New campaign to rally transgender voters for Obama
http://www.outinjersey.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1711%3Anew-campaign-to-rally-transgender-voters-for-obama&Itemid=1 (http://www.outinjersey.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1711%3Anew-campaign-to-rally-transgender-voters-for-obama&Itemid=1)
Written by Out In Jersey
Saturday, 09 June 2012
A national volunteer effort has launched a campaign to rally transgender people, their allies, families, and supporters in the re-election campaign of President Barack Obama. The campaign, organized by a group of transgender advocates, educators, bloggers, authors, and their families and allies, aims to educate people about the historic changes that the Obama Administration has accomplished for the trangender community.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.outinjersey.net%2Fimages%2Fstories%2Fgraphics%2Ftrans_united_obama.jpg&hash=3bdc12dd0c0e9c823aabb4f816386005cf912cda)
The new organization calls itself Trans United for Obama.
....
Trans United for Obama can be found at http://www.transunitedforobama.org/ (http://www.transunitedforobama.org/)
Another article on the same topic:
Trans United for Obama Launches Nationwide Volunteer Effort
http://theseattlelesbian.com/trans-united-for-obama-launches-nationwide-volunteer-effort/ (http://theseattlelesbian.com/trans-united-for-obama-launches-nationwide-volunteer-effort/)
June 8, 2012
Posted By: The Seattle Lesbian
Trans United for Obama supporters currently include celebrities and politicians: Chaz Bono, Kate Bornstein, Marsha Botzer, among others...
Trans United for Obama will work closely with the president's campaign and will hold regular national calls to coordinate and boost trans and allied people's participation in the re-election campaign.
Quote from: Laura91 on June 23, 2012, 12:29:22 PM
Just another schmuck pandering for votes.
What do you mean by this? What president has ever endorsed such issues? How do you suggest he offer support to the lgbt community? Schmuck? I don't understand how you come to that conclusion. ???
Can you offer any constructive criticism? Name calling adds no value to this discussion. Have you read about any of the positive things Obama has done for us? Do your homework and then show us some facts to support your opinions please.
If you read the websites these articles provide you will see this is about an organization that supports Obama and there is a great number of credible members in this group. I don't see any "schmuck pandering for votes" as you claim. As sargeant Joe Friday would say: "just the facts ma'am."
Jennifer
Quote from: Laura91 on June 23, 2012, 12:29:22 PM
Just another schmuck pandering for votes.
I can only conclude that you are totally ignorant to thee many good deeds President Obama has done to advance the rights of the GBLT.
Personally, I take offense when anybody calls names to my President. I am shock that you would say something like that, I expected more from you.
I figure that if he ever tries to do anything commendable, people against him are just going to brush it off as "just doing it for the votes!!!"
Quote from: peky on June 23, 2012, 05:50:45 PM
I can only conclude that you are totally ignorant to thee many good deeds President Obama has done to advance the rights of the GBLT.
Personally, I take offense when anybody calls names to my President. I am shock that you would say something like that, I expected more from you.
Abraham Lincoln was called an "ape" by the opposition press.
John Adams was called "Old Sink or Swim."
George W Bush was called "The smirking chimp" on the DU site.
Richard Nixon was called "Tricky Dick."
Grover Cleveland was called an "elephant" and U.S. Grant a "drunk."
This topic is of a partisan nature and has been moved to the appropriate forum. Presidents being called names goes with the territory.
Quote from: Jennifer on June 23, 2012, 05:27:39 PM
As sergeant Joe Friday would say: "just the facts ma'am."
We must admit as fact, that when Mr Obama and his party held complete control of the political agenda (2009-2011), they accomplished little to nothing for the trans community. It is not unsurprising that some in the community distrust and discount his current politicking.
Quote from: Laura91 on June 23, 2012, 06:40:38 PM
Well, any negative label and/or opinion I have of a politician is irrelevant to political office and/or political party. ;D
As is appropriate.
Quote from: Jamie D on June 23, 2012, 06:35:12 PM
We must admit as fact, that when Mr Obama and his party held complete control of the political agenda (2009-2011), they accomplished little to nothing for the trans community. It is not unsurprising that some in the community distrust and discount his current politicking.
