A Gem From Michael Barone

Michael Barone is a master of political trends and political history.  Today, he points out in his column the failure of president Obama to follow the traditional second term presidential route to try through compromise to achieve something meaningful during that term.  He coins the description for Obama's second term as the Era of Bad Feelings.  It truly is a good description.  Certainly since World War II, there has not been any period where the partisan differences have been so severe.  The idea of Washington as a place where our representatives struggle (and fight) to get things done that will help America is no longer valid.  Instead, it seems that the folks in Washington battle more ofter than not to help their party rather than their country.  Across America this same nasty and vicious attack on other Americans is widespread.  Just look at the recent events at Mozilla where the CEO and co-founder was forced out because it was discovered that five years ago he made a contribution to support a ballot initiative in California that said marriage was between one man and one woman.  The thought/speech police on the left went crazy and attacked in full force.  Just today, I saw an article on the Daily Beast by someone who was still denouncing the Mozilla ex CEO and comparing his political contribution to the statements made by Donald Stirling owner of the LA Clippers.  The blathering basher from the Beast is entitled to his views, but the mere existence of a widespread response to that political contribution is a testament to the level of irrational anger across the country.  Remember, the political initiative in California won.  It won in a very liberal state that is owned by the Democrats.  It not only won, but it merely parroted the stated views of the leaders of the Democrats at the time:  president Obama and Hillary Clinton.  Of course, there was no meaningful outrage when Obama and Hillary said the same thing.  The point is not just the intolerance of the left, it is the anger and upset that their methodology spreads across America.  Barone is right.