Mr. President: Are We Making Progress?

News & SocietyPolitics

  • Author Steve Davis
  • Published December 10, 2009
  • Word count 964

So how is President Obama's administration doing the second 100 days in office? Do you know? Do you care? You should care and know because this administration's actions will affect you for year's to come like no other administration in the past or future.

Before reading this article, go to the link provided and review the results.

As of October 10, 2009, here are the results as listed at http://reportcard.cnn.com. Letter grades in "( )" are from the first 100 days in office for comparison.

Economy: C- (B)

Health Care Reform: D (NA)

Foreign Affairs: C (B+)

Secretary of State Clinton: C+ (B)

Vice President Biden: C- (B)

Your Senators: C- (C+)

Congress: D (NA)

Republican Leadership: D (C-)

The Media: D (NA)

President Obama: C- (B)

To be fair, I am a registered Republican. Not to sound "wishy washy" or "non-committal" but I like parts of both the Republican and Democratic parties. I'm more of a middle of the road politician. Some would want me to draw a line in the sand and commit to one party or the other. I say there is nothing wrong with owning one's beliefs and being non-conformist. I'd rather stand firm for the right reasons than bend with the breeze to fit in a crowd or political party.

The genesis of the Democratic control we see today began some time ago. You need to go back to the when Nancy Pelosi took the reigns as the House Speaker. Many promises were made. Nancy Pelosi and some of her Democratic colleagues promised to right the wrongs of the previous Republican controlled House. To date, not much has happened and in fact, Mrs. Pelosi is enjoying an all-time low approval rating that makes her the least popular member of the Democratic Party. No need to blame it all of this on Nancy. Congress, whether controlled by the Republicans or Democrats, can be an inactive group marred in greasy political pork - the kind of pork that clogs your financial arteries.

After President Obama won the presidential election, clearly the Democrats were riding high on a wave of hope, reform, and change. Out with the Republicans and in with the new. Here we go again. Another "cleaning house" that will make our country better. Better? Better than what? Than who? This would be the time to remind everyone of the old saying "people in glass houses should not throw stones".

Former President Bush's administration reminded me of Barnum and Bailey's circus at best. At times, the left hand simply didn't know what the right was doing. Disjointed planning, incomplete estimates, lack of focus on the real issues. Remember, hindsight is 20/20. Any armchair politician can sit back and find plenty of Republican failures. So, back to my original question: How is the Obama administration doing after their second 100 days in office?

The economy, foreign affairs, Vice President Biden, Secretary of State Clinton, and President Obama: All of these areas scored a full letter grade lower today than after the first 100 days in office. The honeymoon is over folks! Rhetoric is being replaced with proof. In other words, don't talk about it - Americans want proof. Sadly the democrats can't do it - or at least to "our" collective satisfaction. Give them time. Rome wasn't constructed in a day and these highly complex issues will not be resolved in 100 days, 200 days, over even 400 days.

A controversial Colombian senator who has obtained the release of 16 hostages held by Marxist guerrillas is the leading candidate to receive this year's Nobel Peace Prize

I think it interesting that President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize yet there are no scores for the second 100 days that warrant such an award. I'm glad he received this honor but clearly President Obama's achievement was a surprise to most Americans and others around the world. CNN reported on Friday, October 9, that "a controversial Colombian senator who has obtained the release of 16 hostages held by Marxist guerrillas is the leading candidate to receive this year's Nobel Peace Prize." CNN - you might want to check that headline.

I admire President Obama and his intentions. I cannot remember a more refreshing approach to the Presidency. His plain talk and commonsensical way of thinking coupled with his charisma make him a modern President poised to take on a variety of issues. The problem is we can't afford to pay for everything that needs to be fixed. America simply can't overload our butt's with eternal debt payments. The public debt increased from $5,629 billion to $9,926 billion during the Bush presidency from 2000 to 2008. The debt is now projected to double under the Obama presidency to a level close to 97% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

I know how to increase the Obama Administration grades for the third 100 days. President Obama, here is your step-by-step plan to higher grades and souring approval ratings. In short, this will make my life (a voter's life) better:

  • Find a way to end our involvement in these wars.

  • Focus on the economy.

  • Lower our debt and increase our GDP and exports.

  • Focus on health care reform.

Mr. President, I did not vote for you in the last election. I would gladly consider voting for you in the next election if your administration would clearly communicate your vision by priority and how I'm going to pay for it with realistic numbers without the smoke and mirrors.

Friends, you see it really doesn't matter who is in office - Republican or Democrat. What matters is how government goes about doing the work of the people by fixing the problems affecting our daily lives. President Obama has the ability and desire. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. We can't tackle every ill affecting America. Prioritize and finalize.

Steve Davis is the adminstrator for http://uthinkwhat.com who writes home spun editorials about today's news, growing up, community, and more.

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