Obama Pressures the Wrong People

Friday, December 2, 2011

It's about time; the president has finally demanded action on the fiscal situation. Monday he called on officials to move quickly to resolve the sovereign debt crisis that is threatening the American economy.

Oh. Just a second. That was the European debt crisis; those were European officials. He told them to get tough, by golly. He has an election coming up, and their variously troubled economies are hurting his chances here at home.

I'm sure his input was appreciated; it has been so effective domestically.

It seems that the president has been in regular telephone contact with Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sarkozy and other European leaders. When do you suppose was the last time he rang up John Boehner or Paul Ryan?

It's a good thing, I guess, that Mr. Obama appreciates the interconnectedness of our globalizing, um ... globe, and that he's trying to bring a bit of his signature hope and change to our European friends, but I'd be surprised if his efforts alter the pace or direction of wherever the Europeans are headed.

They seem so far to be doing quite badly enough on their own without American assistance. How do you think our administration would respond to an economics lecture from M. Sarkozy?

It looks like our two economies are locked in a desperate race to the bottom, and, ironically, it may be the one that gets there first that is the winner. As we are dawdling along until the next election, spewing vitriol and unkeepable promises, Europe is headed very quickly toward what may be the actual, inevitable, unavoidable conclusion to the past two years of can-kicking.

This past week, the EU finance ministers met in Brussels in preparation for an EU summit on Dec. 9. While much of the usual political boilerplate was in evidence, there were serious murmurs about individual countries ceding some degree of sovereignty to a United States of Europe in exchange for backing of the weaker countries' debt by the stronger ones, i.e., Germany. Who knows? Something might happen.

In what must be one of the most ironic historical flip-flops ever, the Polish foreign minister said Monday, "I will probably be the first Polish minister in history to say so, but here it is: I fear German power less than I am beginning to fear German inactivity. You have become Europe's indispensable nation." That rumbling sound is Winston Churchill spinning in his grave.

The Germans are less than excited about the idea of bailing out their poorer neighbors, but the alternatives look worse daily. Economists mutter about European bank failures, global depression, greater unemployment and riots. Economists' track records are spotty at best, but still worth some consideration in a case as obvious as this.

So, suppose Europe undergoes some dramatic restructuring, issues a Eurobond that is salable at a favorable rate, and at least creates the appearance of unity. Where does that leave us?

The shoe, a nice Italian-made one, no doubt, might be on the other foot. Those Eurobonds may look more attractive to investors than our treasuries, European stock markets may strengthen, and our inability to adopt measures even as stringent as Europe's could leave us the weakest giant economy in the world.

Maybe it will take more municipal bankruptcies and Occupiers of Places to bring us to where Europe is apparently headed, but it would sure be nice if we could do something now. It seems unlikely that our politicians could be any more factionalized than those in Europe, and, unlike Europe, we already have one person designated to inspire and lead us: He is called the president of the United States.

How about it, Mr. President? How about showing at least as much interest in resolving our fiscal mess as you do in Europe's? Instead of badgering European ministers to get their act together, why not beat them to the punch? How about badgering your own people, as well as those nasty Republicans, to do something before the election, or is keeping everybody riled up more suited to your political purposes?

Fred Wolferman lives in Southern Pines. Contact him by email at fwolferman@sbcglobal.net.

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The_AnonymusProfit 1 year, 5 months ago

Kuddos!

CC85 1 year, 5 months ago

John Boehner????? There once was a time when politicians openly courted the wingnut fringe of their respective parties to get their votes, then had the good sense to ignore those imbeciles once they took office. Those days are over. Boehner, who always looks like someone made him stay at work much longer than he wanted to, represents the self-fulfilling prophecy of open cynicism toward the U.S. government: a politician who was elected specifically to not give a crap.

MikeNC 1 year, 5 months ago

Now lets give President Obama a little credit where credit is do: For instance his administration's Attorney General did put pressure on Gov. Brewer and AZ in regards to immigration. And his administration did put pressure on bond holders in the GM bailout. When the Tea Party began to hold demonstrations, his Administration's Home Land Security chief wasted no time in pressuring local law officials to be on the look out for possible terrorists and cruise around the protests where these unsavery characters could be lurking.And hey who forget the pressure point number President Obama did on the Supreme Court Justices in his State of the Union address, on national TV when he disagreed with their decision on campaign contributions? Diane

Roorke 1 year, 5 months ago

Why would anyone expect President Obama to do anything now after almost three years. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had it exactly right when he said Obama was a 'bystander'. Yet people will still vote for him.

