What in the world have we learned from President Obama?
1. We have learned that to be an effective President one must have had a job in private industry. Only then can the President understand the contributions made by private industry and that government activity should be limited limited as much as possible.
2. We have learned that to be an effective President one must have an interest in foreign relations.
3. To be an effective President one must understand that the United States has been a major superpower for more than 50 years and that the world understands and appreicates the role played by the United States.
4. To be an effective President one must not be afraid to exercise power in the world's best interest. No other nation has the resources or respect of the USA and, therefore, cannot supplant us.
5. An international vacuum will be created if the USA does not fulfill its obligations leading to fear and frightened actions by those impacted by such a vacuum.
6. The bad guys will learn that they need not be concerned about the power of the USA and will be free to cause havoc.
7. The domestic economy will suffer from over spending and over involvement by the government.
8. Large organizations are never as effective as smaller ones.
9. Sometimes having a one term President is the best thing that can happen to our wonderful country.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Saturday, April 11, 2009
What in the World?
What in the world is wrong with the Republican Party? It is a party without a strategy and without a spokesman. It is giving the Obama administration the freedom to act as foolish as it wishes with no comment from the opposition. No way to run a political party!
We realize that the famed Congressional contingent is on one of its numerous vacation breaks. Nevertheless, the Obama adminsitration keeps rolling along and singing a song without any comments from the GOP peanut gallery.
The esteemed and hypercrital Senator Durbin pushes through legislation severely restricting the ability of charter schools to operate at the urging of the teachers' union and there is no comment from the peanut gallery. The fact that the President campaigned on supporting and expanding the charter school concept and that his Secretary of Education also supports such is not brought to the attention of the public. The fact that Senator Durbin is the senior senator from Illinois is not utilized to point out the obvious support of President Obama to the teachers' union over the poor students for whom charter schools may offer them their only hope to secure a decent education enabling them to break loose from the impact of poor public educations.
Where is the GOP spokesman to point out the caving in of the President and the Secretary of Education to the detriment of these poor kids. The Secretary from Illionois visits New York at this time and speaks out in favor of charter schools while the Senator from Illinois and the President from Illinois do not hesitate to toss those kids under the bus. The Secretary does not have the courage of his convictions in one of the key areas of his new job to speak out in support of the kids.
Politics wins again. The union gets a big return on its campaign investment while the kids get returned to a life of eductational despair.
No one has the interest of these kids in mind. Business as usual in Washington.
We shall soon see if the New York State legislature renews the ability of New York City's school system to remain in the control of the Mayor. The fact that the schools have shown consistent improvement since the Mayor assumed control is not the primary factor in the decision making process. If it was, the legislation awarding continued control to the Mayor would have passed weeks ago. Once again, the liberal democrats and the liberal teachers' union are scratching each others back to the detriment of the students who are at their mercy.
Where is Senator Schumer who holds a press conference at the drop of the hat? The next weekend press conference should be dedicated to supporting the kids unless another liberal politician shows he is within the control of the teachers' union.
What in the world has happened to the President and Secretary of Education who are seeking to spend billions of dollars to improve education? Have they lost their voices or do they only get involved where spending money and not antagonizing the teachers' union is involved?
Here were 2 opportunities where educating the kids could be dramatically improved without any major cash outlay and our leaders are no where to be seen.
What in the world are the Republicans doing to bring these issues to the attention of the media and public? They are invisible on this issue, as well as, other areas where the Democrats are not only wrong but are vulnerable. We are entitled to a two party system. The Republicans appear to be on a permanent vacation. They will get what they deserve!
We realize that the famed Congressional contingent is on one of its numerous vacation breaks. Nevertheless, the Obama adminsitration keeps rolling along and singing a song without any comments from the GOP peanut gallery.
The esteemed and hypercrital Senator Durbin pushes through legislation severely restricting the ability of charter schools to operate at the urging of the teachers' union and there is no comment from the peanut gallery. The fact that the President campaigned on supporting and expanding the charter school concept and that his Secretary of Education also supports such is not brought to the attention of the public. The fact that Senator Durbin is the senior senator from Illinois is not utilized to point out the obvious support of President Obama to the teachers' union over the poor students for whom charter schools may offer them their only hope to secure a decent education enabling them to break loose from the impact of poor public educations.
Where is the GOP spokesman to point out the caving in of the President and the Secretary of Education to the detriment of these poor kids. The Secretary from Illionois visits New York at this time and speaks out in favor of charter schools while the Senator from Illinois and the President from Illinois do not hesitate to toss those kids under the bus. The Secretary does not have the courage of his convictions in one of the key areas of his new job to speak out in support of the kids.
