The First Week of Change: A Review

This first partial week of the new administration has set a precedent.  From the Oval Office:

• A halt was called to the military tribunals for 120 days while the process is under review.
• We will not torture.
• We will close Guantanamo within a year.
• We will follow the Army Field Manual during interrogations.
• CIA secret prisons will be closed.
• Discussion of troop withdrawals from Iraq and a new course of military action began.
• We will engage in smart power, using diplomacy when and where possible.
• The door opened for stem cell research.

Additionally, the confirmation of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton put our nation on good footing around the world.

For women… and others… The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act passed the Senate.

Perhaps, the Economic Recovery Package is the one item that did not make it to the President’s desk this week, although a month or so back President Obama said he would like to have the bill on his desk on day one.

That brings us to the first issue that may cause a big fight between parties on the Hill.  While it is agreed that we need a stimulus package ASAP, there seems to be a split in the making.  Republicans want the bill to be heavy on tax cuts while the Democrats are looking for programs to stimulate the economy.  Let’s hope that the political wrangling does not continue so long as to make any package become a too little, too late package. 

It is hard to believe that when we speak of a stimulus package approaching a trillion dollars, it could be too little.  However, with each passing day the nation sees greater needs.  Perhaps to the Democrats we would suggest that now is not the time to through the kitchen sink into the mix.  Attempting to bloat necessities with pork will only delay the process.  And, to the Republicans we would suggest that clinging to the idea that tax cuts alone will cure the economic crisis has been shown to be a myth.  Time is running out for those of us who live in the real America, beyond Washington, D.C.

All in all, bold statements were made by President Obama’s actions this week.  But, the true test will come in the execution of the plans and the follow through.

Tagged as: Barack Obama, Week in Review