Speak Out 2/26/09

Saving the future

THE situation is not complicated but obvious for any open-minded observer. The Republicans realize, as do most of the people of the world, that they have destroyed not just our own economy but the economies of the world. If Barack Obama can manage to repair the damage, the Republican Party is toast and will never be in power again. They have decided to take Rush Limbaugh's advice and just become obstructionists. Fortunately almost 70 percent of the country has confidence in Obama's ability to restore some order to the economy. They had best get on board if they want a future.

Not the government

AS a retired federal employee with children and grandchildren, I beg you: Do not, under any circumstances, no matter what picture anyone in political authority paints, allow your federal government to administer your banking or health-care systems. I spent a career watching waste and inefficiency that would bankrupt private businesses in short order. Most of you current and former federal employees reading this are nodding your heads right now because you understand. There are good people trying to do a good job in return for your tax dollar, but the convoluted, politically driven frameworks they labor within make it difficult. To impose those frameworks on two of our most important services would be one more poor decision based on emotion and ignorance.

Recovery website

PRESIDENT Obama has accomplished more good things in one month than most presidents do in one or even two terms. Ignore the naysayers. Embrace accountability and transparency in government. There's already a website explaining how the stimulus money will be spent and reassuring taxpayers that those who try to use the money for inappropriate purposes will be called out by the president. Check it out at www.recovery.gov.

Troop presence

BIPARTISANSHIP was not evident in the vote on President Obama's desperately needed stimulus package. However, I think the GOP will think long and hard before it puts knee-jerk party loyalty above supporting the president's decision to dramatically increase our troop presence in the place where the war on terror should have always been focused: Afghanistan.

Jumping off bridges

TO justify the fact that the Democrats muscled the stimulus package, through one caller said Republicans have used the same tactics. That makes it OK? If the Republicans jumped off a bridge, would the Democrats do it too? I sure hope so.

Bad choices

ONCE more our government is rewarding the people who were not responsible enough to live within their means. What about the people who worked hard, paid their bills and did not try to keep up with the Joneses? It is our tax money being used to bail out these irresponsible people. It is a sad statement about America when we reward these people by taking the tax money of hard-working, responsible people to bail out their excesses. Individual should be responsible for their own lives and not expect the government to bail them out when they make bad decisions.

Thanks for roses

I want to thank the store at the mall for giving out free roses Sunday. They were beautiful and put a smile on everyone's face. During this hard time for everyone, I will remember this and visit that store more often. It is nice to know people still care.

Not struggling

JON Rust recently wrote in part that "a new president ... is struggl(ing) to instill confidence during difficult times." With Obama's approval rating being at 67 percent and support for the stimulus package at 60 percent, I would say that when it comes to setting the bar for instilling confidence, Rust is either focusing exclusively on the discredited wackos on Wall Street or is demanding that President Obama's approval rating be not three but at least four times higher than President George W. Bush's.