Is Obama Wrong For Suggesting Accountability?

by Donna Maria

As the mother of two young children, I digested with great interest the speech President Obama delivered to a group of school children today. With the exception of a few FaceBook status updates indicating that some people disapprove of the speech, I decided not to read or listen to any commentary before sharing my own.

(If you are reading this post via RSS or email and cannot view the video, please click here. If you prefer to read the speech, you may do so here.)

I think the principles contained in the speech are exactly what every person, regardless of age or ethnicity, needs to hear, take to heart and act on. I cannot find anything in the speech that is in any way objectionable.

What’s All The Fuss?

The fact that there’s any controversy at all has me thinking, What’s wrong with accountability? Why not remind young people that life requires something of them; that success takes hard work? That they are responsible for their home work, even when they don’t see the point in doing it? That they can choose to respond to life’s challenges in ways that either minimize or intensify those challenges? What’s all the fuss?

Don’t get me wrong; I know that millions of American youngsters arrived at school hungry this morning, reside in broken homes and have limited positive role models. And I do not agree with everything President Obama is doing.

But I don’t think the points made in the speech are political issues. In fact, I think the speech could form the basis for an inspiring commencement address. I even wonder whether people like Tony Robbins, Joel Osteen or Stephen Covey would be criticized for delivering the same speech.

Life’s Tough, But …

Life is hard sometimes. It is painful and often terribly unfair. Shame on us that any child in this wealthy country of ours goes to school hungry or waits for a school bus in sub-zero temperatures without a warm coat.

But that’s no reason to abdicate our responsibility as parents and leaders to challenge them to rise above their circumstances. If we excuse ourselves from holding young people accountable, they will excuse themselves from being accountable.

Improvement is a Choice

No one is entitled to any particular standard of living, but a better life doesn’t just happen.

You may have to get up earlier or stay up later than everyone else.

You may have to take three steps backward in order to take one step forward.

You may have to mow lawns in extremely hot temperatures to save money for the car that can get you to the junior college, that will pave the way for the Bachelor’s degree.

You may have to humble yourself and ask someone to help you.

Until a youngster realizes that he is accountable, at least in part, for how his life turns out, he will forever blame everything and everyone else for any misfortune he experiences.

We must encourage young people to exercise these and other proactive options in order to achieve in life, especially if we are going to adequately prepare them for entrepreneurship — as we must.

The Heart of the Matter

I’m writing in the first person because I think it’s important to consider these as lessons in my own personal life.

Nothing anyone else does to or for me will matter unless I fulfill my responsibilities and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.
I never have an excuse for not trying.
I must develop my talents, skills and intellect so I can help solve my most difficult problems.
Success is hard. No one’s born being good at things. I become good at things through hard work.
What am I going to do to make a contribution?

I’m will take some time today to learn what others find objectionable about this speech. If I change my mind, I’ll let you know. Meanwhile –

Question: Did you read the above 5 points out loud and in the first person? If so, did it have an effect on you? Do you find any aspects of the speech objectionable? If so, which ones? What am I missing?

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Tagged as: accountability, education, entrepreneurship, obama, responsibility

posted on September 8, 2009 ·

Facebook comments:

http://www.soapourri.com/ Cindy

I thought it was a wonderful speech!
http://www.soapourri.com Cindy

I thought it was a wonderful speech!
Ruth

I really don't understand what all the fuss was about. The leader of our country takes the time to visit a school and encourage all students to do their best, and for this he gets criticized? My patience is really wearing thin with those on the other side of the political spectrum. They are starting to sound more and more like just bad losers who can't get over the fact that their guy lost. With all that energy used to find fault in everything the President does, they could be doing so much good.
Ruth

I really don't understand what all the fuss was about. The leader of our country takes the time to visit a school and encourage all students to do their best, and for this he gets criticized? My patience is really wearing thin with those on the other side of the political spectrum. They are starting to sound more and more like just bad losers who can't get over the fact that their guy lost. With all that energy used to find fault in everything the President does, they could be doing so much good.
http://www.vedasun.com/ Gina

Thanks for posting this video dM. I missed the Live speech so it was great to watch it.
I thought it was a wonderful speech as well.
http://www.vedasun.com Gina

Thanks for posting this video dM. I missed the Live speech so it was great to watch it.
I thought it was a wonderful speech as well.
http://www.bluemooncandles.com/ Lisa Kasper

From what I have read it seems like a good speech. I did not disagree with the topics.

