Why do we disrespect our president? (whther he's republican or democra

1. 88

   SimeyCposted 14 years ago

   I'm an Englishman living in the US and when I first moved to the US everyone respected the president, and while people didn't agree with the president at times, there was no witch hunt to destroy his reputation.
   
   Now, with the press and with many political groups all we do is look at the negative side of anything a president does.
   
   Currently, President Obama is the center of attention, and everything he does is put under a microscope by the Republicans.
   
   The same happened to President Bush, with the Democrats critisizing everything he did.
   
   Wouldn't it be better for our country, for all of us to rally around the president, regardless of race, politics etc? If the republicans and democrats actually forgot about 'party lines' and actually sat down and came up with ideas we'd see some amazing progress - there are some very intelligent people out there - that's the only way we're going to get any progress..
   
   The president doesn't create 'bills' he signs them - if the bills are truly bi-partisan, created by intelligent people to solve problems, then all this 'media' crap can and will end...
   
   Ah well rant over....

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      A President is not a "ruler", not a "king".   He's supposed to be a "public servant".
      
      Obama in particular is a man who's given us NO good reason to even trust him.

      replyreport
      1. 57

         marinealways24posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         It's called a 1 belief system!

         replyreport
         1. 0

            Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I'm not sure what you mean.
            
            I just know I believe people should behave respectably if they expect to receive respect.

            replyreport
            1. 60

               NS_Spirit333posted 14 years agoin reply to this

               one can not rally around someone like Obama! why? well he is a left winged liberal Marxist  and that pretty much sums it up, America is a  republic, not a European socialistic  style country, that is why this country was made in first place, to get away from that ruling class  attitude thoe to be realistic, there is class distinction no matter how one cuts, but, i do believe that national socialism might  and is the answer in saving this country

               replyreport
   2. 0

      Poppa Bluesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      The President doen't create bills  but he does have an agenda and his party usually supports that agenda.
      Bills are almost never bi-partisian, because the parties have two conflicting philosophies, the democrats are socialists, and the republicians believe in individual freedom. The problem is money and power interests controls both of them and the people are usually left holding the bag.
      Yes wouldn't it be nice if government actually "solved" a problem, any problem? I don't think that's ever happened! Government isn't the answer, government is the cancer!

      replyreport
   3. 66

      Jimmy Boydposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Keep in mind that the President is the Commander in Chief. He doesn't need a bill to act on most military matters, as its within his executive powers. So he has to be the one to take heat since he acts unilaterally in those situations. This is mainly what Bush took heat for.
      
      As to the main question, it takes two to tango. Unless both sides compromise to some degree, it will remain a mess.
      
      But over-compromising is also a problem. When the parties over-compromise, they often pass a bill with no real teeth. And I fear this is what is going to happen with health care reform - a bill may get passed just for the sake of saying "we did something."
      
      So the answer is not quite as simple as just working together.

      replyreport
   4. 53

      taxman5126posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      replyreport
2. 59

   Mark Knowlesposted 14 years ago

   How old are you?
   
   Eventually you will come to realize that politicians (regardless of race/color/background/party/country/etc) are scum sucking parasites doing the corporations/churches/medias/oil companies/arms manufacturers bidding.
   
   It is more a question of who they are screwing you for.....

   replyreport
   1. 57

      marinealways24posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      For themselves obviously.

      replyreport
      1. 59

         Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Well, yes, but they usually get paid by whomever they are favoring over us.

         replyreport
         1. 57

            marinealways24posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            By the ignorant followers that still believe what they say. So, pretty much everyone including myself that pays taxes and their ridiculous salaries with benefits.

            replyreport
            1. 59

               Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               That is peanuts. Did you see how much Mr. Clinton was paid by the Chinese government Inc to make a 30 minute speech in China after his term of office was over?

               replyreport
               1. 57

                  marinealways24posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  $31 million? No wonder all politicians are dirty when money is the main motivation. People work for the politicians, never the politicians working for the people.

                  replyreport
               2. 60

                  tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  When he was no longer President it's his business. He has the right to make whatever dough he can. There's more than enough to worry about with politicians while they are IN office.

                  replyreport
   2. 60

      tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Politicians are people just like everyone else. They just tend to find themselves in positions where the weaknesses they share with the rest of us can do more harm to more people, and are more likely to be exposed to great and public dishonor.

      replyreport
3. 78

   jiberishposted 14 years ago

   Name One president, anywhere, that gets respect.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      George W. Bush got MY respect.   Because he behaved respectably.

      replyreport
      1. 88

         SimeyCposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I didn't want this to be a 'political' discussion.
         
