Four years into the current administration, it may be insightful to review some of the positions outlined in the book The Plan, Big Ideas for Change in America, written in 2006 by Rahm Emanuel and Bruce Reed, and released in paperback in 2008.
Emanuel, who served as Chief of Staff to the President, and is now Mayor of Chicago, remains a close advisor to the President’s re-election campaign staff. Bruce Reed, long a player in the Democratic Party, is now Chief of Staff for Vice President Joe Biden.
In the book, Emanuel and Reed laid out their vision of the challenges and issues facing the nation as the 2008 national election came into focus. They write, “America faces three great, urgent challenges. We need a new social contract for economic growth that enables Americans to get ahead again. We need a new strategy to make America safe again. And we need a new sense of patriotism and responsibility that unites us in common purpose again.”
Those lines should be very familiar. We heard those themes in 2008 and we are hearing them again from the Obama team in 2012. There are two substantial obstacles which have derailed and caused the failure of “The Plan” – the American people and the Congress. The failures of “The Plan” have been numerous and the successes sparse. With the possible exception of the new Obama – Biden Health Plan, (really the legislative priority of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi), the domestic plans espoused by the Obama administration have legislatively been few and highly objectionable to large segments of the American public.
The “new social contract” has been almost invisible; economic growth erratic, anemic and spotty, at best. Those “shovel ready” jobs are still awaiting the wedge of the first shovel. Roads still crumble, bridges still need repair and our deteriorating national infrastructure hampers our economic growth and international competitiveness.
We still need a workable strategy to make American safe again, as witnessed by the recent uprisings in twenty some nations, all spewing hatred for America. Never before have other nations attempted to define freedom of speech for the citizens of the United States.
Perhaps this should not be a surprise, as “The Plan” spent little if no time discussing foreign policy and America’s place in the world in the twenty-first century. Our foreign policy appears weak and we are all aware that when a vacuum develops on the international scene our friends or our foes will fill it rapidly.
The new “sense of patriotism and responsibility” called for in “The Plan” has not developed. Our nation appears more polarized and divided than perhaps any time since the 1860s.
Too many families depend on two jobs from their breadwinners. The American dream of home ownership is significantly elusive. The cost of fuel for cars and trucks is entirely too high. Food prices are on the rise and are projected to go even higher. A second recession is projected.
“The Plan” has failed.
On November 6th, Americans will have the opportunity to vote for a new chief executive, who will implement a new plan. A new plan containing new policies, with practical solutions.
And, a return to tried and true American values.
Let us hope the American people will give Mitt Romney the opportunity to launch a new course for America.
Fletcher R. Hall
Chestertown MD
joe diamond says
Fletcher,
Ya had me right up to the end!
Maybe the old plan has not worked after four years………..replacing another plan that ran for eight years and was pretty rough…………but most of what has been heard from the opposition has been……………..regain control of the government……oppose the other party.
So could you share your best guess what Mitt will be doing?
Joe
Fletcher Hall says
Well, the debate was reasonably specific on the part of Gov. Romney. More of the plans and policies of the candidates will emerge in the coming debates.
It does not take a rocket scientist to determine that the two preasidential candidates have very different views on the role of government in America abd the methods to address the fiscal mailse that currenly is significantly affecting our domestic economy.
Look around the world znd just observe where our “fpreign policy” has gotten us. We have no foreign policy as the whole world is watching. A new presiden can surely improve on this lack ofplan and dismal record. Gov. Romnet has time to spell out his plans in this area.
This election will affect the shape and reputation of the United States for years to come.
I believe Gov. Romney will take that better path. He can make a fifference, as he demonstrated in the first natuional debate.
He dersrves the opportunity to try his plan.
Gren Whitman says
Hall presents several labored “reasons” why he thinks Obama shouldn’t be re-elected, but not a single reason why we should replace him with Romney.
Romney represents the party which has opposed everything — everything — that Mr. Obama and the Dems have proposed to solve the U.S.’s economic problems, and now is castigating him for not solving them faster.
Well, despite the GOP’s best efforts to denigrate and battle Obama’s improvements, the national unemployment rate has dropped to 7.8 percent, and things are generally looking better. Romney may say “this is not what a real recovery looks like,” but it’s the only recovery we have and it looks pretty good to me.
