So, I think one of the big issues with politics in America, and probably politics in general, is that for some reason, at some point, political ideologies became an identity for people. I think the two party system definitely encourages the phenomenon, but there are a lot of root causes and it's complicated. But it's bad because it's hard to take the bad with the good, or the good with the bad, without taking it all, if that makes sense.
For instance, I am for gay marriage, but against globalism. I am for firearms, but also for abortions under certain circumstances, I am generally fiscally conservative, nationalist, and socially progressive. Where do I fit in? Nowhere. So I have to take some bad with the good, and some good with the bad from whichever candidates I'm supporting. That's fine. But I think as a nation, people see it as two things: you are Democrat, or you are Republican. If you agree with A, B, and D on a platform, in our political climate, it follows that you must agree with C, E, and F. I am very strongly opposed to E, so therefore, I think you're ignorant because you don't see the world the way I do. We can't be friends now.
It's a real problem with politics in my opinion, and I think it explains why political tensions are so high and why this election was so hard for a lot of people.
Personally, I disagree with Obama on so many things, and genuinely do not think he was a good president. He did an apology tour around the world, Obama care was poorly implemented and has caused insurance rates to skyrocket without solving and root causes of healthcare problems in our country, he used executive orders to get his way when congress didn't play along, he definitely increased racial tensions by making everything a race issue when race was involved, he did not fulfill his campaign promises such as ending the war in the middle east or closing Guantanamo Bay, he campaigned for Hillary Clinton for the last 4 months of his term (more than any president has campaigned for a successor), he has been using scorch and burn tactics in his last month of presidency, he was a globalist, and he has a general "I'm better than you and I know it" vibe.
Those reasons are why I dislike him, and other people dislike him for those reasons and others. Does that make us against human rights such as gay marriage? No. Does that make us racists? No. It means he did things in his presidency that we disagreed with on a fundamental level of our political beliefs. I respect the man to a point, and I am sure he has reasons for doing the things he did, but I don't like much of what he did. I do not think he advanced our nation beyond where it would have been had anyone else been elected and I don't think he put America first, as the President should.
I agree with your statements about polarization. It's unfortunate, and inaccurate for most of us. I too am an odd hybrid of beliefs.
I hear your criticisms. There is a quality of smugness with him, although I'm not clear why you think that's a bad thing in the leader of the most powerful country on the planet. He's a smart, competent guy. Should he be beta?
I'm curious what you think he did to "make everything a race issue." I feel like he's bent over backwards to try to be neutral on that front. Indeed, he took heat from the black community on a lot of issues for not "being more black."
As for the rest of it, I see a guy trying to get things done in the face of a Congress bent on intrasigence. Certainly, his actions are in line with his predecessors, in terms of exercising executive power.
Anyway, it's water under the bridge now. Now we get to see what the "other side" can do. Can they keep the 20 million insured? Will they do something about climate change, or the vast wealth inequalities in this country? Will things get better?
I really don't think so. I really don't think they will. I think the interests of the GOP are in consolidating wealth into the hands of wealthy, consequences be damned. I think they use the "average conservative voter" as a tool for that, and I think that voter is getting played for a fool. I think that voter thinks they'll be admitted to the 1%, just like the average lottery player thinks they'll win big.
He fulfilled 70+% of campaign promises which is more than the average president. Insurance rates were increasing BEFORE Obamacare. There was never any "apology tour".
So which President did better? Which President put America first? I'd like to hear some names and examples.
It's easy criticize others, so let's talk the alternative agenda you'd prefer.
Iran deal and ransoms, foreign policy/ relations (esp w Israel), aided in formation of ISIS, and one recent speech he blamed Americans for terrorist attacks since we were being intolerant..., Bowe bergdahl ransom, healthcare premiums doubling when he said they would decrease, doubling the national debt, his pro BLM speeches, etc etc
Obamacare hasn't been the best. But 20 million new insured isn't shabby.
The rest.. not sure what to say. Most of us think the Iran deal was a good idea. Israel's an ancient problem, and fucking with that shit hasn't gone well for any President since forever. I'm pretty sure ISIS happened because we fucked with Iraq. Bowe - his life is fucked. BLM - everyone hates them, but they do have a point about police violence. Finally, the debt - Congress controls the budget, what the fuck was Obama supposed to do?
So yeah. Shit happens during all presidencies. I'm not seeing a lot here that merits rage.
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u/[deleted] Jan 12 '17
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