Come Hither for the Rant (Clothed in Subduedness)

Due to football practice, a union meeting and the football game, I didn't watch President Obama's speech until nearly midnight last night.  I fell asleep throughout it (only 3 hours sleep the night before) but had the feeling that someone had been very rude to the president by continually shouting at him.

I awoke this morning and cued up the speech on the DVR.  Turns out the disrespectful person interrupting the speech was actually Obama shouting, "Pass this bill!"  It was like some awful Baptist* preacher shouting AMEN! after every statement.  What he seems to not understand is that the congregation will shout AMEN! when they are persuaded that what you have said is a true and worthy statement.

Obama's speech had several true and worthy statements.  He spoke of the need to address jobs (AMEN!), how we need to cut regulation (AMEN!), help small businesses (AMEN!), educate children (AMEN!), and lead the world (AMEN!).

But the solutions he would use to address these issues are utterly underwhelming.  To offer such a package is truly an act of treachery. AMEN!)  Treachery is defined as a willful betrayal of fidelity, confidence or trust.  If we had a parliamentary system of government, a vote of no confidence would have been taken against this president immediately following this speech.

This new package (Stimulus II:Economic Boogaloo) is just more of what we've already done that has failed spectacularly.  In 2009, we sent an enormous amount of money to states to stop layoffs and meet budgets, rebuild infrastructure, offer small and temporary tax cuts and invest in green technology.  That effort is exactly why we are (I'm so mad I can't see straight) DOOMED!!!  WHAT THE H!!!!!

Sorry, I've been trying to keep myself contained, but I can't.  This is ridiculous.  This is like a bad actor who thinks they're not getting hired because they have bad promo materials.  They're broke, but they think to get a job they need new promo shots, business cards, flyers, etc.  So this actor goes and runs up more debt to buy all this stuff, but it's useless.  No job is coming because they don't see the problem.  Buying an acting lesson may be a worthy investment, but that means admitting that you're not good enough

President Obama can't admit the truth.  Government can't fix this by making all these small changes.  Some of them may be worthy on their own given the right circumstances.  But they don't change the underlying problem - the government has inserted itself into the market place and spooked businesses.  Employers don't want to see a temporary tax credit.  They want to see a long term future without unnecessary regulations and interference in their business.

Gibson, the guitar manufacturer was raided by the Fed and had a supply of rosewood confiscated.  Gibson has some 40 employees who treat and and set the inlays on this rosewood which will become the fretboard on some of their higher end guitars.  The Fed told them that due to some law in India, that work needs to be done overseas.  WHAT THE????  Obama is trying to create (or save) jobs by spending all this money while at the same time, his administration is working to kill jobs with non-American regulations (my mind is about to explode).

Look at the history of economic downturns.  There are two that did not quickly rebound - the Great Depression and now our Great Recession.  Why is that?  The similarity between the two is that the government became overly involved in both.  Some have declared that this was because it was needed.  Most now say this was in fact, the reason why a recovery was delayed.

I can't do this anymore.  I'm TOO FREAKING UPSET!!!  I'm just sick.  This is stupid.  Has the president never read a history book? (AMEN!) Does he not understand math? (AMEN!) Can he not open up a newspaper and read about what is happening in Europe? (AMEN!) Do they not have an economic record of his predecessors in the White House? (AMEN!) Is he oblivious to the hurt and discontent in our nation? (AMEN!) Is he more concerned with his campaign rather than the economy? (AMEN!) Does he not care enough to put aside his politics and do the right thing? (AMEN!)

How any president could make that speech last night is beyond the pale.  As I said earlier, it was an act of treachery.  November 2012 cannot come soon enough. (AMEN!)

*I'm a Baptist minister, so that makes this okay

What I Wish He Would Have Said

On Monday evening, President Obama spoke on the military action in Libya.  Contained in his speech are the markings of developing Obama Doctrine.  I wrote a post yesterday examining what that means. You can read it here. 

After sleeping on it, I think I have figured out what really bothered me about his speech.  It, of course, comes in the section where he outlines how he perceives American leadership.  He says,

Let me close by addressing what this action says about the use of America’s military power, and America’s broader leadership in the world, under my presidency.

  

There will be times, though, when our safety is not directly threatened, but our interests and values are. Sometimes, the course of history poses challenges that threaten our common humanity and common security – responding to natural disasters, for example; or preventing genocide and keeping the peace; ensuring regional security, and maintaining the flow of commerce. These may not be America’s problems alone, but they are important to us, and they are problems worth solving. And in these circumstances, we know that the United States, as the world’s most powerful nation, will often be called upon to help.

