Obama: Doing a good job?

[jwicklun]

I'm on the fence with Obama's politics, but does anyone on this site think he's doing a good job as president. Please discuss and respond.

[saysmydoctor]

Short answer: Not really.

[Praetor]

Dunno how to answer that question honestly. Not that it's a bad question, I'm just very torn.

[Machu505]

I think for the most part he is. However, he needs to improve substantially on LGBT issues and torture while using his bully pulpit on healthcare.

[jwicklun]

Yeah I'm really angry about the whole gay marriage issue. Dick Cheney even agrees with it. I'm still skeptic about healthcare though.

[saysmydoctor]

I see his clearly unconstitutional stances on the tribunals, the tripping over his feet concerning DOMA, and also the backtrack on releasing the torture photos to be the most mismanaged portion of his administration.

Sotomayor, however, was very presidential of him, I think that will probably be considered the success of his term.

[J.C.]

Your question is too broad, particularly this soon into his Presidency. It hasn't been long enough for his policies to have effects that you can point to as definitively positive or negative.

Refine the question a bit if there's something certain about his first 5 months that you want everyone to answer.

[BrennanHickson]

Yeah I'm really angry about the whole gay marriage issue. Dick Cheney even agrees with it. I'm still skeptic about healthcare though.
Dick only agrees with it because of his daughter.

[Praetor]

He needs to prosecute, prosecute, prosecute.

[Machu505]

Dick only agrees with it because of his daughter.
A lot of times, that's how it happens. The same goes for stem cell research.

See: Nancy Reagan

He needs to prosecute, prosecute, prosecute.
This, this, this.

[J.C.]

Yeah I'm really angry about the whole gay marriage issue. Dick Cheney even agrees with it. I'm still skeptic about healthcare though.

There are gay rights issues Obama needs to deal with, but gay marriage won't be one dealt with at the Presidential level. If anything, it'll come before the Supreme Court at some point and they'll rule on it.

[jwicklun]

Your question is too broad, particularly this soon into his Presidency. It hasn't been long enough for his policies to have effects that you can point to as definitively positive or negative.

Refine the question a bit if there's something certain about his first 5 months that you want everyone to answer.
Obama has been getting a lot of negative feedback, and I just wanted to see if there was anyone who thought he was doing any good, thats why my question is so broad. I mean, yeah it may still be too soon to be asking this, but it seems like a lot of people are listing as one of the worst presidents (people that I know).

[BrennanHickson]

A lot of times, that's how it happens. The same goes for stem cell research.

See: Nancy Reagan
McMahon is enough to sway me into supporting stem cell research.

[J.C.]

Obama has been getting a lot of negative feedback, and I just wanted to see if there was anyone who thought he was doing any good, thats why my question is so broad.

He's gotten criticized and has deserved it(the legitimate criticisms you hear, not most of the garbage Republicans generally spew). There's nothing unprecedented about that, particularly since he entered office with some of the highest expectations of any President in our country's history. And that's how it should be. Though he's personally popular, that doesn't excuse him from not following through on the issues that got him elected and he should be kept in check.

If you're looking for some positive things that can be judged fairly in-the-moment, you'd probably have to look towards the foreign policy front. I definitely think that's been where he's been most effective so far.


I mean, yeah it may still be too soon to be asking this, but it seems like a lot of people are listing as one of the worst presidents (people that I know).

Obama? :-|

[Machu505]

McMahon is enough to sway me into supporting stem cell research.
Though I don't like his music, that doesn't mean I want him to die. I can see where you're coming from.

[WarpSpeedChewy]

I would say he's doing a good job where he needs to be doing a great one. I think his Foreign Policy has been effective and mostly in the right direction. Economically he doesn't go far enough though he's somewhat stabilized the banks and tried dealing with the car companies. Domestic policies haven't gone far enough either but I'm willing to be patience on that. He and his administration have handled a lot of big problems well though.

J.C. is completely right though that it's still way too early to completely judge his policies yet. Important to keep in mind a lot of things are still currently in the works.

[SlappedActor]

Too early to really judge yet, but in the short run, I'm fairly disappointed.

[jwicklun]

He's gotten criticized and has deserved it(the legitimate criticisms you hear, not most of the garbage Republicans generally spew). There's nothing unprecedented about that, particularly since he entered office with some of the highest expectations of any President in our country's history. And that's how it should be. Though he's personally popular, that doesn't excuse him from not following through on the issues that got him elected and he should be kept in check.

If you're looking for some positive things that can be judged fairly in-the-moment, you'd probably have to look towards the foreign policy front. I definitely think that's been where he's been most effective so far.




Obama? :-|
I'm critical of him too, and I just think he's doing an OK job not good, not great. I was just looking through my facebook, and there was a lot of the "Top 5 worst Presidents" applications, and most of my friends had listed Obama as being #1. I thought it was too soon for people to be stating this, but I it was very interesting nonetheless. Most AP political forums usually lean liberal, so I just wanted to their take on how the president is doing, compared to most of my friends who state themselves as being conservative. I'm paying much more attention to politics now, but it makes me wonder, did Bush face this same mentality his first 6 months?

