IN THE first week of Barack Obama’s presidency, two things became clear.
The first is that Obama intends to be the president he told voters he would be. On his second day in office, he signed four executive orders to end the use of torture by the United States and begin the process of shutting down the prison at Guantanamo Bay.
The next day, the new president called for tougher rules and oversight on the use of the money used to bail out Wall Street and the nation’s big banks. He also overturned the Bush administration policy of denying funds to international groups that perform abortions or provide information on birth control.
None of those actions should have come as any surprise. Obama was clear on all three issues during the campaign.
The second thing that became clear last week is that Republicans in Congress are not going to sit silently by as Democrats chart a new path for the nation. Party leaders in the Capitol began attacking Obama’s proposals for government spending to break the back of the recession.
Just as Obama signaled that he would be doing the job he promised to do from his first day in office, the Republicans signaled that there will be no honeymoon for his administration.
That is not a criticism. The job of the opposition is to oppose, consult and compromise, not to sit on its thumbs while the party in power has free reign over national policy.
One of the nation’s greatest problems over the past eight years has been the refusal of Congress — Republicans and Democrats alike — to act like a Congress, to deliberate, debate and propose solutions.
Obama said before and after his election that he wants this government to be a communal effort — a reflection of, if not national unity, then national unity of purpose. That can only be accomplished with the participation of a reasoned opposition to question and test the party in power.
So the opposition — so long as it is not mindless — has its own role to play in the months and years to come.
The elation of Inauguration Day to the contrary, the Obama administration did not begin with rainbows and bluebirds, but with the usual business of government.
It began well, and it began as it should.
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
....he said, as he sipped a tall glass of liberal Kool-Aid, hummed "kumbaya", and viewed through rose-colored glasses the Utopia delivered by the infallible & omnipotent Messiah.
January 26, 2009 at 3:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
You know, the honeymoon.
January 26, 2009 at 4:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Happiness09 (anonymous) says...
Bjnemp (whatever that stands for) you're a jerk, and I don't much appreciate your slander of the omnipotent Messiah.
January 26, 2009 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
If only we could get Pelosi & Reid to work with the other side.... or, better yet, put in place some education programs to get the average IQ of the people that continually vote for them up a little higher, maybe even close to average...
January 26, 2009 at 4:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalelinn (Dale Linn) says...
Well said, Bjnemp & Happiness09, although I think I'll wait on my Green Bubble-up and Rainbow stew.
January 26, 2009 at 5:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
"If only we could get Pelosi & Reid to work with the other side.... or, better yet, put in place some education programs to get the average IQ of the people that continually vote for them up a little higher, maybe even close to average..."
Yes because no child left behind was such a massive success......
January 27, 2009 at 2:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Patrick, I quote you; "One of the nation’s greatest problems over the past eight years has been the refusal of Congress — Republicans and Democrats alike — to act like a Congress, to deliberate, debate and propose solutions."
Oh, I see now that the liberals are in firm control you would like the Republicans to turn over a new leaf and start cooperating with the opposition party, engaging in deliberations and debate and propose solutions. Why didn't you have that grand insight eight years ago Mister Liberal Kelly? I think we need to give the new president the same respect and cooperation that was given to the last president. But, remember that insightful thinking four years from now and maybe we will consider utilizing it.
______________________________________________________
Republicans had congress from 1992-2006
Republicans had the Presidency from 2000-2008
bang up job fellas, everything is in great shape!
Pro-tip the reason they are not in power anymore is because they went against everything they stand for, that is what is supposed to happen when a party in power fails to deliver on their motto right?
January 27, 2009 at 2:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sunshine (anonymous) says...
