Changing mindsets.

[bigjohn16]

Let me start by saying my entire political life has been under the Presidency of George Bush. I was to young to vote for Gore and my first vote for President was for John Kerry and that loss stung. I've been an atheist and a liberal during the born again neo-con Presidency of Bush and I have always considered myself the underdog when it comes to American politics.

I voted for President Obama not because I agreed with everything he stood for but because I wanted to be apart of an historic vote. I now find myself still stuck in the underdog mindset and feeling politically alienated among friends and DU. I don't seem to be able to get into a mindset that says you voted for the winner now sit back and let him work. It's been eight years of Bush and it seems I can't really break that need for conflict.

I don't agree that criticizing the President in the first 5 month is a bad thing but I will concede that I am being unfairly impatient when it comes the bigger issues facing President Obama.

I guess my question is has anyone else had that same feeling of withdrawal when it comes to leaving the Underground?

[DCKit]

1. I would suggest you take a look as what our shiny, new President has accomplished...

rather than obsess over which of your pet projects he hasn't enacted to your satisfaction. He does more in a day than * did in any single month and hasn't managed to bring Armageddon down on us yet.

Our lists of disappointments are probably all pretty similar, but Congress hasn't exactly stepped up to the plate either, and they should be leading, not following.

Besides, it ain't over 'till it's over.

[armyowalgreens]

3. Bush did quite a bit of damage to the US over 8 years.

Lets give him credit where credit is due. He did a lot. Unfortunately, a lot of that was the exact opposite of what we needed.

[SpiralHawk]

7. "Smirk." - xCommander AWOL & xVP Dickie 'Five Deferments' Cheney (R)

[bigjohn16]

4. I shouldn't be posting after the rant I just gave in another thread but what the hell

I don't think my problem has all that much to do with the President I just can't stand the cheer leading and idol worship that goes on here after the election. I'm to much of a cynic to ever be able to love the President the way many around here seem to. Hey it's no big loss 5 years and 300 post not much to lose I'll just go back to lurking and stay in the kiddie pool that is LBN.

[armyowalgreens]

5. Being skeptical is good. Being a cold blooded cynic is not.

Having a little hope isn't a bad thing. It's what keeps you going.

I've had to learn that the HARD way. Without hope, you give up.

[vadawg]

9. i would say believing in yourself and having hope in yourself is good

putting all your hope into a politician is bad, theres a lot of people who have invested to much into Obama and are unwilling to criticise or have anyone else criticise him for anything. Its kinda creepy in a way and probuably unhealthy for discourse.

[armyowalgreens]

11. "Allegory of the cave" syndrome.

People are afraid to face the truth of reality. They don't want to hear that everything they believe in isn't what it seems. So they believe bullshit because it comforts them.

[armyowalgreens]

2. I'm a godless socialist living in Phoenix, Arizona USA (aka Capitalist Jesus Amirka)

My entire life is a fucking battle. You just learn to live with it.

I don't like what Obama is doing. That isn't being inpatient. It's being critical of the leader of the United States. I think healthy criticism is what separates us from totalitarianism.

If people have a problem with you criticizing the president, they are falling victim to the same mentality that got us 8 years of dumbass.

[GivePeaceAchance]

6. To make him not just a historic vote but historic presidency the work is now with us, I'd say.

If we work to make the awareness of any issue large enough any policy can be made possible. It's non stop work to get truth out and strong policy made. Sure it isn't easy but even President Obama said change never is easy.

[OneGrassRoot]

8. "that need for conflict".....that's interesting

I think many here have felt the need to withdraw periodically: from watching, reading, and interacting about anything even remotely political. It's disheartening and infuriating and can drain energy quickly.

But, I think the "need for conflict" might be helpful to investigate further. Why you feel you need such conflict -- what purpose does it serve.

Don't get me wrong, I think many people feed on that energy and need it. It's a habit. I'm just curious as to why it's needed nonstop. Someone can post 2 + 2 = 4, and inevitably someone will jump in and dispute it.

I wonder why?

[saltpoint]

10. Obama is aware of the split factions witin the country on most issues

but at the same time is so much more capable than his predecessor that nearly two-thirds of voters approve of his job performance. That's an enormous percentage of approval in presidential politics. The list of his strengths and virtues is very long. People think Obama is smart and they like him.

To eschew worship of a public figure is not the same as saying that figure does not deserve praise, or that voters should not be generous in their praise. Voters were given a choice of several candidates -- two major party candidates and several minor party candidates -- and by a very wide margin, they hired Barack Obama.

It seems unreasonable that everything each of us wants is likely to be established by a given politician, from U.S. President to town council. On balance Obama has demonstrated a maturity and some serious brain power, plus affability. It seems genuine in him. People pick that up. They have responded favorably to his personality and to his political initiatives.

I think this president will be president for 8 years. I think the pervasive tone and substance of his administration(s) is likely to be very positive, very affirming, and very effective.

In his elegy to Yeats, Audin wrote:

- - -

In the prison of his days
Teach the free man how to praise

- - -

We are in the arena of politics, and politics is often disappointing and frustrating, but at the same time we are seeing an extraordinary man leading our country.

I personally do not feel the praise is undeserved.