Reports from the White House were that of reserved optimism as they said that these unemployment numbers "were better than expected."
(Is it concerning that they seemed more surprised than we were?)
New York Times ran an article today stating that despite this positive economic news, the president is reluctant to be "overly optimistic" and Democrats are wary of "declaring a full-blown recovery." (Click to read full NYTimes article). Obama gave a speech this morning warning caution as he suggested that the "numbers will go up and down in the coming months and there are still far too many Americans who need a job or need a job that pays better than the one they have now."
I guess that one can understand their "reserved celebration." After all, their bold declaration of "Recovery Summer of 2010," turned out to be a total flop. Nothing more than a flicker of a flame in a smoking fire pit.
Truth be told, the Administration didn't know "recovery" in 2010 and they certainly don't know it now. They don't know because it is clear that this Administration has no idea what they are doing and they don't know what they are looking for.
For three solid years, we have watched our government throw billions and billions of dollars in "Recovery Act" money towards stimulus-funded projects which they confidently boasted would create jobs.
It has been three years, what do they have to show for it? The answer? Unemployment at a staggering 8.3%, a housing market continuing to collapse, millions of Americans barely getting by, $4 trillion in additional debt to the Chinese and a starkly divided nation.
For the past three years, it has been like watching a group of college buddies in a bar playing darts. Each one brags of skill and confidence, but more often than not, darts are thrown with eyes closed and fingers crossed--each hoping that luck will be on their side to land their dart in the center of the bullseye.
Today's economic news is of course encouraging. More and more Americans are gradually going back to work. This is great news. But is this surge based on the same method of throwing darts with eyes closed and fingers crossed? I would argue, yes.
We have a long way to go.
As Mitt Romney pointed out today, "The economy grew only 1.7% in all of 2011, the slowest growth in a non-recession year since the end of World War II. Nearly 24 million Americans remain unemployed, underemployed or have just stopped looking for work. Long-term unemployment remains at record levels."
I couldn't agree more.
***
Americans are the most determined and resilient people in the world. We love our country and I have no doubt that as a people, we will be stronger for having endured the worst economic times since the Great Depression, but the truth is, we are losing patience.
We are aching for prosperity and stability. We are yearning for substance and truth. Does today's economic news offer greater confidence in our government? I would argue, no.
We have a White House Administration and president that are crossing their fingers and holding their breath as they attempt to artificially jump-start this economy. They are still "throwing darts at a board." Leaders that continue to be totally shocked and surprised when economic numbers are "better than expected."
These people are in over their heads.
Even today there is news out of Washington DC that legislators are talking of additional stimulus plans, tax increases and deficit spending. Yesterday, Senate Democrats introduced a bill called, "Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012," which would require those making $1 million or more a year to pay a minimum 30% percent effective tax rate. A tax bill that is clearly meant to exploit the controversy over Mitt Romney's tax returns.
President Obama supports this bill which has been nicknamed the "Buffett Rule," which highlights what they claim is unfairness in a tax code where a millionaire pays a lower effective tax rate than most middle income Americans.
The President and Democrats refuse to acknowledge that a lower tax rate on capital gains encourages people like Mitt Romney to place their money in investment firms that are actually creating jobs. Investment firms that are truly stimulating the economy. If those investment firms lose 15% of their money, will their ability to create jobs be as significant?
Why do the Democrats think they would be better at allocating a millionaire's taxable income than an investment firm? One only has to look at Social Security and the Postal Service to realize that the government and prosperity don't exactly go hand-in-hand.
***
Patience is thin. Americans deserve more. Today's unemployment numbers offer a flicker of hope, but Mr. President, quite frankly we are tired of watching you throw darts at government programs--hoping with your eyes shut and fingers crossed that it will work.
Just like in life, anyone can learn to play darts, but very few actually perfect the skill of the game. And like in life, very few darts ever hit the target.
Mr. President, I think it might be time to step aside and let a professional officially turn this economy around. Mitt Romney is an individual who has become an expert at successfully turning things around. He has done it over and over in his career.
This morning, Romney told reporters, "I am running for president because I have the vision and experience to help rebuild the economy and put us on a path toward greater prosperity for all Americans."
Thank heavens Mr. Romney, we are in desperate need of your expertise.
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