I am really enjoying the Republican convention this week. It's very interesting to listen to values they espouse as "American Values." It's an interesting thought that an entire group of people can agree on values. I find it even more interesting as I listen to NPR unpack their speeches the next day. Mara Liasson (whom I very much admire) pointed out that Ryan's speech discussed how Obama's stimulus didn't save one of the GM plants. However, Liasson indicated that the plant was scheduled to be closed before Obama took office. It's an interesting question.
I love it that there are "fact checkers" who are validating these speeches. If the fact checkers point out that the plant was scheduled to close BEFORE Obama took office but didn't close until a few months AFTER he took office, should Obama be held accountable for not being able to close the plant? True, he claimed that he could save jobs and keep plants from closing, but does that invalidate Ryan's statement?
I agree that it would be interesting if an entire group could agree on a certain set of values that we would call "American Values." I would be interested to know what values they are claiming to be "American Values."
ReplyDeleteAlthough it would have been nice for the plant to remain open (so that all those people could keep their jobs) I don't think Obama should be held accountable for not being able to keep the plant open. I think as people we put a lot of pressure on the current President to make what we view as the "right" decisions. However, the President's decisions are impacted and inhibited by many other people. Unfortunately, he can't make everyone happy. It's easy to make promises about what should happen, but it's more complicated to follow through with those promises.
I like what Kellie said about how it is easy to make promises about what should happen, but it is more complicated to follow through and this is where my thoughts trail to. If it was known beforehand that the plant was scheduled for closure then Obama should have brought this out in the open stating his intentions in a different manner - and not making promises that he would not be able to keep (plant closed after Obama took office). The stimulus didn't save one single plant - making me believe this was just bait once again to sway the people to his favor. As for being held responsible....No, too many people involved for him to be solely responsible. Hope this makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI think that Obama should not make promises he could not keep. I feel that way towards every politician. If you are going to make a promise than do it, if you can't make that promise then don't say it. It seems that our politicians can try to make statements to get themselves into office. I really feel like sometimes it is a sales pitch, and just trying to buy in support. Its good that this class helps us determine what are the facts and what is biased.
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