What's going on???

I have thought quite some time about how I would like to address the various issues in the media right now. I have to start with the devastation that occurred and is still going on in Haiti. My deepest condolences go out to all those who lost loved ones, and the Haitian people who are fighting a seemingly hopeless battle for survival. At long last, there seems to be some progress being made, and it is my hope that this country will be rebuilt stronger than before. It is also my hope that the Haitian people are not forgotten in the weeks to come, for they will need continued international aid and support for the forseeable future.

On the homefront, I am more confused than ever about the Democratic strategy and agenda. How is it that Massachusetts now has a REPUBLICAN senator? The truly disgraceful fact is that Senator-elect Brown is taking over the seat held by the late Ted Kennedy. The same Ted Kennedy who championed health reform for the majority of his life. Health reform that is now in serious jeopardy due to the election of Mr. Brown. Futhermore, why is it that this president has not learned how to effectively whip his party into line? Tonight President Obama delivers his State of the Union address before Congress and the nation. Now, I propose that there needs to be a a State of the Union address publicly, and a state of the Democratic party address privately.

In the State of the Union address, President Obamas is going to have to level with the American people. He needs to lay out the accomplishments of his administration (such as they were) over the previous year. He also needs to explain how his administration will be correcting any mistakes over the next year. He will also need to lay out his plan in terms of this country for the upcoming year. This essentially means that he should be discussing in great detail how he plans on getting people back to work and recreating middle class wealth. Americans don't want to hear about anything else with the exception of an update on security issues . I would also like him to put it out there to his opposition in Congress that the time for games is over, and he will basically being utilizing his steel toed boots and kicking some bootay this year (ok, I know he can't say this, but wouldn't it be nice to see a President go there in a State of the Union address for once). It would also be a good time for him to send out pink slips to certain members on his team who have been quite frankly DISASTROUS (Yes, Mr. Geithner, security will have to escort you out). After all, it is kind of weird to say that you will be getting tough with the banks when you have employed their best friend as the head of your economics team.

In terms of the state of the Democratic party address, he needs to let Democrats in Congress know that the game is most certainly about to change. It is no longer about them, but it is only about him and his plan for some real, substantial CHANGE. He needs to admit that he made a mistake in handing the reins of this party over to them, and he needs to kindly let them know that contrary to popular belief, he is indeed the HNIC. He needs to finally distribute the talking points for the next 3 months (I can't say enough about Democrats getting on the same page and staying there). These talking points will involve rescuing the healthcare bill and getting it wrapped up and put away. Then it is all about jobs, jobs, jobs, period. In the mean time, David Plouffe has been brought on to ensure that Democrats get elected in November. This means that there should be some type of major "get out the vote" campaign coming sooner rather than later. The bottom line is that the Democratic party looks absolutely pathetic. They control the white house and both houses of Congress, and what did they get passed last year outside of the stimulus which has banks rolling in the dough?? Basically, President Obama needs to let his party know that it is time to either shape up or ship out. With the 2010 elections being about 10 months away, the time to make this decision is NOW.