No president has ever held complete control of the political agenda, and the republicans have blocked every move Obama has tried to make. That being said, he has accomplished plenty for our community including showing public support for all LGBT issues such as equal rights, gay marriage etc. No president in history has showed any support whatsoever. Ask George Bush what he thinks of our community. Ask Mitt Romney. Stop ignoring the truth and spreading lies.
Quote from: Laura91 on June 23, 2012, 06:02:19 PM
But I am not against him or for anyone else. I stopped voting in 08 and I will stay out of the voting booth. Voting for the lesser of two evils sucks.
Apathy is not the answer. If you don't vote or get involved you have no right to complain. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
Jennifer
Quote from: Jamie D on June 23, 2012, 06:35:12 PM
Presidents being called names goes with the territory.
Name calling is childish and unproductive.
Jennifer
Quote from: Jennifer on June 23, 2012, 08:40:08 PM
Name calling is childish and unproductive.
Jennifer
Perhaps so. We are going to see a lot worse before November.
Quote from: Jennifer on June 23, 2012, 08:32:00 PM
No president has ever held complete control of the political agenda, and the republicans have blocked every move Obama has tried to make. That being said, he has accomplished plenty for our community including showing public support for all LGBT issues such as equal rights, gay marriage etc. No president in history has showed any support whatsoever. Ask George Bush what he thinks of our community. Ask Mitt Romney. Stop ignoring the truth and spreading lies.
Your post lacks a factual basis.
From 2009-2011, the Democrats, under Nancy Pelosi completely controlled the political agenda in the House. Leader Harry Reid had a filibuster-proof 60 seat majority in the Senate. President Barack Obama (Democrat) did nothing to forward an agenda (such as passing ENDA) that would have favored the GLBT community.
Mr. Obama only showed public support
after the disastrous 2010 election. That is the very definition of pandering.
Add to that the mishandling of the economy, and real unemployment/underemployment over 20%, and I don't see why they deserve to be returned to office.
Quote from: Laura91 on June 23, 2012, 12:29:22 PM
Just another schmuck pandering for votes.
Well of course. That's what motivates politicians. They want to get votes.
Doesn't mean that they won't do some really helpful and positive things to get those votes. Capable leaders can and have made a big difference.
Like doctors. Doctors get paid. Most wouldn't work if they didn't get paid. That could lead one to believe that doctors do it only for the money. But doctors doing for the money have nonetheless saved my life more than once.
Why is a politician only doing good things to get votes is a bad thing?
Mom taught me to never talk politics (or religion or money) on a night out. Wait no...it had to be someone else. Point is things get way too serious way too quick though :P
Quote from: Jamie D on June 23, 2012, 08:56:27 PM
Your post lacks a factual basis.
From 2009-2011, the Democrats, under Nancy Pelosi completely Leader Harry Reid have a filibuster-proof 60 seat majority in the Senate. President Barack Obama (Democrat) did nothing to forward an agenda (such as passing ENDA) that would have favored the GLBT community.
Mr. Obama only showed public support after the disastrous 2010 election. That is the very definition of pandering.
Add to that the mishandling of the economy, and real unemployment/underemployment over 20%, and I don't see why they deserve to be returned to office.
A lot of policies go overlooked. President Obama did a lot for Civil Rights in 2009 and 2010
2009the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, restoring basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers - almost immediately after taking office
Hate Crimes Prevention Act
Repealed Don't Ask, Don't Tell2010Benefits to Same-Sex Partners for Federal Employees
Presidential Memorandum reaffirming the rights of gay couples to make medical decisions for each other
Repealed Don't Ask, Don't Tell - or 2011
I totally get that the recent support seems like its to buy votes, but in voicing his 'support' I'm sure that he also lost himself a lot of support from people who lean more toward the conservative side and for some reason seem to feel the need to be involved in what goes on in the public's bedroom. The big step would be some sort of legislation to go along with that verbal support, but just the verbal part is further than we as a community have received from a president.
Quote from: Laura91 on June 23, 2012, 09:08:52 PM
Now that is just silly. Why the hell should I waste my time voting for some scumbag that lies about everything and smiles while they do it? I am not part of any problem. It is the liars in DC that are the problem. This idea that politicians are something to be proud of needs to go. Those people don't give a damn about you.
