go out and listen to their people in an open and honest way, then propose legitimate compromises, but instead so many of them have associated themselves with scare tactics and the willful spreading of lies. Playing on the public's fear seem to be the main communication method for the Republicans since 2001. There are countless examples, all of which are a violation of public trust.
I guess I believe the opposite of you: the bickering will not help push bipartisan and compromise-based legislation. It will only divide the Republican Party more and cause the current administration and Congress to move away from the middle. Scare tactics and emotional outbursts, in my opinion, can never lead to constructive debate.
Regarding the Cougars: I watched the game on Sunday morning here via my slingbox in North Carolina. Such a great game!
If by "bickering" you mean emotional outbursts like "You lie!", then I wholeheartedly agree with you. I believe my initial comments are consistent with that.
I would also note that the Republicans do not have a patent on the use of scare tactics. Whether we use your 2001 to the present timetable or a more sweeping study of American political history, scare tactic/bickering is an oft-used political weapon employed by politicians of all persuasions. I suspect that certain radio personalities (Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck...) have only fueled your opinion of Republican politics. Don't get me wrong, I think most, if not all of those particular dudes are waaay out there...scary out there, at times. As that is my opinion of those particular personalities, I similarly think that of MSNBC in general as well. Seriously, Keith Olberman? That dude should have stuck with the Sportcenter gig...
I just don't know how that the "play nice" talk emanating from the President's office will lead to constructive dialogue. Why? Because I think many individuals, including bickering congressmen, are genuinely concerned over a myriad of proposals introduced by the current administration. Again, I think it is simplistic to dismiss concerns, however expressed, as mere scare tactics or bickering...and that's my point: When Obama says stop the "bickering", I think folks interpret that as "stop objecting to my ideas, even if you don't agree with them." That's the perception, I think, which leads to silly "You lie!"-type outbursts. Eventually, however, the emotions simmer with time where at least semi-civilized discussion can take place. Unfortunately, suffering and tragedy at some level usually result in the meantime. That's the pattern of America.
Anyway, I don't have time to proof what I read, so if it doesn't make sense or follow clearly, I apologize. At any rate, I love your blog, man. You have a nice balance of the 'mundane-but-interesting' and 'current events'. If we ever get the remodel done, I hope to get over there to see Tokyo with a trusty tour guide to boot.
9/11-Never forget.
Brian: I have really fond memories from childhood of Keith Olbermann on SportsCenter. The guys they have now are fine, but there's simply no substituting for the old Keith Olbermann/Dan Patrick combo. Those two were like my Walter Cronkite when I was younger.
I think I agree with everything you said. It's tragic how much credence we give to the extremists in the news media, especially when there are indeed some very strong middling forces available in all news outlets. I have some friends on Facebook that can't help but take everything at its extreme (on the left or the right), and I usually end up removing them from my news feed because I just get tired of the broken record. If more people recognized them as such and simply focused on what they personally feel to be important, the dialog would obviously become more civil. You're right that the pattern of America usually ends in tragedy until the balance comes. That's a very good observation.
Anyway, I'm glad we could talk about this, and I'm glad you read my blog. And I'm so glad you're my friend! You have no idea how much I respect you.
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