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Talk about failing to learn life lessons. After battling for governmental control, Obama is making lofty decisions that stand firmly against the will of the American people. While he has experienced extremely high approval ratings for his performance these past three weeks, digging somewhat deeper into the polls showcases a substantive shift in public opinion. From climate change to corruption — to funding for overseas abortions — Obama and the Democrats are paving the way for future electoral defeat.
In an era when millions of Americans are suffering job losses and struggling to meet their most basic needs due to corruption and greed, Obama has pursued individuals who have defaulted on their taxes and evaded general responsibilities to serve in his cabinet. In no particular order there was Tom Daschle (”was” because he has now officially bowed out of consideration as a nominee for the position of Health and Human Services Secretary), who failed to pay over $130,000 in taxes. Obama had this to say in response to the outcry surrounding the potential cabinetee (as per FOX News):
“Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it, nor do I,” Obama said. He added that the “mistake” should not diminish the “many contributions” Daschle has made to the country.
Then comes Nancy Killefer, who also withdrew her name for consideration for the position of “chief performance officer.” Killefer would have been the first to take this position, but tax problems also hampered her ability to accept it. And then there is Bill Richardson, who — according to FOX News — withdrew his name over an alleged kickback investigation:
“Obama’s first choice for commerce secretary, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, took his name out of consideration when his confirmation appeared headed toward complications because of a grand jury investigation over how state contracts were issued to political donors.”
The confusing part of the nomination conundrum centers upon Obama’s promise to root out corruption. So far the only rooting that’s been done is for earmarks and fiscal irresponsibility (i.e. a stimulus plan that calls for $600 million for government vehicles and funding for overseas abortions).
Aside from these shining examples of hypocrisy stands America’s new Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner, who belatedly paid $34,000 in income taxes. The irony behind this clearly centers upon the fact that Geithner, a man who did not pay his own taxes in a timely manner, is going to advise President Obama on all things economy: government fiscal policy, and domestic tax policy, amongst other responsibilities. And I thought Gregory B. Craig’s (Obama’s White House counsel) defense of a presidential assassin was an embarrassment to the Obama Administration. Talk about one-upping one’s self.
Clearly, the American people should have some concerns. One could argue that the aforementioned examples simply result from human error. But, upon examination there is a pattern building here that is disturbing at best. Even when one looks beyond the drama surrounding nominees and confirmations, the Democrats are making decisions that rail against the will of the people.
Unfortunately, Democrats have a habit of complaining about Republicans so fervently that they eventually convince the people, through the liberal media, that Republicans are ill-equipped to lead (and some are, but it’s nowhere near the proportion of Democrats). Then, when they finally convince their way into office, they spend the majority of their time undoing every conservative regulation they can get their hands on, while failing to take the time to formulate their own policies. It’s the ultimate na-na-na-na-boo-boo, only the Democrats are willing to throw money at any problem that their undoing of well-meaning conservative policies doesn’t immediately solve.
Just look at Obama’s major decisions thus far. According to polls released this week, the majority of Americans stand against Obama’s first two executive orders. As for the first of these orders — the president’s decision to provide funding to family planning organizations overseas that provide abortions -58% of Americans disagree with Obama; only 35% support the decision.
And when it comes to the closure of Guantanamo Bay, 50% of the American public opposes, with 44% supporting his decision to close Guantanamo’s doors within a year. While his approval rating is currently high, the American people are already making it known that they disagree with his far-left agenda (these two orders are precipitating facets of his worldview).
Understanding ultraliberals is a daunting task. They will protest in the streets when Americans go overseas to defend inherent freedoms, but when it comes to international infanticide, they sit on the sidelines and stand idle. At the least, you’d think they’d at least spout off about the need to support the domestic abortions they support so fervently before shipping funding off to other countries. Apparently funding clinics that provide abortions in Zimbabwe is more important than funding our crumbling educational system.
Obama needs to get with the program. Instead of holding press conferences to tell us how he’d never have a lobbyist serve in his administration right before backtracking and hiring a lobbyist, he should spend his time making meaningful and well-planned policy. We need him to succeed, but with uncollected decision-making at the helm, success isn’t on the horizon.
Read more from journalist and commentator Billy Hallowell at www.williamhallowell.com.
