Denial Busters

Obama The Whistle-Blower Confronts Obama The Billionaire Spender

Dr. Hodges — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:53:46 +0000

The human mind continues to amaze. We can never overestimate how often a person unknowingly—unconsciously—sees himself so clearly in others, specifically in the “mistakes” of others. Such perceptions are the proverbial speck one can see so certainly in the eye of his neighbor while neglecting to notice the log in one’s own eye.

No single person in recent memory wears those particular glasses so well as our 44th president—Barack Obama. Having decided he was losing his case playing nice with the Republicans by offering concessions on the debt crisis in which he agreed to “cut spending,” he decided instead to come out swinging as a liberal—to “return to his roots.” He declared that it was time to “draw a line in the sand” as he aggressively pursued tax hikes for corporate high-fliers as well as billionaires and millionaires—the one group of Americans who were truly being indulged by the system. He told his people that opposing such tax raises was “indefensible” and that “this is a public argument we can and should win.”

But what his left brain giveth his right brain taketh away—meaning what his conscious (left brain) presents as a good idea, his intuitive unconscious (right brain which speaks through ideas) confesses that he is really talking about himself. Clearly he sees himself in the mirror of others. The subject is money and the question is who has the most and how their financial self-indulgence works to the detriment of America. I submit that there is no billionaire in the world who represents as much of a threat to our nation as does Obama. The U.S. government, of which he is the CEO, spends an extra $4.2 billion it does not have every single day of the year! This debilitating deficit-spending has put America $4 trillion in debt in just three short years.

And he wants more of your money. Obama’s deeper intelligence makes the point his surface mind misses—he is the self-indulgent, no accountability billionaire who needs to be confronted. The more things change the more things stay the same.

His compadres—the OWS: Occupy Wall Street protestors—busily berate greedy corporate America even as they indulge themselves in New York City’s money just to clean up their mess. Like Obama, they blatantly reveal their true, selfish selves with their demands posted for all the world to see. “Guaranteed living wage income regardless of employment;” a $20-an-hour minimum wage; free college education; forgiveness “of all debt on the entire planet period;” and “open borders” so “anyone can travel anywhere to work and live.” In the end, even for them it is all about money and, like Obama, they are shouting at themselves, at their secret sense of entitlement, their subtly masked greed. Like Obama, they want “open boundaries” so “anyone can do whatever they want when they want especially with your money.” As Obama said, we ought to be able to sell the public on the idea of reigning in such folks, people whose greed is “indefensible.”

Joining in the name-calling which echoes back in his face is Obama’s chief strategist David Axelrod who says Republicans have done “diabolically well” at creating a “dysfunctional political system.” This from the man who helped Obama create a mountain range of debt for your grandchildren, who fanned his trillion-dollar excesses. To most people, that is what truly embodies the definition of “diabolical.”

Taking it a step further in January of this year Obama appointed Jeffrey Immelt, General Electric Co.’ s CEO as head of his new economic advisory team to replace Paul Volker. Interestingly, General Electric had taken much of its business overseas earning $5 billion in tax free profits last year with plenty of money for political contributions and lobbyists. More than half of GE’s money comes from outside the Unites States. Such policies are bad for small business. More importantly we ask was Obama also speaking of his friends with “billionaire”’ companies who should pay their fair share or was his admonition just selective.

Obama to America: Feel My Pain

Dr. Hodges — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 18:58:48 +0000

Adults who were emotionally traumatized as children will often unconsciously re-enact their trauma on others. The greater their pain, the greater their re-enactment.

We know President Obama was emotionally traumatized as a child—but far more than almost anyone appreciates. Throughout his presidency, he has unconsciously communicated to us the pain he feels—usually through his actions, sometimes through his words.

Re-enactments of childhood trauma involve major denial by those who’ve been traumatized and are often expressed through actions called “projective identification” by psychiatrists. In essence a person through his actions makes you feel his deep pain inside—a key part of his “identity”—while remaining oblivious to the meaning of his actions (and his pain). He is giving you his emotional “hot potato” without realizing it consciously. Projective identification is an action—a behavior—filled with powerful emotions about which a person remains in denial.

Take for example, a neighbor (raised by an abusive father) who repeatedly runs over your mailbox accidentally and always “sincerely” apologizes. In short, your neighbor is making you feel his own pain of powerlessness and abuse with his ensuing anger—a core part of him—all the while in denial about the painful emotions behind his behavior. He’s short circuiting his pain, making you feel it instead as a proxy without saying a word.

