Barack Obama is desperately trying to bask in Nelson Mandela’s glow but to no avail. What did Mandela and Obama have in common? Mandela was a former Marxist, turned pragmatic politician; Obama is a Marxist ideologue. Both men were awarded the Nobel prize; Mandela earned his. Aside from the color of their skin, there are no more similarities.
Mandela, after prison, became a good and honest man. Obama, after five years in the White House, revealed himself to be despiteous, less than honest, a serial liar on health care, Benghazi, Fast & Furious, the budget, the auto industry, Israel, Iran, ad nauseum.
Mandela, the first black president of a democratic South Africa, united his country through his humility and grace. Obama, the first black president of a constitutional republic based on democratic principles, has divided his country through his narcissistic hubris.
Mandela used simple, declarative sentences that were easily understood. Obama’s sesquipedalian vocabulary obfuscates and perplexes, the “Orwellian newspeak” as practiced in 2013: terrorism is now a “man-caused disaster,” war is an “overseas contingency operation,” tax increases, a cost to the tax payer, are so-called “investments.”
Mandela was admired and loved by his countrymen. Half of Obama’s countrymen are totally disillusioned by his disdain for the constitution, America’s institutions and America itself. Obama is the first president of the United States to openly disrespect his own country by violating its laws and Constitution.
After his release from prison, Mandela promoted capitalism and entrepreneurship, not Marxism: South Africa prospered. Obama, in contrast, promotes Marxism, collectivism and confiscation: America still suffers after five years of so-called big government “solutions.”
Mandela successfully worked to unite black and white people in South Africa; Obama has successfully worked to divide black and white people in America. Mandela successfully worked to unite social classes in South Africa. Obama successfully worked to divide social classes in America.
Mandela consistently took the high road: he worked with his opposition, listened to their concerns and compromised when it made sense. Obama consistently avoids the high road: he attacks and demonizes his opponents, refuses to listen to their concerns by telling them, “I won. The election is over,” and refuses to compromise on any legislation.
The real contrast between Mandela and Obama: Mandela was a statesman, a great man, an honest man, and a patriot.