The election of Barack Obama is a historic event that has changed the face of our nation forever. I don’t think you’ll find anyone that will disagree with that, whatever their beliefs are. An African American president represents a shift, a societal growth that I believe is healthy for us as a nation. It doesn’t mean that there won’t be other firsts for the presidency. In my lifetime, I fully expect to see a woman, Native American, hispanic or other firsts for our nations highest office. Now for an observation which I think should be obvious, but doesn’t seem to be very popular these days; It seems to be taboo to talk to one another about the competency or skills of our current president. If you have made this observation yourself, have you asked yourself why this is? Have you looked inward and examined what your silent views about the situation are? How do you really feel about having an African American as the president? Does it matter to you? If you feel he isn’t doing his job right, are you afraid to let yourself think it because you wonder if that makes you a racist? Does political correctness pressure you into silence about the president’s performance for the same reason?

These are all valid, and important questions to be considered. We do a disservice to our fellow Americans if we aren’t willing to speak our minds about the issues surrounding the governing of our nation.

Race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and culture have nothing to do with a president’s ability to be an effective, competent leader, and that’s a fact. They also have nothing to do with the success or failures on the part of a president.

If a president is counting on using any of these factors to leverage power for their self, their administration, their party or their constituents, the  job is in the wrong hands and they have no business in the oval office.  This is not a pot shot at Mr. Obama. It’s a truth that applies to any president.

Now Mr. president, I have some harsh words for you.

It seems that president Obama is spending his time developing his status as a public celebrity to the exclusion of the more pressing issues facing our nation. He has a press secretary. His name is Robert Gibbs. Did you know that? It’s OK if you didn’t. It’s not immediately apparent and as a result, hardly common knowledge. How many times have you seen him presenting the voice of the president to the media on issues of substance? That’s his job description. How many times have you seen him behind a podium with the presidential seal on it?

Not a whole lot is my guess.

President Obama, you’ve had your interview, you got the job. You don’t have to campaign anymore. Now please take your job seriously. The nation is in trouble. Return to the White house, and leave the talk show circuit. You aren’t a comedian. You’re the President Of  The United States. Jay Lenno, 60 Minutes, and 20/20 will have to survive without you.

You have the appearance of a political amateur suffering from a really bad case of ego inflation. This is not the image that we as a nation can afford to present to the world. You actually said, “I’m the president, I can do anything I want”. Wow. What were you thinking? Don’t be arrogant Mr. president.

You need to get your priorities straight. Virtual town hall meetings and bad jokes are meaningless to the millions of people who are losing their jobs, their houses, and the money to buy groceries. Oh, and please give the Special Olympics a break.