by Jon Living Larkin
President Obamaʼs second inaugural speech has been hailed by many as a bold progressive vision for the future of America. The view from the left is one of “We the people,” equality, and inclusion. The view from the right however is one of ignorance, polarization, and of course tyranny. From Rush to Mitch McConnell to Fox News, the goal has seemed to be to use the word liberal as often as possible as if itʼs a dirty word. They have said that it was the most polarizing inaugural speech in history, clear evidence that Obama has no interest in working with Republicans. Of course, the GOP doesnʼt realize that they brought this on themselves.
Republicans had their shot to work with Obama. Social Security, the Dream Act, and healthcare mandates are all issues once supported by Republicans. Even Medicare, which many on the right opposed after its initial passing, has been defended if for no other reason than to placate senior citizen voters. The GOP presidential nominee had seen to it that healthcare was mandated to all the citizens of the state of Massachusetts that he governed. However, when Obama came out in favor of these policies he was greeted with cries of a tyrannical and out of control government.
Republicans have demonstrated repeatedly, and without denial, that no matter what Obama tries to do, they are going to oppose it 100%. Mitch McConnell was famously quoted saying that his primary goal was not to best serve the country, but to make Obama a one term president. In that case, why should Obama try to work for anything other than what he wants? He could advocate for policies espoused by Republicans and be rebuffed, or he can work to strengthen entitlements, pay equity, and marriage equality and be rebuffed. So why not fight for the issues you care about? Theyʼre just gonna criticize you regardless.
Itʼs also quite possible that this extends beyond just policy. Think about it just as a person. If you claim that Iʼm hellbent on destruction of the country, that Iʼm coming for your guns, that Iʼm not really a citizen, or that Iʼm a secret Muslim and want to institute Sharia law, then Iʼm not so inclined to work with you. For one, thatʼs not very nice. For two, if you think that Iʼm pretty sure youʼre crazy. This isnʼt as complicated as their making it.
Four years of unyielding obstruction and name calling in the press doesnʼt create much good faith on the other side. The Republican strategy of saying no to everything made more, if still very little, sense for Obamaʼs first term, as their goal was to make him a one term president. However, he has been re-elected. They get four more years of him, and clearly the strategy of obstruction didnʼt achieve their goal. So it seems they have a choice. They can choose to work with him, or they can choose to oppose everything the president puts forward, even if it has overwhelming support with the public, and continue their journey into obscurity and irrelevance.
DSP says
Clearly this article is biased toward Obama and your missing a ton of facts. Obama passed a stimulus and the economy has been shrinking. Obama said he wanted tax increases, he got them, and no spending cuts, no budget. WE HAVE NOT HAD A BUDGET in 5 years!!!
If we don’t tackle the debt, you wont be able to write pro obama articles like this is your underwear and you will be on the street eventually begging for food. Look at Greece, Look at Spain: 25%+ unemployment. Look at Texas, #1,2,3 fastest growing cities in the country. Conservative economics work. Liberal economics kill jobs and economies.
Look at how Obama added to the debt. And he won because of the media lying to the voters and repeating his class warfare. So No, republicans won’t let Obama take us down with his out of control spending. They shouldn’t let him get away. Thanks again for mentioning the fact that we have 16T in debt and obama wants to spend MORE.
Steve says
Three years later, long time for a group of people to hold a grudge don’t you think?
Jon Living Larkin says
Speaking of missing a ton of facts, you seem to be blithely unaware that Obama has in fact passed over a trillion dollars in spending cuts while raising revenue ONCE. The spending cut to revenue ratio is 3 to 1. The democrats sequester plan will all offer more spending cuts with a balanced approach to revenue. Even with that, it will still be disproportionately tilted toward spending cuts, bring it to 2 to 1 over the length of his presidency. Yes we are 16 trillion in debt, and we have Bush to thank for half of that. Furthermore, you’re comment is in no way a response to any of the points I made in the column. I added very little spin. I simply recounted statements made by republicans. Just because they do stupid things doesn’t make me partisan for pointing it out.
And for the record, I don’t write in my underwear. And if you think we are on the verge of begging for food in the streets, I would recommend a little less Fox News in your life. Get your info from us or Al Jazeera. Cheers.