Sunday, March 08, 2009

Obama's Jigsaw Puzzle

In today's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, there was a list of projects, by category, that are covered in the Recovery Act recently signed by President Obama. Ordinarily, I have to admit that I'd rather watch paint dry than read any bills concocted by the Gubbmint. But, I have decided that it is pretty important, these days, to find out all I can about what is going on. The days of blind acceptance are over, folks.

Anyway, as I browsed through the projects, it occurred to me what a complex mind Obama has. The Recovery Act covers every element of his stimulus agenda, and does it in small enough bites so we, and the House and Senate can swallow it. It is a veritablel jigsaw puzzle, with each part dependent on the others to present a finished picture. Oh, I see! This is what he meant when he said there was no reason that we couldn't do several things at once!

When he gets through, if he's allowed to implement his plan fully, we will have energy independence, better infrastructure that includes rebuilt roads and bridges, as well as high speed rail in some places, a health care plan where everyone is covered, social security reform that will assure seniors of benefits far into the future, better educational facilities and opportunities, improved veterans' benefits and a return to some form of the G.I. Bill, among other things. There are small steps for all those categories in this bill. It's just a start, but what a start!

I don't know if President Obama is more intelligent than Bill Clinton, but it is obvious that he is much more focused. He came to the office with a plan and there won't be any silly distractions, like the Republicans were able to accomplish during the Clinton Administration.

Don't be fooled into thinking that he is bothered by Rush Limbaugh. Getting Rush stirred up is Obama's idea of fun. He makes one mention of Rush, and then goes on attending to business while Rush and the media pundits go apeshit and yap, yap, yap about it for a week, listening to their own heads rattle. Every time it begins to die down, either Rahm Emanuel, James Carvill or Paul Begala go on CNN and jab at Rush again, which, at one point last week, caused Rush to challenge the President to a debate on his radio show and again the media pundits were in full cry. Note to Rush: The President doesn't go to you. You go to the President, and by invitation only.

So far, so good, President Obama. Keep letting the sunshine in through your websites, www.whitehouse.gov and www.Recovery.gov so we can keep up with what's happening. The fun is just beginning.

Stay tuned.

15 comments:

Margie's Musings said...

What a great informative post! Thank you so much!

kenju said...

I couldn't possibly comb through any bill, so I am glad you do and distill it for us!

I live with Rep., and many others of my family are Reps., and I am hearing much different stuff from them about the first few months of Obama's Presidency. I don't pay attention to them, of course....LOL

Arkansas Patti said...

Bill Clinton did not enjoy a congressional majority in his first term like Obama has so Obama should do much better, Also Bill followed HW who also had us in a recession(one where I lost a 19 year job) but that recession paied compared to W's legacy. Clinton balanced our budget and am sure Obama will pull us out of this mess. Thanks again for doing our home work. Love sunshine in politics.

Betty said...

Margie: You're welcome.

Kenju: I was one of only two Republicans where I used to work, so I know how that feels. I didn't pay any attention to them, either. lol

Patti: I was amazed that Bill accomplished as much as he did, considering the pounding he was getting by the other party.

Mari Meehan said...

I agree it's a brilliant way to get our infrastructure up to snuff. It's so sorely needed for nothing can work without it.

Darlene said...

I have my fingers crossed that Congress doesn't tinker with it until it's no longer recognizable.

Betty said...

Dogwalkmusings: The whole plan seems brilliant to me. But then, what do I know?

Darlene: Congress can't tinker with it any more. It has already passed. I guess they could write new bills, trying to get rid of parts of it, but they probably won't succeed at this point. I hope.

Anonymous said...

If we just give Obama time and have a little faith, this will work. McCain said in 2002 that Rush Limbaugh was a clown and then said that he hoped he hadn't insulted any real clowns. I believe in free speech, but Rush is a pain in the patooty. I hope that someday his program will be so unpopular that it will be dropped.

Peggy said...

Why haven't we heard the term Limbaugh-tomy before now? His is so full of hot air. I'm glad I don't have to hear him over here. He is too unbalanced to make the international news.

Kell said...

Last week the media kept talking about how Obama wasn't living up to his campaign promises, now this week I keep hearing that he's trying to do too much. They just can't make up their mind, or more likely, can't find a way to attack Obama and make it stick.

Anonymous said...

President Obama, like President Clinton, is intelligent, articulate and compassionate. Both have a positive, uplifting and optimistic vision of America’s potential and future. So far, I give him an “A” on his Presidential report card. Excellent post, Betty.

Joy Des Jardins said...

Great post Betty. Thank God President Obama is intelligent enough to just plow through all the crap Limbaugh or anyone else tries to derail him with. He meant what he said from the beginning...and he's staying focused on what he has to do....as painful as it is. While he's not bothered by Rush yapping his trap....the rest of us are as annoyed as hell. Our President is one cool operator....

Betty said...

Maria: I believe he has lost a lot of listeners in the past few years.

Peggy: Limbaugh-tomy! I love it!

Kell: Obama stays a few steps ahead of everybody. I hope he doesn't wear out.

Tincanman: Thanks. I hope we aren't disappointed, but I don't think we will be.

Joy: At least it keeps the pundits busy.

Galla Creek said...

I say at least--we, the common public, exist in Obama's mind. We were dead to W. He did not even have a vision of what our lives are like. We were the worker ants and our job was to fulfill his whims of the day.

I do hope a brighter day is coming.

Betty said...

sisterthree: "he did not even have a vision of what our lives are like" is right. But, look at his parents. George H.W. didn't have that "vision thing". And, Barbara is a real snob - I'm thinking of her comments in Houston after Katrina.