Obama--Will He Heal or Further Divide??

[StickerMann]

I'll start by saying that I was not a supporter of Obama/Biden, and we differ on several basic philosophies. That said he will soon be MY President as well as his supporters, and I do hope he is very successful in the next four years, if only selfishly for my family. Many huge issues confront him and his administration, and he will need everyone's support if he is to turn our country and economy around!!

 

I believe that President Elect Obama has the opportunity to be one of the most important figures in our country's history, if he actually lives up to the many promises he made during the campaign, and in particular his acceptance speech. How he handles his newfound power can go a long way to either heal or further divide this country, both internally and overseas.

 

My questions here are:

 

1. Will Obama be able to win over his detractors and the support of the 57.5 million people that voted against him?

 

2. Will he even try to win the support of these folks, or with a majority in the Congress and Senate, will he simply push a liberal agenda as his opponents suggest?

 

3. Can Obama overcome the Reid/Pelosi agenda, and try to actually "reach across the aisle", and try and heal the divide that exists in our democracy?

 

I could go on and on, but this is only one thread--Everyone's thoughts??

[Watusi]

I'll start by saying that I was not a supporter of Obama/Biden, and we differ on several basic philosophies. That said he will soon be MY President as well as his supporters, and I do hope he is very successful in the next four years, if only selfishly for my family. Many huge issues confront him and his administration, and he will need everyone's support if he is to turn our country and economy around!!

 

This is where I am today. Almost exactly the same message I told my 10 year old yesterday, although you stated it much better.

[scooterbob]

The answer to each of your three queries is clearly "No". His socialist-leaning economic plans and his intended trashing of many traditional Judeo-Christian absolutes make it impossible for those grounded in their beliefs to support him. His extreme positions which delight the Pelosis, Reids, and those of similar beliefs make it impossible for him to reach out in an honest effort to those who didn't support him.

 

If he starts his "reaching out" rhetoric, you who actually work for what you have better hide your pocketbooks and protect your beliefs.

[Sportsguy25]

He can heal if people give him a chance, but some people will do anything they can to make him look bad so they can win they next election. I don't think the country will ever fully heal unless people can start looking at what is best for the country as a whole instead of what is best for their own agenda. That goes for people on both political sides.

[Trinity alum]

The answer to each of your three queries is clearly "No". His socialist-leaning economic plans and his intended trashing of many traditional Judeo-Christian absolutes make it impossible for those grounded in their beliefs to support him. His extreme positions which delight the Pelosis, Reids, and those of similar beliefs make it impossible for him to reach out in an honest effort to those who didn't support him.

 

If he starts his "reaching out" rhetoric, you who actually work for what you have better hide your pocketbooks and protect your beliefs.

 

As someone who has been working since I was thirteen, doesn't have a dime that I didn't earn myself, strong in my Judeo Christian beliefs and a very strong Obama supporter, it is not only very possible for me to support President elect Obama, I wonder why others don't. You are entitled to your beliefs but don't try to tell me what is "impossible" for me.

[scooterbob]

As someone who has been working since I was thirteen, doesn't have a dime that I didn't earn myself, strong in my Judeo Christian beliefs and a very strong Obama supporter, it is not only very possible for me to support President elect Obama, I wonder why others don't. You are entitled to your beliefs but don't try to tell me what is "impossible" for me.

 

In light of Obama's philosophy, I would be interested in how you can reconcil your statements. Also, since you appear to be an alumnus of Trinity and I assume you are Catholic, I would be interested in how you reconcil his complete disdain for the value of human life (as defined by the Church) with your alleged church association.

[scooterbob]

He can heal if people give him a chance, but some people will do anything they can to make him look bad so they can win they next election. I don't think the country will ever fully heal unless people can start looking at what is best for the country as a whole instead of what is best for their own agenda. That goes for people on both political sides.

 

By "heal", are you using the figurative use of the word or are you saying that Obama will actually heal us (as in the tradition of another charlatan, Bennie Hinn)? Silly question? I agree. But, then, it does appear that he is seen by many of his supporters as the messiah.

Edited November 10, 2008 by scooterbob

[scooterbob]

During the night, someone took a brick and broke out the driver side window of one of my cars. Nothing in the car was bothered although my cell phone was in plain view as was well over $70.00 in cash.

