Hi all; as most of you know, I am Black, African America, Negro, whatever you desire to call me...you can call me Tom if you like. I love this country dearly. Last night, I listened intently to the President's speech. Though I didn't vote for him, I still respect, admire, and support him; that is our duty as citizens...we may not like the President, or agree with him/her, but we should still try to support them if we can. I didn't like President Bush, but I still supported him (but deep inside hastened his exit out of office), but I still supported him. In my opinion, since President Obama took Office, he has been trying extremely hard to get our country back on track. He inherited a blunt "mess" from President Bush. I firmly believe if someone else had been elected, they would have taken the same road towards staving off a depression and economic collapse and disaster; if they would not have taken that same course of action, I firmly believe America would now resemble a third world country. What irks me is this; it seems that everything he does is either shot down or blocked for no smart, intelligent, or frank reason. Whether we, or others in the political arena or circle in Washington disagree with the President, we still must stand behind him, support him, and just "DO IT" as we used to say in the military because our country is hanging by a fine slim thread financially, economically, spiritually, America is not doing very well at all. Those in Washington need to throw away and dismiss their egos, selfishness, and other adverse emotions and personalities and support the President lock, stock and barrel; but something tells me this will not happen. I won't rant and rave no more but in closing I will say this, and this is only MY OPINION. If America does not unite together to hopefully get our country back on track, we are headed for a short hard fall; it will be hard, and it will be sudden. We will not recover as in the past. After we fall, we can try as hard as we can to come together but it will be too late; we need to do what needs to be done now before things careen out of control. If America does not support the President, and the bickering, selfishness, and egotistical behaviors continue up in Washington, deep in my heart, and I shouldn't say this but I will, I hope America does fall; maybe then we will really and truly realize what we had and then lost it because of our idiocy and stupidity.
"HU"
I'm your huckleberry:
He is more of the same, as it pertains to the previous administration. With the exception, of course, that he can speak without making a person cringe.
Lip service by any other name, is lip service just the same.
(I just made that up)
I disagree "buckethead," in all due respect. And the actions of your post mirror the way the feelings and attidudes are in Washington and pretty much around the nation...this is not the time to have those type attitudes...he is trying, give him something, as a citizen, to help him instead of negativeness; in all due respect.
And...I don't care if the President was purple, with pink poka dots...if they are trying to get this country back on track, I am behind them, and this is what this man is doing.
Again, I am not bashing you, but giving you MY opinion, "in all due respect."
Thanks. "HU"
I get the feeling that the country is in much worse shape than most Americans know or are even aware of. Washington really needs to band together to get our country back on track or a surprise is waiting for us that we cannot fathom or ward away with a ransom.
"HU"
My opinion is that he is the worst kind of politician. Everything he's done or promoted, TARP, Simulus, Healthcare, Cap and Trade has been designed primarily to centralize power in Washington, shovel money to public and private unions, and build permanent Democratic Party constituencies.
No doubt... a bit puzzled by the lack of a giant tax increase on "the rich" to regain all they plundered during those dark years...
I'm so tired of hearing what he inherited from the 'last administration'
If it was too much then you shouldn't have run for office... just like begging for bipartisan support... then blame, scold and take shots at the party you want to unite with :-\
TARP was passed during the lame duck last couple of months of the Bush administration and has been administered mostly by Obama's Treasury Secretary, Geithner. Mark to market accounting changes and SEC enforcement of the uptick short-selling rule could have pulled these banks from the brink, but Obama and Geithner chose to buy preferred stock in the banks instead, because that gave them more control. Now that most of the big banks re-capitalized and have paid back TARP money, Obama now resorts to threatening them with punitive taxes and regulations to get them to do what he wants.
Geithner and Obama also used TARP to take control of GM and Chrysler. Talk about scope creep.
Obama has been president for a year and the Dems have controlled congress since 2006. Time for them to take some responsibility. I don't remember the economy ever being this bad.
