g l o s s i n g s

notes in the margins

I’m not a political animal. I think politicians are, for the most part, a total waste of space. Granted, I’m jaded after 50+ years of experiencing various levels of governmental bullshit, but my general overview of politicians isn’t too generous. It was a surprise to me to realize that I really wanted to witness–even if only by watching on television–this inauguration.  I wanted to hear his words, and revel in the moments, as they happened. I wanted to hear, and feel, hope that even if the dark is not yet behind us that someone is really going to try and bring us all through.  I wasn’t looking for hype, or false promises, and in my heart I knew Obama wouldn’t placate us all with such nonsense rhetoric, and I wanted to hear the hard truths.

See, that’s what I like about this man. He seems to understand that we aren’t children. Sure, the truth is harsh and bitter but it’s also what we need to hear and know if we are going to get things right in this country. It really is time to change the form and function of leadership.  We don’t need protection from reality, we need to know what the reality is so we can deal with it.  Don’t tell me we’re “okay” when we aren’t. Don’t tell me everything is “fine” when it isn’t.  I don’t have time, nor do I have a need, for fairytales.  Give me the facts, let me know you’ll do your best, and then ask me for my help.

This is the first president I can recall that makes me feel like I am truly a part of this country and can make a difference, even if I can’t ever stand on a podium or get an invitation to the mansion.  The proof of that, for me, happened just this week.  When my employer asked for volunteers to cut hours from 40 to 32, I said “pick me!”  I’m not independently wealthy, and I don’t even make $20/hr, but I know if I tighten my purse strings and adhere to a strict budget, I can survive with 20% less.  I know if I can do this, and I don’t, someone else might lose their job.  I’m not trying to be a martyr or anything, but I’m also not prepared to see one of my co-workers fired when I could have sacrificed just a little and didn’t. I’m not going to get kudos or rewards for this but when I close my eyes at night I’ll feel good about myself, and I’m okay with that.

This is the first president that seems like a real person to me.  I could be wrong but I feel as if I could sit and talk, or argue, with him over coffee and he’d actually participate.  Maybe it’s his blackberry, or his use of Facebook and Twitter, but he feels more connected to this country than his predecessors or even most of his contemporaries. I don’t know if he’s judgmental, he could be, but he doesn’t let it show if he is and that’s what’s important to me.  This is about leadership. I’m a huge advocate of leading by example and so far Barack Obama is an exemplar.

I wasn’t able to watch the events of Tuesday as they happened due to having to work but as I heard parts of his address my beliefs were confirmed. Then, as I watched him reviewing the parade and attending the balls, my feelings were reinforced. This man who now leads our country comes across not just as a president but as a man who is alive and in touch with … me. He and his wife were dancin’ to the bands, laughing with each other and engaging the event. Then, at the balls, they were dancing with love and romance.  How cool is that?!

One thing struck me forcefully: when he smiles — really smiles — it embraces his entire face.  He’s got a polite smile, and I’m sure we’ll see it more as the years ensue, but that real smile is the one that elicits the same from onlookers. It creases his cheeks and skirls up into his eyes.  When he looks at his wife his expression becomes soft and loving and yes, the romantic in me melts when he kisses her cheek and reaches for her hand.  I really loved it when he wrapped his arms around her during one of the early slow dances.  It’s the way I have danced slow dances most of my life.  It was real.

We can discuss family values, morals, and ethics ad nauseam, but this president doesn’t need to discuss. He’s a testament to those things.

He has a huge amount on his platter and if I thought, for a moment, I could do more to help, I’d do it, in a NY minute.  But I’m just a middle-aged white woman working for dimes a day who can only sit back and support someone who seems, finally, to get it.

Congratulations, President Obama, and my very best wishes for a good presidency.

That so-called stimulus that we heard about yesterday … you know, that $1000 that 95% of Americans are gonna get (since when are 95% of Americans married, btw????) … looks like it will be a whopping $10-$20 in each paycheck … now ain’t that special. Does anyone really think an extra $10 is going to re-boot the economy? And I get paid 26 times … last time I checked 10×26 only came to $260 … somewhat shy of that $1000 I heard Mr. Obama say I was going to get … oh, I forgot … I’m not married so I must be part of that 5% that will get the lesser amount.
 
What’s not so funny here is that $1000 stimulus would help me a little, but only if I got it as a lump sum. That would mean I could pay a bill, or even think about a new(er) car. But $10/paycheck? I don’t think so.
 
I’m not a fan of Bushbaby but even he realized that a $600 check was more helpful than dribbling out the money in increments. And yes, I used my $600 to buy things … eat out … get gas! Not going to do that with the humongous sum of $10 every 2 weeks. My health insurance will eat that right up.
 
Gotta love it, don’t you?
 

Today I listened to President-Elect Obama present his general overview to the failing economy. I found myself struck by one statement in the midst of a really eloquent speech:

Many businesses cannot borrow or make payroll.

and

For years, too many Wall Street executives made imprudent and dangerous decisions, seeking profits with too little regard for risk, too little regulatory scrutiny, and too little accountability. Banks made loans without concern for whether borrowers could repay them, and some borrowers took advantage of cheap credit to take on debt they couldn’t afford.

and finally,

That means using our full arsenal of tools to get credit flowing again to families and businesses, while restoring confidence in our markets. It means launching a sweeping effort to address the foreclosure crisis so that we can keep responsible families in their homes.

 
If, as he says, credit got us into this mess, why is credit going to get us out? Are we not just doing the same old, same old? If a business needs credit to pay its payroll then can they be said to be really profitable? I’m not referring here to mom-and-pop shops or small business’s either, but rather the Citicorp’s, General Motors, and Chrysler’s out there.
 
Families shouldn’t be living on credit. If they weren’t so indoctrinated to do so, they might not have the pressing issues they have now. We might not have cars that cost what a home used to and homes costing more than they should.
 
Why do we live on credit? Is it to have the necessities? Or is it to have the luxuries? Is a $350,000 home better than a $60,000 home? Does a home have to be a mansion? When did we become so ritzy that a starter home is not worth having now? Does it really cost $1000/month to provide a one-bedroom apartment, anywhere in this country? Even if the tenant is paying for all the utilities?
 
Here’s the real irony–many of those who are responsible have lost their homes, or are in the process of losing their homes, and their credit score/credit worthiness, has plummeted and now they will be perceived as poor risk. So how does the regeneration of credit flow help those people? How about the people who have lost jobs and haven’t been able to pay their rents and utilities on time? Will this newly refreshed river of credit help them?
 
I doubt it.
 
Don’t get me wrong. I think he has to do it but I see it as a continuation of the root cause, not a fix. All of this is temporary because just as it’s surely 5 o’clock somewhere, we’ll be wading through this quagmire again before it’s all said and done.