[Wildness774]

definitley not so far

[Machu505]

I'm critical of him too, and I just think he's doing an OK job not good, not great. I was just looking through my facebook, and there was a lot of the "Top 5 worst Presidents" applications, and most of my friends had listed Obama as being #1. I thought it was too soon for people to be stating this, but I it was very interesting nonetheless. Most AP political forums usually lean liberal, so I just wanted to their take on how the president is doing, compared to most of my friends who state themselves as being conservative. I'm paying much more attention to politics now, but it makes me wonder, did Bush face this same mentality his first 6 months?
So annoying. Everyone knows the list goes Bush, Reagan, Hoover, Buchanan, Harding.

[GeeBee]

So annoying. Everyone knows the list goes Bush, Reagan, Hoover, Buchanan, Harding.

I was gonna say...Reagan gets too easy a pass on EVERYTHING. There's a pretty wide consensus that it was HIS policies that opened the floodgates to this mess.

[Wildness774]

i seen this coming
everyone was so blown away by obama at the beggining
and now people are starting to see obama for who he really is
i dont hate him yet
but hes not the messiah that the media was praising him as

[jwicklun]

So annoying. Everyone knows the list goes Bush, Reagan, Hoover, Buchanan, Harding.
I love it how conservatives worship Reagan and liberals despise him. Reagan was always among the top five best among my conservative friends. lol.

[Machu505]

I love it how conservatives worship Reagan and liberals despise him. Reagan was always among the top five best among my conservative friends. lol.
Much of my Reagan-hate stems from my Dad, who would not have voted Ronald Reagan ice-cream truck driver.

[jwicklun]

Much of my Reagan-hate stems from my Dad, who would not have voted Ronald Reagan ice-cream truck driver.
lol my dad loves Reagan while my mom is on the fence about him. I dunno, you can't argue job growth grew and there was less inflation during his 8 years. However the debt did rise drastically becacuse of reaganomics. I don't view him as one of the worst president's, but he's not as great as republicans say he is.

[J.C.]

War on Drugs, selling arms to Iran, the deregulation that led to the S&L crisis

[admit to forget]

As much as a conservative i am, i really dont think hes doing THAT bad of a job, but he sure as fucking hell isnt doing a good job. His healthcare stance sucks balls, and he cant handle the war. But besides those 2 MINOR things. ehh. hes okay.

[Machu505]

Fuck. Conservatives are saying he's not doing that bad of a job.

Something is wrong here.

[BrennanHickson]

As much as a conservative i am, i really dont think hes doing THAT bad of a job, but he sure as fucking hell isnt doing a good job. His healthcare stance sucks balls, and he cant handle the war. But besides those 2 MINOR things. ehh. hes okay.
Humor me, please. What did the Bush Administration do to "handle the war"?

[admit to forget]

Humor me, please. What did the Bush Administration do to "handle the war"?
Nothing, Obama is following in Bush's steps.

[jwicklun]

Nothing, Obama is following in Bush's steps.
at least he's not starting a bullshit war

[admit to forget]

at least he's not starting a bullshit war
I'll give you that one.

[BrennanHickson]

Nothing, Obama is following in Bush's steps.
Getting 142,000 troops out of the Middle East is not an overnight process.

[Machu505]

Ahh, if there's one issue that can bring young conservatives and young liberals together, it's war.

[Skadrist]

His foreign policy has been good save for escalation in Afghanistan; which has been a lost cause since 2007. I don't think situation can change much in Afghanistan.

Obama should have been more aggressive early on in his term while popular support was higher. Hopefully, the filibuster proof majority will embolden him.

[GeeBee]

Dude should tell Israel the party's over.

[admit to forget]

Getting 142,000 troops out of the Middle East is not an overnight process.
Middle East. Please clarify your direct areas...

[admit to forget]

Ahh, if there's one issue that can bring young conservatives and young liberals together, it's war.
Quote of my life.

[TEAMRAMROD]

As much as a conservative i am, i really dont think hes doing THAT bad of a job, but he sure as fucking hell isnt doing a good job. His healthcare stance sucks balls, and he cant handle the war. But besides those 2 MINOR things. ehh. hes okay.
These are very minor. I'd say they're rather important.

[BrennanHickson]

Middle East. Please clarify your direct areas...
They're stationed all over the Middle East. Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar...

[admit to forget]

These are very minor. I'd say they're rather important.
I know. i was being a tad sarcastic.

They're stationed all over the Middle East. Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar...
Okay, now think b ack to his platform. What was his "War Goal"?

[TEAMRAMROD]

I know. i was being a tad sarcastic.
Just checking. Sarcasm can be hard to convey over the internet.

[BrennanHickson]

Okay, now think b ack to his platform. What was his "War Goal"?
His official plan was to have all combat troops removed from Iraq by the summer of 2010, roughly. According to his plan, residual troops would remain to conduct counter terrorism operations.

