‘You Should Pass It’

Weekly Standard ^ | 9/9/2011 | Jeffrey H. Anderson

[chickadee]

I find it truly comforting that some things never change — and two of those things are President Obama’s ideas and rhetoric. Obama’s long-awaited jobs speech offered his usual mix of hyper-partisanship (no longer convincingly masquerading as post-partisanship), class warfare, and thinly veiled resentment that, in our form of government, he cannot simply do whatever he wants.

But after many weeks of buildup and two years of arguably the worst post-recession recovery in six decades, the real tip-off that Obama is utterly incapable of changing course was when he again referred, Saturday Night Live-like, to fast trains. It’s now clear that this president’s idea of moving toward the center is staying away from the parts of the faculty lounge that border either the windows or the door. His disconnectedness from most Americans’ concerns, and from their way of thinking, becomes clearer by the day.

[chickadee]

I like the laughter sprinkled throughout the speech. I was also laughing at home, but found it interesting that the Congressional listeners didn't feel the need to restrain themselves this time.

[corlorde]

As a recovering alcoholic, I personally thought he was under the influence (takes one to know one etc). Seriously, he was all over the place and almost out of it.

[riverdawg]

If last night was the first time Jeffrey Anderson thought of Jimmy Carter while listening to Barack Obama, he hasn't being paying attention for the past three years.

[Buckeye McFrog]

the Republicans should have invited members of the Supreme Court to come and flip him the bird

[null and void]

PASS IT!

[freedomson]

“You should pass it up!”

[jerseyrocks]

You know Barney Frank will.

[ThunderSleeps]

Yeah, they should pass it. After all, the rest of his ideas/promises have worked out sooo well:

• Gettings us out of Iraq. Oh, wait, we still have people there.
• Getting us out of Afghanistan. Oh, wait, we still have people there too.
• Going to close Gitmo. Oh, that's right, we're still holding people there.
• He had a plan for ending earmarks. Oh, yeah, his budgets continue to include them by the thousands.
• He had a plan for keeping lobbyists out of government...except for those that he gave himself waivers for and brought into his administration.
• He had a plan for restoring trust and transparency to the admin. Except for all that wrangling over his healthcare plan that had to be done behind closed doors - probably to keep people out of jail.
• Oh yeah, healthcare. Going to cover everyone, reduce everyone's costs, keep your Dr. and your insurance if you liked it... Oh yeah, even he admits that was a lie. Actually just about the exact opposite is happening.
• How about stimulus? That was going to hold unemployment below 8.0%. Oh, yeah, failed at that too. Blew trillions, and unemployment is permanently (as long as he's in office) locked above 9%.
• How about cash for clunkers? Going to help American workers, help our auto industry, etc. Oh, that's right, most of the cars bought were from foreign manufacturers, and the average cost to us taxpayers was more than what they are worth.
• How about reaching across the aisle, toning down the rhetoric? Just have to forget those snide comments like "I won!" and such...

So pass it, and we can chalk up yet another great um ... obamanation.

Ok, sarcasm aside, maybe they should pass it. It is a hussein idea, so we know going in that it will be a failure. Yet another albatross to hang around his neck in 2012, and by extension all liberal/democrat/socialists...

[JohnG45]

As a recovering alcoholic ...

Congratulations to you!

[chickadee]

What an interesting take on things. He did rush through it, well out of his speaking comfort range. I thought he was just terrified of "bleeding" into kickoff.

(signed) Packer Fan

[USNBandit]

I found it interest how he basically insulted both sides of the debate. He kept reciting one side’s opinion and then saying that “the American people know the truth....” which was the opposite opinion. My guess is that if anything the Republicans will be emboldened by his lack of plan, and a lot of democrats will feel slighted and not help him either.

[moehoward]

My 4 year old has been trying to for the past 3 days.

[AZLiberty]

“We all remember Abraham Lincoln as the leader who saved our Union. Founder of the Republican Party. But in the middle of a civil war, he was also a leader who looked to the future — a Republican President who mobilized government to build the Transcontinental Railroad….

The government didn't build the Transcontinental Railroad. Private companies did. (Government did help with the financing, however.)

[chickadee]

Obama’s rhetorical specialty is setting up false choices (either or) as if there are no other options. It bespeaks a mind not properly trained in critical thinking.

Personally, I “tuned out” after the 42nd or 43rd false choice. I just leaned back and watched the camera capture the Star Wars Bar gang (Democrats) in attendance.

[chickadee]

It’s funny that you mention that because when he said it, I was thinking, “yeah, and Abraham Lincoln also suspended Habeas Corpus and was an advocate of shipping freed slaves to Liberia”.

Obama reeks of flop sweat.

[WOBBLY BOB]

If Barack Obama’s speech was a “Jobs Plan”, then every beauty pageant contestant's breathless wish for “world peace” is a “Peace Plan.” -10 posted on Friday, September 09, 2011 9:55:06 AM by July4

So what's the bill # of this bill we're supposed to pass today?

[WOBBLY BOB]

from last night:"And to make sure the money is properly spent, we’re building on reforms we’ve already put in place. No more earmarks. No more boondoggles."

Solyndra Filing Bankruptcy a Disaster for Obama

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Solyndra-Filing-a-Disaster-for-Obama-128816968.html

California high-speed rail gets more stimulus funds

Officials of the California High-Speed Rail Authority announced Monday they would receive another $86 million in funds from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, known as the federal stimulus act.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2011/08/09/california-high-speed-rail-gets-more.html

As nuclear waste sits idle, federal payouts to Exelon mount

Nuclear plant operators — led by Chicago-based Exelon Corp. — have been successfully suing the federal government to recoup costs associated with removing and babysitting spent fuel the government promised would be taken off their hands 13 years ago. So far, the government has paid $776 million in claims arising from 74 breach of contract suits, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-03-30/business/ct-biz-0331-nuclear-fees-20110330_1_dry-casks-nuclear-fuel-nuclear-plants

$461 million project will speed train trip to Raleigh by 13 minutes

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14300848

Ear (Of Corn) Marks

Ethanol currently receives a 45-cents-a-gallon tax credit when blended with gasoline and is protected by a 54-cents-a-gallon tariff on ethanol imported from countries like Brazil. If, as politicians and environmentalists claim, ethanol is needed to protect the environment and not just political careers, we should eliminate the foreign tariff. Brazilian ethanol is made from sugar, not corn. Corn is grown in Iowa, and Brazilians can't vote in our elections. http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/553550/201011111908/Ear-Of-Corn-Marks.htm

US to spend $511 million to expand Kabul embassy

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/03/AR2010110304204.html

Boondoggle in the Motor City: Detroit's Train to Nowhere

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld05-5OOLRg&feature=player_embedded#!

'Cash for Clunkers’ a $3 billion boondoggle, consumer experts say

http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2009/09/22/cash-for-clunkers-a-3-billion-boondoggle-consumer-experts-say/37307/

[chickadee]

Democrats have no idea what it takes to create jobs or even to just get out of the way of those who do. They are far too busy dreaming up lies about the motives of those who oppose them and having them tested in focus groups to spend time writing a bill.

[null and void]

Keep him/her well hydrated...

[RichInOC]

I pass an Obama jobs bill every morning.