What's Going On?
Barack Obama has occupied the White House for exactly one year today and who could have imagined in that short time that the President would be greeted with such anniversary gifts as a Republican win in Massachusetts and an approval rating below 50 percent. The Obama Administration and Democrats on The Hill have lost control of the political agenda and have junkies across the country wondering, "What is Going On?"
During the past year, Democrats have repeatedly tried to blame the problems facing the country as carryover inherited from President George W. Bush. Fair or not, the American people elected Democrats to fix these problems, not to continue the blame game. President Obama campaigned on the issue of hope and was quick to criticize past generations of politicians for finger pointing and gridlock only to see his administration engage in the same tactics as the mystique of the innaugural festivities wore off.
Some would say the administration has dealt with the problems. I can not disagree with this statement, but will argue that the administration missed the mark which worked to infuriate many voters who placed their trust in Democrats while mobilizing an angry group of white middle-class voters who feel the "new boss is same as the old boss!"
By bailingout banks, the auto industry, insurance companies, and cozying up to big pharmaceuticals and big health insurers during the health care debate the administration signaled to the angry independents that were responsible for Democratic return to power that business has not changed in Washington. These Americans feel that their money has been used to line the pockets of those who are directly responsible for the current economic crisis and rightfully so are mad as hell about this. Take a look at financial service stocks and you will find many companies that received TARP monies are seeing a rise in their stock values while Americans are facing an unemployment rate of above 10 percent across the country.
Add to this total reckless spending pattern the decision to bring known terrorists to the United States for trial for the September 11 attacks. Again, fair or nor, it is the perception that these enemy soldiers are being treated more fairly than our fighting men and women engaged in the War on Terror. Put all this together and you have the prescription for a major backlash. The proof is in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and to a lesser extent Virginia.
The political landscape can shift in the blink of an eye and there is still time for Democrats to regain control of the agenda. However, the sand is flowing through the hour glass faster each day and once thought safe Democrats must be scared to think that if a Republican can win in the most Blue state in America than by golly a Republican can defeat me in my district/state.
During the past year, Democrats have repeatedly tried to blame the problems facing the country as carryover inherited from President George W. Bush. Fair or not, the American people elected Democrats to fix these problems, not to continue the blame game. President Obama campaigned on the issue of hope and was quick to criticize past generations of politicians for finger pointing and gridlock only to see his administration engage in the same tactics as the mystique of the innaugural festivities wore off.
Some would say the administration has dealt with the problems. I can not disagree with this statement, but will argue that the administration missed the mark which worked to infuriate many voters who placed their trust in Democrats while mobilizing an angry group of white middle-class voters who feel the "new boss is same as the old boss!"
By bailingout banks, the auto industry, insurance companies, and cozying up to big pharmaceuticals and big health insurers during the health care debate the administration signaled to the angry independents that were responsible for Democratic return to power that business has not changed in Washington. These Americans feel that their money has been used to line the pockets of those who are directly responsible for the current economic crisis and rightfully so are mad as hell about this. Take a look at financial service stocks and you will find many companies that received TARP monies are seeing a rise in their stock values while Americans are facing an unemployment rate of above 10 percent across the country.
Add to this total reckless spending pattern the decision to bring known terrorists to the United States for trial for the September 11 attacks. Again, fair or nor, it is the perception that these enemy soldiers are being treated more fairly than our fighting men and women engaged in the War on Terror. Put all this together and you have the prescription for a major backlash. The proof is in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and to a lesser extent Virginia.
The political landscape can shift in the blink of an eye and there is still time for Democrats to regain control of the agenda. However, the sand is flowing through the hour glass faster each day and once thought safe Democrats must be scared to think that if a Republican can win in the most Blue state in America than by golly a Republican can defeat me in my district/state.
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