I fear that Barack Obama is making a mistake that could prove costly to his reelection efforts in 2012: he appears to be ignoring the so-called populist rage still gripping middle-class and working-class households across the country.
After treating bonuses paid to bailed-out AIG executives as a passing, "flavor of the week" story, the media has moved on to obsessing over Michelle Obama's fashion choices while in Europe, over minutiae about the latest gory mass shooting, and breathlessly tracking minute-by-minute stock market movements.
But most Americans... beset by raging unemployment now at a 25-year high, and frazzled by slumping real estate prices... remain steamed about the obvious gap between their struggles and the financial goodies that seemingly continue to rain richly down on executives and political leaders.
In my home of Orange County, California, for instance, public furor is boiling over layoffs of county social workers and service providers to abused children, the elderly and "those on the lower economic rungs of society," while the five county supervisors retain their fat car allowances, benefits plans and even a lavish office remodel.
For full details, take a few minutes to read Perks for Orange County Supervisors, Layoffs for Workers, an articulate op-ed by Tim Steed, a labor relations representative with Orange County Employees Association and past President of California Young Democrats, who is infuriated by county executive management's "let-them-eat-cake package of perks."
"Big Shots Whinin’ on My Evening News"
When I caught a few TV minutes last night of the Academy of Country Music Awards, I was fascinated by a tune sung by country star John Rich, that inspired impassioned cheering and fist-pumping by crowd: a song entitled "Shutting Detroit Down." Sang Rich with angered vigor (YouTube clip of a Jan 2009 performance of the song.):
"My daddy taught me that in this country everyone’s the same
You work hard for your dollar and you never pass the blame
When it don’t go your way
Now I see all these big shots whinin’ on my evening news
About how they’re losin’ billions and how it’s up to me and you
To come running to the rescue
Well pardon me if I don’t shed a tear ‘cause they’re selling make believe
And we don’t buy that hereCause in the real world they're shutting Detroit down
While the boss man takes his bonus pay and jets out of town
And DC’s bailing out the bankers as the farmers auction ground,
Yeah while they’re living it up on Wall Street in that New York City town,
Here in the real world there shuttin’ Detroit down.
They’re shuttin’ Detroit down."
The popularity of this new tune perfectly summarizes the justifiable "populist" sentiment overtaking the country.
Obama Seen as Coddling Bankers, Wall Streeters
This past week, President Obama was widely glimpsed at the ornate palaces and palatial settings of Europe, and before that, he was accurately portrayed at home coddling wealthy bankers and preserving the compensation and benefits of Wall Street executives.
Meanwhile, most Americans keenly feel the pain of their beleaguered family finances. And unemployment, homelessness and hunger continue to rise dramatically.
During his presidential campaign against John McCain, Barack Obama successfully appealed to the angry blue-collar workers of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and in other parts of the country. (See Why Red States Turned Blue in 2008.) Obama's electoral victories in these states caused him to win the White House in 2008.
But less than three months after taking office, President Obama appears to have forgotten this vital constituency... their needs, concerns, values.
Obama Increasingly Dwarfed by Economic Anger
Yes, I fear that Barack Obama is making a mistake that could prove costly to his reelection efforts in 2012: he appears to be ignoring the so-called populist rage still gripping middle-class and working-class households across the country.
As Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne brilliantly penned a few weeks ago:
"We are at the beginning of a great popular rebellion against those who showed no self-restraint when it came to lining their own pockets... Is this not an entirely appropriate reaction to elite decisions dating to the 1980s that ultimately ran our economy into the ground?"The Obama administration has sent thoroughly ambivalent signals on this question... Obama can work with the populist wave or he can be overwhelmed by it."
I'm saddened to report that, thus far, President Obama looks increasingly oblivious to and dwarfed by this ever-growing, righteous American anger.
Read Perks for Orange County Supervisors, Layoffs for Workers as an excellent example of public furor over "... obscene perks (that) continue today, even as providers and recipients continue to suffer because cuts have been made to some of the most essential services in our community."
Comments
So true, so true. The timing of Obama’s trip to Europe does not help his image back home, even though Europeans seem gaga over him and Michelle. Yes, he’s meeting with world leaders, but it has the reek of The Grand Tour… and it places him in a context that can only hurt him when he returns to the messy reality that is the United States these days.
