January, 2010
Actions Overtake Rhetoric
Morgan Long
President Obama fostered an unbreakable connection with the liberal base of his party, by his articulate and charismatic character. His favorable popularity swelled to 68% in his first few days in office, this only trails that of John F. Kennedy who had 72%.
In the beginning of his presidency, American citizens gave Obama the benefit of the doubt as a new president, trying new policies. Unlike in the early stages of previous administrations where the media attacked policies, Obama faced little media opposition, allowing him to smoothly pass unfavorable policies with a favorable public opinion.
MSNBC has been Obama's strongest ally since becoming president. MSNBC refuses to report negatively on any of Obama's policies, and attacks Americans that use their freedom of speech at tea parties and recent uprisings against nationalizing the health care system at town hall meetings. Americans who have spoken out against this president have been called “un-American”, “racist”, and “Nazis. The reason behind this unwarranted and unprofessional journalism is that General Electric controls anchors like Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow, and Keith Olbermann. General electric owns NBC and will receive over 150 million dollars from the stimulus plan therefore, they have a stake in the survival and popularity of this president.
Nine months later, Obama's policies are finally being attacked, and his poll numbers are falling rapidly. With the rising concerns on healthcare, the economic stimulus, and the mounting unsustainable national debt, populous support is declining and Congress is stalemating on important national issues. His economic stimulus package, which began as having a slight favorable majority of 51%, is now diminishing in popularity especially among independent voters. This is because the stimulus is seen as an inefficient waste of finite government resources. The stimulus is not having the effect anticipated by the administration and its economic advisors. For example, the American congress rushed to enact this bill as it promised that unemployment would not surpass 8%;it is now at 9.8% and is continually rising. Similar failures of this administration are seen in the cash for clunkers, the cap and trade, and the climate change bill.
Americans have finally proven the age-old proverb correct; that actions speak louder than words. While they may be mesmerized by Obama's passion and perfection in his speech, they are beginning to perceive the vision of America that Obama and the left want; and Americans don't reciprocate that ideal. Independents, who as a group typically lean on the liberal side of many issues, are abandoning Obama with 49% opposing and 43% approving of the president's job so far. Independents are the voting bloc increasing the fastest in this country, as Obama loses them he loses much of his base that supported him during the election. His approval rating has fallen all the way to 47% according to the Rasmussen poll and with policies that are so extreme, Obama's approval can only continue to decrease as people learn his true intentions. His presidential approval index may best represent how unpopular he is to many American people it shows those that the number of Americans who strongly disapprove of the president ,41%, vastly outweigh those who still strongly support him at a measly and pathetic 29% of Americans.
Obama ran on a platform of hope for America's future. However, his policies are bringing just the opposite. One must even wonder if the intent is to overwhelm the American system so much that it ceases to be the American the founding fathers intended and becomes the thing they most wanted to avoid; a socialist country. Americans have woken up, are now starting to question, and inform themselves on the policies of this administration. As a result, Obama's policies are becoming increasingly unpopular and his approval rating is in a free fall. The administration needs to stop big government, stop increasing taxes, stop anti small business initiatives, stop destroying our liberties, stop increasing the debt, and stop the unconstitutional agenda. As seen by the polls, this is not what Americans want. As the Obama administration is already taking so much heat, one wonders if it will be the next Jimmy Carter presidency or will it ignite a conservative movement that leads to the election of a modern day Ronald Reagan.