Political Landscaping > Domestic issues
The Obama Administration
lifefeedsonlife:
Started it there - I'll start it here!
What I think this really is coming down to is a question of a powerful Federal Government as opposed to giving the States more reign. I would prefer the States, though I get the impression that they're not much better in terms of fiscal responsibility (California, New York and Michigan come immediately to mind) or the ability to get things accomplished in a timely fashion. (Pennsylvania comes to mind - though I now wonder if there's a method to their madness - i.e. lowering the deficit by not funding things for a few months.)
The larger the centralized system, the greater the potential for getting large things done, though the greater the inertia too. ("This is a luxury liner, not a speedboat. It's going to take some time to turn it around.) What I mean is - there's a great benefit to pooling resources (Apollo comes to mind), but the drawback is who gets the resources back (which is "pork"), who is in charge of the oversight (we live in a bureaucracy - whioch creates a nice faceless "they" to blame things on), and once a project is completed - how is it kept up?
Anybody ever been to Moscow? Incredible architectural works . . . from a distance. Tremendous monuments to the collective might of centralized of power - which are now crumbling because there's no impetus or real responsibility (i.e. ownership) to continue upkeep. (The hot water system comes to mind. Cripes I find the prospect of something like that here utterly terrifying.)
I'd much rather have a majority of government functions handled at a State (or even County) level where power can better be managed by the voice of the People . . . faces and names get lost in larger systems and the 'individual' (meaning identity, creativity and freedom) becomes secondary to the collective. Collectives don't tend to pull for the individual. But transitory, 'unsystemized' groups of individuals banded together for a common cause do. Sounds contradictory but when you think about it - it isn't.
What I've seen happening in the federal system is a centralization of power. It started a long time ago and has really begun to come to fruition this past decade. I don't like the idea. I think it's ultimately very dangerous to identity, creativity, and freedom.
I am a critic of centralized power.
Therefore I tend towards being a critic of the Obama Administration.
TiFeMb:
I am a supporter of the Obama Administration for a different reason: I believed that we needed to change the system too but we only had 2 choices: McCain/Palin or Obama/Biden.
Honestly, The McCain campaign was a disaster. The republicans continue to be divisive and outright mean (seriously, kicking Kennedy the DAY AFTER he died, come on) and right wing radio just sickens me.
So yes, I voted for hope & change, Call me a wide eyed optimist but I have been the cynic and living that life is depressing and cold. It's not good for my health, my soul or my country so I have to believe things will get better.
And things won't get better by attacking the side that won. That goes for both sides.
Yes, I have issues with the centralization of government and I don't agree with the current health care bill, but I think thiese are the cards we were dealt and everyone needs to positively do their part to change the process.
Calling people names & disrespecting our country's highest office isn't the way to go. Taking care of your immediate communities DOES make a difference.
NightmarePatrol:
Well, we had the choice of the candidates from the big parties. I voted for neither of two party candidates. I took the road less traveled. My candidate was not elected and I knew he would not be. However my voice (no matter how insignificant) was heard.
lifefeedsonlife:
I agree NP. Voted for change by voting outside the two parties that got us here. Wish more people would see that. I agree TiFe that the McCain campaign was doomed from the start, but I think it's more because people think there's a real difference between the two money parties. They've shared power for a long long time and . . . here we are.
They share the blame, though to hear them tell it they don't. I don't disrespect the offices of power, though I don't always agree with the ideologies of those who who hold it at a given time. I find myself in disagreement more often than not over the past 5-6 years.
Not a Bush/Cheney fan. Not an Obama/Biden fan and I wasn't too hep on Mccain/Palin either.
So Libertarian candidate for me . . .
TiFe I agree 100% with your statement that taking care of your immediate communities makes a difference . . . thing is - when there are Federal / State rules and regulations that prvent adapatability to local need (remember centralization promotes uniformity) they stand in hindrance of local governments doing so.
I don't see that as effective.
lifefeedsonlife:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
The approval numbers for the current Administration aren't looking all that good right now . . . .
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