If I didn't know any better and partisan politics wasn't something I pay attention to, I'd say that Senator Obama's speech last night was optimistic and encouraging for a possible Obama Presidency. Unfortunately for the Democratic nominee, it's not 1992 and this time, I'm not about to fall for a string of embellishments and inaccuracies on the current state of the union and a flawed path on improving America.
This morning I’ve read through about two pages of Senator Obama’s 45 minute sermon and in between some very nice and effective rhetoric, I’ve already stumbled on some irresponsible and silly language.
“More Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less.”
Studies have shown that a large number of unemployed are either teenagers or seniors who generally work part-time jobs. When unemployment rose from 5.5% to 5.7% from June to July this year, the percentage of teenage unemployment grew from 18.1% to 20.3%. Why is unemployment higher among these groups? It is because Congress, led by the Democrats, voted to increase the minimum wage.
As for working harder for less, this is based on the assumption that companies have cut back on hiring or reduced staff, forcing an individual work to do more for his buck. His salary hasn’t declined, but he’s being asked to do more at the same salary. This is expected when an economy runs through tough times and by pursuing the right path, can change for the better. Markets do need to adjust and sometimes government needs to avoid tinkering too much.
“We are more compassionate than a government that lets veterans sleep on our streets…”
Ahem. I won’t deny that there are some homeless veterans; however studies have shown this to be a myth.
“And now is the time to keep the promise of equal pay for an equal day’s work, because I want my daughters to have the exact same opportunities as my sons.”
The disparity between the income of men and women performing the same job with the same experience is also another myth.
These are just a few issues I can immediately extract from a speech that comes to five pages from cnn.com. I’ll do a little more reading throughout the day. I do feel the Obama speech comes off very Reagan-esque and in order to fulfill some of the Senator’s pledges, he will need a Gingrich-type Congress to accomplish them. I don’t believe Democrats can be trusted to enact some of these ambitious ideas.
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