On other occasions re-enactments of childhood trauma involve “projection,” a blind spot where a person sees his flaws in others—the so called “log in your eye” denial—oblivious to his own personal flaws. Obama re-enacts his deep traumas both with words (projection) and with actions (projective identification).

First we will look at his use of projection. He grew up with insecurity bred into him. His father was totally absent during his childhood, and his mother sent him to live with his grandparents in Hawaii while she lived in Indonesia after age 10. Obama developed strong feelings of abandonment—not realizing how great they were—which he described in his memoir, Dreams from My Father. In it, he tells stories about how emotionally traumatized children can become angry adults—but he has no idea he’s talking about himself, in total denial about his own deep pain and anger.

He points to an anger he harbors that is difficult for others to understand in an idealized president.

Dinesh D’Souza identified this anger in his book, The Roots of Obama’s Rage, attributing it to Obama adopting his socialist’s father anti-colonial anger. What D’Souza does not touch upon, though, is Obama’s “log in the eye” denials and his re-enactments of an inner crisis which are extremely pertinent to understanding this president.

The recent debt crisis debacle has been a powerful example. Obama tried to frighten those who rely on their Social Security checks each month, the military families who are barely scraping by, and those who rely on Medicare for medical treatment–insisting if the debt ceiling were not raised, checks would not be sent out. He threatened the security of millions of Americans.

Why? He was demonstrating a huge re-enactment. His own security is being threatened. First his re-election bid is in severe jeopardy, primarily due to our nation’s ailing economy. Because of this, he goes on the assault with the intention of making others feel his pain. Losing re-election would deal a major blow to his self-esteem. Instead of comforting Americans during this tough time, he tries to frighten us to the degree he feels frightened. Surely this fear also goes back to his deep abiding insecurity—when he was admittedly stressed by his absent father’s failure to provide financially.

Obama has made great use of fear tactics during his presidency. Words like “catastrophe,” “crisis,” and “disaster” litter his speeches. On Friday, July 23, he warned Congress that if the debt ceiling were not raised over the weekend, the following Monday would be a day of financial havoc when the Asian markets opened. Instead of inspiring confidence in a market that is extremely sensitive, President Obama created an ominous atmosphere. Once again he re-enacts his own fear on the country.

According to the Heritage Foundation, “The Obama Administration spent all weekend trying to talk down markets, hoping to make use of any artificial drop for political purposes. Never mind that the financial security of hundreds of millions of Americans and others would be injured in the process.”

During this debt crisis Obama also told Congress that it was time to “eat your peas.” His message was that Congress should grow up, show better judgment, become more disciplined and compromise where it is necessary–even though it doesn’t “taste” good. He was accusing Congress of being absent, slack on their job—the one who needed to “eat their peas.” Here we see another example of projection and re-enactment.

The facts are he failed to provide leadership in the “debt crisis” letting it develop with his out of control spending and failure to compromise—and then blamed the Republican Congress. Here he repeats what his absent role model father did to him—failed to nurture and teach him discipline when he was growing up. He re-enacts the behavior of his father who was slack on the job. Once again, we see yet another Obama projection—another blind spot where he sees his flaws in others and speaks about it–and another Obama re-enactment of his personal pain.

Now we look at a time where he speaks simply through his behavior—again what we call “projective identification”—and re-enacts on America his pain from his father the irresponsible leader. In August the poorly handled debt crisis and increasing jobs crisis led to a precipitous decline in the stock market which again panicked millions of Americans. Obama responds by going ahead with his vacation plans at $50,000-per-week (Martha’s Vineyard) and makes no effort to call the Congress back from recess to deal with the crisis. Here he inflicts on America the same absent father he had. Bill Clinton told us, “I feel your pain.” Obama says with his actions, “Feel my pain.”

The president is fueling a destructive system of perpetual crisis. He wants to transfer the pain that burns within his own life to the American people.

Appropriately it seems—for “The Absent President”—a few weeks later when the earthquake struck the East Coast Obama was on vacation playing golf and made no significant appearance. Next when devastating Hurricane Irene shortly lambasted the entire East Coast Obama again was enjoying golf and later having dinner with friends.

Obama Plays “Kick the Can” While America Suffers: The First Key to Understanding Obama: “Log in the Eye” Denial

Dr. Hodges — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:47:39 +0000

As I said previously, psychologists have recently discovered that as humans we possess an intuitive, unconscious super intelligence that is guided by a deeper, wiser moral compass. This moral compass tries to break through our repression and denial in order to lead us to the paths of wisdom. Often our unconscious “super-intel” moral compass is reflected in a “log in eye” denial.

