For much of 2011 and 2012, I thought that the goal of president Obama was to put off any policy decisions and results of those policies until after the election. I was wrong. Oh, to be sure, Obama was -- to use the media's favorite expression -- kicking the can down the road. That was unmistakeable. What I failed to realize, however, was that Obama did not want to push things off until after the election; his goal was to push things off indefinitely. Just look at the evidence:
1) In the summer of 2011, Obama forged a compromise with regard to raising the debt ceiling. He got enough of a raise to get past the election and the spending consequences were stuck into sequestration. That automatic spending cut was scheduled to come to a head on January 1, 2013. Of course, when it got close, Obama agreed to put it off for two more months, so that now the date for implementation is March 1, 2013. One would think that Obama would try now to resolve the problem, but that would be wrong. Instead, Obama is trying to just push it off without having to do anything. He has no plan. He is not even trying. In the last two months, Obama has not even spoken to the House leadership about how to handle sequestration.
2) Iran has been running its nuclear program steadily for many years. The mullahs are now at the point where their bomb will soon be inevitable. It is time for action. But what has Obama been doing? The answer is simple: nothing really. Obama is still just talking and hoping to put off any decision forever. I guess Obama figures that when the Iranians explode their first nuclear weapon, he can blame it on the Republicans.
3) The Keystone XL Pipeline is probably the most studied project in the history of America. When Obama took office, there had already been a three year study period regarding the pipeline. Since then, we have seen four more years of "study". Probably the best way to describe the project is that everyone knows everything about it. Even so, Obama still will not make a decision on whether or not to allow construction. Clearly, he is hoping that the Canadians will just decide to build the line to supply China rather than the USA, thereby relieving him of the need to decide.
4) In Syria, the death toll has now exceeded 70,000 folks, nearly all civilian casualties. Obama, who took the USA into war in Libya over the threat of a few hundred civilian casualties has just sat by an watched. America has had not coherent policy, indeed no policy at all to influence events in Syria. Because of that, we now face a likely outcome of the civil war that means either a murderous Shiite terrorist remains in power in that country or a coalition controlled by murderous Sunni terrorists take control. By sitting on his hands, Obama has all but guaranteed that an outcome where moderate elements took control is impossible. Even now, Obama will not implement any policy to shape the Syrian future in a way that would be more favorable for the USA.
5) There are a number of actions that the federal government could take to increase economic growth in this country. Some are ideologically untenable to either Democrats or Republicans, but many are not. Obama could meet and find common ground with the GOP leaders in order to help millions who are suffering through the continuing absence of growth. He does not do that, however. He just makes speeches offering vague descriptions that he calls "proposals". Indeed, he is still saying the same things that he has said now for years. Obama could actually help, but he chooses not to take action.
Obama has raised kicking the can down the road to an art form. Maybe this weekend, Obama's Hollywood buddies can give him a lifetime achievement award. The Oscar for best inaction goes to.........................
1) In the summer of 2011, Obama forged a compromise with regard to raising the debt ceiling. He got enough of a raise to get past the election and the spending consequences were stuck into sequestration. That automatic spending cut was scheduled to come to a head on January 1, 2013. Of course, when it got close, Obama agreed to put it off for two more months, so that now the date for implementation is March 1, 2013. One would think that Obama would try now to resolve the problem, but that would be wrong. Instead, Obama is trying to just push it off without having to do anything. He has no plan. He is not even trying. In the last two months, Obama has not even spoken to the House leadership about how to handle sequestration.
2) Iran has been running its nuclear program steadily for many years. The mullahs are now at the point where their bomb will soon be inevitable. It is time for action. But what has Obama been doing? The answer is simple: nothing really. Obama is still just talking and hoping to put off any decision forever. I guess Obama figures that when the Iranians explode their first nuclear weapon, he can blame it on the Republicans.
3) The Keystone XL Pipeline is probably the most studied project in the history of America. When Obama took office, there had already been a three year study period regarding the pipeline. Since then, we have seen four more years of "study". Probably the best way to describe the project is that everyone knows everything about it. Even so, Obama still will not make a decision on whether or not to allow construction. Clearly, he is hoping that the Canadians will just decide to build the line to supply China rather than the USA, thereby relieving him of the need to decide.
4) In Syria, the death toll has now exceeded 70,000 folks, nearly all civilian casualties. Obama, who took the USA into war in Libya over the threat of a few hundred civilian casualties has just sat by an watched. America has had not coherent policy, indeed no policy at all to influence events in Syria. Because of that, we now face a likely outcome of the civil war that means either a murderous Shiite terrorist remains in power in that country or a coalition controlled by murderous Sunni terrorists take control. By sitting on his hands, Obama has all but guaranteed that an outcome where moderate elements took control is impossible. Even now, Obama will not implement any policy to shape the Syrian future in a way that would be more favorable for the USA.
5) There are a number of actions that the federal government could take to increase economic growth in this country. Some are ideologically untenable to either Democrats or Republicans, but many are not. Obama could meet and find common ground with the GOP leaders in order to help millions who are suffering through the continuing absence of growth. He does not do that, however. He just makes speeches offering vague descriptions that he calls "proposals". Indeed, he is still saying the same things that he has said now for years. Obama could actually help, but he chooses not to take action.
Obama has raised kicking the can down the road to an art form. Maybe this weekend, Obama's Hollywood buddies can give him a lifetime achievement award. The Oscar for best inaction goes to.........................
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