Obama describes a happy, thriving America to veterans, who know better

August 27, 2014

Obama describes a happy, thriving America to veterans, who know better

By Andrew Malcolm

INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY

President Obama is enduring an awful summer of domestic troubles, foreign tragedies and a lost national narrative that's put him on the defensive. He'll try to recapture control of the country's political dialogue next month by igniting an emotional controversy over legalizing illegal aliens.

But Tuesday the Democrat was in Charlotte to describe to American Legion members an exotic foreign land where November voters should be delighted to keep his party members in office. Obama's full text is available here.

We've gathered some excerpts with our comments in italics to provide a flavor of the alien land this president sees through his bullet-proof windows. He doesn't seem so much detached as delusional:

"Even as we face, yes, the hard tasks of our time, we should never lose sight of our progress as a people or the strength of our leadership in the world. ( Just take my word for it.) ....We are stronger at home. (What?) Over the past 53 months, our businesses have added nearly 10 million new jobs....

"Construction and housing are rebounding. Our auto industry and manufacturing are booming. Our high school graduation rate is at a record high. More young people are earning their college degrees than ever before. Millions more Americans now have quality, affordable healthcare (although the premium increases will surprise many). We've cut the deficit by more than half (from my own ridiculous trillion-dollar-plus deficits)....

"And just as we're stronger at home, the United States is better positioned to lead in the 21st century than any nation on Earth. It’s not even close. We have the most powerful military in history -- that’s certainly not close. ( Although I am cutting it to mid-20th century levels). From Europe to Asia, our alliances are unrivaled. Our economy is the most dynamic.

"We've got the best workers. We’ve got the best businesses. We have the best universities and the best scientists. With our domestic energy revolution, including more renewable energy, we're more energy independent. Our technologies connect the world. (Because I have not secured the borders) our freedoms and opportunities attract (millions of illegal) immigrants....

"And moreover, nobody else can do what we do. No other nation does more to underwrite the security and prosperity on which the world depends. In times of crisis, no other nation can rally such broad coalitions to stand up for international norms and peace. ( Take Libya, for instance, where we assembled a coalition to oust Moammar Gaddafi and create yet another failed state for terrorist bands to roam)....



Pool



"That's why the United States is and will remain the one indispensable nation in the world.

"Now, sustaining our leadership, keeping America strong and secure, means we have to use our power wisely. ....You know the United States has to lead with strength and confidence and wisdom. And that's why, after incredible sacrifice by so many of our men and women in uniform, we removed more than 140,000 troops from Iraq (leaving the vacuum that ISIL now inhabits)....

"As we go forward, we'll continue to partner with Afghans so their country can never again be used to launch attacks against the United States. Now, as I've always made clear, the blows we've struck against al Qaeda's leadership don’t mean the end to the terrorist threat. ( To be honest, I've always made clear that Al Qaeda was "on the run", "decimated" and "on the path to defeat." I left out the ongoing threat part because of the 2012 election)....

"As Commander-in-Chief, the security of the American people is my highest priority, and that's why, with the brutal terrorist group ISIL advancing in Iraq, I have (belatedly) authorized targeted strikes to protect our diplomats and military advisors....

"Our message to anyone who harms our people is simple: America does not forget. Our reach is long. We are patient. Justice will be done. We have proved time and time again we will do what’s necessary to capture those who harm Americans ( which is why two years after the Benghazi murders we've already captured one of the attack leaders who've been interviewed so often by U.S. media)....

"Rooting out a cancer like ISIL won't be easy and it won't be quick. But tyrants and murderers before them should recognize that kind of hateful vision ultimately is no match for the strength and hopes of people who stand together for the security and dignity and freedom that is the birthright of every human being. (Although modern weapons seem to play a more important role than I like to admit).

"Even as our war in Afghanistan comes to an end, we will stay vigilant....When I was here at the Legion three years ago, I said that the bond between our forces and our citizens has to be a sacred trust, and that for me, for my administration, upholding our trust with our veterans is not just a matter of policy, it is a moral obligation. (Which is why I took no real VA reform steps until CNN began exposing chronic abuses throughout the medical system last year)....

"We’ve been able to accomplish historic increases to veterans funding (because as a Democrat, I measure success solely by money spent)....But what we’ve come to learn (by reading the media) is the misconduct we've seen at too many facilities -- with long wait times, and veterans denied care, and folks cooking the books -- is outrageous and inexcusable.

"As soon as it was disclosed (or within several months anyway), I got before the American people and I said we would not tolerate it....And we will not..... We are going to get to the bottom of these problems ( that I campaigned against seven long years ago). We're going to fix what is wrong....That is a solemn pledge and commitment that I’m making to you here ( just as I repeatedly promised that all Americans could keep their doctor and insurance plans under ObamaCare)....

"Already (nearly one year after initial disclosures), we're making sure that those responsible for manipulating or falsifying records are held accountable.....

"We're in the midst of a new wave of veterans -- more than a million service members returning to civilian life (because we're so drastically cutting national defense)....So we have to do more to uphold that sacred trust not just this year or next year, but for decades to come....

"We're also going to keep helping our troops transition to civilian life. Because of the work we’ve done together, if you already have a military truck driver's license, every state now waives the skills test, so it's easier for you to get a commercial driver's license....

"Every American needs to join us in taking care of those who've taken care of us. Because only 1 percent of Americans may be fighting our wars, but 100 percent of Americans benefit from that 1 percent....

"A hundred percent need to be supporting our military families." ( Which is why during the recent funeral of the first U.S. general officer combat casualty in decades, I was playing golf.)