Challenge claims about jobs bill

You have already read the media discussion about the president's recent "job" speech. Perhaps then you are asking yourself the same two questions as many of us arrogant and obstinate citizens who happen to disagree in principle to the actions the president insisted we take.

That first question is "Where is the bill" you want to be passed. Those honorary people in Congress can't pass a "speech," at least that's what I learned on the "Schoolhouse Rock" skit -- you start with an actual bill. But that's a minor side discussion really. He said it was coming -- and I will take him at his word that it is indeed coming. However, I think this minor misstep was an indicator of another interesting political move. He can start blaming the House now for their obstruction and resistance -- an interesting political move if the sheeple are not paying attention.

The second question, however, is more interesting to me -- and also a calculated political position. Demanding a decision-making body approve of something that would blatantly violate their core principles is like asking someone to jump off a bridge -- because the result is much better than your current situation. If I were to tell you to sell all you have to buy a certain stock in a solar energy company that is obviously going to go under, you would raise some serious apprehension.

Here I question who is truly arrogant and obstinate. Unfortunately, very few in the media will even bother to challenge the costs and assumptions made in his speech, like they would for certain other leaders. Oh, and incidentally -- you already bought stock in that company -- they were going to invigorate the renewable energy industry. Oops.

Don Thompson
Lake Stevens