Posted by
"Mind and Morals" Michael Coyne on Monday, September 07, 2009 5:25:00 PM
There seems to be some controversy brewing regarding the
President’s upcoming address to schoolchildren tomorrow. Having read the speech
(link below courtesy Yahoo! News), I can honestly say that I don’t understand
the problem.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090907/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_school_speech_text
Agree with him politically or not, Barack Obama is the
President of the United States. That, in itself, deserves our respect,
regardless of how vehemently we may disagree with his policies.
The speech, at its most basic, calls on students to work
hard and to stay in school. It reminds children that they have a duty to their
Nation to work hard and to succeed. There is absolutely nothing wrong with
that. In fact, hard work and self-reliance are pillars of conservative
philosophy. So why would some criticize this speech?
The answer is simple: there are elements of the Republican
Party and of the conservative movement that will fight against absolutely
anything the President does, regardless of how benign the action may be. This
is dangerous.
For starters, America can’t miss the Republican Party if we’re
never really gone. There are times when we should simply nod and give silent
support to our President. This is one such time. If we waste our energy balking
at every single little move the President makes, then we sound reactionary. We
are better than that.
Second, we want leaders to address schoolchildren. It’s
important for kids to feel somehow connected to their government, otherwise
they will grow up to think that they have no stake in America’s wellbeing.
I, for one, am glad that America’s students will be
listening to the President tomorrow. I remember a girl on my high school
newspaper remarking to me about how much more she liked then-President Bush
when she had a chance to hear him speak, rather than listen to analysts dissect
his words. It is a fact that people feel more connected when they have the
chance to listen to people like the President tell them that what they’re doing
is important.
I fully support this simple decision by the President. And I
hope that he—and other elected officials—takes the time to talk to
American youth more often.