Fletcher Hall says
The blip downward in the jobs repoert today was insignificant viewed in both the short and long view. 7.8 per cent unemployment is totally unacceptable for the United States of America.
I would assumne you are employed and enjoying the benefits of many Americans, and not experiencing the challenges of the real almost 20 per cent which are not.
DLaMotte says
Thank God the economy is finally digging out from the Republican Plan of two wars and tax cuts. As far as the division of the American people, this will be
As long as cultural right-wing types espouse fear and rigid adherence to out-dated ideals (anti-gay, anti-women’s rights, anti-regulation, anti-science,
Anti-immigration, oh and let’s add anti-environment too)
Tried and true American values? Oh please. You mean “values” that maintain the top-heavy white–male centric society?! And as far as foreign policy…
can we please focus on this country’ problems for a change and stop the” drawing the line in the sand” talk? Forget the states. Let the federal government
push “shovel ready” jobs. Dr. Harris, are you listening?
Fletcher Hall says
All Republicans are not right wing “nuts”. Some of us support free choice and other progressive measures that will indeed help all of the American prople.
Some of us harken back to the days of Mac Mathias, Rogers Morton, Glen Beall, Jr. and other Maryland Renublicams who practiced the “politics of Reason.”
There are two primary issues facing the voters ibn November, the American economy and American foreign policy and power around the worl. Thehe issues are a “game changer”.
The small blip in the jobs report today is lkke a fly on an elephant’s back and as the terror continues and thrives in the middle east and Africa, a clear picture of Americam foreign policy is essential.
DLaMotte says
Sure thre are stil “moderate Republicans”, I am one of them. But there is no place for moderates in the Republican Party hierarchy. Look at the
way Wayne was treated. And look at who “represents” us now.
As for policy…Romney has spent the week attacking the EPA to an adoring right-wing. A moderate Repulican, President Nixon, started
the EPA. Enough said.
Gren Whitman says
“Renublicams”? And the writer expects us to take him seriously?
Stephan Sonn says
Fletcher I hardly know how to reply to your well thought out take
on the current state of affairs in politics and the culture.
From our conversations you know
that I am no fan of unbridled liberalism.
I am all for fiscal reform but not as presented by
present day Republicans, tycoons and hired goons
This surprise attack by the scripted Tparty
to the service of melds Bain to a small tight knit group that
would entirely control all aspects of this country
from voting rights to access to life’s necessities.
So with all due respect looking backwards
to find social harmony again is quite impossible
because what modern Republicans propose is
slavery by another name.
Fletcher Hall says
You must have read the comment by Vice President Biden bout putting folks “back in chains”.
For better or worse we still have a two party system in this country, so the choices are pretty stark.
Voting this year presents a real choice.
Regardless of whether one is Democrat,Republican or Independent the philosophy of the two presidential candidates should make all voters sincerely think about the future of this country.
joe diamond says
There ya go Fletcher!
While the two party system is not specifically defined in the constitution the qualifications for president and the duration in office are spelled out. This is a good thing. It unhorses political parties from time to time before they can do too much damage.
For example, after seeing what Bush the younger and his man Chaney were able to pull in just two terms I would have voted for any candidate that would stop the momentum. The Patriot Act and our military actions in Iraq are just too far from what one would expect of a defensive army in a free nation. Homeland Security and the TSA goons don’t protect this country but do make the place feel like a prison. If they had just enforced existing banking regulations there would be a little more money in the market and less mess for the next guy to clean up.
So you will have to be understanding of me as I ask Mitt what are his plans and who is he planning to bring to Washington. Sometimes if the devil you know has his fly up and his shirt tucked in that is enough reason not invite the devil you don’t know.
Joe
Bill Parks says
With 155 people on board, headed to Charlotte, North Carolina, airborne less than three minutes, apparently after striking at least one bird upon takeoff from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, US Airways Flight 1549 ditched into a chilly Hudson River. The flight plan didn’t work! And the pilot destroyed the plane.
But it was a great landing because the people survived.
