Obama G20, Obama Ratings, Obama likeability, What is a Democracy?
Wed/Thurs. April 8/9, 2009
Today's Zinger:
The Most Dangerous People Are Those That Tell You What You Want To Hear.
Opinion:
We have all known parents that want to be friends with their children. In an attempt to be liked they will bend the rules and their parenting is more like being a buddy than taking a principled stand and guiding the development of their children on these principles. Parents that act like best friends run the risk of saying what their kids want to hear instead of what they need to hear. This inevitably leads to children that are undisciplined and unruly. This can carry on into adult life.
On his recent trip to the G20 summit, President Obama seemed to want to make the world smile. He said what the Europeans wanted to hear (America has been arrogant), he said what Muslims wanted to hear (America is not at war with Islam), he did what the Saudi Prince could only have dreamed would happen (bowed to him). He visited Iraq and said what the military want to hear (they have done a great job and we need to carefully pass control to the Iraq). He seems to always know what people want to hear. I am sure that is one of the reasons his is so likable. Unfortunately, he may be willing to say what people want to hear and not what they need to hear. This may win friends in the near term but rarely leads to committed friendships.
Russia and China are suspected of cybercrimes against our electrical, water and other infrastructure, with the intent of destroying our infrastructure from within should there be a conflict between countries. Europe has not stepped up as a partner in Afghanistan or Iraq. They have been timid in their economic response to the global recession. China and Russia are not supporting the UN resolution, nor America's call for greater sanctions against North Korea for launching a missile in violation of the UN agreement they signed. Saudi Arabia remains a tenuous friend and our military was certainly not a favorite son of Barack Obama during the election when pandering to those against the war. Back home he speaks of the important role of business in our economic recovery while speaking to business people then speaks to the greed of business and how the government will get us out of our economic situation when speaking to Americans. The question is just what does Barack Obama believe? If he thinks getting everyone to like him will foster a better relationship and therefore more decisions in his favor, I believe this is a dangerous and flawed strategy. He is no longer running for office. He must now make tough decisions and lead.
Having elected officials govern on what people think or their wants may sound like a very good thing. After all, those Presidents that don't respond to the electorate are not well liked. In a democracy, isn't it the people that should decide? Shouldn't our politicians listen to the people? Isn't this the basis our our country? Bill Clinton was well liked. He even had a full time pollster that constantly tested public opinion and he would respond accordingly. His approval ratings were very good and remain good even today. George W. Bush based his decisions on what he believed and did not listen to polls. His approval rating was terrible. So, in the recent past it seems to imply that to be popular you do the peoples' will. Isn't that what a democracy is about?
NO... Absolutely Not. A democracy is not about doing the peoples' will but rather doing the peoples' work.
Doing what the public wants at any particular point in time is dangerous. Leaders take a stand in the midst of difficult decisions. Leaders are given more information and the best advice from experts than anyone else could possibly have. In our society, everyone thinks they are an expert and therefore what they think needs to be listened to and followed. But the truth is that is not the case.
A democracy is the right of the people to vote for and elect individuals that best represent their views. It does not mean that this individual agrees with everything that we think. It does not mean that this individual asks my opinion about decisions. It simply means that my vote represents a vote for a person to do what they believe is right as decisions need to be made. A democracy means that when the election process returns, I can vote for someone else if I believe we are not getting the results expected from that person.
Our democracy gives me the right to protest and speak my mind while this person is in office if they are doing things that I disagree with. My protest affords the opportunity to rally support for my views in an attempt to influence the elected official. It does not mean that I have the right to expect the elected official to do as I say. If there is a loud enough protest, the elected official will most likely take this into consideration as they make decisions. Only if that person does not wish to be reelected does he or she govern without influence.
America has entered a critical juncture in world history. On the international front, powers and competitors are changing, new partnerships are being forged and the stakes are high. At home there is a similar tipping point. Our economy is in recession. President Obama and Congress are forging a dramatic change in our country. The stakes are high. Trying to be everyone's friend in order to lead through these troubling times is a big gamble at home and abroad. Are you ready to roll the dice of change? President Obama is.
Today's Zinger:
The Most Dangerous People Are Those That Tell You What You Want To Hear.