Right on Patrick...there is alot of work to be done, and I have doubts that everything can be fixed in one term, but it does look like things are off to a good start. I think there will continue to be much criticism, many have just lost faith that our government can do a good job for us, but we all need to remember that it is the job of every American to make a difference. If you sit back and watch those that represent us do the work (or not) and do nothing but criticize by posting on your local newspaper website, then you have no right to complain when things don't turn out the way you want it to. If you don't like what is happening, speak up, write letters, do whatever it takes to be heard, but excuse me if I think that criticizing someone for expressing their opinion and faith in our current government is just plain cowardly and childish. By all means debate, express your opinion, but before you do maybe you should read what you are about to post....sometimes I wonder who is behind some of these comments because there doesn't seem to be alot of inteligence behind them.
January 27, 2009 at 7:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
"One of the nation’s greatest problems over the past eight years has been the refusal of Congress — Republicans and Democrats alike — to act like a Congress, to deliberate, debate and propose solutions."
WOW! I can't believe it! WOW! I've been saying this for years! WOW! When I would make statements like this that maybe some of Bush's mistakes weren't his alone people people would just get mad and say that it was his fault and his fault alone. Well now that the person of George W . Bush is completely destroyed maybe people can use their brains and realize that there is more to the government than just one man. Welcome home common sense, I've missed you.
January 27, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
It was 1994 when the GOP gained majorities, not 1992.
As for No Child Left Behind, The original Senate vote was 87-10 for (3 not voting). 6 Dem, 3 Reb, 1 Ind against. Quite a few Dems voted for it, looks like. 43 to be exact, including Clinton & Biden, a couple of names that might ring a bell. And 44 Repubs for. Doesn't look like the "50-50 majority" in Congress exactly rammed it down the throat of the other 50.
The House vote was 186 Reb for, 34 against, and 197 Dem for, 10 against. Pelosi voted For.
Looks like it was more popular among Democrats in the House than Republicans. Even though Repub was the majority.
Now, whether it has been managed correctly & lived up to its promise since, that is debatable.
But yes, it was Bush's initiative, therefore lets pin it all on the GOP, right?
You are absolutely correct when you say the reason the GOP is not in power is that they went against pretty much everything they stood for. And that is what we are supposed to do when they fail to deliver, vote them out.
However, it doesn't seem to work in the case of people like Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, etc...... I wonder why? Anyone else curious about that?
January 27, 2009 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
OH OH OH! I Know! The media! Oh and people stupidly listen to their TVs as if it has all the answers.
"When will I learn? The answer to life's problems aren't at the bottom of a bottle, they're on TV!"
Homer Simpson
January 27, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
"Now, whether it has been managed correctly & lived up to its promise since, that is debatable."
This is all that matters, because the fact is that good or bad program if not funded the way it should be it will fail reguardless. Congress votes on funding right? They had control of Congress at the time and it was Bush's policy. Therefore republicans are to blame for it's shortcomings.
"However, it doesn't seem to work in the case of people like Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, etc...... I wonder why? Anyone else curious about that?"
I would say at this point if things do not get better by the next elections they might get voted out as well. Strangely enough though unseating senator incumbents seems to be a tall order, Ted Stevens almost won reelection, the Democratic senator with the cash in his freezer is still serving to my knowledge, last I knew the guy caught playing footsy in the airport restroom was still serving. /shrug it's a good question.
January 27, 2009 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
"OH OH OH! I Know! The media! Oh and people stupidly listen to their TVs as if it has all the answers."
The media was right to rip into the republican party for straying completely astray from their ideals, this is why I did not vote for any conservatives this time around. I hope they get the message and put up viable candidate next election.
Consequently I have already seen quite a few newspeople on CNN ripping into the Dems and Obama already, as they should when they see things not up to snuff.
To be honest I think most people look at the state of their being now compared to when the incumbent president started then vote for him if they are better off or againist if things are worse. Pocketbooks speak louder than the TV in my opinion.
January 27, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Ah, but hasn't open_eyes proven that the Democrats are also to blame for a lot of stuff that the republicans are getting all the blame for?
I do commend Mr. Kelly for finally admitting that his Democrats played a part in our current problems. Look at our Sec. of State Clinton did she not vote to go into Iraq? It's interesting who we can forgive and who we can't and why.
