THE CURMUDGEON CHRONICLE ©
AN IRREVERENT VIEW
Time Line: January 29, 2009
Date Line: Flemington New Jersey
President Obama is not the Sheriff of Rock Ridge though there are scenes in Blazing Saddles like some in Washington DC. Like Mel Brooks’ Sheriff our 44th President is trying to get the cooperation of people antipathetic to him, regardless of the positive things he wants done for them.
Whether a President or a Sheriff; cooperation from the public and local authority is essential to set new directions. The Sheriff got it by hoodwinking Mongo and seducing Lilly von Shtup; this is not a movie and the solution is not as simple for President Obama.
He may write the script and be its leading man but he needs cooperation from the Republican Party to get a successful production on stage everywhere in the country. Without that cooperation the Republican Party may become marginalized and that is not good for the country. Loyal opposition makes for honest political governance.
The legislature can cooperate and participate by being focused on
Awarding stimulus contracts and monitoring them as though they were being run by the Mafia. Stewardship is as important as originating job creation.
Assuring that projects are national in scope, revenue generating, tax neutral, require no new agencies, and are administered by existing government departments.
Seeing to recovery for waste and theft that characterized contract awards during the Bush administration’s tenure.
Insisting that education spending be instruction, (not construction), oriented. Construction projects should repair or enlarge existing structures; new facilities are the concern of the local community.
Limiting tax deductions and give-aways. That money buys foreign products and doesn’t create jobs here. Most likely, cash refunds will pay off debt. A valid personal use of money that doesn’t create jobs.
Mandating the return of some off-shored jobs over the next four years and levying a tax of 50% of the gross difference in wage rates on non-complying companies that sent jobs abroad to provide services here in the US.
Assuring that within three years everything used by the Armed Forces, National Guard, police, and fire departments is manufactured in the US.
Assuring no disruption in supply of critical needs also aids in the development of technology. That program can provide stable, long term, manufacturing jobs for products ranging from textiles and electronics, to weaponry and chemicals. Who knows; we might get to be innovators again instead of consumers, stylists, and aroma therapists.
The President’s powers are cast in a mould devised by James Madison, (“father” of the Constitution). He was given the power to conceive, implement and execute programs for the good of the country. That is the sense of the oath he takes, “to preserve, protect and defend” the Constitution” and in doing so, to safeguard all Americans. The best Presidents used their powers in conjunction with Congress. They acted without the legislature only if Congress was unable or unwilling to act. Obama has signaled that he wants legislative participation and assent.
The country needs to see action on its problems now. This is not the time for legislators to dance the political fandango. The minority party must be included in the process and its points considered. The President must decide whether those points fit the agenda he was elected to implement. Special pleadings by either Party must get short shrift in his final decisions.
The Senate will consider the stimulus package passed by the House; fiddle with it, and send it to Conference. If the process takes more than ten business days, the President must break the log jam. Let’s hope he has the support of the people to act, and the strength of will to do so.
Howard Stamer
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