All I'm saying Stephen is we heard the criticisms about Bush's "tax cuts for the rich". Why are we not trying to get that ill gained plunder back?
Quote from: JMac on January 28, 2010, 10:25:44 AM
TARP was passed during the lame duck last couple of months of the Bush administration...
Did I not write that?
The Republicans aren't without blame, but the repeal of Glass Steagle didn't cause this problem as much as the existence of the Community Reinvestment Act, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Alan Greenspan's low interest rates.
QuoteSo there wasnt a president when TARP passed?,extended and expanded?
And he wasnt Republican?Democrat?
And his name wasnt George W. Bush?Barak H. Obama?
So by this logic Obama is responsible for what occured on his watch...
right?
And now, instead of actually you know, trying to help the economy, Obama and the Dems decided they would just shovel billions of dollars to State Governments and teachers unions and hold on to the rest of the fund to buy off votes as needed.
Exactly Stephen... That is why it is perplexing Mr Obama is not proposing to get back all that money from "the rich".
Okay, let's try tax cuts and see what happens.
Soooo... If tax cuts caused this then _________ will fix it ... right?
While we're at it, scrap Health Care Reform, Cap and Trade and Card Check, repeal Sarbanes Oxley and roll back the last minimum wage increase.
Obama said several things that got applause from both sides of the aisle.
1. Federal government spending freeze starting next year.
2. Focus on jobs creation.
3. Nuclear, natural gas, wind, and solar power research and implementation.
4. Anything patriotic sounding.
Anything else?
For anyone that missed the speech:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/player.swf?file=http://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/2010/January/012710_StateoftheUnion.m4v&path_to_plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins&path_to_player=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player&skin=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/all/modules/swftools/shared/flash_media_player/skins/EOP_skin.swf&captions_url=&image=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/audio-video/video_thumbnail/SOTU-2.jpg&controlbar=bottom&frontcolor=AAAAAA&plugins=http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins/privacy/privacy,http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins/hat/hat,http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins/share/share,http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/modules/wh_multimedia/wh_jwplayer/plugins/captions/captions&captions.file=
Quote from: stephendare on January 28, 2010, 11:09:53 AM
Quote from: JMac on January 28, 2010, 10:50:52 AM
While we're at it, scrap Health Care Reform, Cap and Trade and Card Check, repeal Sarbanes Oxley and roll back the last minimum wage increase.
Well that outta get the prosperity wheels a rollin' full tilt!
Then we could just do without government altogether, and start sellin the womenfolk and children overseas.
Jmac, hope you got a kidney or two you can part with for a good price.
We might not be able to stand much more of this 'conservative prosperity'.
So I guess if you had a small business and were hit with more regulations and taxes, higher minimum wage requirements, unionized employees and more health insurance costs, you would tend to hire more employees?
Quote from: Lunican on January 28, 2010, 10:51:20 AM
Obama said several things that got applause from both sides of the aisle.
1. Federal government spending freeze starting next year.
2. Focus on jobs creation.
3. Nuclear, natural gas, wind, and solar power research and implementation.
4. Anything patriotic sounding.
Anything else?
As usual the voice of reason. I opposed Obama like I had never opposed a presidential candidate before....that being said I am not totally unhappy with his presidency thus far, he has not really done anything to be unhappy or happy about- that about sums it up for me....
The President, as always, gave a good speech but I question his ability to deliver a true center-left agenda for a center-right country that brokers real compromise between the best ideas of both parties, I've heard the Prez call for increased construction of nuclear power plants and more exploratory off-shore drilling before but it is the environmental wing of his party blocking true reform in comprehensive energy policy. I've heard him call for Republican ideas on health care reform before but cross-state competition and TORT reform are DOA with the left due to the special interests bankrolling the Democratic Party. The Democrats control everything and they can't pass anything of meaningful substance. In my lifetime, we've had the Democratic Party control the executive and legislative branches (Johnson, Carter, Clinton, Obama), we've had the Republican Party control them (Bush 43), we've had the Democrats control Congress and Republicans the Presidency (Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush 41 and 43) and it seems the system worked best when the Republicans controlled Congress and the Democrats the Presidency (Clinton). This is the ONLY way Democrats will accept true bipartisanship, when the other party controls the purse strings. Bipartisanship is compromise between two opposing sides, not the left definition of one side abandoning their principles under the cloak of compromise ("agree with us and then we'll be bipartisan"). I think the best thing for President Obama's legacy and this country's future would be to switch the control of Congress back to the Republicans. Then maybe President Obama and the Republican congressional leaders can really get something done TOGETHER. Unfortunately, that means the next year will be a lost year in the US Congress.
