Who Is This Man?

Much talk has been spent criticizing Barack Obama’s lack of experience. There have also been a number of groups concerned with his rather radical attachments. Further, he has no record of executive decision making. Despite what we speculate about this man, there is one thing we can all acknowledge: we don’t know what this guy will do or what he is capable of.

His recent appointments suggest some good news. Well, maybe not good news. It’s just not as bad as market-respecting, freedom-loving critics of Obama would have thought. Among them is his new Chairman of the Economic Recovery, the renowned Paul Volcker. The same man who partnered with Ronald Reagan to tame wild and unruly inflation. Interestingly, he is not what most free-market thinkers expected, as they feared the worst.

He may be reconsidering his tax proposals too. Is this true?

Similarly, his defense and military strategies are also painting a blurred outline of his upcoming tenure in office. In keeping Robert Gates in office and appointing Hilary Clinton as Secretary of State (who’s opinion is starkly different on Iraq, meeting with belligerent dictators, and the like) he has thumbed his metaphorical nose at the moveon.org crowd. He hasn’t actually committed to reducing any war efforts at all, simply moving the front to Afghanistan.

Don’t confuse what I’m saying. I’m not looking for the “bright side” of what will likely be a miserable four years. Obama has proposed some of the most unjust, harmful, and simply asinine governmental endeavors in American history. My point is simply to say we have what most conservatives and classic liberals pointed out long ago: an empty suit for president. He pays lip service to anything and anyone who will earn him support, yet he has set out his administration in another direction.

One thing we do know: he is as foolish as he is unpredictable. It’s going to be an uncomfortable four years.