Politics wins again. The union gets a big return on its campaign investment while the kids get returned to a life of eductational despair.
No one has the interest of these kids in mind. Business as usual in Washington.
We shall soon see if the New York State legislature renews the ability of New York City's school system to remain in the control of the Mayor. The fact that the schools have shown consistent improvement since the Mayor assumed control is not the primary factor in the decision making process. If it was, the legislation awarding continued control to the Mayor would have passed weeks ago. Once again, the liberal democrats and the liberal teachers' union are scratching each others back to the detriment of the students who are at their mercy.
Where is Senator Schumer who holds a press conference at the drop of the hat? The next weekend press conference should be dedicated to supporting the kids unless another liberal politician shows he is within the control of the teachers' union.
What in the world has happened to the President and Secretary of Education who are seeking to spend billions of dollars to improve education? Have they lost their voices or do they only get involved where spending money and not antagonizing the teachers' union is involved?
Here were 2 opportunities where educating the kids could be dramatically improved without any major cash outlay and our leaders are no where to be seen.
What in the world are the Republicans doing to bring these issues to the attention of the media and public? They are invisible on this issue, as well as, other areas where the Democrats are not only wrong but are vulnerable. We are entitled to a two party system. The Republicans appear to be on a permanent vacation. They will get what they deserve!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
What in the World
What in the world do our international leaders think? Do they really expect that Iran will react positively to a message on the internet? Even if they agree to a dialogue, will it be anything else but another delaying tactic to permit them to complete their nuclear mission? Do they believe that these religious fanatics are going to give up their religious idealogy in order to gain the removal of a porous economic boycott?
What in the world have our leaders (both USA and allies) said in reaction to the disclosure that Iran financed the North Vietnam production of a nuclear weapons site for Syria? Who in world expects Syria to give up its relationship with Iran and Hezbollah? Who else but Iran will support the purchase of a nuclear facility for Syria? Who else but Hezbollah will support Syria's goal of retaking control of Lebanon? At what point does reality began to play a factor in our dreams for change?
Who in the world realistically expects Israel to reach a two state agreement with the PLO while Hamas controls Gaza? Who in the world would expect Israel to reach a two state agreement with the Palestinians if Hamas and the PLO unite without Hamas recognizing Israel and all of the previous agreements between Israel and the PLO?
Who in their right mind expects that Hamas will see the light and change its attitude towards Israel? It is amazing how much time and effort is put into attempts to reach an agreement that cannot be reached under the existing political framework. We should forget about trying to dream the impossible dream and put our efforts into creating a better economic system and, therefore, a better life for the Palestinians so that they see there is not only hope but a better chance for success from the Palestinian Authority than from Hamas. Only then will there be a chance for the Palestinians to defeat Hamas and to then seek a peace with the Israelis.
Who in the world foresees the day when the major Sunni countries in the Middle East openly acknowledge that they have more common interests with Israel than they do with Iran? When will they acknowledge, plan and implement a common program with Israel to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons? Surely the Sunni countries recognize that the Iranians are guided by their perceived Shia religious heritage to develop weapons of mass destruction that will be used to implement their perceived religious dogma. Realigious zealots cannot be counted on to follow the philosophy of mutual assured destruction which was successfully implemented against the Soviet Union during the cold war. The odds are that the Iranians will not be deterred from using their nuclear weapons by the fear of retaliation. We in the west assume that everyone is as rational as we are.
It would be a major achievement if we could secure the prevention of Iranian nuclear weapons through diplomacy. My concern is that extended diplomacy will lead to nothing but giving Iran sufficient time to achieve its desired nuclear capability. If that happens the concept of mutual assured destruction will prevent the west from any action against Iran but may not have any impact upon the actions of Iran.
Likewise, the plan of Egypt and Saudi Arabia to develop their own nuclear capabilities will also fail because they may find that their hesitancy to use such weapons will put them under the domain of those who do not share the same hesitancy. In dealing with idealogical radicals success cannot be achieved through non-ideological logic.
What in the world causes President Obama to think that now is the time to divert our attention to health care, eduction and energy independence upon the theory that he can multitask. What foolish arrogance! We have the worst economic situation in our life time and some of the riskiest international problems to tackle. To think that he has the time, resources and ability to solve those issues while taking on three new major domestic programs is a major miscalculation.
It merely goes to prove that this administration is no different from the general public. It prefers to tackle those areas where it has comfort and prefers to avoid those areas where it has less or no comfort. The fact that those areas where it has less comfort may create peril for the world as we know it has not overcome their hesitancy to face those issues head on and resolve them. Let's pray that our world can survive this mind set of avoidance.
