Political Pragmatism...a way to get power...and keep it

prag·ma·tism
1. Philosophy A movement consisting of varying but associated theories, originally developed by Charles S. Peirce and William James and distinguished by the doctrine that the meaning of an idea or a proposition lies in its observable practical consequences.
2. A practical, matter-of-fact way of approaching or assessing situations or of solving problems.

Political pragmatism could be defined as a practical, matter-of-fact approach to gaining power...and keeping it.

Obama has been called by many journalists some version of being an eloquent, elegant, practitioner of political pragmatism.

That’s why we the people have to pay special attention to what is happening to our country. Just because the election is over we can not stop being active…being engaged…and letting our elected officials know what we want…over and over.

Political pragmatics do whatever they have to do to get and keep power. No one in their right mind believes that Obama could possible do all the things for all the people that he promised to do during the campaign, however, he is going to do enough to make sure he stays in power for eight years…whatever it takes…that is the Chicago way.

It would not bother me if Obama stayed in power for eight years if I had even a little belief that he has the best interest of the general population of the United States in mind when making decisions. Based upon what I have read and heard I have a hard time believing that he is going to “reach across the aisle” to heal America. That he is going to put the hardworking taxpayers first. I believe that he is going to do what is politically pragmatic to keep the power he has won. (That does not make him an unusual politician by the way…it is just that his ideology is so far to the left of what I believe in and what I believe to be the beliefs of many others in the United States...we just need to speak up more!)

I have a short list of immediate issues that I am concerned about.

1. Freedom of Choice Act. Obama has promised Planned Parenthood that this will be one of his first acts. (See blog on this.)
2. Defense budget cuts. Are you kidding me?
3. The Fairness Doctrine. This should be named the UNFAIR Doctrine.
4. Immigration.
5. Employee Free Choice Act. Another one of those nice sounding names that mean the opposite.
6. Global Poverty Act. More spreading the wealth…only this time internationally. (See blog)
7. and of course the ECONOMY…estate taxes, income taxes, capital gain taxes, etc.

(I get suspicious if I see the words Freedom, Choice, Free, Fair, Poverty, Global or their derivatives in a bill. Politicians are tricky.)