I must admit, I do like reading President Harry Truman's biography and the interviews he gave. While there are many political policies and governing philosophies where I would differ from the former President, Truman was a straight-forward man of humble beginnings who found himself consistently in the right place (politically speaking) at the right time, rising from local elected office to be the leader of the free world, all in a matter of a few short years.
While there is much to learn from Truman (good and bad in the public policy realm), it seems that our current President has come across an aspect of Truman's liberal wisdom that would be best forgotten. Truman once said, "I learned that a great leader is a man who has the ability to get other people to do what they don't want to do and like it." President Obama is attempting to master this philosophy in much of the policies he is currently championing, especially healthcare reform, or what may be termed as Obamacare.
Obama has often said that he admires Lincoln. Heck, his buddies in the mainstream media seem to paint him as Lincoln reincarnated. But if you read about Truman and listen to his own words, the ideals of the liberal movement that began then are embedded deep within today's great debates and Obama is the proud standard-bearer with an eye to leaving his mark (and name and image) on history.
Listen to these quotes from Truman and see if you too sense Obama's attempt to channel the spirit of Truman:
"If you can't convince them, confuse them."
"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell."
"Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything."
And my personal favorite of them all (especially given that the Democrat leadership in Congress and especially President Obama has mastered this point) - "Always be sincere, even if you don't mean it."
Obama is no Lincoln; such a reference is a slap in the face to all conservative, common sense Americans. Instead, Obama has decided to channel the founders of the social reforms that have begun to bankrupt our beloved country and now he is putting their philosophies into practice. Wake up, my fellow Americans. Don't be duped by the soft music, the cheering crowds, the eloquent words, and the nicely wrapped package.
The change we were promised has come, and it has been for the worse. Washington is more divided, more partisan, and less representative of real, down-home America than ever before. The slope is increasingly slippery. We must unite and take back our country before it's too late. We must choose principles over power and party.
We would all do well to remember the words of another former President, Thomas Jefferson. "If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny." Jefferson can be heard again saying, "Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have." May we all recall these words often and continue to remind President Obama and his pawns of such wisdom each time they revert back to the days of Truman.
Frank Corder,
Pascagoula City Councilman
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
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