Checking In On the Big Picture

When Al Hunt's most reliable lefty - and lightest-weight, in my opinion - opiner, Margaret Carlson, takes Obama to task for taking his eye off the ball, then you know that the de facto lese majeste law that the MSM has spread o'er the land has been repealed. Carlson, hits the nail on the head, although you still have to wade through her typical illogical rubbish to see it driven into the wood. For example, in a typical Carlsonian assertion, criticism, apparently, doesn't stand or fall based on the merits, but on who is doing the criticizing. Actually the singular gem (pun intended) of the whole article is the apt word "bauble" in the title and it is unclear whether Carlson is even in the title-writing business. Perhaps some copy editor formulated this perfect metaphor for Obama and, indeed, liberalism itself - style over substance. No matter what he does, Obama is seeking to look good, to come off swell rather than achieve any significant aim. He'll take any ole' healthcare bill, he's a global good guy with that outstretched hand for Iran while they remain with middle finger prominently displayed, he'll swoop in to boldly orchestrate a non-binding resolution at the UN (whew, I'll bet that was hard!). I could go on. They say a broken clock is right twice a day. Maraget Carlson somehow manages only once a day, but today is that day. It is not looking good. Once that media sheen is gone, there ain't a whole lot left.

And in other news, today brings another tandem of economic data that sets in high relief the progress of the recovery against its salient characteristic, joblessness. And yet another top echelon economist comes out solidly on the side of "stimulus equals waste of money."

History is never in the bag, the unpredictable and unforeseen always loom large ready to make fools of the prosnosticators, but I am willing to expose myself to the prospect one day looking foolish. The die is cast on the overwhelming concern of the American people, the economy. Based on the last nine months' policy coming from Washington DC, decisions have already been made that have cemented an unexciting, jobless, recovery for at least the next 12-18 months. Stumbling on foreign policy has let loose forces that will prove intractable in the short run. Unattainable success on key issues has been over-hyped to the true believers who will almost certainly be disappointed. The loyalist media is just now starting to shine a critical light. The silent majority is no longer silent, exercised over the venality, arrogance, and buffoonery pervading our government. On present course, historians will be able to sum up the Obama presidency quite succinctly: "it seemed like a good idea at the time."