Opinion:
We have all known parents that want to be friends with their children. In an attempt to be liked they will bend the rules and their parenting is more like being a buddy than taking a principled stand and guiding the development of their children on these principles. Parents that act like best friends run the risk of saying what their kids want to hear instead of what they need to hear. This inevitably leads to children that are undisciplined and unruly. This can carry on into adult life.
On his recent trip to the G20 summit, President Obama seemed to want to make the world smile. He said what the Europeans wanted to hear (America has been arrogant), he said what Muslims wanted to hear (America is not at war with Islam), he did what the Saudi Prince could only have dreamed would happen (bowed to him). He visited Iraq and said what the military want to hear (they have done a great job and we need to carefully pass control to the Iraq). He seems to always know what people want to hear. I am sure that is one of the reasons his is so likable. Unfortunately, he may be willing to say what people want to hear and not what they need to hear. This may win friends in the near term but rarely leads to committed friendships.
Russia and China are suspected of cybercrimes against our electrical, water and other infrastructure, with the intent of destroying our infrastructure from within should there be a conflict between countries. Europe has not stepped up as a partner in Afghanistan or Iraq. They have been timid in their economic response to the global recession. China and Russia are not supporting the UN resolution, nor America's call for greater sanctions against North Korea for launching a missile in violation of the UN agreement they signed. Saudi Arabia remains a tenuous friend and our military was certainly not a favorite son of Barack Obama during the election when pandering to those against the war. Back home he speaks of the important role of business in our economic recovery while speaking to business people then speaks to the greed of business and how the government will get us out of our economic situation when speaking to Americans. The question is just what does Barack Obama believe? If he thinks getting everyone to like him will foster a better relationship and therefore more decisions in his favor, I believe this is a dangerous and flawed strategy. He is no longer running for office. He must now make tough decisions and lead.
Having elected officials govern on what people think or their wants may sound like a very good thing. After all, those Presidents that don't respond to the electorate are not well liked. In a democracy, isn't it the people that should decide? Shouldn't our politicians listen to the people? Isn't this the basis our our country? Bill Clinton was well liked. He even had a full time pollster that constantly tested public opinion and he would respond accordingly. His approval ratings were very good and remain good even today. George W. Bush based his decisions on what he believed and did not listen to polls. His approval rating was terrible. So, in the recent past it seems to imply that to be popular you do the peoples' will. Isn't that what a democracy is about?
NO... Absolutely Not. A democracy is not about doing the peoples' will but rather doing the peoples' work.
Doing what the public wants at any particular point in time is dangerous. Leaders take a stand in the midst of difficult decisions. Leaders are given more information and the best advice from experts than anyone else could possibly have. In our society, everyone thinks they are an expert and therefore what they think needs to be listened to and followed. But the truth is that is not the case.
A democracy is the right of the people to vote for and elect individuals that best represent their views. It does not mean that this individual agrees with everything that we think. It does not mean that this individual asks my opinion about decisions. It simply means that my vote represents a vote for a person to do what they believe is right as decisions need to be made. A democracy means that when the election process returns, I can vote for someone else if I believe we are not getting the results expected from that person.
Our democracy gives me the right to protest and speak my mind while this person is in office if they are doing things that I disagree with. My protest affords the opportunity to rally support for my views in an attempt to influence the elected official. It does not mean that I have the right to expect the elected official to do as I say. If there is a loud enough protest, the elected official will most likely take this into consideration as they make decisions. Only if that person does not wish to be reelected does he or she govern without influence.
America has entered a critical juncture in world history. On the international front, powers and competitors are changing, new partnerships are being forged and the stakes are high. At home there is a similar tipping point. Our economy is in recession. President Obama and Congress are forging a dramatic change in our country. The stakes are high. Trying to be everyone's friend in order to lead through these troubling times is a big gamble at home and abroad. Are you ready to roll the dice of change? President Obama is.
The challenge for any parent is balancing discipline with friendship. Children and parents struggle with that when the children are young, however as children mature and can reflect on their upbringing, it is the parent that provided the boundries and proper discipline that are respected by their kids. I imagine that will be true for Bush and Obama. We will have to see how they are remembered and it will take years before we know. Our country still has to grow up about some things.
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