That being said, I sacrifice A LOT financially to put my daughter in a private school that did not show the speech. If they had, I would NOT have opted my daughter out, but instead discussed it with her. (She is only 7 but smart and sassy with a good mind of her own already.)

We come from a very diverse family with many different political opinions, so she hears polite debate often, and on many topics which I hope will shape her into a girl that can think for herself. She plans to be a lawyer…lol *she IS good at arguing.*

I assume the main problem people have with the speech is simply the involvement-and I agree that for me less political/governmental involvement in my business and my life-the better.
However, I did not see that happening with this speech. I do prefer my kids be addressed while I am also present, and then we can discuss it from all sides. Perhaps that is why some parents were unwilling to allow it, because they were not there with their kids. But they can always address it at home. (We even discuss things on the Disney channel and Spongebob at my house-I think it helps Bella to understand and be able to ask questions…just my 50 cents <3

http://www.IndieBusinessBlog.com/ dM @ Indie Business

Thanks for sharing. For me, not looking at the commentary before I shared my own has been a double edged sword. One slice is good because I think I may have been able to see positive things about the speech itself that I might have missed had my reading been colored by outside discussions. Slicing things the other way, I did not realize that the main problems were not with the "get an education and work hard" message itself, but with other things.

My kids are getting to the age where more free flowing discussion of issues is tarting to happen. At the pre-school stage, things are somewhat simplified and all they know is pretty much what we tell them. School adds a whole newe dimension and some serious challenges. There's much to keep up with. Kudos to you for sacrificing for a private school. That is a real blessing!

http://www.bluemooncandles.com Lisa Kasper

From what I have read it seems like a good speech. I did not disagree with the topics.

That being said, I sacrifice A LOT financially to put my daughter in a private school that did not show the speech. If they had, I would NOT have opted my daughter out, but instead discussed it with her. (She is only 7 but smart and sassy with a good mind of her own already.)

We come from a very diverse family with many different political opinions, so she hears polite debate often, and on many topics which I hope will shape her into a girl that can think for herself. She plans to be a lawyer…lol *she IS good at arguing.*

I assume the main problem people have with the speech is simply the involvement-and I agree that for me less political/governmental involvement in my business and my life-the better.
However, I did not see that happening with this speech. I do prefer my kids be addressed while I am also present, and then we can discuss it from all sides. Perhaps that is why some parents were unwilling to allow it, because they were not there with their kids. But they can always address it at home. (We even discuss things on the Disney channel and Spongebob at my house-I think it helps Bella to understand and be able to ask questions…just my 50 cents <3

http://www.IndieBusinessBlog.com dM @ Indie Business

Thanks for sharing. For me, not looking at the commentary before I shared my own has been a double edged sword. One slice is good because I think I may have been able to see positive things about the speech itself that I might have missed had my reading been colored by outside discussions. Slicing things the other way, I did not realize that the main problems were not with the "get an education and work hard" message itself, but with other things.

My kids are getting to the age where more free flowing discussion of issues is tarting to happen. At the pre-school stage, things are somewhat simplified and all they know is pretty much what we tell them. School adds a whole newe dimension and some serious challenges. There's much to keep up with. Kudos to you for sacrificing for a private school. That is a real blessing!

http://www.awildsoapbar.com/ soap bartender

Of course he's not wrong. No sane rational person could object to the principles set forth in Obama's speech yesterday. I'll be the first to admit the speech was quite good. But the main opposition was not to what was actually said in the speech, but rather to the original lesson plans that were set forth with the tone of asking students what they could do to help the President further his agenda. Many parents and grandparents who do not agree with his big government philosophies (including myself) were alarmed by this and rightfully so. Once those ideas were abandoned by the administration and the actual text became known, it was clear to see that on the surface at least, the speech itself was perfectly harmless, even commendable. Most of the opposition was gone, although the media continued to blow things out of proportion and to bash the "right wing nut jobs", as usual.

