// January 26th, 2009 // 5 Comments » // POLITICAL ARENA
Unimpressed and discouraged. That about sums up my feelings after witnessing the first few days of the Obama presidency. Before I explain why, allow me to first answer a question that has been appearing in my reader emails. The question is…you guessed it, “Don’t you want Obama to succeed?” This question has been used by many liberals in order to trip weak conservatives and republicans. Let me make this clear. I WANT AMERICA TO SUCCEED! If America’s future and success means that Obama must fail then so be it. If Obama is allowed to succeed in pushing his liberal agenda in key areas then America will fail. I’ve heard many so-called conservatives express their desire for Obama to succeed, yet Obama’s agenda is the opposite of their supposed beliefs. These weak-minded conservatives have no doubt given their principles up for popularity. They are eager to be accepted by the mainstream media and elite. As for this conservative, I care not if Obama succeeds or fails, but rather if America succeeds or fails. I do not believe our success is wrapped up in one man. Our success is in the hands of the people. Only we can save ourselves, not government. We the people with the help of God can do anything we set our minds to.
That said, you can understand why I am unimpressed and discouraged about the first few days of the Obama presidency. One of his first acts was to enact a pay freeze for senior White House staff. WHAT? They just started? Were they supposed to get a raise after their first day? Come on! How stupid does the administration think we are. This no doubt was a political stunt. I’m for pay freezes across the board for his administration, WHEN IT’S ACTUALLY TIME FOR A RAISE! If Obama really wants to make a statement he should enact a pay freeze or even a pay cut for all of Congress. Oh, I forgot, Congress already voted to give themselves a raise.
Here’s another good one. In an attempt to bring ethics back into government Obama barred officials of his administration from lobbying their former colleagues for the duration of his term. Obama barred former lobbyists from working for agencies they had lobbied within the past two years and required them to recuse themselves from issues they had handled during that time. I’m all for it. Too bad Obama isn’t even enforcing his own policy. William Lynn, who Obama named to become deputy defense secretary has become the exception to the rule. Lynn lobbied for Raytheon Co., a defense contractor, as recently as 2008. When asked about this breach of the new policy White House spokesman Robert Gibbs responded, “Even the toughest rules require reasonable exceptions.” In other words, business as usual. So much for “Change”.
I have never felt so discouraged about the future of America as I did when Obama announced that Guantanamo would be closed within one year. Was I discouraged because I think Gitmo should remain open? No doubt, however, what I found most discouraging was the fact that Obama made it known that he had no idea where to put these terrorists. During the signing ceremony Obama turned to White House Council, Greg Craig and asked if their was a seperate executive order as to how they are going to dispose of the detainees. The answer? We are setting up a process. First concern, Why is Obama signing an executive order if he doesn’t know what’s in it? He wouldn’t have asked the question if he knew what was in the order. Second concern, how do you anounce that you are closing Gitmo without first having a plan as to what you are doing with the terrorists. I prefer to call them terrorists as opposed to detainees. Very discouraging. Let’s just sign executive orders without thinking through the logistics of them. It’s bad enough that these terrorists are going to return to the battlefield so they can fight an administration that has a pre-9/11 mentality, but for the President to sign an executive order without first having a plan of execution. Unacceptable.
Obama also continues to push this huge economic “stimulus” plan. He plans to spend his way out of our current economic crisis. What amazes me is the seeming hypocritical situation Obama has put himself in. During the campaign he pledged to go through the budget line by line and cut programs that don’t work and get rid of wasteful spending. Why is this bill full of wasteful spending? Why don’t we cut taxes for not only all working American, but also businesses. Let’s put capital gains taxes on hold as well. Obama doesn’t have the answer. We will be living in an America like never before. Nationalized banks and health care to boot.
Obama ended the week showing his true colors when it comes to abortion. Obama restored US funding for family planning clinics abroad that give advice on or carry out abortions. That’s right. your tax dollars hard at work. Anyone who calls themselves a Christian should beg God for forgiveness if they voted for Obama.
This is only the beginning. Don’t send me emails saying, “Give Obama a chance.” I won’t sit here and keep my mouth shut in order to appease the liberals in America. If Obama does something right, I’ll take note, but when he is wrong I will take note as well.
