This is not a pro-Obama / anti-Romney article, or vice versa. This is not a response or rebuttal to any political messages I have read. This is just a forum where I wish to speak my own opinion.
I have heard a lot of talk regarding Mitt Romney’s questionable past dealings. Unfortunate, yes. However, I have yet to hear about Barack Obama’s past accomplishments. Are there any? I didn’t think so. Before his presidency, Obama served as a US Senator (2005 – 2008) for three years. What did his accomplish? Well, three years isn’t much time to accomplish anything when working from a Congressional seat in the grand government machine. Three years also isn’t a lot of time, period, when thinking in terms of political experience needed for any major government office like, say, the presidency? I do remember being a boisterous youth with an overly romanticized view of the future. I too was taken with the then Senator Obama. I even wrote to him praising his speech to Congress where he scolded them for focusing on what I like to call *migrant issues, i.e. Gay Marriage.
At the risk of a quick digression, like Obama, I believe that gay marriage should remain a state issue. Congress should focus on our more important issues, i.e. the American economy. This is not to say that I do not believe in lobbying for equal rights. On the contrary, I am a huge advocate for preserving our rights as American citizens. Like the Hispanic community, Black community or other ethnic/socio-economic communities (yes, the Caucasian community as well), the LGBTQ community is comprised of people. Just people. And as people, we are born with certain inalienable rights. So, to my surprise, Obama endorses gay marriage—and just in time for re-election. What happened to focusing on our country’s economic issues? It was a small slip-up, so I chose to wave it on. If I am going to be completely honest, I believe that marriage should not be government associated at all – it’s a private sector matter – but I digress…as predicted.
I for one am not one to dwell on the past. So with that, let us explore Obama’s accomplishments during his four years in the presidential seat:
OBAMACARE – healthcare controlled by the federal government. I’m not a fan of big government to begin with, but why would anyone want to turn over the reigns to a political entity for making decisions on their health? Yes, certain adjustments need to be made and regulation is needed to ensure that the American people are not be taken advantage of by insurance companies, but let it stop there. If I am ailing, I do not feel comfortable with the government choosing what course of treatment is best for me. That decision should be made by me in conjunction with my doctors.
OBAMANOMICS – spending more and more of the American people’s money, then borrowing more money to pay for our spending. Econ 101 lesson: don’t spend money you don’t have. Common sense lesson: don’t flagrantly spend money that doesn’t belong to you. With a vast majority of our country wanting ‘free stuff,’ it’s no wonder Obama was re-elected. However, take a second to think about where this ‘free stuff’ is coming from, and is it really ‘free’? Answers: paid for by hard-working American’s tax money; no – respectively. One prime example of ‘free’ not truly being free is that if you choose to have another child in order to receive a larger government assistance check, do you think that is just free money from the government? No. What if you don’t have health insurance and need medical attention but can’t pay your bill, then the government will take on that burden. But do they really? No. Where do you think the money for Obamacare or other Obama projects or any other government projects come from? That money is coming from private sector individuals like my middle class parents. Two hard-working individuals who raised three children and put them through school all on their own dime with little to no federal aid. And people like my parents are having more and more of their hard-earned money taxed to pay for your so-called ‘free stuff.’
What other costs are there to receiving these government hand outs? Freedom. The freedom of choice is a powerful weapon. It’s also the foundation of America. The trouble with government taking on the parent role is that it sends a message to its people: We do not feel that you are educated and responsible enough to make your own decisions. That is dangerous. Case and point: the First Lady’s war on obesity and subsequent endorsement of ‘sugar tax’ (higher taxes on ‘non-healthy’ foods). Seems menial and with good intentions, right? Wrong. However good natured that may be, it once again sends a message to the American people: We do not feel that you are capable of maintaining good eating habits. Yes, obesity and childhood obesity is a major health problem in this country. However, should it be the government’s job to inhibit your ability to grab a bag of chips and a soda for a snack? Should it be the role of the government to dictate what you eat? When? How? No. But in order to receive your ‘free stuff',’ you need to give up some freedoms. Personally, I don’t feel comfortable with that…but I have seen people do a lot worse for a free t-shirt…
Ok, Erin, but what about the 4.5 million jobs created under Obama’s reign? Obama supporters tout that Obama is working for middle class families. Right. About that, CNN Fact-check confirmed that that number was true – true, but not the whole story (http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/05/politics/fact-check-obama-jobs/index.html). The 4.5 million counts only jobs created after the economy bottomed out in January 2010 and excludes the number of jobs lost in 2009. CNN concludes: "The figure of 4.5 million jobs is accurate if you look at the most favorable period and category for the administration. But overall, there are still fewer people working now than when Obama took office at the height of the recession." Another fun fact for you: 43% of the jobs created under Obama’s administration are low-wage jobs.
Meaning, if you are among the vast majority of mid- wage workers laid off, fear not. You can find a position with any of the low-wage companies hiring. That is, if you’re not over-qualified. And I’m sure that with your new income and stimulus package (paid for by tax money from other Americans such as yourself), you will be able to contribute to the economic up-swing and money-flow by purchasing big-ticket items like a new house and take advantage of that tax break incentive from Obama.
Going forward, we the American people can only hope that Obama, Part II will place more emphasis and urgency on getting our nation back to our standing as a respectable world leader. Though it’s very rare that a sequel is better than the original.
*My own term I formed from the term ‘migrant worker’. Meant to mean political non-issues brought to light in an effort to mask avoidance of tackling actual problems as well as to gain favor with special interest groups; often used during campaigning
