Walking through campus over the past few weeks since this historic 2008 election has filled me with a sense of dread. I'm not necessarily upset with the outcome of this awful election; I honestly couldn't care less which of the giant government parties reigns over me for the next few years. Yet, the way people seem to be treating this election, especially post election, is greatly disturbing to me. I cannot count how many students I passed on my walks through campus with Obama's face plastered on a T-shirt. His holy likeness is usually accompanied by a silly printed slogan such as: "Victory!" "From Rosa Parks to Obama," and last but not least: "Yes We Can!" The Obama love is everywhere.
Of course, none of these slogans really mean anything. However, that certainly won't stop people from wearing them proudly, all the while giving themselves a good pat on the back for being so pro-change. It's terrifying to me that people can love their elected leader so much they are willing to cover themselves with clever Obama marketing slogans, and in many cases proudly support just about everything the man says.
An assumption that Barack Obama will be a terrible president probably isn't an unreasonable one, especially considering the track record of the previous 43 presidents. Yet, there are those who truly believe in their hearts that somehow Barack Obama is different. They believe that somehow Obama's all-too-common "radical" ideas will save our nation and bring about a world of peace and freedom. I advise these people to open their eyes to the fact that Obama has become a well-loved man who has just gained a lot of power. Continuing the crazed Hollywood-style love for Obama will only cause his inevitable abuses of power to be overlooked -- much in the same way groupies overlook the unethical escapades of their favorite lead singer.
I'm afraid eternal vigilance is the only way to keep what freedoms we have left from being eroded away. Eternal vigilance does not include chanting your president's name and crying tears of change when you hear him speak. I assumed that worshipping a leader was something that history eradicated along with the concept of divine right. However, now that the American people have seen the light of the church of 'Bama, I fear we're regressing back to a state where we are no longer vigilant and instead trust and love our leaders to do what is best for us all.
As humble as Barack Obama may seem when he speaks, it is impossible for a man to be forever humble when he has an army of chanting, sign-waving groupies crying tears of joy at the very mention of his name. I ask the people who love Obama to get off their high horse of phony open-mindedness and consider the following: For whom does Obama work? The answer to that question is you. The office of the president serves the will of the American people, and we in turn keep the president from abusing the power that we grant to him. By so blindly loving our president we are not upholding our duty as citizens to keep his office in check. Instead, we are leaving the fox to guard the hen house.
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In the constant sea of garbage that is the Collegiate Times, finally a glimmer of intelligence. Unfortunately, the populace is amazingly ignorant with anything involving politics or economics. See the ISI's recent study: http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx Pathetic. Americans should be ashamed of themselves. People who voted for Obama or McCain should be ashamed of themselves. "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -Thomas Jefferson
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THANK YOU. As MG said, finally something to applaud in the CT. As you, Chad, have so honorably pointed out, this same love for the Pres was shown for Bush when he entered office. The only difference with Obama is that the left-leaning media will assist him by sweeping many mistakes under the carpet, so we citizens must be even MORE diligent in being critical thinkers. I heard someone talk about abolishing the Dept. of Energy tonight.. and the Federal Reserve yesterday. Sound crazy? Read up, then decide if it's crazy. Chad talks about gov't getting too big for a VERY good reason. If you look around, our liberties are whittling away. I can think of a few other countries who are yelling "America, don't let it happen to you!!!"
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Optimism is great, but I've seen polls describing public opinion of what Obama will accomplish in four years. The results were so positive across the spectrum of issues that you could have thrown in a question like "will Obama singlehandedly cure death?" and gotten at least 33% saying yes.
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I work in DC (alumni) and spending is likely to greatly increase under Obama. Bloomberg says we've already pledged $7.4 TRILLION for this "bailout". Congress is like a crack spending addict and added $150 billion in pork to last $700 bailout. They just opened a huge $621 million Capitol Visitor Center to glorify their excesses...God help us.
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Thanks for the good feedback. More to come. Glad to see some people share my view on this insanity.
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I want to offer my kudos to Mr. Van Alstin’s column and all its sagacious sounding points. Obama mania will certainly be the crux of our epic downfall if we don’t examine his policies, associations and his ideas from a vantage point of rational and logical thinking. I am amazed how seductive it is for some to give up rights, ignore our Constitution (if they have even read it) in exchange for being taken care of and feeling safe; this column expresses many of these viewpoints quite well. Obviously Mr. Van Alstin is the scion of an EXTREMELY intelligent bloodline. He’s probably handsome, too!
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Well we know how CT feels....get your "Super Obama T-shirt" here!
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I am so impressed with Mr. Van Alstin's column that I am speechless. It is encouraging to know that some of our youth do display some common sense. I hope more people find some as the fog and haze is lifted from this beloved saint. Thank you chad for the boost in my expectations of our future. I look forward to reading more from you.
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yeah...members of my family need not comment. But thanks.
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Looking forward to reading more from the intelligent Chaddy in my life.
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I feel you completely Chad and couldn't agree more with your article: Obama is the best thing to happen to our country in a long time and he deserves our adoration.
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Ohh my wittle Chadcakes! Nana is so prowd of yous. Come visits me and I'll makes yous some meatloaf and cabbages. Your favorites!
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Really I think what Chad is getting at is that HE should be president of the United States because no one else can do it. You've got my vote in 2012!
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Chadcakes '012: "Another vote for a benevolent tyrant."
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I for one welcome the benevolent tyranny of Chad.
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Uncle Vinnie! Thanks for posting. And Nana! it's good to see you're not dead, you old bat.
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If that's the real Chad Van Alstin, he's my new favorite person. Thank you for being one of the few people around here with a sense of humor.
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Sup Chadillac, what are you doing this weekend?
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Hide Gold,victory relief end society clearly pay between see alternative join indicate ship at regular combination treaty jump father how reduction girl race cultural bloody child throw point last tonight commitment hard people religious operation book red practice weekend terms budget perfect original rare account either price dress match east capable insist survey district wild through clear bottle something strike house youth shoulder half direct inside already culture write rely off asset claim lot world shut launch liability application observation member present treat know female term something principle busy usually
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