The United States is preparing for a new year, and a new presidential administration -- one that has the potential to usher-in a rejuvenation of the U.S. economy, society, and culture, after nearly a decade of descent.
Still, that's not to say measures should not be taken to keep the Obama Administration and the Democrats honest. Now yours truly is not talking about the rhetorical observations and critiques of right-wing talk radio, which opposes seemingly everything from an increase in federal student loan programs to the rising of the sun in the east, but rather about techniques investors can use to make sure the Obama Administration remains true to its word -- i.e., to keep Obama and the Democrats honest.
Benchmark 1: The economy and job growth. Obama and the Democrats have promised a large fiscal stimulus package that invests in the nation's infrastructure and public institutions (schools, hospitals, civil administration buildings, parks), and that provides aid to the states, among other benefits. The fiscal stimulus package alone will not guarantee a return to robust economic growth and job creation, but it will point the U.S. economy in the direction of sustainable growth, with hundreds of thousands of jobs that will help 'prime the pump' for additional commercial activity. Hence, the U.S. economy and the stimulus package represent the top priority: any failure to deliver here would be a serious underperformance.
Benchmark 2: Energy policy. Simply, Obama and the Dems have to wean the U.S off oil. Included in this task should be an auto rescue bill that points the nation toward both the "supercar" -- development of alternative energy resources -- and a smarter, stronger electric grid. Among the benefits: an end to the U.S. send up to a $500 billion per year payment to foreign governments for oil consumption. Energy policy will not be easy, but it must be accomplished.
Benchmark 3: Health care policy. Another gargantuan task, but one that has the potential to achieve large cost savings for both federal/state governments and citizens. Every major, industrialized nation provides universal health care for its citizens and delivers health care at a lower cost per citizen than the United States. Obama and the Dems believe it's time the U.S. health care system did as well, hence any underperformance here would be a demerit.
Benchmark 4: Elimination of needless government programs. Reordering the old partisan axis, Obama has promised to eliminate government programs that aren't working or that are simply wasting money. Many Republicans don't realize that this means useless defense programs and Republican "pet" programs, as well. Obama's first, proposed budget will help determine if he is that next-generation public official that was publicized during the 2008 campaign.
Fiscal Policy/Economic Analysis: The above, of course, does not include education policy, and large issues relating to foreign policy, but if Obama and Democrats meet the above benchmarks, they will have met the truth-in-advertising requirement. Stay tuned.
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Financial Editor Joseph Lazzaro in writing a book on the U.S. presidency and the U.S. economy.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-04-2009 @ 9:44AM
belle said...
Obama has his work cut out for him is true. But keeping Obama and the demos honest after all the dishonest things they did during 2008, especially the primaries.
I don't see Obama being honest not in the past, present and future. The bias media will not let the truth/honest things about Obama be known, unless a miracle happens, which I doubt.
1-04-2009 @ 10:18AM
Bobby said...
Maybe I'm foolish but I feel the "task at hand" is actually going to compel most of our politicians to do a better job in the upcoming yrs. We've simply reached critical mass on most major issues & there's no room left for either party to pussy foot around with this. The sense of urgency for once in decades will help filter trash out of the system. Either our gov't & citizenry works together or we're all screwed,, it's that simple....
1-05-2009 @ 11:48AM
Capt Easy said...
1. Energy policy: The most immediate goal is to get off foreign oil. This can be done in the short-term with current technology by conservation and opening all domestic sources, which will also keep the price down. Longer term, we must take a more rational approach to atomic energy while encouraging research into alternative fuels.
2. 90% of American families are pretty satisfied with our basic health care approach. We are not Denmark, the Netherlands, or even Canada. We do not want a socialized goverment-run health system telling us who we can and cannot see. If the liberals want to insure everybody (and can afford it) then go ahead and extend Medicare and Medicaid to those who can't afford normal insurance. Just don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.