Ignore Limbaugh

America, can you trust a man who says he wants President Obama to fail?

President Barack Obama should not have referred to radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh in his recent remarks directed to Republican Congressional leaders. Why elevate Limbaugh's status and give him more to talk about? His twenty million weekly listeners are largely on the far right of American politics and Limbaugh needs to continuously feed them fresh meat.

On Capitol Hill, Republicans are dead in the water on all fronts, foreign and domestic. Their leadership is weak and shaken. They are struggling to come up with an issue, a cause and a reason to rally their troops. Yes, you won Mr. President. But history's battlefields are littered with the armor of once victorious leaders.

Limbaugh is a successful entertainer who is enormously well paid to spin stories, twist facts and turn clever phrases aimed at his loyal following. Shinning a light on him is counterproductive; besides he thrives on being at the center of attention. And, sure enough, now that you have shined the spotlight on him he has responded with a plan.

The "Obama-Limbaugh" stimulus package would divide up $1 trillion dollars of U.S. taxpayer's money along the lines of the percentage of the vote in the national election. Obama got about 54% of the vote and Senator John McCain about 46%. Therefore, $540 billion would go to rebuild infrastructure and invest in new technologies as Obama wants, and $460 billion would go to reduce taxes on businesses. Limbaugh and many Republicans argue that reducing corporate taxes, among the highest in the world, would free up money sooner for businesses to invest in jobs. He calls the "Obama-Limbaugh" package a truly "bipartisan" approach and concludes, "We'll see which stimulus works best."

No doubt Limbaugh and his economic advisers have spent a considerable amount of time studying all the relevant research and economic models to devise this well thought out plan. And no doubt millions of Americans and the Republican leadership in Congress will seriously consider enacting the "Obama-Limbaugh" package. Or, possibly, most people will come to realize that Limbaugh is just making a mockery of our nation's problems, and of the people charged with the responsibility of digging America out of its huge debt and deep recession.

Republicans had their chance these past eight years to perfect America's democracy and reduce its debt. They failed and the American electorate voted for change. Now the challenges are enormous and time is of the essence. Obama is moving swiftly, but there are questions about some of the infrastructure expenditures. And while he has reached across the aisle to partially accommodate Republican wishes for tax relief, they want more. This goes to underscore the fact that there are no easy answers to the myriad of complex problems facing this country on all fronts.

After one week as president, Obama enjoys the good will of most Americans who want the severe financial crisis ended and their country to succeed. Most Americans, that is, except for Rush Limbaugh, who says he wants Obama to fail, even though it would mean more suffering for Americans.

Mr. President, please do what most Republicans can't do, ignore Rush Limbaugh.

Comments

[Profyz]

Peyronnin is so right on the account that no one should pay attention to what any high school dropout drug-addict has to say on any subject . Pres. Obama needs to be more discrete.

[carl99e]

His comments about R.L. goes to that fact that Barck aims to be informed and not live in a bubble. Our firs Blackberry President.

[kaspian]

I disagree also, and would add on thing to sytgrl's insightful comment.

One thing that has always impressed me about Obama -- ever since I heard him speak and answer questions at the National Press Club almost four years ago -- is that he comes across as a no-B.S. kind of guy. He says things right out loud that everybody is thinking but most people are not willing to talk about, at least not in a public setting. At the Press Club, the example that comes to mind was an off-the-cuff remark he made about religious fundamentalists. "Have any of these people actually READ the Bible?" he asked. Everybody laughed.

The famous speech on race is another example. Much or most of what he said did not come as news to anyone. What was amazing was the guy standing there, with the eyes of the world upon him, and actually SAYING it.

I think you have to consider his passing remark about Rush Limbaugh in that light. Obama looks at the world as it really is, not through some kind of media-friendly or spin-doctored filter. And he has the courage to talk about it plainly, in language that we all can understand. My guess is that most of the Republicans in that room nodded their heads ruefully at Obama's comment about Rush. They hear what the man is saying. They just don't have his courage to act accordingly.

[sytgrl]

I disagree. Obama's mention of Rush (and Fox news today) is a subtle way of associating Republicans with the far-right wing of the party. This will send moderate Republicans running the other way (if they are smart), especially in light of Rush's unpatriotic comments. Did you notice the special meeting that Obama held with the moderate Republicans? This is his way of saying get on board, or be marginalized with the right.

[Seescout]

Nailed it. Note the context of the mention "Can't just listen". Not a wasted word. Can't - imperative from a position of authority as in "No you can't have a cookie, you'll spoil your supper." Just - dismissive in the extreme. Listen - implying that anyone not on board is a mere dittohead. "And get things done". Everyone is focusing on the velvet glove - folks, here is the iron fist. I doubt that the message was lost on the audience even if the blogs haven't honed in on it.

[postprogressive]

Wait a sec... I thought cutting taxes increases economic activity and job creation? Wouldn't Obama want to do something like this?

[zanzig]

Perhaps a better economist than I can explain why it is that the Indian economy, with a corporate tax rate of 42.2%, is managing to do what the American economy, with a corporate tax rate of 39.3%, is not. If Limbaugh and the Republicans baying for lower corporate taxes can justify that comparatively, perhaps I might listen.

[JimR]

Rush is a skilled entertainer who knows how to push people's buttons and attract attention.

I'm afraid this column is more proof of that.

[PeterLoffredo]

Why not just let Rush speak for himself? Here he is in his own recorded words:
"I mean, let’s face it, we didn’t have slavery in this country for over 100 years because it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite: slavery built the South. I’m not saying we should bring it back; I’m just saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark."
"You know who deserves a posthumous Medal of Honor? James Earl Ray. We miss you, James. Godspeed."
"Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?"
"The NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies."
"They’re 12 percent of the population. Who the hell cares?"
"I disagree fervently with the people on our side of the aisle who have caved and who say, 'Well, I hope he [Barack Obama] succeeds.' Okay, I'll send you a response, but I don't need 400 words, I need four: I hope he fails.”
RUSH LIMBAUGH, folks!!
Peter Loffredo
http://fullpermissionliving.blogspot.com/

[JimR]

You're just feeding the beast and helping him guarantee continued success for him...

[Charmed]

President Obama made one comment and there have been countless articles about it....it seems to me that the writers are elevating Rush not President Obama.

[Bitsko]

Agreed, but running a story entitled "Ignore Limbaugh" isn't much of a giant step is it?

[mommadona]

Great advice.

But, he keeps saying
"Pull my finger"...
And the sheeple fall for it every time.