State of the Union

I think President Obama did a masterful job at the State of the Union address. In short I think his message was one of leadership and non-partisan. It focused on who we are as a nation and how we fit into the global community. We are the not protector of all, nor are we the leader of all. We are one of many nations and must get along with each nation as best we can.

If other nations choose to do their own thing in spite of the common good of the global community, so be it. They will have a tough go of it. Witness Russia’s current status. They are once again broke. Their currency is in free fall. They cannot satisfy their financial obligations let alone their daily routines. This is the result, once again, of trying to speak as the lone leader of the world and to rattle swords and military hardware as though to frighten other nations to toe the line.

That is nonsense for Russia. Likewise, it is nonsense for America. Or France, England, or any other nation. Israel or Palestine. Egypt or Saudi Arabia. Each has their sovereign self. Each has their communal role within the community of nations. Those who work at getting along with others do get along. Those that do not, suffer in isolation or in small gangs of misfits.

That’s the global statement from Obama’s speech. Now to our own internal issues.

The President mapped out an agenda 7 years ago when he ran for the presidency. Agendas do not run on their own timeline. They must adapt to the reality of context. And those who care about the agenda – the leaders – must be flexible. Obama has been the picture of flexibility, patience, and adaptability. He has invited discussion, inclusion of disparate viewpoints, and maintain hospitality throughout rude confrontation from political rubes. We know the latter as the ‘loyal opposition’.

There is a line not to be crossed, however; loyal opposition should never extend to treason. Confrontation is one thing. Obstruction of national progress towards healthy resolution of problems blocking other progress, goes beyond opposition.

In spite of obstruction the president’s agenda has prospered. It was a rocky ride. We had near economic depression tossed in the way, the most severe recession on record was encountered and outlasted. The financial system meltdown was repaired at great cost and restored to relative health. Government employment was gutted at all levels of governance throughout the nation. Not just federal or state government employment was sliced, but also county and municipal units of government were slimmed down.

Private sector employment was mightily reduced. But then slowly that sector rebuilt. Government sectors did not rebuild. Most of the economic recovery and expansion has been from the private sector. Just imagine if and when government is allowed back to do what it is supposed to do. Employment will further expand. The housing market will rebound, construction, too, and then mortgages, investment markets and much more gains through the economy will follow.  That is the way the system works. We could have gotten here far faster and easier had political leaders in Washington DC cooperated.

Now we have much more to do. Infrastructure recovery and repair is seriously needed. Then expansion of the infrastructure needs to follow soon after. Tens of thousands of bridges in America need to be replaced let alone massively repaired to extend their life. Water and sewer systems throughout the nation are in need of expansion as well. So too schools and support systems are in need of modernization.

This doesn’t even speak to the issue of nationwide internet expansion and universal access by all citizens in each community. Phone systems, electrical grid, and natural gas networks all need strengthening. Energy resources need expansion to fuel the growth of the nation so we can do the job we are most capable of throughout the world.

Our job is to innovate. In all things: education, transportation, technology, communication, agriculture, medicine…you name it we can redesign it, re-engineer it, and implement it. That’s our job. That’s what America can and should do.

Some people are negative souls. Others are positive ones. In the end the positive folk will lead us all out of the dark pits life delivers from time to time. We learn from these set backs. We learn about our ability to survive and to thrive. We rediscover our innovative genius and willingness to share.

When this happens we unleash a juggernaut of energy that sweeps problems away in a flood of new ideas and possibilities. That’s enough to support each and every one of us in this land. And enough left over to share with the rest of the world community.

And yes; that’s our job, too. Because we can.

And ought!

January 26, 2015