Obama’s New Jobs Act

Someone asked today if I thought Obama’s Jobs Act would work. That got me to thinking…

As I listened to his speech the other day I was impressed by how many things he said that sounded truly amazing. I thought to myself; “Has he finally found that bold new direction that will turn this around?” Then the details started trickling in and shed some light on this newest political strategy of his.

It’s kind of like watching a street magician pocket someone’s wallet. The mystical-seaming flourishes of the one hand mesmerize us for a short time while his other hand slips into your back pocket. Ever notice that political speeches tend to be framed by human props? I’m not just talking about Obama here, there’s plenty of practitioners of the human-prop game on both side of the “Isle.” So on this occasion, Obama surrounds himself with Teachers, Firefighters, Policemen, Veterans, construction workers and small business owners. OK, I’ll wait to see where this is leading…

Realistically, it’s leading nowhere. Think about it: The House will block it and the Senate will pass it. The end result is still no movement. Again. Who you blame for that depends upon your point of view, but it remains that both houses of congress are currently diametrically opposed with no end in sight until the next election cycle.

Ok, so first off he begins by rolling out the plight of teachers and how his plan will hire more teachers. Oh! The Kids! Yes, everyone agrees that we can’t be unfair to children and they need teachers… At least he has enough decency not to march in a few orphans just to drive home his point, but can you see the grandstanding begin to kick into high gear yet?

Watch that hand… Well, teachers are paid by tax dollars, so that means more taxes or more spending, right?

Ooh, that was a close one, almost lost sight of the other hand for a moment…

And now come the veterans… Really? Sweet! No matter the source, I’m all for helping out those who have sacrificed for my freedoms. I was wondering when he would get to them, now there’s something I can agree with him on.

But wait! Isn’t this the same President who has been trying to slash the military budget ever since he took office?

See? There’s that other hand again…

OK, now that I can see a pattern developing, the whole slight-of-hand thing is just beginning to annoy me. Who’s next? OK here come the firemen, the police ; all of them very fine people and well deserving (more tax funded increases coming) and now… construction workers?

OK, that one threw me off for a minute until I remembered the unions. Yes, he must pay them back for all those mandatory union dues funneled into his election campaign; so yes construction workers makes sense too. Airports clogged? Could it be the TSA is far too engrossed in grabbing every crotch within reach? Ah, rebuild the airports. There’s definitely a construction boom (again tax funded) in the making here. Did Hoffa Jr. write this speech perhaps? And look how nicely he’s tied in the poor teachers with the Unions by starting a school rebuilding project…

OK, now on to the small business owners, right? What do they get? Somehow I just can’t get this tune out of my head just now… “This is starting-to-feel a-lot like (tax finded) Christmas…”

Yes, small businesses are struggling, so… Cut taxes? Sweet! Wait, where’s the other hand? (I’m learning, you see) See, he said cut taxes in half? Where’s the other hand? I keep waiting for a punch-line but I’m not seeing it. No loopholes, no “Only if you do X, Y and Z” kind of manipulations… And write-offs too? It’s almost Conservative in it’s simplicity and directness. I’m at a loss here. I don’t see a down-side; yet I can’t bring myself to trust a President whose been so adamantly against broad-based tax cuts. I will look forward to finding out the details on this one in the next week or so.

Ok, a little about kids and summer jobs, prevent taxes from going up? Oh, he’s referring to revisiting the Bush tax cuts again. Fully paid for? (This is going to be interesting) Yup, he mentions the rich and corporations again as a source to pay for all of the new Union construction projects mentioned above. This is old news, he’s referring back to his battle over the Bush tax cuts. OK nothing new here. Moving on…

Watch the other hand…

I see there’s no mention of just how this is all getting paid for, a lot of vague statements don’t get the bills paid. I suppose we wait and see if he tries to create another panel to cut costs in order to pay for this one too. (so far the panel already in existence is at a complete standstill)

Ok, he follows this up with some of his usual fare, big oil vs. teachers; billionaires vs. education. Ok we get the whole class warfare thing…

He wants more things made in America, but he’s targeting the very Coporations that are big enough to do just that. Doesn’t he get that when you dig into the corporate pocketbook as extensively as he seems to be planning, that jobs instantly migrate overseas?

Color me impressed. He kept Vice President down to only two words. No room for the foot there…

Yes-yes, we are all tired of politics as usual and we all agree that it’s taking way too long getting out of this bad economy… Take action! Call your Congressmen! A rousing commencement that touches on all our frustrations at once.

Watch the other hand…

Just my view from the cheap seats…


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