Really trying not to be redundant, but the same themes seem to keep cropping up regarding politicians. And, most often lately, I seem to keep asking if these people are really that dumb, or are they so subtle, sophisticated and clever that what they do is simply over the heads of mere mortals like me to comprehend.
In that vein, it seems Jimmy Carter has written a new book, "White House Diary," and the Associated Press bought a pre-release copy and published some of the content.
Sorting through all the stuff in the AP recap, such as Carter's problems with the Kennedy's, Tip O'Neil and other politicos on both sides of the aisle, actually pretty boring same old, same old, he said a couple of things that led me to write my opening comment today.
First and foremost he suggested that a lot of his problems stemmed from the fact that a lot of his constituents didn't agree with his ideas and decisions after he was elected, but he apparently didn't learn that till after he was later voted out of office. Primarily because, while serving as president, he didn't ask them what they thought, just moved ahead on his own agenda.
He also said he was disappointed by how many Jewish folks don't like him, and gives the impression that if they're going to judge him solely on his track record, they're wrong. Because, despite the fact that he's been trying to do them in forever, he thinks they should be more understanding of him. And just because he's a fervent supporter of Israel's enemies doesn't mean Jews shouldn't like him.
However, the part I liked best was when he apparently said he's surprised at how many of the problems he faced when president, Obama's confronting now. So, let's see. Why should that still be the case thirty-four years later? Could it be that two unprepared idealists attempted to pursue agendas serving no one but themselves and their totally misguided beliefs?
Or could it be that both guys went down roads that made neither political or economic sense to try to fulfill some upside-down cause to make the United States weaker and homogenize us with the rest of the world?
And, as I typed that last line, another thought hit me that I remember well since I was in the finance business when Carter presided. He served from 1977 to 1981 and on December 19, 1980 the prime lending rate hit 21.5%, the highest it's ever been recorded and lending came to a halt. The country went through a period of "stagflation," with prices rising rapidly and business, more or less, standing still.
I recall the man I was working for at the time, a world class financial genius, saying that we were closing our equipment financing operation because he wouldn't lend money to any business that would pay those kind of those rates.
So, now let's review the similarities that Mr. Carter sees between his administration and Obama's. Both marched to their own tune while in office, both have little regard for business and no understanding of finance or economics, both want the current Middle East power structure to fail, primarily Israel, both have no regard for so-called constituents in congress and both are surprised that their popularity dropped like a rock during their first terms in office.
Well, they say that history repeats itself, and I think that's been proven many times over. So, thirty-four years from now I guess another book will hit the shelves wherein former president Obama explains his surprise at another incumbent's misfortune in office while trying to implement sixty-four year old imbecilic ideas.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
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