Truth be known, there is nothing in our Constitution that gives the President or the federal government any authority in our public schools. They are to be governed by state and local officials. Period. So for me, I opposed the principle of this whole thing, not the actual message. Each time the President is allowed to broadcast messages to our school children, it becomes more acceptable for them to be involved in an area where they have no business being in the first place. As far as I'm concerned, the sooner we get the federal government out of our school system (and so many other areas of our lives that they have illegally intruded upon), the better!

My 10 year old granddaughter attends private school, and she had the option to see the speech or not. She was allowed to see the speech and the controversial issues surrounding it were discussed with her at home. So not everyone who was opposed to this kept their children at home. But thank goodness we live in a country where that's still an option! No one should be ridiculed for exercising their rights.

I'm absolutely thrilled that parents and grandparents are paying closer attention to what our government is saying and doing these days! It's going to take constant vigilance and informed voters if we ever hope to return our government to the free republic it once was. While sadly, there will always be some people that are motivated by racial hatred or political party lines, I believe that the vast majority of the American people who oppose this administration are NOT motivated by these things at all and it is unfair to keep holding them up as the only reasons someone might object.

For the most part the people who are in opposition are honest, hard working, well educated citizens like myself who understand that our freedoms are rapidly being eroded away and that our Constitution is being violated every single day. They're tired of big government stealing their hard earned money and their liberty and acting in ways that our founding fathers never intended.

I resent the simplistic notion that my deepest moral convictions and underlying beliefs are based on nothing more than the fact that I don't like black people or my guy lost and I'm a sore loser. This is an extreme insult because I am far too intelligent, fair, and open minded for that to be so. I'm not a right wing nut job. My precious perfect granddaughter is half black and I certainly didn't vote for McCain or Bush!

It's ironic that the President's speech focused on personal responsibility, yet his big government agenda promotes anything but!

It wasn't about the words. It never really was. We need to think above and beyond what lies on the surface. And yes …. pun intended.

ChaoticFat

And where was your voice 8 years ago when our government was invading countries in our name and leaving children behind with NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND. Where was all of the "my rights are being trampled on angst" when the last administration created "BIG GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS" without having the money to pay for it and borrowed from China and other countries until our economy simply imploded with DEBT. WHERE WAS YOUR VOICE THEN.

I'm insulted that this President isn't afforded the same respect as every other president before him. When was the last time you saw a citizen bring a semi automatic weapon to a presidential speech. I'm insulted that people are so ready to deny the blatant race bating that is going on.

Regardless of whether you voted for President Barack H. Obama or agree with his policies or not, show this man the respect he deserves because of the office he is holding. In four years you will have another opportunity to vote; but when American history is written about this time, I have a feeling that many will look back in shame.

http://www.IndieBusinessBlog.com/ dM @ Indie Business

While I have heard of people disrespecting Obama, the commenter you are replying to has not been one of them. We all feel very strongly about this matter and I enjoy creating a place where people can share without raising voices, and while remembering that civility can build bridges across multiple oceans.

Circling back to the entrepreneurship angle this speech touched upon, my mind has been opened to new ways of thinking and living that I never would have known had I not decided to own and manage a small business. Connecting with entrepreneurs regularly has given me a new appreciation for people who are not like me (at least not on the surface) and don't think like me. I've gotten to know them personally and over and over again, they greatly enrich my life.

This is an exciting and challenging time in our nation's history. It is not easy but it sure is interesting, and no one person's opinion is less worthy of respect than another's. I am not a big student of history, but I do hope I live long enough to be able to reflect on Obama's presidency with the benefit of the passage of time.

http://www.IndieBusinessBlog.com/ dM @ Indie Business

Thanks for sharing your heartfelt commitments and beliefs. It's one of the things I admire most about you! I didn't know about the materials he was planning to distribute and even without knowing what they were, I don't agree with such a practice either. I absolutely see the value of local control where public schools are concerned. Now that my kids attend one, I enjoy participating in the educational process as a integral part of involvement in my own community.

