Last week we examined the Republican National Convention down in Tampa, Florida, so it is only appropriate that we now do the same for Democratic National Convention (DNC) that just wrapped up in Charlotte, North Carolina. We will be approaching it via two blogs, the first of which will be a setting of the scene in terms of where Obama is and has gotten America today, and the second of which will be a commentary on the most notable speeches or moments from DNC 2012.
Without doubt, in comparison to the shenanigans of the 2008 DNC party, this was a more guarded or restrained affair, which also without doubt, was no accident in my opinion. There is nothing to be cocky about or celebrate for those in power for the last four years, so it was appropriate to tone down the party atmosphere, and get into some of the issues. The nation is hurting: millions of people have seen their jobs, homes and lives transported to the dumpster, even though they were great employees who showed up every day and worked hard to create a future for their families.
It simply does not matter that Barack Obama might not have created that mess (and I am sick and tired of hearing Dems clinging to that weary old excuse, in 2012) because he was elected on his pledge of "hope and change" and his promise of digging them out of it. So drop the Bush excuse, and let's talk about what you have not managed to achieve since 2008, and face the nation with it like a real President.
It is worth remembering, people, that this is the man who cockily told a primetime news show in 2009, that:
"If we haven't turned this (the economy) around in three years, then clearly we (Obama administration) are talking about a one-term proposition."
In 2009, he also pledged (in front of microphones and cameras) that he would cut the national debt in half by the end of his first term, presumptively implying that he would even have a second term. Let's see, the debt back at that time was some $10T I think, and today it appears to be of the order of $15T or more. Do the math, and see if you agree with me. Isn't 15 actually 10 plus another half, rather than 10 minus that half?! So not only has he not taken one cent off the debt; he is well on the way to solidly doubling it!
It does take some brass to make such bold sweeping rhetorical statements and then almost appear upset that you are reminded of it later. It's the one thing that I do not like about Obama. He appears to feel that in his role of being a great rhetoritician, he can spout out what works great on the campaign trail or for a soundbite on some talk show, but then expects everyone to let it float off into the arena ether, and forget about it. He loves to talk about accountability, as long as that mirror is not pointed squarely back at him.
It's also true of this President (and he is aware of it and uses it to his advantage) that because "he's such a nice guy", one almost feels nasty by bringing up various broken promises and demanding answers. Unlike almost anyone that I can think of, even people who are jobless and whose lives worsened under his "hope and change" are still sort of in awe of him, and feel that he deserves a break. This is quite rare given that he is a politician, a species that we know will lie to us repeatedly, if it guarantees election! So people seem willing to overlook Gitmo still being open, his very slow addressing of gay rights (either domestic or in the military), his outrageous spending, and even the fact that they have no jobs or even no homes anymore.
He has spent the country into debt of a nature that it is now a sad fact that China owns more of the US debt than do American households! At some point, China is going to exert its grip and cause some hurt in the old US of A, but of course, Obama won't be around to feel it in all likelihood. He will either be off on his retirement island surrounded by secret service agents, or even more likely, like the rest of us, he will be long gone, and it is his kids and grandkids who are going to pay the price.
This philosophy of spending one's way into eased economic pressure is a dead-end and a death trap, for future generations. As much as the Republicans are accused of helping the rich get richer and not caring about the typical worker, how much better is it to apparently encourage less the gathering of massive fortunes that also create jobs, but then spending like a trillionaire in the hope that it will get you re-elected? It's called living beyond your means, and that greed for a better quality of life at any price is what started this economic nuclear winter in the first place.
But still one must rejoice! Osama Bin Laden is dead: go ask him if he's feeling better off than he was four years ago. As much as it's a cute one-liner, especially when coupled with the car industry rescue ("Bin Laden is dead and GM is alive!"), the ending of a terrorist life is but a distraction from bigger problems in the daily lives of millions of Americans. It's an achievement, but not one that is putting any food onto dinner tables at night, or creating any new jobs for anyone. If it was seen as a sure-fire result that would sweep Dems back into power in a new wave of patriotism reminiscent of 2008, that was a miscalculation as evidenced by the neck-and-neck state of the polls.
Things have to be pretty bad when the elimination of the world's most prominent anti-American terrorist is already old news, and people are prone to being cynical, saying, "Well, at least he had a job, money, and a big house in Pakistan, which is more than we can say!"
Living the dream and spending beyond our means are not meant to be one and the same thing. One is about enjoying the comforts that hard-earned money from working brings, and the other is exactly the same as credit card and mortgage abuse. You (or in this case, someone else) are always going to pay in the end! But spending today and knowing you are leaving it for the kids to pay back is even worse! - Kevin Mc
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