United States: What is the Cure for an Economic Influenza?

By now, everybody knows that our economy is sailing through rough waters. Our economic woes have rippled through our homes, businesses, Wall Street, and all levels of government. Many of us are suffering financially and are worried about the plight of our families, friends, and neighbors. President Obama has gotten his initial economic stimulus package through Congress and will soon sign it into law. Naturally, opinions regarding the positive or negative impact that this stimulus will provide to our economy are all over the map. Nobody knows for certain whether it will work or not. So, we must all be patient and see what happens. That said, it is my belief that now, more than ever, all of us must assume a personal civic responsibility to track our government's implementation of this stimulus package.

Government, in my opinion, is flawed in its ability to implement policy. Funds from TARP One and the Bush Administration's economic stimulus package were largely wasted. Why should we, as citizens expect anything different now? Those of us who vigorously support President Obama and his vision for America will of course opine that this administration, unlike the former one, will provide us with "transparency". Ya, and someday pigs will sprout wings and fly. Thus far, this administration has shown little to differentiate it from the operational templates utilized by Republican or Democratic administration's which have preceded it. This is not a criticism of President Obama rather; it is an observation into the reality of American politics.

I have the sense that this administration is fumbling along. They seem to still be campaigning and not leading. Their vision for our future, much like their campaign platform, is opaque. The Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geithner, did little to encourage me that I should not worry. His bumbling, often faint hearted briefing this past week did not highlight any well defined path that the federal government intends to follow through this economic mess. Instead, it seems to me that they are making it up as they go along, and are covering for this operational flaw by continuously claiming that we are sailing in uncharted waters. Christopher Columbus sailed into uncharted waters too, yet he no doubt led his tiny flotilla on their voyage by following a magnetic bearing. What is the Obama Administration's economic bearing? None of us can know for certain because I believe they don't have one. During an interview with FOX's Sunday morning news show with Chris Wallace, David Axelrod, President Obama's senior advisor, provided little evidence that the administration is in control of this economic situation. Mr. Axelrod appeared to me, to be uneasy with answering Wallace's questions. He answered with a certain vagueness which has permeated the Obama mystique since its political inception. As Americans, particularly now, we do not have the luxury for the government to waffle. We must demand that our government act but; what are our responsibilities?

Throughout our nation's history, it has been us, the citizenry who have righted our ship. Once again, our country's plight calls us to action. We must all turn a deaf ear to the calamitous cries of doom and gloom emanating from Washington D.C. Does this mean that we, like an ostrich, stick our heads in the sand and pretend that we don't have work to do? Of course it doesn't, but we need to roll our sleeves up and get a bit dirty. Maybe all of us should live within our means, and manage our household budgets so that we don't exist almost entirely on credit. Maybe we should dust off the ideal of loyalty to one's family, friends, and employer and more vigorously pull our own load instead of just trying to pawn it off onto others? Once again, I seem to come full circle and have run smack dab into my call for self reliance. All of us would do well to read Emerson's critically acclaimed essay, "Self Reliance". After reading it, we should ponder it for awhile, and then take a good hard look at ourselves in a mirror. I try to do this every day and just when I think I've achieved my goal of self realization, I find a chink in my armor and have to get back to work. If we all would just expect more out of ourselves and yet, maintain a positive belief in our personal role in the world things around us would begin to improve. There is truth in the old adage that it is better to view your wineglass as half full rather than half empty. Optimism will always be a more palatable prescription than pessimism. Lets get to work America!

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President Obama & Congress: Who is on First and What is on Second

The never ending gyrations of an inept Congress and a newly inaugurated President have created a tumultuous roller coaster ride of emotions for the American public. Speaking personally, my emotions range from amusement to concern and usually end up in annoyance bordering on anger. We all are trying to figure out just who is in charge in our nation's capitol. President Obama has thus far been unable to adjust to his new role as our President. In my opinion, especially if you listened to his speech on Thursday night to the Democratic Party retreat, he acts and sounds as though he believes that he is still on the campaign trail. The Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid is lost at sea. I cannot remember when I've ever observed a more inept leader in the United States Senate. The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, believes that the entire nation speaks with one voice and is in total concurrence with her views on social reform and economic policies. She is either deluded or, she needs to get out more often and visit "flyover country" instead of flying in her personal jet between Washington DC and San Francisco.

Leaders have a responsibility to provide a steady hand in an unsteady world. These three individuals constantly remind me of the childhood story , Chicken Little. I am growing weary of being told that our economic end is near and that unless we act hastily, we are doomed to fall off an economic precipice from which we will never be able to climb out of. Political leaders have a responsibility to present an aura of steadiness and self control during turbulent times. They must also only enact policies or actions based on thoroughly developed courses of actions. Haste leads to ineffective use of time and resources. What if Winston Churchill had presented an image of doom and gloom to the British citizenry during the dark hours of the Battle of Britain? Would the British have been able to overcome the Germans? Maybe, but more importantly, Churchill instinctively knew that he had to present a public image of stern steadiness in horrific times and he encouraged the British to stand tall and join with one another in their efforts to defend their shores. Are the economic times tough? Of course, only a total moron would be oblivious to this reality however; our response as a nation to this dilemma is what matters. Nations in strife tend to assume the personality of their executive in chief. Do you think a NFL football coach for the losing team in a Superbowl tells his team at halftime, "Well, we're losing and I don't see a positive outcome in the second half."? Naturally he doesn't do this; instead, he will use positive reinforcement to correct mistakes made in the first half and encourage his team to believe in themselves and the possibility of their winning the game. Where is the positive encouragement coming from President Obama, House Speaker Pelosi or, Majority Leader Reid?

Leaders cannot delude their citizenry with false hope however; they need to light the way through rough terrain. I'm still waiting for the soft glow of optimism to rise from Washington DC. President Obama promised, though I must admit I didn't believe him and I did not give him my vote; a new age of compromise and conciliation in the Beltway. Thus far, I can only see the political trenches being dug deeper and the philosophical ramparts becoming more impregnable. As my title suggests, the classic comic routine of Abbot and Costello describing baseball has become the political reality of Washington DC. Maybe President Obama is incapable of leadership after all; he voted "present" on numerous occasions at the state and federal levels which, in my view, demonstrates an incapability to make a hard choice on vital and or, sensitive issues. Hopefully, he will soon realize that his current duty position does not allow him the luxury of such avoidance tactics. He would do well to step up to the plate and take charge in a truly bipartisan manner. Talk is cheap, now is the time for well thought out action!

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