A Letter to President Obama

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in 2009, just after the inauguration of President Obama. In light of the Presidential election being just three weeks away, I thought it appropriate to re-post this message in order to evaluate the President's first-term performance.

Dear President B.H. Obama:

Let me first congratulate you on behalf of all former small town Mayors (Round Hill, VA, 1996-2000) on being elected to the most powerful office in the world with the most miniscule set of credentials since Senator Warren Gamaliel Harding in 1920.

But then again, that would be a disservice to Senator Harding as he at least served a complete Senate term (being the first sitting Senator elected President) and had experience in the business world where he, with the support and collaboration of his wife Florence, turned the Marion Daily Star into a successful, revenue-generating, job-creating enterprise. And all of this was achieved in a competitive market, without any type of government bailout or subsidy whatsoever. Who knew such things could be done? But I digress.

Further, I believe I also speak on behalf of all former Mayors when I say that I fervently hope that your time in office turns out better than poor Warren's.

As a former elected official with infinitely more executive experience than you currently posses, let me offer some advice that I've accumulated.

1. Taxes - Everyone Is In This Together
Taxes are high (at least for people who actually pay them!) - much higher and on a far more intrusive level than ever before. Much worse, even, than at the time of our separation from England ... see Jefferson, Thomas; Declaration of Independence, Original Draft.

Either everyone should pay something or nobody should pay anything. Given your tax strategy appears to be to free as many people as possible from having any federal tax liability whatsoever, I would suggest you go all out and recommend that the 16th Amendment be repealed and that some other type of tax, such as a consumption tax, be implemented in its place. Given your previous comments that you "... want to make sure ... that our tax system is fair ...", I would direct you to Representative John Linder's proposed Fair Tax Act (HR-25).

2. Lead By Example
Congress has put pressure on the automotive executives to forgo bonuses and to work, essentially, for free. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to lead by example by showing that in these hard times that the federal government, too, can tighten its belt. As such, if I were President, I would immediately decree that, like the automotive executives, I would work for a salary of $1/year as would the Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries, and all heads of the other executive agencies. I would send legislation to Congress decreeing that Representatives and Senators would also receive no more than $1/year.

3. There Are Limitations
Each Town in Virginia is granted a Charter by the Virginia legislature. This Charter enumerates (i.e., explicitly lists) the things the Town Government is authorized to do. The Federal Government has a similar construct - the US Constitution. But rather than being "granted" by some legislative authority, the authority comes from "We, the People ..." Nowhere in this document does it say that the federal government should provide insurance coverage, health care procedures, or low-interest loans to its citizens or businesses. Nor does it say that Congress has the authority to mandate that private institutions do these things at their own risk or on their own dime. Sadly, this is where we are now. And this is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. So, my recommendation, stick to what you're suppose to be doing and let the States do the rest ... see Hamilton, et. al., The Federalist Papers.

4. Everyone Should Be Mad About Something - But Nobody Should Be Mad About Everything
At every Town Council meeting I presided over there was an opportunity - some said too much opportunity - for citizens to address the Council. If we went more than two or three meetings without somebody getting up and ripping us a new one, I became concerned that I wasn't doing my job. There's no way that an elected politician - even one elected in non-partisan elections - can make everyone happy. There are too many constituencies with too many conflicting goals and objectives to make this possible.

So, my advice to you, listen to your critics more than you listen to your supporters. Ask yourself which of these - critics or supporters - have the best interest of the country in mind and which group is advocating policies that promote the founding American ideals of freedom, liberty, independence, and self-sufficiency. When in doubt, side with these ideals.

5. Be Decisive, Be Consistent
There is no voting "present" when you're the President. There are very few issues that are "above your pay grade." If there are issues that are outside your authority, see #3, above. If so, say so and let it stand at that. Speak out when support or condemnation on behalf of the people of the United States is warranted. Carve out a policy and stick with it. If you need to change policy, the reasons should be clearly enumerated. Make decisions. And, please, find a role model for this characteristic other than John Kerry.

6. Take Responsibility for Your Actions
When you screw up, admit it. When a policy doesn't have the intended result, change it. When a program doesn't have the intended result, cancel it. Nobody likes a finger pointer - especially when the finger is pointed at the American people. Nobody likes wasting their hard-earned money. Even less people like having someone else waste their hard-earned money. If someone acting on your behalf steps out of bounds, send them packing. You've promised transparency, let's hope it happens.

This country has prospered as it has because of the unlimited opportunity it has afforded and the constraint, for the most part, of the government (federal, state, and local) from infringing on the individual rights, liberties, and freedoms of its citizens. I pray that your administration, however long it may be, will continue to uphold this tradition. Good Luck.