I am of the opinion that some on the right have lost their minds regarding how they feel Obama should have responded to the elections in Iran. Bush referred to Iran as part of an 'Axis of Evil'. It was a play borrowed from the Reagan playbook regarding Communism and the USSR. The problem is, Iran is NOT the USSR. They have a lot of pissed-off citizens who are very interested in change AND have a far better ability to pull it off than the citizens of Russia ever had - the Russian bear was simply too big to be overthrown from within. So, Obama has chosen a more deft and cautious approach? Good for him. Bush's approach didn't yield any positive results regarding Iran, so why repeat them? Yet, Obama is being slammed for just that - not calling the Iranian government evil.
read moreI recently devoted a piece to trying to decode President Obama. In reading more of his comments, I've noticed a tendency that now almost qualifies as a reflex: the more strongly the president denies something and especially, the more he mocks his critics and feigns amusement at what they say the greater the odds are that he will do what he denies.
It's doubtful anyone has ever enjoyed paying taxes. In most developed democracies, taxation is a necessary evil that finances the services that make for a fair and dynamic society. Taxes let people take risks with their lives, guarantee a financially secure retirement, educate children, keep our roads drivable, pay police, and help ensure that the benefits of prosperity are broadly shared. But starting in the late 1970s, political entrepreneurs on the right helped launch a broad "tax revolt" that completely changed the public's view of taxation...Taxes became an unmitigated evil... Progressive governance efforts came to be centered on trying to find ways to disguise expenditures as "tax credits," with new spending financed by making cuts in other areas.
For decades many in the American political and policy establishment--including close supporters of President Obama--have looked enviously at the bureaucratic powerhouse of the European Union. In everything from climate change to civil liberties to land use regulation, Europe long has charmed those visionaries, particularly on the left, who wish to remake America in its image.
President Obama swept to office on the promise of a new kind of politics, but then how do you explain last week's dismissal of federal Inspector General Gerald Walpin for the crime of trying to protect taxpayer dollars? This is a case that smells of political favoritism and Chicago rules
JPW,
Normally I would be happy to address your request.
However, I am leaving in about 1/2 hour to go out of town and haven't even finished packing yet.
I provided a couple of google suggestions at the top of the thread - the book "Cool It" is a great read. It operates from the premise of - 'Okay, this IS happening, now, what do we do about it?' It also debunks several myths as well.
Anyhow, gotta run.
Enjoy the holiday, all.