When Obama was inaugurated, America’s economy engines were as dead as the engines of flight 1549. The banking system was so completely shut down that banks would not even lend money to each other. Because American currency is created as the principal of loans and expunged as loans are repaid, money in the economy quickly disappeared as people continued to repay their debts. Like emergency medical treatment to stop bleeding after a severe accident, his swift and drastic action stopped the collapse of the monetary and banking system.
Like the pilot of flight 1594, Obama’s emergency actions saved the day — our economy survived. Although the economy may not have prospered as he had hoped and planed, we have survived.
Returning to those policies and practices that caused the original crash by electing a Republican President is not a prudent move.
Frank Gerber says
Fletcher,
No president in HISTORY has ever inherited TWO wars. No president in history has ever inherited an collapsed economy and a failed auto industry. Even during the Great depression GM was not on the verge of liquidation. They kept their doors open and continued to make Cadilacs. thanks to President Obama many of us don’t realize how bad the situation actually was. Of course Romney would have an easy time raising up the american economy from here- President Obama has already done the HEAVY lifting. As for repealing Obamacare and putting it and medicare off on the states ? Talk about kicking the can down the road – sheesh!
Gerry Maynes says
As the man once said Here he goes again! Harry Truman inherited a war in Europe and a war in the Pacific upon assuming the presidency.
Obama at the present rate of groath would have to be President in the year 2023 to grow enough jobs to replace what his administration lost.
This country cannot afford to wait that long. If you think things are bad now wait a few months when Inflation raises its ugly head. Milk is now 4.79 per gallon and all dairy iitems use milk. Beef, Chicken and Pork are going thru the roof as is gasoline which will be reflected in the cost of consumers goods at store level’
His administration has stoped Defense contractores from giving lawful lay off notices to 60,000 defense workers in Virgina by giving the companies bonus money that will pay what ever fines the state will level against them and then some.
As Lincoln said You can fool some people all of the time, You can fool some of the people some of the time, But you canT fool all of the people all of the time.
In short I believe Mr Obama is going to be Toast on Election Day .
Stephan Sonn says
And your point is?
joe diamond says
Gerry,
Remember that Harry (Truman, the buck stopper) who was not in the inner circle for the A bomb..the VP?…..Remember they told him about the bomb after FDR died? I know he was aware of WWII…he helped his daughter get piano jobs with the USO. He was guide d to nuke Japan. There is still disagreement over his uninformed deccision. Harry fired Doug McArthur even after the warning about avoiding a land war in Asia. Harry Truman was controlled (informed, guided) by those around him. He was a prototype for Ronnie Reagan.
The electorate got Harry away from the controls and got Dwight Eisenhower in as the Korean thing got nasty. Dwight understood pincer movements (West Point guy…unlike Harry) and how the North Koreans had fucked themselves attacking down a peninsula so he let the MacArthur plan roll. Then….not so much.
I guess I mention all this to introduce the terms transition and continuity. We need what the fly guys do all the time. When jets land or maneuver they do so after the pilot applies a control impulse. They do this “ahead of the curve.” They anticipate what will happen and take action…….goose the throttle so they do not fall out of the sky. Our political system does the opposite….after the damage is done…laws are enacted…….we correct the old problem. The last thing we need to do is fix old problems after they have been fixed or gotten better, different or worse. New problems need new answers.
Both parties have been silent about the vets from misc wars who need….NEED!… care. These guys just just marched out when we called. The jobs they would be eligible for are in other countries. They have taken the hits and we need to get them started again……..the Mitt plan and the plan of the current pres seem to miss specific cures. There are many other issues. There are groups out there that are planning to attack America…but not with WWII style armies. Again, we need new plans.
IF I had all the answers I would run for office…no plans there…..but I am sure every president who looks at what he has just been elected to fix is humbled.
Joe
Stu Cawley says
Which “tried & true American values” are you referring to, Fletcher? Turning a blind eye to increasing corporate influence (=small gov’t), women as second-class citizens, increasing the the widening gap between the rich & the poor in this country as the middle class disappears (& as Romney pays less taxes than the ave American & deposits his “earnings” in off-shore acts), religion over science, decrying “Obamacare” after trumpeting his success w/ the same plan in MA, or the fallacious belief that almost half of Americans are leeches upon the system even tho their poorly rewarded labor is what allows the Romneys of this world to hide hundreds of thousands of dollars?