Quote from: Shwaz on January 28, 2010, 10:23:37 AM
I'm so tired of hearing what he inherited from the 'last administration'
If it was too much then you shouldn't have run for office... just like begging for bipartisan support... then blame, scold and take shots at the party you want to unite with :-\
My sentiments exactly!! He took pot shots at everyone last night. The conservatives, the supreme court, the military (sort of). You can blame a lot on the last regime (lets be honest, they weren't awesome), but own up that you aren't our savior yet.
QuoteThis Republic should never have been put into the position of ever having needed a savior.
Exactly what we don't need. Ameican businesses, especially small business, need less regulations and less tax burdens, especially at this time. Although I know he is not capable, the "savior" needs to shut up, provide incentives, and leave the people who have actually run businesses in the pursuit of profit and survival relatively alone.
Quote from: stephendare on January 28, 2010, 01:31:32 PM
This Republic should never have been put into the position of ever having needed a savior.
Gotcha... so we can look back at the current administration and say it was just too much for them to handle.
Quote from: Shwaz on January 28, 2010, 10:23:37 AM
I'm so tired of hearing what he inherited from the 'last administration'
It matters who caused the problem and why because if we do not understand the causes we cannot fix the problem and it matters because any judgment of a politician's first year that does not take into account the inheritance he was bequeathed is impossible.
It matters because the most important fact in American politics is the worst presidency in modern times that preceded Obama.
Two failed, unwinnable wars that continue to destroy lives and cripple our finances, a massive splurge in entitlement and discretionary spending, a huge increase in defense spending and massive tax cuts: this we now have to forget? This context should be removed from the picture?
It matters too because the very people who gave us this mess are now adamantly refusing to do anything to get us out of it, and pledge to return to exactly the same policies that got us there in the first place: more tax cuts, more war, more entitlement spending, more debt, no health insurance reform, no action on climate change.
Quote from: finehoe on January 28, 2010, 03:18:18 PM
Quote from: Shwaz on January 28, 2010, 10:23:37 AM
I'm so tired of hearing what he inherited from the 'last administration'
It matters who caused the problem and why because if we do not understand the causes we cannot fix the problem and it matters because any judgment of a politician's first year that does not take into account the inheritance he was bequeathed is impossible.
It matters because the most important fact in American politics is the worst presidency in modern times that preceded Obama.
Two failed, unwinnable wars that continue to destroy lives and cripple our finances, a massive splurge in entitlement and discretionary spending, a huge increase in defense spending and massive tax cuts: this we now have to forget? This context should be removed from the picture?
It matters too because the very people who gave us this mess are now adamantly refusing to do anything to get us out of it, and pledge to return to exactly the same policies that got us there in the first place: more tax cuts, more war, more entitlement spending, more debt, no health insurance reform, no action on climate change.
Quote from: Shwaz on January 28, 2010, 02:40:42 PM
Gotcha... so we can look back at the current administration and say it was just too much for them to handle.
To much for them to clean up in the first year would be fair.
I respect President Obama as much as I respect any other president. I pay very little attention to what a politician says and very close attention to what he/she does. I see very little difference between what President Obama has done and what President GW Bush did.
Well one big thing he hasn't started any wars.
^^Maybe not, but he doubled down in Afghanistan.
The speech was more of a "dog and pony show" in my eyes.