         President Bush attended the Olympics - no one complained. President Obama tries to get the Olympics to America, everyone complains. If he hadn't gone, then everyone would have blamed him for the loss - no win situation.
         
         You obviously respected Bush, but there were millions who didn't respect him simply because he was republican - this is the point I am trying to make....no one judges based on actions....Obama hasn't even been in a year - every president cannot do much in the first year just because of the nature of the business...
         
         You say that Obama has done nothing to gain our trust...but he also has done nothing to gain disrespect...
         
         I was taught to respect the leader regardless of whether I agreed with him or not...
         
         **I guess it's my fault in a way - this is obviosuly a political question - my point is that life would be so much better if we could simply creat ideas together, and forget about the underlying politics**

         replyreport
         1. 80

            LiamBeanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            He lost my respect the first time he made a speech and destroyed the language.
            
            
            
            See, here's the problem. All these naysayers are right-wing. They don't respect anyone that their party doesn't bless. They particularly hate Democrats. They've spend years convincing each other that Democrat is another word for Commie.
            
            None of this makes sense, of course, but they aren't in to sense anyway. Just the way it is.
            
            
            
            It's really simple. It's like football. If it's your team you cheer. If it's not your team you boo. At least that's the way it is for wing-nuts.

            replyreport
            1. 0

               sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               replyreport
            2. 60

               tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               LOL!!! Do you seriously believe that left-wingers don't do the exact same thing?

               replyreport
         2. 0

            Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Oh my.....yes he has done MUCH to earn my disrespect!!!
            
            A man who shows disrespect for God and patriotism and for individual citizens as well as for groups of individuals,  is very disrespectful,  even to the point of blasphemy.
            
            And we can't forget about the underlying politics because it's such a huge and basic factor.
            
            But yeah I'd like to forget about Obama....

            replyreport
         3. 68

            SparklingJewelposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            "You say that Obama has done nothing to gain our trust...but he also has done nothing to gain disrespect..."
            
            ...done nothing to gain disrespect...???
            
            he is signing too many of the things that deserve no respect
            
              my response to that is...you must have no sense concerning rule of law as per the US Constitution, Bill of Rights, liberty and free markets and
            
            and socialism that leads to pathetic laziness and the "gemme" consciousness...
            
            or the financial sense that says you can't spend your way out of debt...
            
            or the obvious narcissism that arises from egos and positions of power...
            
            and and and and ...need I go on????
             
            
            but yes...I can agree that we would be better served by our government if they learned to work together and not against each other...AND WERE SMALLER IN THEIR SCOPE...AND FOLLOWED THE CONSTITUTION

            replyreport
            1. 66

               Jimmy Boydposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Congress has the power to control almost everything financial due to its powers over interstate commerce. Nothing being discussed is unconstitutional. You may not like it, but it's not unconstitutional. Logically, I prefer the Court's decisions before it started expanding commerce powers beyond imagination. Unfortunately, though, private business has spoken loud and clear throughout history that it favors maximum profits over fair treatment. So something had to change.

               replyreport
      2. 60

         egivposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Hahahahaha

         replyreport
   2. 61

      dave272727posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I will do one better than that, I will name several.
      Abraham Lincoln
      Thomas Jefferson
      John Adams
      George Washington
      Theodore Roosevelt
      Franklin D. Roosevelt
      And even thought he was a Prime Minister Winston Churchill
      These men still deserve and receive respect from me.

      replyreport
4. 0

   Brenda Durhamposted 14 years ago

   At least most of the time and in many areas.

   replyreport
5. 87

   livelongerposted 14 years ago

   I remember it being more or less civil until Clinton became president. Since then, the opposition has tried their damnedest to assassinate the character of the sitting president.
   
   I don't remember the ribbing of Bush Sr, Reagan, Carter, etc being nearly as antagonistic as it was against Clinton, GWB and especially now against Obama.
   
   Maybe the weaker the alternative platform for actual governing, the more likely heaping mud on the ruling party becomes the only available option.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Maybe that's the answer to the original question of this thread.

      replyreport
6. 70

   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   You know, I find this tread topic interesting because many backwards thinking people are going to end up talk out the wrong hole, because they have underlying issues.
   
