Does it scare you to know that so many people think it is wrong to question the president's decisions?

Question

It scares the heck out of me to read some of the answers on here. Are people who think it is wrong to question or speak against a president's decisions in danger of following another "Hitler" type leader? Blind allegiance is a frightening prospect!

I am specifically referring to an answer I read from a "Samantha T" to the question posted by Chainsaw that compared CEOs to the president. This was her response:

Good point, he is elected by us to run the country. The same way many big corp, CEO's are. And it's true not a chance in hell you would question your boss, even though you got him elected, once he is in office he makes the rules!

I'm not picking on her. This is just the most recent example of this attitude I happened to read. And I still say it is a very frightening and dangerous attitude to hold.

Please don't go there! I was in no way comparing President Bush to Hitler. I was comparing the blind loyalty that was prevelant in Germany during his reign to the blind loyalty some people have to the president. They are the ones who think it is somehow unpatriotic or disrespectful to ask questions and disagree with the person in power.

Answer 1

I agree 100%. Blind loyalty is the root of all evil! It's no coincidence that God warned us TWICE in the space of a mere 10 Commandments against committing idolatry. It's so easy to do it, without even realizing you're doing it!

Answer 2

Nobody thinks it's wrong to question the President's decisions.

However, most people throughout the world, believe it's best to support the leader of whatever group you belong to. A wise man knows that you don't tear down the entire group/country just because of a difference of opinion. It's each individuals personal choice when to stand out and and why. Choosing not to stand at any given time (specifically the time you deem fit) is not blind allegiance.
Anyone who doesn't understand this cannot see the forest for the one tree with gnarly bark that seems much larger than life.

Answer 3

Intelligent post. I was in high school during Eisenshower's second term. I've voted in every Presidential election since Goldwater. This doesn't make me special, just a baby boomer. I do have a perspective based in experience with 11 Presidential Administrations. I did experience the US Army under the draft, and I served in War time when thousands did not. You articulate serious concerns, and you will not get articulated responses. I have witnessed the American People make corrections, through the ballot, these past 45 years. I encourage you to have faith in the People, millions upon millions in America share your observations and your concerns. Dissent is the breath of our Democracy, the American People will prevail as will common sense.

Answer 4

The those people think it's wrong to question Bush is because of the state of war we're in right now. They think it's unpatriotic to question a US President who's in the middle of a war even if he's made some monumental mistakes that have only made the war worse not better. And when they don't trust the "mainstream" liberal media and they only watch Fox News (the Neo Con network) they actually start believing the lies that Bush tells on a regular basis. This makes it impossible try convince these Bush supporters of the truth/facts.

Answer 5

I'm not sure I call it being scared. But I do find it concerning. It makes me really sad when they can't explain things...so they call people names,who don't agree with them.
And, about Hitler. His grandfather financially supported Hitler....and his Great grandfather got into a heap of trouble as well. So, perhaps there is a connection. Who knows? Those who support Bush aren't in his every day life. How can they say Bush doesn't admire Hitler? You think he's gonna say it publicly? I don't think so.

And yes....blind allegiance is a frightening prospect!

Answer 6

To the Bush-Bots who think it is unpatriotic to question Generalissimo El Busho, I remind them of this great quote by no other than an icon of the GOP, President Teddy Roosevelt:

"The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else."

-Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star
May 7, 1918


Aloha

Answer 7

It does. When I've questioned the president's decisions or motives on this site I get allot of "You don't know what you're talking about" and "you just don't understand". OK, maybe I am a little dim, but I'd like to understand. I'd like to know what really motivates G.W. It's tough to get a clear picture when his stated motives end up being completely unreal (Saddam and Osama, W.M.D.s, freedom and democracy, etc.). It's like all American citizens are a bunch of dumb kids who have to be lied to for our protection and wait huddled in the corner while the big boys sort it out. Very demeaning.

Answer 8

I have no problem with people questioning any of the presidents decisions. I DO have a problem with the way individuals disrespect the Office of the President. It is possible to question the president without demeaning the president as a person, the Office of the President, or the United States of America.

Kind of like your Hitler comment. That adds nothing substantive to your question.

Answer 9

If you are actually using intelligent discussion to questions the President then you are welcome to question the President and his decisions. When the arguments come in and people tell you to stop is when its the repeat it until people believe it stuff like -

War for Oil
Lied about intelligence in Iraq
Terrible Economy
Stole the Election
etc...

Then you will hear the truth.

And keep in mind that a large portion of the folks on here are not what can be called informed or thoughtful about politics. Thats why you get the types of answers you do.

Answer 10

Sheep aren't carnivores, so there's nothing to be afraid of. And don't worry, there are people who question not just the president, but all the bureaucrats who say one thing and do something else. Read "Addicted to War" by Joel Andreas; it's cheap, and it goes into more detail.

Answer 11

Yeah.

Kind of like when the American populace doesn't express outrage or question Bush when Bush has stated the constitution is nothing more than a piece of paper or when Bush stated that everything would be easier if this were a dictatorship, as long as he were the dictator.