General Discussion

ohheckyeah

(9,314 posts)

160. After 8 years of what

Sun Dec 18, 2011, 02:30 AM

Dec 2011

many people believe was the worst president in history, when Obama was elected there were many people filled with hope for a new direction for the country. Many of those people now feel let down. Were the expectations too high? Probably.

The disillusionment many people now feel is painful. I remember when I first dealt with that kind of disillusionment and that is why I don't jump on someone venting those feelings.

Has Obama done many good things? Yes, of course.

Has Obama done some bad things? Yes, of course.

He's neither saint nor sinner, all good or all bad. And I think it would serve us all well to moderate our reactions to our disappointment and disillusionment and quit fighting over how perfect or imperfect Obama is. We aren't supposed to be our own enemy and we aren't convincing anyone of anything.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

297 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Mr. President, many of us thought we were voting for greatness. Instead, we got you. [View all] Cyrano Dec 2011 OP

Kick & Rec! jannyk Dec 2011 #1

Post removed Post removed Dec 2011 #89

get the money out of politics. stonecutter357 Dec 2011 #102

What a crock of crap! olegramps Dec 2011 #231

Cyrano speaks for me, except for that hold your nose and vote part Vincardog Dec 2011 #238

++++++ well said. Peregrine Took Dec 2011 #248

He didn't give you everything you wanted, when you wanted it. Life is like that, sometime. MADem Dec 2011 #2

True, Obama's magic wand must be in the shop for repairs. FarLeftFist Dec 2011 #5

What if he didn't give Cyrano ANYTHING he wanted. tblue Dec 2011 #18

Then I would say let's judge him on at least a full term, possibly 2, maybe he WILL get things FarLeftFist Dec 2011 #27

We gave him a Democratic majority in 2009/2010, that may have been his only decent chance. eomer Dec 2011 #222

So lets concentrate on winning back the House. FarLeftFist Dec 2011 #234

Actually we need to make more headway at the state level of government cstanleytech Dec 2011 #241

I'd say he's terribly hard to please, then. MADem Dec 2011 #35

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Dec 2011 #65

You are free to go where your conscience takes you. MADem Dec 2011 #67

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Dec 2011 #71

As I said, you're free to go where your conscience takes you. nt MADem Dec 2011 #158

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Dec 2011 #164

You have one of those nice days, now. nt MADem Dec 2011 #184

It's like this for me. stillwaiting Dec 2011 #62

Hear, hear to you! emcguffie Dec 2011 #161

Hi, Cuz! I actually think Obama has done better than you think, though tblue37 Dec 2011 #123

excellent post SemperEadem Dec 2011 #197

Excellent post, tblue MissDeeds Dec 2011 #217

I wanted him to dump the Patriot Act. Is that too much to ask? The republicons didnt force him to rhett o rick Dec 2011 #121

Apparently his National Security Staff continues to find some utility in it. MADem Dec 2011 #159

The time is way past for giving a shit what Republicans think. RUMMYisFROSTED Dec 2011 #223

I didn't list that as a cause, simply as an effect. MADem Dec 2011 #271

The only info they have that "we" don't have is who the players are. RUMMYisFROSTED Dec 2011 #275

Not entirely. nt MADem Dec 2011 #276

You don't have to serve on the "National Security" staff to understand handing out $$$. RUMMYisFROSTED Dec 2011 #290

It helps to have access to classified material when making decisions. MADem Dec 2011 #291

Of course his admin would find it's far reaching powers useful. But it violates the rhett o rick Dec 2011 #262

Totally agree. spicegal Dec 2011 #210

Well you'll be happy to know ooglymoogly Dec 2011 #252

Well, all I will say is that I disagree with your POV. Beyond that, there's little point in debate, MADem Dec 2011 #272

True but he's also Phlem Dec 2011 #265

Greatest disappointment in American history?! Congress thanks you for letting them off the hook. FarLeftFist Dec 2011 #3

Do Nothing Congress otohara Dec 2011 #53

If you think, for a second, that every US senator, and many representatives, too, don't wake up each MADem Dec 2011 #274

Well, I must be a great deal older than you are. emcguffie Dec 2011 #163

Obama is NOT a dictator. tabatha Dec 2011 #4

No, anger should be channeled toward the people who voted for LibDemAlways Dec 2011 #108

I also blame the public. Maccagirl Dec 2011 #133

Majority Rules? fasttense Dec 2011 #196

Did he support extension of domestic spying? Cant blame that on Congress. nm rhett o rick Dec 2011 #122

