FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
President Obama is taking aim at the angry, anti-government rhetoric.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/05/03/art.protests.jpg caption="(GETTY IMAGES)"]
In a commencement speech, the president suggested this heated language is out-of-line and could be dangerous:
"At its worst, it can send signals to the most extreme elements of our society that perhaps violence is a justifiable response."
Just like it was for the colonists once upon a time when they got a bellyful of the English crown.
Peggy Noonan writes in the Wall Street Journal that the American people feel increasingly alienated from their government in Washington, which is ignoring public unrest and refusing to address big problems.
Noonan says that alienation often leads to deep animosity... which is in turn followed by quote "the breaking up of things."
Why is the public so steamed, you ask?
- Skyrocketing debt and deficits... Nothing done - only a commission with no authority.
- Immigration reform... Nothing done - forcing states like Arizona to take matters into its own hands.
- Health care reform... Something passed, but without a public option and with almost 2/3 of Americans opposed to the bill that did pass.
- Two wars - still being fought despite promises to end them.
- Climate change – nothing done.
- Gays in the military - nothing done.
- Campaign finance reform - nothing done.
- Financial reform - nothing done.
- Tax reform - nothing done.
- No trade agreements renegotiated to bring jobs back to the U.S.
- And, overseas - nothing done about Iran's nuclear program or Middle East peace. And the list goes on...
It's not whether we're angry - it's why do we continue to tolerate it.
Here’s my question to you: How do you feel about the rising level of public anger against the federal government?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Ryan writes:
Public anger at the government coincides with the wasting death of the true moderate. During the previous administration, politically polarized individuals took to the street to jeer, mock, and protest George W. Bush and his policies. During this administration, the same is happening. In each case, the "side" in power portrays the protests in a poor light, but to assume certain qualities are the province of a given group is a dangerous game. We can paint an angry person with the brush we like, but that will never change the simple fact that they are angry. We do ourselves a disservice when we fail to ask uncomfortable questions as to why that might be, and fall back on easy, often insulting answers.
Eric writes:
$10 trillion debt, $20 trillion debt, seems like the numbers don't matter anymore. Fact is the country can't support itself anymore, it's broke. Many states are worse off than Greece... Best scenario is starting over with an agenda-based limited credit and having what we need. How can such a small percentage of the population have 98% of the money?
Michael in Phoenix writes:
I feel it is about time. Our country has a ruling class that does not represent it citizens, which from my recollection, is one of the reasons this country was created in the first place.
Greg in Minneapolis writes:
Jack, Obama is getting his feelings hurt over legitimate criticism of doing nothing. There was no end to the criticism of the Bush administration before, during, and long after they were in office. And that criticism, some deserved, was trumpeted as "justified" by the same people who are complaining about criticism of the Obama Regime! There are words to describe this "double standard", but hypocrite is one of few that can be broadcast!
Betty writes:
We should be angry. They were hired to do a job and that job is to do the will of their constituents. They refuse to listen to their constituents and do that job. We've got to fire all of them in November, Democrat and Republican.