This is a secret wisdom from the super intelligence.

A person’s super intelligence is at key moments communicating to those around him, whether he knows it or not. President Obama is a prime example.

On Monday night, July 25, I listened to President Obama’s address to the nation concerning our debt crisis.

“There’s no point in putting the economy at risk by kicking the can further down the road,” Obama said, speaking about Republican House Speaker John Boehner’s plan of cutting domestic spending by roughly $1.2 trillion, raising the debt ceiling by $1 trillion and extending the limit through 2012.

Kicking the can?

On July 5th Barack Obama again accused the Republicans of “kicking the can” by failing to seriously negotiate on a debt ceiling deal. The Republicans wanted to prevent raising the debt ceiling, but President Obama disagreed, wanting to raise it, increase tax revenue and spend more money.

Again, Republicans were the ones “kicking the can?”

For months Obama’s lack of leadership during the developing debt crisis allowed our nation’s financial situation to worsen. At the moment the debt crisis reaches the news headlines, the President decides to intervene by lecturing Congress on how it needs to “try to do some tough stuff.”

Think about his “kick the can” accusation. He’s essentially telling the Republicans: You’re playing a childish game. You’re not showing leadership. You’re indecisive. You’re going nowhere. You’re postponing a mature decision.

Could Obama’s comments, through his “log in the eye” denial, really reflect his own inexperience and inability to lead? Is his condescending, belittling tone and critical style of leadership inspiring anyone to follow him?

John Boehner has said numerous times that dealing with Obama is like “trying to negotiate with Jell-o.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell backed this up by saying that as long as Obama is in the White House, negotiating a real solution will be impossible. Both Republicans point to Barack Obama as the one playing a game of “kick the can” with the debt crisis.

Negotiations broke down so many times that finally Mr. Obama was excluded from the meetings between Republican and Democratic leaders.

President Obama continued his “log in the eye” denial by labeling the Republicans as the “party of no” and painting them as political predators for the rich who would snatch the Social Security checks out of the hands of millions of Americans and cut their Medicare.

In fact, he’s the “party of no”— no fiscal discipline. He is hell-bent on a massive increase in debt and entitlement spending, which will in the long-term undercut America’s economic growth and endanger the prosperity of all Americans, rich and poor alike.

Obama warned us in his Inaugural address that he wanted “to push the boundaries.” He has consistently had problems with setting boundaries. The debt ceiling is just another one of the boundaries he wants to push.

Our nation panicked when Moody’s and Standard & Poor warned that America’s AAA-rated bonds had a high chance of being down-graded. Both credit rating agencies suggested that no less than a $4 trillion reduction in debt over the next 10 years would prevent America’s credit rating from being reduced.

If we lose our AAA-rating, prices will rise. Americans are already suffering financially by this recession, the greatest one in 65 years. So many individuals are unemployed. Gasoline prices are painfully high. Food is costing us more.

Does Obama understand that this debt crisis is a crisis of debt and not so much about an arbitrary ceiling, or is he intentionally trying to sabotage America economically?

Wayne Allen Root stated rather bluntly, “Obama is economically murdering millions of people.” Also, remember that during his Senate days in 2006, Mr. Obama said: “The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure…It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally….America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.”

How is 2011 different from 2006?

In reality Obama is embodying what he called a “failure of leadership.” In his classic “log in the eye” denial he is failing to lead, and yet he is busy reprimanding everyone else and demanding more financial irresponsibility by asking for an increase in spending.

On July 15, Mr. Obama said, “We have a chance to stabilize America’s finances for a decade, 15 years or 20 years, if we’re willing to seize the moment.” In the same time frame he pointed to the problem, (with yet another familiar “log in his eye” denial) “the Republicans just don’t want to negotiate,” implying they needed to learn.
Now put his denials together with his 2006 comments: “We could stabilize America now if the Republicans would stop foolish negotiations—which occur as I said earlier when we have a debt problem and a leadership problem.” It is clear Obama is talking about himself, secretly telling Americans, “Seize the moment and stop me from continuously running up the debt and being a weak leader. Stop me from kicking the can of debt down the road.” This in a nutshell is how the super intelligence with its deeper moral compass speaks through “log in the eye” denials accompanied by direct or implied corrections. As always, super intelligence wisdom prevails. Here it’s the only logical way to stabilize a nation destabilized by debt.

