Okay, before I let this fly, let me get a couple of things out there now: 1) I have a penchant for saying whatever is on my mind at the time, and 2) I was born with the ability to see things from both ends of the spectrum. I enjoy a good debate as much as anyone, but don’t give me the side eye just because I play Devil’s Advocate. That being said, I’m gonna talk about the criticism of the President of the United States, and I’m gonna do it from a completely neutral point of view.
First of all, there was a lot of heat and criticism about President Obama speaking directly to the children of America. I was a whole lot younger when this happened, but I do recall having to watch President Regan speak to us when I was in school. I also remember George W. Bush speaking to the children of America during his tenure as President. What I DON’T recall is the same venomous vitriol towards the two. Granted, W. had a whole lot more vitriol sent his way for other reasons, but that’s neither here nor there. I’m just curious as to why people had such anger about him speaking to America’s youth.
Also, there are a lot of people who are calling the President a Communist, a Socialist, and a Marxist. Why? I’m really curious about that. That being said, people called W. an idiot and Clinton a womanizer. Whether or not either of those were founded is up for debate…well, no it’s not: Clinton WAS a womanizer. People also call Sarah Palin names; is that warranted? Maybe…then again, maybe not. It’s all up for debate. I don’t like those debates, because there’s never a clear winner or loser. There’s always someone who’s gonna get their feelings hurt about these things.
Now, I just have to talk about Representative Joe Wilson. I don’t care that you called the President a liar; hell, there are people who’ve called him worse. I have a problem with when he did it. During a televised address to Congress? Really? Let’s be reasonable here. You are a state representative for the great state of South Carolina…not some nimrod at a town hall meeting telling government to get their damn hands off of your Medicare (more on that later). Do us all a favor, though; ACT LIKE IT! I may not agree with a lot of things that those in government do, but I have enough sense to not do it during an event as important with this. And, I have all the grace and tact of a rolling boulder, so what does that tell you?
Also, please don’t tell me that Ted Kennedy wouldn’t want a public option. You would have to be incredibly incompetent to not know that Ted Kennedy spent most of his life FIGHTING for a public option in health care. Also, I do believe he was given a pass when Mary Jo Kopechne died at Chappaquiddick, but I also believe he dealt with that for the rest of his life. You don’t see something like that and not have it haunt you. The Cole incident still haunts me, and it will haunt me for the rest of my life, so I know what I’m talking about.
To the “birthers” and the “truthers” I provide this statement: get over yourselves. You’re trying everything in your power to get the man booted out of office, even though he was born in the United States. Hawai’i may be a long way away, but it’s still a part of the United States. That is, unless Pearl Harbor was a mistake. It wasn’t; I have the bad Michael Bay movie to prove it. To be honest, it’s a sad commentary on life when someone can be born in this country to a father who’s not from here and it makes him not a citizen.
Medicare people…my dear, confused Medicare people. “Get your damn government hands off of my Medicare”? You’ve got to be kidding me. In case you’ve been living under a rock most of your life, Medicare IS a government plan. But, so is Social Security…surprise! Also, as a veteran, I have to deal with government health care with the Veterans Administration Hospital. In fact, all vets have the option to deal with the VA; sometimes it works well, sometimes it doesn’t. That’s anything with the government.
Finally, there are those who are calling the criticism of the President racism. Personally, I’m on the fence about that. Do I believe that some people are criticisizing him solely because he’s black? I sure do. Do I believe that some people are criticizing him because they don’t agree with his policies? I sure do. Do I think there’s a way to weed out the two? No. Racism is a very slippery slope, and there’s no way to determine whether or not someone’s intentions are influenced by political differences or by racism. Unfortunately, it can’t be taken out of the equation because there are people who will always be motivated by hating other races.
Hate him for whatever reason you want, but don’t let race be it. If that’s the case, then there’s no hope for you anyway.