The stories we tell

The truth is that our perceived reality is not simply shaped by facts and events, it is shaped by the stories we tell about those facts and events. And those stories tell us a lot about who we are as a culture.

Case in point: Most of us have heard the story that President Obama is a bad negotiator - that he compromises too much with the opposition and is therefore a weak leader. The assumption is that the Republicans are emboldened by this and that tilts the balance of power to the right.

I'd like to suggest that that story is based on our ideas about power as dominance...something I've talked about before, rather than the actual facts of the situation.

Here's another story we could tell: From day one of his Presidency, Obama has laid out goals. He has also said that he is open to ideas from everyone - including Republicans - about how to reach those goals. Over and over again, he's been willing to be pragmatic and support strategies that Republicans have traditionally promoted if he thinks they'll be effective.

If you are the Republican opposition and your primary goal is to see him be a one term President, how do you respond? To cooperate with him only strengthens his position - even if it means supporting your own policies. So we've seen what the Republicans have done. They've become the "party of no" and obstructed everything President Obama has tried to do - regardless of how much it complies with things they've tried to do in the past.

The important thing to notice is that, in this process, Republicans have painted themselves into a smaller and smaller corner of extremism with almost no policy positions to stand on except "no taxes" and getting rid of entitlement programs. Have you noticed that they have no other agenda?

The question is - how's that agenda working out for them? They have zero accomplishments to run on since gaining back a majority in the House other than taking the country to the brink of economic chaos over the debt limit. And the American voter is none too happy with them.

Only 24% of those surveyed say most members of Congress deserve re-election, the lowest standing since Gallup began asking the question in 1991...

If congressional elections were held today, Americans by 49%-45% say they would vote for the Democratic candidate over the Republican.

Now...you tell me who looks weak.

See what a difference the stories we tell can make.