Norvell Rose
Your job, Mr. President, is to do what?
By Norvell Rose
Occasionally, we are blessed with an accidental insight into the liberal mindset. A glimpse through the keyhole into the fortified control room envisioned by the would-be operators of Obama's new America. One such opportunity has just now been presented by the President himself. And what a revealing moment it was.
In an interview with ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer, Obama said with all the quiet sincerity he could muster, "Our job description is to solve problems and to help people." While referring to elected officials in his statement, Obama believes it is his job to "help people." And that his job as helper-in-chief is described somewhere, supposedly in some empowering document or presidential instruction manual.
This is truly an extraordinary revelation, illustrating how Obama is "fundamentally transforming" the Presidency of the United States.
Where in the world does Obama, the constitutional law professor, find this self-professed job description? Certainly not in our Constitution.
"To solve problems and to help people?" To the social justice, wealth redistribution, evil capitalism, oppressed worker, gigantic government crowd, this may indeed sound well and good. But to the independence minded, liberty loving, limited government, free marketer, Obama's Mr. Feelgood remark is downright chilling.
What is the official "job description" of the president as found in the Constitution of the United States? Essentially, the president has two roles: Chief Executive of the federal government and Commander in Chief of the armed forces.
As Chief Executive, he enforces laws, treaties, and court rulings; develops federal policies; prepares the national budget; and appoints federal officials. He also approves or vetoes acts of Congress and grants pardons. As Commander in Chief, the president has the authority to send troops into combat, and is the only one who can decide whether to use nuclear weapons.
Sorry, but where exactly is that "help people" part?
Okay, I know that Obama's interview wasn't meant to be a quiz on the Constitution. I realize his answer was not a formal recitation of official duties. But it nonetheless was a stark revelation of his core belief about his role as caretaker in chief.
Barack Obama is not preacher in chief. A preacher helps people.
Barack Obama is not a firefighter. A firefighter helps people.
Obama is not a doctor (though he plays one on TV). A doctor helps people.
Obama is not a nurse.
Not a Red Cross volunteer.
Not a social worker.
Not a therapist.
Not even a Boy Scout.
Admittedly, you might find my dismay at the President's job description a bit overwrought. But given Obama's clear intent to help us to the point where we are utterly helpless, I've got to call him out on this glib contrivance.
Come to think of it, if indeed this President were a doctor, we could sue him for presidential malpractice. Now that would be helping the country.
© Norvell Rose
January 26, 2010
Occasionally, we are blessed with an accidental insight into the liberal mindset. A glimpse through the keyhole into the fortified control room envisioned by the would-be operators of Obama's new America. One such opportunity has just now been presented by the President himself. And what a revealing moment it was.
In an interview with ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer, Obama said with all the quiet sincerity he could muster, "Our job description is to solve problems and to help people." While referring to elected officials in his statement, Obama believes it is his job to "help people." And that his job as helper-in-chief is described somewhere, supposedly in some empowering document or presidential instruction manual.
This is truly an extraordinary revelation, illustrating how Obama is "fundamentally transforming" the Presidency of the United States.
Where in the world does Obama, the constitutional law professor, find this self-professed job description? Certainly not in our Constitution.
"To solve problems and to help people?" To the social justice, wealth redistribution, evil capitalism, oppressed worker, gigantic government crowd, this may indeed sound well and good. But to the independence minded, liberty loving, limited government, free marketer, Obama's Mr. Feelgood remark is downright chilling.
What is the official "job description" of the president as found in the Constitution of the United States? Essentially, the president has two roles: Chief Executive of the federal government and Commander in Chief of the armed forces.
As Chief Executive, he enforces laws, treaties, and court rulings; develops federal policies; prepares the national budget; and appoints federal officials. He also approves or vetoes acts of Congress and grants pardons. As Commander in Chief, the president has the authority to send troops into combat, and is the only one who can decide whether to use nuclear weapons.
Sorry, but where exactly is that "help people" part?
Okay, I know that Obama's interview wasn't meant to be a quiz on the Constitution. I realize his answer was not a formal recitation of official duties. But it nonetheless was a stark revelation of his core belief about his role as caretaker in chief.
Barack Obama is not preacher in chief. A preacher helps people.
Barack Obama is not a firefighter. A firefighter helps people.
Obama is not a doctor (though he plays one on TV). A doctor helps people.
Obama is not a nurse.
Not a Red Cross volunteer.
Not a social worker.
Not a therapist.
Not even a Boy Scout.
Admittedly, you might find my dismay at the President's job description a bit overwrought. But given Obama's clear intent to help us to the point where we are utterly helpless, I've got to call him out on this glib contrivance.
Come to think of it, if indeed this President were a doctor, we could sue him for presidential malpractice. Now that would be helping the country.
© Norvell Rose
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