January 11, 2012

By James Soviero

One of the most memorable gospels is the miracle of the five loaves and two fish. John 6:5-15 tells of Jesus using those meager bits of food to feed some 5,000 hungry, followers. It is a truly compelling story, and one that must resonate very powerfully with President Obama. How else could he explain shilling for two policies that are supported only by his heavenly promises.

Last week, Obama’s mystical approach to substantially downsizing our military now joins ranks with his equally, otherworldly takes on the new healthcare law. Regarding the former, our Commander in Chief claims that dramatically shrinking our ground forces will keep us just as safe. Concerning the latter, he guaranteed 30 million more Americans would receive medical coverage, at a savings to all.

On May 3rd, 2008, Barack Obama gave us his version of the “five loaves”, when he confidently told voters he had “a healthcare plan that would save the average family $2,500 on their premiums.” How’s that worked out? Have you spoken to, or heard of anyone paying less for their health insurance since the implementation of Obamacare? We all know feedback has been just the opposite. People have learned what countless studies have shown. Their premiums are skyrocketing.

Now our nation nervously awaits the results, as our president applies the “two fish” part of Jesus’ miracle to America’s defense. He claims slashing half a billion dollars from military spending and shrinking Army/Marine forces by 15% is going to make us safer. Iran, a looming nuclear threat, rattles sabers over shutting down a crucial, oil, shipping lane. Iraq, minus our troop presence, appears increasingly unstable. Trigger happy, North Korea, has a brand new, crazy leader, and China continues to flex it’s muscle. Yet the administration breezily predicts that our Army and Marine units “will no longer need to be sized to support….long-term military operations….” It must be great to have been blessed with an ability to so easily divine the future.

Basing our nation’s security on the same kind of completely unsupported reasoning found in the prophecies about healthcare savings, makes it more than likely citizens will see the same kind of disappointing results. The problem is, seriously mismanaging national security policies will do much more than cost Americans more money on their medical insurance. The consequences could be catastrophic.

On the night of his inauguration, president elect Obama, framed by gigantic Greek columns and a cheering throng, piously claimed, “This was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow, and our planet began to heal.” The startling lack of humility was unbecoming.

If Mr. Obama actually believed what he said it’s far worse. That would mean our president really believes he can do things, against all fact and common sense, by simply willing it. At that rate, St. Barack will end up leaving a hungry, weakened, nation “twelve baskets” filled only with pompous, dangerously shallow, promises. It would be better if President Obama stopped pledging the impossible, started governing in the real world, and, left performing miracles to God.