The sad part is that no, they probably don't give a damn. Even if a cause seems hopeless, not fighting isn't the answer. Change will never happen like that. Transition is a fantastic example of that. For a lot of us its the biggest obstacle we'll face in life, and at times it can seem rather bleak. Still people continue to transition. If enough people who feel like you do get together and voice their concern then we start to see the glimmer of change, but that only works if you make your voice heard.
WOOHOO, politics!
Always a barrel of joy. ;D
For the record, the bill in Congress to repeal DADT was passed in December 2010, in the lame duck session. It went into effect in September 2011, but does not cover trans members of the military.
Quote from: Jamie D on June 23, 2012, 10:02:57 PM
For the record, the bill in Congress to repeal DADT was passed in December 2010, in the lame duck session. It went into effect in September 2011, but does not cover trans members of the military.
I stand corrected then :icon_ashamed:
Despite not covering trans (didn't know that btw) its still a step in the right direction.
I'm not defending President Obama btw. Just pointing out that he has done some things to help. I personally support him, but my opinion is by no means 'more right' and I don't try to impose it on anyone else
Quote from: Alexis on June 23, 2012, 10:23:59 PM
I stand corrected then :icon_ashamed:
Despite not covering trans (didn't know that btw) its still a step in the right direction.
I'm not defending President Obama btw. Just pointing out that he has done some things to help. I personally support him, but my opinion is by no means 'more right' and I don't try to impose it on anyone else
I don't disagree with you.
Could have done much more but did not. My vote needs to be earned.
I'm voting for Obama. I'm really disappointed in him, but I don't feel like I have any other choice.
Quote from: Felix on June 24, 2012, 12:47:01 AM
I'm voting for Mr. Obama. I'm really disappointed in him, but I don't feel like I have any other choice.
^^^ DITTO
I was probably a little naive when I posted the article to Political News originally, because I didn't expect it to be controversial. It's not a secret that in the United States, politicians listen to, respond to, and court the approval of groups of people that they believe will help them to get elected. What was great news to me is this:
1. transgender people in the United States, for the first time that I can remember, are considered a group of people worth openly "pandering" to by a major national candidate;
2. a major national candidate believes that the members of our group, and our supporters, are worth more to their campaign than the elusive "swing voter" who in every campaign I can remember, is expected to be a bigot who hates gays and would be apoplectic against a candidate who voiced support for transgender equality.
3. transgender people aren't just supporting a candidate (for practical or idealistic reasons, I don't really care), but are doing it publicly and proudly. They are also quite sophisticatedly using Facebook, twitter, tumbler, and other social media, to concentrate and amplify their voices, and the possible effect on public policy of their contributions.
If I were to learn that a group of transgender and allied supporters were uniting to publicly support the president's opponent in the same race, I would applaud them for their courage but not hold my breath that they would be publicly welcomed into the campaign. If that happened, and they were welcomed, that would be wonderful news indeed.
He may be a Schmuck , but he will be your Schmuck!
My opinion of his opponent is not fit to repeat here, but I would be happy to start a campaign for GLBTI Americans to be able to claim political asylum in Australia if he wins. Seriously, from here Romney sounds like a disaster in the making.
Karen.
I didn't vote for him. Anyway, I would never vote for a president based on just one issue.
A LONG List of President Obama's Accomplishments! With Citations!
http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html (http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html)
If you're one of those folks who thinks President Obama is a "disappointment," you haven't been paying attention the last few years. And those of you who try to draw comparisons with the Bush Administration should put away the hallucinogens and have your memory checked. If you were in a coma for the eight Bush Years, I apologize and forgive you. But please join the real world. So far, this president has done most of what he said he would do if elected; imagine what he could have done by now if progressives had supported him and not given him a Congress that doesn't look at him as if he's the demon seed.
Not only is he NOT a "disappointment," he's pretty much the opposite. And no, I don't just say that because he took out Osama bin Laden, helped Libya determine their own destiny for the first time in a while, and because he seems able to handle international incidents without starting a new war. The guy does nearly everything we elect a president to do, and he doesn't brag about it constantly.
