Where are we headed in 2009? A new administration lies in wait. The degree of hope, anticipation, and expectation is palpable. The number of challenges in every conceivable sphere seems overwhelming. What to do first? How to prioritize? How to avoid the many pitfalls? Can Republicans and Democrats, or even Democrats and Democrats really work together to solve problems? In the words of the President-elect, how will 'this time' really be different from all the other times?
Let's take a look at the challenges. First, there's the domestic front. The recession doesn't seem to be going away. The infrastructure stimulus appears to be the first order of business. There is the ongoing bailout of the auto industry. What's to be done with the remaining billions in the Wall Street bailout - can we at least add greater accountability as we continue to spend these funds? Are we looking at additional bailouts down the road? Do we need to do more about housing, which was the initial culprit in the present crisis? What about health care and energy initiatives? I think you get the idea.
Let's not forget international affairs. Can we find at least a semi-positive resolution in Iraq? Are we in danger of plunging too deeply into a new quagmire in Afghanistan? What about the Israeli-Palestinian peace process? We have just learned that Israel has started bombing in Gaza. That doesn't seem to be helpful. How are we going to enhance the stature of our country overseas? What about Iran and North Korea, or India and Pakistan? What surprises are out there that we may not even be thinking about now?
I understand that the President-elect has found himself in the dark as he vacations in Hawaii. In fact the entire island of Oahu wound up without power. What kind of an omen is this? Does this signal a sense of impending doom as we try to tackle the oncoming problems we face? Perhaps, rather, it suggests that we are starting out in darkness or with serious problems; but the lights are about to come on, if only slowly, as we begin the new year of 2009. I find the latter a much preferred interpretation of the darkness omen.
One thing is certain, there will be no shortage of issues and stories for reporters to write about, and bloggers to blog about in 2009. It would be nice if we tread a bit gently on the new adminsistration. Let's give them a chance to get their feet on the ground. Maybe we can look for small and gradual successes instead of expecting the waters of the Red Sea to be parted in the first week. Unquestionably the enormity of the task is daunting. But as the old chinese proverb tells us, the journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step.
Happy New Year.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Rick Warren Goes to the Inauguration
How can it be that the individual asked to give an invocation at the inauguration can create so much controversy? Is this a sign of just how much religion matters in our country today? Is it an indication of just how uncivil we have all become to those who disagree with us on any issue? Does it suggest that ideology has developed to the point where it trumps good sense or even good manners?
My first indication of such a trend occurred several years ago when the Governor of my state was disinvited from speaking at a local Cathoic college, becase an anti-abortion group objected to the Governor's position on abortion. Never mind that the Governor had done many good things for the poor, to improve health care, etc. None of these things mattered, because of his position on abortion. It didn't even matter that as the Governor of the state he was an individual our community needed to work with and dialogue with in order to further our aims on any number of issues. The decision to disinvite seemed ludicrous at the time, yet it has become a commonplace way of doing business. The decision to not talk to those we disagree with has became the norm rather than an aberration.
Let me admit that there is certainly reason to understand how the Gay Community feels about the issue of Rick Warren. The bitter defeat of Gay Marriage in California still stings. The fact that Rick Warren worked hard for the passage of Proposition 8 adds to the feelings involved. The question is asked whether President-elect Obama is deliberately insulting the Gay community, or did not really believe what he said on these issues during the campaign. Some may even feel a sense of betrayal.
However, anyone who has followed the Obama campaign would not be the least bit surprised at the invitation to Rick Warren. The central theme of his campaign has been to bring people together. He heralded a new kind of politics. He was criticized for wanting to meet with Heads of State regarding international conflicts. How much more important to be able to meet with fellow Americans who disagree wih us. Where is it written that we must hate those who do not agree with us on every issue? Must we demonize, isolate, and shun all those who oppose us? Is everyone either for us or against us?
In fact, Pastor Warren has done many positive things that we can celebrate. He has extended the breadth of evangelical issues to include poverty and the environment. His popular book, The Purpose Driven Life has helped many toward self understanding and self improvement. It is in this seeking of common ground that we can come together to work for a better country. President-elect Obama has made clear that he doesn't want to leave everyone on the sidelines that did not vote for him. There are many issues on which we can work together across the aisle, and this is the goal. Of course the President-elect will be opposed on any number of issues. In some cases he will be opposed by those who voted for him and are members of his own party. But gaining the widest possible consensus as we move forward on specific issues is to be desired.
