The Speech

Here we go again: President Obama lauded for another speech. If his speeches were really as useful as some indicate, we would be the most secure and prosperous people in the world right now. In perhaps the most lucid part of its report, the AP article I have in my hands right now reads, "Thinking longer term, Obama said in a speech lacking many specifics and devoid of initiatives that both political parties must give up favored programs while uniting behind his campaign promises to build better schools, expand health care coverage and move the nation to 'greener' fuel use." ( Associated Press, "Upbeat Obama says U.S. will revive past 'reckoning,'" Kokomo Tribune, 2/25/09, p. A10)

The article also notes that President Obama summoned "politicians and public alike to shoulder responsibility for hard choices and shared sacrifice." (p. A1) I am fed up with having politicians calling me to sacrifice for the suffering and misery they have caused. On top of that, the sacrifice I am supposed to make is for the purpose of allowing them to perpetuate the problems they created! And they refuse to stop their destructive behavior!

So what are the "hard choices?" According to the few plans that President Obama has actually specified, they work out to taking the fruits of responsible, successful Americans, pouring them into the money pit that is our federal government, and maybe doling a bit out to our neighbors who failed to plan for economic hardship. I am not mean-spirited about this. I have always believed that people can do anything they want (legally) with the money they earn. Along with that right comes responsibility, though. Now then my government calls on me to sacrifice so that others do not have to bear the consequences of their choices. How is that supposed to revive a nation?

Well, that's the speech. More government gone wild.