Here's what ProSense Dec 2011 #6

Thanks for this reminder Tanelorn Dec 2011 #13

This message was self-deleted by its author Tesha Dec 2011 #41

This web site would be absolute and utter rubbish without you Number23 Dec 2011 #77

And I could not agree more. polmaven Dec 2011 #80

Well, At the very least quakerboy Dec 2011 #186

Yep without fail. nt SammyWinstonJack Dec 2011 #250

lawl Rex Dec 2011 #203

+10000 to that, Number23. CakeGrrl Dec 2011 #237

Obama is not Adlai Stephenson or Paul Wellstone. He is the president who ran on the middle The Wielding Truth Dec 2011 #172

The only people he didn't listen to, or give a seat at the table to during the HC debacle, were sabrina 1 Jan 2012 #294

You and I both know you are correct. Yet until there is someone else better to run this country I The Wielding Truth Jan 2012 #295

Hey, that would be great, IF... MattSh Dec 2011 #221

So the argument isn't that he's not great... BklnDem75 Dec 2011 #225

Why were you voting for greatness? treestar Dec 2011 #7

Veto? The public option was never an option. Never even mentioned. immoderate Dec 2011 #150

Don't do this sort of thing again unless asjr Dec 2011 #8

That post is an argument for being able to rec individual posts--A++++ for you! MADem Dec 2011 #9

Obama has been so disappointing, and I was one of his earliest supporters Odin2005 Dec 2011 #10

+ 1,000,000,000... What You Said !!! - HUGE K & R !!! WillyT Dec 2011 #15

Thanks! Odin2005 Dec 2011 #25

Odin2005, have you watched any of the Repuke debates yet? I ask, b/c I watched coalition_unwilling Dec 2011 #44

I try not to watch national political debates because nowadays... Odin2005 Dec 2011 #128

Well, I can't tell you what to do, but I think if you watched one of these Repuke coalition_unwilling Dec 2011 #129

And stabbed. And stabbed, stabbed, and stabbed again. Hawkowl Dec 2011 #213

I never thought I'd say I miss the unrec option lunatica Dec 2011 #11

+++! polmaven Dec 2011 #82

Ditto housewolf Dec 2011 #107

It's great to be able to see who rec's this kind of stuff. jaxx Dec 2011 #12

This message was self-deleted by its author Tesha Dec 2011 #43

What you said! Fuddnik Dec 2011 #104

Me, too. Peregrine Took Dec 2011 #251

Damn straight! golddigger Dec 2011 #48

LOL You made me look. Kahuna Dec 2011 #114

"Reads like a Who's Who." You got that right Number23 Dec 2011 #130

Your little smile face at the end does not negate your crassness HangOnKids Dec 2011 #148

Could you stalk someone that actually cares about your opinion? Number23 Dec 2011 #168

Stalking? Don't flatter yourself. n/t HangOnKids Dec 2011 #175

just curious, could you explain the Malcom X avatar? if you're suggesting he's picking his ass certainot Dec 2011 #243

Like this swills rec list? Puglover Dec 2011 #259

Oh, how I loved that thread Number23 Dec 2011 #273

Ooops, thanks for the reminder. Union Scribe Dec 2011 #153

A who's liberal. ozone_man Dec 2011 #227

Wow I was thinkin the same thing Puglover Dec 2011 #258

So sorry you feel that way shanti Jan 2012 #296

CAPITULATION will be how his administration is remembered. MrTriumph Dec 2011 #14

You must have amnesia. Please go back and review your middle school civics lessons and get a clue. RBInMaine Dec 2011 #91

Post removed Post removed Dec 2011 #233

Obama Bad Obama Bad Obama Bad JoePhilly Dec 2011 #16

And all WE got was the most hyperbolic, poorly argued post of the year frazzled Dec 2011 #17

Yep. I keep checking in hoping things have changed nobodyspecial Dec 2011 #23

It's true: a lot of the sane people have left frazzled Dec 2011 #28

This used to be an awesome place nobodyspecial Dec 2011 #38

I agree in general with the thrust of your post, but I think you are positing a false coalition_unwilling Dec 2011 #50

You'd better not EVER leave Number23 Dec 2011 #94

Bullfeathers! juajen Dec 2011 #105

"It's like living in a community of mad people who have lost their grip on reality." Number23 Dec 2011 #90

just so we can say we shared an honest laugh together SwampG8r Dec 2011 #140

Rock The House Swamp HangOnKids Dec 2011 #151

Why not? Number23 Dec 2011 #166

ok then tonight before 11 pm est SwampG8r Dec 2011 #230

sometimes it feels like people here will approve of ANYTHING Skittles Dec 2011 #149