What in the world have our leaders (both USA and allies) said in reaction to the disclosure that Iran financed the North Vietnam production of a nuclear weapons site for Syria? Who in world expects Syria to give up its relationship with Iran and Hezbollah? Who else but Iran will support the purchase of a nuclear facility for Syria? Who else but Hezbollah will support Syria's goal of retaking control of Lebanon? At what point does reality began to play a factor in our dreams for change?
Who in the world realistically expects Israel to reach a two state agreement with the PLO while Hamas controls Gaza? Who in the world would expect Israel to reach a two state agreement with the Palestinians if Hamas and the PLO unite without Hamas recognizing Israel and all of the previous agreements between Israel and the PLO?
Who in their right mind expects that Hamas will see the light and change its attitude towards Israel? It is amazing how much time and effort is put into attempts to reach an agreement that cannot be reached under the existing political framework. We should forget about trying to dream the impossible dream and put our efforts into creating a better economic system and, therefore, a better life for the Palestinians so that they see there is not only hope but a better chance for success from the Palestinian Authority than from Hamas. Only then will there be a chance for the Palestinians to defeat Hamas and to then seek a peace with the Israelis.
Who in the world foresees the day when the major Sunni countries in the Middle East openly acknowledge that they have more common interests with Israel than they do with Iran? When will they acknowledge, plan and implement a common program with Israel to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons? Surely the Sunni countries recognize that the Iranians are guided by their perceived Shia religious heritage to develop weapons of mass destruction that will be used to implement their perceived religious dogma. Realigious zealots cannot be counted on to follow the philosophy of mutual assured destruction which was successfully implemented against the Soviet Union during the cold war. The odds are that the Iranians will not be deterred from using their nuclear weapons by the fear of retaliation. We in the west assume that everyone is as rational as we are.
It would be a major achievement if we could secure the prevention of Iranian nuclear weapons through diplomacy. My concern is that extended diplomacy will lead to nothing but giving Iran sufficient time to achieve its desired nuclear capability. If that happens the concept of mutual assured destruction will prevent the west from any action against Iran but may not have any impact upon the actions of Iran.
Likewise, the plan of Egypt and Saudi Arabia to develop their own nuclear capabilities will also fail because they may find that their hesitancy to use such weapons will put them under the domain of those who do not share the same hesitancy. In dealing with idealogical radicals success cannot be achieved through non-ideological logic.
What in the world causes President Obama to think that now is the time to divert our attention to health care, eduction and energy independence upon the theory that he can multitask. What foolish arrogance! We have the worst economic situation in our life time and some of the riskiest international problems to tackle. To think that he has the time, resources and ability to solve those issues while taking on three new major domestic programs is a major miscalculation.
It merely goes to prove that this administration is no different from the general public. It prefers to tackle those areas where it has comfort and prefers to avoid those areas where it has less or no comfort. The fact that those areas where it has less comfort may create peril for the world as we know it has not overcome their hesitancy to face those issues head on and resolve them. Let's pray that our world can survive this mind set of avoidance.
Friday, March 20, 2009
What in the World
is going on with our government ( USA)? Our Congress is embarrassing itself trying to prove that they hate the greedy bonus takers. It makes no difference to them that these folks had entered into contracts that provided for such. Since when did legal considerations enter into the workings of Congress.
No one is happy about the AIG bonuses but sometimes you must act like an adult instead of pandering to the electorate. What in the world is our President doing in pandering to the mobs. As our country's leader he is supposed to be smart enough to demonstrate that we are a nation that respects its laws and the contracts of companies.
What in the world has happened to the senior statesmen guiding our President. It is very dangerous to limit your advisors to those who ran your compaign because the talents to run a campaign differ dramatically from the talents necessary to guide the President of the United States. Campaign leaders who have been successful in electing a President of the USA have a natural arrogance caused by their success. An arrogance that leads them to believe that they are smarter than everyone else and do not require advise from those who have lived through the experience of guiding leaders in the past.
Who in the world is pushing the President to extend his attention beyond the recession issues into other areas on the theory that the best time to achieve your program is during a crisis. The question is who gains other than the aids that pushed the idea until its hits everyone that it was a mistake to bite off more than one can chew. What in the world makes the President feel that he can better devote his attention to four large issues instead of solving the major issue first. It is another example of the arrogance of success.
What in the world will the President do when he recognizes that his arrogance has lead to disaster for his country. An aplology will not suffice. It is always important to set priorities and solve the difficult issues first.
No one is happy about the AIG bonuses but sometimes you must act like an adult instead of pandering to the electorate. What in the world is our President doing in pandering to the mobs. As our country's leader he is supposed to be smart enough to demonstrate that we are a nation that respects its laws and the contracts of companies.