What a great opportunity it is for Pastor Rick Warren to call down upon President-elect Obama the blessings of the almighty for the work of the nation. As he lends his voice to those praying and hoping for great things from this administration we should be uplifted, not discouraged. The path ahead is steep and there are many barriers in our way, but the more people we can bring aboard to make the journey together, the better our chances for success. The goal is to do things differently this time around. This time we need to listen to each other, and when we disagree, do so strongly, but without rancor. This time those of us on both the right and the left need to accept the fact that just because someone opposes us doesn't mean they are not acting in good faith. This time we need to all work together whenever we can, and when we disagree we need to work within our democratic process to attempt to build a consensus for our own point of view. I welcome Pastor Warren to the inauguration, and I am glad that he chooses to give his blessing to the work of our incoming president, even though he does not always agree with him on every issue.
My first indication of such a trend occurred several years ago when the Governor of my state was disinvited from speaking at a local Cathoic college, becase an anti-abortion group objected to the Governor's position on abortion. Never mind that the Governor had done many good things for the poor, to improve health care, etc. None of these things mattered, because of his position on abortion. It didn't even matter that as the Governor of the state he was an individual our community needed to work with and dialogue with in order to further our aims on any number of issues. The decision to disinvite seemed ludicrous at the time, yet it has become a commonplace way of doing business. The decision to not talk to those we disagree with has became the norm rather than an aberration.
Let me admit that there is certainly reason to understand how the Gay Community feels about the issue of Rick Warren. The bitter defeat of Gay Marriage in California still stings. The fact that Rick Warren worked hard for the passage of Proposition 8 adds to the feelings involved. The question is asked whether President-elect Obama is deliberately insulting the Gay community, or did not really believe what he said on these issues during the campaign. Some may even feel a sense of betrayal.
However, anyone who has followed the Obama campaign would not be the least bit surprised at the invitation to Rick Warren. The central theme of his campaign has been to bring people together. He heralded a new kind of politics. He was criticized for wanting to meet with Heads of State regarding international conflicts. How much more important to be able to meet with fellow Americans who disagree wih us. Where is it written that we must hate those who do not agree with us on every issue? Must we demonize, isolate, and shun all those who oppose us? Is everyone either for us or against us?
In fact, Pastor Warren has done many positive things that we can celebrate. He has extended the breadth of evangelical issues to include poverty and the environment. His popular book, The Purpose Driven Life has helped many toward self understanding and self improvement. It is in this seeking of common ground that we can come together to work for a better country. President-elect Obama has made clear that he doesn't want to leave everyone on the sidelines that did not vote for him. There are many issues on which we can work together across the aisle, and this is the goal. Of course the President-elect will be opposed on any number of issues. In some cases he will be opposed by those who voted for him and are members of his own party. But gaining the widest possible consensus as we move forward on specific issues is to be desired.
What a great opportunity it is for Pastor Rick Warren to call down upon President-elect Obama the blessings of the almighty for the work of the nation. As he lends his voice to those praying and hoping for great things from this administration we should be uplifted, not discouraged. The path ahead is steep and there are many barriers in our way, but the more people we can bring aboard to make the journey together, the better our chances for success. The goal is to do things differently this time around. This time we need to listen to each other, and when we disagree, do so strongly, but without rancor. This time those of us on both the right and the left need to accept the fact that just because someone opposes us doesn't mean they are not acting in good faith. This time we need to all work together whenever we can, and when we disagree we need to work within our democratic process to attempt to build a consensus for our own point of view. I welcome Pastor Warren to the inauguration, and I am glad that he chooses to give his blessing to the work of our incoming president, even though he does not always agree with him on every issue.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Union Busting Republicans
I've often wondered why there is so much anti-unionism in this country. When we talk about oppressive regimes one of the first characteristics we look for is to see whether labor has the ability to organize. Just one example is the excitement of a Lech Walesa starting Solidarity in Poland which was shared by all Americans. It demonstrated that freedom was indeed coming to Poland, and each success of the Solidarity movement was a victory for American style democracy. Labor organizing seems to be an important quality of our democracy everywhere except in our own United States. Union membership currently is hovering around 7% across the country which is cause for great joy among conservatives and Republicans.
I understand that Unions have made many mistakes over the years in this country. I understand that there has been corruption. I understand that they have overreached. I even understand that the contracts they have won need to be modified in some cases. However, I thought the current economic problems were the result, not of unions, but of business on Wall Street. Unless I'm mistaken we are where we are because Wall Street has made mistakes. Wall Street has been corrupt. Wall Stret has overreached. It is Wall Street that has operated without regard for rules or constraints on their behavior. Yet we provided 700 billion, nay, more than a trillion dollars, to bailout Wall Street, but could find not a dime to help the likes of General Motors or Ford. No wonder Republicans have developed a reputation for being mean spirited.
We have been told repeatedly that bankruptcy is the best option for Detroit. The best option for whom? Bankruptcy will allow the companies to restructure and abrogate their union contracts. That's the real message. They want to make sure that the Union does not even have the right to negotiate necessary changes to the contract with management. The UAW has shown itself ready to make appropriate concessions and has indeed already made many of them, but these senate power brokers want to literally kill the union. We are in danger of watching the vaunted middle class of this country continue to shrink as we watch the rich continue to get richer.
