Tonight President Obama is giving his State Of The Union address to a joint session of Congress. And, as it has been for many many years, the speech will be televised across the nation.
My comments today must be understood in context with who I am, where I am from, and what I have seen in America over a period of 67 years. Those of you who were born after 1960, grew up in a much different America than I grew up in. For example, seeing a black quarterback run onto the field in an NFL game is nothing new to you. For some that are quite young, you may think that the NFL always had black quarterbacks. I remember the first black quarterback to take the field in the NFL. There was a lot of comment about whether a black quarterback was smart enough to quarterback an NFL type of offense. Today, as I write this, it is almost too funny to imagine that such a serious discussion of a black quarterback making it, in the NFL, ever took place, but it did. I was alive and I listened to it and saw it with my own eyes on TV.
To understand why there are so many Republican politicians in the South, you have to understand a little American History. Let me take you back to 1964 and the Democrats' National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This convention was a turning point in the political history of the United States. The event, in my opinion, that forced the issue of voting rights for black people in the deep South was the challenge from Fannie Lou Hamer and the black Democrats from Mississippi that asked to be seated as part of the Mississippi (all white) delegation at the National Convention in August, 1964. Two blacks were eventually seated and the rest is history. The South became almost solid Republicans in a matter of a few short years. The issue of Civil Rights had not been settled and the right to vote for black people in the South was not a forgone conclusion.
Now fast forward to 2008, the nation elects its first black president, and he enters The White House in January 2009 and takes office. But, this 'football" game is played differently than the one in the NFL. Within days of President Obama taking his seat in the Oval Office, comments start surfacing about how he should fail. Rush Limbaugh, the idealogical head of the Republican Party came right out and said, "I hope he fails." Others were looking to defeat him at his "Waterloo", and some just wanted their "country back".
I have my own theory, and here it is. The Republican Party wants President Obama to lose in 2012, and they think if they defeat him on every issue that he tries to implement for the country, that they might succeed. Throw him for a lose on every play, not allow him to make any yardage or complete any passes and hold him to zero points scored. That the country may suffer as a result of this strategy is of no concern. If a black president is successful, what will that do to the political landscape of the South and the rest of the country? What will the Republicans have left to stand for?
President Obama trying to be bi-partisan, in my opinion, is a big waste of time. It ain't going to happen Mr. President, you ain't one of them! I wish I could believe you when you say you would rather be a good one-term president than a mediocre two term president, because if you really meant it, you would jettison any and all attempts to work with the Republicans on domestic economic policy. The freeze is absurd. It is a bad joke. Stop trying to work with men and women that are working hard for your downfall. The economics of the situation call for spending not belt tightening. Get the economy back on its feet and you will be re-elected. Those are the only points you need to score.
Stay tuned.
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3 comments:
Well written, but, I do think there has been too much spending and if not, what has been spent has gone to the wrong people.
Just out, wind turbines are 70% foreign built creating far more jobs overseas.
Today in congress you could see Paulson and Geithner try to answer questions with statements, not answers. Paulson is the extreme of shaking under questioning. He takes no resposibility and will, like many doctors, not give an opinion has to how he would handle anything.
Yes, Obama needs to determine, am I for the job or re-election. When it comes down to it the answer will be as all other politicians do, get re-elected.
It isn't what he walked into, we all know what that was, it is what he said he would do and what he hasn't done. The simple stuff like true transparancy. His staff is killing him. He has Volcker, use him. Maybe he is "using" him like he did in the running for office time. Mention his name and do photo opts.
One can always say he may have been a good president had only he not had to deal with what he was handed. We could say the same for George....but 911 ruined that answer.
I'm independent because neither party shows me a willingness to work for the people. Maybe Scott Browns' election will wake some of the fools in our government up and there will be honest dialogue.
Has anyone tried to by a joint from Barnie Franks lately?
Good speach tonight. It is nice to have a president that can speak with or without a prompter.
With regrets... I have to agree with you that the Republicans are determined that Obama should fail. I do believe in the man, but am at a loss to see how he can deliver on his promises in the Washington climate he has to work with.
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