PRESIDENT OBAMA’S BUDGET: Resources for the Change We Need

Thursday, March 26, 2009

(Arlington County Democratic Committee)

Report from the Chairman

Peter Rousselot

In 2008, Barack Obama was elected President in no small part because he promised that, unlike his hapless Republican predecessor, he would be able to "walk and chew gum at the same time." President Obama’s first federal budget delivers on his winning campaign promise.

President Obama’s budget keeps our focus on the forest—not just the trees.

"To kick these problems down the road for another four years or another eight years would be to continue the same irresponsibility that led us to this point," President Obama said in an appearance with the heads of the congressional budget committees. "That's not why I ran for this office. I didn't come here to pass on our problems to the next president or the next generation."

President Obama has strongly disputed the idea, advanced by some Congressional leaders (including some Democrats), that he should focus first on fixing the banking system. President Obama noted that his administration is working aggressively to loosen bank credit and get people working again, but that real economic recovery requires many actions at once.

"The American people don't have the luxury of just focusing on Wall Street," President Obama said. "They don't have the luxury of choosing to pay their mortgage or their medical bills. They don't get to pick between paying their kids' college tuition or saving enough money for retirement." "They have to do all these things," our President concluded.

President Obama has challenged lawmakers who oppose his budget plan to offer constructive alternatives. He said he welcomed ideas from both parties, but would not accept another period of political tactics.

"'Just say no' is the right advice to give your teenagers about drugs," President Obama said. "It is not an acceptable response to whatever economic policy is proposed by the other party. The American people sent us here to get things done."

President Obama’s focus on the big picture is sure to appeal to the many volunteers and voters here in Arlington who worked so tirelessly to elect him to the Presidency. These are the words, the philosophy, and the breadth of vision that drove his electoral margins in Arlington, and Arlington all by itself provided 21% of Obama’s margin of victory in Virginia.

Over the next several weeks, all Arlington Democrats should be looking for as many opportunities as possible to engage our fellow volunteers and voters in conversations about President Obama’s budget goals, and the reasons why he is pursuing them. The Arlington County Democratic Committee will be developing and publicizing plans and opportunities to help us engage in this way.

PETER ROUSSELOT