The_AnonymusProfit 1 year, 5 months ago

Again it all goes back to understanding history, taking personal responsibility, realizing the lack of self sacrifice in this country and understanding that we live in a society were it is ok to feel that you are entitled to something you did not earn.

jimt 1 year, 5 months ago

AP: "Again it all goes back to understanding history, taking personal responsibility, realizing the lack of self sacrifice in this country..."

You mean like cutting taxes when the country is involved in two wars, like W did? You mean like taking the costs of those two wars, not budgeting for them, but financing them by selling U.S. bonds to China, thus increasing our national debt by about $300 million a day? You mean like add a $15 billion plus program to medicare (prescription drugs for senior citizens) without paying for them, and again just adding the cost to the national debt which is financed by selling U.S. government bonds to China?

This is where you tell us that you're not a Republican and therefore cannot be ideologically held accountable for their practices. The problem with that argument is that you define yourself as a conservative, as did the Republicans who gave us these policy choices. So you ARE ideologically accountable for their practices.

I was about the write that you are becoming a real bore. But, in fact, you're way, way past that already.

fugitiveguy 1 year, 5 months ago

Income Tax Cut, JFK Hopes To Spur Economy 1962/8/13 by UniversalNewsreels

Was JFK the very first wingnut?

Roorke 1 year, 5 months ago

It must be nice being President... Obama to jet off to Hawaii for SEVENTEEN DAY Christmas vacation By Daily Mail Reporter We know this is a foreign news scource because it uses the word Christmas.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2069471/President-Obama-jet-Hawaii-SEVENTEEN-DAY-Christmas-holiday.html#ixzz1fTZIlyNd ''We'll see if Washington gets its business done, so I can get here as well. But that's always a challenge.’' Said Nero Light Obama

jimt 1 year, 5 months ago

wwdd101st: "...you must agree with me on your dislike of Obama for putting us into $16 trillion in debt by selling most of it to China... Am I right? And how about that $1.5 trillion in debt for his Obamacare."

No, you're dead wrong. Most of the $16 billion of which you speak was under accrued under W or is a direct consequence of W's policies and the consequences of said same. Even the majority of Americans is poll after poll still blame W for our current economic situation and the huge increase in the national debt it has caused.

"Obamacare" is paid for and will, in the long wrong, save tens of billions of dollars on private and public sector spending on healthcare according to most experts and the CBO.

And finally, you've clearly fallen into the Orwellian world of double speak if you think Obama is a socialist. There is no "public option" in the health care reforms. Everyone will need to get health insurance provided by for profit companies. Pretty odd form of socialism isn't it? And if you think that this is somehow "socialism" then Mitt Romney is a socialist too, since "Obama care is based on Mitt's health care reforms in MA. when he was governor.

JimHeim 1 year, 5 months ago

We're in hock to the Chinese because US consumers voluntarily by their products instead of our own. Maybe we should get back into manufacturing.

Mr. Wolferman (a usual) is wide of the mark. The dollar is independent of the Euro and we do not need to allow Europe to drag it down.

"Obamacare" will reduce the federal deficit. Ask CBO. Our worst fiscal mess is the result of the miserable health care system in this country. (At least we're number one in preventable death and costs) The ACA is a small step forward, but much needs to be done. If we our health care spending was as efficient and effective as inmost of Europe, the government would be in surplus and our health would be a lot better.

And Obama did not put us $16 trillion in debt and only the clueless would say such an ignorant thing.

Toda 1 year, 5 months ago

It appears that the regaled Republican sect is out in force again. Rooke didn't happen to mention the Western White House or The Bush Ranch where three republicans spent most of there time in office.

wdd101st 11 hours, 53 minutes ago => "NO president should be selling our country to the Communist Chinese" you should have opened that discussion when Bush was in office. Obama is trying to clean up the mess left to him with two wars ... one of which will finally come to an end last of this month. No credit there. At a billion a month for the last 10 years, Bush has the burden of deploying our sons and daughters into harms way. No Obama...not one boot was on the ground in Libya.

"And how about that $1.5 trillion in debt for his Obamacare. Truely a terrible thing for our people." Now the infamous Obamacare comes up again. Here's a question for you. How many Presidents endorsed a health care program for all Americans? All of them in the past 4 decades! Even Ronnie Raygun! So obviously you support the Kevorkian Health Care Solution for the poor, homeless, unemployed, elderly, and a Congress that is paid off by Hospital Associations, Pharmacological company's, Insurance companies who earn profits for investors by using the pre-existing condition health card.

