Posted by genghisxcon on 4/4/2012 6:04:00 PM (view original):
Posted by llad_lu76 on 4/4/2012 2:41:00 PM (view original):
Folks,
I would encourage you to take a look at the psychological literature on the "fundamental attribution error"---It is the tendency (of Westerners at least) to over-attribute outcomes to personal-dispositional factors, and under-emphasize the impact of situational factors. I strongly suspect that the large disparity in evaluations of both the current and previous presidents are impacted by this effect.....at least to the extent that we seek put a face on the problems of a nation.
Dependence on foreign oil is a societal-level issue, and the root of many of the problems (domestic and foreign) faced by both Presidents, and it is difficult to imagine the actions of any one individual turning this around in the short term.
Bingo, we have a winner.
Saying things like "The President's job is to address the problems of his people," may be emotionally satisfying. Maybe it allows you to think of yourself as being all about accountabilty. As for serious analysis, it's hopelessly inadequate.
Well, if the explanation is "It's beyond his abilities to make change", why do we care who becomes our leader?
In all seriousness, I think we know our government is akin to a clogged toilet. There's a lot of **** in there and someone has to flush it out. Some people just take a **** on top of it and say "Nothing I can do" or "Not my fault". Some people try to unclog it. I think we know where Obama and his big government policies fall.