So it was our date night (as each Friday is) and when we hit the button on the garage door opener, our Beagle darted out of the garage yelping and running back and forth. By the time we all get into the house, her yelping and darting continued. She ran from one room to another and back again... all excited to see her master.
Boy, do I feel loved. Dog's can do that to you. I could have kicked her before I left and she would have acted the very same way when I got home. All is forgotten... just glad I'm home. She was so excited tonight that I thought she might have a heart attack. Soon she was out of breath... and energy. It left me feeling pretty self-conscious. Do I deserve such devoted attention? But after I threw her a bone, I decided that I did.
As I pondered this experience, it reminded me of conversations I had heard earlier in the day on talk radio. Some of the most outrageously bad political and economic news in decades has hit this country. We have never had four straight months of record unemployment numbers. The stock market has plunged over 3,000 points since Election Day. Huge stimulus bills have been passed after bitter political battles in congress. And yet President Obama enjoys stellar approval ratings.
Mr. Obama has been less than perfect. Some of his executive decisions have been contrary to what he promised during the campaign. Many of his appointments have been tax evaders. His stimulus package has been proved mired in earmarks. He has been caught in lies. In essence, he kicked the dog on his way out of the house, and yet when he returns, Americans, like my dog, yelp and dart back and forth in joyful ecstasy to celebrate his return. And Mr. Obama throws a bone.
What is it? Why such Clinton-esque teflon? Now, I'm just a basicguy, but it all seems to border on worship to me. I once wrote that Mr. Obama's victory was more historical than anything else. People had captured the history of the moment. The first black man (well, half black anyway). Fairly young. Considered articulate. Cool and with it. But now that two months have passed, along with horrendous economic woes and obvious missteps, and still his approval ratings soar. I'm left with one explanation. Some Americans worship Mr. Obama.
As for me, I'd say this is very dangerous ground for this country. When one is worshiped, and that person knows it, the temptation to get away with anything your heart desires is real. And so Mr. Obama is getting away with anything he chooses to do. So, how long will the dog let himself get kicked before he finally bites the hand of the master? I hope it's not long. The future of America as we know is at stake.
