Thursday, February 26, 2009

Where's The Pork?

I got an e-mail from a man I used to work with, stating that all of the items in the stimulus bill that are going to our state are nothing but "pork". So, being the curious soul that I am, I read the list of projects set out for the state of Arkansas. There were a hundred some-odd, and, for the life of me I can't see any pork. They are all projects that will go to infrastructure, and will require hiring workers to carry them out. There are improvements or replacements of bridges, dangerous highways, lane widening or adding more lanes, all very much needed. If you have ever driven Arkansas' highways, you know what I'm talking about.

I fear that my friend and others like him have just not been listening. President Obama is starting to do everything he set out very clearly in his campaign speeches. They are the things that we elected him for. He said we were going to spend our way out of the recession, starting with infrastructure. He said he was going to address education and health care, entitlement programs and the environment, at the same time because they all depend on each other to succeed. Besides, in spite of what the Republicans think, we CAN do more than one thing at a time. We're multitaskers. Just ask anybody.

Still, we have people who are apparently thinking, "I didn't know he was going to do (THAT!") Insert whatever program you don't like.

It has been a little over a month since Pres. Obama took office, and already he has accomplished more than any single president since LBJ. Okay, Clinton did a lot of good things, but he completely muffed it on health care, dooming us to sixteen more years of higher and higher costs and coverage for fewer and fewer people. George W. Bush managed to get a deeply flawed prescription drug plan passed that helps the insurance and pharmaceutical companies a lot more than individuals. If you want to call that progress, go ahead. I won't sign up until that donut hole is plugged, and the program actually benefits me.

We have become such an impatient society, with our desire for instant gratification, that we can't seem to realize that real change, real improvement, takes time. I'm willing to wait and watch and then, after all of Obama's ideas have had time to take hold, we'll see how well (or not) they are working.

Until then, I hope he keeps going around the Washington media and taking his plan directly to the people. I'm going to read the various websites that have been developed to explain all of his plans. And, I am going to stay positive.

Stay tuned.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for doing my Arkansas homework for me. Good to know. Most thinking people know that an instant fix is not possible considering what we are facing. I think the tall skinny guy is right on track, my track anyway and I feel the good of the country's track. It is like when your dad is running behind you on your first bike. You are a little nervous you might fall, but you trust the guy with his hand on the bike seat.

Looking to the Stars said...

I'm with you about staying postive. We have become a society that wants everything right now. Its time for a reality check, Obama is going down the right path and its going to take time but we can do it!

kenju said...

I'm not reading any of the web-sites, since I am up to my nose with politics and gov., but I look to you and other bloggers to set me straight....LOL

I am definitely going to remain positive and hopeful.

Margie's Musings said...

Me too. Where can I find information about Kansas projects?

Anonymous said...

Betty,

That idiot, Rush Limbaugh, advised his listeners to see that all of President Obama's ideas die in the "Crib". "I hope he fails",said Rush.

He wants all the Republicans in Congress to thwart every move the President makes and see that NONE of his bills pass.

"Just like we did to Clinton's Health Care Bill in '92", said Rush. Newt Gingrich seconded the motion. Another genius!

I will never understand Republicans. Don't they see that the American people notice when not ONE Republican votes for any bill introduced by the President or any other Democrat? Do they think we don't see their obstruction? HELLO???? Are the election results of 2008 forgotten already?

Betty said...

patti: "trust the guy with his hand on the bike seat." I like that.

Looking to the Stars: Yes, we can!

kenju: It's hard not to hear about it if you ever watch tv. But, it might be hard to hear the truth.

Margie: Try Recovery.gov It will give you all the info you want.

nancy: It's hard to believe that they are actually proud of the fact that they stonewalled and thwarted the health care bill.

Ima Wizer said...

I AM positive....positive that Bush/Cheney regime sold us out. The Republicans are still trying to sell off the American people and if Rush Limbaugh is their leader, which apparently he is, I am positive they will fail.

Betty said...

Ima Wizer: I couldn't agree with you more.

Anonymous said...

Agree with you, Betty. Stay positive, move forward. One person's 'pork' is another's paycheck. Besides, here in Arkansas, land of the razorbacks, what's wrong with pork?
:-)

Kell said...

Me too. I'm all for giving him time and seeing how things go because it's going to take time.