Is he perfect? No, he's human. Does he deserve some criticism? I suppose, but I must admit I haven't seen any complaints that were of based on anything having to do with the real world. One I can't forgive him for is pulling Janet Napolitano out of Arizona. But the thing is, on balance, he's mostly stellar. Besides, criticism about certain specific problems is one thing; taking on an overall "Obama sucks" meme not only has the potential to put Willard Romney into power, it's also a lie. Just because you wanted a president who would give you a glitter-farting unicorn and didn't quite get that doesn't mean he's not doing well at the job we hired him for.
What follows is a PARTIAL list of Obama's accomplishments so far. Unlike many such lists, there is a link to a citation supporting every single one.
Legislative Prowess
Despite the characterizations of some, Obama's success rate in winning congressional votes on issues was an unprecedented 96.7% for his first year in office. Though he is often cited as superior to Obama, President Lyndon Johnson's success rate in 1965 was only 93%. http://n.pr/i3d7cY (http://n.pr/i3d7cY)
Fiscal Responsibility
Within days after taking office, he signed an Executive Order ordering an audit of government contracts, and combating waste and abuse. http://1.usa.gov/dUvbu5 (http://1.usa.gov/dUvbu5)
Created the post of Chief Performance Officer, whose job it is to make operations more efficient to save the federal government money. http://n.pr/hcgBn1 (http://n.pr/hcgBn1)
On his first full day, he froze White House salaries. http://on.msnbc.com/ewJUIx (http://on.msnbc.com/ewJUIx)
He appointed the first Federal Chief Information Officer to oversee federal IT spending. http://www.cio.gov (http://www.cio.gov)
He committed to phasing out unnecessary and outdated weapons systems, and also signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act to stop waste, fraud and abuse in the defense procurement and contracting system. http://bit.ly/hOw1t1 (http://bit.ly/hOw1t1) http://bit.ly/fz8GAd (http://bit.ly/fz8GAd)
Through an executive order, he created the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. http://bit.ly/hwKhKa (http://bit.ly/hwKhKa)
Improving the Economy, Preventing Depression
He pushed through and signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as "the stimulus package," despite the fact that not one Republican voted for that bill. In addition, he launched recovery.gov, so that taxpayers could track spending from the Act. http://1.usa.gov/ibiFSs (http://1.usa.gov/ibiFSs) http://1.usa.gov/e3BJMk (http://1.usa.gov/e3BJMk)
In his first year, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act created and sustained 2.1 million jobs and stimulated the economy 3.5%. http://reut.rs/i46CEE (http://reut.rs/i46CEE)
He completed the massive TARP financial and banking rescue plan, and recovered virtually all of its costs. http://1.usa.gov/eA5jVS (http://1.usa.gov/eA5jVS) http://bit.ly/eCNrD6 (http://bit.ly/eCNrD6)
He created the Making Home Affordable home refinancing plan. http://1.usa.gov/goy6zl (http://1.usa.gov/goy6zl)
He oversaw the creation of more jobs in 2010 alone than Bush did in eight years. http://bit.ly/hrrnjY (http://bit.ly/hrrnjY)
He oversaw a bailout of General Motors that saved at least 1.4 million jobs, and put pressure on the company to change its practices, resulting in GM returning to its place as the top car company in the world. http://lat.ms/zIJuQx (http://lat.ms/zIJuQx)
He also doubled funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership which is designed to improve manufacturing efficiency. http://bit.ly/eYD4nf (http://bit.ly/eYD4nf)
He signed the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act giving the federal government more tools to investigate and prosecute fraud in every corner of the financial system. It also created a bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to investigate the financial fraud that led to the economic meltdown. http://abcn.ws/g18Fe7 (http://abcn.ws/g18Fe7)
He signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, which was designed to to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive credit card practices. http://1.usa.gov/gIaNcS (http://1.usa.gov/gIaNcS)
He increased infrastructure spending after years of neglect. http://bit.ly/f77aOw (http://bit.ly/f77aOw)
He signed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, expanding on the Making Home Affordable Program to help millions of Americans avoid preventable foreclosures. The bill also provided $2.2 billion to help combat homelessness, and to stabilize the housing market. http://bit.ly/eEpLFn (http://bit.ly/eEpLFn)
Through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, he and Congressional Democrats provided tax credits to first-time home buyers, which helped the U.S. housing market recovery. http://bit.ly/dZgXXw (http://bit.ly/dZgXXw) http://bit.ly/gORYfL (http://bit.ly/gORYfL)
He initiated a $15 billion plan designed to encourage increased lending to small businesses.