Since this plan, he announced his administration's new strategy which, as of March 2009, caused 4,000 troops to be deployed along with hundreds of civilian specialists and increased foreign aid to Pakistan and Afghanistan, saying:

I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaida in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future. If the Afghan government falls to the Taliban – or allows al-Qaida to go unchallenged – that country will again be a base for terrorists who want to kill as many of our people as they possibly can. At a time of economic crisis, it is tempting to believe that we can short-change this civilian effort. But make no mistake: our efforts will fail in Afghanistan and Pakistan if we don’t invest in their future. The terrorists within Pakistan’s borders are not simply enemies of America or Afghanistan – they are a grave and urgent danger to the people of Pakistan. They have blown up buildings, derailed foreign investment, and threatened the stability of the state. Make no mistake: al-Qaida and its extremist allies are a cancer that risks killing Pakistan from within. In conclusion, the newest plan is to focus on providing capability for the Afghan government and military using our troops until they're self-sufficient in those aspects.

[admit to forget]

Just checking. Sarcasm can be hard to convey over the internet.
Haha, im oh so sorry, next time when using sarcasm ill make sure to make it much mroe noticible.

[admit to forget]

His official plan was to have all combat troops removed from Iraq by the summer of 2010, roughly. According to his plan, residual troops would remain to conduct counter terrorism operations.

Since this plan, he announced his administration's new strategy which, as of March 2009, caused 4,000 troops to be deployed along with hundreds of civilian specialists and increased foreign aid to Pakistan and Afghanistan, saying:

In conclusion, the newest plan is to focus on providing capability for the Afghan government and military using our troops until they're self-sufficient in those aspects.
Thank you for that.
I now see were your coming from, i respect your opinion and you gave it some backing, so ill agree with you because it seems quite legit. Thanks for changing my mind.

[loveisdead]

Kind of a loaded question. I think he could have been doing a better job. I think that the stimulus package should have been bigger, that he should have prosecuted people in the Bush administration, that he should be more active on LGBT rights, and that the climate bill was a bit different. However, it's very early to start getting this critical. Let's give him another 6 months or so before everyone gets all crazy.

[GeeBee]

^^^
This.

[SlappedActor]

Are there actually living, breathing people who believe that there is the slightest chance in hell that Obama will/would actually prosecute? Dream on.

[ShShShark]

Lots of talk talk talk from Obama. But its still so early in the game. Lets see how it all pans out.

I think that Obama was elected based off of his "celebrity". Personally I would have liked to see Hilary in Obama's seat. Unfortunately she couldn't pull the "cool" factor as well as he did. Oh well.

[ShShShark]

HAHAHAHAHA, Prosecute. That's rich. He's a fucking politician. Get with it, people.

[concernedparent]

I don't like his health care stance. I realize he's trying to pander to everyone by doing this socialized or nonsocialized option, but I just think it's dumb and will not work. I'm for totally socialized health care.

[Love As Arson]

He's going along with the positions he stated in his platform, which I disagreed with.

[My Broken Fever]

He could be doing worse. And due to what I've seen in my lifetime as far as presidents of the USA go (even though I'm dutch), that says a lot.

[Bob Payne]

Not liking Obama's job. No one gets out of a recession with tax cuts. And continuing the bailouts is irresponsible, because these companies are failing because of a shoddy foundation. Bailing them out without increased liability on their part is irresponsible. We need a 21st century system, because the 20th century system already proved that after an initial bubble, it's doomed to fail.

[thespearkid]

Disappointed.

[saysmydoctor]

Not liking Obama's job. No one gets out of a recession with tax cuts. And continuing the bailouts is irresponsible, because these companies are failing because of a shoddy foundation. Bailing them out without increased liability on their part is irresponsible. We need a 21st century system, because the 20th century system already proved that after an initial bubble, it's doomed to fail.
That's the point of bankruptcy.

[open mind]

in terms of foreign policy and civil liberties obama is just as bad as bush ever was.

[Praetor]

in terms of foreign policy and civil liberties obama is just as bad as bush ever was.
I dunno about foreign policy so much but civil liberties? You bet.

[My Broken Fever]

Foreign policy is a lot better than under Bush, he's far more cautious and is actually willing to engage in discussion with countries like Iran as long as it's reasonable.

It beats calling them the axis of evil and sending them on their way, because that could actually have nastier consequences (ie Iran developing nuclear weapons, and the problem isn't that they'll use it but the power it gives them over the region). Dialog is the only way to solve problems.

The relationship of the USA with Russia went cold under Bush, and an isolated anti-western Russia has never done any good for anyone. I hope Obama will fix it (even though it got off to a rough start as he accused Putin of having cold war mentalities the day before the visit).

[SpacePunk]

at least he's not starting a bullshit war

Bush didn't start a war during his first 6 months either.

[eriatarka24]

in terms of foreign policy and civil liberties obama is just as bad as bush ever was.

this. i think his foreign policy views are possibly worse...but yeah.

[Machu505]

this. i think his foreign policy views are possibly worse...but yeah.
How.

[open mind]

Foreign policy is a lot better than under Bush, he's far more cautious and is actually willing to engage in discussion with countries like Iran as long as it's reasonable.

