Background Article

8. Jimmy Carter - Barack Obama

Those of us who live long enough to witness history can't help but see parallels today with what came before.  A case in point:

The U.S. in 1975 was tired and drained from the effects of the Vietnam War. The nation was also torn apart with the Watergate Scandal and the forced resignation of then President Nixon in 1974. The nation suffered in 1973 from the Arab oil embargo which caused dramatic shortfalls of gasoline and heating oil. The economy went into recession in 1974 and 1975 and inflation was soaring... The appointed Gerald Ford was not a dynamic leader while completing the 2.5 years remaining in Nixon's term of office.  So guess what? A complete unknown, a Washington outsider, a bright but politically naive Democratic candidate named Jimmy Carter came along. He was a breath of fresh air to the electorate; having a one term governorship and limited experience as a state senator on his resume... promising CHANGE.. Wow... did the U.S. get change? Yes!  Four years of runaway high interest rates, 16% inflation, more gasoline shortages, deregulation of the airline, railroad and trucking industries, Carter firing of his entire cabinet, the Bert Lance affair, 444 days of the Iranian hostage crisis precipitated by Carter accepting the deposed Shaw of Iran into the U.S. for medical treatment, and a revolt from within Carter's own party to dump him for Ted Kennedy. Carter went from a more than 70 per cent approval rating to a low of 22 per cent. 

Fast Forward to 2008.... the democratically controlled Congress and Senate's public approval rating falls to an unprecedented 15%. The voters are tired of a two term president who has trouble articulating, who dramatically expanded the size of the federal government, who pandered to Mexico and Latino voters in allowing unlimited illegal immigration from the south, who spent money like a drunken sailor, and who seriously mismanaged the post Iraq invasion in Iraq, but who also expanded the economy and lowered taxes; but few remember the good parts of his presidency. Washington becomes indebted to over 40,000 registered lobbyists where their special interest wants to overshadow the needs of the country.  There is a feeling that no one in Washington is representing the people.  A sharp divide arises between the left and the right and political climate becomes toxic.  Federal deficits soar out of control, entitlement programs explode, political correctness and minority rights reach new heights of exploitation, the media openly loses its ability to provide even a semblance of balanced reporting and becomes completely driven to slanted and irresponsible political reporting on the side of the left. The nation is somewhat war weary from the 5 years and counting Iraq war. America is unable to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and energy shortages abound creating record high gasoline, heating oil and natural gas prices. Alternative sources of energy are now in vogue. Inaccurate global warming claims by some scientists are amplified by filmmakers, the news media, teachers and many activists. The once great infrastructure is showing signs of wear and is becoming outdated. Millions of manufacturing jobs are lost to China, India, Mexico and others along with many farm based, agricultural and service related positions. America becomes an importing giant and an exporting has-been. 

Now, just before the presidential election, we have a financial meltdown the likes of which has not been seen since 1973. Inflation is about to rear its ugly head once again and unemployment is rising dramatically. Terrorism is still on the march in areas around the globe. The Republicans, not unlike Gerald Ford of 1975, have fielded a weak candidate. In comes another Jimmy Carter, a Democrat named Barack Obama, but this time he's also a visible minority with strong ties to former terrorists.  And he is a closet Marxist. He is young, good looking with a messiah-like manner offering simple answers to complex questions. He is shielded and protected by the media whose job it is to investigate and report the facts but who fail completely in their professional responsibility.  Americans have gone from being weary to being scared.  They want a leader who will offer CHANGE.  One who can make it all well again.  The barbarians are at the gate!  

Obama is cast by the press in the Roosevelt mould, one who promises to use the government (tax dollars and bureacracy) to protect the people from the perils of the times.  Barack is a former muslim, who knows little to nothing about economics, diplomacy, or military strategy, with no private sector business experience.  In short, he is a populist. A product of the times so to speak, who was even quite anti-American in his beliefs and rhetoric before the light of national politics caused him to publicly morph into a savior.  Will he be elected in November?  Well folks.. just look to 1975 and Jimmy Carter and the parallels that exist today with those bygone days.... 

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