State of the Union and all that jazz.....

Last week, President Obama gave his State of the Union address before Congress. Now, I must say that at this point I'm still some what skeptical of the President's ability to lead instead of follow Congress, but this speech was definitely a step in the right direction. The major theme of the speech was, drumroll please, JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!!! The president outlined several bills and initiatives that he would like to see approved by Congress to aid in job creation. This included my personal favorite which is giving money to small, community banks to loan to small businesses. I believe that the administration did a good job in salvaging the big banks. However, the big banks are still steam rolling over the middle class. Therefore, I think that it is time for Americans to take their money and put it in credit unions and smaller banks, effectively pulling the plug on the steam rollers. For Americans to have trust and confidence in many of these smaller banks, they will need to be shored up by Washington. The President also used his SOU time to talk about healthcare (really there was only about 5 minutes on this issue), he discussed the military policy of keeping homosexuals in the closet (aka Don't Ask, Don't Tell), and he even took a swipe at the Supreme Court (yes, apparently even the mighty 9 can be dressed down). As pleased as I am by Obama's speech, actions speak louder than words, and the American people are ready for more than just lip service out of Washington.

Now, I would like to give a high five, dap, fist bump, and a h*ll yeah to our Commander in Chief. More impressive than the SOU speech, has been the President's Q & A sessions with Republicans and Democrats (see links below). The first session was held with Congressional Republicans, and it was anything but nice for the Republicans. They hurled thinly veiled attacks at Pres. Obama in the form of legitimate policy questions and concerns. Due to his cool demeanor, this is the arena in which Obama absolutely shines. He not only answered each question and addressed each concern, but he did it in such a way as to depict the Republicans as clearly the party of No, uh-uh, and all out obstructionism. The beauty of this little chat fest was that the President requested that it be aired on television which was a stroke of pure, political genius (I must say this is one of those rare instances where Republicans were actually caught being off their game). In the same spirit, he discussed policy issues with his own fellow Democrats on the air, and he wasn't any easier on his former colleagues in the Senate. He let them know in no uncertain terms that Americans are tired of the constant political BS in Washington, and they needed to be about the business when it comes to resolving many of the challenges faced by American citizens (he also laid this out to the Republicans. Of course, I giving the general gist of his conversation). For a political junkie such as myself, it was fascinating and interesting television. These are the types of transparent conversations that Obama needs to have more often so that the American people can actually understand why nothing can be accomplished in D.C. However, he still needs to drag defecting members of his own party (mostly Democratic Senators who are in hot water at home) into his office for a private chat. My suggestion would be that he let these particular Democrats know that he helped many of them get into office, and if they expect his help come November (and they most definitely will need his help), they better get in line behind his policies because there are bills which need to be passed immediately (in short, get 'er done!). If the threat of no campaign help doesn't work, he will have to utilize the big guns which would be basically the threat of a slash and burn campaign on any "pet projects" the Senator may hold dear. The bottom line is that before bipartisanship can be adopted, the Democrats still have to get their own house in order. The Q & A sessions at least show that the train is starting to roll out of the station, and this folks could be a very good thing, a very good thing indeed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1-jasxb7NY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AsM7bQ_JTU

Afghanistan! Need I say more...

Well, Atlantans took to the polls yesterday to elect a new mayor and city council president, and we technically still don't have a mayor yet. However, the likely winner is Kasim Reed. (the young, GA state senator who came from relative obscurity. Remind you of anyone????) The winner for city council president was Ceaser Mitchell (another fortyish, black male. I must say it is shaping up to be a rather good year for youngish, black males.) There are some interesting similarities between the Atlanta mayoral race and the democratic primaries of 08. However, I will have to review the run off after we officially have a mayor (come on Mary Norwood, let's not drag this thing out forever). I would like to take a moment to express how proud I am that the citizens of Atlanta actually had a more than decent showing at the polls yesterday(who knew that more people would turn out for the run off a couple of days after Thanksgiving than the general election?? Is there some recall on turkeys due to them being stuffed with "unknown substances" that I don't know about? ). Compared to the elections in November, it was an absolute triumph. If we are truly going to make a difference in this town, this is the type of turn out that we must have at every single election.

Moving on, I really want to address the president's decision on Afghanistan. Last night, President Obama announced that he would be sending an additional 30,000 troops into Afghanistan as part of a "surge" effort. He said that this is necessary to ensure the security of the United States and her interests. He also mentioned that we would only be there a grand total of 18 months, but, of course, that will depend on "conditions on the ground" (code for if we haven't made progress in 18 months, this could start looking like another Iraq). He also made very little mention of funding this war. The president did a wonderful job of informing the nation on his decision. However, for the first time during his tenure as commander-in-chief, I don't think he sold it. He has been able to sell a majority of this country on bail outs, healthcare, and most importantly hope that things will get better. Until last night, it seemed as if everyone (excluding our "buddies" in the Republican party) was on board the Obama express. I hope that this is the right decision for our country, and this war may very well prove to be successful. However, I'm not sure Obama will be able to claim victory.

