Barack Obama to Call for a New Era of Responsibility … Look in the Mirror

As Barack Obama takes office today and becomes America’s first black President, he will be calling on us to embrace a new era of responsibility. This is an issue that we will delve into much more in the future; however, shouldn’t the era of responsibility start in Washington, DC first? If you were really serious about responsibility you’re first act would actually be to make politicians responsible to their word and the people.

Americans poured into the nation’s capital to celebrate the inauguration of their first black president. But with the U.S. in its worst economic crisis since the Depression and at war on two fronts, Barack Obama was expected to call on the country to embrace a new culture of responsibility when he takes office at noon.

The inaugural crowd Tuesday could reach two million people, one of the largest gatherings in Washington’s history. Millions more will be watching across the U.S. and around the world, with outdoor video screens planned for public squares.

We will post on this in much greater length; however, responsibility begins at the top. Obama best get his houses in order first before he expects the American people to embrace responsibility. Who is to say they have not been? Was it “We the People” who caused the subprime mortgage debacle and the greed on Wall Street? Was it “We the People” who caused already existing oversight Housing committees, headed by Democrats, that allowed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to implode? Was it “We the People” who have voted on billions of dollars of bail out packages to companies who have abused the process?

Era of responsibility.

Responsibility means to not burden future generations with trillions of debt. That used to mean something.

It is not the people that stopped being responsible, it is a government who cares more for themselves, their pay raises, their camera time and their partisan bickering rather than doing the work of the people. That does not mean creating a socialist nanny government, it means protecting where you should and letting us be able to prosper.

One last time to President-elect Obama, the Senate and the House … you work for us.

Who do you think should be responsible?

UPDATE I: Obama takes power, urges unity vs. ‘raging storms’

Barack Hussein Obama claimed his place in history as America’s first black president Tuesday, summoning a dispirited and divided nation to unite in hope against the “gathering clouds and raging storms” of unfinished war and grave economic woe. A jubilant crowd of more than a million waited for hours in frigid temperatures to witness the moment as a young black man with a foreign-sounding name took command of a nation founded by slaveholders.

“What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility – a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly,” Obama said. “This is the price and the promise of citizenship.”

UPDATE II: Obama’s inaugural address can be read HERE. Looks like all were not pleased with Obama’s speech. The New Republic called it “A Disappointing Hodgepodge.” Personally, I believe the time for talk is over. We have had enough rhetoric and promises of a better day. Its time to act.

UPDATE III: So much for can’t we all get along and peace, love  and harmony as Barack Obama repudiates Bush Era in Address. Also, nice to see that the Obama audience showed the class and dignity that we all knew they had in them as theymocked GWB. Even Obama took shots at President GWB. Obama will learn a lesson from all this and that is he is supposed to act like a grown up and lead. The election and speeches are over. You wanted the job, so the burden is now on you, including the criticism.

The day was even icier for former President George W. Bush, who was greeted with boos when he took the inaugural stage. A chant broke out somewhere along the packed Mall and soon thousands near the Capitol joined in: “Nah nah nah nah, hey hey, goodbye.” The man who had helped America weather Sept. 11 smiled stoically.

And Sen. Joe Lieberman, a former Democratic vice-presidential candidate turned independent who endorsed Sen. John McCain for president, brought a cackle of boos from the once-jovial crowd. “Traitor!” one man yelled at the giant screen.

Even the man who had come to unite all Americans could not put aside the sometimes vitriolic rhetoric that propelled him to the presidency.

“The time has come to set aside childish things,” said the Democrat who ran against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and then Mr. McCain, but who often used his campaign speeches to deride the man he sought to succeed in the White House. “Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions, that time has surely passed,” he said as the now-gray-haired Mr. Bush looked on.

It appears the lack of class has not been lost by Floppy Aces either. I thought this was supposed to be a new era, a new Presidency, one that chose “hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.” Looks like that is nothing more than lip service, what a shock.

After all, we saw that from the top down, Obama’s swipe at Bush in an interview last Friday was followed by Rahm Emanuel, now White House Chief of Staff, using the phrase “last eight years” as a pretext to excuse whatever missteps Obama might make.

The Gateway Pundit has the video of Bush’s final abuse as President. Obama and his people think that this will pave the way for The One to get a free pass and be embraced by Republicans? They sadly and ignorantly have drawn the line in the sand and think they are above reproach. They are sadly mistaken.

UPDATE IV: US. Stocks Slide in Dow Average’s Worst Inauguration Day Drop

What did the US markets think of Obama taking the reigns … worst Inauguration Day decline ever. It was stated that Wall Street spoiled the party; however, maybe Wall Street does not believe the rhetoric or is scared of socialism. I guess the Markets did not get the memo that they are supposed to be happy by government take over. If the markets had gone up, all we would have heard is that its a reaction to Obama and his positive message. Instead, silence. Obama can do no wrong although he will soon learn that the negative news of reality is on his shoulders. Pomp and circumstance does not impress the real world.

U.S. stocks sank, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average to its worst Inauguration Day decline, as speculation banks must raise more capital sent financial shares to an almost 14-year low.