It beats calling them the axis of evil and sending them on their way, because that could actually have nastier consequences (ie Iran developing nuclear weapons, and the problem isn't that they'll use it but the power it gives them over the region). Dialog is the only way to solve problems.

The relationship of the USA with Russia went cold under Bush, and an isolated anti-western Russia has never done any good for anyone. I hope Obama will fix it (even though it got off to a rough start as he accused Putin of having cold war mentalities the day before the visit).

diplomacy is a great thing but if you look at auctual policy next to nothing of substance has changed yet.

[shubh]

Mr. president Obama is more practical than the earlier ones. He knows the practical problems of general people and values their expectations. Recently passed health cover bill is the best example of his unique approach. His unique approach of addressing the economy slow down is also being praised every where.

[SpacePunk]

Mr. president Obama is more practical than the earlier ones. He knows the practical problems of general people and values their expectations. Recently passed health cover bill is the best example of his unique approach. His unique approach of addressing the economy slow down is also being praised every where.

Gordon Brown also gets praised around the world for his " decisive action" during the global downturn.

Doesn't change the fact that in the UK, he is becoming one of the most unpopular, ridiculed Prime Ministers of all time.

[bangarang182]

He hasn't really done anything yet.
Except sink the country in an even bigger debt! He needs to stop worrying about his stupid health reform (which will be terrible for everyone) and focus on stabalizing the countries economy. He continuously tries to push this healthcare plan and his doing so is putting the entire country in even more debt!

I hate the fact that he feels that he has to point fingers that things arent his falut. The man has to ball up and fucking take care of his shit, instead of pussyfooting around it. Fix the country and then try to pitch your ideas!

He has most of the country behind him, but the way he's doing things is sinking us.

[Jake Denning]

Dude is all hype.

[bangarang182]

His approach for the economy is hurting us. Sure giving us normal people checks is sweet, but that doesnt help the economy. Every one took their check from the government and put it in the back, which in turn sunk us even more. He needs to give up this liberal mindset of giving to the little man, because while it sounds great (it really does sound fair) it doesn't help the country. If you give the money to businesses and industry that money is recycled throughout the entire economy because it passes hands and gets everyone spending.

It's so simple, Regan did it, why can't obama just admit he made a bad move the first time and fix it!

Just be honest...

[nlo13]

No. He threw a shitty pitch to start off the all-star game. Case closed.

[Machu505]

It's so simple, Regan did it, why can't obama just admit he made a bad move the first time and fix it!

Just be honest...
I think "Reagan did it" is reason enough him not to do it.

[shit stroll]

I think "Reagan did it" is reason enough him not to do it.

i would use the hand clap smiley here but my computer is fucked.

[Mitch]

Hahaha, I know virtually nothing about economics and yet even I am dumbfounded that someone in here just said that fixing the economy is simple.

[Machu505]

Hahaha, I know virtually nothing about economics and yet even I am dumbfounded that someone in here just said that fixing the economy is simple.
Not to mention health reform is stupid.

[caveBEAR]

His approach for the economy is hurting us. Sure giving us normal people checks is sweet, but that doesnt help the economy. Every one took their check from the government and put it in the back, which in turn sunk us even more. He needs to give up this liberal mindset of giving to the little man, because while it sounds great (it really does sound fair) it doesn't help the country. If you give the money to businesses and industry that money is recycled throughout the entire economy because it passes hands and gets everyone spending.

It's so simple, Regan did it, why can't obama just admit he made a bad move the first time and fix it!

Just be honest...


What? Everyone put it in the bank? You have to be out of your mind.

People pissed that money away.

[Machu505]

And since when was handing out checks the Obama approach? I think that'd be the Bush way.

[J.C.]

He throws like a girl.

[open mind]

His approach for the economy is hurting us. Sure giving us normal people checks is sweet, but that doesnt help the economy. Every one took their check from the government and put it in the back, which in turn sunk us even more. He needs to give up this liberal mindset of giving to the little man, because while it sounds great (it really does sound fair) it doesn't help the country. If you give the money to businesses and industry that money is recycled throughout the entire economy because it passes hands and gets everyone spending.


if trickle down economics works why has the gap between rich and middle class widened at such an incredible rate in the last 3 decades?

[GeeBee]

if trickle down economics works why has the gap between rich and middle class widened at such an incredible rate in the last 3 decades?

Awwww snap. Question of the decade.

[TheByrus]

Gas is more expensive than it was 6 months ago.

But it's not not at record highs.

[saysmydoctor]

His approach for the economy is hurting us. Sure giving us normal people checks is sweet, but that doesnt help the economy. Every one took their check from the government and put it in the back, which in turn sunk us even more. He needs to give up this liberal mindset of giving to the little man, because while it sounds great (it really does sound fair) it doesn't help the country. If you give the money to businesses and industry that money is recycled throughout the entire economy because it passes hands and gets everyone spending.

It's so simple, Regan did it, why can't obama just admit he made a bad move the first time and fix it!

Just be honest...
Just being honest, but no. And I only have rudimentary understanding of economics, I can only imagine if asmolitor saw this. He'd probably cry.

