President Obama claims his ambitious agenda is about making America stronger.
Others suspect it's more about making America more socialistic.
Either way, by trying to revamp the country's health care, energy and education systems at all once, he's trying to build a house in a hurricane.
Even his supporters are losing confidence he can do it, or should even try. Focus on the banking and credit crisis, they're saying. Everything else can wait.
They're right.
Famous financier Warren Buffett has supported Obama and advised him. But even Buffett is saying the administration's response to the banking crisis has been "muddled," while the economy goes "over a cliff."
"People are confused and scared. People can't be worried about banks, and a lot of them are," Buffett said last week.
Buffett has called the situation "an economic Pearl Harbor," while others see it as an economic 9-11. Either way, it's been a dangerous situation, and the president and his people need to focus on it.
Instead, they've taken on what they see as every major problem the country has, from health care to education to energy.
As syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer so deftly observed on this page last Sunday, many of the president's priorities and programs have had nothing whatsoever to do with the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
"Health, education and energy -- worthy and weighty as they may be -- are not the cause of our financial collapse. And they are not the cure," Krauthammer wrote.
Indeed, they may instead be part of a leftist agenda aimed at fundamentally remaking the infrastructure of American life.
About Obama's early adventures into health, education, energy and more, Krauthammer writes, "The fraudulent claim that they are both cause and cure is the rhetorical device by which an ambitious president intends to enact the most radical agenda of social transformation seen in our lifetime."
Regardless of the motivation, though, the White House's lack of a laser-focus on the banking and credit crisis has vexed and frightened the markets and, perhaps, taken some steam out of what we hope are positive signs of economic recovery in the auto, banking and retail sectors, as well as a bump upward in the stock market.
Let's be clear, here: We don't buy into the president's views of big government, but on the economy we do not want him to fail!
But William Galston, a former President Clinton adviser, in an article titled "Barack's Too-Long Wish List" in the liberal New Republic , warns that an unfocused agenda might do in Obama's presidency (and with it, we might add, the economy). Galston says both Presidents Carter and Reagan had ambitious, even radical agendas -- but that Reagan was more successful because of his clarity and discipline.
Likewise, Galston writes, FDR focused on the banking crisis -- and reassured Americans he was on top of it with the Emergency Banking Act, passed in one day.
"It is time for President Obama to focus his considerable leadership and communication skills on the financial crisis," Galston writes, "to speak candidly with the people about the magnitude of the problem, to embrace a solution commensurate with the problem, and to do whatever it takes to persuade Congress and the people to accept it. If he does not, he could end up where another highly intelligent, self-disciplined, and upright president did three decades ago."
In other words, back home.
Comments
Oh Obama is focused alright....on "card checking" Rush Limbaugh and the rest of the conservative media. When the government/union operatives, looking like something out of the Sopranos, come around and "ask" if you are joining the union/Democratic Party, signing up for national healthcare so you can pay someone's elses medical bills, contributing your "fair" share in taxes and watching MSNBC, what are you going to do, reach across the aisle?
If McCain had won the election all the "Gurus" in Augusta would be praising him up and down...even if he did nothing !
From Obama's second day in Office you folks started blaming him for everything you could think of...I am susrprised you haven't already come out with your "Don't Blame Me I voted for McCain" bumper sitcker...
Obama is and is going to be a darn good President and you folks can't stand it! All of you will be angry for the next four years {possibly eight} YOU LOST! GET OVER IT!.Isn't that what you told the Democrats for the last eight years?
I didn't like McCain that much either and was actually hoping Obama would do a good job. Sadly, for the country, that doesn't appear to be the case. In the midst of this economic crisis, he is concentrating on "card check" for union organizers, universal health care for all the billons more it will cost annually and Rush Limbaugh? As inexperienced as he is, I knew there would be problems, but was hoping he could overcome much of that with the right advisors. His cabinet selection process is the worst in history. It is one mess-up after another so far. Time for Rahm Emanuel to go?