In such cases, we should not be afraid to act – but the burden of action should not be America’s alone. As we have in Libya, our task is instead to mobilize the international community for collective action. Because contrary to the claims of some, American leadership is not simply a matter of going it alone and bearing all of the burden ourselves. Real leadership creates the conditions and coalitions for others to step up as well; to work with allies and partners so that they bear their share of the burden and pay their share of the costs; and to see that the principles of justice and human dignity are upheld by all.

I was on my best behavior as I wrote my analysis yesterday, but the honest truth is that I absolutely detest this last paragraph.  What enemy of the United States would read or hear those words and not feel emboldened; that their actions may go unpunished.

As I said, something about the wordplay bothered me.  Today, I figured out what it was.  I dislike his wording, because it contradicts the heart of a historic address by another President. 

I never want to be known for only criticizing and not offering a helpful suggestion.  So, with that in mind, I offer this; the section of another speech I wish he would have echoed.  (Feel free to yell out when you know who is speaking)

...the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe -- the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans -- born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

This much we pledge -- and more.

To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is little we can do -- for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.

To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom -- and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.

To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required -- not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

Those are the words of President John F. Kennedy at his inaugauration.  Read the whole speech here.

In his speech, he talked of the need to strengthen the UN, the need to negotiate with others and the need to always seek peace where possible.  But he made it clear to our Communist enemies where he stood.  We can fault some early missteps during his Presidency, but this speech was a highpoint.

I want our President to make it clear to the oppressors that they should no longer expect to have free reign to terrorize the citizens of the world.  That America will lead the charge toward a better world that will not abide the trampling of liberty in any its hidden corners.  We will always strive to lead the community of nations against tyranny in all its forms wherever they exist, but  America will never backdown from acting alone in the service of our own liberty and security.

That's what I wish he would have said.

Reflections: A Ronald Reagan Rundown (updated)

Amidst the Super Bowl hoopla this weekend, the interweb will also be running over with various tributes, memorials, anecdotes and other such musings on our 40th president to celebrate what would have been his centennial birthday.  Born on February 6th, 1911 he lived a life that not only saw the events of the 20th century, but he without a doubt, played the largest part in steering them over the last quarter century.  The Soviet Union was born in 1917 while he was still a boy.  When he ascended to the Presidency, America seemed to be a weakening nation, unable to stand in opposition to this menace.  Eight short years later, the Evil Empire was in its death throes and would soon collapse as liberty spread across eastern Europe.  Americans came to the realization that the specter of nuclear war had passed into the night with each ping of the hammer that fell the Berlin Wall.  The Soviet Empire ultimately, could not outlive Ronald Wilson Reagan.  Thank you Mr. President.

Here's a rundown on some of the various Reagan tributes I thought you might like.

John Yoo at NRO's Corner Blog

Steven Hayward at NRO

The Washington Times

Ed Rollins, CNNOpinion

Daniel Flynn, Frontpage

Lou Cannon, Politics Daily

Mark Joseph, Investors Business Daily

Deroy Murdock, National Review - Reagan Revealed 

John Heubusch, Pajama's Media 

Edmund Morris, Washington Post

Senator Orrin Hatch, on the Senate floor 
Too often, I've heard the compaint from friends that the Republicans are all about saying, "No" and don't want to do anything.  Sen. Hatch reminds us of something Reagan said that gives encouragement to those who say, "NO".  Hatch writes,

Ronald Reagan succeeded as president because he knew what he was about. In his farewell address from the Oval Office, he said, ‘I went into politics in part to put up my hand and say, Stop. I was a citizen politician, and it seemed the right thing for a citizen to do. I think we have stopped a lot of what needed stopping. And I hope we have once again reminded the people that man is not free unless government is limited. There’s a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts.’

I attempt to end the perception that Reagan was not conservative enough to be a Republican today in Want some Tea with that birthday cake, Mr. President?

As I have an opportunity to read more this weekend, I will update this page so check back.

Finally, I offer this - the speech by President Reagan on June 12, 1987 that he gave outside the Berlin Wall.  Despite what has been written about him this week, this was no quiet or soft diplomacy.  With the world watching and with the greatest symbol of the east-west divide framed behind him, he called out Mr. Gorbachev by name and told him, not asked, but told him to "Tear down this wall!"  Today, we have leaders fearful of printing cartoons, but the Gipper would not back down.  This epitomized his "peace through strength" diplomacy.  He said to the Soviet Premier, "Hey, I'm here.  I'm not going anywhere.  I'm not here to fight, unless you want to fight.  But I got a better idea.  What we got over here is pretty good and we want you to have it too.  Come down, open the door and shake my hand.  This whole thing has gone on too long.  It's time for it to end.  Now open the door."  Firm, but fair.