Sure, it's only been a couple of weeks, but so far I'm not impressed with the new Obama administration. Three topics to briefly review.
First, Obama campaigned and talked a good game regarding his desire to change the culture of Washington towards bipartisanship (what presidential nominee doesn't?). As de facto head of the Democratic Party, his party took a House vote on the latest stimulus package and it received a grand total of ZERO Republican votes. How could the House Democratic leaders even bring this bill to a vote, knowing that they would receive minimal (or in this case, zero) bipartisan support? Out of the gate, Obama stumbled big time on this one. I have no proof of this, but it smells like a Pelosi power play, and Obama needs to deal with that. Yesterday.
Second, the most public of his stumbles has to do with three of his appointees removing themselves from consideration due to non-payment of taxes. In a way I don't blame these people - they likely didn't do their own taxes, and mistakes and oversights happen. In a tiny way you have to wonder why they didn't hire competent CPAs to do their taxes, but I concede that's beside the point. It simply makes for a bumpy ride at the start and takes away focus on the economy and passing a stimulus package.
Finally, what's up with continuing all the pork in the stimulus package? Read this Wall Street Journal article for a fairly thorough summary. $1 billion for Amtrak? $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts? $2.8 billion for green energy projects? $650 million for digital TV conversion coupons? SERIOUSLY? These things are nice thoughts, but how are they seriously going to help Americans pay their bills and give them new economic opportunities? Again, his campaign rhetoric was forging a "new Washington." We need the credit markets to open up NOW. Americans need jobs NOW. Improving Amtrak and getting greener can wait a while.
Cookies and Wii for the kids ain't gonna help me pay my bills and keep my job. Mr. President, let's get serious.
1 comment:
Gotta disagree with points 1 & 3. I'll cede point 2. Creating jobs for people like us (knowledge workers) is not a simple task. It requires broad economic stimulus that can create opportunities for new businesses and growth for existing ones. Improved infrastructure, cultural programs, and innovation are all very powerful engines of growth.
Post a Comment