by: Allen Domelle
On Friday, December 6, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent, Jonathan Karl asked Jay Carney, the President’s Press Secretary, if they considered healthcare.gov a “Mission Accomplished.”
Karl asked, “In terms of the goals you set for this moment, in terms of the website being functional for the vast majority of users, is it Mission Accomplished?”
Carney tried to ignore the question by saying that there were vast improvements to the website and that they have passed “an important milestone in that effort.”
Karl continued to press Carney for a solid answer by asking, “Very clearly, in terms of the goal that you set for this moment in time, is it Mission Accomplished?”
Carney finally replied by saying, “That phrase is not one that I would employ. We were able to make the necessary improvements to the website so that the vast majority of Americans who use the website can have an experience in which the website functions effectively. It does not mean, as I said in November and October, it does not mean that there will be no problems with the website going forward. That does not even occur on the most highly functional private sector website. What it does mean is that we have made significant progress. We have made the improvements to the system that we hoped we could, and then more work continues.”
What is sad about this statement is that 1 in 10 Americans who signed up for Obamacare will not have insurance come January 1, 2014. I question, is that “significant progress?” Has America become a nation of mediocrity instead of excellence. To accept a website function “effectively” and not completely functional is mediocrity. Satisfied with “significant progress” is not excellence. Has this President lowered the standard of excellence that America has always strived to achieve? What a tragedy that this President has lowered the standard of excellence all to keep his chief legislative achievement with his namesake in tact.
No nation should ever accept mediocrity. Every person who holds office should be held to the level of excellence. Anything less than excellence should be unacceptable. We don’t elect public officials so that we can have a mediocre nation.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” God expects us to do our best in everything. Like my mother used to tell me, you may not have much money, but you can always do the best with what you have.
Americans should not accept anything less than excellence from our public officials. We should never lower the standard of excellence to mediocrity. To settle for mediocrity should cause every American to call their representatives and demand better.
Furthermore, as a Christian you should never settle for mediocrity. God expects you to do the best with what you have. As a parent, you should never accept mediocrity from your children. As an employee, you should always strive for excellence on the job. As a Christian, you should strive for excellence in all that you do for Christ. Anything less than our best is unacceptable. Don’t ever be guilty of lowering the standard of excellence to mediocrity. Always keep the standard of excellence the goal for what you strive. If you don’t meet it, then raise your efforts to achieve excellence.
Allen Domelle is the editor of the Old Paths Journal which is more than just a Christian’s publication. It is an excellent place to learn how today’s headlines will forge tomorrow’s laws and statutes. Keep yourself in tune with what is happening around the world, as well as in your own backyard with our daily updates and devotionals.