WulfCry Weblog

It’s been a couple weeks since the inauguration, and one person has requested my thoughts on the new administration, so here goes:

The Inaugural Prayer
The prayer bugged me. I think a public prayer like that, so obviously aimed at the Christian god, is a blatant violation of the Establishment Clause. I know it has been justified as “but, we have always done that.” That same justification would have kept slavery firmly implanted in the South in the 19th Century. History, to me, it not the best justification, especially for Constitutional violations. I really wish we could find someone man enough to say, “My religion is nobody’s business but my own” and to stand up for disestablishment. Unfortunately, that would be political suicide. Apparently, we have a de facto religious test of office.

Faith Based Initiatives
This one bugs me for the same reasons. Public funding of religious institutions. There is no way those funds can be applied in a way that does not discriminate against sects, and no way to ensure that all the money is reaching the intended beneficiaries. I hope this one gets abandoned.

Stimulus
This one doesn’t bug me as much as it scares me. We all know where this money is coming from. Adding over $1T in debt per year cannot be good. If Saudi Arabia and China decide not to lend us anymore money, and call in our debt, what happens then? And why is there no emphasis on education or job training? It may not be a quick fix, but education and training are the only way to sustain job growth. Instead, education tends to be the first on the chopping block when government is making cuts. On a related note, I’d like to see more action on his promise in the inauguration “If a program doesn’t work, it will be eliminated.” Where’s the review process?

I’d also like to see more efforts to keep the promise of bipartisanship. This one cuts both ways. The Obama administration needs to understand that part of the citizenry wants to see less bailouts, and listen to the republicans’ ideas. Even if they are wrong-headed (and I think they are), it would show that the new Admin is more willing to make things work.

The Republicans, too, need to be less obstructionist, and more willing to look at new ideas. Make practical criticisms (not those based on a mythical belief in Smith, and a fundamental misunderstanding of a modern economy) and come up with some new ideas. The last election should have shown you that your old ideas aren’t working for you. If you come off as reasonable, it will make the President’s obstinacy look worse. For now, it looks like politics as usual.

The Hope
Still, watching the President last night in his press conference gave me hope. It was encouraging to see a president who collects his thoughts before answering a question. It’s apparent that the President has put a lot of thought into the issues confronting this nation. I’m left thinking that it’s still very early in the game. I can easily see this President searching thoroughly for the best answers, changing tack when necessary, and actually learning from his mistakes (again, refreshing). Let’s hope that time proves me right.