As it stands, president Obama has made a decision that elates Republicans and has severely fractured his own base in the Democratic party. I repeat: Obama has made a decision that elates Republicans and has severely fractured his own base in the Democratic party. The question becomes, can Obama trust Republicans enough to support him in this war effort? Could this all possibly be a set up by Republicans down the line? I honestly think that president Obama is an intelligent, thoughtful, and kind man, but there comes a time when you have to put down the white flag and throw up your middle finger to the opposition. I don't know if this war in Afghanistan will be successful, but I do know that you can not alienate your base and expect to win an election. Now, over years, your base may become more moderate (conservative Republicans need to take note) and be more willing to compromise with the opposition on certain key issues. However, the Democratic base has not grown more moderate and, last time I checked, are staunchly anti-war. Hmmmm, could it be that some wise Republican realized that all we have to do is divide the democratic party over key issues (healthcare reform, blue dog democrats need to "GET ON BOARD"), and in 2 years we will waltz back into Congress. 2 more years after that (provided the right candidate comes along), we are back in the oval office sitting pretty.

It is precisely for this reason that Democrats need to support the president in his decision to send more troops into Afghanistan although, many Democrats fundamentally oppose sending anymore of our resources (human or monetary) over to the Middle East when we should be taking care of home, first ( I would have to agree with them on this point. Actually, Obama campaigned on this very premise). I say this all the time, and I think it bears repeating: no matter how upset the Republican party got with Dubya, when he made a decision, everyone fell in line and supported him to the hilt. The bottom line is united you stand and divided you fall. Unless this democratic party wants to be on the outside looking in come 2010 and 2012, they can not allow themselves to fall.

Finally, in the mean time, president Obama needs to check himself about the people who are his true supporters and have his back. I will always respect him for having his own mind in making decisions, but some of those decisions better start falling the other way and quickly. Things like escalating a war in Afghanistan and bailing out Wall Street ( people who are now making record amounts of money while American citizens are still jobless and homeless) are not the type of decisions that endear you to the hearts of the people. Healthcare reform could honestly be the best Christmas present that this president ever receives.

A for Effort

And the 2020 Olympics goes to the city of....... Rio de Janeiro? As I was on the shuttle headed to my office last week, I engaged in an interesting debate about the fate of the 2020 Olympics. There were riders who absolutely knew that Chicago was going to win it's bid for the 2020 Olympics. After all, it's ideal location along Lake Michigan, star power (I mean Oprah is known just about everywhere and let us not forget our esteemed president Barack Obama), and it's well known reputation for being a town run by gangsters (I'm sure there are some greasy palms somewhere connected to this Chicago bid. I mean after all Chicago can't be shown up by Utah when it comes to the bribery game.) There was the other group on the bus who were staunchly in the Madrid corner. It seemed absolutely ludicrous to them that the Olympics would ever go to Rio or Chicago (there is nothing but thugs in these places for pete's sake which is code word for....). At the end of the day I and one other woman were the only people who believed that Rio was definitely going to be the city. I suppose the fact that the Olympics have NEVER been held in South America before doesn't resonate with people. The fact that Brazil is a part of a handful of countries that could actually put on a half way decent opening ceremony (No one will ever show up China, but can we get a country that at least has great costumes?) doesn't make a difference to some people. Most importantly, the opportunity for jobs that the Olympics brings to a country teeming with poor people just doesn't pull at the old heart strings.

Now, don't get me wrong, putting on the Olympics isn't a cheap task. It will require huge sums of money, and it has been known to back fire on cities before (I adore Montreal, but they were broker than a joke after hosting the Olympics). However, it seems to me this is a gamble that a city has to take. It is the same gamble that President Obama decided he had to take in order to help Chicago. There is no telling how many jobs may have been created by the Olympics coming to Chicago. I am tired of hearing people say it was a mistake for President Obama to go to Copenhagen to make the case for the United States. Although he had other pressing matters, he had to try for every person who is jobless, furloughed, or facing a potential job loss in this country. Now, Brazil gets it's chance to help it's citizens, and we should be glad to see that for once the underdog finished first. It seems to me that we talk a good game about wanting to see change in this country and the world, but it is just that.... talk. On the shuttle last week, I said to everyone sitting there that Brazil getting the Olympics could be their "change" moment (who would ever believe that a nation with so many impoverished people would be allowed to host such a prestigious global event). Moments like winning the Olympics for the first time in your continent's history or electing the first black president in a country's history are inspirational for many. These "moments" remind us that there is always something better waiting around the corner if we just exercise a little patience and a whole lot of prayer, devotion, and meditation. Therefore, although Chicago lost it's bid for the Olympics, I still give President Obama and his lovely wife Michelle (who we all know is the real brains behind this operation, lol) an A for effort.

