Barack Obama: the lazy manager of a frantic government
Calvin Coolidge was famed for sleeping 12 hours a day, and generally not working up a sweat. His work ethic was consistent with his belief about government’s role. He was an old-fashioned Republican who was comfortable with the adage that the government that governs best is that which governs least. that the government that governs best is the one best governs least”:
While legislation can stimulate and encourage, the real creative ability which builds up and develops the country, and in general makes human existence more tolerable and life more complete, has to be supplied by the genius of the people themselves. The Government can supply no substitute for enterprise. (Calvin Coolidge, speech, Jul. 4, 1924)
Because Coolidge believed in the people, he can be excused his leisure time.
As is often the case with the White House’s current occupant, Barack Obama has a different philosophy. Whether driven by an anti-colonial urge, a socialist ideology, or a narcissistic drive that requires him to leave his imprint on every aspect of American, Obama believes government should be frantically active.
As Doug Ross points out, though, while Obama wants the busiest government in American history, he holds himself above that government obligation. In other words, Obama’s conduct shows that he finds his executive responsibilities boring and onerous. He avoids them when possible and, when they prove unavoidable, he gives them short shrift. Thus, after reading a New York Times article about the Obama White House, Ross is impressed, not by the ant-like busy-ness of Obama’s minions. Instead, he finds fascinating Obama’s grasshopper approach to his paid assignments. He reserves his energy for the fun task of getting re-elected:
What I found most interesting however, was not the machinations of his Red Diaper Baby advisers like Axelrod and Jarrett. Instead, it was the numerous references to Obama’s lackadaisical schedule and the ridiculous amount of time he spends screwing around. Consider the following snippets from the Times article:
• “…The gathering often takes place after Mr. Obama’s regular Sunday round of golf…”
• “…aides say he still spends far more time on his iPad checking scores on ESPN than obsessively reading up on Mr. Romney…”
• “…[He] is set to open his re-election campaign formally on Saturday with back-to-back rallies in Ohio and Virginia…”
Formally launching his campaign? Obama has already held more fundraisers than the previous five presidents combined.
Read the rest of Doug’s observations about Obama’s real focus here. Jon Lovitz, when he got attacked from the Left after decrying Obamanomics, plaintively tweeted “Because I criticized the President, it’s news? Last I checked, he’s President, not King!” As the old Jewish joke goes, Jon, you know Obama’s not king, and I know Obama’s not king, but does Obama know that he’s not king?