Thursday, August 4, 2011

What leader?

I hate to criticize a person on their 50th birthday, but here goes.

Every time I hear President Obama referred to as 'Leader of the Free World' my head almost explodes. I think many of us would agree he is not even leader of the USA. This debt ceiling fiasco was a classic example of his leadership style; stay in the background and let other people make the tough decisions then jump in at the end and try to take credit for the results. After all he voted 'present' 90% of the time in the Illinois Senate. Well the stock markets around the world today made a statement about his leadership of our (and the world's economy); a statement about his performance.

The average American is becoming more and more educated about this debt crisis and Obama's 'golden voice' has lost its impact. This so-called leader has already had 37 fund raising events in just 2 1/2 years in office, and at a time this country has been hurting badly. But he should be able to celebrate his birthday and if you have the money to shell out $34,800 you can attend his party tonight; and if you kick in another $10,000 you can get your picture taken with him. Most of us would agree that you have to be rich to pay $35K to attend a birthday party and it's ironic that these are the same rich people with private jets and yachts that he demonizes in every speech.  But these are HIS rich people.

The experts are telling us that Obama has no more arrows in the quiver to shoot at this failing economy - I disagree. Here are some 'arrows' that could ignite this failing economy and get it moving at high speed again:

1/ Repeal Obamacare and replace it with a sane health care bill that provides a safety net for truly poor people.

2/ Rescind all the ridiculous EPA and consumer protection regulations that the Obama administration has instituted. Some experts predict these regulations alone will cost American industry a trillion dollars over the next ten years.

3/ Open up Anwar, the Gulf, and both coasts of the USA for responsible oil drilling.

4/ Eliminate all corporate subsidies and tax loopholes and reduce the corporate tax rate to a permanent 25%.

5/ Freeze ALL government spending including salary raises for all employees including the President and Congress, at 2011 fiscal year levels and DO NOT raise it again until the debt is 18% of GDP or below. This includes Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

6/ Raise the top tax rate of 36% by 10% making it almost 40%. At the same time raise everyone's tax rate 10% including requiring the 50% of Americans that pay no tax to kick in something. Even if they make $10,000 per year why should they not participate in this country with at least a 1% income tax? After all, they benefit from all the services.

7/ Put a reasonable limit on unemployment insurance and require people on welfare to do some form of work, even if it means picking up trash or mowing lawns in local parks.

8/ Finally, cancel this so-called 'super-committee' and tell elected members of Congress to either do their jobs or resign and go home. And that includes our "leader"

Do you think any of these arrows will be put back in the quiver? Not a chance.