The mission is not accomplished and there are tough times ahead. ‘
President Obama’s address to Congress on Tuesday was a call to endurance, not to action.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal tendered the Republican response and did not entirely disagree with the president. ‘
‘ ‘We are now in a time of challenge. Many of you listening tonight have lost jobs. Others have seen your college and retirement savings dwindle. Many of you are worried about losing your health care and your homes,’ he said. ‘ ‘
The rhetoric changed little. Both Jindal and Obama spoke of recovery, of the enduring spirit and work ethic of Americans, but the blame game was an unannounced honoree in both speeches. ‘
Neither of them was wrong.’
The true blame belongs on both sides of the aisle, but the culprits are both Legislative and corporate. ‘
Deregulation is the largest Legislative offender.’ In health care, insurance, high finance, stock markets and environment, we are learning anew what happens when foxes guard chickens. ‘
The push toward responsibility in finance is something we can all get behind as citizens with an investment in the economy.’
Most important to recovery is the focus on accountability. At UH, we teach ethics with our finance and economics, an understanding of the human costs of irresponsibility.’
Regardless of one’s political leanings are, oversight is something we can all get behind.
The revival of tuition breaks for civil service also helps students. Financial credits for loans for college and the tax credit for tuition are going to be important to every person on this campus.’
Although party leaders call for unity, we Cougars also have a duty to and our government and the entities to whom we trust our money, and to hold both to higher standards than we have seen. ‘
We all are the oversight, and must be on guard to protect a more honest and ethical future. ‘