I'm supposing it's naive to think that a US president would make such a speech with an ulterior motive.

I'm sure my commentary, at least in part, has its genesis in seeing many inner city children (especially in my hometown of Washington, DC) surrender their futures because they can't fathom that they could actually have one. Lack of male leaders of color — people they can touch and relate to — is one of the causes in my opinion. Not having someone who looks like you to routinely insist that you account for your choices makes succeeding in life that much more difficult. Hearing a leader of color set the bar high is so refreshing to me for those reasons.

http://www.awildsoapbar.com/ soap bartender

>>>Hearing a leader of color set the bar high is so refreshing to me for those reasons.

Yes, I would have to agree with you wholeheartedly! And as you may remember, on his inauguration day, I sincerely congratulated him on my blog for his achievement as I too recognized that it was a momentous day in history for ALL Americans…. no matter the color of their skin. No doubt about it. )

http://www.awildsoapbar.com soap bartender

Of course he's not wrong. No sane rational person could object to the principles set forth in Obama's speech yesterday. I'll be the first to admit the speech was quite good. But the main opposition was not to what was actually said in the speech, but rather to the original lesson plans that were set forth with the tone of asking students what they could do to help the President further his agenda. Many parents and grandparents who do not agree with his big government philosophies (including myself) were alarmed by this and rightfully so. Once those ideas were abandoned by the administration and the actual text became known, it was clear to see that on the surface at least, the speech itself was perfectly harmless, even commendable. Most of the opposition was gone, although the media continued to blow things out of proportion and to bash the "right wing nut jobs", as usual.

Truth be known, there is nothing in our Constitution that gives the President or the federal government any authority in our public schools. They are to be governed by state and local officials. Period. So for me, I opposed the principle of this whole thing, not the actual message. Each time the President is allowed to broadcast messages to our school children, it becomes more acceptable for them to be involved in an area where they have no business being in the first place. As far as I'm concerned, the sooner we get the federal government out of our school system (and so many other areas of our lives that they have illegally intruded upon), the better!

My 10 year old granddaughter attends private school, and she had the option to see the speech or not. She was allowed to see the speech and the controversial issues surrounding it were discussed with her at home. So not everyone who was opposed to this kept their children at home. But thank goodness we live in a country where that's still an option! No one should be ridiculed for exercising their rights.

I'm absolutely thrilled that parents and grandparents are paying closer attention to what our government is saying and doing these days! It's going to take constant vigilance and informed voters if we ever hope to return our government to the free republic it once was. While sadly, there will always be some people that are motivated by racial hatred or political party lines, I believe that the vast majority of the American people who oppose this administration are NOT motivated by these things at all and it is unfair to keep holding them up as the only reasons someone might object.

For the most part the people who are in opposition are honest, hard working, well educated citizens like myself who understand that our freedoms are rapidly being eroded away and that our Constitution is being violated every single day. They're tired of big government stealing their hard earned money and their liberty and acting in ways that our founding fathers never intended.

I resent the simplistic notion that my deepest moral convictions and underlying beliefs are based on nothing more than the fact that I don't like black people or my guy lost and I'm a sore loser. This is an extreme insult because I am far too intelligent, fair, and open minded for that to be so. I'm not a right wing nut job. My precious perfect granddaughter is half black and I certainly didn't vote for McCain or Bush!

It's ironic that the President's speech focused on personal responsibility, yet his big government agenda promotes anything but!

It wasn't about the words. It never really was. We need to think above and beyond what lies on the surface. And yes …. pun intended.

ChaoticFat

And where was your voice 8 years ago when our government was invading countries in our name and leaving children behind with NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND. Where was all of the "my rights are being trampled on angst" when the last administration created "BIG GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS" without having the money to pay for it and borrowed from China and other countries until our economy simply imploded with DEBT. WHERE WAS YOUR VOICE THEN.

I'm insulted that this President isn't afforded the same respect as every other president before him. When was the last time you saw a citizen bring a semi automatic weapon to a presidential speech. I'm insulted that people are so ready to deny the blatant race bating that is going on.

