As a mother of a future Navy officer, I find the attitude of this new administration, both inside and outside of this stimulus package, to be discouraging and non-supportive at best.
Well; if you have followed politics for any length of time, you'd know that the military is one area that the democratic party said that wanted to cut into if/when they regained power. Now; if you're a liberal, you support that. If you're a conservative, you oppose that. It's pretty much that simple.
I can't/won't speak for anyone else. But you are correct that my "attitude" about the new administration is discouraging and non-supportive. I am willing to admit that. The "Presidency" is NOT a person. It's an office. And if the far left can say for the last 7 years that they "Don't Support the president and the war in the middle east; BUT THEY SUPPORT OUR TROOPS"; which is pure B.S. Then I have no problem saying that I don't support Barrack Obama; but I DO SUPPORT THE PRESIDENCY of the United States. If I was still active duty; I would do whatever I was ordered to do as long as I wear the uniform. But I am now retired. I DO NOT have to support the beliefs and politics of Barrack Obama just because he's the president. If something's wrong, you don't BLINDLY support him.
Personally; I hope the stimulus package is a total disaster. Because if it isn't, then the government will be looked at as being able to fix ALL OUR PROBLEMS. And as such, the government will control more and more of our country. And looking at past history in Japan, Germany, the USA, and other countries; and stimulus plan as such CAN NOT WORK. You can't SPEND your way out of debt. So I hope the stimulus package fail horribly. Then the people will realize that the government is the problem and not the solution.
Realize however, that I do not place any BLAME or SUCCESS on the president. The president is ONLY a leader. He does not make law or spend money. The economic good times during Clinton's reign was NOT HIS DOING. Neither was the stock crash and recession of 2000 his fault. The good times of the GW Bush years weren't his doing; but neither was the recession we are currently in. Anyone who believes the president controls the economy doesn't know much about economics or politics.
Economics go through a normal and traditional 6-7 year cycle. Look back and you will see it many times. The government only has the power to extend or diminish what will happen. Unfortunately; most people don't realize that the answer is in the congress. The house and senate decides on every dollar spent. The president can't say give it to me and he gets it. He can't fund the military without congress saying yes. He can't continue operations overseas with congress' approval. Same with every other government program. I blame the congress of the united states 95% for the economic problems we are in. If the president (Bush) had been a better leader, he would have told congress to shove it all right up their #($@. For that, he is at fault. Unfortunately, now we not only STILL HAVE THE LAME BUTT Congress that got us into this mess over the last 6 years (Remember; bush had a 35% approval rating, but congress only had a 17% approval rating. But now we have a president who WANTS the same things that the congress wants.
The congress has the entire year to get the budget where they want it for all their pet projects. A stimulus package is suppose to be for IMMEDIATE actions required to create jobs and improve the economy. When more than a third of the package has absolutely NOTHING TO DO with jobs and stimulating the economy; you are correct that I am non-supportive. And I hope I sound discouraging. I want you and everyone else to be outraged that they would spend so much money on crap that is needed and has nothing to do with stimulating the economy. It's the pet projects of the democratic congress that they've wanted for the last 6-7 years. They are using fear as a means of passing a PORK Package with all their wants in it.
Sorry; but I DON'T support the administration JUST BECAUSE it is the president and congress. Ain't going to happen. Yes; the active duty military members will have to learn that as long as they wear the uniform, their involvement in politics is limited to voting, writing their congressman, and having private conversations. However; I have paid my dues. I am allowed to speak about this administration any way I like to. And hopefully; the candidates and appointees; as well as the cadets who are at the academy currently and our active duty personnel; will know that there are SOME PEOPLE out here who will continue to hold the administration (CONGRESS) accountable. We will speak for you when you can't. There's plenty of people who blindly support this congress. I still don't know how they can have a 17% approval rating and still get re-elected. I truly hopes the stimulus package crashes and burns. It will hurt a little, but the end will result in a government that the people will hold much more accountable. The people will know that the government isn't the answer to their problems. But if the stimulus package passes in any measurable means, then our government and way of life as we know it will come to an end. The banks, stock market, health care, industries, energy, etc... will all fall under government control. Because the government knows best how to regulate and control it. Also how to bale them out of trouble. Sorry. I hope everything about the stimulus package fails. And that EVERY Rep and senator who voted for it loses their job in 2010. God help us all.