Just wondering what you think

[Missy1961]

We elected him. We have to live with our decision until he is gone. I like him, but he isn't that bright sometimes.....

But all of America didn't elect him. Or any President.

 

[bicker]

Neither of those perspectives, though, tell the whole story. An elected President does deserve deference with respect to the lawful executive orders he issues, regardless of whether any one of us did or didn't vote for him. Where dissent becomes not only proper but essential is with regard to the destructive policies he pursues, and especially with regard to the unlawful actions he takes.

 

[Nancy]

Everyone hates Americans even more these days because of our president.

I don't get it. It was okay to hate Clinton and bash him up one side and down the other. I remember a lot of hating going on while he was in office. Why are so many people so rabid to protect Bush?

I never felt it was ok to bash a president. Obviously Bush has made mistakes, Clinton made mistakes, Bush senior made mistakes, Reagan, Ford, Carter, Nixon...they all had their mistakes. (I was trying not to single anyone out) I think it's ok to talk about disliking policies and practices, what I don't like is the name calling and bashing of the actual person. Does that make sense?

 

[Missy1961]

I never felt it was ok to bash a president. Obviously Bush has made mistakes, Clinton made mistakes, Bush senior made mistakes, Reagan, Ford, Carter, Nixon...they all had their mistakes. (I was trying not to single anyone out) I think it's ok to talk about disliking policies and practices, what I don't like is the name calling and bashing of the actual person. Does that make sense?

Yes it does make sense.

 

[jgmklmhem]

I never felt it was ok to bash a president. Obviously Bush has made mistakes, Clinton made mistakes, Bush senior made mistakes, Reagan, Ford, Carter, Nixon...they all had their mistakes. (I was trying not to single anyone out) I think it's ok to talk about disliking policies and practices, what I don't like is the name calling and bashing of the actual person. Does that make sense?

I get what you are saying. I truly wish political debate on all levels of society would focus on the views and positions and not so much the person. Bash the views all you want but when you start to bash the person (ie calling names) that is when any substantive debate on positions gets lost. For whatever reason mud-slinging has become the national politcal past-time from both sides and I do think it makes us as a country look worse when it happens.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

2. The electoral college does work in that the votes a state provides is equal to how many Congressional Representatives it has. If a person seeking office was going solely on the popular vote s/he would only be campaigning in the most populous states.

I'd have to agree with this. If the electoral process was thrown out then all a candidate would have to do is concentrate on the most populace areas, rendering my home state of New Mexico useless in the world of politics.

 

[bicker]

Sorry, CCT, but actually the electoral system, itself forces candidate to concentrate on the states with the greatest populations. The only part of the our current system that fosters small states like NM is the primary/caucus system.

 

[kristen821]

Anyway they do it by popular or electoral votes the debates are going to take place in the most populated area. Thank God for t.v. I just feel my vote would actually count if it was done by popular and not electoral votes.

 

[WIcruizer]

I think it's fine to disagree with our president. However, I also believe the office of the presidency should be respected

This is so true. I don't have a problem with anyone questioning what President Bush does, or whether you like him or not. But to disrespect him and the Office is frankly disgusting. Our President is not a king or dictator. But how about a little dignity in how he talk about President Bush?

Unfortunately, we are inundated with information these days that makes every leader sound like he's either the worst person ever, or the greatest- depending on the news source. We are becoming the suckers of the political parties and media. I see the hatred towards Bush every day in here, and yes it bothers me. I challenge any open minded person. Do you really believe he is not a good man at his core, trying to do what's best for the country? If you disagree with Iraq or any other issue, fine. But can you discuss the issue without tearing down the President and the Office?

 

[JennyMominRI]

This is so true. I don't have a problem with anyone questioning what President Bush does, or whether you like him or not. But to disrespect him and the Office is frankly disgusting. Our President is not a king or dictator. But how about a little dignity in how he talk about President Bush?

Unfortunately, we are inundated with information these days that makes every leader sound like he's either the worst person ever, or the greatest- depending on the news source. We are becoming the suckers of the political parties and media. I see the hatred towards Bush every day in here, and yes it bothers me. I challenge any open minded person. Do you really believe he is not a good man at his core, trying to do what's best for the country? If you disagree with Iraq or any other issue, fine. But can you discuss the issue without tearing down the President and the Office?

I believe he is a vile and amoral human being
His father , mother and wife I have a lot of respect for

 

[kristen821]

This is so true. I don't have a problem with anyone questioning what President Bush does, or whether you like him or not. But to disrespect him and the Office is frankly disgusting. Our President is not a king or dictator. But how about a little dignity in how he talk about President Bush?