Regardless of whether you voted for President Barack H. Obama or agree with his policies or not, show this man the respect he deserves because of the office he is holding. In four years you will have another opportunity to vote; but when American history is written about this time, I have a feeling that many will look back in shame.

http://www.IndieBusinessBlog.com dM @ Indie Business

While I have heard of people disrespecting Obama, the commenter you are replying to has not been one of them. We all feel very strongly about this matter and I enjoy creating a place where people can share without raising voices, and while remembering that civility can build bridges across multiple oceans.

Circling back to the entrepreneurship angle this speech touched upon, my mind has been opened to new ways of thinking and living that I never would have known had I not decided to own and manage a small business. Connecting with entrepreneurs regularly has given me a new appreciation for people who are not like me (at least not on the surface) and don't think like me. I've gotten to know them personally and over and over again, they greatly enrich my life.

This is an exciting and challenging time in our nation's history. It is not easy but it sure is interesting, and no one person's opinion is less worthy of respect than another's. I am not a big student of history, but I do hope I live long enough to be able to reflect on Obama's presidency with the benefit of the passage of time.

http://www.IndieBusinessBlog.com dM @ Indie Business

Thanks for sharing your heartfelt commitments and beliefs. It's one of the things I admire most about you! I didn't know about the materials he was planning to distribute and even without knowing what they were, I don't agree with such a practice either. I absolutely see the value of local control where public schools are concerned. Now that my kids attend one, I enjoy participating in the educational process as a integral part of involvement in my own community.

I'm supposing it's naive to think that a US president would make such a speech with an ulterior motive.

I'm sure my commentary, at least in part, has its genesis in seeing many inner city children (especially in my hometown of Washington, DC) surrender their futures because they can't fathom that they could actually have one. Lack of male leaders of color — people they can touch and relate to — is one of the causes in my opinion. Not having someone who looks like you to routinely insist that you account for your choices makes succeeding in life that much more difficult. Hearing a leader of color set the bar high is so refreshing to me for those reasons.

http://www.awildsoapbar.com soap bartender

>>>Hearing a leader of color set the bar high is so refreshing to me for those reasons.

Yes, I would have to agree with you wholeheartedly! And as you may remember, on his inauguration day, I sincerely congratulated him on my blog for his achievement as I too recognized that it was a momentous day in history for ALL Americans…. no matter the color of their skin. No doubt about it. )

Jo Ann Diaz

DM – love your commentary on this speech. # 3 is my new mantra…
"I must develop my talents, skills and intellect so I can help solve my most difficult problems.'
Brilliant…Jo Ann

http://www.IndieBusinessBlog.com/ dM @ Indie Business

That resonated with me too. We all have problems and it's empowering to know that we are all equipped with talents, smarts and skills that can help us solve them. That's one reason I enjoy small business ownership. Because I get to see people solve problems all the time. I see people do the "impossible" on a routine basis. Being surrounded by that kind of tenacity helps me aim higher too.
http://www.sinfullysweetsoap.com/ sindy

From your laptop to the American Publics ears~ I'm so sick of hearing that it's someone else's job to fix this or that~ It is OUR job, the American People~ black, white, red, yellow, orange, or green~what ever color~ Color is just that, a color nothing more, nothing less~ it is each individuals job to do THEIR part, take care of themselves, their family, and IF possible and they can afford it, DONATE or SUPPORT other American Businesses~

Jo Ann Diaz

DM – love your commentary on this speech. # 3 is my new mantra…
"I must develop my talents, skills and intellect so I can help solve my most difficult problems.'
Brilliant…Jo Ann

http://www.IndieBusinessBlog.com dM @ Indie Business

That resonated with me too. We all have problems and it's empowering to know that we are all equipped with talents, smarts and skills that can help us solve them. That's one reason I enjoy small business ownership. Because I get to see people solve problems all the time. I see people do the "impossible" on a routine basis. Being surrounded by that kind of tenacity helps me aim higher too.
http://www.sinfullysweetsoap.com sindy

