Jackie Gingrich Cushman


They get caught up -- swept away -- in themselves or their situation.

They have lost their foundation -- or possibly they never had a solid foundation.

President Barack Obama's speech this past Monday at the Laborfest in Milwaukee, Wis., provided signs of a flawed foundation. Mostly a campaign speech, it focused on praising unions and talking about how government is going to solve our problems, with Obama leading the charge.

His attempt at a personal economic story, "my grandparents taught me early on that a job is about more than just a paycheck," was overshadowed by his reference to shorter lines in airports: "I mean, I've got Air Force One now, it's nice. But I still remember what it was like."

His deviation from his prepared remarks: "They talk about me like a dog. That's not in my prepared remarks, it's just -- but it's true."

Sounded like a second-grader whining -- not a commander in chief leading. But he digressed again later regarding Republicans, "even on things we usually agree on, they say no. If I said the sky was blue, they say no. If I said fish live in the sea, they'd say no."

This is presidential?

Obama's promise to keep "fighting every single day, every single hour, every single minute, to turn this economy around and put people back to work" might have been more plausible if he came across as more presidential, or if he placed his faith in God and the American people rather than in government and himself.

Obama has forgotten that it's not about him -- it's about the American people. Public service is a trust, not a podium or a pulpit.

Instead of providing opportunity in America, Obama wants to provide "guarantees in life. ... That's what we're fighting for."

When Obama talked about leaving a legacy for our children -- it was not about a legacy of freedom and liberty, but about a legacy of government-funded infrastructure.

When he said: "The choice we face this fall. Do we want to go back (Republicans)? Or do we want to go forward (Democrats)," it reminded me of President Calvin Coolidge, an often-overlooked president.

He did not serve during a time of conflict, so events did not force him into the spotlight. He did not create conflict, so he did not force himself into the spotlight. Instead, he provided a steady, stable foundation and allowed the American people to succeed.

He was the antithesis of Obama.

Jackie Gingrich Cushman
