President Obama’s State of the Union: Jobs, Education, and Deficits
Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by James Devere in American Politics, Political News
In his first State of the Union Address, Barack Obama addressed how the Government can change the lives of the American people. He addressed a number of concerns and scolded Republicans, Democrats, and the Supreme Court alike. He attempted a heartfelt approach to show that he feels the pain of the average citizen. Above all, he tried to step outside of the Washington clique and to appear to be the populist leader that he seemed to be at this time last year.
With his party in control of the executive and legislative branches of the government, and holding a super majority in Congress, the President attempted to look like an outsider, even an independent. The substance of Obama’s speech was similar to the speech given shortly after taking office in 2009. This may be an attempt to regain some of the momentum that he had a year ago. Obama also tried a take on the establishment tone that served him well in campaign mode, forgetting maybe, that he and his party are the establishment.
The President who, for all intents and purposes, delivered a well-crafted campaign speech tonight, admonished Washington to stop campaigning: “What frustrates the people is a Washington where every day is Election Day.” Barack Obama, who’s campaign organization Organizing for America (now a function of the DNC) is still campaigning, and who’s vehicle BarackObama.com sends weekly campaign emails and fundraising request to constituents, is upset with campaigning. Unfortunately for the President, his choice of rhetoric used tonight will serve to have an opposite effect on partisanship.
President Obama spent considerable time addressing the need for jobs and job creation in this speech, stating, “Jobs must be the number one focus in 2010.” He commented that the stimulus has secured employment for 2 million Americans, and then went on to mention that these jobs include education, law enforcement, corrections and construction. The Recovery Act has created direct government jobs supported by direct government dollars, not private sector jobs that will truly grow the economy.
On one hand, the President addresses the success in (government job) creation by the Recovery Act. On the other hand, Obama acknowledged the true engine of jobs in America will always be America’s businesses and even commented on the need for government to “create the conditions necessary for job growth.” Yet the free market is not seen by the Administration as a vehicle for creating this environment. Instead Obama proposes a tightening of governmental control in some areas of the economy and more direct involvement from the government to create jobs, without an acknowledgement that government-supported employment is unsustainable in the face of private sector losses.
Obama commented on exports, a means of addressing job growth, and in doing so showed a lack of understanding of or belief in free enterprise. The president called for actions that will double exports in 5 years and create 2 million jobs. He plans to do this by providing export initiatives and reforming export rules. To his credit, a loosening of regulations is needed and will increase exports, but in this case actions speak louder than words. In order to have an economy that takes advantage of exports, production has to originate domestically.
An economy that thrives on exports would exploit natural resources, design, innovation, and labor in the production of goods. In Obama’s case, his Administration falls short in action. A true initiative would address the copper, aluminum, steel, plastic, and energy used to make products, it would address the innovation that creates new products. All of these areas have been targeted by the Administration over the last year. When Obama talks about exports as a portion of the jobs plan he is addressing only labor, the smallest component of exports.
The President addressed education saying the same thing that we have heard for years. To be successful, America needs world-class education. He is right. Nobody in their right mind believes that education is not a priority, or believes that investment in education is not an important factor in a strong economy. If the president is serious about education, he would move to reduce the influence of the National Education Association on federal education initiatives.
Much like in the creation of jobs, getting the federal government out of education and returning control of our schools to local governments will create an atmosphere that allows students to thrive. People with a drive to succeed naturally turn to education; allowing rewards for innovation, creativity, and hard work will create its own achievement.
Instead of new innovation in education, the president is now talking about more control at the community college level. The community college system in America is a strength that has served local businesses and economies well over the years. Community colleges are also a success that may not survive government help. In the case of education, less is more. Or vice versa: more rewards for students that achieve and less meddling by the government may be the prescription.
Obama also commented on our budget deficit. After opening his speech with a claim that he has cut 24 different taxes, the president discussed how taxes on achievement will be a cornerstone to deficit reduction. Regarding deficits, based on his actions, it is difficult to lend any credibility to the President’s words. To address the deficit, we must address spending and everything Obama discussed tonight points to a larger federal government with larger government spending to follow. Spending our way to debt reduction is not the answer.
The one area where the Federal Government is needed, national security, was but a sidebar in the President’s speech. Lost somewhere between more spending and his track record of cutting earmarks…yeah, you heard right… and a new call for transparency, Obama gave approximately seven minutes to national security in a speech that lasted 70 minutes.
In every instance, Obama follows the belief that government is the answer; yet in the key areas addressed in his speech, jobs, education, and the deficit, many Americans feel that the Federal Government is the problem. Reducing the size and scope of Government may just be the magic pill that this country needs. The Tea Party crowd gets this. Someday, as they elect more members to Congress, maybe Washington will, too.
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