The Washington Outsider


Quitting the Obama Revolution: The Fickle Nature of American Politics

Previously published on May 12, 2010

How quickly we quit on each other when our desires are not immediately appeased or reality forces us to seek out practical answers. With the first year of the Obama Administration marked by several massive initiatives to change the direction of our Nation, social inertia has created growing dissent against Democrats that could cost them big in the 2010 mid-term elections. Although policy disputes have consistently driven dissent within the ranks of political adversaries, much more is going on in our society when it comes to our fickle political nature.

In many respects, the Obama Administration has invited severe and, many times, unjust criticism of its policies. During the George W. Bush years, large groups of Americans felt shutout of government while only a small inner circle of politicians and business leaders seemed to have any sway over our Country. As such, the Obama Administration has tried to be particularly sensitive to the needs of outside opinions, thus extremist groups, which do not get their way, have the political room to discredit and attack Obama, because his Administration will listen to the fears of individuals.

This is why on issues like healthcare and energy reform Americans see campaign-like ads as well as rallies sponsored by members of the extreme right. Certainly, transparency and responsive government will improve our political system in the long-term; however, Americans are unaccustomed to this kind of leadership. At the end of the Cold War, our Country already polarized by the threat of the Soviet Union was left without an external enemy, so it had to find one internally.

Granted, the Clinton era up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq was marked with a reasonable amount of cooperation and compromise, especially under the threat of terrorism, but the Bush Administration's attitude and eventual failures revived rifts created by extreme polarization. This ultimately means all political efforts to include outside views are going to be seen as weaknesses by proponents while opponents can use new levels of transparency in the face of mistakes as a weapon.

Quite clearly, the Obama Administration is far from perfect on all fronts while it can always work harder to be more transparent, cooperative, and responsive, but it must also pay homage to our political heritage by showing its teeth and drawing a little blood in the face of disruptive, disrespectful dissent. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with a growing number of diplomatic successes has demonstrated she can balance both Obama's vision of the political system and the old ways of doing business better than the President.

The Obama Administration could well be a transitional leadership, which creates a more benevolent political world, but Americans are accustomed to strong, aggressive leadership that can unapologetically get things done without public controversy. Americans like their candidates to talk a big game on the campaign trail, yet they want a smooth ride once the rubber hits the road. A smart politician will always lay low until there is credit to be had while a good leader ensures things get done. With so many crises to address, the only way the many critical and neglected issues our Nation faces can be resolved is by the President deferring to the experts.

Like the Captains of Industry and the Generals of our Armed Forces, Obama has delegated his objectives, as well as responsibilities, to his junior officers, including his new czars. Unfortunately for the President, the private sector thrives on this kind of operating structure, yet critics of the public sector label it as government expansion and undemocratic. In doing so, the Obama Administration is faced with another cultural barrier against change. Although the private sector has its shortcomings, it also provides examples of ways government can be more effective, efficient, and responsive without undermining the nature of our Democratic-Republican structure of government. Both congress and the executive branch need to defer their power to experts more capable of solving problems so long as our leaders ensure those experts are fulfilling the interests of US citizens.

Furthermore, the Obama Administration is also a victim of its own popularity as well as circumstances. Then Senator Obama tried to tamp down expectations during the 2008 election, yet the Democrats, being the anti-Republicans, and Obama, being the anti-Bush, were seen as the go to guys with all the right answers. People inappropriately felt if Obama and the Democrats were truly in power with a stronger majority, everything would be okay, instantly. With the Democrats struggling to resolve issues, which simply cannot be solved by government alone, especially within a few months, reality pushes voters to see Obama as a failure when their expectations were far too high.