"Can you truely call yourself a democrat when Obama is clearly a socialist? All of his teachers and friends in his early life were socialist (See his book, Dreams of My Father)". Do you really know the presidents' executive powers? When was a the last time a President signed a bill into law that wasn't passed by both houses of Congress? Never! Do you really know the meaning of Socialist? Read Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Class by Joseph F. Healy, Fifth Edition. Then tell us what socialism is all about....

Toda 1 year, 5 months ago

So interesting that most who write on these boards chastise Obama for the ills of the world. When on September 24th, 2008 Bush gave a speech addressing the failure of his administration to circumvent a financial crisis. His words not mine or anyone else.

President Bush's speech on the financial crisis 9/24/08 (1) by ApFaqPolitics

Toda 1 year, 5 months ago

O' by the way ... Obama wasn't even in office! Listen carefully to his words, lending his voice to stimulus packages, foreign investment, home loans (ie: Hedgefunds [derivatives] and toxic paper). Bush didn't understand the concept of "default swaps". Default swaps were not insured under the full faith and credit under the government insurance program. Well dumb ~ dee ~ dumb ~ dee ~ dumb. Just blame his speech on Obama...that seems to work for those who are clueless.

Let's focus on Bushes Dream of Home Ownership. Get your laugh on because it contradicts what he used as a reason in his September 24th speech...Robust government loans...got to laugh!

Home Ownership and President Bush by PicturePusher

nothingspecial 1 year, 5 months ago

Interesting read this week from Victor Hanson, on how our sensibilities have been changed by this President:

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/284333/obama-101-victor-davis-hanson?pg=1

DaveyNC 1 year, 5 months ago

When IS the last time he spoke to Boehner or Reid or Ryan or anybody else in Congress? Apparently, a very long time: http://goo.gl/OtSgW

It seems he believes it to be beneath him.

He bows to dictators and avoids Fox News, the news outlet with the highest viewership in the country.

He calls Merkel and Sarkozy but won't reach across the aisle.

He lectures us to eat our peas then jets off to Asia while the peas are being divvied up.

He deposes our Mideast allies without concern to what comes next. (Helloooo, Muslim Brotherhood!)

He sends a bill up to Congress demanding that they "Pass this bill!", all the while knowing that it will fail. All to set up his campaign ads.

He thinks there are 57 states and the media ignores this. Perry flubs the voting age and people go nuts. He thinks the Navy has corpsemen. The media ignores this but goes off on Palin if she shows her face. We've never heard a word from anybody who went to college with him. The media hasn't bothered to look, but Perry's family bought a hunting ranch 30 years ago with an offensive word on a rock and the media goes nuts, despite the Perry family immediately removing the offensive word. We've never heard from any of his old friends. The media hasn't looked. We've never heard from any of his old girlfriends. The media hasn't looked. We've never heard from any of his old teachers. The media hasn't looked. He sat in a church pew for 20 years, claiming the pastor as a father figure, then discarded him when it became inconvenient. And somehow did not hear the hateful words that pastor spewed. The media accepts this at face value and doesn't dig further. He never ran anything bigger than a neighborhood watch and we saw fit to give him control over the United States government.

We get the government we deserve, for sure.

JimHeim 1 year, 5 months ago

And with the clown car disguised as a GOP presidential nomination process making a mockery of their party, our side is threatened with death by excess popcorn.

Donald Trump doing a GOP debate? Really? I don't think you guys are even trying.

Also, too, I haven't seen any Cain bumper stickers lately. They're scarcer that FairTax signs. Where did he go?

Toda 1 year, 5 months ago

"DaveyNC 1 hour, 14 minutes ago"

Digging up bones? Fox News? Roger Ailes! You really believe their spin on everything Obama...I bet you support the efforts of Glenn Beck and his diatribes that have 90% of all Americans wonder if this guy is suffering from schizophrenia!

Toda 1 year, 5 months ago

"Perry flubs the voting age and people go nuts."

And he was prepared for a national broadcast, and specific on which departments he would eliminate. Now the whore monger is on his way out so that an adulterer can "rise in the poles." Should Newt become President, those earning less than a million a year are going to see how the poor live in this county. If you work for a paycheck, then you're not in the millionaires club. You are just like the rest of Americans trying to survive.

