Their voices are increasing the pressure on President Obama. According to a Gallup poll, his overall approval rating has dropped to 56 percent from 67 percent at the beginning of his term. Regarding Obama’s health care proposal, a recent a href=” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124890178435291341.html”> Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll reported that, “42 percent called it a bad idea while 36 percent said it was a good idea.” This same poll reported that 43 percent now think that the stimulus plan was a bad idea, with only 34 percent in support.
Back home in Atlanta, as I unpacked from our Boston family vacation, I listened to Obama answering questions regarding health care on the radio. The pressure he is under showed up in his disjointed answers, the catch in his voice and his tenuous tone. For someone who is often referred to as eloquent, he sounded choppy and uncertain, clear signs that he is moving from safe ground into uncertain territory.
Perhaps instead of describing Obama as eloquent, the proper description might be “assured.” Historically he has appeared confident that his speech included the right words, that he could deliver it masterfully and that it would create the emotional impact required to move the country toward his plan. Now, he sounds diffident.
The founding fathers fought for liberty, for the right of people to make their own decisions about matters that affect their lives. They knew from their experience with the British that any attempt to control the economy represents an attempt to control people. Every generation has to decide for itself whether to follow the founding fathers’ lead and fight for liberty, freedom and responsibility. Will we understand that the only money that government has to give is money that it has taken or plans to take? Or will we decide to let a large, distant government plan our economy, plan our health and thereby control our lives?
As we try to find the right path, will we act as sheeple, settling for the promise of security under the guise of large paternal government or will we act as people – fighting for liberty, freedom and responsibility?