I’m not going to lie — I voted for President Barack Obama. I really like Obama, but never in my 26 years on this planet have I seen such out-of-control mania for someone elected only a few short months ago. Shirts, buttons, hats — you name it — Obama’s face or name is on it. It is getting to the point where Obama seems more like a rock star than an elected official.
One byproduct of Obama mania is a willingness to take, without question, anything he says as the final word and absolute truth because, well, in many people’s eyes, he is the second coming of Christ. Consider his new tax plan to get the country out of, or at least alleviate, the current recession. I’m not an economic analyst, but it doesn’t take a genius to see problems with the plan.
The Wall Street Journal crunched the numbers and concluded Obama’s plan will, in time, tax the rich so much they will cease to be rich. In a country where the rich pay the most taxes, this is a problem.
Economists against the plan ran a full-page advertisement in January in both the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times that read, “More government spending by Hoover and Roosevelt did not pull the United States economy out of the Great Depression in the 1930s … policymakers should focus on reforms that remove impediments to work, savings, investment, and production. Lower tax rates and a reduction in the burden of government are the best ways of using fiscal policy to boost growth.”
I’m not necessarily saying Obama’s plan will doom America, but I’m skeptical and you should be too. He may be wrong about some things and should not be treated like a Jesus-figure able to cure the current dismal situation with the flip of a wrist and the wink of an eye. But enough about taxes.
Obama recently made yet another illogical statement, which I’m sure “Obamaniacs” will gobble up without question. In front of the Prague Castle gates, he urged for a world free of nuclear arms and, according to the Associated Press, “dismissed those who say the spread of nuclear weapons, ‘the most dangerous legacy of the Cold War,’ cannot be checked.” Like you, Mr. President, I am an optimist, but come on now!
As long as there are rogue states like North Korea, and madmen like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are in power, hope for a world without nuclear arms is a utopian fantasy and an unattainable goal.
I will give credit where it is due, though. Obama added, “This goal will not be reached quickly — perhaps not in my lifetime.” Truer words were never spoken. That goal won’t be reached in your lifetime, or mine, or anyone else’s because it is an impossibility.
As I said before, I like Obama. I find him to be a breath of fresh air from other politicians. He seems like he legitimately has the country’s best interests at heart. But people, it is OK to question and be skeptical of what he says. Just because Obama is a beacon for change doesn’t mean he has all the answers.
Just because he comes off like he does, remember he is still a politician, which makes him adept at the art of B.S.ing. I’m merely keeping things in perspective and so should you.
Gerry Wachovsky is a graduate student and a columnist for the Daily Forty-Niner.
the writer will burn in the lake of fire for blasphemizing our messiah who can do no wrong. lord obama is the best president ever because he brings hope and change and delivers sparkly speeches! yes we can! yes we can! hope and change!
What an idiot. What did you expect? How does it feel to know that you will never be able to make enough money to be rich? Once the current crop of “rich” are gone…who do you think is going to pay your tab? All your education, and you have learned nothing….
A breath of fresh air? What bunk. You stood for nothing…now you are rolling over for less!!