Will Obama's change be able to "change" the DC atmosphere? (Washington: home, neighborhood)

[LIS123]

Obama did take some steps towards tightening the rules on lobbying, but he remains beholden to special interests. I don't say this as an insult as it's hard to get that far without being in this situation. Look around town for all the union banners congratulating Obama/Biden and even an AFL CIO banner welcoming his daughters by name. They are definitely pressuring him on EFCA/card check.

He's not going to change the type of people that live in this area. Doing this is not part of his duty as President and, if he fails to change the type of people living in this area, it is not a failure. It's irrelevant.

[saganista]

There are 5+ million people in the DC area. Most of them had nothing to do with Bush and won't have anything to do with Obama. They just live and work here or go to school or sit around being retired. And for the most part, they picked a really nice area to do it in, too. Why would anybody leave just because a new administration has been installed...

[bogfrog]

Where I work, things have already changed. Of course, I work in a pretty multi-racial (and international) hospital. But, there is a major change in outlook already and more mutual respect.

[rlchurch]

People who live in Virgina will forever be envious to those who live in the District, regardless of who is president.

[Bluefly]

If anything Obama will make it worse. Obama represents the special interests and power-crazed lunatics that live and work in DC and look down on anyone who aint them.

You have absolutely no evidence for this absurd claim. Obama's fund raising was renowned for its broad participation - and that is a verifiable fact.

God, the vitrol people have for anyone with whom they disagree. The founders of this country were at each others' throats for months hammering out one of the most brilliant philosophical documents in human history. Obama's inaugural message was "it's time to grow up and stop acting childish". His transition and first days indicate he is doing just that. Bringing in people with experience to get stuff done in federal politics is not bad so long as he guides the political philosophy. I'm not sure what people hated so much about the 90s anyway - whether it was the peace, the prosperity, the transition to an entirely new technological economy, or the fact that we had nothing to worry about but political power grabs masked as moralistic tabloid scandels. Perhaps we can make another transition to a renewable energy economy.

If nothing else changes in DC, perhaps that will be enough. Starts with you.

[JimGriffith]

Man, this thread takes me back. I remember when Bill Clinton ushered in a new era of hope and change.

Whatever changes the "DC atmosphere" needs to make, they are well beyond the ability of whoever's in the Oval Office.

That's as it should be, IMHO. DC citizens are responsible for DC. We're not supposed to be royal subjects, as much as it feels that way sometimes.

[Bluefly]

and Clinton more or less delivered.

You should try to move, Jim. You just seem to use every opportunity to bash DC.

[JimGriffith]

Thanks for the advice.

I didn't think anything I posted here was a "bash" against DC.

I just find it hilarious the idea that our new President's attitude will "radiate throughout the area," causing us to drive out the "smug evil lobbyists, preppie-turned-yuppies," etc. yada yada yada we all know what the OP wrote.

That's just not a criticism of DC. Frankly I think it'd be rather pathetic for the city's entire complexion to change as administrations come and go.

You think the man from hope delivered change we can believe in for DC? Fine by me. I lived in Brookland for a stretch in the mid-90s, and I didn't notice. Things were slowly starting to get better then, but it wasn't utopia.

In fact, a lot of people would say that DC was never, ever better than it was during the past eight years, despite all the smug evil lobbyists and boys of privilege wearing pink polo shirts around Glover Park.

My main point is Obama is the President, not the mayor or city council member. His time is not best spent on local issues, and DC will change as part of an organic process, not because of any radiating attitudes.

[Alanboy395]

Originally Posted by rlchurch

People who live in Virgina will forever be envious to those who live in the District, regardless of who is president.

I live in Virginia and i dont envy anyone who has to live in DC.

Please if you are going to bash my state at least get the spelling correct.

[Alanboy395]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

You have absolutely no evidence for this absurd claim. Obama's fund raising was renowned for its broad participation - and that is a verifiable fact.

God, the vitrol people have for anyone with whom they disagree. The founders of this country were at each others' throats for months hammering out one of the most brilliant philosophical documents in human history. Obama's inaugural message was "it's time to grow up and stop acting childish". His transition and first days indicate he is doing just that. Bringing in people with experience to get stuff done in federal politics is not bad so long as he guides the political philosophy. I'm not sure what people hated so much about the 90s anyway - whether it was the peace, the prosperity, the transition to an entirely new technological economy, or the fact that we had nothing to worry about but political power grabs masked as moralistic tabloid scandels. Perhaps we can make another transition to a renewable energy economy.

If nothing else changes in DC, perhaps that will be enough. Starts with you.

Yep, it starts with me moving outta here.

But seriously i'm actually impressed with Obama's first week. He has been proactive and focused and to the point. I dont like his views but he has shown urgency, focus, and commitment which is something we aint had in awhile.