January 27, 2009 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Yeah, it's interesting how Democrats can outvote Republicans for something, with over 3 times as many Repubs voting against as Dems, but since Dems were the minority, it's still the Republicans fault. Funny how math works sometimes LOL. "They had control.... and they are to blame".... that pretty much sums up the sad thinking in this country these days. Well, that makes it easy, now we know who to blame for everything for the next 2 years. Doesn't matter if 41 Repubs & 10 Dems vote for it, & 49 Dems against, or visa-versa, it's the Dems fault. Okey-dokey. :)
I do wish I understood why voting out incumbent Congresspeople seems to be so difficult. Maybe we should impose some term limits on Congress, like maybe 4 terms max? Hey, they could serve 4 terms in the House, then 4 terms in the Senate, if they're really popular....
The media IS right to rip into whatever party when they stray, and the GOP has deserved quite a bit of what they've gotten. Problem is, thinking like "they're the majority, so it's their fault", is alot of what is wrong with this country today. So much for trying to work together. Let's play the blame game. And, of course, Bush was top of the ladder, so he gets it ALL. Apparently.
I'm curious about NCLB though. Is throwing more money at it the answer to everything? (Seems to be the prevailing thought today).
"Over the time of this law, Congress increased federal funding of education, from $42.2 billion in 2001 to $54.4 billion in 2007. No Child Left Behind received a 40.4% increase from $17.4 billion in 2001 to $24.4 billion. The funding for reading quadrupled from $286 million in 2001 to $1.2 billion".
Basically, it seems that no matter how much money you throw at it, someone is going to complain that it's underfunded. Which may be the case. But, let's all jump on the "spend, spend, spend" bandwagon, it's time for everyone to do a 180 from the "the deficit, the deficit, the deficit" bandwagon we've complained about for the last few years.
January 27, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Personally I don't trust government when EITHER party has an overwhelming majority in all 3. I'm well aware of legislation the GOP tried to ram thru on their watch, much of which failed because they were only a slight majority. Now we're going to see the exact same thing, in the other direction, only with more success, because they are much closer to filibuster-proof numbers, and they don't have to "reach out" to nearly as many people on the other side of the aisle.
Politics, politics, politics. We've got 2 years - let's see how it goes, and base our decisions in 2 years on what is best for the country, not what is best for our particular favorite party. Can Americans do that - Please?
January 27, 2009 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
"goodoleboy sunshine,
Liberals have had control of the congress for the past two years. The economy melt down happened on their watch."
Incorrect, this had been a long time coming and BOTH parties are at fault, 2 years is not enough to judge this Congress on. I think even Open_eyes will agree
January 27, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Yes, I absolutely do agree. However, that doesn't jive real well with "They had control of Congress at the time......Therefore republicans are to blame". This has been a LONG time in the making, with lots of blame to spread around everywhere. It's just hard to fathom how some of those at the very core of it (Barney, for one, Obama, running training sessions on how to force banks into making bad loans) came out smelling like a rose. And how some of those who warned and tried to do something about it (Bush, McCain, however half-hearted the attempts may have been, it was STILL more than we heard from most warning about the upcoming danger, and trying to push legislation thru to hopefully prevent it) - gets most of the blame. People sure are fickle. If a politician's party designation was kept secret, or they all registered as independents, wouldn't it be funny how people's perceptions of them would change, even if nothing else did?
January 27, 2009 at 4:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Open_eyes writes, "...let's see how it goes, and base our decisions in 2 years on what is best for the country, not what is best for our particular favorite party."
Amen!!! We've got to put aside party politics; our country's future is what counts. I'm still willing to wait and see, but some have mounted their attacks from day one. Too bad for the country with such attitudes.
January 28, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Setting aside party politics is good. To bad we couldn't have done it the last several years. Better late than never I guess. Let's look to the future and hope for the best.
January 28, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )