Making non-ideological headway

I recently read an article in the NY Times Opinion section by Frank Rich, a regular in that section.
It's entitled "The Up-or-Down Vote on Obama's Presidency."
Now, I think we can all agree that Obama hasn't proven to be the magical knight of change and hope that he promised to be in his campaign. Unfortunately, he hasn't even been much of an ordinary foot soldier for hope and change.
Rich makes some really great points about Obama and how he has thus far failed to make any difficult choices in the face of partisan attacks and serious issues. He has a great ability to talk to people, tell them that he understands key issues and the need to solve them but he doesn't act. He has yet to outline a clear-cut plan of action, a path to fixing a broken America, on anything from health care to finances. He seems deathly afraid to be called out as partisan. His fear is a great contributor to the stalling. I believe he confuses his ability to act with the appearance of extremism. Acting on key issues is not about choosing sides, it's about getting things done, regardless of who believes what.

Rich mentions FDR and Reagan, two people, who throughout their political careers, made decisions based on their own knowledge and convictions for what they felt was right. The New Deal was seen as extreme by both parties. FDR said "fuck it." In 1967, after Reagan had just been elected governor of California, he submitted one of the largest state budgets in California history, much to the dismay of his conservative pals. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying either one of these characters is infallible. I'm merely bringing up examples of partisan leaders who acted on issues regardless of what their party would bitch and moan about later.

Obama hands off key issues like finances to Congress that will in all likelihood just banter back and forth until they take their next vacation. He apparently didn't want to go up against the same people who filled his campaign piggy-bank. I say bullshit. You're commander-in-chief. It is your job to act on the behalf of the people, not pundits or partisan bullies who claim you're too right or left. Your people are depending on you to act. Like Rich says, Obama doesn't have another year to dance around issues throwing well written speeches our way. A firm stance is necessary to move forward. And, in the end, as commander-in-chief, he has to close his ears to both bickering sides, and go off his own mind. And as his constituents, we should do the same. Work to move forward, not left and right.

Video #7

Here's the link to my video #7, discussing the crumbling infrastructure of our country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXXP6wTtpZg

Obama talks the talk...

...but can he follow it up with powerful legislation aimed at fixing the issues at hand? That's how that saying goes, right?
The CNN headline from yesterday said "Obama rips Republican obstruction." Now before you get images of the full-of-fight Sumner and Brooks in the halls of Congress, Obama's "rip" was far less injuring or physical.
Obama did, however, lash out at GOP tactics of filibustering and throwing insults rather than pushing for change and reform.
And like his State of the Union, Obama didn't shield Democrats from criticism. He said that the Democrats' strategy to "do nothing" about the Massachusets Massacre is a terrible idea. "We should do more and we should do so without delay," Obama scolded.
He complained that Democrats have been very compromising while Republicans continue to do the old, fingers-in-ears-not-listening routine.
He mentioned, with applause from me, that most people don't give a flying fuck (not his choice of words) who has a majority, what processes are necessary for bills to be passed, they just want them passed, according to what they voted for! They want to know what the elected officials are doing FOR them.
Having read this article on CNN, I momentarily let out a cheer in my head, but the skeptical twin meandered into my brain and reminded me that there is a big difference between scolding people, talking on a podium and getting down and dirty and pushing for change. I myself, have to admit that writing this blog is a lot easier than actually going out there and doing the work.
So, Obama, let's do this. The people want it, you say you do, so what the hell are we waiting for?

1 Minute Mission: Washington's stalemate

Here's the second installment of the one minute mission. Again, posting the youtube link until the video issues here are resolved.

Thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N3kjNUdPRU

Pussy footing

So, I'm a very straightforward person. If I have an opinion on something (which I usually do), I will voice it, and I realize that not everyone shares my views. The problem comes when people compromise their views to appease others. It is impossible to make all people happy, and the greatest offender of this is the Democrats.
As I said in my last post, Obama isn't doing enough to combat major issues. He has fallen into the typical Democratic bog of "oh, what do you think?" While this is an important point in politics, it should not be taken to the extreme of not getting anything done because you wish to make sure all are pleased. Take a look at Poland, for example, due to the need that votes must be unanimous, they never got anything done, they never mobilized as a country. Politics is a difficult game of compromise and resolve. You must stand for what is right, but be willing to work with others. It's a tough line to walk.
I'll give the two best examples of those who have walked successfully: Dwight D. Eisenhower and Bill Clinton. Regardless of how you feel about them, the facts are that they got things done. The economy was soaring by the time they left office. With Clinton, unemployment decreased each of the eight years that he was President. What did they do?
Maybe it's what they didn't do. They didn't pussy foot. At the same point, neither one was blindly ideological, stating that their parties interests came above those of the entire country. They walked the line between that, constantly moving, constantly examining the current status quo and changing.
Here is what we currently lack. We don't need or honestly have the time for a president who is dead set on pleasing everyone. We don't have the money or the will power to sit through while Washington argues with itself about what to do about us 'little people.' Now is the time to square off against tough issues, and you can't do that by pussy footing.