>His place of birth also was a "theme" from the beginning. Did he push that too? Seems to me that certain others must accept some responsibility for constantly pushing things into the limelight.

I'm not sure if this is what you're referring to, but his supporters have probably been guiltier than he has. A conservative radio personality whom I detest 99% of the time did manage to make one clever observation - the key individuals who promote Obama have done more damage than Obama himself. (I suspect you could say that about any political personality in the limelight).

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>Here's the problem I see: the pot always rears up in outrage when it calls the kettle black. Actually they're both dirty and unless they agree at least on that, the posturing will continue while the lot of Joe and Jane Average continues to decline.

I don't disagree and this is partly why I made the reference to the middle and lower middle class struggling during the current administration. (A fact that you and Bill F wanted to downplay).

Part of my anger (and it is anger) over the IRS targeting is that, left unchecked, it will probably happen again in another decade, with the political right using it to silence their opposition. Government shouldn't be using government to attack political opposition, PERIOD.

The DNC, specific Democratic members of Congress, the FEC, and the IRS Chief Counsel (an Obama appointee) have colluded to target conservative groups. The origins go back to the Supreme Court Citizens United Case, which scored a victory for conservatives. There is significant evidence of this. Obama may or may not be at the center of this, but he's done nothing of substance in reaction to it. It also doesn't make me a conservative. Left unchecked, the conservatives will surely find a way to even the score in years to come.