Impact of Obama

Are you actually replying to your other account? That’s even worst then Margov…..

Barry, I think there is more to it than your mere comment. I’m going to ignore race here, primarily because I believe most of the Omninerds are ignoring Obama’s race as an issue. I’m not going to focus on how Obama’s Race may shape his thinking; because that’s far more complex of an issue to address here. You’ve called me an ‘enlightned moderate’ in the past; but most polictical tests I’ve taken show me to be a libertarian with conservative leanings where fiscal and certain social policies are. I consider myself to be a pretty middle of the road conservative. I believe in taking care of those completely unable to care for themselves; but I believe that a majority of that care should come from private charity, with the public option making up the difference, if any.

The bigger issue, in my opinion, is the fact that the de-facto control in both sides of the Congress that so-called ‘social liberals’ have. Certain of their policies from the past (which they continue today) have led us down the path of ‘bread and circuses’ and the concept of ‘entitlement’ that many people feel. I’ve heard people say that they are ‘entitled’ to their jobs; that the company ‘owes’ them, the government needs to ‘take care’ of them, or some other such nonsense. As a personal example, I hear a co-worker grumble loudly every day about how much he’s lost in ‘benefits’ (insurance costs on the rise, no 401K matching) since his former employer merged with the company we work for; after all he’s ‘entitled’ to them. And, he balked when they offered him a raise to offset the cost increast for insurance. Several people left the company this year because of the fiscal decisions to cut the benefits, because they feel they are ‘entitled’ to them. Never mind that the parent entity lost 30 million last year and will lose about the same this year. They originally thought it would be closer to 45 million, but they’ve seen improvements in the economy; plus their own cost saving measures that have helped alleviate those losses. I came in after the merger; my health care costs went up nearly 600%—to nearly $800/payroll (and that’s MY contribution) this year, while his went up $40/payroll. I could have kept the same ‘cost’, merely traded down to a ‘high deductible’ policy where nothing but prescriptions and 1 ‘wellness’ visit per year were what was covered until I met my $4,000 deductible. I opted out, and have found coverage elsewhere I’m paying for post-tax. Yes, I know there are medical savings accounts, but those are a ‘use it or lose’ policy. A policy that I question—why should the insurance company get to pocket my contributions if I’m healthy enough not to get sick, or lucky enough not to get injured?

Many of the Omninerds here only know through history class about the last time de-facto liberal control of the Congress. The House was veto-proof (67% in 1976)—which occured during the Carter Administration; I lived it. I was in High School at the time—I recall gasoline being too costly for many of us. Minimum wage at the time was $3.10—and most high schoolers worked for sub-minimum of $2.74. More than a waiter/waitress, but less than an adult in the same job. Granted, we weren’t taxed, but I recall $1.25 for a gallon opf gas in 1980. Coincentally, this was the last time there was a veto-proof majority of any party; currently, we’re at about 53% in the house Democrats, but there are numerous moderate Republican/Conservative and other parties to almost make certain of a majority vote on many issues—based on the old-school ‘quid pro quo’ that runs politics. The Senate isn’t veto-proof either (60/40 split), but a majority vote is almost guaranteed. The ‘checks and balances’ are missing.

What are things I, personally am unhappy with about the first 10 months of the Obama Presidency? How about the 32 ‘czar’ postions created that answer directly to the President and bypass Congress? That is rather troublesome. How about the fact that, where healthcare is concerned, the real issues aren’t being addressed—issues like tort law reform, or encouraging greater competition among insurance providers across all 50 states. How about ‘monopoly busting’ policies that would call to question the merger between two very small players in the Snack Food market to the point that they would call it off?

On the economy—creating short term ‘road repair’ employment is not the answer—I, for one, would like to see programs created for entrepreneurs who are working on alternative energy and fuels (forget fusion and nuclear, they’re pipe dreams). These will be the job incubators of the future. More monies available for technical and trade schools—check out http://www.mikeroweworks.com—because not everyone is cut out to be a rocket scientist.

Our current economic state goes back to the Carter administration, continued through ‘The Reagan Years", and still continues today. The Financial Sector has lost a majority of the checks and balances set forth during the 1930’s and beyond. Now, we’ve got near-control of the financial sector by the federal government; as well as control of major sectors of private industry by the feds as well. This didn’t work out so well in the past in other countries; I don’t know why we think we can do it any better.

My wife’s daughter is due to give birth in March; I wonder what our country will look like when she is graduating High School, if it exists at all. Russian Academic Igor Panankin has asserted that 2010 will be the beginning of the end of the USA; that it will split into about 6 parts. California Republic, under control of China; Texas Republic, under control of Mexico; Atlantic America, which may join the EU; and the Central North-American Republic, controlled by Canada. The other two parts are: Hawaii, controlled by Japan; and Alaska, which will be re-absorbed into Russia. His predictions are based on alleged ‘classified’ data from FAPSI (Russian Intelligence) and his own analysis of the US Debt; which he considers to be an enormous ‘pyramid scheme’.

Will this breakup occur? I don’t know; I hope not. However, I also cannot see how this country can survive much longer with the mounting debt and deficit spending. Nor can I see how it can survive without something giving us a proverbial ‘shot in the arm’ to ward off the cancer of lethargy that grips this country.