Why do we need to support the president?

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I've seen a lot of comments lately that fall along the lines of, "Well, I didn't vote for Obama but now that he's president I'm going to support him." Maybe I'm just misunderstanding the sentiment, or reading into the word support too strongly, but we live in a democracy- we are allowed to disagree with the president and hold different opinions! We have a right to our own thoughts, ideas, free speech, and the right to protest.

People who say that they "support" Obama now when they didn't vote for him- what do you mean? Maybe I'm just reading it the wrong way- I hope you don't mean that you will agree with whatever he says/does just because he is the president.

I'm just honestly curious, and I'm not trying to start an fight, just a discussion. I'm also not trying to diminish anyone- I just think we need to remember we can still be "patriotic" and hold different viewpoints. In fact, I think that makes us more loyal to democracy. By the way, I voted for Obama, but that doesn't mean I am going to necessarily support everything he does.

[smokey the elder]

One way to look at it can be to disagree with the individual but respect the office. People disagreeing with a President can lead to either good or bad things, depending on circumstances. Divisiveness (I can't spell today for some reason!) and partisanship can be a barrier to trying to right the USA in our eyes and the eyes of the world.

There is a concept called "the loyal opposition"; I don't remember its origin; it's the idea that people critically think and constructively question the actions of those in power, while at the same time acknowleging their status by election or appointment.

[JenBKR]

I am one who has said that recently. I didn't vote for him, and I probably won't agree with everything that he says/does. However, by saying that I am supporting him now, I just mean that I am giving him a chance. He is brand new in office, and I think that he deserves my respect. I just have to wait and see if he keeps it

Does that answer your question at all? I know what I am trying to say, but sometimes it doesn't come out right (especially online).

[Pembroke_Corgi]

One way to look at it can be to disagree with the individual but respect the office. People disagreeing with a President can lead to either good or bad things, depending on circumstances. Divisiveness (I can't spell today for some reason!) and partisanship can be a barrier to trying to right the USA in our eyes and the eyes of the world.

There is a concept called "the loyal opposition"; I don't remember its origin; it's the idea that people critically think and constructively question the actions of those in power, while at the same time acknowleging their status by election or appointment.

I haven't heard the term "loyal opposition," but I do agree with the concept- I think those in power should be questioned, for the better of everyone, which is why I started this discussion. Maybe I am reading into what I am hearing too much. Thanks for the reply!

I am one who has said that recently. I didn't vote for him, and I probably won't agree with everything that he says/does. However, by saying that I am supporting him now, I just mean that I am giving him a chance. He is brand new in office, and I think that he deserves my respect. I just have to wait and see if he keeps it

Does that answer your question at all? I know what I am trying to say, but sometimes it doesn't come out right (especially online).

I guess I should have clarified that it's not just PT where I've heard this said- I'm not trying to single anyone out! But I see what you mean.

[JenBKR]

I guess I should have clarified that it's not just PT where I've heard this said- I'm not trying to single anyone out! But I see what you mean.

Oh no don't worry, I didn't take it personally I have heard it quite a bit too recently. I am among the hopeful...although I know that things won't get better overnight. Obama himself has said that things will probably get worse before they get better. Time will tell...

[RICHARD]

I said this before.

The president is the guy that 'drives the bus'.

I don't care for him but, I do support the office he represents and think he can do the job.

If, at some point, I don't like the direction or the places that the bus travels, I have every right and intention of getting off it at the next stop.

Of course, there will be the 'BUSHBASHERS' who will look at my feelings as being hypocritical-but I find their opinions as pertinent as the last square on a TP roll during the flu.

Onward, through the fog!

[Karen]

Because he was duly elected, it is our responsibility to support the president, out of respect for the office. This does not mean we cannot disagree with individual opinions or policies or actions. But the majority of our fellow Americans elected whomever is in office, and we - as participants in the democratic process - need to respect their decision.

You need also to realize that your own senator and representative are in office to serve you - much of what the President does is subject to approval by the House and Senate, so you can contact your representatives in Washington on particular matters you feel strongly about.

[Grace]

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States.

To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.

[Edwina's Secretary]

To me...the problem is what does the word "support" mean in this context?

Similar to "Support Our Troops". I do support our troops. I pay my taxes that pay for them. I hope every day that they will come home out of harm's way.

To me that is "supporting our troops."

So perhaps to "support the president" is to pay your taxes and hope he is successful? And not in harm's way?

Nothing in either statement suggests I cannot criticize, complain, or even carp!

[RICHARD]

To me...the problem is what does the word "support" mean in this context?

You have a problem with the terminology?


Gee,
You didn't bring up the word hypocrite, I am confused.

[Lady's Human]

Let me preface this by stating that I didn't vote for President Obama, and I find many of his proposed programs questionable at best.

HOWEVER........


It is entirely possible to support a leader and disagree with them. I hope he uses the public support he has at the moment to truly move the country forward away from the partisan sniping, towards a constructive discourse between factions.

Sniping at every decision a leader makes because you dislike them accomplishes nothing. Offering constructive comments and keeping communication lines open accomplishes more in the long term for all parties involved.

A former Battalion Commander summed it up best to our staff one day, (soldier talk removed to keep things family friendly)

"If you're going to (complain) about something, bring me an alternative. Otherwise I'm going to ignore it."

Far, far too much of the discourse over the past two decades has been tainted by complaining for the sake of complaining.(Shrub did this, Klintoon did that, ad nauseum) That needs to end, or we're going to get nowhere.

[K9soul]

It probably means different things to different people. For me, to support a president or someone in authority is not to kowtow and agree with everything they say and do. It means I consider him my president, that he is not my enemy but on "my side," that I include him in my prayers, and wish no harm on him. That I don't disagree just to disagree. That I speak of him with respect and not mockery. To me that is what it means to support my president.

As an aside, as much as I disagreed and was upset at a lot of things Bush and his administration did while in office, I found it in deplorable taste that some of the crowd at the inauguration boo'd him. I'm not saying people didn't have the right to do it, but I found it petty and disrespectful of not only Bush but also of Obama and the spirit of his message of unity.

ETA: I think the president and officials CAN make decisions and take actions that causes support to falter. This post is simply what it means to me to say I support the president (whether I voted for him or not). A president can take actions that cause him to lose support, i.e. Nixon.

[Catty1]

Originally quoted by Lady's Human:

"If you're going to (complain) about something, bring me an alternative. Otherwise I'm going to ignore it."

I like that. One of my faves is, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."

[lizbud]

I think this can't be repeated often enough.

"Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States.


Quote:
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. "

[Twisterdog]

IMO, "supporting" the current president means respecting his office, and giving him a chance, not automatically criticising every decision he makes and every word he says for nothing more than the fact that he wasn't the one you voted for or the one on your party ticket.

I do not, for one minute, think it means not criticising the president ever, simply because he is the president. I don't think anyone thinks that.

It simply means, to me, giving him a fair chance and a clean slate. Basing opinions on his actions, not on his party line.