Letter to the President-Elect
Dear Barack Obama. I did everything I could on my blog to paint you as an old-school left winger that lacked the experience, character and know-how to be the President. I still have many serious reservations about your Presidency. However, I am willing to give you a chance. I know this country needs change, and it is possible we can agree on a few things. I sincerely hope that everything I said on this blog will prove incorrect as you grow into the office.
We can agree that our nation needs a lot of help, especially in education. Do me a favor and read the cover story from this week’s Business Week by Michael Porter. He’s a Harvard guy like you and he seems to have the right ideas for a bipartisan economic plan. Here’s an excerpt that I think applies to you.
We need a strategy supported by the majority to secure America’s economic future. Yet Americans hear the same old divisive arguments…Democrats keep talking as if they want to penalize investment and economic success. They defend unions obstructing change in areas like education, cling to cumbersome regulatory approaches, and resist ways to get litigation costs for business in line with other countries. Democrats equivocate on trade in an irreversibly global economy. They seem to think social progress can be achieved only at the expense of business.
To make America competitive, we have to get beyond this thinking. Political leaders, business leaders, and civil society must begin a respectful, fact-based dialogue about our challenges. We need to focus on competitive reality, not defending past policies.
Ok, now get busy and study this article and invite Porter to be in your administration. He’s got the right stuff. Oh, and as far as international affairs, I recommend that you listen to those Bush people that are briefing you and please consult John McCain about Iraq and Afghanistan. He knows a lot of things that you don’t. Good luck. You’re going to need it!