Firstly, he isn't giving money to people. Huge misconception of the stimulus. The stimulus is not designed to be handouts, never was, never will be. If you are going to discuss what the government is doing and say you disagree with it in principle, fine. If you are going to misrepresent what the government is doing, you will be corrected. The stimulus money goes to numerous projects, numerous programs, with the intention of creating jobs. People work jobs, people make the money, people spend the money. That's how the economy really works.

Secondly, I love the fiscal conservative doublespeak here. The business caused the crisis, why would I trust them to 'trickle down' the money? They never have. The industry is also a pretty ambiguous term considering it is pretty much all inclusive, the laborers and the executives. Hell, look at the banks (read: businesses) we have given money. They are hoarding the capital and refuse to lend it, which is their function in the economy.

Thirdly, Reagan did what? Fixed an economic crisis that had never been encountered before? Stagflation is a term that came about after what happened because of how rare the situation was. Recessions rarely come with high inflation. Recessions are natural occurrences in the business cycle. The supply shock (oil crisis)--not so common. Anyway, supply side economics is silly.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/79/Supply-demand-right-shift-supply.svg

What Reagan did was made everything affordable (and I'm simplifying it and here's where I might make a mistake, someone correct me). Consumer confidence was low, so they won't buy anything. So you increase the buying power. Coupled with huge deregulation, tax cuts, yes, people had money on hand, but the common misconception is Reagan cut government spending when instead it was Reagan that made government spending/deficit spending the thing to do. It was Reagan who raided the Social Security vaults that caused us to owe I think something to the effect of $3 trillion to ourselves (could be wrong about that number). It was Reagan who also expanded defense spending so much that it bankrupted us and his debt sits as the foundation to modern debt we have now. What makes it ironic that Reagan's defense spending is basically exactly what Barney Frank has described recently--weaponized Keynesanism. I like how it's never 'government spending' when it concerns the defense budget. He may have cut spending everywhere else but the Defense Budget since Reagan was president has not shrunk to pre-Reagan proportions. Stop glorifying Reagan. He did it. (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/01/opinion/01krugman.html)

[saysmydoctor]

He hasn't really done anything yet.
Except sink the country in an even bigger debt! He needs to stop worrying about his stupid health reform (which will be terrible for everyone) and focus on stabalizing the countries economy. He continuously tries to push this healthcare plan and his doing so is putting the entire country in even more debt!

I hate the fact that he feels that he has to point fingers that things arent his falut. The man has to ball up and fucking take care of his shit, instead of pussyfooting around it. Fix the country and then try to pitch your ideas!

He has most of the country behind him, but the way he's doing things is sinking us.
Doublespeak. You complain about debt and yet in the same motion call health reform a distraction when it is huge cause to a vast majority of our problems.

He was elected because of his pitching ideas on how to fix the country. Step away from the keyboard, now.

[asmolitor]

He hasn't really done anything yet.
Except sink the country in an even bigger debt! He needs to stop worrying about his stupid health reform (which will be terrible for everyone) and focus on stabalizing the countries economy. He continuously tries to push this healthcare plan and his doing so is putting the entire country in even more debt!

covering the country's uninsured? horrible.

reducing personal medical costs to increase the country's long-term saving rate going forward? god awful.

trillion dollar budget deficit in the midst of keynesian fiscal policy, as opposed to ~$500 billion deficits during an economic boom under the last president? completely unjustified.


I hate the fact that he feels that he has to point fingers that things arent his falut. The man has to ball up and fucking take care of his shit, instead of pussyfooting around it. Fix the country and then try to pitch your ideas!

He has most of the country behind him, but the way he's doing things is sinking us.

HE'S BEEN IN OFFICE FOR 6 MONTHS. THE ECONOMY ISN'T HIS FAULT.

(sidenote: it's not just bush's fault, either)

His approach for the economy is hurting us. Sure giving us normal people checks is sweet, but that doesnt help the economy. Every one took their check from the government and put it in the back, which in turn sunk us even more. He needs to give up this liberal mindset of giving to the little man, because while it sounds great (it really does sound fair) it doesn't help the country. If you give the money to businesses and industry that money is recycled throughout the entire economy because it passes hands and gets everyone spending.

It's so simple, Regan did it, why can't obama just admit he made a bad move the first time and fix it!

Just be honest...

you're right, reagan fixed it all the first day. no need to bother with history or facts, much less that the country fell into recession under his watch, and took 16 months to resolve. or that the country fell into recession again, after he was out of office for 16 months. or that if you look at the last 4 recessions, they involve reagan, reagan's VP turned president, then reagan's VP turned president's son.

and of course, reagan never lower marginal tax rates on the "normal people" - nope, not at all. that whole Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981? complete hoax.

but without the sarcasm, the laffer curve is a farce.

Just being honest, but no. And I only have rudimentary understanding of economics, I can only imagine if asmolitor saw this. He'd probably cry.

i fear for the future of the country, or at least for intro economics professors for the next 20 years. i can't imagine dealing with the inane rants from students that will inevitably ensue when the professor explains that reagan didn't put a money machine (http://www.mvpcasinos.com/casino-cash-cube-money-machine.jpg) in everyone's home.

