The Paris News

Disrespectful? Not really, because that’s the way our president sees himself, I think, and the way many of his fervent fans see him. Why else would we see more of him than of Paris Hilton at her height? He has made more appearances in six months than Angelina Jolie in six years. What’s up with that?

Now, I have no problem with the president addressing America when he has something to say, but seven times in three days is a bit much. Then, we had his weak address to the U.N., followed by another speech to his supporters, followed by his even weaker address at the G20 summit. No wonder one poor lady sold her television, saying she was tired of seeing him every time she turned on her set.

It seems to me that President “Hollywood” Obama could spend more time seeking answers to the many problems we face instead of preening for the cameras in a never-ending campaign for popularity. You won! So stop already!

Some of the problems loom ever larger in our future, and will require a steady, strong hand. They probably will require some of that “experience” which was so unimportant during the election process. What do we do about Afghanistan? Do we listen to the men we’ve placed in charge ... or ignore them for the “political” option? Do we allow Iran to continue on its path to nuclear arms? How do we stop them? Will Russia be our friend now that we’ve bowed to their wishes on the missile shield?

What about the domestic front? How do we preserve the falling dollar? Ensure the economy is really recovering? Stop the mad process of giving astronomical bonuses to failing managers? Keep those same managers and CEO’s from spending, losing, or grasping every dime of their customer’s money, without violating our constitution? How do we stop groups like ACORN, and their 200 plus affiliates, from using taxpayer dollars in fraudulent enterprises? Of course, ACORN is of no concern to Mr. Hollywood. After all, his campaign paid one of those affiliates over $800 thousand to get out the vote, even if the vote was from Mr. M. Mouse, so they can’t be all bad.

With all due respect, Mr. President, isn’t it time you gave more thought to America, and less to your next appearance on Letterman? More speeches to SEIU crowds won’t garner you any more adulation; they are already yours, as is the New York Times, and MSNBC. You already cause tingles for them. Meanwhile, independents like myself are getting more and more irritated.

You might also want to rein in your fans. Some of them are doing you great harm. The furor over the message to schoolchildren wasn’t so much about the speech as it was about the “lesson plan” which was to accompany the speech. But, lo, a great hue and cry was raised, and the plan was suddenly transformed. It should have never existed!

Now, Oh Great One, there is a fan in New Jersey, (she also happens to be a teacher), who has children singing, “mmm, mmm, mmm, Barack Hussein Obama. Red or yellow, black or white, we’re all the same in his sight, mmm, mmm, mmm, Barack Hussein Obama,” and more. I seem to recall similar words from my youth but ... Oh yeah, they were about Jesus.

It’s all on Youtube for the world to see. There’s also one to the tune of the “Battle Hymn of The Republic” praising Mr. President! Of course, the kids can’t sing the real “Battle Hymn” because it mentions the Lord, and we can’t have that in our schools. There are many others where children are singing in praise of “our President,” at the behest of their teachers and/or parents. Go watch a few, if you can stand it.

Now, some people will say I just hate Obama. Not true. I don’t hate anyone, and I stay away from fiery rhetoric such as “Socialist,” “Communist,” and “gold digging oil baron want-a-be tyrant.” (Oops, that was about G. W. Bush, sorry.)

Anyway, I just happen to love America, not hate someone I disagree with. I don’t want to see America “fundamentally transformed” before my grandchildren have the chance to know her as she is. I don’t have riches, but don’t care to see the “redistributive change” our president wishes for us, even if I were to gain from it. Just let me keep what I’ve earned, give as truly needed, and rest easy at night. I don’t want what someone else has earned, nor do I want the government to take more from me than is necessary.

Thomas Jefferson said, “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”

Roger Haley is a Lamar County resident and occasional contributor to The Paris News.

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