To the Editor:
The outcome of last Tuesday’s midterm election was a resounding rebuke of President Obama’s policies and his performance as chief executive. As the Republicans gained majority …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
|
To the Editor:
The outcome of last Tuesday’s midterm election was a resounding rebuke of President Obama’s policies and his performance as chief executive. As the Republicans gained majority control of the Senate and increased their numbers in the House of Representatives, Obama’s credibility and stature has been rendered Lilliputian.
Additionally, with the president’s approval numbers spiraling downward, Obama needs to rethink his entire manner of operating the administration. Furthermore, he must come to the realization that he cannot rule by dictum. His penchant for executive orders rather than adhering to the legislative process and then signing a bill into law or vetoing what he disagrees with, has further painted him as dictatorial and intractable.
Also, the president needs to totally revamp his staff of long-time “yes men” like Valarie Jarret and Jon Podesta and bring in professionals who are willing to voice alternative opinions. Part of the stagnancy of his office can be directly attributed to Obama’s unwillingness to reach beyond his self-imposed White House isolation and welcome more voices of discourse.
Moreover, the greatest sins of this president are his lack of interpersonal skills in courting the legislature and his mercurial and impetuous manner of directing foreign policy. Friends and foes alike are acutely aware of the president’s unpopularity at home and therefore are apt to be dismissive of any initiative or assertion he may raise.
Without significant changes in how the president conducts himself, our country is likely to continue to suffer under a hapless administration unless the president experiences an epiphany of self-awareness. First and foremost, he must compromise and strike deals with Speaker Boehner and Leader McConnell to move the government forward. Second, he must formulate a foreign policy doctrine and then stick to the plan established consistently. Third, he must concede to changes in the Affordable Care Act to bring it closer to a competitive free market structure rather than its present unworkable and grossly unpopular status.
All in all, Mr. Obama must come to understand what all of us already know. Simply, his management style does not work. The time for him to change is now or his legacy will be similar to that of beleaguered past presidents James Buchanan and Franklin Pierce. If he does not face the truth of his current situation, Barack Obama will be considered one of the worst presidents in United States history.
Christopher M. Curran
West Warwick
2 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
JohnStark
I believe Mr. Curran approaches the topic from the wrong perspective. Consider the president's clear, but unspoken goals when he entered office:
1. Expand the nature and role of the federal government.
2. Make as many citizens as possible dependent upon the federal government.
3. Weaken the nation.
Like most on the Left, Mr. Obama does not trust individuals to make adult decisions for themselves. Nor does he trust free markets in general, or the private sector in particular. Rather, he believes in a bigger, more intrusive government. His vision for the country is embodied in the State of Rhode Island; High taxes, high unemployment, high rate of dependency, burdensome regulations, large numbers linked to a public payroll, and a poorly educated citizenry. It is little wonder that RI is a reliably Blue state. From this perspective, there is little doubt that Mr. Obama has achieved his above goals brilliantly.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 Report this
falina
Nailed it.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 Report this