I find myself somewhat dismayed by the negative response to Obama trying to get the Olympics to be held in the USA. Used to be hosting the Olympics was seen as a really awesome thing, no matter where in the USA they might be held. Odd how that has changed.
The arguments and complaints are especially weak too†.
“The President shouldn’t be going anywhere.”
“Health care must be debated!”
It is the job of Congress to debate and create legislation. A President can push for certain legislation and make suggestions, but it’s really not the President’s job to debate and write the legislation. He does not have to be present for any of it. Not to mention the last time he visited the halls of Congress he was booed and heckled. That could give one the impression his input wasn’t wanted.
“The President shouldn’t be going anywhere.”
“We are at war in Afghanistan!”
Just because some people have a difficult time multitasking and contemplating more than one problem at a time does not mean everyone is incapable of doing so. Additionally, it isn’t like the President is ever in a bubble of silence without the means for instant communication or the ability to work on things. A person doesn’t have to be in the office to get things done.
“The President shouldn’t be going anywhere!”
“We need jobs now, not in 2016!”
This one is truly the most ignorant of all. From the very moment a country is awarded the hosting of a future Olympic event, jobs are instantly created. Sales, marketing, construction, management, designers, infrastructure, entertainers, artists, musicians, food vendors, and on and on. Many of the jobs are of the white collar and better paying variety too. Jobs are created immediately, and something on the scale of the Olympics isn’t thrown together in a fortnight.
Personally, I hope Chicago does get the Olympics. I still think it’s awesome for a country to get to host them. Additionally, if Chicago gets the Olympics, we’re going. It may be the only chance in our lives we’ll get to experience them in person, and it’s a wonderful excuse to spend some time in Chicago. So, I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
Footnotes- † All arguments paraphrased, because I can’t be bothered to quote a bunch of ignorant people nattering ignorantly. [↩]