http://1.usa.gov/eu0u0b (http://1.usa.gov/eu0u0b)
He created business.gov, which allows for online collaboration between small businesses and experts re managing a business. (The program has since merged with SBA.gov.) http://www.business.gov (http://www.business.gov)
He played a lead role in getting the G-20 Summit to commit to a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis. http://nyti.ms/gHlgp5 (http://nyti.ms/gHlgp5)
He took steps to improve minority access to capital. http://bit.ly/f9xVE7 (http://bit.ly/f9xVE7)
He created a $60 billion bank to fund infrastructure improvements such as roads and bridges. http://bit.ly/e1SSaQ (http://bit.ly/e1SSaQ)
He implemented an auto industry rescue plan, and saved as many as 1 million jobs. http://bit.ly/ibhpxr (http://bit.ly/ibhpxr) Many are of the opinion that he saved the entire auto industry, and even the economy of the entire Midwest. http://bit.ly/gj7mt5 (http://bit.ly/gj7mt5)
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, he saved at least 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors that would have otherwise been lost. http://1.usa.gov/ez30Dc (http://1.usa.gov/ez30Dc)
He dismantled the Minerals Management Service, thereby moveing forward to cut ties between energy companies and the government. http://nyti.ms/bw1MLu (http://nyti.ms/bw1MLu)
Provided funding to states and the Department of Homeland Security to save thousands of police and firefighter jobs from being cut during the recession. http://bit.ly/g0IKWR (http://bit.ly/g0IKWR)
He used recovered TARP money to fund programs at local housing finance agencies in California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Michigan. http://on.msnbc.com/i1i8eV (http://on.msnbc.com/i1i8eV)
Crafted an Executive order establishing the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability to assist in financial education for all Americans. http://bit.ly/eyqsNE (http://bit.ly/eyqsNE)
Wall Street Reforms and Consumer Protection
Ordered 65 executives who took bailout money to cut their own pay until they paid back all bailout money. http://huff.to/eAi9Qq (http://huff.to/eAi9Qq)
He pushed through and got passed Dodd-Frank, one of the largest and most comprehensive Wall Street reforms since the Great Depression. http://bit.ly/hWCPg0 (http://bit.ly/hWCPg0) http://bit.ly/geHpcD (http://bit.ly/geHpcD)
Dodd-Frank also included the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau http://1.usa.gov/j5onG (http://1.usa.gov/j5onG)
He made it so that banks could no longer use YOUR money to invest in high-risk financial instruments that work against their own customers' interests. http://bit.ly/fnTayj (http://bit.ly/fnTayj)
He supported the concept of allowing stockholders to vote on executive compensation. http://bit.ly/fnTayj (http://bit.ly/fnTayj)
He wholly endorsed and supported the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009 that would close offshore tax avoidance loopholes. http://bit.ly/esOdfB (http://bit.ly/esOdfB) http://bit.ly/eG4DPM (http://bit.ly/eG4DPM)
He made a deal with Swiss banks that permits the US government to gain access to the records of criminals and tax evaders. http://bit.ly/htfDgw (http://bit.ly/htfDgw)
He established a Consumer Protection Financial Bureau designed to protect consumers from financial sector excesses. http://bit.ly/fnTayj (http://bit.ly/fnTayj)
He oversaw and then signed the most sweeping food safety legislation since the Great Depression. http://thedc.com/gxkCtP (http://thedc.com/gxkCtP)
Civil Rights and Anti-Discrimination
He advocated for and signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which made it a federal crime to assault anyone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. http://bit.ly/gsMSJ7 (http://bit.ly/gsMSJ7)
He pushed through, signed and demanded the Pentagon enact a repeal of the discriminatory "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy that forced soldiers to lie to fight for their country, and put our troops at risk by disqualifying many qualified soldiers from helping. http://bit.ly/fdahuH (http://bit.ly/fdahuH) http://bit.ly/mZV4Pz (http://bit.ly/mZV4Pz)
