January 27, 2010
Obama's First STFU Address Erupts Tonight
No, that acronym isn't a typo. Tonight, in his first State of the Union message, Barack Obama will try to distance himself from himself, and recast his Presidency as that of a crusading populist, leading a government that's here to help.
Good luck.
The problem with that approach is the condescending nature of it. He's been extremely combative with those who have not bowed down to his radical agenda since the early days of his campaign, and the sudden attempt to transform into something he most certainly is not is insulting to the entire nation.
It is an insult to the fanboys and girls who hang on his every word with rapt adoration, it's insulting to those of us who view him as an elitist schmuck in way over his head, and it's insulting to everyone in between.
I do not see this address satisfying anyone, and quite possibly irritating the majority of those who bother to tune in.
In other worse, a B+.
Phrases to count …
“I”, “my” or “me”
“jobs”
“hope”
“change isn’t easy” or “change”
“unprecedented”
“anger”
“values”
“middle class”
“let me be clear”
“make no mistake”
“health care”
“Democratic leadership” or “Congressional leadership”
“fighting for you”
“big business” or “Wall Street”
“Bush” or “inherited”
“bipartisan” or “bipartisanship”
“economic stimulus package”
"I know I’m the people’s senator, but do I have to hang out with them?”
winks and/ or points at Michelle
a reference to his faith getting him through tough times
a touching heartfelt story of some poor unfortunate denied health care
either the Vice President or the Speaker of the House gets caught napping on camera
Actually, I think that President Obama hasn't been nearly as combative as he should have been, from day 1 of his Presidency.
One mistake that he and his administration have made is not taking seriously enough the damage to his agenda caused by the rabid right wing hate mongers such as Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity and the many right wing websites who seek to equate patriotism with support of the very people who got us in to this mess to begin with, the corporate thugs who control this country and have for many decades.
The Obama team should have, in my opinion, fought back tooth and nail from the very beginning. You have to fight fire with fire, sometimes. Forget being nice to ruthless people. Call them out for what they are: liars and propagandists.
They have, unfortunately, underestimated the power of the right wing press to fool gullible people.
One of his biggest mistakes was not pushing hard enough for the public option in the health care reform debate. This is, of course, further evidence that both of our political parties are already owned by corporate interests.
My hope is that eventually the private health insurance industry in this country will be, for the most part, a thing of the past.
If you wish to call that a Socialist agenda, fine by me. Count me in as one who supports that. In regards to health care, please, call me a socialist. I'm proud to wear the name.
I've read all of the arguments against socialized medicine in America. I've heard all of the lies generated by the propagandists who support the unsustainable status quo. They simply don't hold up under scrutiny, as proven by the success of the semi-socialist medical systems in Canada and many western European nations, systems that are a combination of free market medical providers working with the respective governments of those countries.
While it's quite true that no system is perfect: never has been nor never will be, there's certainly a more cost effective way of providing health care to our citizens. Sure, you can cherry pick horror stories from other nations. But, when examined honestly the fact is that their citizens are ALL covered for far less money than we are and the statistics prove that the results in terms of life expectancy, infant mortality rates, and the overall well being of the people are far better than ours.
Our system of government has been a combination of private industry with aspects of socialism for decades. Some of the largest recipients of that dreaded socialism have been and continue to be none other than huge corporate interests. As Keynes correctly pointed out: "The only type of socialism that is acceptable in a democracy is socialism for the wealthy."
Mr. President, fight back. Take the gloves off.
Posted by: Dude at January 27, 2010 06:23 PM
Dude; can't fight the truth.
You are not the only one calling his address that...
http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/2010/01/26/
And Dude, I have lived with Nationalized Medicine, never again. All I have to do to make my point is to compare the American Air Ambulance and Flight for Life systems with their Canadian counterparts. Or you could compare the number of CAT-scan or MRI machines per 100,000 people in the US and Canada. I believe Natasha Richardson, if she could, would make the difference clear.
As to your "rant" about the right, their shows are archived, quote the "lie", give a date and supporting evidence as to how it's a "lie", and not a difference in politics. I think that what upsets you is that the people you are railing against are doing just that to your hero's. Calling them on their lies, rolling the tape of them saying the lie, and then showing how the statement is a lie and that they knew it was a lie before it ever came out of their mouth.
Posted by: Wildman7316 at January 28, 2010 12:32 AMAll sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Posted by: Penny at January 28, 2010 12:02 PM