From your laptop to the American Publics ears~ I'm so sick of hearing that it's someone else's job to fix this or that~ It is OUR job, the American People~ black, white, red, yellow, orange, or green~what ever color~ Color is just that, a color nothing more, nothing less~ it is each individuals job to do THEIR part, take care of themselves, their family, and IF possible and they can afford it, DONATE or SUPPORT other American Businesses~

becky

Wow, very hot topic!
I educated myself by reading the text of the President's speech; no problem with his (writers') words, just that again he is presenting himself as a "father figure". Instead of speaking to the children, how about aiming it at the parents? The adults in the lives of our children are the source of encouragement,fundamental learning of social and life skills, motivation and respect. If anyone needs to be addressed, it is them! T hear local and national figures say that 'the children may not listen to their parents or teachers, but hey, he's the President, so they'll listen to him' is insulting to so many of us. Also, I find it very irritating for our President to tell us to wash our hands!! Not the first time he has brought this into a public speech; important information, yes, but please, other issues need to be addressed.

http://www.IndieBusinessBlog.com/ dM @ Indie Business

Ooooooh, you hit a nail on the head there. I agree that these kinds of messages (regardless of the messenger) shoud be supplements to us as parents, not substitutes. All too often, however, for so many youth in America, there are no responsible parents to supplement. No speech can remedy that. It's just very sad.

becky

Wow, very hot topic!
I educated myself by reading the text of the President's speech; no problem with his (writers') words, just that again he is presenting himself as a "father figure". Instead of speaking to the children, how about aiming it at the parents? The adults in the lives of our children are the source of encouragement,fundamental learning of social and life skills, motivation and respect. If anyone needs to be addressed, it is them! T hear local and national figures say that 'the children may not listen to their parents or teachers, but hey, he's the President, so they'll listen to him' is insulting to so many of us. Also, I find it very irritating for our President to tell us to wash our hands!! Not the first time he has brought this into a public speech; important information, yes, but please, other issues need to be addressed.

http://www.IndieBusinessBlog.com dM @ Indie Business

Ooooooh, you hit a nail on the head there. I agree that these kinds of messages (regardless of the messenger) shoud be supplements to us as parents, not substitutes. All too often, however, for so many youth in America, there are no responsible parents to supplement. No speech can remedy that. It's just very sad.

http://www.awildsoapbar.com/ soap bartender

Chaotic…my voice eight years ago was the same as it is today…..big corporate government get out of my life! I had the same lack of respect for the last few presidents as I do for our current one because they ALL led us down this path of ultimate destruction that we're on. Our country didn't reach a near state of collapse in a mere eight years or even 28 years. It's been going on since the creation of the Federal Reserve back in 1913. When our President starts adhering to the principles of freedom and justice this country was founded upon, then and ONLY then will he or she gain my respect. Respect is something that has to be earned.

http://www.IndieBusinessBlog.com/ dM @ Indie Business

Your last sentence makes me think of Tiger Woods and his dad. In an interview once, when Tiger's wife was pregnant with their first child, he told a reporter that his father reminded him frequently that he love him, and would continue to love him, no matter what. But respect, he said, was a different matter. "I will always love you, son, but you will have to earn my respect." I love that!

http://www.awildsoapbar.com soap bartender

Chaotic…my voice eight years ago was the same as it is today…..big corporate government get out of my life! I had the same lack of respect for the last few presidents as I do for our current one because they ALL led us down this path of ultimate destruction that we're on. Our country didn't reach a near state of collapse in a mere eight years or even 28 years. It's been going on since the creation of the Federal Reserve back in 1913. When our President starts adhering to the principles of freedom and justice this country was founded upon, then and ONLY then will he or she gain my respect. Respect is something that has to be earned.

http://www.IndieBusinessBlog.com dM @ Indie Business

Your last sentence makes me think of Tiger Woods and his dad. In an interview once, when Tiger's wife was pregnant with their first child, he told a reporter that his father reminded him frequently that he love him, and would continue to love him, no matter what. But respect, he said, was a different matter. "I will always love you, son, but you will have to earn my respect." I love that!