When Obama came into office, many Americans and non-Americans celebrated. But these are proving to be tough times nationally and across borders. Let’s not forget the swine flu pandemic, the temper tantrums of North Korea dictator Pyongyang and the effects of the American economy Americans and non-Americans.
Despite all of these things, the Obama administration continues to pour money and invest in political agendas such as science, a national health care plan, financial bailouts that have long term, uncertain ROI during a time where money supply is short and interest rates are low.
True, a former lawyer is no businessman, but it seems that we need to have business-minded people working in government. People who can work in a non-profit world but also understand how to work a balance sheet.
While I consider myself fairly liberal as a resident of the SF Bay Area, I think Obama may be thinking of too many ways to spend money that we don’t have, instead of developing programs that pull on current and limited resources. He needs to think more like an entrepreneur and less like a large corporation.
That means:
- evaluating resources.
Today I heard on the radio that Obama is creating urgency around the healthcare issue. Is he acting with business sense or acting rashly?
In terms of the health care system, are there any current running health care programs that serve those who need health care but do not have access to it? And are there existing programs that advocate for preventative healthcare? This is what the government should support rather than a overhaul and development of a national healthcare system. We may admire our neighbors to the North for their national healthcare (anyway, it’s targeted at getting people to stay healthy, not treating sick people) but we’re just letting politics get in the way. And we are a tax-minimizing country as well.
- Talent. Obama’s cabinet has talent, but where is a certified public accountant when you need one? A CFO?
How else could the government be more efficient? Chime in with your thoughts.