   We disrespect our President and others because of the following:
   
   Politicians, on a whole scale- are not worth the money they make. Their base pay should be non-existent. The reason for this is because they make $10,000 to $50,000 for being at other events, which they say nothing? or give a small speech.
   
   The "advocate" groups, special interest groups and lobbists have been carving America into divided pieces. A broken and divided citizenship cannot rally against business.
   
   Many different groups have begun applying pressure to get their own way. Yes, this is suppose to happen, but the true influence is beginning to become detrimental to society, as a whole.
   
   As for disrespecting politicians, including the President, has be a custom and a part of free speech openness.
   
   Our entire political system is abused and corrupt on many different levels.
   
   The real question that begs to ask- Why won't the "status quo" in Washington go away?
   
   My answer: Because, the politicians don't think that the citizenship can be united enough to overturn whatever they pass for legislation.
   
   And that's a really bad....assumption?

   replyreport
7. 69

   TimTurnerposted 14 years ago

   I'm an Independent and I can't stand Obama.
   
   He has always had shady people in his background and held public office for 2 LONG years.
   
   Somehow this guy convinced 52% of the public to vote for him in his MANY motivational speeches.
   
   As we can see, he is all talk.  What has he done in 8 months besides go around the world and do more talking.
   
   None of the world leaders respect him.  They won't listen to him.  He is all talk.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Madame Xposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That's the really scary part

      replyreport
8. 0

   sneakorocksolidposted 14 years ago

   The liberals on this tread are no different than anyone else. You pray to your representatives as if they are all knowing you should never point a finger at the conservatives or the religious because you're no different and certainly no better.

   replyreport
9. 56

   C.J. Wrightposted 14 years ago

   Presidents allways take it on the chin when the economy is bad. It makes no sense, but it happens.  Then we draw up sides and say, your guy screwed it up or my guy fixed it!  Pointless realy. President Obama has slipped in the polls...so what.  He still has higher ratings than Congress. Their ratings were in the tank before the Presidential election.

   replyreport
10. 61

    REFposted 14 years ago

    The problem is right now this country is being turned upside down on it head by this administration. If you will find an old book "THE RISE AND FALL OF THE THIRD REICH' by William L Shirer you will see what had to take place for Hitler to come to power, somethings just fell his way, others he orchestrated to happen, the parallel of what is and has happened right now is very alarming. I list some of these on my hub. I know the previous administration made mistakes too, but this is very different, it is like the old saying if you put a frog in cold water and gradually heat it up he doesn't realize it getting hotter, so many people are giving this administration the benefit of the doubt which is good, but just don't wait to long before you decide to do some research on what is happening. REF

    replyreport
    1. 87

       livelongerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       It is an honor to have Glen Beck posting, verbatim, his daily rant about Obama, replete with the boiling frog metaphor. You, sir, are truly ubiquitous!

       replyreport
    2. 66

       Jimmy Boydposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       And where in your research did you see Obama having aspirations to be anything like Hitler? This is what OP is talking about. People just want to destroy characters and reputations beyond repair. Even Tom Delay, of all people, said the other night on Larry King that it's getting out of hand.

       replyreport
       1. 60

          tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          How many democrats went on Larry King to say it was "getting out of hand" when Bush was president?

          replyreport
          1. 84

             rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             we all wear a filter, whatever we see is filtered through our opinions. we see what we want to see. whatever any president does, if he is not of your political affiliation, he can do nothing right.
             
             it will always be that way, it will never change.
             it's the nature of man to put down what he doesn't agree with, even if it's right. politics never solved any problem. it's people and ideas coming together that bring solutions.

             replyreport
          2. 66

             Jimmy Boydposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Democrats didn't have to say that because it was Bush's policies that were being attacked. Bush was not being attacked for his character. He was widely regarded as a "nice guy" personally.

             replyreport
             1. 78

                jiberishposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Like you said, the difference is that many disagreed with Bush's politics, but he was relatively a gentle God fearing character, where the problem lies with Obama is that he is narcissistic, and shady.  Not only does he have a questionable background, but every one who advises him.  So those who disagree with his policies, also questions his associations.

                replyreport
11. 66

    breakfastpopposted 14 years ago

    In order to earn respect as a President, you need to recognize the differences in opinion in our great nation. We all come from differing backgrounds and our views may be very dissimilar. Having said this I really believe that we need to be tolerant, accept and respect our opponents points of view and negotiate a compromise.

    replyreport
12. 65

    awareposted 14 years ago

    i dont .

    replyreport
13. 59

    Pr0metheusposted 14 years ago

    Because George Bush hates black people!
    