[saysmydoctor]

I literally lol'd at the mention ~$500 billion dollar deficits during an economic boom.

[asmolitor]

these two graphs, taken together, are quite damning for gdp/spending under george w. bush:

http://www.data360.org/temp/dsg274_500_350.jpg
---
http://www.hamiltoncountydems.org/images/uploaded/Annual%20Budget%20Deficit%20in%20Co nstant%20$%201940-2008.jpg

[suicidalkitten]

I really don't think so. I heard his glamour is starting to wear off....finally.

[xshady121]

I think "Reagan did it" is reason enough him not to do it.

Reagan did something good in regards to either welfare or unemployment or something remotely related to urban politics, but I can't remember for the life of me what it is. I remember my uber liberal professor giving Reagan some respect in that regard, but to be honest I wasn't paying attention.

Summer classes are brutal after nothing since december.

[paper halo]

Is Obama doing a good job?

Fuck no, he's another puppet. It's time for someone who gives a shit about the American people (Ron Paul). We need real change for the better. Fuck the socialist policies Obama is trying to use.

Please at least try to find out what Socialism actually is before spewing angry nonsense.

[saysmydoctor]

Is Obama doing a good job?

Fuck no, he's another puppet. It's time for someone who gives a shit about the American people (Ron Paul). We need real change for the better. Fuck the socialist policies Obama is trying to use.
We should not listen to Ron Paul. Haha.

[Jason Tate]

Is Obama doing a good job?

Fuck no, he's another puppet. It's time for someone who gives a shit about the American people (Ron Paul). We need real change for the better. Fuck the socialist policies Obama is trying to use.
Ron Paul's policies are far more socialist than Obama's.

Just for the record.

[saysmydoctor]

I think Ron Paul would be disgusted to be compared to socialism. I'd actually see him as the complete opposite of everything socialist in every way imaginable. I guess if you mean concerning civil rights and everything... :shrug:

[samsara]

I think everyone built him up to be a sort of savior and he hasn't really lived up to what people were expecting.

[thegroceries]

You should actually listen to everything Ron Paul says. Hahaahahhahahahahahahhahahahahah and Ron Paul a socialist? That's a first......

[ArmedROBery]

With what he's been given, I think he's doing a decent job. I'm not thrilled with his performance, but I think I'll have formed a better opinion down the line.

The problem is that we have too many idiots who expected Obama to walk into office, throw some magical 'change' dust over everything, and voila: the economy, healthcare, and any other pressing issue would be fixed. Now his approval ratings are dropping, and you hear people like my parents say "I don't think we made the right choice". IT'S BEEN SIX FUCKING MONTHS. The economy, and everything else that factors into it, takes time to regenerate. People need to lay off for a bit before they start seriously critiquing his performance.

That said, I hope he works toward the foreign policies he preached on the campaign trail, rather than following suit on the shit administration that came before him. He also need to be a little more clear/direct with the public about his healthcare plan.

[macabre]

That Ron Paul comment had to have been a joke

[TheFaceOfZach]

Personally, I didn't like Obama or McCain to be president. I was supporting Obama up until he chose Biden. He could've EASILY won with Hillary. I was very disappointed in Biden. But on the brightside, I think Biden is the most genuine person in the Obama administration.

Health Care: It's been a failure in Canada. And as soon as his popularity diminishes because of blue dog democratic politicians and conservative democrats. Then this does not look likely that it will pass. And I sure hope not. Health care doesn't need to be universal in the sense that the government provides it. But it's price and availability nonetheless is an issue, and for that I find Obama genuine in trying to help the American people. But it's a bad idea. A public health care system would basically make waiting for a doctor near next impossible to be anywhere remotely immediate.

And that is an issue. When someone with cancer cannot be treated for 6 months is a problem. And my grandpa's friend had a friend(being a friend's friend yes I know this sounds unlikely, but it really is true ) who lived in Canada died for that very reason. They had him on a waiting list for too long.

So what would help? TORT REFORM!!!! That would help a lot. But he won't, he's friendly with a lot of lawyers who won't allow that. So this is a lost cause.

Also, no stimulus( including the packages in the Bush administration ) should have ever been written. There should have been bipartisan work to have done something to prevent the current economy from getting in the way it is.

Also key to the Obama administration: Getting rid of Pelosi. Pelosi is a corrupted bitch. She's going to benefit financially from Cap and Trade( which I knew was bad when Obama said it would be helpful and make the economy like California, which has been in severe debt). Where as most businesses will fall under pressure from this. ESPECIALLY the trucking industry. Which my family has been apart of. This would most definitely affect a company like C.H. Robinson, which I have family working in. This would be DEVASTATING to that business to have to reform all of their trucks just to be "green"

So his performance? Meh...he's alright. But every politician has his pros and cons. With the exception of Jimmy Carter, who has just cons..

