STORY #1: Operative word: “modest”
What President Obama will do to help improve growth conditions for small businesses: have the government pay contractors faster; allow them to write off greater amounts of capital investments; increase small business loans and streamline the affiliated application process; streamline two other application processes, for surety bonds and post-disaster rebuilding funds; and reform the New Markets Tax Credit so start-ups in lower-income communities have an easier time accessing private funding.
That’s all nice, but . . . is that it? A streamlining here, a loan increase there? That’s all Obama has to offer in terms of helping small businesses? Or is this just everything he can pass without much of a headache? I’m just saying, a president with real balls would present a much bigger and bolder idea than that and risk the inevitable criticism. And for the record, a new stimulus package isn’t bigger and bolder, nor is a package of other cuts, streamlinings and tweaks. Find a proven, untapped resource and then we’ll literally be in business.
STORY #2: Repeal this
The House of Representatives voted to repeal Obamacare this week. Lest any of you start worrying that this will have any bearing on reality, a) this is the 33rd time they’ve voted to repeal it and b) the Senate has ignored them every single time, including this one. Did anyone really need a reminder that this Republican-controlled House doesn’t like Obamacare? I don’t know anyone who didn’t expect a vow to repeal it, regardless of how the Supreme Court ruled.
I could take this opportunity to chastise House Republicans (and five House Democrats) for failing to come up with a comprehensive health care alternative and wasting our time and resources on a vote they know perfectly well will go nowhere. But then I’d be repeating myself. Instead of listening to that again, enjoy this video.
STORY #3: I’m pessimistic
Obama on what he neglected in his first term: “. . . the mistake of my first term . . . was thinking that this job was just about getting the policy right . . . the nature of this office is also to tell a story to the American people that gives them a sense of unity and purpose and optimism, especially during tough times.” No, Mr. President, that’s the nature of your communications office. The nature of your office is to get the policy right so your speechwriters have something optimistic to work with. Has he just admitted that he won because of his rhetoric, as opposed to his platform?
