I hate to hear people criticize the President. It’s not that I’m a fan-boy, it’s just that it’s wrong. I know it’s a free country but what gives anyone the right to publicly denounce this or any other President? I don’t intend for this to sound like a rant, but consider the following:
- God puts our authorities in place. Not man. Who are we to criticize God’s choice of leaders?
- Just because we can doesn’t mean we should. I don’t think that our foundational right of freedom gives us the right to judge or criticize others.
- It makes us look bad to other countries. The negative tends to outweigh the positive. So what are we communicating to other countries when we start calling our President an idiot?
- The current population of the US is 301,139,947 people. The President has the ability to effect all of us. What would your response be if even a single individual attacked you?
Do you agree? Do you think I’m wrong? Leave a comment and tell me what you think.
UPDATE: I should point out that this post was intended to spark discussion, it is not my actual view. I think it has served its purpose well enough. Thanks to everyone who engaged in the discussion!
Photo by a2gemma
6 Comments
No matter which of the two candidates becomes Commander in Chief, I’m afraid that the next 4 years are going to remind folks why “W” is/was the right president for us during these post 9-11 days. I hope I’m wrong.
PS. You only lapped me by 1,430,198, and that wouldn’t've (is that in the dictionary yet?) happened if I had posted yesterday
The idea of not criticizing most powerful politician in you country is a bizare, and as far as I am aware, uniquely American one. Stating one’s opinion on how the country should be run is part of being involved in the political process: refusing to take part is wimping out.
I don’t get what you’re saying with point four. The President can affect every single person in the USA, and lot outside (he can’t effect anyone, though). This seems to me like a good reason for keeping him under scrutiny, ensuring the job is being done well. As for what I’d do if a single individual attacked me, I think I need to say that I’m put in this position nearly every day, as a result of my job. I’ve not yet been physically attacked, but verbally many times. My response is to remain polite, and ensure I’m doing my job well: I take it you had a different response in mind?
Good points Nickoli. I could be wrong. As far as point 4 I’m just attacking the president could cause him to retaliate, rather than fix the problems being criticized. I’d hope he wouldn’t but I’m sure it’s not unheard of.
How could a President retaliate, other than in words? If he chooses to retaliate against a large proportion of the population, he is ruining himself and his legacy (something most top politians care about deeply).
As for the question in your email (”So do you think that criticizing others is biblical?”), I don’t believe that name-calling meets the standards God sets out for us live up to in the Bible; but rebuke, correction, and exhorting others to act in accordance with God’s will is something we are positively encouraged to do (2 Timothy 3 v16 springs to mind as a good example of this). Saying “President X is stupid” isn’t helpful, but saying “President X’s policy on Y is stupid” is at least heading towards being useful.
I think that if you disagree with the President or the administration, it is very nearly a patriotic duty to let others know of your disagreement. Citizens of the US and many other “western” countries are fortunate to live in democracies, where they can influence the system of the government and have a say as to who is in power. Don’t forget that a democracy is about people - from the Greek “demos”, or people. It’s not about God - that’s a theocracy. Therefore, given that it is the people in a democracy who have a say in who runs the country and what they do whilst in power, I think that it is essential that people talk about whether they are happy with the current government, or whether they think things should change. The ability to have such discussions is vital to a vibrant, flourishing democracy.
With all due respect, I wholeheartedly disagree. It is our right, privilege and responsibility to take part in our government, oversee our politicians and help direct the future of our country. It is, in fact, imperative that we keep an ongoing dialogue about the state of our country and government.
If our politicians are good and honorable, they deserve praise, thanks and re-election. If, on the other hand, they are selfish, stupid and shortsighted, it would be foolish and cowardly to not oppose them and what they stand for AND SPEAK OUT ABOUT THE MISUSE OR ABUSE OF THE POWER WE AS VOTERS ENTRUSTED TO THEM TO USE WISELY.
I defer to Edmund Burke who said it best: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”.
We are lucky enough to live in one of the few countries where it is possible to question your government without fear of retribution. To not avail ourselves of that right is a disservice to the rest of the world where such freedom is desperately wanted and needed.