Balancing Healthcare, Public Policy and Politics with Linda de Seife
In the March column I discussed Trust as a component of Leadership and expressed concern that because of a lack of trust our country was in a state of paralysis. Well, unfortunately, nothing has changed and, in fact, I am concerned that the situation has deteriorated further to the detriment of the economic recovery.
Trust is the foundation of our economic system. Our currency is back by the “full faith and credit of the United States of America. Yet, a lack of trust is widespread, not only on a global level but in the everyday lives of individual Americans. The near collapse of the financial system in 2008 and 2009 has had, and will continue to have, a much broader impact than we realize. We will feel the effects in different ways for years to come, even when the economy turns around. This was such a shock to the American psyche that it will take a long time for people to feel secure.
From the financial markets to jobs to everyday transactions, there is uneasiness. Movement in the stock market is no longer based on the fundamentals of American companies; it is based on what’s happening both politically and economically in Europe, Greece and China. Americans are starting to feel comfortable enough to buy a new TV or a new washer or take a vacation, but they are not comfortable enough to buy a new house. The economy may have stopped shedding large numbers of jobs, but has not started creating enough new ones in the private sector to move the unemployment rate, and thus, make people feel more secure.
On every level it feels like nothing works any more. President Obama ran on the premise that he would be a manager and a leader who would bring efficiency and transparency. Yet, just the opposite has happened. It is just one crisis after another – the oil spill in the Gulf, Afghanistan, illegal immigration and the border crisis, and of course, the economy, which has not responded adequately to the stimulus, and the increasing government spending and debt.
The Administration and Congress have been throwing more and more money and power at a federal government that is increasingly incompetent and dysfunctional.
David Broder’s June 3rd column in The Washington Post was entitled, “Is President Obama’s Carter Moment Nearing?” At that time Broder concluded, “we’re not there -- yet.” Three weeks later, if we’re still not there, we are certainly much closer. The latest round of opinion polls from varied sources – Wall Street Journal/NBC, ABC, Gallup, Rasmussen all show Obama’s approval ratings in the mid-to high 40’s, down from over 60%. In addition, 62% feel that the country is headed in the wrong direction. Only 49% say Obama has ‘strong leadership qualities’, down 20% since January 2009. Furthermore, among Independent voters who gave Obama the election in 2008, 52% now disapprove of the job he’s doing.
While the firing of General McCrystal tried to show him as decisive, he really had no choice. Mc Crystal’s comments were insubordinate and that could not be allowed to stand, in spite of the fact that they were probably accurate. And, this story will be off the front pages in a matter of days, while the economy, jobs, the oil spill and illegal immigration will continue with no end in site.
In Carter’s day, every night the evening news updated us on “America Held Hostage.” Today, every night we hear, “Crisis in the Gulf.” Day by day Obama is becoming more like Jimmy Carter than the next Kennedy or Roosevelt that he aspired to be on taking office. The longer all of these issues drag out, the more likely it is that he will become a Carter. The rhetoric becomes stale. The American people want action; they want to feel secure. The insecurity of the current multiple crises will last for generations.
Health Care Update for Small Business
On June 23rd, The Center for Health Transformation (www.healthtransformation.net) released a Timeline Chart on the implementation of the health care reform legislation. It is a guide to all the rules, requirements and deadlines. Deadlines for action through 2010 are available now, and new ones are added every day. This could be a good tool to help small businesses stay on top of it.
Quote of the Month: “It is when we all play safe that we create a world of utmost insecurity.” – Dag Hammarskjold
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