We know that eight Republican senators from southern states that have contracts with non Detroit car makers voted in a solid bloc to deny money for Detroit. Was there any statesmanship in such voting? There seems to have been a determination to protect industry in its own backyard, and contribute to the demise of the Big Three. They have demanded that the union accept the same terms as companies operating in the south in order to receive any kind of bailout. Such coercive micromanaging at the congressional level sounds strange coming from Republicans. Sometimes I wonder what do they really believe. It is also important to note that currently there is very little difference in the wages of auto workers whether union or non union. The union is rightly trying to protect its current retirees who depend on their pensions to live on. These retirees gave their best years to the auto companies and are right to expect contracts with the company to be honored. I thought most Republican businessmen believed in the sacredness of contracts. I guess that applies only when the contracts protect their own interests.
Another favorite Republican campaign cry is that Democrats are playing class warfare. The whole bailout history demonstrates that it is Republicans who are playing hardball class warfare. We have to bailout our friends in wall street, but the blue collar workers not only can, but must go down the tubes so that our friends can make even more money. When Unionism is completely destroyed in this country maybe we will be able to think back to a time when the lower classes were not oppressed. Maybe we can look to Poland as an example of what workers in the United States might aspire to. Maybe we can hope that the time will come again when the right of U.S. workers to organize will not be denigrated and impeded by those with power and wealth.
I understand that Unions have made many mistakes over the years in this country. I understand that there has been corruption. I understand that they have overreached. I even understand that the contracts they have won need to be modified in some cases. However, I thought the current economic problems were the result, not of unions, but of business on Wall Street. Unless I'm mistaken we are where we are because Wall Street has made mistakes. Wall Street has been corrupt. Wall Stret has overreached. It is Wall Street that has operated without regard for rules or constraints on their behavior. Yet we provided 700 billion, nay, more than a trillion dollars, to bailout Wall Street, but could find not a dime to help the likes of General Motors or Ford. No wonder Republicans have developed a reputation for being mean spirited.
We have been told repeatedly that bankruptcy is the best option for Detroit. The best option for whom? Bankruptcy will allow the companies to restructure and abrogate their union contracts. That's the real message. They want to make sure that the Union does not even have the right to negotiate necessary changes to the contract with management. The UAW has shown itself ready to make appropriate concessions and has indeed already made many of them, but these senate power brokers want to literally kill the union. We are in danger of watching the vaunted middle class of this country continue to shrink as we watch the rich continue to get richer.
We know that eight Republican senators from southern states that have contracts with non Detroit car makers voted in a solid bloc to deny money for Detroit. Was there any statesmanship in such voting? There seems to have been a determination to protect industry in its own backyard, and contribute to the demise of the Big Three. They have demanded that the union accept the same terms as companies operating in the south in order to receive any kind of bailout. Such coercive micromanaging at the congressional level sounds strange coming from Republicans. Sometimes I wonder what do they really believe. It is also important to note that currently there is very little difference in the wages of auto workers whether union or non union. The union is rightly trying to protect its current retirees who depend on their pensions to live on. These retirees gave their best years to the auto companies and are right to expect contracts with the company to be honored. I thought most Republican businessmen believed in the sacredness of contracts. I guess that applies only when the contracts protect their own interests.
Another favorite Republican campaign cry is that Democrats are playing class warfare. The whole bailout history demonstrates that it is Republicans who are playing hardball class warfare. We have to bailout our friends in wall street, but the blue collar workers not only can, but must go down the tubes so that our friends can make even more money. When Unionism is completely destroyed in this country maybe we will be able to think back to a time when the lower classes were not oppressed. Maybe we can look to Poland as an example of what workers in the United States might aspire to. Maybe we can hope that the time will come again when the right of U.S. workers to organize will not be denigrated and impeded by those with power and wealth.
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Obama Cabinet
During the last few weeks President-elect Obama has assembled an impressive economic and national security team. The appointments have received rave reviews. The strength of experience and overall quality has been affirmed by Democrats and Republicans alike. Surveys of public opinion have demonstrated widespread support for the appointments. About 71% support Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State designate, and 80% or more approve of retaining Secretary Gates at the Defense Department. Overall, the cabinet has about 75% approval of the public.
There are detractors. The main caveat seems to be the convergence of too many large egos for effective governance. Has President-elect Obama put together a 'team of rivals' as Doris Kearns Goodwin describes in her book on Lincoln, and is that a good or bad thing? Well, we know the egos of the George W. Bush cabinet failed pretty miserably. Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfield, and Colin Powell just didn't make it. The difference, I believe, was that the Bush cabinet represented two widely divergent ideologies that could not be reconciled, thus precipitating a major power struggle. In this case, despite media efforts to highlight major differences among the Obama National Security team for example, they really pale in comparison to the differences within the Bush cabinet. There is also likely a difference in leadership qualities between the current and incoming Presidents.
