Subscribe to Breaking NewsRuby-Sachs: Changing the American Political Process, One Press Conference At A Time
ELKHART, IN - FEBRUARY 09: President Barack Obama addresses Indiana residents during a town halll style meeting at Concord High School February 9, 2009 in Elkhart, Indiana.
There have been some pretty crazy things happening in politics in the past few days. For one, the President actually left the white house, to go visit somewherethat is not in a foreign country. He also went on television and appealed directly to the voters in a prime time address.
Although details of the plan are still sketchy and the address didn’t help flesh it out, Obama did hammer home the need for job creation (as opposed to tax cuts), transparency and government intervention.
The travel mixed with the direct appeal marks an important change in American politics. The voters still matter, even after election day and, if Obama can’t win over the hearts and minds of the Senate, he’s going to win over your hearts and your minds. This is reinforced by his trip to Fort Myers, Florida today, despite a win in the provisional ballot in the Senate . Re-engaging the American public was the first success story of the Obama campaign, and it may stand as the first success story of the Obama administration.
That said, significant arts funding has been slashed from the bill and many early childhood education programs will lose their government support. This is a huge blow to stimulus, and progress. Arts funding creates jobs just like road building does. One of the strengths of this bill was its attempt to hit many ignored sectors of the American economy. Cutting some of those sectors may hinder the bill and reinforces the notion that a decrease in proposed government spending through this stimulus measure may be more harmful than we think.
As well, the New York Times reports that Geitner succeeded in limiting the caps on executive salaries for big banks. This is another indication that politicalchange is not exactly the mandate of this government.
The point is, I’m not convinced this stimulus bill is about change or progress. And perhaps it will not result in stimulus either. But the political process the Obama administration is engaging represents change and is progress. We should celebrate that small success.
>> “Please provide your proofs for this”
Do you think the folks who play in symphony orchestras and act in professional theatres are all just *volunteers*? Or are the only jobs worth saving the ones that involve driving a truck to a factory or a limo to an investment bank?
We’re always so keen to talk about the big ripple effect the SuperBowl has on its local economy — have you ever asked around at the restaurants that encircle, say, Lincoln Centre, how well they’d be doing if there was no performance that night?
Oh, but wait: those arent *real* jobs either, right?
No Ruby-Sachs, it is not new. It reminds me of Bush II and his campaign to start the Iraq war. (How soon we all forget.) But remember that was not just the President. W sent out his minions to make the campaign, as well.
“That said, significant arts funding has been slashed from the bill and many early childhood education programs will lose their government support. This is a huge blow to stimulus, and progress. Arts funding creates jobs just like road building does.” – Please provide your proofs for this.