FCIC Spreads The Blame On The Financial Crisis

[Gaspar]

That looks like what I'm saying but I don't mean to imply that. Probably just my old fart cynicism leaking out. What I see as the problem is systematic, not political or personal. My wife doesn't understand that in spite of all his mistakes, I still sort of like Bush as a guy and I don't doubt he had patriotic motives. I doubt you or G will ever like Obama in any way. Its this damn "my team" concept that is great in sports and entrepreneurial stuff but counter productive in democracy.

I don't have to like him, I have to respect him. 

There are many people I don't like that I respect.  I have a doctor that I see regularly, that is an insufferable son-of-a-grumble.  A rude a-hole with no compassion and a really mean disposition, however he is brilliant and can identify and treat anything with the appropriate treatment and minimal mistakes.  I have respect bordering on awe for him.

I used to have a sales person that worked for me who had the most despicable personality, but made more sales and delivered more satisfied, well qualified clients than all of the other sales people.  I hated this guy, but continued to promote him because he was excellent at his job and exceeded his job requirements.  For that I could respect him.

I currently have one client who hates me, and I don't care for him.  We are quite blunt about it, but we both continue to do business together and he writes wonderful accolades to my boss.  He can't stand the fact that I won't back down on price and I can't stand the fact that he is always trying to work an angle.  We have great respect for each other.  Will we ever go play golf or grab a burger?  Hell no!

I want to respect my president.  It's a business relationship.  The job description is narrow, but the issues are complex.  In order to do the job, the most important issues must be addressed first.  I do not respect this man because he came into office with very obvious economic issues to address, and proceeded to work a social agenda that in my opinion exacerbated the problems.  He, in the very words of his chief of staff, took advantage of a crisis situation to usher in social reforms.  I cannot respect that.  He used the pain and anguish of the people as a distraction to push programs that were decades in the making.

It will be very hard for me to like him, but perhaps if he starts to tackle the job at hand, I can venture down the road to respecting him.  We will have to see.

I understand that one of my weaknesses is my political stoicism.  I will work in that and try harder to see the importance of his emotional engagement, but that will not replace respect.

[waterboy]

You don't have to respect him either. Its probably just not in you for a lot of reasons. Unfortunately that probably puts you into the 27% that just can't stomach one or both parties and the people leading them.

But it seems to me you are confusing the business world with the political world. People now commonly believe that we need government to run like business and that we need more business people IN government. I believe that to be folly and agree with the generation that knew that to be folly from 1930 to 1970.

You do have to respect the position, the history, the power of the position and whoever holds it. That is the irony I see around here. Lots of patriots til it comes time to follow a patriot of a different party. THen that position is filled with a socialist, a racist, a liar, a cheat, whatever seems to be available as a description. We have serious problems that can only be overcome with respect for leadership of whatever stripe.

[Gaspar]

You do have to respect the position, the history, the power of the position and whoever holds it. That is the irony I see around here. Lots of patriots til it comes time to follow a patriot of a different party. THen that position is filled with a socialist, a racist, a liar, a cheat, whatever seems to be available as a description. We have serious problems that can only be overcome with respect for leadership of whatever stripe.

Don't confuse me with others.  I have never made comment about President Obama using any name other than his title.  When I take issue with him or his decisions, I reference the issue not the person.  In fact I, to my knowledge, have never referred to him as just "Obama" without his proper title "President".

The office is sacred, the issues are controversial.  I consider myself a patriot, but patriotism is not blind.  When it becomes blind you get tyranny.

[waterboy]

I didn't confuse your identity. The post was not just about you. I also know those names, and descriptions have been used on both sides against the last half dozen presidents.

It's hard to say someone respects a president and his office when they refer to them as an opportunist, a socialist, a non citizen, a cheater, a liar, someone who bought his office, a profligate spend and tax pretender who has no leadership ability and even worse. When I am referred to in those terms I don't consider it a sign of respect, nor do I think it is assailing my stance on issues.