In all, Obama and the Congressional Democrats have tried to help the Country, yet their efforts are far from perfect, especially since they need to appease dissenters who refuse to budge on almost every issue. The downside to democracy is the need to compromise whenever we have a better solution available as perfect solutions are no good unless the People support them. Meanwhile, quality change takes time. In truth, many of the major slipups from the Obama Administration result from our leaders trying to play politics as they get things done. Obama is a skilled politicians and leader, but he is still learning to do his job as all Presidents must in an environment that permits virtually no learning curve. Patience is a virtue Americans, who want lasting, effective change, must learn.
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      • The Case for Personal Responsibility
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        • How to Understand Abuse Victims
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      • Relating Circular, Inductive, and Deductive Reasoning to the Scientific Method and Religion
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      • The Need for Greater Economic Leverage >
        • Evaluating NAFTA and TPP
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        • Unions: Hindrance or Essential to Free Markets
        • Eminent Domain Used Against Banks
        • Haitians Sue the UN for Failure to Help With Cholera
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      • Looking at the Future of American Jobs >
        • On Questioning the Need to Address Economic Disparity
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        • Responding to the "Blip"
        • Why Education Is Not The Civil Rights Issue Of The Twenty-First Century
      • Considering the Impact of the Capital Gains Tax Deduction
      • Embracing a Capitalist Mindset >
        • Capitalism Versus Socialism
        • The Negatives of Socialism
      • Stealing Intellectual Property
      • Changing Business Models: From Enduring Entities to Cash Cows
      • Consumer and Investor Evolution in the Great Recession of 2008-09
      • Dealing with the Issues Surrounding the Patenting of Self-replicating Technologies
      • Is Technology Threatening Jobs?
    • Education >
      • The Role of Education in Creating a More Dynamic Workforce
      • Primary Education in America and the Changing Needs of Society
      • The Greatness of the American Education System
      • Ideas for Improving the United States Education System
      • Are Teachers Treated as Professionals?
      • Is Engaging Parents in Their Children's Education a Major Factor in Turning Around Low-performing Schools?
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      • The Senate should not do more to limit the powers of the Judicial Branch
      • On the DOJ Justifying the “targeted Killings” of US Citizens
      • Corporations Do Not Have the Same Rights as US Citizens >
        • Corporate America Pleads the First
      • Discussing the Constitutionality of Per Capita Taxes
      • Was the California Supreme Court Right in Legalizing Gay Marriage?
      • Should the Bible Continue to Be Used for Swearing-in Ceremonies and in Courtrooms?
      • Should Religious Student Clubs Be Allowed in Public Schools?
      • Should the Government Control Talk Radio to Make it More "balanced"?
      • The Second Amendment: Not Outdated >
        • Are We Losing Our Second Amendment Rights
      • Eminent Domain Used Against Banks
      • Should a Woman Have the Right to Choose Abortion? >
        • Should Fathers Be Able to Opt Out of Parenthood?
      • Should Smoking Be Allowed in Public Places?
      • Is Teen Driving a Right or a Privilege?
      • Should US Companies Be Required to Provide Equal Pay to Women and Men?
      • Is eighteen too young to vote?
      • First Amendment Rights: The Priviledge of The Press
      • Do Mandatory Seat Belt Laws Violate Individual Rights?
      • Should cell phone use be banned while driving?
      • Dealing with the link between video game violence and children's behavior
      • Should police have to submit to routine drug and alcohol testing?
      • Public schools should not impose mandatory drug testing on students
      • Are High Taxes on Cigarettes Proper?
      • Should pharmacists be required to violate their religious beliefs and dispense the "Morning After Pill?"
      • Should school counselors uphold patient privacy or report students who become unstable?
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    • Ongoing Issues >
      • Red Dawn in Ukraine: Understanding the Actions of Russia >
        • On Russia’s Coercion of Ukraine
        • The Russian Annexation of Crimea in the Eyes of the World
        • Putin Has Overplayed His Hand With Crimea
        • Ukraine in Terms of Resovereignization
        • Avoiding a Conflict Between America and Russia Over Ukraine
        • What Drives the World’s Interest in Russia’s Actions in Ukraine
      • China’s Aggressive Pursuit of Interests Demands a Global Response
      • Iran Makes a Deal: A Start to a Long-term Diplomatic Effort to Denuclearize Iran >
        • On the Future of a Nuclear Negotiations with Iran
      • America's Sphere of Influence: Retaking South-East Asia >
        • Power in Asia: Looking at the Power Shift in Japan
        • The China Paradox: Why America is Worried About China
      • Assessing US Support of Israel >
        • Tread Softly Israel for a Heavy Step May Be Your Undoing
      • Understanding the Dysfunctional Nature of the US-Pakistani Relationship
      • Recognizing the True Threat Behind the Current Unrest in the Middle East >
        • Reacting to the Escalating Crackdown in Syria
