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.

[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.

[blue]

So basicaly the opposite of how the MSM treated the last POTUS for 8 years?

[Lady's Human]

So basicaly the opposite of how the MSM treated the last POTUS for 8 years?

Unless BOTH parties can stop the crap, we're going to be in the same position as the Middle East is in. Everyone fighting, no one getting a damned thing done, and no one able to say why they're fighting, other than because they are.

Without some statesmen in place of politicians, however, I dont see it happening.

[blue]

The crap will still fly only we will see less of it now then from the previous 8 years thanks to the MSM (main stream media).

[lizbud]

So basicaly the opposite of how the MSM treated the last POTUS for 8 years?

You are joking, right? The last president ( who's name I forget ) was
let slide without any serious questioning about anything. It has only been
the last 4 years since the media woke up to it's responsibilities and began
to speak truth to power.

[RICHARD]

You are joking, right? The last president ( who's name I forget ) was
let slide without any serious questioning about anything. It has only been
the last 4 years since the media woke up to it's responsibilities and began
to speak truth to power.

Funny, they knew John and Bobby were having at Marilyn and they couldn't figure out that was going on during the last few years?

So there has been a right wing conspiracy in the media? Shame on them-this is the same 'media' that people quoted every day-especially when GWB made a faus pax?


But even more shame om the people who quote the same stupid, lame and buffonish mediam, and hung on every word, during those four years.

We can criticize them for falling asleep at the wheel, then hang on every story they produce? Shame on me for believing.


When we add weight to anything that RL says, we make him relevent.
---------------


Now, Why not comment on the statements by the effing moron rappers who were all over BO being the new president?

LOL, I saw Bill O'reilly play them on his show last night. Poor Barack, He's job is way tougher with effing morons like that singing his praises.

[Edwina's Secretary]

This is soooo fun! The same people who have complained about the "media" -- as if it is some monolithic, homogenous group (Fox News = MSNBC anyone???)--are scrambling madly to figure out what to complain (or is that carp???) about now....rappers...okay...

I am going to make a guess here...anyone else think the reporters who covered John and Bobby Kennedy have retired by now?

Whining, crabbing, carping...using barely disguised "F-bombs" (when you don't have anything intelligent to say...go with the F) -- sure beats doing anything -- or saying anything meaningful.

It reminds me of that poor woman from Alaska -- her 15 minutes of fame are over so she has to keep calling press conferences to complain about what people are saying about her. Or said about her. Or might say about her. Or might say about someone else that they should be saying about her. Or should have said about her.

The election is over - Done. Let's fix something.

[rosethecopycat]

So why weren't these concepts of:

not criticizing every decision and every word that comes out of his mouth...

respect for the 'office'.....





Not in effect for the last 8 years?




I kept my mouth shut in the Clinton years and I will keep my mouth shut for the Obama administration.