There Is A Thread Or Two Up Above HangOnKids Dec 2011 #152

lol You mad 'cause nobody's probably ever said that about you? Number23 Dec 2011 #167

Did I say I was mad? HangOnKids Dec 2011 #174

Yes because your "get a room" comment didn't express any type of emotion Number23 Dec 2011 #177

THAT'S ANOTHER THING Skittles Dec 2011 #181

AND YOU WouLD KNoW ABOUT THat! Number23 Dec 2011 #189

I would Skittles Dec 2011 #277

Yes, we've all seen the efforts of your "training" Number23 Dec 2011 #278

LOL Skittles Dec 2011 #280

Backatacha, dollface! Number23 Dec 2011 #281

it is very disturbing Skittles Dec 2011 #180

I think this original poster is having a temper tantrum and needs a cookie and blanket. Boo Hoo... RBInMaine Dec 2011 #92

Are you talking about your OP? n/t HangOnKids Dec 2011 #155

So true. jefferson_dem Dec 2011 #211

I could not agree more... ermasdaughter Dec 2011 #215

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Dec 2011 #19

Change to Republicans? nobodyspecial Dec 2011 #24

This message was self-deleted by its author Tesha Dec 2011 #45

Who? nobodyspecial Dec 2011 #52

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Dec 2011 #66

You keep telling yourself that nobodyspecial Dec 2011 #68

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Dec 2011 #72

And we can make that happen polmaven Dec 2011 #85

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Dec 2011 #86

Your recollection is correct.. polmaven Dec 2011 #214

Talk about living in fantasy land Doctor_J Dec 2011 #111

I don't care who you put into office Zalatix Dec 2011 #20

Oh, what a refreshing post! +1111111111! BeHereNow Dec 2011 #54

+ a Brazillion! FirstLight Dec 2011 #267

So go vote for Ron Paul samplegirl Dec 2011 #21

This message was self-deleted by its author Tesha Dec 2011 #46

I assume that is what you all are saying and will do. Control-Z Dec 2011 #55

Did you not even read the first line of the OP? The first damn line. nt Union Scribe Dec 2011 #143

Actually, I did. Control-Z Dec 2011 #145

it's called the thinking of simple minds Skittles Dec 2011 #182

This message was self-deleted by its author Tesha Dec 2011 #201

Horse-shit...... quickesst Dec 2011 #22

We voted for someone. sendero Dec 2011 #73

It took you this long? quickesst Dec 2011 #195

Epic! Kahuna Dec 2011 #112

Does the laughing emoticon make you feel powerful? HangOnKids Dec 2011 #162

Don't worry about how I feel. Just like I don't worry aboiut how you feel...in the least. Kahuna Dec 2011 #228

I voted for greatness and that is what I got jpak Dec 2011 #26

I could think of WAAAY more disappointing things in American history. FarLeftFist Dec 2011 #29

This sh&*% is getting so old. This place is really becoming disgusting.... monmouth Dec 2011 #30

Yeah this what my republican friends all say too..... samplegirl Dec 2011 #31

That tends to happen when expectations are beyond unrealistic BklnDem75 Dec 2011 #32

No, I didn't expect him to fly. Cyrano Dec 2011 #42

From what I see... BklnDem75 Dec 2011 #125

You expect him to be what you claim to hate. A unitary executive. +1000000 nt MADem Dec 2011 #185

Like Bill Clinton? JohnnyRingo Dec 2011 #244

You can't be serious BeyondGeography Dec 2011 #33

I didn't vote for 'greatness.' madamesilverspurs Dec 2011 #34

Very well put. nobodyspecial Dec 2011 #39

An excellent post emulatorloo Dec 2011 #59

Why don't we Democrats take "Yes we can" seriously? Zalatix Dec 2011 #144

Somebody Has Eaten Too Many Cheerios Today! n/t HangOnKids Dec 2011 #165

wish I could recommend this post a thousand times over SemperEadem Dec 2011 #204

I wasn't looking for greatness. Just someone who would golddigger Dec 2011 #36

Yeah, yeah, yeah....we've heard it all before graywarrior Dec 2011 #37

Voting for "greatness?" ElboRuum Dec 2011 #40

YUP .... I used to make fun of right wingers who claimed that the left thought Obama was ... JoePhilly Dec 2011 #64

republican lite gives me the runs unionworks Dec 2011 #47

many of us were not "enamored" to the point of believing in a whole other reality ... zbdent Dec 2011 #49

There is no magic wand with capitalism... Modern_Matthew Dec 2011 #51

One could accuse you of ungratefulness and selfishness if all you see is "crumbs". great white snark Dec 2011 #56

