First, let me state that I am not a John McCain supporter. The following question is not from a disgruntled John McCain supporter but rather from an American citizen who's hopeful for the future but is curious as to the meaning of something said in a historic speech last night. Barack Obama said we needed to rebuild this country brick by brick in his speech last night. I'm curious about this statement. Does he believe that America is in ruins and needs to be rebuilt, or does he believe that America needs to be torn down and rebuilt? Is this something that most people feel? I mean this seriously, so please don't respond with nonsense. I've never been unwilling to listen to opposing views nor have I dismissed anyone, so I hope to get some intelligent replies that are given in respect here. I want to understand the meaning behind those words and what it foreshadows for his presidency.
America has parts of its system of government that are sorely out of date. Its infrastructure is also aging very fast. When I think of "brick by brick" I think internal reform, then external results.
Facing the financial crisis of a century, and a financial regulatory system that is obviously broke. On top of that the job losses that will be coming and looming SS, medicare problems down the road. Isn't that enough ruins already? What about the mess in Iraq? The next administration has a monumental task infront of them.
I think it was a symbolic meaning as well as an actual one. Right now, the U.S. has a lot of turmoil inside its own borders over a various number of issues. The financial, housing, auto, and a number of other industries have all fallen or are falling. The infrastructure within the U.S. is old and falling apart in many places. The U.S. does not have a great deal of respect from our other world neighbors and countries. I could keep going on and on but I think you can get the gist of it and I think that is what he meant. Rebuild our unity, image, economy, etc. brick by brick.
I think his words are open to interpretation, however, I take them to mean that we have several different problems that are facing the country right now, but they aren't compartmentalized. Healthcare, foreign policy, the domestic economy, the war: all are interconnected, and we can't take a patchwork approach to fixing them. I take 'brick by brick' just means coming up with solutions that build a support each other, working towards larger collective goals rather than individual goals.
What we need repairing: Aging infrastructure- like Donny mentioned, our highways are crumbling apart and the Highway fund will be depleted as it is now. Energy infrastructure will have to be overhauled to cope with alternative energy sources that aren't "on demand" and also to improve efficient transmission. Airports and seaports are facing a congestion crunch on top of the security concerns against terrorism. Internet infrastructure will require an overhaul to keep up with the progress of other countries. I believe the percentage of broadband users was around 30%. Cities facing growth are finding it tougher to finance growth projects as municipal bonds are attached with higher premiums. The first four are essential to commerce and the increasing demands of a globalized world. Without ports, there's not much we can do to trade with Asia and Europe. Without highways, trucks can't deliver perishable goods like vegetables in the matter of days. Metaphorical examples: -International reputation: As it is now, we're more hated than feared. The bulk of our allies cautiously back us, even question our judgement, rather than whole heartedly support us. With two wars on our plate, more threats are probing for our weaknesses than before. -Broken credit system: We've been living off free lunches for more than a decade, mortgaging our future in the process. Living within our means will not be easy. I don't expect Obama's presidency will resolve this, but there's the 10 trillion dollar debt, broken healthcare system, and an aging population that doesn't have a fat 401k they had a year ago. Or the brick by brick could just be a slogan for us to tough it up for the expected and bad recession that will last at least a year.
If there is one thing that I truly hope comes out of this election, it will be the return of an emphasis on America by American politicians. I'm tired of spending gobs of money on things wholly unrelated to the citizenry. I want all that money put into schools, energy, infrastructure. You want to fix the american economy and our degraded superpower status? Put all that money back into our own nation.
My guess is, by saying "brick by brick", he means to take baby steps approaches, in a solid and stable way...
Honestly I think he means a change in focus inwards. Rebuilding our priorities on education, transportation, and energy usage. Keep the American values but focus on the homefront FIRST..... Stop giving tax breaks to countries that outsource their labor force to China or Mexico or India, and give those tax breaks to US companies that get our people working. Obama is truly...OUR COUNTRY FIRST ! DD
I think it was simply a metaphor for rebuilding, and he was stressing that it won't be an overnight change. It'll be "one day at a time", "little by little", or metaphorically speaking, "brick by brick".
I agree. Barack's campaign speeches doesn't give me the impression that he'll have that exclusive view on the homefront.
Concur. It bugs me. A lot. All this money while our schools rot and we pour money into oil nations that (for the most part) hate our guts. sigh
We can't be isolationist, but I get the impression that Obama sees that we are sending too much of our wealth overseas. We need new roads, new schools, new focus on America...... Do you guys realize we spend more per capita on Israeli citizens than we do here on US citizens? That is pathetic..... DD
I don't want isolationism. What I want is an end to worhtless and horridly expensive wars. I want that money (and even more from the DoD budget) pumped back into our own country. I want that money to fund (like Obama intends) research to get us off oil. I'm tired of watching such a powerful, innovative, and wealthy nation as our own get embroiled in middle east stupidity. Put all that money to alternative clean energies, market it to the world and watch our economy stabilize and nutjob countries in the middle east return to a pleasent mediocrity we can ignore.
With as much euphoria as this election is being greeted, there is a real chance of a backlash when there will be no quick fixes. The economy is going to get worse before it gets better, probably a lot worse. The better Obama prepares the public for this reality the more time he will have to produce results. If the Dems loose a bunch of seats in 2010 because we are still in a prolonged recession it will make his 8 year task that much harder. (Why does my spellchecker still underline Obama?)