 

Now, my neighborhood is one that would have voted overwhelmingly, probably unanimously, for McCain-Palin and I'm sure it did so. Many of us leave one or more of our cars in our dirveways. However, my car is the only one with McCain-Palin bumper stickers on it.

 

Since the circumstantial evidence is obvious that one or more of Obama's supporters broke out the window, do you suppose I can contact him and have him "heal" my window?

[spindoc]

During the night, someone took a brick and broke out the driver side window of one of my cars. Nothing in the car was bothered although my cell phone was in plain view as was well over $70.00 in cash.

 

Now, my neighborhood is one that would have voted overwhelmingly, probably unanimously, for McCain-Palin and I'm sure it did so. Many of us leave one or more of our cars in our dirveways. However, my car is the only one with McCain-Palin bumper stickers on it.

 

Since the circumstantial evidence is obvious that one or more of Obama's supporters broke out the window, do you suppose I can contact him and have him "heal" my window?

I'm sorry, but that's just funny!:laugh:

[Sportsguy25]

By "heal", are you using the figurative use of the word or are you saying that Obama will actually heal us (as in the tradition of another charlatan, Bennie Hinn)? Silly question? I agree. But, then, it does appear that he is seen by many of his supporters as the messiah.

 

He is not the messiah, and the only people I have heard refer to him as such were people who did not like him. When talking about healing, it is reference to the great division that this country has been under the last few years. It is hilarious sometimes the way people try to spin things.

[MountainThunder]

I think he will be more of a disappointment to the left than to the right in our country. I think many on the right are expecting a pure left charge, and I am not sure that he can do this and be re-elected for a 2nd term. I think he will be more of a centrist, like Clinton, which will disappoint many on the far left.

 

Time will tell, I only hope that he succeeds in helping the economy and that this takes up so much of his time that he can't follow thru on the promises he made to the left (Freedom of Choice Act, ... Employee Free Choice Act, ... 46% minimum wage increase in 24 months, ... etc).

[scooterbob]

He is not the messiah, and the only people I have heard refer to him as such were people who did not like him. When talking about healing, it is reference to the great division that this country has been under the last few years. It is hilarious sometimes the way people try to spin things.

 

So, unlike many others on that side of the spectrum, you were using the figurative definition.

[Hoot Gibson]

If Obama does everything that he has promised to do, divisions will grow deeper. He has promised to do virtually nothing that a conservative could support. If his socialist economic initiatives are implemented, then the country may be united again in 2012 when voters go to the polls.

[5wide]

My questions here are:

 

1. Will Obama be able to win over his detractors and the support of the 57.5 million people that voted against him?

 

2. Will he even try to win the support of these folks, or with a majority in the Congress and Senate, will he simply push a liberal agenda as his opponents suggest?

 

3. Can Obama overcome the Reid/Pelosi agenda, and try to actually "reach across the aisle", and try and heal the divide that exists in our democracy?

 

I could go on and on, but this is only one thread--Everyone's thoughts??

 

 

Those are good question.

 

1. There are some who don't want to to won over, and therefore would never allow themselves to be. But, as for the rest, he certainly could...if he stays true to his campaign promise of reaching across party lines and governing as more of a moderate, then there is a great opportunity there. Especially, if he does this with a virtual democratic stranglehold on Washington...meaning, if he's willing to govern moderately and work "hand-in-hand" with Republicans when he's got the big stack at the poker table, I think it would set a tremendous example and raise the bar for what we expect from our politicians in the future. If he pursues an extreme left-wing agenda and lives up to the title of "most liberal senator in D.C.", he could alienate a large portion of the country.

 

2. There's no way of knowing until we actually see him on the job. Also, this depends to some degree on the Republicans willingness to work with him. His record suggest a strong liberal philosophy...his words during his campaign promised a more moderate, bi-partisan president. I've always felt like the old saying "actions speak louder than words" had a lot of merit. But, I also think its possible that Obama will scale down the liberal stuff and be more moderate. I'm willing to wait and see.

 

3. Unlike the other two, I think this one depends almost solely on Obama.

[All Tell]

Many on here have pushed the "support your president" button when in fact it's Obama's responsibility to live up to his promise to "hear" those that didn't vote for him.

 

If he truely wants to be a uniter then he can't push a hard left agenda.