President Obama campaigning for Democratic candidates in Texas today, visited familiar territory in more ways than one. Obama reminded his audience that he inherited a weak economy when he took office two years ago and once again blamed his predecessor for the the continued economic doldrums this nation finds itself in.
It must be comforting to the American left and the nation at large, knowing that we have a president who takes absolutely no responsibility for anything he has done (or failed to do) during his two years in office, but perhaps we should be surprise, after-all Obama has never actually done anything as a state representative, a community organizer or a part-time Senator for three years. Perhaps Obama forgot that his policies have created renewed economic weakness in the economy, that his policies have discouraged business investment, that his policies have limited innovation and perhaps he has also forgotten that the very Democratic politicians in Washington have been in power in this country for the past 4 years, more than enough time to adopt measures to foster economic growth and turn the economic tide of recession, instead they have ushered in new taxes, new deficit spending and no hope whatsoever.
The fact is many presidents have inherited weak economies, but unlike this president, they took action in conjunction with the Congress to forestall further economic ruin, rather than hasten it as this president has. In 1961, JFK inherited a recession and he spurned a major expansion through the adoption of pro-growth economic policies, including a massive across the board tax cut. When Reagan assumed office in 1981, he too “inherited” a poor economy, but again took steps renew growth. George Bush also “inherited” a weak economy, magnified by the crippling effects of September 11th, and took steps to spur growth with major tax cuts, which are set to expire. These men, along with Bush’s predecessor, Bill Clinton, greatly differ from the man who currently is charged with managing the affairs of state. These were individual who understood that leadership did not amount to rationalizing and making excuses for failure and constantly blaming others for his problem, that nonsense may work when someone is running for president but once you assume office its time for positive action, not incompetence and child like finger pointing. What a spectical to be at the helm of the ship of state.
Links:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0910217920100809
