Obama back on stride? Prelude to 2012, or just for Mid-Terms?

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Kobi

These are scary times and exciting times.

I don't believe we have ever had a "global economy" meltdown before. It is interesting to watch as the powers that be worldwide try and figure out how to orchestrate a recovery. It seems logical that, at some point, someone is going to come up with a formula to create the new economic reality that has been touted in the mainstream media. Whether that solution will be a help or a burden for the average person is an unknown.

I am very concerned about the upcoming midterm elections given the state of the economy. It seems, historically, that in good economic times, people are more expansive in their thinking and voting. In tough economic times, people seem more constrictive. This is worrisome...even to me, a person who at times can make Sarah Palin look like a liberal!

The discontent with the economy has already led voters to throw out long term incumbents. I believe there were reports of 70+ Democratic seats in jeopardy in the House. I am fearful people will express their discontent by voting their emotions thereby replacing one set of Washington insiders with just another set of Washington insiders.

Our politics is too governed by people with oodles of money and the corporations which feed off and bolster their elections. Tea party folks seem to be appealing to a broad range of discontented people who have lost a great deal of their economic security in this meltdown. If you read or listen to their platforms, they are playing to peoples fears and realistic concerns. At times, they may have valid points but this seems akin to a psychotic having brief interludes with reality. They are just plain scary people with scary ideas. Yet I fear their popularity is being fueled by fantastic marketing to vulnerable and gullible people who want quick answers to complex realities.

As for Obama....I have to feel for the guy. He inhereted a bigger mess than anticipated. He has enacted some short term economic stimulus programs which have benefited some individuals and corporations for a bit. I'm not sure these spotty time limited programs bode well for a global recovery but they do keep folks employed and busy for the short term.

He has tried to live up to his campaign promises (welcome to washington Mr President!) and maintain a hopeful attitude for our future. But, we Americans are an impatient people, especially when our homes and bank accounts are in jeopardy.

I think it will be an interesting process to watch.

Now, I have noticed folks here quote the Huffington site a lot. Is there some reason for this?

I so agree with your analysis about how people vote when the economy is either very good, or very bad. It becomes emotional for many, based upon fear. There is a big difference with this present situation, as so many people that don't usually get hurt by an economic slump are. That bothers me because it means that most likely people that usually just do not have the financial worries of the working class/poor. On the other hand, maybe some lessons will be learned by people higher on the socio-economic scale and they will have a different understanding of just how scary it is to struggle like this.

I guess I personally just want the damn dead-lock to stop in Congress. I want legislators to legislate! No, I won't support many things, but it feels like Congress is doing nothing (both major parties, at times) pro-active. I do get quite frustrated with the GOP and the tactics they used in trying to stop Obama's administration at every turn.

Actually, there has not been the high rate of incumbent kick-outs in the primaries as has been projected. How the mid-terms end up with going for or against the president's agenda remains to be seen.

As part of the baby-boom retired generation that saw years of saving and planning practically get wiped-out, I understand the element of fear going on. I am very concerned about younger generations and the workplace. The rate of unemployment for POC across ages is horrible, especially for younger workers.

I was reared in a die-hard, union oriented Democrat home. I am now registered as "decline to state" or an Independent because I am just disenchanted with both parties. Although, my I vote Democrat and green Party most of the time. I fall on the liberal/progressive side of most issues, yet, I know I have some of what would be more on the moderate side of things, too. I'm also someone that walks up to people in uniform I see and thank them for their service and feel like what they are sent to war about is not reflected in the US today.

Personally, I would love to explore issues in this thread without combat on liberal, conservative ideology- I don't see how this fight helps us find consensus and that is what I see in politics today which makes for the deadlock. Democratic processes are meant for flux and consensus in acting. But, it is a slow process, which is why I think so many people don’t consider some of the strides that have been made in the economy. I do believe that we were on the verge of total financial collapse and that regulation of banks and Wall Street is needed. When it comes to small business, I may not agree with some of the policies of the Democrats.

Then, again, that consensus has to come from all of the people and that just isn't true in the US. I can't abide by the Tea Bag racism and anti-immigrant actions I see, and to be honest, this behavior makes me not even willing to listen to anything they say about the role of government and its size. There could be some good ideas there, but, the ugly stuff gets in the way of my listening to them at all.

Thanks for the post and I hope honest, informed debate gets going. So much is at stake with the mid-terms.