During the presidential campaign, I sometimes heard it said that there was no measurable difference between John McCain and Barack Obama.* For months I fought that view and encouraged those who were considering voting third party to reconsider and to cast their vote for the one person in the race who had a chance of defeating Mr. Obama. My feeling was that, like it or not, we have a two-party system, and the best way to have an impact is to work within that system. Like many of my friends, I would have preferred a more ideologically conservative/libertarian Republican nominee, but due to the inability of Republicans to unite behind such a candidate, Mr. McCain came out in front, and I voted for him with enthusiasm, trusting in his patriotism and integrity as well as his commitment to preserving enough of the founding fathers' vision that we might someday be able to reclaim even more of it.
But it was not to be. And now I fear we see our country slipping away from us, never to return to its roots.
There were those during the campaign who cried "Chicken Little" at people like me because we perceived this presidential election to be one of the most pivotal in American history, having the potential to kill the American experiment and set us on the path of European socialism and conciliation. They said we were overreacting--that this election was no different from any other, and that we could survive an Obama presidency as well as any other.
I can't help wondering if, after barely a month, those people still feel the same way. If they do, I have to further wonder if they are living on the same planet and in the same America that I am. Since of course they are, I am left to conclude that perhaps they are just not paying attention. Because the change wrought by this president in the last few weeks has been pervasive and bold, way bolder than I ever imagined (so much for moderation), and I am panicked thinking about the next four years.
Here are a few articles that effectively summarize where we were before Obama, and where we are now.
Investor's Business Daily
Charles Krauthammer
*For the record, John McCain opposed the stimulus plan and sponsored a petition against it. A McCain presidency would not have led to the "Kick Me" sign (described by Mr. Krauthammer in his column) that the United States is now sporting in the international community. And a McCain presidency would not have resumed global abortion funding, nor would we be hearing Mr. McCain promise to sign the Freedom of Choice Act as soon as it hits his desk.
2 comments:
It has been annoying the heck out of me that people have been referring to Obama's and Congress's plans as "socialist." Because I think Bush was a socialist. The Republicans are socialists. Last week I finally heard somebody say that what we're seeing in Washington these days is Marxist and I think that's a more accurate description.
-- S
Socialism is an aspect of Marxism. What is going on can be accurately described as either. We're also becoming more and more fascist. I would take issue with the idea that Republicans are socialists. Most Rs find socialism repugnant.
Am I the only one who remembers the idea that Obama was a Marxist/Socialist being soundly pooh-poohed befor the election? Yeah, glad all the dopes listened to the media. Not.
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