Jan 23, 2009
Lessons in How NOT To End a Domestic Recession: Send More Taxpayer Dollars Overseas
Day 3 of his Presidency and Mr. Change is already playing party lines.
As his prior predicessors did, President Obama has now meddled with the policy on US Government funding being given to groups that provide abortion services or counseling abroad.
Reagan pioneered the restriction on funds in 1984. Clinton rescinded the rule in January of 1993 and Bush reinstated it January of 2001. This is like party-based policy ping-pong.
While it follows party lines, I’m particularly amazed that Obama would do something so quickly that will actually HURT our economy. There is a dire need for more dollars to be spent here in America rather than abroad. The LAST thing we should be doing in a time of economic downturn is send more dollars overseas – especially for something as divisive as abortion services. Our recession won’t be fixed by taking money from everyone’s pocket and sending it overseas. And, if the pockets are already picked clean, do we really care about this so much that we are willing to go into debt for it? Apparently Mr. Obama does. To me, that’s messed up. Lets saddle OUR children with debt far into the future so that other people can kill their children!
Now, I’m sure some yahoo out there is going to bring up the war in Iraq as the ultimate “sending dollars overseas” example and blame it on the last administration. While I could debate back and forth the percentages of dollars spent on the war that come back to the US, I’ll shortcut the process and just say “Well, thank you Captain Obvious.” Remember Obama’s campaign though? CHANGE. Change from partisanship, change from politics, etc.
Apparently, he didn’t mean now.
Honestly though, while I can’t really fault Obama for acting in line with his party (I mean, did you really think he was going to be any different!??), I’m quite appalled at how each President has made this an issue their very first month in office. That’s sad.
Some people (including Biden) have said that Obama would reunite a divided America – I don’t think he is going to get far in that hope acting like this.
