Obama's Train Ride

On January 17 President-elect Obama and his family will address an event in Philadelphia. They will then board a train, proceed to Wilmington, Delaware and pick up the Biden entourage, then proceed to Baltimore for another event and finally reach Washington DC.

According to the press release, Obama is taking the trip for all those who cannot attend the Inauguration. Trust me, anyone between Philly and DC who want to be there will figure out a way to be present.

Obama wants to remember Lincoln's journey to DC. He would do well to remember that a mob almost took out Lincoln in Baltimore.

Regardless if it is a positive symbolic gesture or not, the truth of the matter is that it is one more expense the American tax payer does not need to carry. How much will security cost for this train ride? What inconveniences will those along the route have to suffer?

Why not leave well enough alone? Obama is in DC, he should stay and get ready for the battles to come. There is no need to tempt some loony by riding on a train that passes chemical plants.

What is he thinking? His security people surely pointed out the risks. His economic people should have pointed out the cost.

Barack Obama campaigned to bring change. As we get closer to his Inauguration it looks more and more like the same old thing. An ego trip ignoring all of those around him.

American needs a leader. Due to our current situation, Obama is going to need to start off running and deliver big and for the long time if he is going to be successful.

He does not know it all, he needs his advisers and he needs to listen to the people. The last thing we need is some who sees himself as a demi-god.

Americans are tolerant, but only up to a point.

This time promises were made that the people actually expect the President to keep. If he fails, his days will be numbered.

Its Common Sense!

The Transition continues

The Obama team has over nine million dollars for the transition and inauguration, yet fear it will not be enough. They are out soliciting for more funds. Maybe during this economic crisis their first act of leadership would be to stay within the budget that has been allocated. The rest of us certainly are trying to stay within our means.

Tom Daschel appears set to be Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. Eric Holder for Attorney General. I still read Hillary Clinton leading the pack for Secretary of State and I still think its a bad idea, not with standing Bill's pledge to change his fund raising tactics if she gets the office. After all, their is nothing definite about a cabinet position, the president can ask you to resign at any time, and if he does, you can't just go back to the Senate.

Interesting that Robert Gates could stay on as Secretary of Defense, at least for a while. A little continuity for the troops in this troubled time is probably a smart move.

We'll have to see who the other nominations are as Obama fills out his cabinet and submits their names to Congress for confirmation.

One interesting note: I read that Beau Biden, Joe's son in the Delaware National Guard, has stated that he is not interested in his father's Senate seat, but plans to put in his full tour in Iraq.
Good for you Beau, maybe I misjudged you.

The economy is still falling with little sign of hope. If the big three don't get their loan, I guess its foreign cars, or maybe we can return to the horse and buggy to support American industry.

Should the taxpayers and private citizens fork up more money for the transition? How big an Inaugural do we as a country need? How much money spent on this "change" will make us feel good?

Voice your opinion. Freedom of speech is the best freedom we have.

Its Common sense!