I read in the New York Times today how former Bush White House chief of staff Andrew Card feels President Obama's dress code for the Oval Office shows a lack of respect.

If you haven't noticed, the new president has been photographed in recent days behind his
desk without his suit jacket on, in shirt sleeves and with his tie loosened.

Andrew Card points out Ronald Reagan, and both President Bushes, required a coat and tie in the Oval Office at all times. It was their way, Card says, of treating the Office of the Presidency with tremendous respect.

Here's my problem with all of this.

I really don't care what President Obama wears to work in the Oval Office. I never cared what Ronald Reagan wore to work. And when I was a struggling college student waiting in gas lines, and President Jimmy Carter addressed the nation from the Oval Office about the energy crisis in a cardigan sweater, I didn't mind that either.

Here's what I care about. As I surf the cable news shows, there is nothing but bad news and growing uncertainty about the economy.

Each day there are more reports of job losses and warnings there will be more bad economic news tomorrow.

The markets continue to struggle and consumer confidence is in the toilet. Some in the U.S. Senate is bitterly at odds with the president over the 900-billion dollar economic stimulus package to try and pull us out of this mess.

In millions of homes across this great land tonight, families are living with heavy burdens. How will we pay the mortgage? Will dad keep his job? What if we get a huge medical bill? Can we put a good face on all of this for the kids?

For me the bottom line is clear. There's work to do in this country, serious work. it's time to roll up our sleeves and do it.

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