[Cal50]

i voted for him reluctantly but i wished that i hadn't now. i'm much more liberal than the democratic party is (i am actually a socialist, the thing that republicans think obama is but he really isn't). i am disappointed because i at least expected him to live up to -some- of his campaign promises. so far, instead of even attempting to live up to any of his campaign promises, he's merely going the bush route on a lot of things. i was expecting stagnation or baby-step progress at best, not a continuation of regression which is what i didn't expect out of him. in addition to this, health care reform doesn't mean a good goddamn if it isn't single-payer and universal. i'm really tired of the two right-wing parties and so i will be voting third-party in 2012. here come a bunch of clever responses in the vein of "lol throwing your vote away", i guess.

[GuitarR0cker1]

Personally, I didn't like Obama or McCain to be president. I was supporting Obama up until he chose Biden. He could've EASILY won with Hillary. I was very disappointed in Biden. But on the brightside, I think Biden is the most genuine person in the Obama administration.

Health Care: It's been a failure in Canada. And as soon as his popularity diminishes because of blue dog democratic politicians and conservative democrats. Then this does not look likely that it will pass. And I sure hope not. Health care doesn't need to be universal in the sense that the government provides it. But it's price and availability nonetheless is an issue, and for that I find Obama genuine in trying to help the American people. But it's a bad idea. A public health care system would basically make waiting for a doctor near next impossible to be anywhere remotely immediate.

And that is an issue. When someone with cancer cannot be treated for 6 months is a problem. And my grandpa's friend had a friend(being a friend's friend yes I know this sounds unlikely, but it really is true ) who lived in Canada died for that very reason. They had him on a waiting list for too long.

So what would help? TORT REFORM!!!! That would help a lot. But he won't, he's friendly with a lot of lawyers who won't allow that. So this is a lost cause.

Also, no stimulus( including the packages in the Bush administration ) should have ever been written. There should have been bipartisan work to have done something to prevent the current economy from getting in the way it is.

Also key to the Obama administration: Getting rid of Pelosi. Pelosi is a corrupted bitch. She's going to benefit financially from Cap and Trade( which I knew was bad when Obama said it would be helpful and make the economy like California, which has been in severe debt). Where as most businesses will fall under pressure from this. ESPECIALLY the trucking industry. Which my family has been apart of. This would most definitely affect a company like C.H. Robinson, which I have family working in. This would be DEVASTATING to that business to have to reform all of their trucks just to be "green"

So his performance? Meh...he's alright. But every politician has his pros and cons. With the exception of Jimmy Carter, who has just cons..
why the hell did you support Obama up until Biden if you didn't support anything he pledged to do...

[Praetor]

Personally, I didn't like Obama or McCain to be president. I was supporting Obama up until he chose Biden. He could've EASILY won with Hillary. I was very disappointed in Biden. But on the brightside, I think Biden is the most genuine person in the Obama administration.

Health Care: It's been a failure in Canada. And as soon as his popularity diminishes because of blue dog democratic politicians and conservative democrats. Then this does not look likely that it will pass. And I sure hope not. Health care doesn't need to be universal in the sense that the government provides it. But it's price and availability nonetheless is an issue, and for that I find Obama genuine in trying to help the American people. But it's a bad idea. A public health care system would basically make waiting for a doctor near next impossible to be anywhere remotely immediate.

And that is an issue. When someone with cancer cannot be treated for 6 months is a problem. And my grandpa's friend had a friend(being a friend's friend yes I know this sounds unlikely, but it really is true ) who lived in Canada died for that very reason. They had him on a waiting list for too long.

So what would help? TORT REFORM!!!! That would help a lot. But he won't, he's friendly with a lot of lawyers who won't allow that. So this is a lost cause.

Also, no stimulus( including the packages in the Bush administration ) should have ever been written. There should have been bipartisan work to have done something to prevent the current economy from getting in the way it is.

Also key to the Obama administration: Getting rid of Pelosi. Pelosi is a corrupted bitch. She's going to benefit financially from Cap and Trade( which I knew was bad when Obama said it would be helpful and make the economy like California, which has been in severe debt). Where as most businesses will fall under pressure from this. ESPECIALLY the trucking industry. Which my family has been apart of. This would most definitely affect a company like C.H. Robinson, which I have family working in. This would be DEVASTATING to that business to have to reform all of their trucks just to be "green"

So his performance? Meh...he's alright. But every politician has his pros and cons. With the exception of Jimmy Carter, who has just cons..
BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED. WE ARE RIPPING OFF CANADA'S HEALTH CARE MODEL AND SOON GOING TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE WILL BE LIKE THE DMV. SURGERIES WILL BE PERFORMED IN SHACKS AND WE'LL START KILLING OLD PEOPLE AT THE ATE OF 55.

[Hamlet]

BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED. WE ARE RIPPING OFF CANADA'S HEALTH CARE MODEL AND SOON GOING TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE WILL BE LIKE THE DMV. SURGERIES WILL BE PERFORMED IN SHACKS AND WE'LL START KILLING OLD PEOPLE AT THE ATE OF 55.

Is caps lock the new sarcasm tag?

[Praetor]

Is caps lock the new sarcasm tag?
Basically.

[Jason Tate]

You should actually listen to everything Ron Paul says. Hahaahahhahahahahahahhahahahahah and Ron Paul a socialist? That's a first......
No it's not. Even an elementary understanding of socialism should suffice. The problem is what people assume socialism is - and what it actually is - are far different things. And, again, I said "more so than Obama" not "he is a socialist."