Again The Augusta Chronicle editorial staff (ACES) takes its cues from the likes of Charles Krauthammer. Puhleeeeze! It is true that President Obama now in his 54th day in office has not yet solved the banking crisis that was at least 10 - 15 years & perhaps 20 or more years in the making. To my dismay President Obama has not ended the policy begun under President Bush of launching missiles at suspected Taliban / Al Qaeda (not the same thing mind you) targets in Pakistan. As the news today attests this has only led to a destabilization of nuclear armed Pakistan which has a population of over 170 million people. Obama is also escalating the level of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Gen. David Petraeus says that an Iraqi-style surge won't work in Afghanistan. Despite these negatives, there are indications published in today's Sunday Times of London that a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan may be in the offing. As far as the U.S. economy goes, President Obama has explained that he is addressing healthcare in this country (long overdue), energy (long overdue) & education (long overdue) because they are part and parcel of longterm stability & economic growth. ACES old saw doesn't cut it!
From Obama's second day in Office you folks started blaming him for everything you could think of...Posted by MtnMan on Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:49 AM - Yup sure have and will continue. This country was founded on individual rights which are being slowly eroded by the policies of this President. This "lost, get over it" crap that you continue to spew is just that CRAP. You all were never late telling the rest of us what you thought of Bush. I'm not going to be late telling you what I think of Obama. If your socialist [filtered word] don't like it don't read it. I have said it before and I will say it again and again that the terrorists don't need to do anything to America because we have a President that is intent on destroying America and everything it stands for from within for them.
"Gen. David Petraeus says that an Iraqi-style surge won't work in Afghanistan." Posted by JohnRandolphHardisonCain on Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:18 AM - I see you are glad to paraphrase the General when he agrees with you. Hmmm it wasn't that long ago that you were agreeing with moveon.org's assessment of the General. What a hypocrite you are JRHC. Also have you ever answered SisterX with why it is not OK for the Jews to live on stolen land but it is OK for you to live on land stolen from the Native Americans?
William Galston, a radical left winger agrees with Charles Krauthammer, a very conservative writer. O's ambitious agenda is a swirling conglomerate of confused action. While the banking business is in a state, he's building a monolith to Karl Marx. I'm hoping he'll improve with experience, as most presidents do, but it seems I might a well hope for lead to turn to gold.(that seems more likely) The only way for America to survive this "leader" is to have a big turnover in congress in 2010 and remove this experiment in 2012.
Folks still want the very things that got us into this mess - instant gratification and a sense of entitlement. Some of the replies to this article are evidence of that very fact.
The American Revolution changed everything. The Great Depression changed everything. The U.S. Civil War changed everything. December 7, 1941 changed everything. President George W. Bush repeatedly stated that 9/11 "changed everything". I say that the current economic crisis has again changed everything. These paradigmatic events cause tectonic shifts in our society. The economic house of cards built on paper wealth has collapsed. It is necessary to restructure our society if we are to adapt and survive. Inequalities in wealth have grown in recent years not because of hard work on the part of some but because of economic scams perpetrated on those who work the hardest for the least return. Notice that AIG is again set to dole out massive bonuses to the already well heeled to be paid for by taxpayer bailout money. This type of abuse must absolutely he halted by hard fist regulatory oversight. That will restore confidence in the American capitalistic system.
coalminer, you waiting for your check?
Obama made it clear druing the campaign that he intended to redistribute the wealth. He is not a capitalist. In order for our economy to prosper, Obama needs to fail.
A shotgun approach to the problems will not work. He must pick one at a time and focus efforts and resources to accomplish the overall goals.
Dang, Cain, I agree. I knew there was some reasoning ability in that head of yours. Good comment (8:44)
Cain does finally make a point worth making. (8:44)
I hope they will also stop the waste in raises paid to Congress, the plane that queen nancy 'must' have for her personal use, the White House parties every week, and other government spending waste. When we go after some for their excess, we must go after all.
They have put frank and dodd in charge of a part of the financial problems. That is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house.
The only difference between the GOP's flushing of our economy and the DEM flushing of our economy is the former flushes clockwise and the latter flushes counter-clockwise.
right on ITDoc. republicans and democrats, opposite sides of the same coin. they are looking out for no ones interest but their own. growing government, cutting or curtailing our freedoms and through corporate/farm subsidies through welfare/healthcare reform ensuring "the redistribution of wealth". think different. vote 3rd party. or at least look 'em up for chrissake.
