President Obama delivered his first SOTUS and his third joint address to Congress last night, while millions of Americans gathered around their televisions hoping to hear an optimistic sound byte about their country. The president commented on a wide-range of issues during a speech that stretched one-hour and 15 minutes, but jobs and the economy were clearly at center stage. Unquestionably, the recent “thumpin” in Massachusetts influenced the White House’s talking points. Mr. Obama sought to inspire America by reengaging the message of “hope” and “change”, but I doubt his flat words, dry delivery, and outreach to moderates did little to rally his base.
Many, including me, expected Obama to make a hard right towards the center with his speech to Congress and the people. Over the last year, voters have spoke out in a deafening tone against an endless expansion of the federal government. Americans are concerned about the lost of fundamental freedoms and liberties that have defined our country for over 200 years. Americans are worried about a burgeoning federal budget that may leave their great-grandchildren stuck with a huge bill to repay.
Shockingly, Obama stood by misguided policies such as the failed stimulus bill, comprehensive health care reform, and climate legislation. Many pundits thought Obama would abandon these failed ideas in his address, but he seems to sincerely believe that he has a mandate from voters to pass sweeping legislation.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a $787.5 billion spending bill that was sold to voters as “stimulus”, has not stimulated any growth in the country. Unquestionably, the measure provided aid to unemployed workers in the form of extended benefits and health care subsidies. If not for the stimulus bill, many state budgets may have imploded, which would have displaced firefighters, police officers, and teachers. The issue with the bill is that only one-third went towards stimulating the economy and the other two-thirds were for social programs and tax relief. The president’s call for a “jobs bill” or another stimulus attests to the failure of the original bill.
Mainstream media characterized Obama as the next “Great Communicator”, but the president has not successfully communicated with the people since his energetic campaign to grab control of the White House. I was delighted to hear him take responsibility for his recent communication failures, but Obama continues to appear disconnected and tone deaf to the people. After 32-minutes into his speech, Obama attempted to renew the fight to pass a log jammed comprehensive health care bill, a measure that is strongly opposed by a majority of the voters.
Obama called on Congress to implement comprehensive energy reform in America, and surprisingly for the first time he included an expansion of nuclear facilities and off-shore drilling in his proposal. Obama challenged Congress to draft a bill that provides “incentives” to make clean energy profitable. Most will remember the House passed “cap and trade” last year, a bill that would impose artificial caps on greenhouse gases and require companies to purchase permits to pollute. The Senate is considering a bill that will impose carbon taxes on manufacturers, utilities, and energy companies. Both ideas use more “stick” than “carrot”. The president’s defiant position on climate legislation during a time of economic weakness is more than troubling. Artificial caps and new taxes will increase the cost of energy, harm ordinary people, and restrain economic growth. We need common-sense reforms that will improve upon traditional methods for energy sourcing and utilization in America.
Obama did exhaust many words and attention on the economy and jobs, both are topics that are top of mind for the American people. Finally, these issues appear top of mind for the Obama Administration. The president proposed many ideas to restart economic growth in the country, but Obama was long on rhetoric and short on details. He suggested that we end capital gains on small business investment and provide tax credits to businesses that hire workers or increase wages, both ideas that he championed on the campaign trail. Quite frankly, the people wanted to hear something fresh from the president. Obama’s proposal to utilize $30 billion in repaid TARP funds to jumpstart lending for small businesses is a step in the right direction. His promise to double exports in five years and add 2 million jobs carried no details and came across as just another political promise. Most other countries are not high consumers, so increasing exports is a challenging concept. Not to mention, the world remains in a slump, and the malaise in the global economy will keep a cap on growth.
President Obama carefully addressed the rising anger amongst voters over government spending, widening deficits, and the process in Washington. Obama did something in his speech to align himself with the people – he admitted to his shortcomings. The president scored political points with voters when he acknowledged that his administration experienced “political setbacks” and openly stated that many are now wondering if he can “deliver”.
The president announced a three-year freeze on non-core government spending, which exempts tough political choices on entitlement programs and national defense. The measure should create a savings of $250 billion over ten years. The White House will achieve these cuts through accounting tricks and not true fiscal discipline. The implementation of a freeze on spending will stop expense “creep” due to inflation, but that does little to reign in a bloated federal budget. Obama proposes that Congress sets up a bi-partisan spending commission that will recommend cuts to programs that are wasting taxpayer’s resources. In the past, these commissions never work, because Congress will not take uncomfortable votes that will cut pet programs.
Obama did strike the right tone when he commented about voters’ frustration with the process in Washington. The president highlighted the “deficit of trust” that exists in America between politicians and voters. He renewed his call for “openness and transparency” while lambasting both parties for recent political games. Obama and I can agree on this point … Did I just say that I agree with Obama?
Seriously, the American people are not receiving the leadership they deserve from their civil servants in Washington. Those who have been elected for service in the nation’s capital have forgotten who they were chosen to serve. Democrats and Republicans are too closely tied to party interests, special interests, and self-interests. We need leaders in Washington that understand and appreciate voters’ interests. Americans are fed up with more and more legislation that robs them of their freedom; we want common-sense solutions that remove the barriers preventing us from pursuing our individual happiness.
Obama appeared on stage last night with more rhetoric for the people of this great country, but he still has an “incomplete” on the entire domestic agenda he introduced one-year ago. I do believe Obama is beginning to understand that flowery words and messages of “hope” and “change” make good campaign slogans, but the American people want results and successful outcomes. Mr. President, I truly hope you are listening.
