Here's the deal. When I think I'm getting something and it turns out to be different - much different - it really hits my soul.
I knew from the start that I didn't like Nixon. I didn't vote for him. He won but I knew he was not my man. I knew from the start I didn't like Reagan. I didn't vote for him. He won but he was not my man. I knew from the start I didn't like George Bush I. I didn't vote for him. He won but he was not my man. I knew I didn't like Bush II. I didn't vote for him. He won but he was not my man.
I knew I liked Jimmy Carter because he was my man. I voted for him and he won. Overall I was pleased. I knew I liked Bill Clinton because he was my man. I voted for him and he won. Overall I was pleased.
I voted for Obama and he won. He was my man but I'm not at all pleased! In fact I feel betrayed!
It dawned on me just how much time I've been spending trying to either get President Obama to do something or stop him from doing something over the last two years.
For example:
Trying to get him to not turn the page on the issue of investigating the Bush Administration.
Trying to get him to strongly come out for single payor.
Trying to get him to strongly support the public option after he gave away single payor all together.
More recently trying to get him to come out strongly against any extension for tax cuts for those in the top brackets. ( I vaguely remember that a President has the power of the veto .)
But the extension of the Bush tax rates does not rise to the level of betrayal for me. It involves other issues.
There are only 2 other times when I have felt betrayed.
The first one was the Vietnam War. I was fresh out of high school and joined the Army. Less than 4 months out of high school my army boots hit the soil of Vietnam. I went as a starry-eyed flag-waving soldier to do his patriotic duty for his country. I spent a total of 26 months in Vietnam. To make a long story short I came back an active member of the Vietnam Veterans Against the war. I am not proud of our country's involvement in Vietnam. We were lied to repeatedly during the "conflict" and many good people were injured and lost their lives on both sides. Like I said - betrayal. There is more than one administration to blame for this tragedy but the one President that rises to the level of betrayal in my opinion is Nixon. Luckily, I did not vote for him. He will always be a criminal in my mind.
The second issue that rises to betrayal for me is Iraq and our current involvement there. This is like Vietnam Deja Vu. I was originally supportive of the effort. I was fooled like a lot of people. Now I know I was just plain stupid! I now listen to the Iraqi Veterans Against the War. I feel betrayed. Luckily, I did not vote for George W. Bush. He is a criminal in my mind.
Now the third issue for me has arrived.
The other night Keith Olberman reported that:
the Obama Administration was intervening with the Spanish government to block the indictment of 6 former Bush officials on charges of setting the legal framework for torture, against international law and covenants.
Condoning torture and not honoring our signature to international treaties rises to the level of betrayal for me.
The Obama Administration and Justice Department have shown a consistent pattern of burying any investigation of the Bush Administration's breaches of the constitution and violations of civil rights. They just want to turn the page.
Now they are reneging on our signatory obligations with international extradition treaties.
Are we a nation of laws? Do we honor our international treaties? The message from the Obama Administration is loud and clear. No, NO, NO!!!
I feel betrayed. Sadly, I did vote for him. I will not vote for him again.