AND WHAT COULD THE MATTER BE? – MAYBE THIS – AT 9:24 A.M. ET:  A big chunk of the real America isn't afraid to use the "s" ism when speaking about the president of the United States.  That is not adding to his popularity:

(CNSNews.com) – A New York Times/CBS News poll found that a majority of Americans, 52 percent, think the policies of President Barack Obama are moving the United States toward socialism.

Of course, the intellectual elites believe the American people don't know what socialism is.  I think they have a pretty good idea, if not a theoretical knowledge.

Published April 14, the poll surveyed the political, racial, and social opinions of both the general pubic and self-described members of the tea party movement. It found that while tea party participants are generally more conservative than the broader population, they are also better educated and slightly more successful.

The poll found that almost the entirety of the tea party movement – 92 percent – shared the views of most Americans that Obama was turning the United States into a socialist country.

The poll asked respondents specifically whether the president’s policies “are moving the country more toward socialism.” Fifty-two percent answered “toward socialism” while only 38 percent answered “not toward socialism.”

The president was quoted yesterday as saying that Americans are opposing him because they're frightened of altering the status quo, even when the status quo isn't working for them.  There's some truth to that.  People generally are resistant to change.  However, the introduction of Social Security and Medicare did not frighten most Americans because they understood how the programs would work, and that they would be insurance plans, with payments paid in. 

The president's statement contained breathtaking arrogance:

"Change is never easy, I don't know if you've noticed that," he said. "People hold onto the status quo, even when the status quo is not working for them."

The president pointed out that most American workers received a tax cut under the 2009 stimulus plan and said he's "been amused in recent days by these people having rallies" -- a reference to Tea Party events across the country to protest taxes.

"I think they should be saying thank you," he said.

Well, excuse me!  Mr. President, we don't thank public officials for returning our own money to us.  It's like thanking Citibank for allowing us to make a withdrawal. 

Obama doesn't get the tea parties.  The tea partiers are worried about vast expansions in spending, deficits and the national debt.  They also worry about ballooning tax increases to come.  They aren't in a "thank you, dear leader" mood.

April 16, 2010