Unfortunately, we are inundated with information these days that makes every leader sound like he's either the worst person ever, or the greatest- depending on the news source. We are becoming the suckers of the political parties and media. I see the hatred towards Bush every day in here, and yes it bothers me. I challenge any open minded person. Do you really believe he is not a good man at his core, trying to do what's best for the country? If you disagree with Iraq or any other issue, fine. But can you discuss the issue without tearing down the President and the Office?

I completely agree with you!

 

[WIcruizer]

I believe he is a vile and amoral human being

Then you are blinded by hate, and/or buy into the line many media outlets are selling. Or then again, maybe you aren't a very good judge of people.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Then you are blinded by hate, and/or buy into the line many media outlets are selling. Or then again, maybe you aren't a very good judge of people.

Nah..His actions speak louder than words.. Normally I try to stick to disagreeing with his politics,but someone asked what we thought of him as a person.
And I voted for his father in 1988 and him in 2000..I'm not some blanket hater of Republicans

 

[tiberius]

Everyone hates Americans even more these days because of our president.

My relatives overseas in Europe and Australia tell me Americans are more positively thought of these days.

 

[poohandwendy]

I don't think it is bad for our nation that people 'bash' the president. I think we are blessed that we are able to speak freely. And I am not concerned that it has some negative ripple affect with other nations because I really feel they will find reason to fault us anyways.

One thing that Bicker mentioned sticks out to me though:

Clinton violated our social mores by breaking his vow of fidelity to his wife. That earned him the disrespect he received.

You are probably right in your reasoning of why many people lost respect for him. I, personally, didn't lose respect for him because he 'cheated', honestly...it's not a HUGE shock when men in powerful positions have extramarital affairs. Doesn't make it right, but it's not a shocker to me. IMO, that is between him and his wife (and family, if they are affected).

What bothered me about the entire mess is how he handled it. I would have had more respect if he had just said, "My private life is my business, it has nothing to do with my ability to lead this nation and I will not discuss it publicly out of respect for my family. I will answer all relevant questions asked of me in a court setting only. I will not discuss it otherwise."

Instead he lied directly to the nation and then fessed when he had no choice. That is what made me lose respect. IMO, when it comes to private issues, the president needs to just let 'em talk all they want, but do not engage in the discussion...it only makes things worse and makes the subject seem legitimately relevant. I always wondered if it was his decision or if his advisors suggested that approach.

It's more impirtant to me that the president respect the 'office' than the average citizen.

Sorry to go off topic, your post just made me think of it.

 

[bicker]

I agree. Private issues shouldn't be discussed at all, and the public's tabolid fascination is really to blame for the former President's situation. That's not the case with regard to the current President's situation. It's a valid issue for the public to involve itself in, and demand honesty.

Judge Robertson of the intelligence court just resigned in protest of the Bush spying-on-Americans program.

 

[yeartolate]

Judge Robertson of the intelligence court just resigned in protest of the Bush spying-on-Americans program.

I was reading an article about this. One thing I hadn't considered is that there were warrants issued based on the warrantless wiretaps. The implications could be rather nasty.

I hope there is an immediate investigation into the legality of the wiretaps. Hopefully this could mitigate any further damage.

Americans don't have the right to "bash" their President. They have a responsibility to raise questions. I remain disgusted and concerned that many feel that these questions are tantamount to bashing.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Sorry, CCT, but actually the electoral system, itself forces candidate to concentrate on the states with the greatest populations. The only part of the our current system that fosters small states like NM is the primary/caucus system.

That may be true, but because of the close election this time around it got Bush and Cheney to come to my little home town of 50,000 people in NM.

 

[C.Ann]

I think it's fine to disagree with our president. However, I also believe the office of the presidency should be respected and, like it or not, Bush is our president. I don't believe Americans should call any president of the US an idiot or any other disrespectful name because, IMHO, it disrespects the office.

-------------------------------------------

Respect is something that needs to be "earned" - it's not a birth right - nor is it an "office" right..

I have never held disrepect for any of our Presidents - until George Bush.. His behavior during the Hurricane Katrina tragedy was the deal breaker for me.. I can not - and will not - respect a man (and that's all he really is) that failed to respond to a national disaster in a timely and compassionate manner..

I don't have anti-Bush bumper stickers - I don't march with anti-Bush protestors - nor do I wear an anti-Bush arm band - but I have no respect for him at all and I'll be very happy when his term expires..

 

[joestv]

Everyone hates Americans even more these days because of our president.

I don't get it. It was okay to hate Clinton and bash him up one side and down the other. I remember a lot of hating going on while he was in office. Why are so many people so rabid to protect Bush?

Thank you. My feelings exactly.