You are wrong about these statements about President Obama. He done a wonderful job during his trips with all the talks. He was trying to make the United States look good and he did. You all hate that. They all love him. They did not see the color of his skin. Our President walk in a mess. You can get on a blog and state things that is not true. You should give him a chance. He is only been President of 78 days. Things will get better in time. I do a lot of praying and things have start to get better for many people. Don’ go out passing you bad comments to people that have hope knowing things will get better. If not. He is not the blame. Your Bush is. Write about him and what he did during his eight years. Some of us don’t wish to here what you think.
Obama is playing the role of a fool and by his approach thus far, he is proving himself to be the worst enemy America has ever had. He is hell bent to change everything in the country that has made it great and he’s committed to a certain path of socialism, American will explode over this and the rage is going to be well deserved. His foriegn policy approach will be the weakest ever and he’s denigrating America everywhere he speaks. The power he is exercising over American industry will destroy capitolism and his goal to redestribute wealth will bring about a implosion from within. America has made the worst mistake ever in our history and there won’t be a recovery to being us back. America needs to wake up before its too late.
Obama and his gang of thugs will pay dearly at the ballot box. How many ACORN cheats can he come up with? America is fed up. If you don’t believe me just track the tea parties that are going on around the nation.
I’ve heard nothing but praise from people of all economic stripes that Obama is re-establishing America’s reputation on the world stage after 8 years of soiling by Bush and the Republican Right. It is truly stupid to suggest President Obama should skip the G20 Summit during a global crisis. Don’t mistake the corporate media headlines for what’s really happening just 70 days after inauguration. Thanks to Obama, federal stimulus money is already paying for middle-class jobs in hard-hit areas and more is on the way; that’s why his approval remains sky-high.
Thank you for your ongoing fairness in reporting, even though a blog isn’t always mainstream media; what it seems most officials and media do is hear what you hear, then just go about things as if “we’ll find out later, like it or not”, even if we wait forever or see circular logic(s) in any “…AND?”; amid this, many others simply dismiss questions or complaints by calling such people irresponsible, anti-capitalist, “of interest”, “worthy of investigation to see if open to Qaeda-type recruitment against local or USA government”, what have you. Well, no; most of us just want to know why we just can’t really expect anybody from any party at any level to truly deliver as promised, things are worse than each successive officeholder(s) thought, and sigh…what can we do but continue on an ever-shifting kaleidescope of security, hate crime, racism, protectionist, offends Ladenists, ad infinitum “reasons” it would be very bad if things don’t happen as they have for so long.
If anyone imagines that McSame or that crazy woman Palin could accomplish more right now than President Obama, they need to go live in a third world country! If the Republicans hadn’t so royally screwed those who are struggling right now, than Obama wouldn’t be criticized for trying to clean up this huge mess we’re all in right now. Part of building up our new economy is repairing the horrible damage that has occurred with other countries that wanted nothing to do with the U.S for the last eight years! As well as trying to overcome the enormous deficit the war has caused us financially and certainly emotionally. The President told everyone that getting out of this mess wasn’t going to happen overnight. Although having the Bush’s in the house were able to send everyone plummeting in nano seconds. We need to help each other out and stop waiting for the government to perform instant miracles. Karma is coming around and I honestly don’t thin it will be too pleasant for those who took advantage of others on all levels. If we’re going to view what we haven’t done in terms of what HASN’T been done yet to repair our country, we’re going to see only negativity and sabotage our own well-being. Half-full or half-empty? Depends on the individuals propensity for being a victim…We’re all suffering, and no one but no one needs to be dwelling on the lack…
I am not sure which planet you have been on, but the latest polls were just announced and his popularity is higher than ever. I think it is over 65% now.. up from 61% or so just last week.. By all accounts his trip was a success, and even some of the righties are agreeing with him.. no not his policies, but with him. They have to. He is too popular not to. So to say he isn’t doing the right thing is just over the top. Also, did you miss the part where he states that the bankers aren’t immune to firing? Besides there have been heads of banks and hedge funds replaced. Rick Wagner wasn’t the first and may not be the last. There was a very good article about the meeting he had with the bankers where he told them to remember He, Pres. Obama, was the only thing between them and the people carrying pitchforks… and it would do them well to remember that, and they better start cleaning up their act.. that really doesn’t sound like coddling to me.