Assume a New and Better Obama -- How Could He Get There?

Let's assume, just for the sake of argument that 1) Obama can see that his policy ideas are not being well accepted by America and 2) He wants to be a positive President with a beneficial effect and not just a failed ideologue of the far left.



Obama sees that HE needs to change if his Presidency is to have a positive impact on the country.



OK, you're his Chief of Staff, what do you advise?



Here are a few possibilities:



1) Start governing from the perspective of helping the Middle Class -- not the poorest of the poor.



2) Wrap up your healthcare effort. Withdraw whatever political capital you can by making gracious remarks about all the participants. Admit that not all efforts always succeed and maybe sometimes it's best that they don't.



3) Tell Iraq that the U.S. will withdraw all its forces ahead of schedule. Try to get them all out of there by July 4, 2010.



4) Radically change strategy in Afghanistan from the Petraeus style Counter-Insurgency warfare -- that clearly failed in Vietnam and that did not clearly succeed in Anbar Province. Create a new strategy based on killing our true enemies in Afghanistan as quickly and efficiently as possible, not exposing our troops to unecessary risk, and getting out as soon as the job is done -- assuming a Predator based approach using greatly enhanced targeting provided by NSA, NRO, CIA, and Space Command. Dead foes and troops back home is the new mantra, not ';hearts and minds'; not nation building, not democracy in Afghanistan.



4) Build national infrastructure. Power grids. High speed rail. Better roads and bridges.



5) Create a truly Fair Trade policy. Withdraw from WTO. Shut down the ';globalism'; approach which sold American jobs down the river in exchange for suitcases of cash from foreign agents.



6) Downsize America's support for the U.N., and move it over to Bruxelles where it belongs. We don't need to be getting beat up every day, and pay for the whole thing too. Also downsize America's contribution to the World Bank, which is just a conduit to illegally give away dollars from the U.S. Treasury, (mostly to people who hate our guts).



7) Create more and better prize programs for outstanding scholars at every level, and outstanding scientists. These would be carefully juried awards of substantial cash prizes given to individuals who excel, who stand out in the top 1%, who achieve greatness, and who enhance the American prospect. You get more of things you reward. So prizes are good, as long as they are awarded with total objectivity and complete fairness with no ';political correctness'; and no fear or favor. It's helps America when excellence is rewarded.Assume a New and Better Obama -- How Could He Get There?
Most of these examples are NOT Simple yes-No



there is a legitimate debate about policy. we should all recognize other points of view.



Clearly define the problem first, then propose a solution, which may or may not work.



Recognize that NO ACTION is also a decision and will have consequences.



1), 2) based on a fundamental difference in human value, what is our right and duty to our fellow human beings.



Are we all in the same boat? or every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost?



I lke 4) 7) very much

5) should be considered

3), 4) not as easy as it soundsAssume a New and Better Obama -- How Could He Get There?
Getting a few good advisers who are not duel Israeli citizens.
I don't think he would listen to any of it.