Why I'm pissed, and why you should be, too.

[merrily]

177. I don't know if there is a right answer anymore.

If you never apologize, you seem like you are incapable of taking responsibility for anything. And if you are always passing the buck down to subordinates, you look as though you don't get what leadership and executive office is about.

(I confess that I do admire Truman for having that sign on his desk. )

On the other hand, too much apologizing has its downside too, as you pointed out, especially if no one is willing to accept the apology and let it go.

Thing is, both Bush and Obama have been under more scrutiny than any President in the past, so a burp gets noticed.

On the other hand, the website and problems for Obama are both far less of a problem, IMO, than someone with cancer whose cheap policy has been helping them out, despite all the bad things about it, and now has a cancellation notice in hand. That person will get coverage from another policy, yes, but is going to have to pay a lot more because of the pre-existing condition issue, whereas the former insuer seems to have accepted the fact that it was legally stuck with the person.

People who have lousy policies tend to have them in the first place because they just can't afford better coverage. And, if you've been sick, you can afford even less now.

So, there is some real hurt out there and I hope they fix it.