I have a friend who is a die-hard Conservative. He's far more polarized than I'm generally comfortable (I've always said that people that are too far left or right scare me; I'm a true moderate. Otherwise I'm known as a fiscal conservative (with some exceptions) and a social liberal (with some exceptions)). However, he's an old, good friend and I do respect his opinion. My problem is this: He is so bitter about Obama that he complains about every step he makes. Daily complaints. I might be naive (I'm not counting it out) but I don't remember the complaints about Bush every step during the first months of office. I know that there was debate on whether he actually deserved it because of the craziness that happened at the time of the election, and I know that there was certainly bitterness at the start of his second term but I don't believe that there were complaints two months in about how he was ruining the country. Maybe I'm wrong.
A few months ago a flame war erupted on another friend's Facebook page because he had mentioned his allegiance to the President, and other friends of his had started a bitter (sorry I'm out of adjectives) fight over whether he was one Republican's president or not "he's not my president, blah blah blah" etc. I am likely the eternal optimist here; I think it will be hard but I believe that the steps being taken at this time are for the good of the country. I have to believe that this spiral has an end, and that we as a country will climb out of the hole that we have dug for ourselves. It will surely not be without sacrifice.
I think the point of my rambling here, is stop complaining if you aren't doing anything. Try giving him a chance. As Bush himself said (from Jack Tapper:
“I'm not going to spend my time criticising him. There's plenty of critics in the arena. I think it's time for the ex-president to tap dance off the stage and let the current president have a go at solving the world's problems,” the former president said in remarks to business executives. “He deserves my silence. And if he wants my help, he can pick up the phone.”
...The speech today was Bush's first since leaving office in January. The event was organized by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and his remarks to business executives were closed to the press and the tickets were invitation only.
The former president said he wants President Obama to succeed. “I love my country a lot more than I love politics. I think it is essential that he be helped in the office.”
I think it's a very noble position to take, and although I've never cared for him politically, I respect former President Bush much more personally given his obvious graciousness. It's possible that he only takes the high road because he has other more outspoken allies already railing against Obama, but either way, I'm impressed.
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