The Blame Game

WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA took office, and soon thereafter the criticism about his job performance began hitting the fan, he began the habit of reminding the public that the economic situation he inherited from the previous administration was absolutely horrible, and that it would take him, or anybody else, a very long time to fix it.

And so be it. Most of us could understand what he was talking about, an generally agree with it.

But then time went by, and he kept reminding us, over, and over again, And it got to the point where some of us began to wonder how many more times he was going to issue this reminder, and how deep into his time as president the reminder would continue,and, in general, how long can someone become president and continue to blame undesirable conditions on the past.

Would Obama have more respect right now if he had never bothered to play the blame game, but instead had simply gone charging in, doing anything he could to help, never making reference to perceived blunders of his predecessor?

President Truman might have had many faults, and made many mistakes. He was crass, crude, and irascible, somewhat of a war monger, but he had two redeeming qualities which characterized him.

He was absolutely, totally straight and honest, and he took responsibility. "The Buck Stops Here" remains his signature, the sign that sat atop his desk in the white house during his entire term in office.

" No on among us is fortunate enough to escape both praise and blame.", according to the great german writer johann wolfgang von goethe.  The U.S. of A.ssignment of praise and blame. In the legalistic cobweb that is american culture, the blame game assume monumental proportions, and we all participate.

I would gladly throw away all the praise I have ever received from  others, if I could throw out the blame with it. A Guilt free, pride free, praiseless and blameless society. Such a thing is too good to hope for, but still worth dreaming about.