The level of criticism aimed at President Obama and his administration regarding their actions toward our limping economy is unrelenting. Some skepticism is fine, but a hefty dose of reality is better. The critics thus far have offered nothing better—if anything—than what our government is trying to accomplish.
Our economy at present needs support. Who is in a better position to provide this support than our government? Certainly not “big business”—they do well when the economy is well. Otherwise, you’ve seen their actions in our present economy: Layoffs are the name of the game. So who’s left? We have a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” so it’s our government responsibility to help stabilize our economy when necessary.
Keep in mind President Obama inherited the economic mess we’re in, including the stimulus payments program, as many are now complaining that too many tax dollars are being spent on stimulus programs. Where was all this concern about tax dollars being spent when billions were being wasted on a futile and useless conflict in Iraq that resulted in nothing but lives lost and endless conflict? Where were the tea partiers then—and their followers? We decry socialism, but what about Medicare? Our government has subsidized U.S. farmers, landowners, and U.S. companies doing business in foreign countries for years, so what do we call that?
Failures in certain sectors of our banking and financial industry were simply due to greed. Failures in our auto industry were due to American automakers failing to keep pace with their foreign competitors. Our health-care costs are exorbitant, but our general health care certainly isn’t as good as it should be. If our government doesn’t bring some control to our runaway health-care costs, no one else will.
The president and his administration deserve much credit for their efforts in trying to help stabilize our economy. At least they’re trying. The Republican effort in this matter has, for the most part, been null and void. They’ve banded together like a herd of cattle, waiting for a rational thought from one of their own to guide them in their next direction.
All too often, we expect and want a lot, but are unwilling to give up much. For those expecting a quick fix to our economic woes, it won’t happen. We’ve enjoyed the good times our economy has provided us in the past, so now we’ll have to suffer thought these trying times. Perhaps taxes will have to be raised to accomplish this end. If so, so be it.
This article appears in Sep 24 – Oct 1, 2009.