On Tuesday at 12 noon, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States. Soon thereafter, George W. Bush will return to his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Both men, both baby boomers, are not only headed in different geographic directions, but as today's edition of the New York Times reports, different (actually, "differently" for the grammar-conscious) is how Americans rate both men.
As the nation prepares for a transfer of power and the inauguration of its 44th president, Mr. Obama’s stature with the American public stands in sharp contrast to that of President Bush.
Mr. Bush is leaving office with just 22 percent of Americans offering a favorable view of how he handled the eight years of his presidency, a record low, and firmly identified with the economic crisis Mr. Obama is inheriting. More than 80 percent of respondents said the nation was in worse shape today than it was five years ago.
By contrast, 79 percent were optimistic about the next four years under Mr. Obama, a level of good will for a new chief executive that exceeds that measured for any of the past five incoming presidents. And it cuts across party lines: 58 percent of the respondents who said they voted for Mr. Obama’s opponent in the general election, Senator John McCain of Arizona, said they were optimistic about the country in an Obama administration.
Jan 29, 2009 at 4:15 PM Even though it's difficult, considering the state this country is in now, I'm still trying to be optimistic...
"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties
than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to
control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by
deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks]will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up
homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power
should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it
properly belongs."
Thomas Jefferson
I love the Jefferson quotation. It is so true. The founding fathers would turn over in their grave if they knew what is happening today. No accountability from our representatives. And, of course, this has been going on for a long time. Lately, the actions have become very bold.
It almost feels like there's no balance. No respect. Just grabbing everything because they can get away with. And it looks like they can.
I heard a discussion recently where underhanded actions (such as vote stealing and lying to the public) were justified in the Al Franken/Norm Kohlman (sp) Senate race in Minnesota---------the deceit was OK -- because "Al Franken wanted it more" than Norm Kohlman did.
Kinda sounds like the last days of the Roman empire to me. Doesn't matter what "they" do. "They" are the one's in power or if they are not in power they'll get it at any cost.
It's a very different breed of human being that is gaining control. Ruthless. Soulless. Deceptive. Whatever happens--there always seems to be a "rational" explanation that is delivered to the populace. And in the process, the rich get richer and the powerful gain more control.
You have to wonder...what kind of world is being created????!!!
Elena.
Nov 28, 2009 at 2:23 AM Well this is very interesting indeed.Would love to read a little more of this. Great post. Thanks for the heads-up…This blog was very informative and knowledgeable