What in the world has happened to the senior statesmen guiding our President. It is very dangerous to limit your advisors to those who ran your compaign because the talents to run a campaign differ dramatically from the talents necessary to guide the President of the United States. Campaign leaders who have been successful in electing a President of the USA have a natural arrogance caused by their success. An arrogance that leads them to believe that they are smarter than everyone else and do not require advise from those who have lived through the experience of guiding leaders in the past.
Who in the world is pushing the President to extend his attention beyond the recession issues into other areas on the theory that the best time to achieve your program is during a crisis. The question is who gains other than the aids that pushed the idea until its hits everyone that it was a mistake to bite off more than one can chew. What in the world makes the President feel that he can better devote his attention to four large issues instead of solving the major issue first. It is another example of the arrogance of success.
What in the world will the President do when he recognizes that his arrogance has lead to disaster for his country. An aplology will not suffice. It is always important to set priorities and solve the difficult issues first.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
What in the world is going on with President Obama?
President Obama started out so strong. He was bright, calm and a strong leader. Over the last 8 weeks he has started to give the impression that he is in over his head. To begin he adopted the idea that a time of crisis was to be used to secure his politcal program instead of solving the crisis. He let the democratic leadership in Congress carry the ball for him giving himself deniabily. He then fell in love with their actions even though many thought he had gone too far.
He has ignored the economic impact of his program and the inflationary risks faced by the economy. Heaven help all of us two years from now if the laws of economics demonstrate that they haven't been amended by the Congress.
What in the world caused him to come out so emotionally against the AIG bonus program? We all agree that what AIG did was dumb but the President's reaction was dumber. A President is supposed to support the rule of law. He is not supposed to follow and stimulate the mob. His reaction should have been similar to that of Larry Sommers who objected to the bonuses but stated that we could not deviate from our established legal system. A President is supposed to lead our society - not the mob.
What an embarrassment Congress is! What in the world are those crazed folks up to? Throw out 200 plus years of our rule of law. Create custom designed laws to show how tough they are and to cover themselves from accusations that they created this mess by approving these new programs without any serious thought. What in the world is Senator Dodd up to in sneaking a provision into another law permitting the bonuses and then going crazy against the bonuseswhen it becomes politically opportune to do so? One would think that Bank of America had cancelled his Countrywide mortgage!
What in the world is Barney Frank thinking when he demonstrates that he has no idea what a retention bonus is? It was embarrassing to watch him interview Mr. Liddy who tried on multiple occassions to clue him in.
What in the world in President Obama doing in California for citizen meetings and Jay Leno when he should be sitting in his office guiding our government in both domestic and international matters? Is he so worriied about his declining approval ratings that he is going back on the campaign trail? His ratings will go up when the American people start seeing improved results. He obviously does not understand how it works for a President to succeed. Many of us were worried during the campaign that he did not have sufficient experience to run a country as large as the USA. His magnificent ability to communicate eased a lot of minds. His performance over the last 8 weeks is raising the question again - is he in over his head? Would appreciate hearing your views.
He has ignored the economic impact of his program and the inflationary risks faced by the economy. Heaven help all of us two years from now if the laws of economics demonstrate that they haven't been amended by the Congress.
What in the world caused him to come out so emotionally against the AIG bonus program? We all agree that what AIG did was dumb but the President's reaction was dumber. A President is supposed to support the rule of law. He is not supposed to follow and stimulate the mob. His reaction should have been similar to that of Larry Sommers who objected to the bonuses but stated that we could not deviate from our established legal system. A President is supposed to lead our society - not the mob.
What an embarrassment Congress is! What in the world are those crazed folks up to? Throw out 200 plus years of our rule of law. Create custom designed laws to show how tough they are and to cover themselves from accusations that they created this mess by approving these new programs without any serious thought. What in the world is Senator Dodd up to in sneaking a provision into another law permitting the bonuses and then going crazy against the bonuseswhen it becomes politically opportune to do so? One would think that Bank of America had cancelled his Countrywide mortgage!
What in the world is Barney Frank thinking when he demonstrates that he has no idea what a retention bonus is? It was embarrassing to watch him interview Mr. Liddy who tried on multiple occassions to clue him in.
What in the world in President Obama doing in California for citizen meetings and Jay Leno when he should be sitting in his office guiding our government in both domestic and international matters? Is he so worriied about his declining approval ratings that he is going back on the campaign trail? His ratings will go up when the American people start seeing improved results. He obviously does not understand how it works for a President to succeed. Many of us were worried during the campaign that he did not have sufficient experience to run a country as large as the USA. His magnificent ability to communicate eased a lot of minds. His performance over the last 8 weeks is raising the question again - is he in over his head? Would appreciate hearing your views.
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