    
    Oh wait, it's not 2006...

    replyreport
14. 0

    Denno66posted 14 years ago

    Um, is anyone listening to SimeyC ? He has the correct idea of the basis of Democracy. I believe he is not talking about taking a walk in the US VS. THEM park, rather trying, rather unsuccessfully, sorry, Simey, to point out the futility of continuing the Hatfield & McCoy fued and getting right down to actually accomplishing something beneficial for the American public. Hmmm, now there's an interesting concept.....Look, I didn't particularly like the last President, but I respected the office. Period. In three years, those who don't like this President can vote for another. Isn't Democracy great folks?

    replyreport
15. 84

    rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

    everyone is entitled to their own intelligent opinion.
    
    here's one I just read in the NYT.  Op Ed  Guest Column: Rebranding America
    
    Americans forget sometimes that America is not just a county, but an idea, an aspiration.  we ALL make it what it is.
    
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/opini … 2&_r=1

    replyreport
16. 70

    Cagsilposted 14 years ago

    Actually, many of the "Congressional" politicians already in office, already know what they can do to manipulate the American public.
    
    It has been going for years.
    
    As, Jimmy Boyd, said, something will pass, just so they can say that they did something. And, it will more than likely not work as it was intended.
    
    How ever, what isn't being revealed to the American public is the proper way to create the American Dream. It is not shown to anyone.
    
    It is talked about, everyone talks about it. But, how many people are living the American Dream?
    
    Especially, when the UPPER 1% controls 95% of America's wealth.
    
    How can anyone expect to get ahead? Many find it difficult.
    
    Approximately, 12.5% of Americans are homeless. Do the math?
    
    Approximately, 1 out 166 children are born with Autism? Why? It is even being diagnosed properly?
    
    Approximately, 1 out of every 8 Americans are searching for food from food banks across the country.
    
    Approximately, 75% of Americans are prescribed medicine for emotional stability or using ILLEGAL substances to get through their day.
    
    I think it about time people knew the TRUTH about living in America, so they can truly be equals.

    replyreport
17. 70

    Cagsilposted 14 years ago

    As for the topic?
    
    Why do we disrespect our president?
    
    Because we can.

    replyreport
18. 69

    lrohnerposted 14 years ago

    Look, I didn't vote for Obama. Actually, I didn't vote at all -- but only because I was injured the day before the election. Anyhoo, I always looked at it as voting for the best of the worst. I don't think anyone running was the best choice for President.
    
    But because Obama is black, he was raised up on a God-like pedestal. There's simply nowhere to go from there but down.
    
    As to respect, I respect people for what they do and what they achieve -- and Obama hasn't done or achieved anything yet.

    replyreport
19. 0

    Denno66posted 14 years ago

    Hmmm, well over-compromising isn't a desirable thing, I agree. No one side should have to walk away feeling cheated. But, party ideologies aside, the people come first, not special interests or the furthering of their respective party's agenda. Public servants should be just that: serving the greater good of the public; and why are they getting paid for that, by the way? I thought the idea of public office was to represent and further the progress of our American way of life, not collect a paycheck and receive great perks doing so.

    replyreport
20. 78

    kirstenblogposted 14 years ago

    The power of fast communication in the media has a lot to do with the perceived increase in political sniping and general drama of politics. I expect that this is very damaging for those rare politicians that actually want to do something good and meaningful for their communities.
    
    I seriously doubt that the founding fathers were never disrespected or unpopular. The power of the media and the ability to spread a story was a lot harder, that is the only difference these days. We as humans will always have disagreements and squabbles, republicans will always prefer republicans, democrats will always prefer democrats. No big surprise there is there?
    
    I miss the days of my youth where I really believed that politicians were doing a hard and thankless job for selfless reasons, because they actually care about their community. I only find that sort of ideology in grass roots politics these days.

    replyreport
21. 0

    Denno66posted 14 years ago

    It doesn't change from party to party. You ( I say this in the third person sense ) can rationalize your respective party's better standing in the political forum all you like, but at the end of the day they are all the same. Basically: Insert name here: said this or did that. It is just a variation of the same theme. Period.

    replyreport
22. 0

    Go Writerposted 14 years ago

    I would have to agree with you. One should follow boss at top, at least that's how it would usually work.
    
    However, since people decide things by endorsing their representative, why would they ever entertain the notion of obeying guy-on-top when they control the vote-strings?

    replyreport