He appointed Kareem Dale as the first ever Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy. http://1.usa.gov/fi5IY0 (http://1.usa.gov/fi5IY0)
Helped Congress pass and signed the Civil Rights History Act. http://bit.ly/th0JC8 (http://bit.ly/th0JC8)
He extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. http://1.usa.gov/g2RLCj (http://1.usa.gov/g2RLCj)
He's appointed more openly gay officials than anyone in history. http://bit.ly/g1lA7D (http://bit.ly/g1lA7D)
He issued a Presidential Memorandum reaffirming the rights of gay couples to make medical decisions for each other. http://1.usa.gov/aUueGT (http://1.usa.gov/aUueGT)
He established a White House Council on Women and Girls http://1.usa.gov/rFfqMM (http://1.usa.gov/rFfqMM)
He signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, restoring basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers. This was after the GOP blocked the bill in 2007. Only 5 Republican Senators voted for the bill. http://bit.ly/fT3Cxg (http://bit.ly/fT3Cxg)
Wrote and signed an Executive Order establishing a White House Council on Women and Girls to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies evaluate the effect of their policies and programs on women and families. http://bit.ly/e1puTk (http://bit.ly/e1puTk)
He expanded funding for the Violence Against Women Act. http://1.usa.gov/dSbI0x (http://1.usa.gov/dSbI0x)
Under his watch, National Labor Relations Board has issued final rules that require all employers to prominently post employees' rights where all employees or prospective employees can see it, including websites and intranets, beginning November 2011. http://1.usa.gov/qu2EhQ (http://1.usa.gov/qu2EhQ)
Fighting Poverty
He provided a $20 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps). http://nyti.ms/gfLqyM (http://nyti.ms/gfLqyM)
He signed an Executive Order that established the White House Office of Urban Affairs. http://wapo.st/eWECA8 (http://wapo.st/eWECA8)
Improved Foreign Relations and American Status Abroad
He visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any previous president during his first six months in office. http://bit.ly/hZycda (http://bit.ly/hZycda)
As he promised, he gave a speech at a major Islamic forum in Cairo early in his administration. http://nyti.ms/dKvY4g (http://nyti.ms/dKvY4g)
He did much to restore America's reputation around the world as a global leader that does the "right thing" in world affairs, at least according to the rest of the world. http://bit.ly/h743y7 (http://bit.ly/h743y7) http://bit.ly/ho4TCr (http://bit.ly/ho4TCr)
He re-established and reinforced our partnership with NATO and other allies on strategic international issues. http://1.usa.gov/e7QuDj (http://1.usa.gov/e7QuDj)
Closed a number of secret detention facilities. http://nyti.ms/rpUc9l (http://nyti.ms/rpUc9l)
He improved relations with Middle East countries by appointing special envoys. http://1.usa.gov/tiGAGe (http://1.usa.gov/tiGAGe)
He pushed for military to emphasize devlopment of foreign language skills. http://bit.ly/AxUCLV (http://bit.ly/AxUCLV)
Offered $400 million to the people living in Gaza, called on both Israel and the Palestinians to stop inciting violence. http://bit.ly/9axfWh (http://bit.ly/9axfWh)
He refused to give Israel the green light to attack Iran over their possible nuclear program. http://bit.ly/xVmSZK (http://bit.ly/xVmSZK)
He worked to make donations to Haiti tax deductible in 2009. http://huff.to/6YkAVY (http://huff.to/6YkAVY)
He established a new U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. http://1.usa.gov/eX28DP (http://1.usa.gov/eX28DP)
Issued Executive Order blocking interference and helping to stabilize Somalia. http://1.usa.gov/hxdf8U (http://1.usa.gov/hxdf8U)
He established new, more reasonable policies in our relations with Cuba, such as allowing Cuban-Americans to visit their families and send money to support them. http://n.pr/hY3Kwa (http://n.pr/hY3Kwa) http://nyti.ms/emQBde (http://nyti.ms/emQBde)
He ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay. It was Republicans (and a smattering of Democrats) who prevented him from following through. http://bit.ly/eW6CVF (http://bit.ly/eW6CVF)
