Who is old enough to remember the feeling in the country when Nixon was President...?

Question

are we approaching that same feeling?

Thank you all, some really great answers, I'm thinking this one over. I also remember the Kennedy killing and the feeling in our country at that time.

Answer 1

Like Mopar, I graduated high school the year Nixon "resigned" -- was forced out in disgrace. I was one of the few liberals in a conservative community, and I saw that national opinions of Nixon up to the end of his administration were divided fairly clearly along generational lines. However, most liberals of all ages were still idealistic enough then to be shocked by the level of corruption behind the scenes of the Nixon presidency. By the time the long shameful story of Watergate unfolded, the feeling of disillusionment was so widespread that most people of all ages and political viewpoints agreed with John Dean that "there is (was) a cancer in the presidency," and the primary tumor (Nixon) should be removed. That sense of anger at politicians and disappointment in the traditional power structure has never quite gone away. The next popularly elected president was Jimmy Carter, who won on a platform of being an outsider to traditional politics.

I think the current feeling is partially an outgrowth of that sentiment, but it also reflects other influences. One is a disgust at the seeming loss of bipartisan cooperation -- something that has developed more recently with the rise of neoconservatism. Another is shock at the rather obvious lack of intelligence of Dubya and the sense that he is merely a puppet of more scheming puppetmasters -- Cheney, Rove, et al. Nixon, whatever his flaws (and there were many), was extremely protective of his authority and many of his crimes were motivated by his nearly paranoid attempts to retain that authority. Finally, when Nixon was president and his wrongs came to light, most people believed that the traditional processes would work to remove him. Now, no one has that hope.

Bottom line -- yes, there is again that sense of increasing disapproval and disgust, but we also feel paralyzed by our sense of helplessness.

Answer 2

I remember it very well. No we are not even close. Bush has the same problems as Nixon had, bad advisors, and a good economy. Nixon and his wife were alcholholics to boot. He had little or no common sense and was extremly paranoid.
The difference in the people is paramont in this discussion. Back then we had Priests go to jail over the war and the president. We had kids die at Kent State University, We had days of rage, when cities were shut down. We wrote letters and made phone calls to Senators and Representatives. They eventually worked. Barry Goldwater, from Arizona and several other senators convinced Nixon to quit.
Now, we have people on here calling names. The majority of them are parroting old tired cliches. Very few know who their congressman or senator is, or how to contact them. We have decided lack of interest. Christmas of 73 was bleak, the Capitol Mall in Washington D.C. had protestors camping out in the winter. Now we have people waiting for a Wii game, camping out in the winter. We have people driving SUVs to Starbucks and talking about the latest Hollywood scandal. They cannot be bothered to write even an e-mail. My next door neighbor, 30 years old, does not even know exactly where Iraq is. But he knows Beyonce's measurements.

No it is not the same feeling. There is little or no feeling now. I remember 2 page editorials about the war and Nixon. Now the biggest letter to the editor was complaining about not being able to see the Dallas Cowboys play on the local cable.

Answer 3

I am old enough to remember Richard Nixon. I did not vote for him, however I supported the presidency as most people did at the time. When the Watergate issue surfaced confidence in the President dimished greatly. Once he resigned the nation started to heal, however when President Ford issued the "pardon" for Nixon, the nation (in my personal feelings) was suprised and hurt. Obviously many people felt that way as Gerald Ford LOST the next election to Jimmy Carter ( a relatively unknown candidate).

Answer 4

Hi,,, you have no idea what turmoil this country had gone thru before Nixon.... Nixon did not start the Viet Nam war.... that was Johnson more than Kennedy.... Between the Kennedy assination and then the draft... and all the BS,, that was being fed to us... What is going on now ,, is notthing but pure retaliation...

Has everyone forgotten that we were attacked on 9-1-01???

This war is not here,, be dlad it is over there,, can you imagine if bombs were going off here in America all the time!!!! You quit fighting there and see what happens....

good luck

Answer 5

I am 69 and remember well the Nixon years. I really think in many ways he was the greatest President of the 20th Century, especially in his keen understanding of foreign policy. However, he also had the least common sense and was so paranoid, he did some very dumb things!! I do not see a comparison between then and now because then we were dealing with legal issues; now we are dealing with moral issues.

Chow!!

Answer 6

remember well the Nixon years and felt like everyone else there were some major mistakes which were done. however, no matter who is in the office he is my President right or wrong. personally felt there were things done Nixon was not aware of but this is a moot point. we are not approaching the same feeling

Answer 7

I graduated from High School when Nixon left office
are we approaching the same feeling.. nowhere close to the anger, hatred, feeling of lied to as we did then

Answer 8

I am, and no we're not.

People REALLY wanted Nixon out and in jail. People were extremely upset with Ford for his decision to pardon Nixon. History vindicated Ford.

There is a lot of anger and cynicism about Bush, but we're not at Nixonian levels. I'm anti-Bush and even I'll concede that.

Answer 9

Yes I remember Nixon, didn't like ole tricky Dick. No we are not approaching the same feeling, we have surpased it by far. We are in a war that just shouldn't have happened--Bush lied to us and he lied to congress and my personal feelings is the whitehouse outed a CIA spy, which is against the law. The man that I feel is trying to be a tyrant should have been hanging beside Sadam.

Answer 10

I remember the most prominent opinion being expressed was disgust with politics and politicians. I believe that episode with Watergate was the beginning of so many people losing interest in politics and just quit voting or taking part in elections. That incident has painted all politicians as crooks and liars to many people.