By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
This week the Democrats will have the national stage in Charlotte, North Carolina – as they make their case for the upcoming election in November. Most, if not all, eyes will be riveted on President Barack Obama as he attempts to convey his political vision for the country for the next four years. But, what will he say?
In my view, the president has a very robust record upon which to run on. First, he should totally embrace his decision to push through his Recovery and Reinvestment Act legislation, which is better known as the federal stimulus bill. Most economists readily agree that this massive infusion of capital into the economy was a vital component in saving not only our financial system, but also prevented our economy from falling into the grips of a national depression.
Next, President Obama should (once again!) remind the American public of his decisive action that ultimately saved the American car industry from extinction.
If Mitt Romney had been at the helm, General Motors and Chrysler would have gone belly-up, and millions of hard-working, blue-collar Americans would have lost their jobs, as a result.
Moreover, he should repeatedly tout the fact that in 2012, General Motors posted record profits; and regained the distinction of being the world’s largest car manufacturer.
There is little question that President Obama’s Affordable Health Care Act is generally regarded as his signature legislative achievement, as well as one of his biggest political liabilities. Granted, this legislation was far from being perfect and doesn’t provide a public option provision. However, it’s still a great improvement over current law, and extends health care coverage to millions of Americans who are currently uninsured.
Mr. Romney and the GOP have been hammering away on the issue of jobs and the high unemployment rate for months – telling Americans that the president has failed to deliver. But, let’s examine the real record. The GOP Congressional leadership (Sen. Mitch McConnell and Rep. John Boehner) have made no bones about the fact that defeating Barack Obama is their number one political agenda. They have consistently refused to work with him for the good of the country and for the betterment of average working Americans. The art of politics should be about compromise. And yet, these very politicians have the audacity to say the president has failed, when their obstructionist views and politics holds this country hostage.
Judging from recent polling data, this will be a very close election. In making his re-election case to the American public, President Obama must also reiterate to the electorate that the Romney/Ryan blueprint for this country is the very approach that got us into this financial mess in the first place – and it’s a recipe for economic disaster for everyone except the top One Percent.