Well said! nt jimlup Dec 2011 #57

I quit reading after you said you were voting for him next year. The rest is just vitriol. MjolnirTime Dec 2011 #58

To REC, ... or Not? bvar22 Dec 2011 #60

Beautiful gael Dec 2011 #99

Nonsense. That army deserted in 2010. They believed their job as citizens was Kahuna Dec 2011 #110

The ARMY deserted? bvar22 Dec 2011 #116

Ha ha.. An army without a leader. Don't make me laugh. Kahuna Dec 2011 #202

Just like guitar solos ended the Viet Nam war. JohnnyRingo Dec 2011 #246

That's true One of the 99 Dec 2011 #120

So true. And now they have ten times more to complain about.. Kahuna Dec 2011 #206

No. bvar22 Dec 2011 #242

Where were the people during the teabagger summer? One of the 99 Dec 2011 #282

I didn't have particularly high hopes for him ChadwickHenryWard Dec 2011 #61

Well, with the help of you and all the others here nobodyspecial Dec 2011 #69

What's the difference? ChadwickHenryWard Dec 2011 #113

If the left gets its act together we can kick the gop to the curb next November. nt Kahuna Dec 2011 #207

Do you think you were mislead by marketing or hopefulness? Islandlife Dec 2011 #63

I'd have settled for Average. Give me an average man or woman as President kenny blankenship Dec 2011 #70

So you're blaming Obama for YOUR unreleastic expectations. randome Dec 2011 #74

"Have you no conscience? Have you no decency? Have you no sense of self-betrayal?" Number23 Dec 2011 #75

Some rose-colored glasses last a long time. FunMe Dec 2011 #135

I'm sorry, is this supposed to mean something? Number23 Dec 2011 #136

What It Means You Clearly Don't Want To Get HangOnKids Dec 2011 #169

Do I know you or is there a reason you keep responding to me? Number23 Dec 2011 #171

Post removed Post removed Dec 2011 #176

Because I like playing with trolls that probably won't be around for too much longer? Number23 Dec 2011 #178

Two words come to mind: FOX *NEWS* Ship of Fools Dec 2011 #76

Interesting post quinnox Dec 2011 #78

Would ProSense Dec 2011 #79

Hysterics seems to be the order of the day BklnDem75 Dec 2011 #229

You voted for "greatness?" That's odd. I voted for president. AtomicKitten Dec 2011 #81

+1 n/t tammywammy Dec 2011 #127

what bald faced b.s. Whisp Dec 2011 #83

He won't hear this and even laylah Dec 2011 #84

Post removed Post removed Dec 2011 #88

Sorry that they didn't issue him a magic wand and a superman suit. RBInMaine Dec 2011 #87

Please grow up before you post anymore tantrums. Now go get some milk and cookies. RBInMaine Dec 2011 #93

You are a real piece of work. laylah Dec 2011 #205

I wish you'd been more realistic bigtree Dec 2011 #95

Post removed Post removed Dec 2011 #96

Cyrano, my thanks gael Dec 2011 #97

dividing the vote will have enormous consequences nobodyspecial Dec 2011 #103

You REALLY need to work on your punctuation and spelling. n/t HCE SuiGeneris Dec 2011 #146

very unlikely, in a system so reliant on contributions from the wealthiest, themadstork Dec 2011 #98

Garbage. n/t Scurrilous Dec 2011 #100

Yep, a McCain presidency would've been much better Maine-i-acs Dec 2011 #101

Yeah, a McCain presidency would have been awful. JoeyT Dec 2011 #142

The problem isn't with the president. It's with the citizens who think they've Kahuna Dec 2011 #106

Cry me a FREA-KIN' river! DeathToTheOil Dec 2011 #109

I see a lot of people are still pining for Hugo Chavez. nt Kahuna Dec 2011 #115

KandR Zhade Dec 2011 #117

Gotta love people who vainly attempt to talk for everyone else. whistler162 Dec 2011 #118

+1 dionysus Dec 2011 #156

Universal health care was never on the table. One of the 99 Dec 2011 #119

the people on this thread who try to say crap about wanting a pony are = to Republicans StarsInHerHair Dec 2011 #124

as long as there is no organized opposition to the RW radio monopoly most of your complaints are certainot Dec 2011 #126

Hopefully fewer people allow vauge catch phrases and fuzzy imagery to substitute for critical Skip Intro Dec 2011 #131

We'll have to elect a traditional progressive Democrat to get greatness. Zorra Dec 2011 #132

WOW! Battered wife syndrome. FunMe Dec 2011 #134

I think you've managed to put your finger on what is wrong with the attitude treestar Dec 2011 #187