[TheFaceOfZach]

why the hell did you support Obama up until Biden if you didn't support anything he pledged to do...

Because, at that time he seemed genuine. That and I was really sick of Republicans in office.

But truly, I just wish that Obama was going to be more bipartisan than he's claimed to be. I'm very disappointed that he hasn't worked with others to work together like he said he was going to do.

[saysmydoctor]

Personally, I didn't like Obama or McCain to be president. I was supporting Obama up until he chose Biden. He could've EASILY won with Hillary. I was very disappointed in Biden. But on the brightside, I think Biden is the most genuine person in the Obama administration.

Health Care: It's been a failure in Canada. And as soon as his popularity diminishes because of blue dog democratic politicians and conservative democrats. Then this does not look likely that it will pass. And I sure hope not. Health care doesn't need to be universal in the sense that the government provides it. But it's price and availability nonetheless is an issue, and for that I find Obama genuine in trying to help the American people. But it's a bad idea. A public health care system would basically make waiting for a doctor near next impossible to be anywhere remotely immediate.

And that is an issue. When someone with cancer cannot be treated for 6 months is a problem. And my grandpa's friend had a friend(being a friend's friend yes I know this sounds unlikely, but it really is true ) who lived in Canada died for that very reason. They had him on a waiting list for too long.

So what would help? TORT REFORM!!!! That would help a lot. But he won't, he's friendly with a lot of lawyers who won't allow that. So this is a lost cause.

Also, no stimulus( including the packages in the Bush administration ) should have ever been written. There should have been bipartisan work to have done something to prevent the current economy from getting in the way it is.

Also key to the Obama administration: Getting rid of Pelosi. Pelosi is a corrupted bitch. She's going to benefit financially from Cap and Trade( which I knew was bad when Obama said it would be helpful and make the economy like California, which has been in severe debt). Where as most businesses will fall under pressure from this. ESPECIALLY the trucking industry. Which my family has been apart of. This would most definitely affect a company like C.H. Robinson, which I have family working in. This would be DEVASTATING to that business to have to reform all of their trucks just to be "green"

So his performance? Meh...he's alright. But every politician has his pros and cons. With the exception of Jimmy Carter, who has just cons..
Another person misrepresenting the true issues with the Canadian healthcare system.

Also, Carter was not just cons, the economic situation wasn't even under his control. That's the nature of supply shocks. Please open a book.
No it's not. Even an elementary understanding of socialism should suffice. The problem is what people assume socialism is - and what it actually is - are far different things. And, again, I said "more so than Obama" not "he is a socialist."
Well, I have a more-than-rudimentary understanding of socialism. I'm guessing you would place Ron Paul as one of those libertarian socialists, but that doesn't seem to fit either because Ron Paul is a huge supporter of the free market. Care to elaborate?

[saysmydoctor]

Because, at that time he seemed genuine. That and I was really sick of Republicans in office.

But truly, I just wish that Obama was going to be more bipartisan than he's claimed to be. I'm very disappointed that he hasn't worked with others to work together like he said he was going to do.
Why should he be bipartisan? He was elected via an electoral college mandate based on his platform, which supported cap and trade and coverage for all Americans. Americans supported it enough to elect him president. Sacrificing those values for pragmatism would be a slap in the face to the majority of the electorate who shared common ideals. Ideology CAN'T always be sacrificed for pragmatism or you risk halting progressive movements.

[Fox Mulder]

Because, at that time he seemed genuine. That and I was really sick of Republicans in office.

But truly, I just wish that Obama was going to be more bipartisan than he's claimed to be. I'm very disappointed that he hasn't worked with others to work together like he said he was going to do.

Uh...Obama's been bipartisan to a fault so far. And let's be honest, the majority of republicans in office have nothing beneficial to add to the discourse anyway. What does their alternate health care plan look like? Why are they against keeping insurance companies honest? They have no answer for any of these. They're too busy trying to prove that Obama isn't a US citizen.

And Obama's nothing if not genuine. Disagree with his policies all you want, but don't tell me he doesn't have the country's best interest at heart. It was one of the reasons he was given such a hard time for his wordy performances during the debates in 08. The world is too complicated a place to have short soundbyte answers to pressing questions, and he sees everyone's point of view on topics so he wants to explain his decision making process. Would you rather him say that god told him what to do?

[Animalhill]

I don't feel like any opnion can really be offered on this subject considering he hasn't even been president for a year yet. I am very interested to see what our country will be like at the end of his term.

[thegroceries]

Sorry for putting words in your mouth Jason, but would you care to explain then how Ron Paul has socialist tendencies? Because everything I've ever heard him say, write, etc. indicates he's the anti-thesis of that school of thought.

[perceptrons]

My greatest happiness with Obama so far is with his support of science. There are some things I think he should be doing better with, some things I'm pretty disappointed in, but overall I think he's doing a good job.

[Machu505]

How in blue hell is Ron Paul more socialist than Obama? As a socialist, that statement offends me.