Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Is 100 Days Enough??

It's here! It's here!  The day is finally here!!  Ring the bell and sound the alarm!!  Is the war over?  No!  Have we stopped Global Warming?  No!!  Governor Sarah Palin's daughter is getting married?  Hell NO!!!  The 100th day of the new administration is finally here!!!  Now what?  We have been hearing and talking about this artificial time table since November 4, 2008.  The President has been in office for 100 days........so let's recap!  We have seen a date set for the closing of Guantanamo Bay Prison, the passing of the Ledbetter bill for equal pay for women, SCHIP healthcare plan for children, the largest spending bill in this country's history, the G-20 Summit, pirates, a hand shake heard around the world (see Chavez), several bailouts, the word "NO" (see Republican opposition), a couple of memos about torture, and to cap everything off a new member of the Democratic party in the Senate (see Democratic Senator Arlen Specter). 


The first 100 days of a four year terms is hardly an indicator of this President or any President's ability, policy, or promise.   America has always been fascinated with its leaders; especially a new President.  In President Obama's case the curiosity and scrutiny may be a little greater, simply because he is the first minority President.   The fact is we need to not only look at the President's agenda and policies, but also how Congress and our State and local leaders are responding.   We have to remember that all politics is local and the President's agenda, if passed, has to be implemented on the State and local level.  That said citizens have to learn how to connect the dots as it relates to policy and how it affects your community on the local level.  Don't get me wrong, we should all keep an eye and ear on what the President is doing, however whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent your real power is right in your community, town, city and state.

 
After the first 100 days I would give the President a "B".  There is not a job in the world like being the President of the United States.  Former President Bill Clinton said it best, "No one is prepared to be President on day one."  President Obama hasn't been perfect in his first 100 days and he will not be perfect in his last 100 days as President, but what he has been is 100% on the job.  When he has made mistakes he has owned up to them. When he doesn't have an answer he doesn't make up words (see Bush 43) he gets back to you with an answer.  He has shown a great amount of awareness in staying connected with the American people.  As Americans we must do our part by getting involved in our communities and make a tangible difference right at home.  While President Obama is not perfect and neither were any of his predecessors, he has and continues to prove to me and the American people that he is on the job for all Americans.   The Obama's are doing their part, are you?   

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"If you give me a penny for your thoughts, I will give you change, in less than 100 days"

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