Chan Lowe: Obama runs for reelection
For a seduction to work, you need the cooperation of both parties.
Back in 2008, when Barack Obama was wooing the nation, he was saying all the things many of us wanted to hear. We were deep into Bush fatigue, especially toward the end when the economy collapsed (that’s right, it did happen during the Bush Administration, although it’s so easy to forget).
Here was a new face, telling us that he was going to come in like a fresh breeze, blow out the cobwebs, and change the way Washington did business. Of course, those of us who had been around long knew that they always say that. Nevertheless, we fell for the roses and chocolates because we so wanted to believe at that point.
In our fantasy world, opposing political parties could be made to work together for the betterment of their country rather than parochial interests. Obama would lay his hands upon the troubled waters. Under his calm, cool, collected guidance, politicians would be persuaded to give a little and take a little, and in the end, the republic would run smoothly for the greatest possible good.
Well, the line worked through Election Day, which was the point of the whole exercise. Nobody, however, was counting on congress to conduct an agenda of pure spite. In our naïveté, many of us thought that the country would accept an African American president once he was inaugurated. We thought the birthers and the Muslim-whisperers would be drowned out.
Everybody is older and wiser now. Gone are the sweet talk and the high-sounding phrases. This time, it’ll be hard, cold realpolitik, and battling at the nitty-gritty level. Our policies are better for you than theirs. Vote for them, and you’ll get screwed. They coddle the rich, while we’re looking out for you. They spend like drunken sailors, but we’ll protect the country for your grandchildren.
It’ll be quite ugly. Just like the old days.
CHAN LOWE has been the Sun Sentinel’s first and only editorial cartoonist for the past twenty-six years. Before that, he worked as cartoonist and writer for the Oklahoma City Times and the Shawnee (OK) News-Star.
Comments
the scary part is: who does the republicans have with the charisma to beat Obama? they are currently blamed for the 'shutdown', no one has created jobs since Obama has been in office. off the record govt debt..should i keep going?
Posted by: steve | April 6, 2011 6:27 AM
To use a quote from Charles Dickens (A Tale of Two Cities) "It was the best of times,it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom,it was the age of foolishness,etc,etc"
Though it was about the French Revolution in 1775 it's a timely & current thought to describe our upcoming Presidential election....
Yes Chan- It'll be quite ugly-Just like the old days.....
Posted by: Lorraine Wagner | April 6, 2011 7:31 AM
People don't dislike Obama because he is African American, despite what you suggest. They dislike his policies. They dislike that he sold a fantasy.
The Republicans are not selling pure spite, although looking at your words, you seem familiar with the concept. Fact is, reality bites. And the reality is that Washington has been living in a fairy tail world where government can (and will) do and be everything for everybody. Well, it can't. And that reality has come home.
When the "leaders" in Washington can't see the folly in subsidizing a cowboy poetry slam with money borrowed from Washington, give me spiteful budget slashers any day of the week.
Posted by: Bob | April 9, 2011 12:51 PM