This is twice today, Cain, that Patricia has agreed with you. Which one of you went to the doctor and had your medicine doubled??? Cain's point about government oversight of AIG is valid. But I'd go one further. Let the government stop payment on the bailout check. If Sam's Barber Shop or Leo's Garage or any other small business were to fold, would the government bail them out? Hell no!!!!! Why are these banks and mortgage companies more important? Why aren't their customers whom they influenced to sign hopeless mortgage loans held accountable? Why must we feel so sorry for these folks that we are willing to sacrifice our own assets to cover their a--es? I failed in the early 90s, got no bailouts, rebuilt, protect myself and my stuff, and seek no help and don't feel I should offer any. No one offered to bail me out. And I'm glad they didn't.
Rieverman, "signing up for national healthcare so you can pay someone's elses medical bills"- we already do. Medicare, Medicaid, indigent care. I've paid Medicare premiums for 15 years, and I've never used, in any year, the amount that I paid in yearly premiums.
corgi..I never get back all the dollars I pay for auto insurance, thank God!
Be grateful that you haven't had to use your medical insurance, you are one of the lucky..
gcap, the reason the federal government considers the banks and mortgage companies important is because of the guarantee they gave them to get them to give the unsecured loans. All of these bad loans were guaranteed by Freddie and Fannie. Without backing the bad loans, the government would never be able to trick or even influence the banking system again. And because of the backing, the bad loans were able to be packaged and sold as viable investments. That's how the rest of the world was sucked into this mess. As Cain stated, this economic house of cards was built on paperwork and promise. Imagine the nightmare if the loans aren't made good. Confidence in the American capitalist system is the only solution.
If McCain had won the election all the "Gurus" in Augusta would be praising him up and down...even if he did nothing ! From Obama's second day in Office you folks started blaming him for everything you could think of...I am susrprised you haven't already come out with your "Don't Blame Me I voted for McCain" bumper sitcker... Obama is and is going to be a darn good President and you folks can't stand it! All of you will be angry for the next four years {possibly eight} YOU LOST! GET OVER IT!.Isn't that what you told the Democrats for the last eight years?
Posted by MtnMan on Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:49 AM....8 years of Bush bashing by the left and now you want US to "get over it" that BimbObama won? Not hardly, when the socialist agenda of BimbObama is to destroy our country's capitalist system that has made us the greatest nation on earth and in history. Like WW II, the Germans and Japanese lost the war, but sure as hell won the peace. We can fight BimbObama and the socialist DIMocrat Party and win in 2010.
Cain, I know you would puke rather than admit it, but Krauthammer is one of the most respected JORNALISTS in the business today (you wont find him on National Propaganda Radio (NPR) PMSnbc or the Communist News Network (CNN). Being a self proclaimed socialist, little wonder that you would want socialized medicine, free education and all the other crap that has bankrupted California and New Yok City, to name a few as you have stated that it is OWED to your daughter. We who work for a living and pay our taxes and mortgages owe you socialist ne'er do wells and your progeny NOTHING.
Notice that AIG is again set to dole out massive bonuses to the already well heeled to be paid for by taxpayer bailout money. This type of abuse must absolutely he halted by hard fist regulatory oversight. That will restore confidence in the American capitalistic system.
Posted by JohnRandolphHardisonCain on Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:44 AM....AIG cannot give over $500K in bonuses per BimbObama's exec order capping them if they accepted/accept bailout money. A change IS required these days to stop the greedy pilfering of people's hard earned money by the bankers and GSE's Fannie and Freddie. F&F Need to be put out of business as they caused most of this mess, as well as impeachment of that guy (?) Barney Frank and the other crook, Chris Dodd..
Peterstealmore...a reply in the form of an insult. The truths hurts doesn't it.
coalminerpa, a real, liberal idiot!
You should know, PA Poo!
By the way, Pa poo, you didn't, have to change your post to take your insult out.
Cain, I glance at your posts now and I see key words. The same old same old rehash of the past. You have thoughts worthy of reading, but you continue to go back over past political mistakes, in your opinion. You even revert to criticism of Reagan. If you really want people to listen to your ideas, please talk in the present tense. Tell us what you think Obama should be doing. What is the use of criticizing the past mistake?. Carter and Clinton made huge mistakes. You are so smart, tell us Obama should be doing. He is your candidate. Tell us what you think he is doing right and what you think he is doing wrong.
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