I was reading an interview with Noam Chomsky today and thinking about Obama and the Republicans. The difference between liberals and conservatives, simply put ,is their regard for knowledge. Conservatives do not think a person needs knowledge. Liberals understand its importance and the complexity of life and understanding it.
Liberals generally embrace Chomsky and conservatives generally disparage him. Of course, they know nothing about him, just that he is on the left.
My impression of Obama now, is that he was overwhelmed by what came at him (he was green), so he chose the safe path. He had the financial system of the entire world on his shoulders. He was worried if he took after the banks the entire world might collapse. It might have. I think when he is reelected he will be prepared to undertake the reconstruction we need.
But he definately was governing differently than he campaigned. So it made sense for any thinking person to question what Obama was doing. And as he is quiet, and very intelligent and a politician, he is hard to read.
But to not question what was happening, what the difference was, is the failing of the right wing. I expect it on the right, their denial of evolution, global warming and general anti intellectual behavior, Macarthism, John birch society, Nixon, Bush, I expect nothing on the right and so I am never disappointed by them.
But as it was correct for the liberals in the 60's to question the Vietnam war, so we had to question Obama. We liberals challenged Humphrey and the democratic establishment on the Vietnam war, and I think history has shown clearly we were right to do so. The Viet Nam war was a terrible policy mistake.
Something was out of whack with Obama and we needed to understand what it was. That was the prudent thing to do, not follow blindly.
But now we must ensure he is reelected. It is essential.
I saw where the one (somewhat sane) Republic nominee, Romney, has embraced Robert Bork (who was against the 1964 civil rights act) and is a vile human being. So even he will probably bring ruin to this country if Obama is not reelcted.
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