The conflicts between Hillary and Barack on foreign policy during the primaries came to the fore precisely because no major differences actually existed. Both candidates had to magnify minor differences such as who should talk to Iran, because they shared a quite similar overall vision for foreign policy. The differences Obama had with Secretary Gates over Iraq have pretty much been eliminated because of the changes on the ground in Iraq and the new Status of Forces Agreement approved by the Iraqi government. The entire National Security team is in agreement that diplomacy needs to be used more frequently and more effectively, and that military entanglements need to be minimized.
So have we indeed assembled the dream team? All Americans should hope that this is so. I believe all the principals can and will work together. In the short term there is much to be hopeful about. One major question, though, is just how patient will the American people be. How much latitude will they give this administration to function? I don't believe there will be problems initially by team members not working together, or trying to out maneuver each other. The problem, rather, will be how much of an opportunity will the American people give them to operate.
The judgement on this cabinet and on the individuals in it needs to be exercised in the area of performance. The Economic Team for example needs to be given a chance to put their recovery plan in place. If Congress impedes progress on Obama initiatives we will never know if their recovery plan can work. Every decision Obama makes will by definition produce both agreement and disagreement. Each item in the stimulus plan will be both praised and attacked by various members of congress as it is unveiled. Yet the truth is there is no magic bullet that all can agree will turn the economy around in the shortest amount of time. I believe we need to trust the leaders we have put in office and support their efforts to revive our economy. Picking apart the stimulus plan, or insisting that narrow interests be included for political reasons will interfere with progress at a time when we all need to be pulling together. There will be plenty of time to play politics, but if there was ever a time when a new administration should be given a chance to implement their policies, this is it.
The time for criticism will undoubtedly come soon enough, and of course plenty of mistakes will be made. Hopefully, though, if President-elect Obama is given an opportunity to put in place a well thought out plan crafted by his team of experts that everyone seems to believe in, we will see enough successes to move our country forward again. I agree that the team is impressive, lets give them a chance to work their magic.
There are detractors. The main caveat seems to be the convergence of too many large egos for effective governance. Has President-elect Obama put together a 'team of rivals' as Doris Kearns Goodwin describes in her book on Lincoln, and is that a good or bad thing? Well, we know the egos of the George W. Bush cabinet failed pretty miserably. Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfield, and Colin Powell just didn't make it. The difference, I believe, was that the Bush cabinet represented two widely divergent ideologies that could not be reconciled, thus precipitating a major power struggle. In this case, despite media efforts to highlight major differences among the Obama National Security team for example, they really pale in comparison to the differences within the Bush cabinet. There is also likely a difference in leadership qualities between the current and incoming Presidents.
The conflicts between Hillary and Barack on foreign policy during the primaries came to the fore precisely because no major differences actually existed. Both candidates had to magnify minor differences such as who should talk to Iran, because they shared a quite similar overall vision for foreign policy. The differences Obama had with Secretary Gates over Iraq have pretty much been eliminated because of the changes on the ground in Iraq and the new Status of Forces Agreement approved by the Iraqi government. The entire National Security team is in agreement that diplomacy needs to be used more frequently and more effectively, and that military entanglements need to be minimized.
So have we indeed assembled the dream team? All Americans should hope that this is so. I believe all the principals can and will work together. In the short term there is much to be hopeful about. One major question, though, is just how patient will the American people be. How much latitude will they give this administration to function? I don't believe there will be problems initially by team members not working together, or trying to out maneuver each other. The problem, rather, will be how much of an opportunity will the American people give them to operate.
The judgement on this cabinet and on the individuals in it needs to be exercised in the area of performance. The Economic Team for example needs to be given a chance to put their recovery plan in place. If Congress impedes progress on Obama initiatives we will never know if their recovery plan can work. Every decision Obama makes will by definition produce both agreement and disagreement. Each item in the stimulus plan will be both praised and attacked by various members of congress as it is unveiled. Yet the truth is there is no magic bullet that all can agree will turn the economy around in the shortest amount of time. I believe we need to trust the leaders we have put in office and support their efforts to revive our economy. Picking apart the stimulus plan, or insisting that narrow interests be included for political reasons will interfere with progress at a time when we all need to be pulling together. There will be plenty of time to play politics, but if there was ever a time when a new administration should be given a chance to implement their policies, this is it.
The time for criticism will undoubtedly come soon enough, and of course plenty of mistakes will be made. Hopefully, though, if President-elect Obama is given an opportunity to put in place a well thought out plan crafted by his team of experts that everyone seems to believe in, we will see enough successes to move our country forward again. I agree that the team is impressive, lets give them a chance to work their magic.
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