Fun With Analogies

When Clinton was Captain of the Ship of State, it was smooth sailing. Even though, near the end of his stewardship, he pointed that sucker right at an iceberg. However, in an act of foresight if not courage, he left detailed instructions on how to avoid said iceberg.

Captain Bush burned those instructions, called for "full speed ahead," and hit the iceberg squarely, resulting in a giant gash in the ship. Rather than repair the damage, Bush then led his friends to the stateroom and began stealing the silverware.

Obama became captain on a platform of repairing the damage and getting the thieves out of the stateroom, but so far all he's managed to do is get about half the people on board to start bailing - using teacups. While the other half tell them they're doing it wrong.

Obama's second concern is more frustrating and far less likely to melt away: the impression that his Administration—and he personally—is anti-business.

At least on this day, business and the economy topped Obama's agenda. Twenty steps from the Oval Office, GE's (GE) Jeff Immelt, Honeywell's (HON) David Cote, and several other CEOs huddled with White House officials to provide industry input on climate change.

All things being equal, I'm more concerned with the gash in the ship than "industry input on climate change." Hey, Captain Barry... fix the damn gash in the damn ship.