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Posted on 8/1/2011, 3:08:35 PM by KeyLargo
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
AUGUST 1, 2011
Barack Obama the Pessimist
His lack of faith in American exceptionalism has dashed any hope of a 'transformational' presidency.
By FOUAD AJAMI
In one of the illuminating, unscripted moments of the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama said—much to the dismay of his core constituency—that the Reagan presidency had been "transformational" in a way that Bill Clinton's hadn't. Needless to say, Mr. Obama aspired to a transformational presidency of his own.
He had risen against the background of a deep economic recession, amid unpopular wars in Afghanistan and Iraq; he could be forgiven the conviction that the country was ready for an economic and political overhaul. He gave it a mighty try. But the transformational dream was not to be. The country had limits. Mr. Obama couldn't convince enough Americans that the twin pillars of his political program—redistribution at home, retrenchment abroad—are worthy of this country's ambitions and vocation.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans play to win all the time.
He ain’t one of us.
Little of that will be repeated in 2012, save for the MSM push, possible tepid opponent, and imploded GOP. I told my wife his rise will be as great as his fall and I stand by that
That’s similar to what Peggy Noonan wrote in the WSJ last week: Mr. Obama is a loser, and no one loves a loser - especially as president.
It is still anathema in America to embrace losers, or pessimists.
Americans expect a base-line of competence in its presidents. Mr. Obama does not possess that competence.
“The crippling truth of the Obama presidency is the pessimism of the man, the low expectations he has for this republic.”
It that was his only scruple about the US, that would be bad enough... but it’s more and much worse than that.
“O” takes personal exception to, publically abuses and affronts both the historic record of American achievement and exceptionalism AND the exceptionalism and achievement of Americans who respect this heritage and who continue to strive in the face of every challenge.
If we tried, we could NOT have found a more ‘UN American’ President or a man more thoroughly averse to the values and traditions of this country. I can’t wait until he’s gone and takes his inimical dogma with him.
Barack Obama the ‘pest’
Come on Sarah!
Come on Sarah!
He never, ever drew any of those crowds.
He always tailgated a concert.
Dude is toast in 2012.
A collectivist/redistributionist/powerful government idea presents a sharp contrast to the ideas of Creator-endowed individual liberty, opportunity, creativity, and prosperity concept underlying America's Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
America's first 200 years provided the world with a unique example of what could be achieved when a "People" proved themselves capable of self-government under a written Constitution. Millions of oppressed individuals fled other countries and flocked to America to participate in that glorious experiment.
The following excerpt questions:
"Thomas Jefferson, in his First Inaugural Address, enumerated what he called 'the essential principles of our government. . . which ought to shape its Administration.'
"He then stated:
"These principles form the bright constellation which has gone before us and guided our steps through an age of revolution and reformation. The wisdom of our sages and blood of our heroes have been devoted to their attainment. They should be the creed of our political faith, the text of civil instruction, the touchstone by which to try the services of those we trust; and should we wander from them in moments of error or of alarm, let us hasten to retrace our steps and to regain the road which alone leads to peace, liberty, and safety."
Background
"When asked by a curious citizen after the adjournment of the Constitutional Convention what kind of government had been structured by the Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin is said to have answered: "...A REPUBLIC, IF YOU CAN KEEP IT."
"The extensive Constitutional republic they envisioned, in reality, became a place of liberty and opportunity for countless millions of people from all over the world. Their ideas worked, because they were based on enduring principles which recognized human imperfection and the need to structure a limited government of laws, dependent upon the consent of a people who, themselves, understood the principles.
"The Distinctiveness of the American Experiment as Laid Down by the Founding Fathers:
"It acknowledged that individual rights are derived from a Creator.
"It was based on enduring principles compatible with "the laws of nature and of nature's God."
"It recognized human imperfection and that a tendency to abuse power is ever present in the human heart.
"It restrained those in power through a written Constitution which carefully divided, balanced, and separated the powers of government and then intricately knitted them back together again through a system of checks and balances.
"It left all powers with the people, except those which, by their consent, the people delegated to government and then made provision for their withdrawing that power, if it was abused.
"What Has Happened to the Philosophy and Principles Held by the Founding Fathers?
"Have we kept faith with their ideas of republican (representative) government and of the virtue which must underlie such an institution? As Andrew Jackson observed: 'It is well known that there have always been those amongst us who wish to enlarge the powers of the general government...and...to overstep the boundaries marked out for it by the Constitution.' Such is certainly true in 21st Century America! Not only do the various branches of government seek ways to expand their power by changing the Constitution, but there are well - organized and heavily-funded organuzations actively at work to make serious changes in the Founders' system.
"Can America Lose Her Freedom?
"An examination of the history of civilization reveals that nations have risen, and they have fallen. Governments have been formed, and they have been dissolved. People have become free, and they have fallen into slavery again. Toynbee observed that 19 of the world's 21 significant civilizations disappeared from the face of the earth - not from assault by outside forces, but from deterioration within the society."
To read more, visit, and click to download essays from "Our Ageless Constitution."
The philosophy of America's Founders is one which inspires and uplifts.
The philosophy of Mao/Marx/Lenin is one which has failed to provide "hope" and positive "change" in every society where it has been tried.
Can anyone wonder why a spirit of pessimism might be detected?
This is a “Transformational Presidency”!
Lord Vobamawort and his demonic-rat death-eaters are transforming America from a shining city on a hill to a vortex of despair. His minions running the various ministries that control every aspect of our lives are crushing all hope and slavering sycophants in the press provide cover and support for every lie and every action (even the most vile).
From da guy's own mouth...his goal is to knock us down a few pegs on the international ladder.
Well said!
There is an old saying, "Never attribute to malice what can be explained by incompetence." Concerning Obama the reverse is true, "Never attribute to incompetence what can better be explained by malice."
He had not come forth to awaken this country to its stirring first principles, but to manage its decline at home and abroad."
Yes, he has purposely, not incompetently, planned and managed the decline of this country. His ultimate goal is the destruction of this country as an exceptional super power. In his mind, it is not fair for us to be better than everyone else.
Bump
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