SOUTH DAKOTA STRAIGHT TALK

There was a political volcanic eruption in advance of the President’s back to school greeting to America’s schoolchildren last week. The President’s Men however brought it upon themselves and consequently their boss. The political lava like fallout was valid but should have been avoided.

The President’s cantankerous opponents were outraged (rightfully so) that included in the information and lesson plans distributed in advance of the President’s speech were details of ways students could help the President and his agenda. This was inappropriate.

The President of the United States talking to America’s school children is TOTALLY appropriate and I would even say a very good thing. His words should bring weight to the message that education in important and Job One!

The President is the leader of our Country and deserves our respect. When we disrespect him we disrespect ourselves. Former First Lady Laura Bush spoke on the issue saying it's "really important for everyone to respect the president of the United States." Like Mrs. Bush, I agree the coarseness of our politics is now disintegrating to the point that our government can accomplish little and frankly seems incapable of governing. The disrespect of our elected officials particularly our President is not healthy to the Nation. Strangely I believe it has more to do with us than the actors.

The loss of respect may have had it seeds with Lyndon Johnson and opposition to the Viet Nam war but likely surfaced with Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal. Bill Clinton without question took disrespect of the Presidency to new levels. Even the events of Rep. Joe Wilson (I agree basically with what he said – just don’t think the forum was appropriate) and the current retribution and blackmail demands by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi do not instill respect in the institutions they represent.

The President’s speech taken by itself without lesson plans and without any context that actions (and facts) speak louder than words was appropriate and had a great message – PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY -  The right message to the right group.

Unfortunately President Obama and his White House do not heed the creed. All of the major events of the first eight months of the Obama administration call for more government involvement in our lives leaving less room for personal responsibility and personal initiative.