High Ground Underground

Here’s a translation of excerpts of the State of the Union speech for those who haven’t yet mastered Obamaspeak. The quotes are rough based on scribbled notes, and the translation or occasional commentary follows. “After one of the most difficult years in our history...”  That’s why even I, the Great One, haven’t been able to deliver on promises. “I’ve cut several taxes....[looking at GOP side that didn’t applaud] I thought that’d get some applause”  Now that I’ve lost my 60 seat lock, I’ve got to throw you jerks some bones, even though they’re very small potatoes compared with the other tax & spending hikes, and of course I know you’re too stupid to realize that. “The stimulus bill will create 1 ½ million jobs in the future”  Trust me on this, just like when I promised a maximum 8% unemployment, made a small error of 1.9 trillion in the deficit, promised bipartisanship & inclusion & CNN coverage, etc., etc.,...... “Jobs is the #1 focus – a new bill will give small bu...

Lesson #2 in Obamaspeak, or for those familiar with the novel 1984 , “New speak.” “The U.S. government has no interest in running GM.” What this really means is, that after the government bails GM out and takes a controlling interest , it is vitally interested in who runs the company – to the point of ousting the CEO; and regulating their executives’ pay, the trips they can take, and modes of transportation on trips; and mandating the kinds of cars they can make, and where, and approving/disapproving restructuring plans; and taking over their warranties. Let this be a lesson to anyone considering taking money from the government. There is life after bankruptcy, and things worse than “death” – but those of little faith are willing rather to “live” in slavery. And so Patrick Henry’s idealism (“Give me liberty or give me death!”) falls by the wayside. This is the “change” we were promised. Obama is maintaining overgenerous union contracts intact, at the expense of the company, jobs ...

Jonathan Garthwaite is keeping track of Obama’s broken campaign promises, and is up to 104 with this one reported in the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/17/us/politics/17signing.html?ref=us. He’s spending political capital as fast as economic capital, and will hopefully run out of the former before the latter. Obama’s appearance on Leno the other night seemed somehow apropos, with his performance as president being somewhat a joke so far -- literally at our expense. Besides his well-publicized special Olympics gaffe, he said “people need to get back to where we know that ‘enough is enough.’” No doubt referring to the AIG bonus controversy, but certainly applicable to Obama’s & congress’ incredible deficit spending rates. They have already in 60 days committed to double the entire national debt within 5 years, and now the OMB projects $1 trillion more deficit over 5 years than the White House estimates. Perhaps you’ve heard of the “tea parties” being held across the c...