Healthcare's new game plan

Well, ladies and gentlemen, September has arrived!! This means that you better enjoy your last barbeque of the summer this weekend. It means that a majority of America's kids are back in school (and might I add, not a minute too soon. My neighborhood pool was starting to look like an episode of 7th heaven gone terribly wrong). It signifies the start of that great American pastime known as football which means that the real work for some American employees has started (I mean drafting a good fantasy team and managing it does require one's full attention, after all). Most importantly, it is when Congress reconvenes for the fall session. Therefore, it is now time for Democrats to get down to work and iron out the new game plan for this health care bill.

Now, I have my own vision for how this little scenario should play out (keep in mind I am just your average citizen looking at Washington from the outside in). Anyway, here is my game plan, like to hear it, here it go: First and foremost on the agenda, everyone will have to get on the same page. Thus, President Obama is going to have to step up and take over the reigns (rains?, reigns?, reins? clearly I wasn't an English major in school) from Pelosi, Reid, and company. He needs to start by having a meeting with all dissenting members of his party and fence sitting members of the opposing party. It is time to figure out exactly what these people want in order to quickly sign on to this bill. Now, I'm not saying the president needs to sell his soul here, but I am saying that, when plausible and reasonable, he is going to have to cut some deals, period (unfortunately, that is the American way, either deal with it or move elsewhere). You get nothing for free, here.

After getting all parties on board, it will be time to have that little "Come to Jesus" meeting that I mentioned in my previous blog. All the wrinkles in this bill need to be ironed out, and all the holes mended to make this sucker air tight. After a consensus has been reached on exactly how health care reform is going to be achieved with this bill, talking points should be handed out. Now this next point is important, anyone who doesn't stick to the script will be on their own next November when congressional seats are up for grabs (that's right, they need to roll mafioso style on this one). Democrats do not need to underestimate the importance of talking with one voice on this issue. Ultimately, united you stand, divided you fall.

Third, this step is absolutely crucial in moving this issue forward. President Obama will have to sell this plan to the most important stakeholders, us, the American people. Now, what I would like to see is Mr. President go on tv prime time and explain this health care bill to the American people, and do it CORRECTLY this time. Part of the problem with Democrats is that they don't know how to talk to the average American. It is an interesting phenomenon when you think about it. Democrats certainly tend to relate better to the average American, and they definitely sympathize more with the struggles of the working class citizen. However, they still haven't learned how to speak the average "joe" talk. Conversely, Republicans stay disconnected from reality, yet they can talk on the level with average Americans, and I'm not talking about dumbing down their speech (although we know that Dubya was no Rhodes Scholar). I'm talking about letting go of the political rhetoric and giving people some straight talk for a change. There are so many lies circulating about this bill that I can't keep track of them all, but they resonate with people because they are presented in a way that people understand them. Meanwhile the truth is getting lost in no man's land because the administration and congressional Democrats seem incapable of just outlining this bill in a simple 1, 2, 3 manner. Now, I know president Obama is extremely capable of doing this because he has done it in the past. He needs to talk to the American people as if he were talking to his own children (there will be some who are offended by this simplistic manner, but they are going to have to suck it up and be alright). It needs to go something like this: #1. This bill will cost _____ dollars, period. #2 This bill will have a public option that____________or will be a single payer system that______ or will not have a public option because of________, period. #3 This bill will affect Medicare by_______________,period. #4 This bill will be paid for by_________,period. I think you get my point. He needs to end it with an appeal that illustrates why this bill isn't about any one person, but it is about providing health care for the country as a whole. Simply, this ain't about me, it is about you. When it is time for media questions, the president should only take questions on health care, and he needs to refer all journalists back to the list. Republicans will then get 30 minutes ( yeah, 30 minutes is it,they are the minority party after all) after the President to present their alternative solutions in the same manner. It is then all in the hands of the American public to decide how "we the people" would like to see Congress proceed on this issue. There should be a time span of about two weeks to a month where the public will be allowed to voice our opinions on the "new and improved" health care bill. How Democrats choose to have this open forum is entirely up to them.

Finally, after this time, it will be time to either go back to the drawing board or it will be time for this bill to hit the House and then Senate floors for a vote. This is where it is time for Congress to uphold their end of the deal and either put up or shut up (and whoomp, there it is!). If only things could play out this way, we might be able to move on to some other pressing issues facing this country. However, knowing Washington this debate will continue with little or nothing being accomplished. (sigh) and I ask you why??