by Lenna Gonya

Created on: January 21, 2010   Last Updated: January 22, 2010

A year ago, when President Obama was a candidate, we all listened and, regardless of our politics, agreed with him when he said that we should all work for the good of the country in a bipartisan manner. The old politics of the past were not working, and the future held a new era of cooperation. It sounded good.

However, we were all forgetting the “campaign rhetoric provision” that allows candidates some leeway in their speeches. And, it was only a matter of days after being sworn in that we realized how this provision works.

Not long after he was elected when asked, during a press conference about bipartisanship, he remarked that he was still for it. However, and make no mistake about this, he would be pleased to meet with the other party, but in the long run, he would have his way.

He found every chance possible to blame everything that has happened in the last century on the Republicans, and especially the Bush administration. The one and only thing he was transparent about was the fact that his newly liberal majority was not going to tolerate any interference, advise, or consul, from the other side.

If anyone was listening to this speech, it pretty much set the tone for his presidency, and cut off any chance of reconciliation between the parties.

It is not the responsibility of the President, nor appropriate behavior, for him to condemn, ridicule, or speak against the opinions of members of the opposing party or those citizens whom they represent.

For a President who was apologetic to the world for what he considered his rude, derisive and intolerant country, he is not setting a good example for his fellow Americans.

During the Tea Party rallies, he criticized, ridiculed and dismissed protesters, with legitimate grievances and concerns, ignoring the fact that these are also fellow Americans that he was sworn to lead and defend.

Recently, while campaigning in Massachusetts, he admitted the fact that he knew nothing about Scott Brown, but dismissed him on the grounds that he drove a truck, and of course, was on the wrong side of the aisle.

In the recent decisions made on the stimulus and the health care issues, not only have conservative, seasoned, veteran legislatures been ignored, they have literally been locked out of decision making conferences entirely.

While we understand the exuberance of a political party when they become the driving force in the government, we all hoped that Obama’s campaign principal of bipartisan for the overall good of the country, and the overall representation of it’s citizens, was the best possible plan. Unfortunately, it was only rhetoric.

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