Obama Should At Least Pretend to have a Poker Face

 

 By Gregory K. Taylor

I am not privy to what is going on behind the close doors at the White House during these current “Negotiations” over the debt ceiling.  I don’t know if I’m witnessing some sort of Kabuki act for public consumption or a dire portrayal of the economic cliff on which we are all supposedly teetering.  What I do know is that President Obama could never win in a game of Poker where victory is often determined by the skillful use of the bluff, the gambit, and the poker face.

President Obama, seemingly, has an innate propensity to fold like a cheap suit in the face of the slightest opposition.  He has gained the reputation of being soft in negotiations; a person subject to throwing in a winning hand, a person who will cave, and worst, a person who will offer his opponent the kitchen sink before they’ve even asked for it.  Every gambler knows that a decent poker player would never give his opponent(s) “tells” that state his true objective.  

Now, either this guy is pow-wow shrewd, or he’s been smoking too long on the peace pipe with the likes of Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, and Eric Cantor—whose stated goal is to make Obama a one-term President.  So, why does Obama frustrate his Democratic base by appearing to lack the cojones when dealing with his Republican foes?  Where is that feared “Angry Blackman” that everyone initially worried about?  What interesting times we live in when the majority of Americans, and I include myself in that majority, want Obama to get mad and fight back.  No drama Obama has worn thin. 

I recall the promises Obama made during the campaign.  When he got elected I remember thinking how I hoped he wouldn’t disappoint all the young people who turned out for him en masse working the internet and phone banks raising funds for him.  The enthusiasm level was off the charts and he had them in the palm of his hands.  Then chinks in the armor started to appear with his curious prosecutorial reversal on gays in the military (don’t ask, don’t tell), not closing Guantanamo Bay Cuba, abandoning the public option for true universal health care, continuing the Patriot Act, and not supporting the union battles in Wisconsin by speaking out as he said he would. 

President Obama appears to have no political convictions that he won’t compromise when challenged.  It’s embarrassing.  He had better be careful for he is sowing the seeds of his own defeat called apathy.   I once heard Martin Luther King say that a man who won’t stand for something will fall for anything.  What does President Obama really stand for?  And what is he falling for? 

I used to think I knew, but I’m not sure anymore.

Mayor Jean Quan's Statement on Oakland's 2011-2013 Budget

 

By Gregory K. Taylor

I have expressed my displeasure with the city fathers and their seeming inability to fix the problems in the city of Oakland.  I don't do this in a vacuum.  I understand the budget constraints that all government agencies from federal, state, and local are now forced to operate under.  Decisions are difficult and options are few.  My arguments have always been to address the lack of civility and competence in managing these fewer dollars.  When the City fathers, in my humble opinion, appear to be moving in the right direction to combat these governmental ills, I will say so and that's what I am doing now.  Implementation, it must be remembered, can often be as important as the result.  

Below is a memo from Mayor Jean Quan, dated the 30th of June, 2011, outlining her recent actions and future plans to remedy some of Oakland's economic woes:

"Last night, I cast the decisive vote to break a tie at City Council that avoided an all cuts budget at the start of the new fiscal year today, and moved us closer to a fair share budget that will keep Oakland moving forward. The next step is to ask our residents to approve additional temporary emergency revenues in the Fall election.

 

I want to thank City employees -- the police and fire unions who came to the table even though their contracts had not expired, as well as lower paid employees who are harder hit.  Everyone worked hard and made multiple sacrifices to preserve essential services. Without their commitment to Oakland, we would not be keeping the doors open at libraries, senior centers, parks and recreation facilities, and other important programs. We were able to negotiate and approve agreements that we have not been able to reach as recently as last year. I want to acknowledge the sacrifice of each bargaining unit and every City employee, and to convey my deep appreciation.

 

Second, I thank my colleagues on the City Council, who debated the budget passionately. The two proposals on the table last night had much in common; about 95% of them were the same as my Option B budget. There were elements in each approach that I liked or disliked. I voted to break the tie so that we could produce a balanced budget on time as required by the Charter and move things forward. The chief difference was the rate of bringing back police officers. I promised both sides I will work to bring back as many officers as quickly as possible, but we will need additional revenues to get to the levels we would all like.

 

The economy is recovering slowly. It will take us several years to recover the same level of property taxes we had just three years ago. It is critical to pass a parcel tax to

·         Fully staff our senior centers

·         Maintain police staff levels

·         Add crews to fix pot holes

·         Restore park maintenance staff

 

We begin the new fiscal year with a budget, a new city administrator, and a lot of work ahead of us:

·         We will join other cities to take the legislators’ decision on redevelopment to court and hope to have a decision by the end of July.

·         We will fight the newest state grab of between $1.3 and $1.5 million from the state vehicle license fees.

·         We have the sad job of lay offs and managing the bumping process that will occur as we implement the budget.

 

I want to thank everyone, again, for working so hard during these difficult times."