Our success or failure is based on our decisions in the face of signficant challenge
Today's Zinger:
Discussion:
With each passing day we hear how bad the economy is. CRISIS, big crisis, inherited crisis. Many people (Presidents and pedestrians) have faced big crisis in their lives. The Savings and Loan Crisis of the 80's, the invasion of Europe in the 40's, the Great Depression in the 20's are just a few of the big crisis in recent years.
As individuals we face significant medical problems, job transitions, financial turmoil, loss of loved ones. These are no less difficult, but on a personal basis.
Some people shrink to the occasion and become depressed and non-functioning. Some blame other people (or Presidents) for their problems. Others step up and lead to a new beginning without the blame or conspiracy theory.
Like him or not, Ronald Reagan inherited a more significant economic problem than we have today. Unemployment was higher (10%) interest rates (20%), national morale, etc. His focus was on building a positive future.
Unfortunately, Franklin D. Roosevelt felt the need for the blame game. Always looking back on his predecessor claiming the crisis he inherited was given as the reason for his actions. Roosevelt's major spending programs prolonged the Great Depression by eight (8) years. Enamored by the British economist John Maynard Keynes, Roosevelt continued his fiscal spending beyond economic needs based rather on his ideology.
We cannot afford President Obama to be the "community organizer" for America. Since he started his Presidential Campaign in 2006 he had an agenda of health care, welfare, education, etc. These are all good programs, but he has entered the White House at a time that requires a different focus. As any good coach knows, you have to adjust your strategy and approach based on the conditions on the field, not dogmatically stick to your original plan. Every executive knows that if you don't make the short-term financial numbers you will not be given the opportunity to execute a longer term plan. Our President must stabilize and rebuild the financial community before worrying about changes to health care, poverty, energy and other social programs. If he is successful with the economy he will most likely be given another term where he can work on the other issues. Trying to do much much too fast risks failure on all fronts and could leave our country in very damaged state.
Unfortunately his rhetoric has villainized business, Wall Street and wealthy people. Many of these people and groups will be critical to the success of turning around this economy. To generalize a group and create ill will is no better than racism. Just because the majority of prisoners in jail are African American does not make all African Americans corrupt. The same is true for those that have done well in business. This is the land of opportunity that was built on capitalism. We are now being led to a country of government caretakers.
As Americans we must protect our way of life because it is under attack. This President cannot blame his predecessor for the actions that he takes to deal with the current situation. There are alternatives to his actions. These are the ones that he has chosen and we must accept the success or failure of his decisions. Are we sure we are heading down the right path? If not it is up to each of us to take a more active role in getting our voices heard. It is not acceptable to wait and see what happens. By then it may be too late and our way of life will not be sustained for our children and future generations.
We all face significant challenges in our life. Its not the size of the challenge but rather how we respond to it that determines our success or failure.
Discussion:
With each passing day we hear how bad the economy is. CRISIS, big crisis, inherited crisis. Many people (Presidents and pedestrians) have faced big crisis in their lives. The Savings and Loan Crisis of the 80's, the invasion of Europe in the 40's, the Great Depression in the 20's are just a few of the big crisis in recent years.
As individuals we face significant medical problems, job transitions, financial turmoil, loss of loved ones. These are no less difficult, but on a personal basis.
Some people shrink to the occasion and become depressed and non-functioning. Some blame other people (or Presidents) for their problems. Others step up and lead to a new beginning without the blame or conspiracy theory.
Like him or not, Ronald Reagan inherited a more significant economic problem than we have today. Unemployment was higher (10%) interest rates (20%), national morale, etc. His focus was on building a positive future.
Unfortunately, Franklin D. Roosevelt felt the need for the blame game. Always looking back on his predecessor claiming the crisis he inherited was given as the reason for his actions. Roosevelt's major spending programs prolonged the Great Depression by eight (8) years. Enamored by the British economist John Maynard Keynes, Roosevelt continued his fiscal spending beyond economic needs based rather on his ideology.
We cannot afford President Obama to be the "community organizer" for America. Since he started his Presidential Campaign in 2006 he had an agenda of health care, welfare, education, etc. These are all good programs, but he has entered the White House at a time that requires a different focus. As any good coach knows, you have to adjust your strategy and approach based on the conditions on the field, not dogmatically stick to your original plan. Every executive knows that if you don't make the short-term financial numbers you will not be given the opportunity to execute a longer term plan. Our President must stabilize and rebuild the financial community before worrying about changes to health care, poverty, energy and other social programs. If he is successful with the economy he will most likely be given another term where he can work on the other issues. Trying to do much much too fast risks failure on all fronts and could leave our country in very damaged state.
Unfortunately his rhetoric has villainized business, Wall Street and wealthy people. Many of these people and groups will be critical to the success of turning around this economy. To generalize a group and create ill will is no better than racism. Just because the majority of prisoners in jail are African American does not make all African Americans corrupt. The same is true for those that have done well in business. This is the land of opportunity that was built on capitalism. We are now being led to a country of government caretakers.
As Americans we must protect our way of life because it is under attack. This President cannot blame his predecessor for the actions that he takes to deal with the current situation. There are alternatives to his actions. These are the ones that he has chosen and we must accept the success or failure of his decisions. Are we sure we are heading down the right path? If not it is up to each of us to take a more active role in getting our voices heard. It is not acceptable to wait and see what happens. By then it may be too late and our way of life will not be sustained for our children and future generations.
President Obama campaigned on changing certain things like health care, education and income equality. We expect him to fullfill these promises. It was the Bush administration that got us into this mess and it will be Obama that will get us out of it.
Reply to this
Hope and change has already turned into blame and shame.
I really hope that he can pull this off.
Reply to this