The president finally came to the San Joaquin Valley Monday, although not to learn more about or provide solutions for our high unemployment and foreclosure rates. Instead, President Obama stopped by to dedicate the César E. Chávez National Monument, honoring the founder of the United Farm Workers. The establishment of the monument was tied in with the 50th anniversary of the UFW, but his appearance was decidedly political. The valley stop was sandwiched between fund-raising gigs in Southern California and San Francisco. The next president, whether it's Obama or Mitt Romney, needs to spend more time in the valley and get to understand our problems and contributions.