The ‘O’ Word

President Obama has crossed the Atlantic to break bread with the Russians and reduce our country’s military might through some façade called a “treaty” (the Russians won’t even honor their own constitution; how can we expect them to honor foreign agreements?), and plans to return in due haste.

Meanwhile, Congress returns this week to a lot of unfinished business. Judging by the late hours on Capitol Hill before the Fourth of July recess, it’s not looking good for some of the administration’s policies, which is a good thing for this country. Just before the Congress left town, Democrats managed to hoodwink, cajole and ultimately push through sweeping climate control legislation in the House. Some would see that as a major accomplishment. But a few more “victories” like that, and the Obamacons called Democrats may be limping their way home to explain their votes.

Don’t think healthcare will be any easier for these lawmakers. The price tag continues to rise on overhauling the system, and with the recent abysmal returns following the trillion-dollar stimulus plan, more and more Americans are growing skeptical of this president’s ability to find the right solution to what ails the country.

And so we arrive at an interesting crossroads for President Obama and his team. The country still loves the man; just visit your favorite newsstand and you’ll see his smiling mug on everything, including the hottest pro wrestling magazine! But when it comes to his policies, Americans aren’t so sure. Poll after poll increasingly shows the popularity of the stimulus, Gitmo detainee policy, even healthcare reform as dwindling. Americans might be ready for change, but not as quickly and as left-leaning as Obama wants to take them.

That waning support is seeping into the decisions members make when asked to cast their votes on Obama’s policies. When Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) was recently called by none other than Rahm himself seeking his vote on the controversial climate change measure, he told the kneecap-bustin’ chief of staff, “I’m a firm no. I wouldn’t waste any more time talking to me.”

If more and more Democrats from red districts continue hearing from their constituents that the administration is steering the country into another ditch, you can expect more defections like Altmire’s. In Washington, we call that the “O” word — the overreach.

Clearly Obama has misinterpreted his own popularity and translated that into a blank check for his leftist policies. Let’s hope Americans continue to question the need and effectiveness of his agenda before we end up with a batch of IOUs and nothing to show for it but more trips to Russia.

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