All Opposed Say “Nay”

I gather from the tone of a few of the comments that I’ve received lately that some of my commenters think that, despite the fact that I voted for Obama, I’m growing increasingly skeptical about the policies he’s putting into place. They’re right but I hasten to mention that I’m not singling Obama out. I’ve opposed every administration over the period of the last 40 years.

So, for example, during George W. Bush Administration I opposed what are referred to as “the Bush tax cuts”, the bailouts of the airline industry that took place after 9/11, the invasions of both Afghanistan and Iraq, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, Medicare Part D, and the approach that was taken towards dealing with the financial crisis, among others. Not exactly a Bush cheerleader.

When I voted for Barack Obama I did so convinced that he was unlikely to withdraw from Iraq prematurely and deeply concerned about John McCain’s particular brand of “national greatness” foreign policy.

I’m increasingly skeptical over his escalation in Afghanistan, his continuation of the policies of his predecessor in dealing with the financial crisis and the problems of the auto industry, and the stimulus package. I’m concerned that in his economic policies the secondary objectives are overwhelming the primary objectives. Too much emphasis is being placed on saving the banks, not enough on repairing the financial industry; too much emphasis is being placed on saving the auto manufacturers (and the automobile workers’ union), not enough on ameliorating the situation of the automobile workers.

But please take note that I oppose policies not presidents. I want President Obama to succeed but I want him to succeed because he adopts policies that work not because I want the policies that he adopts to work.