A very insightful article by Bryant Simon, director of American studies at Temple University in Philadelphia.

It's refreshing to see an academic see and report the truth. Here's an excerpt:

I finished writing my book just as Obama was taking office. I thought—hoped—that his historic election and the mass mobilization of voters behind it might mark a change from citizenship through consumption to citizenship through ongoing political engagement. I thought maybe Obama would revive our faith in politics and our trust in politicians. And I thought maybe he might be able to break the political model of innocence by association and consumptive citizenship. This model is based on the notion that ideas are bought and sold like goods, not to change things so much as to make us look better. When they stop doing that, we move on to another product.

But over the last few months, it seems we have learned just how little has changed.

The article really isn't a criticism of Obama. It is more a sad, succinct reflection of the state of our Union. I'd argue the "left" managed to seize upon the consumer concept far more quickly and adeptly than the "right" (and, I would argue that Bush was definitely the Dunkin' Donuts of coffeeland).

Perhaps (although doubtful) the populace will act less like consumers and more like genuinely concerned & responsible citizens next time around.

If I were a Senior Citizen or successful professional, I would be absolutely terrified of this Wordle of Obama's health care proposal. (Common, meaningless words such as: "president, house, senate, bill, health" have all been removed).

Why doesn't the Federal government just have all our paychecks sent directly to them so they can just give us an allowance?

It's no secret that I'm not a fan the individual who was elected President last November. I was no fan of any of the candidates who were running, but truly believed the choice America made was definitely a wrong one. He may be handsome, articulate and more intelligent than the average person, but that does not make him fit to lead this nation.

I maintain a a chronicle I call "Obama FAIL" because I believe his followers/supporters - which includes a large portion of the media - will do everything they can to cover up all his mistakes and refuse to accept his imperfections. I also do not want history to lose the record. Thankfully, both The Daily Show and the Colbert Report (where the image captures below are from) are willing to hold Obama as accountable as his predecessor. [NOTE: Is is sad that some of the best "journalism" comes from two comedy shows]

A theme of his campaign was "Change You Can Believe In", but many of his actions since assuming the mantle in January are better phrased as:

A prime example of this is his recent attempt to make it look like he has ended the "War On Terror". While I am also no fan of George W. Bush and the havoc he wrought on this country with his "War On Terror" and draconian Homeland Security initiatives, changing the name of it to "Overseas Contingency Operation" does a huge disservice to the American people. Obama and his cohorts are just using the slick marketing techniques they employed during the campaign to make it look like they are accomplishing something. (Comedy Central gives him a hand with some additional rebranding opportunities.)

At a former job, I used to assert that the motto of the IT organization was "Redefining Success One Project at a Time". I would like to congratulate BHO on a successful "Redefinition Accomplished":

Melissa Irwin provided one of the best responses to Obama's "Special Olympics" gaff on The Tonight Show. This is a key excerpt:

I know you didn't mean to stick your foot in your mouth and you didn't mean to criticize an entire sect of our population. I know that you didn't mean to knock your popularity ratings down a notch and that you didn't desire to offend a single person. I know that you didn't use the word "retarded" and I know that all you really meant to do was to be humble about the fact that your bowling game has room for improvement. Your intention was to show humility and maybe even bring a light-heartedness to your message where the challenges you face as President, and the challenges we are facing today as over-spent, over-extended Americans, could use a little light-heartedness. But you should have known better than to ever make light of a person with special needs. You offended every mother, father, brother, sister, special education teacher, cousin, neighbor, friend, church member, and every other advocate for people with special needs.

...

You have already apologized. But you did more than offend. You have shown me that you may not be as sensitive as I thought you were. You may be not as intelligent as I thought you were. And you may not be as trustworthy as I thought you were. You didn't just make a regretable remark, you revealed something about your true character. Good luck with that in 2012.