Obama Losing Ground

It was a matter of time, really, but Barack Obama's work getting the world to love the U.S. again has backlashed: his own citizens are starting to turn on him.

While many polls his supporters and those who support his ideas have remained around the same level as when the election took place, those undecided then have now joined the opponents' side - and nowhere is it as clear as when it comes to health care. Nate Silver analyses polls (and the idea of the reform and how it's not getting through) here. Food for thought, and a hell of a meal at that.

While it's true Conservatives are a lot more vocal than Liberals when voicing their discontent, a quick look at my Facebook page, my thousands of fans and friends and browsing groups in general shows a shift in public opinion, from Obama being revered 6 months ago to now being a ''socialist'', a Muslim (yeah, I know, those two never seem to go away), a threat to national security and - now - the Worst President Ever. How short a memory these people have is borderline ludicrous, of course, but the anger can certainly be felt.

And when asked to explain their views and feelings, many resort to ''politics is something I'd rather not discuss publicly with people''... then why the hell did you rant about your displeasure on your Facebook page and allow it to be seen by everyone?

Wisconsin musician Kevin Patrick had this to say about Jimmy Carter when someone mentionned at least he had reduced inflation:

reducing inflation?!? are you kidding, when he left office inflation was at 13%. The only president I can think of that is worse is Obama because he's heading down the same old tired socialist cradle to grave crap

Some online polls have Obama's appreciation rating at less than 30%; 71% are against his health plan, including some people who pay $1800 a year on insurance for two adults and two kids, who are convinced insurance companies will give their family everything they need because they pay a premium. Many don't want to end up ''like Canada, where people die waiting for life-saving surgeries''.

I, for one, am a little tired of those lies conveyed by the Fox News-types. It took me half an hour (that I deserved to wait anyhow because I got there early) to see a doctor last week. Life-threatning diseases are given appointments for operations on a case-to-case basis regarding need, and if you feel the wait is too long, you can always opt to get treated in England (for free) or ask the government to send you to the U.S. for it. You can also opt to pay a private clinic to do the work in less than 48 hours.

All in all, we have options. And the minimum care is always insured. How many people died waiting in line for an important surgery in the pasy 5 years? Five? How many people died in the U.S. from not having the funds to get help, or even just died in the parking lots of hospitals?

It's a silly debate to have, anyhow. A modern society should ensure its citizen's health, wealth and security. If Americans don't want to be a part of the 21st Century, it's their choice, but they should stop exporting their brand of Liberty Through War to those who don't want it, then, too, since most of the world has deemed ''universal health care'' a priority without actually being ''socialists''. Sometimes I wonder if those rednecks actually know what that word even means.