Our super intelligence is capable of looking into the future to see where our misguided decisions will lead, all the while anticipating consequences. For example, Obama said in his Inaugural address: “The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works…whether it helps families find jobs…Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account— to spend wisely…”

In another “log in the eye” fashion, Obama’s mention of a government that’s “too big” is a prediction that his government would be “too big.

His prediction was chillingly accurate. His is a government that spends too much and does not hold itself accountable.

Now America must do its part and hold Barack Obama accountable— just as he recommended.

A New Day and Age for Understanding Leaders

Dr. Hodges — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:44:21 +0000

We’re all familiar with people attributing to others their own faults, like the old adage of the pot calling the kettle black. Freud called this “projection.” As a psychiatrist, I have found that nobody has described this phenomenon in richer words than did Jesus when he warned his followers that the “speck in your neighbor’s eye” could actually be “the log in your own eye.”

Those who spot flaws in their neighbors trust their conscious mind like they do their vision. They think that what they see is reality.

People trust how they see others, particularly the faults they find. This is a remarkably frequent occurrence since we’re all surrounded by imperfect people. Note that Jesus didn’t say a person couldn’t spot his neighbor’s flaws, but such a person’s mind tends to find faults in others that are similar to his/her own. In other words, imperfect people have a need to locate their faults in others.

All of us have had a number of “log in the eye” experiences with others. Let’s say your friend begins complaining to you about the faults of a person you both know, listing one incident after another. As you listen, you want to say, “Hey, are we talking about our friend or are we talking about you?”

Basically, your friend is in massive denial about his own condition. He is actually using stories about the other person to communicate to you about himself. This is a typical “log in the eye” experience. Caught in the deep weeds of denial, your friend’s unconscious mind, in the blink of an eye, has registered his condition and is blurting out the information it has gathered via stories about someone else. I call this “blink and blurt.”

Your friend is secretly trying to come to terms with himself while remaining in denial. It’s too much honesty for him to handle. He can’t own up to who he is.
But note that he gets around his denial by the stories he tells about others, all the while holding up the correction which he should make. Read the implication: “My neighbor should behave in this way instead of that.” Secretly, this is his deeper moral compass in action.

Even though Freud recognized that people “project” their faults onto others, he had no real grasp that people’s unconscious minds constantly analyze their situations in a “flash” and then communicate what they find by using stories about others.

Malcolm Gladwell, in his 2005 best seller, Blink, discussed this phenomenal quick-read ability of what he called the new “dazzling adaptive unconscious.” Yet Gladwell, like Freud, never recognized that the “see-all” quick-read unconscious that works in the “blink” of an eye was also the “tell-all” mind— that our unconscious mind must share, or “blurt” out, what it knows about us in the form of stories. Our unconscious mind possesses a kind of super intelligence far beyond our wildest dreams, far quicker than our conscious mind. This super intelligence is more than “dazzling.” The unconscious mind is a story teller par excellence and can brilliantly pick up on our deepest motives, analyzing a situation in shocking depth.

It always tells the truth and shows us the correction we should make. Our super intelligence possesses a deeper, wiser moral compass.

Let me take it a step further. Imagine what we could understand about our leaders if we listen to their stories with greater awareness of the super intelligence. Our media pundits resist delving into the deeper motives of the people they cover. It’s clear they think it’s not politically correct to discuss deeper motives. To be honest, I don’t believe they fully know how to understand deeper motives and they are uninformed that the super intelligence even exists (with its wiser moral compass). They don’t recognize that people, especially leaders, who suffer from “log in the eye” denial are secretly judging themselves. These people often communicate unconsciously their need to be held accountable.
I am a psychiatrist. I have years of experience listening to my patients, trying to understand them on a level deeper. I believe that our super intelligence understands us better than anyone. This is one of the most important discoveries we have ever made about the human mind.

Here’s one problem I want to address. Our nation desperately needs to understand President Barack Obama on a deeper level. Our media is ill-equipped to achieve this task.
Obama is frequently communicating to the American people via a “log in the eye” fashion, revealing his deepest motives, especially when he criticizes others.
If he had noble, good intentions for our nation, then I would feel no reason to write.

Yet his super intelligence has been active, and it has revealed his motives to be too destructive for America. He is secretly telling us what to do about it.
I have listened to Mr. Obama for a while now, and I am ready to share with you what I have found.

If we keep the basic “log in the eye” model in mind, with its deeper moral compass, we will understand Obama in an entirely new light. And later the main stream media who supports him.