      • Assessing the Threat of North Korea >
        • Answering North Korea's Call for Food Aid: Breaking the Vicious Cycle Forced Upon Us by a Warring Nation
        • Dealing with the Restarting of the Korean War
        • North Korea Attacks South Korea
      • Dealing with the Ill-effects of Climate Change
      • Racial Inequality and Oppression Do Truly Exist in Today's Society
      • Should energy independence be a high priority in the US?
      • An overview of world wide Human Rights violations
      • Nuclear Threat from Pakistan
      • Return of The Cold War?
    • World >
      • Coverage of FIFA World Cup is a Chance to Focus on Poverty >
        • The FIFA World Cup Offers Benefits for More Than Brazilian Soccer Fans
        • FIFA Can Bring Brazilians Together as a Nation
      • Being Prepared for Any Potential Dangers at the FIFA World Cup Games
      • Treading Softly on the Politicizing of the 2014 Sochi Olympics Over Gay Rights
      • Why NATO Operations in Libya Lack a Well-defined Mission
      • China Hijacks the Web
      • Lessons from the Great Japanese Earthquake of 2011
      • A Modernizing Cuba Offers an Opportunity for Capitalists
      • The Seeds of Democracy Take Root in the Middle East
      • The Rebirth of Democracy in Tunisia
      • What May Come from the Hurt Revolution in Libya
      • Responding to the Violence of Qaddafi and Other Besieged Leaders
      • Embracing the Rise of a Democratic Egypt
      • Protests in Afghanistan Turn Deadly for Coalition Forces and UN Personnel
      • Haiti: Another Failing Humanitarian Investment
      • What Karzai Can Learn from Calderon
      • START II: A Necessary, Easy Success that Nearly Failed
      • Why Does the U.S. Government Support Independence for the Breakaway Serb Territory of Kosovo but Oppose Independence for the Breakaway Georgian Territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia?
      • Iraq's Electric Issues: When Human Wants Trump Economic Sense
      • The International Community Reacts to Wikileaks: We May Be Moving Toward a Third World War in Cyberspace
      • On Climate Gate
      • Assessing Obama's Afghanistan War strategy
      • 2009 Iranian Presidential Election: The Fallout
      • Resolving Sri Lankan Conflict through Free Media
      • What are the Global Consequences of Russia's Invasion of Georgia
      • The War in Iraq: an assessment of President Bush's surge strategy
      • Drug War: Actions of Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador in terms of Resovereignization
      • Is the Iraq Refugee Crisis America's Responsibility?
      • US support for a united Kosovo, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia: why?
      • Should the US withdraw from Iraq?
      • Setting a Timetable for Troop Withdrawal from Iraq is a Terrible Mistake
      • War on Terrorism is needed
    • Law and Order >
      • Rape in the US Military
      • Ethics of Force-feeding Guantanamo Bay Detainees
      • Reacting to the Aftermath of the Tucson Massacre
    • Economy >
      • Affordability Drives Fear of Obamacare and the Individual Mandate
      • Is the Economy Built for a Job's Recovery?
      • Gutting Healthcare Reform of the Individual Mandate
      • Arizona Budget Cuts Lead to Lethal Healthcare Rationing:
      • Shameful Collection Practices of American Banks
      • The Fed Reveals it Actually Undertook an International Bailout
      • Thoughts on French Budgetary Reforms
      • Seniors Start Businesses
      • The Case for Slimming Down the US Military to Make it Better
      • Looking at the Obama Administration's New Approach to Economic Policy
      • Should the Government Regulate the Credit Card Industry?
      • The Big Three's Big Chance
      • The Unhealthy Tone of the Healthcare Reform Debate
      • Should the federal government offer a bailout for home owners?
      • Environmentalists: Do They Do More Good Than More Harm?
      • Responding to Scott Walker's Contribution to the War on Unions
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      • America Needs to Focus on the Impending Fiscal Crisis
      • Reacting to the Bush Era-tax Cut Extension Deal
      • Quitting the Obama Revolution: The Fickle Nature of American Politics
      • John Boehner's Circus
      • Is the Fed Putting Itself in Jeopardy?
      • Wikileaks Goes After the US State Department
      • Discussing the Political Environment Surrounding the 2011 Budget Debate
      • What the Democrats Can Do to Ensure a GOP Year in 2012
      • What the 2010 Midterm Actually Said
      • Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper
      • Democrats Minus Nancy Pelosi Equals Opportunity
      • Terrorists Go Postal: The Terrorism Threat Reexamined
      • Victory in the 2008 Election: Reaction to Barack Obama'a Win >
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      • History judges the George W. Bush Administration
      • Should the next US President focus on domestic issues?
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      • Should the Ban on Government Sponsored Assassinations be Repealed
    • Off Topic >
      • A Face of America’s Greatest Generation
      • A Story About a Man Who Made the World a Better Place
      • Making the World a Better Place
      • The Bipolar Ethical Nature of Google
      • Learning Computer Plays Jeopardy
      • Verifying Medicine is the Real Thing
      • Taking a Practical Step Forward in Optical Computing Using Slow Light
      • Scientists Take a Closer Look at How Lithium Batteries Work
      • Remarking on the First Blizzard of the 2010-2011 Winter Season
      • Driving in the Snow: Acceleration is the Key
      • How People in Northwest PA Are Coping with the Increasing Cost of Oil
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