The_AnonymusProfit 1 year, 5 months ago

President Party Total debt years in office average annual deficit
B.H.Obama Democrat $1,307,224,383,572 2 $653,612,191,786
G.W.Bush Republican $3,011,831,280,329 8 $376,478,910,041

Numbers don't lie...Obama is on track if given 8 years in office to have a total debt figure of

$5,228,897,534,288 and this is only at current spending. This does not account for inflation or other ill conceived programs that he may come up with in the future. His current annual deficit is double that of GWB's annual and his total is more then several presidents combined. And for all those out there that forget. Under GWB the republicans attempted to reform Freddie and Fannie but were blocked by a democrat controlled house and senate.

The only people who contest these facts are people who like many of the above posters do not themselves want to do what is necessary to prosper themselves. Pity my history books taught me that above all Americans were self driven. Apparently now Americans are Self destructive. Also

As for military spending.....Yesterday a woman in Afghanistan who was rapped was convicted after spending many years imprisoned. Her punishment for being raped was to marry her attacker. My question is what are you going to do when this happens to your daughter? Will you show compassion and tell your daughter that she must be culturally understanding? Our military keeps this from happening to us. Go ahead and remove our military and see how fast something like this happens

JimHeim 1 year, 5 months ago

Another AP lie. He obviously used Inauguration Day figures to make Bush look better, and Obama look worse. Honest people use the date of the new president's budget.

MikeNC 1 year, 5 months ago

So how should the "honest" figures look JimHeim? Diane

The_AnonymusProfit 1 year, 5 months ago

Just more platitudes from a person who does not like the facts. Jim just so you can fact check. Those figures came from the Federal CBO and are available to anyone. If you notice I make great use of the CBO. Yet alas as usual the facts are ignored and general talking points are issued. Jim the plain and simple truth is that you refuse to take responsibility for your own actions and that of the party you support. You programs have failed by your own merit so you must affix blame to someone else. As for the comment about not listening to Experts....You remember the experts that Al Gore used when telling us how Man Made Global Warming was going to destroy us.....If i remember correctly last years Global Climate Summat issued a statement that in short said that there was no evidence to support claims that man had any significant impact on the temperature of our climate...AND if you read any type of history book dealing with climate change you will see as always that facts can not be disputed...This planet goes through warming and cooling trends quite often. Its called natural occurances.

CC85 1 year, 5 months ago

This just in, Herman "Suga" Cain suspends his campaign.

"another one bites the dust......"

JimHeim 1 year, 5 months ago

Diane, I expect you're perfectly capable of using Google. Try typing national debt and see what happens.

In point of fact, I've quoted those figures in my previous Pilot columns, but I doubt that you'd take my word for the numbers. Look them up.

Toda 1 year, 5 months ago

"justpassingby 2 hours, 51 minutes ago"

O my ~ my. What on earth has Bushes speeches have to do with proving Obama is a liar? That one must passed right over my head. Phony is an interesting observation. Never heard that one before now.

The_AnonymusProfit 1 year, 5 months ago

For all that want to bang fox news...Funny how Fox has more veiwers in EVERY SINGLE category that ALL OTHER news outlets combined. I wonder why that is

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/12/02/cable-news-ratings-for-thursday-december-1-2011/112499/

MikeNC 1 year, 5 months ago

Jim Heim, most sites visited, do their estimating based on when Presidents took office. On the National Debt Crisis.com site, an ubiased look at Presidental debts here we go: G. W. 1st Term- 1.885 Trillion Increase G. W. 2nd Term- 3.014 Trillion Increase B. Obama FIRST YEAR- 1.573 Trillion Increase It then goes onto to say, President Obama's administration projections indicate a 6.5 Trillion Dollar Increase. If this happens, President Obama will obviously surpass G W Bush's Debt Increase. Diane

Toda 1 year, 5 months ago

"If this happens, Diane" If is a big two letter word. What IF Obama starts a couple of wars costing a billion dollars a month and hands them off to the next president? Would that make the Obama haters feel better about the debt? It took Bush 8 years to create the debt we have today, [watch the videos of Georges lips moving], and the Republicans think Obama should clean up the toxic mess left behind in 3 years. 7 years for a bankruptcy...long on trillions of dollars in debt. Just a thinking tool in your box....

JimHeim 1 year, 5 months ago

Duane, Liars use the inauguration day. Those who actually track spending count the actual budgets. It would be unfair to give Bush credit for Clinton's last budget or blame Obama for Bush's screw ups.

But reality is an alien concept on the right. So I don't expect honesty.

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