Warning: Political commentary. Intense frustration, bordering on abject futility in the face of lunacy. Lack of respect for elected officials.
Reader beware.
So, let me get this straight.
The President of the United States, the most powerful person in the Western World and, possibly, on the planet (beside, of course, my mother), writes a letter to John Boehner, Speaker of the House, requesting a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, September 7, to outline his approach to job creation.
The letter is protocol. In the entire 235-year history of our country, the Speaker has honored the President's request for a joint session of Congress every single time. Probably out of respect. Possibly because the President might have something useful to say.
Until now.
Boehner, in a move that can only be described as incredibly audacious -- the utter lack of respect kind of audacious -- responded to the President that Wednesday night won't work, as it isn't really a convenient time. We're busy doing other things, he said.Like what, washing your hair?
If that didn't take the cake, the President's response certainly did. His reply: Okay, no problemo. Let's do it Thursday. Thursday good for you?
Am I alone in this, or is this completely beyond c-o-m-p-r-e-h-e-n-s-i-o-n? Something a bull might leave behind?
Let's consider how:
1. Unemployment is beyond 10.0% nationally. (The latest figure of 9.1% is soft, in that it does not include those who have given up looking for work.)
2. The stock market has been in a tizzy since Congress's shenanigans led directly to Standard & Poor's downgrading of our debt. And rightfully so, citing a lack of confidence in the existence of leadership to ensure the repayment of the trillions we owe.
3. The economy is anything but robust. Companies have not begun rehiring in earnest, as the jobs report of September 2 attests. Just about every index shows lackluster growth. Even people who are gainfully employed have pulled back on spending.
4. The threat of recession -- as if we need that -- is real and looms as long as unemployment remains high and buying slows.
5. The decline in the stock market has effected anyone who has any retirement money tied to it. Which means just about everyone.
So, while Boehner is too busy to talk jobs and the President is willing to let the issues we're facing exist another day, we suffer. They bicker, we persevere. They play politics, our savings dwindle. They joust, we look for work. And the kicker? They work for us. We pay their salaries.
Said inelegantly, this totally sucks.
Where is the leadership? Where is the concern for the populace, for the customers? We know the Republican party -- especially the radical Tea Party faction -- is devoted to the demise of the President -- even if it means that we languish in this awful economy. But where is the President's backbone?
Here's how we wish it would have gone down. Listen in on the phone conversation we would have hoped for following Boehner's refusal:
Obama: Speaker Boehner, as I mentioned in my letter to you, I'd like to address a joint session of Congress next Wednesday evening to outline an approach to job creation.
Boehner: Ah, gee, Mr. President. I don't know. (Flipping pages, maybe of his calendar.) Wednesday might be difficult. We're just coming back from a long vacation, there's a Republican presidential candidate debate that night, and we might have to vote on some other stuff. You said Wednesday, right? Did I mention that it's our first day back from a long vacation?
Obama: With all due respect, John, I'm the President of the United States. It's Wednesday that I'll speak before Congress.
Boehner: I just don't know, Mr. President. We're awfully busy.
Obama: Your call, John. If you can't swing it, I'll make the nationwide address from the Oval Office. Be sure to listen in. Your name will be used often. If I can help it -- and you know I can -- you and your party will become synonymous with unemployment. You do know what 'synonymous' means, don't you, John?Boehner: You don't have to be mean about it, Mr. President. Let me make a few calls and see what I can do.
Obama: No, John. Decide now. Unemployment is more than 10%. Our people can't wait.
Boehner: A few calls, Mr. President. I'll get back to you later today.
Obama: Don't bother. The Oval Office will work perfectly. You and your obstructionist pals have had your day in the sun. Too many of our people are out of work. It's time for action, John. You're either for putting people back to work or you're against it. I think you're against it and, beginning Wednesday night, I will make it my mission to teach every person in this country that you and your buddies would rather play politics than create jobs.
Boehner: (A muffled sob.) Okay, okay. If it means so much to you, you can talk Wednesday night.
Obama: Thank you, John. Oh, and one more thing. Either get on board with our job creation plan or find another profession.
Boehner: Is that a threat, Mr. President?
Obama: No, John. It's not a threat. It's a promise. Remember, I am the President of the United States.
Too bad it didn't happen this way. It might have, had there been more than one spine between them.
There are a few things about singling our Boehner as the obstructionist in the phone call. Obama announced the desire to have a speech weeks ago, right after the S&P downgrade, so we have weeks of leadership drifting about, not addressing the issue. But carry this back and Obama has gotten trillions since taking office approved to get America back to work, deal with the housing crisis, and shore up our economy. It is nice that the bankers have done so well out of it all.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of end of the day, they all seem to be the same and look the same to me. Republican or Democrat. The old handles, that Democrats stood for the regular guy and Republicans stood for the rich seem to have been blurred. Now they both support the schmoe who will pay for their reelection, or their pals elections. Status Quo is in. There never was going to be any 'change.'
Your key about leadership is something I think you should write more about. Once a man/woman decides to run and then become president, they elevate themselves above party bickering. They need to look 1 year and 5 years and 20 years out and see the infrastructure we need. Such a person needs to see where we are going and what we need to do now, to ensure we get there, or get to a better place. Obama is concerned about his reelection. He knew that Health Care was a real issue, and he took his hand off the tiller and let congress make a Camel out of it. He is smart enough to know what America needs, but he is too vain about his legacy as the first black president, and too weak as a leader to fight not only the Republicans, but those in his own party who degrade the message. We have serious problems. We do not have serious leaders.