Reality check

Contrary to popular belief, President Obama is not the Second Coming.  He has not walked on water, turned water into wine or fed thousands of people with two loaves of bread and some fish.  Although he possesses Ninja fly swatting skills, he is not a magician that will sprinkle fairy dust on the world’s problems and make everything better.  He is also not, as many believe, the Antichrist.  He is not an unpatriotic, communist, Christian hating foreigner.  He does not kill babies.  He is not a racist.  He has no plans to turn this country into Soviet Russia.

Obama is a man trying to do his job.  A job that he’s had for only nine months.  In those nine months he has made considerable progress toward solving our nation’s many problems.  The Obama administration has passed substantial legislation on the economy, revamped U.S. strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan, is committed to health care reform and has dramatically improved our reputation abroad.  Obama has also made some mistakes.  Calling the Cambridge police stupid was unprofessional, Cash for Clunkers looked good on paper and in retrospect that trip to Switzerland to coddle the Olympics committee was rather foolish.  Now as the leader of the free world, Obama deserves praise for his accomplishments and criticism for his mistakes.  Part of being president is being held accountable for everything you do.  It’s how our democracy works.  But the hyperbolic praise from the left and the outright false and malicious accusations from the right are getting out of control.

On the right, people have just lost their minds.  There is no longer any intelligent debate.  Instead, conservatives have resorted to making incredulous, even comical allegations and some of their tactics have just been bizarre. You have Rep. Joe Wilson screaming accusations during a presidential address, another representative calling Obama the killer of babies and the enemy of humanity, people getting crazy and violent at town hall meetings, refusals to accept that Obama is an American citizen and an unwavering belief that Obama is a communist.  Now you expect most of this stuff from nonsensical blowhards like Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter, but this is coming from Republican leaders and members of Congress.  The sad part is that there are some credible arguments that conservatives have made against the Obama administration.  But their points get lost in all this vitriolic foolishness.

On the left, Obama is to politics as Tim Tebow is to irrational Gator fans.  The man is a god.  He can do no wrong.  In fact even when he does nothing, he is given heaps of praise and adoration.  The latest example was Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize last Friday.  Even he was surprised, and admitted that he probably did not deserve it.  Don’t get me wrong, our President has some tremendous accomplishments.  A distinguished legal and political career.  The first black U.S. president.  A commitment to international diplomacy and disarmament.  But the last time I checked, the U.S. is still fighting two wars, Iran and North Korea are belligerent as ever and Israel and Palestine still do not like each other.  Sure, Obama’s made some nice speeches around the world, but unless he secretly saved some unknown Third World country, I’m a little befuddled.  Also, the deadline for Obama’s Nobel Peace nomination was a mere 12 days after he was inaugurated.  He basically won because he is not George Bush.  The Republicans pointed this out, and I agreed with them for once.  How did the Democrats respond?  By calling the Republicans terrorists and comparing them to the Taliban.  The level of maturity and professionalism in our nation’s capitol never ceases to amaze me.

Obama is a smart guy.  He’s working with some smart people.  The administration has put some good plans in action.  The problems the Obama administration face will not be solved in a few days or months.  Some won’t be solved until years after his administration.  Let’s judge him for his actions in the present and not jump to so many ridiculous conclusions and accusations.  It’s time for a reality check.  Obama is not a god and he is certainly not a demon.  He is our President.  Let the man work.

(photo courtesy of Chad Davis via Creative Commons)