"battered spouse syndrome" is a metaphor -- people really do know they're not voting for spouses... nashville_brook Dec 2011 #240

But there is no one on one relationship treestar Dec 2011 #255

"greatest disappointments in American history" Yawn. Another hysterical, hyperbolic anti-Obama rant. NYC Liberal Dec 2011 #137

"greatest disappointments in American history" ProSense Dec 2011 #141

Obama short coming Shaky Dec 2011 #138

I voted someone who would do what he promised to do. JoeyT Dec 2011 #139

Of Obama's Campaign Promises (the ones being tracked) so far 159 have been KEPT. Tx4obama Dec 2011 #147

"one of the greatest disappointments in American history. " dionysus Dec 2011 #154

Honestly RZM Dec 2011 #157

thank you. a post of clarity. dionysus Dec 2011 #179

Your recklessly realistic (and very smart) take on things Dewey Finn Dec 2011 #183

Thanks! n/t RZM Dec 2011 #256

After 8 years of what ohheckyeah Dec 2011 #160

With great regret, I have to agree with this. abq e streeter Dec 2011 #170

How about if he gets elected he once, just ONCE, does something he SAYS he will do... truebrit71 Dec 2011 #173

he said he'd get rid of DADT Whisp Dec 2011 #190

How about that time he told the Republicans to screw off when they wanted GM to fail? JohnnyRingo Dec 2011 #193

Notice what's missing in the bottom photo compared to the top one. HughBeaumont Dec 2011 #216

Oblivious much? The Doctor. Dec 2011 #199

*blows fart Whisp Dec 2011 #188

Cyrano holds his nose. . . Whisp Dec 2011 #191

Would you mind if I post this in Free Republic? JohnnyRingo Dec 2011 #192

That's a sure way The Doctor. Dec 2011 #200

You do not have my permission to post this on Free Republic. Cyrano Dec 2011 #219

I had "Hoped" for much better with Obama, however I am not terribly surprised by the lack of Sherman A1 Dec 2011 #194

"I will hold my nose and vote for you next year. My only other choice is to vote for some brain- The Doctor. Dec 2011 #198

Please Botany Dec 2011 #208

"I will hold my nose and vote for you next year." jefferson_dem Dec 2011 #209

Indeed. JTFrog Dec 2011 #232

Yep. CakeGrrl Dec 2011 #263

K&R. ScottLand Dec 2011 #212

K & R. HughBeaumont Dec 2011 #218

thanks hugh newspeak Dec 2011 #249

You're assuming he can do anything against this system - TBF Dec 2011 #220

+1000000! SammyWinstonJack Dec 2011 #224

Kick & Rec X 100 COLGATE4 Dec 2011 #226

Integrity sucks, huh? tavalon Dec 2011 #235

"If he were a King he might have had more luck?" Rosa Luxemburg Dec 2011 #236

wow... the nastiness from the most loyal Obama supporters fascisthunter Dec 2011 #239

I've read all of the 200+ responses to my original post. Cyrano Dec 2011 #245

I voted for Obama because he was a better choice than McCain-Palin. I chose well. aikoaiko Dec 2011 #247

It isn't about what he gives us - consider what he takes away scentopine Dec 2011 #253

I agree with your entire post, scentopine. And our choice next year is to vote for bad or worse. Cyrano Dec 2011 #268

I voted for someone else, or so I thought 4dsc Dec 2011 #254

Thank for a well thought out and point on article! Could not agree more! Yon_Yonson Dec 2011 #257

You are about to see greatness donttazemebro Dec 2011 #260

K&R (n/t) a2liberal Dec 2011 #261

K&R!..n/t whathehell Dec 2011 #264

I am wondering what exactly the OP expects Obama to do exactly when cstanleytech Dec 2011 #266

Historically, FDR had the Reprublican establishment against him. Cyrano Dec 2011 #269

And did they (the republicans) control congress and have a major news corporation like news corp cstanleytech Dec 2011 #283

+1 well said...nt ooglymoogly Jan 2012 #293

greatness? i voted for Obama. never thought he was 'great'. spanone Dec 2011 #270

That's a lot to hold, do you use both hands? Whisp Dec 2011 #279

I expect a hard right turn in store for the second term. NorthCarolina Dec 2011 #284

I don't believe this will happen. Cyrano Dec 2011 #285

Obama Brooklyns_Finest Dec 2011 #286

Trying to think of the best analogy here... bhikkhu Dec 2011 #287

K&R (nt) T S Justly Dec 2011 #288

Thats for the ignore list krawhitham Dec 2011 #289

No Sale. Old and In the Way Dec 2011 #292

We either Puzzledtraveller Jan 2012 #297