I'd love to see him do what he says and be the miracle president, but I have battlefield patience so I will reserve final act.
Quote from: urbanlibertarian on January 28, 2010, 06:58:34 PM
^^Maybe not, but he doubled down in Afghanistan.
Shipping troops from Iraq to Afghanistan
Quote from: stephendare on January 28, 2010, 10:02:40 AM
Quote from: JMac on January 28, 2010, 09:59:03 AM
My opinion is that he is the worst kind of politician. Everything he's done or promoted, TARP, Simulus, Healthcare, Cap and Trade has been designed primarily to centralize power in Washington, shovel money to public and private unions, and build permanent Democratic Party constituencies.
Um, the Bush Administration passed TARP, incidentally.
And it would be more correct to say that everything he has done so far has been to alleviate the public ass pumping delivered to the american people and economy by 14 years of republican rule.
"PUBLIC ASS PUMPING?" LOL, I'll have to remember that term...I like that. Thanx Stephendare. Reminds me of when I first heard the term "POMPOUS ASS."
"HU"
Quote from: Shwaz on January 28, 2010, 10:23:37 AM
I'm so tired of hearing what he inherited from the 'last administration'
If it was too much then you shouldn't have run for office... just like begging for bipartisan support... then blame, scold and take shots at the party you want to unite with :-\
The reason why he reminds everyone of what he inherited Shwaz is because most oft it appears people are blaming him for the condition that the country is now in. He is trying to do his best to improve the economic and financial condition of the country, and, he cannot wave a magic wand, it will take time; everyone (mostly Republicans) seem to iterate that he's doing very little to nothing and this is further than the truth; if that was the truth, we'd resemble a third world country economically and financially right now. Give the man a chance.
"HU"
Don't blame Obama. Blame all Democrats and Republicans equally.
Quote from: stephendare on January 28, 2010, 01:31:32 PM
This Republic should never have been put into the position of ever having needed a savior.
THANK YOU STEPHENDARE! I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY; So in essence, all of our politicians are to blame for the condition that we are in, from the past up to the present. We should never put ourselves into these type positions and/or scenarios, with our pants down, and then we can't pull them back up!
"HU"
Quote from: Shwaz on January 28, 2010, 02:40:42 PM
Quote from: stephendare on January 28, 2010, 01:31:32 PM
This Republic should never have been put into the position of ever having needed a savior.
Gotcha... so we can look back at the current administration and say it was just too much for them to handle.
That's not what Stephen is saying shwaz; read my previous post. All of our politicians and administrations, past up to the future are to blame, and, Obama is having to clean up THEIR mess; he knew what he was getting into and I believe if he felt he was not up to the task, he would not have run for President.
"HU"
Congress needs term limits.
That could help solve some messes.
Congress needs term limits? They cannot even agree on campaign reform. What a joke?!
Change for the sake of Change is not enough, Massachusetts voters said so.
Quote from: heights unknown on January 28, 2010, 07:36:55 PM
Quote from: Shwaz on January 28, 2010, 02:40:42 PM
Quote from: stephendare on January 28, 2010, 01:31:32 PM
This Republic should never have been put into the position of ever having needed a savior.
Gotcha... so we can look back at the current administration and say it was just too much for them to handle.
That's not what Stephen is saying shwaz; read my previous post. All of our politicians and administrations, past up to the future are to blame, and, Obama is having to clean up THEIR mess; he knew what he was getting into and I believe if he felt he was not up to the task, he would not have run for President.
"HU"
Now you're reminding me. hahaha
It is true that Obama inherited a mess but the current housing problems had its roots all the way back to prez Carter
Democrats and Republicans....
Same Crap, Different Pile.
Quote from: stephendare on January 28, 2010, 10:39:50 AM
Quote from: JMac on January 28, 2010, 10:36:09 AM
And now, instead of actually you know, trying to help the economy, Obama and the Dems decided they would just shovel billions of dollars to State Governments and teachers unions and hold on to the rest of the fund to buy off votes as needed.
because 10 million more foreclosed homes and 40 million people without a place to live would help the economy?
