The State of the Union Address

I wrestled with how I wanted to blog on last Wednesday's State of the Union address. There was so much to comment on that I could write for weeks. So instead, I have decided to tell an old joke that came to mind as I listened to Obama. Sorry if you have heard it before.

The reigns of leadership of a large company were being passed from a fired CEO to his replacement. The two met briefly just before the new CEO moved into the stately mahogany-trimmed corner office. The departing CEO handed the new CEO three envelopes. He told the new CEO to open one envelope when he gets into a jam and doesn't know what to do next.

In the business environment, things happen very fast so it was not long until the new CEO faced his first challenge and was at a loss on how to proceed. Remembering the envelopes he had tucked safely into his desk, he removed the first and opened it up. Inside he found a handwritten note that simply said "Blame your predecessor". He used the advice and found that his excuse was accepted by the shareholders.

A few weeks later, the CEO found himself in a new jam and pulled out the second envelope. Inside, another hand written note simply stated "Blame your staff". He again used the advice and found the excuse was was again accepted. The CEO thought to himself that he was really getting the hang of his new leadership role. The advice he was getting from the old CEO was really helping him work out of tough situations.

It was not long before the CEO found himself in another difficult situation, so he opened the third and last envelope. Inside the handwritten note said "Get three envelopes".

Obama's blame Bush, blame Congress and the Supreme Court act is getting old. It may be time for him to get 3 envelopes.