I was just listening to CBS News cover the comments by president Obama about the Super Committee. Obama told the Committee to keep working and keep trying to find ways to reduce the deficit. That was it; no specifics, no suggestions and no attempt to bridge the gaps to find a solution.
Obama was campaigning. He was taking a position that will sound good to Americans who only hear the headlines without having to find any solution. Indeed, given Obama's re-election plan to run against the Republicans in the House, he probably is perfectly happy that the Super Committee fail. It fits perfectly with his campaign rhetoric.
Just imagine if Obama were to lead instead. Two months ago, Obama would have called the committee members to the White House to meet to discuss possible ways to bridge the gap. He would have had weekly meeting with them after that (or at least every other week). When the two side were not coming closer, he would have pulled strings to up the pressure on both groups to compromise. He also would have come forth with ideas of his own to bridge the gap. (Okay, so Obama having his own ideas may be only wishful thinking on my part, but I can dream.) Ultimately, we would have seen a deal and we would be part of the way towards dealing with the deficit as a problem.
The truth is that while Obama thinks that government is the answer to every problem, he does damn little to try to make the government work.
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