Less Respected

Well, another myth falls by the wayside...remember back in the dreamy days of 2008 when the sea levels were going to fall and the world was going to be made anew?  Remember when our young prophet spoke from the oracle in Denver and told us that if we only elected him that all would be right with the world, that Americans would be respected and loved around the world?  Ahh yes, how with a little bit of love the North Koreans, Iranians, Cubanos and Chavesistas would set aside their evil thoughts and embrace our new leader singing a stirring chorus of the "Ode to Joy" with full symphonic accompaniment....or at least a verse or two of "Kumbaya" with a Hawaiian ukelele? Boy reality does suck, doesn't it?

Here are the latest results from a poll conducted by Democracy Corps  (pronounced "corpse"):

The Democracy Corps-Third Way survey released Monday finds that by a 10-point margin -- 51 percent to 41 percent -- Americans think the standing of the U.S. dropped during the first 13 months of Mr. Obama's presidency.

"This is surprising, given the global acclaim and Nobel peace prize that flowed to the new president after he took office," said pollsters for the liberal-leaning organizations.

Fortunately, for the anointed one, there are still true believers that are working hard to do their part to heal the economy...here's one such entrepreneurial venture:

Hey, this little tyke is a full 20" high!  You can put him on your dining room table as a centerpiece, hold hands and chant "hope, change, hope, change" till you pass out!  Gotta love that slogan on the t-shirt too: "The Birth of Hope, January 20, 2009."  Sad fact is that there are actually people who believe that.

Perhaps, if America learns a collective lesson, it is this: governance is serious business best left to adults. We can also remind ourselves that rhetoric devoid of substance is a cruel gruel to swallow when facts intervene.  I take solace in my faith in the goodness of the American people and trust in them not the lunatics we elect.  I think the lesson is already sinking in...take a look at this sinking ship:

Now the little blip upwards from a week ago is a little disturbing as it shows that Obama can still fake a telegenic appearance and look "leaderly."  The quick snap back to the double digit disapproval index however shows we are collectively wising up to the act.