Posted by
Bryn T. Jones on Sunday, February 22, 2009 9:29:44 PM
President Obama recently made it his objective to cut the federal deficit in half. Interestingly, he failed to give notice of that intent prior to ballooning the deficit with his massive socialist overhaul of our economy in the name of doing something. But now, after saddling our budgets for years to come with increased spending that will not stimulate the economy, he vows to cut the deficit in half.
This position is akin to the high-priced retailers that hike their prices by 200% and then give a 75% "sale" for "this weekend only." President Obama may be in over his head with the job of Commander In Chief, and he may be an overall dummy when it comes to history or any other true intellectual persuit (logic, economics, basic math). But he is not stupid. He is an expert politician. Which is to say he is a smooth operator. He knows the words to say to get people thinking good things about him. For instance, when he declared about the terrorists that we "won't apologize for our way of life" and that "we will outlast you" and "we will defeat you." With what? Our limp wrists and jelly spines? Will we start reading them their rights (that they don't have) and start apologizing for having made some of them feel uncomfortable in order to save innocent American lives? How will we not apologize for our way of life? After we adopt the inefficient, costly, oppressive standard of living enjoyed by the Europeans where only the high ranking politicians get to keep, say, their Oval Office at tropic temperatures?
As our Mr. President was fond of saying, they're just words, just speaches. But he's smooth. He had many conservative commentators giving him props for saying what he did. My thought was, nice words, nice speech, now let's see with your actions, Mr. Obama. And so we have.
So, this promise of fiscal responsibility in light of his massive, rushed spending spree seems like another jolt to my senses. Will anyone believe this bafoon with such a bold-faced statement? Of course people will. There are many folks who bought, and continue to buy what Bill Clinton has said or is saying. Those same people believe George W. is a 'liar.' Mr. Bush should take that as a compliment in a backward sort of way.
Barak Obama, however, promises he'll accomplish this silly thing of cutting his extravigant debt that he made by 'scaling back' spending in Iraq, taxing the 'wealthiest' Americans (those poor saps), and, my favorite, streamlinging government. Now that he's enacted policy to make government a gorilla in the proverbial China shop, he's promised to attach a leash? And in an economy that cries out for increased opportunity, he's going to punish the achievers who would increase opportunity for the workers? And his plans for Iraq are like the newlywed couple who plans on having all sorts of extra money once the car payment is done, but forget that by that time they'll have car repairs, a child on the way, and possibly a change in insurance premiums and, ironically, tax increases. In other words, he's planning all other costs to remain as they are and simply reduce the spending in Iraq. Right. I'm sure it looks good on paper, with his crayon, perhaps, but it doesn't work in the real world. It doesn't work when one is trying to govern the most powerful country in the free world.
But, to his credit, since the bulk of the deficit is by his own design, he very well could make good on his promise. He could simply cut his own stimulus bill and say Mission Accomplished. Perhaps on an aircraft carrier, or something.