Hey JMac! Maybe we should try some more of them thar tax cuts!
They gots what Prosperity craves! They gots electrolytes!
YOU STOLE THAT!!!
I'm thinking that a uniform tax on consumption coupled with repealing the 16Th and 17Th amendments would disallow Congress to pass tax favors which lend unfair advantage to major political contributors.
A Congressperson's job is to grant tax favors, to enact competition stifling regulations and granting governmet contracts/handouts.
A uniform consumption tax eliminates the biggest portion of the problem. It would also promote conservation of natural resources (go Green. baby!), personal savings and private investment. Term limits would solve much of the rest.
It is truly a shame that no one will ever consider such. If only we had something like a tax on consumption being sponsored in Congress...
For the Tri-Fecta:
Biden? what a dunce
Pelosi?.......I'd hit it!
QuotePelosi?.......I'd hit it!
Argh.............. :-X :P
^^All women are beautiful!
Quote from: buckethead on January 29, 2010, 03:11:50 PM
It is truly a shame that no one will ever consider such. If only we had something like a tax on consumption being sponsored in Congress...
If only we had some sort of a grass roots campaign supporting this mythic bill....Wow that would be something.
QuotePelosi?.......I'd hit it!
She is the lady in red, congresswoman style.
The President probably wishes he would have put his speech off a few days until the great news of the 4th quarter came out.
I would agree there, but it would not change my opinion of the speech in general.
I was recently charmed by a speech he offered on Health Care reform. A few weeks later Congress offered up a bill which mandated private citizens to puchase health insurance from private corporations or face fines, moving to imprisonment for failure to comply.
I remain cynical.
Cynical concerning lofty speeches by eloquent politicians. I would support single payor sooner that the mandate Congress is trying to pull.
Collusion is a criminal offense, except when allowed by Congress. Reform is needed, but not in the form of 100% guaranteed market share for private insurers.
I do want President Obama to be an effective, centrist leader but I'm just not seeing it.
True, and I disagree with many Liberal positions. It is my right to think how I will, regardless whether other see me as misguided.
Actually I consider myself more "liberal" than President Obama:
Liberty:
•autonomy: immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence
•freedom of choice; "liberty of opinion"; "liberty of worship"; "liberty--perfect liberty--to think or feel or do just as one pleases"; "at liberty to choose whatever occupation one wishes"
•personal freedom from servitude or confinement or oppression
How do you feel about the current health care reform legislation?
I don't see where the Republicans have had much input other than to obstruct the Democrats. Republicans desire the status quo to continue.
I must admit, I do not frequent Daily Kos so I might be missing something. ;)
(How many times does buckethead type the word "I" in a paragraph?)
I need to run for office.
The current plan appears to have been crafted without any Rep input, in closed door sessions with the existing insurance players. Hence the rising stock prices of those insurers. I believe that is why the public is rejecting it. I don't see any new love for the Republicans here, just a rejection of the way the Dems did this bill. Obama lost a lot of credibility on this issue. (Because of Pelosi and Ried's poor leadership, but as the de facto leader, he must control his own party.)
The people do not want the current bills. Neither of them. Poll after poll shows that. Chop it up and start over... from the center this time.
Then vote it in... not sure what the hold up is... Better hurry though... the large marorities in the house and senate are likely to be a thing of the past after next election. :)
Unless the ecconmy keeps moving forward and starts to take the job market with it.
The economy is on an uptick despite government intervention, as is always the case.
In order to quell the dissent against this healthcare bill, there'd better be more than just a chicken in every pot.
The right hates it and the left hates it. Move left and more republican obstructionism is on the way. Move right and keep the status quo. It's a conundrum for the Democrats.
Quote from: urbanlibertarian on January 29, 2010, 06:50:26 PM
^^All women are beautiful!
I'd hit it too; as long as she opens the pocketbook or checkbook...and believe me, she's got the moula.
"HU"
P.S. - Just kidding y'all