Obama's 10 Best

Sub specie aeternitatis, is a Latin philosophical term loosely defined ‘as from the objective point of view’ or ‘God’s point of view’.  While use of this philosophical term dates to Spinoza it is most recently understood (in contemporary terms) as the ‘Republican’ point of view.

Contrasting this with the human point of view Sub specie humanitatus, I offer in the parlance of David Letterman, the Top 10 Major Accomplishments of President Obama (in my opinion), which do not exist from God’s (the Republican) point of view.  And since I and most of you that read this are human beings and are capable, only, of understanding from the human perspective, these matter.

Unlike Letterman, I offer these in no order of importance but they may be viewed broadly as encompassing 3 categories understood by human beings; social, economic, and foreign policy (the numbers are merely for count).

1.            Renewing aid to Israel, while at the same time pressuring them not to strike Iran.

2.            Caught more Taliban Leaders in one month than Bush/Cheney did in six years (Daily Koz)

3.            Under President Obama’s direction our Seal Team caught and killed Osama Ben Laden

4.            Under President Obama’s direction our Seal Team freed a U.S. captain while killing 3 terrorists.

5.            Patient Protection and Affordable Care hopefully even those with the capability of seeing the world sub specie aeternitatis will come to understand that all people need access to healthcare. 

(It should be noted that so far God seems to be interested in repealing the effort and legislation).

6.            Extending Unemployment benefits so that those most in need, at least for a period of time, do not fall through the cracks.

7.            President Obama helped to facilitate an environment in which the private sector has created millions of new jobs according to the CBO despite protestations to the contrary by those with ‘objective vision’, while reducing the size of Government at the same time.

8.            Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 makes it possible for many who wish to improve their lot in life to do so through education.  Education appears to be unimportant because of its leading to elitists like the President.  This, by individuals with ‘objective vision’ who have undergraduate, graduate, and law degrees.

9.            The President put the weight of his office behind The Hate Crimes Prevention Act.  No doubt with the support of God.

10.          Appointed Hilary Clinton Secretary of State, whose travel and leadership along with the President’s, has lead to a much improved view of The United States by the rest of the world.  Certainly those who view the world from the perspective of sub specie aeternitatis would wish what they know to be goodness be understood by those of us with less perfect vision.

Those of us who do not have the capacity of perfectly objective vision wake up each morning and in the words of a friend “thank the Gods that Obama is president”.

Comments are appreciated.
sfb