The economic conditions facing our world are becoming more real and devastating each day. Layoffs are picking up steam with companies continuing to lay off a broad swath of the workforce. However, here in America, we were infused with hope by President [Barack] Obama and his change moniker. On Jan. 20, the country cut ties with former President [George W.] Bush and looked toward the future with a renewed energy.
Of course, reality has set in for many Americans. True change is still on the outside looking in. Criminals who call for tax increases yet don’t pay their own taxes are still getting appointed to prominent positions. A new rule was supposed to bar lobbyists from serving in our president’s administration. That is, of course, unless a super-special waiver is obtained, which likely just means only the best lobbyists have a shot.
Now, our leaders are working on a bill that has the stated goal of stimulating the economy. Yet in some of the most sobering and critical times of our nation’s existence, politicians continue to put special and personal interests above the greater good.
This grand bill has been battered to the brink of breakdown. It has included the oft-mentioned $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film, $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters and $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River. The entire list is a sight to behold and has become a model of what not to do when the future of the country is on the line.
Our president has significant political capital. He has the force for positive change on his side and no one can get in his way. Yet instead of ending this madness and telling the Democrats in Washington to eliminate wasteful spending in the bill, he attacks Republicans for not supporting it. Real change would have been to put an end to these typical spending practices. Real change would have been to use fiscal responsibility and a creative touch to stimulate the economy. An opportunity to show us the change we have been promised is beginning to slip away.
Our president, Congress and all those involved in the stimulus package should use it as wisely as possible. The ultimate issue facing them isn’t the amount of the stimulus but rather the quality of it. It is vital that our nation and our leaders realize that while the election battle is over, the spoils of war do not go to the Democrats. The spoils stay with the American people. That is what makes this nation great.
We all know the Democrats won but they have no right to waste our money. Fortunately, it looks as though our moderate, clear-thinking leaders from both parties are beginning to step forward and push waste out of the bill. This is another obvious sign that our nation relies on moderates to create real change.
The fact remains that Obama, and congressional Democrats are already beginning to fail us with typical politics. What change?
Charlie Swanson is an alumnus of Mississippi State and a former columnist for The Reflector. He can be contacted at [email protected].