Ordered a review of our detention and interrogation policy, and prohibited the use of torture, or what Bush called "enhanced interrogation." He ordered interrogators to limit their actions to the Army Field manual. http://bit.ly/g6MTuC (http://bit.ly/g6MTuC)
He ordered all secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere to be closed. http://bbc.in/h6N9ax (http://bbc.in/h6N9ax)
He released the Bush torture memos. http://bit.ly/hWJ5z0 (http://bit.ly/hWJ5z0)
On his second day in office, he signed a detailed Executive Order that banned torture, reversed all Bush torture policies, and put the United States in compliance with the Geneva Convention. http://1.usa.gov/dL6Zve (http://1.usa.gov/dL6Zve) http://nyti.ms/hzWWys (http://nyti.ms/hzWWys)
In response to the emerging "Arab Spring," he created a Rapid Response fund, to assist emerging democracies with foreign aid, debt relief, technical assistance and investment packages in order to show that the United States stands with them. http://bit.ly/zfmGv9 (http://bit.ly/zfmGv9)
Passed the Iran Sanctions Act, to prevent war, and to encourage Iran to give up their nuclear program. http://1.usa.gov/wLtNjb (http://1.usa.gov/wLtNjb)
Ended the Iraq War. http://tgr.ph/ru0tyS (http://tgr.ph/ru0tyS)
He authorized and oversaw a secret mission by SEAL Team Six to rescue two hostages held by Somali pirates. http://bit.ly/y8c9Fz (http://bit.ly/y8c9Fz)
Better Approach to "Defense"
Created a comprehensive new strategy for dealing with the international nuclear threat. http://1.usa.gov/gDX1nE (http://1.usa.gov/gDX1nE)
He authorized a $1.4 billion reduction in Star Wars program in 2010. http://1.usa.gov/gLFZl2 (http://1.usa.gov/gLFZl2)
He restarted nuclear nonproliferation talks and built up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols to where they had been before Bush. http://lat.ms/gkcl3i (http://lat.ms/gkcl3i)
He signed and pushed to ratification a new SALT Treaty. http://bit.ly/f3JVtw (http://bit.ly/f3JVtw)
Negotiated and signed a new START Treaty that will lst until at least 2021. http://1.usa.gov/cI1bC4 (http://1.usa.gov/cI1bC4)
Through the Defense Authorization Act, he reversed the Bush Administration and committed to no permanent military bases in Iraq. http://bit.ly/hk73OJ (http://bit.ly/hk73OJ)
He developed the first comprehensive strategy with regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan designed to facilitate the defeat of al Qaeda and the withdrawal of most troops, as well as the rebuilding of Afghanistan. http://wapo.st/ee4Xcs (http://wapo.st/ee4Xcs)
He returned our focus to Afghanistan, stabilized the country, and began the process of withdrawing our troops from the country. http://bit.ly/lNXUna (http://bit.ly/lNXUna)
Fulfilled campaign promise and ended our involvement in Iraq, and will complete full troop withdrawal before Christmas 2011. http://onforb.es/nTUk4Z (http://onforb.es/nTUk4Z)
He took steps to severely weaken al Qaeda and limited their ability to terrorize the world. http://yhoo.it/n5lXs6 (http://yhoo.it/n5lXs6)
He negotiated and signed a nuclear nonproliferation treaty with India. http://1.usa.gov/aHp0Cn (http://1.usa.gov/aHp0Cn)
He took decisive action to use NATO to limit the slaughter of innocents in Libya, so that the Libyan people could topple a despotic government and determine their own fate. http://aje.me/qAh4Sj (http://aje.me/qAh4Sj)
Treating Soldiers and Veterans with Respect
He made sure that families of fallen soldiers could be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB, by providing funding for it. He also ended the media blackout on coverage of the return of fallen soldiers. http://nyti.ms/glqN66 (http://nyti.ms/glqN66) http://bbc.in/gWSSkA (http://bbc.in/gWSSkA)
He funded Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with an extra $1.4 billion to improve veterans' services. http://1.usa.gov/huhqfo (http://1.usa.gov/huhqfo)
He provided the troops with better body armor. http://bit.ly/hzSv2h (http://bit.ly/hzSv2h)
Created the Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record program for military personnel, in order to improve the quality of their medical care. http://1.usa.gov/f4yaxW (http://1.usa.gov/f4yaxW)
He put an end to the Bush-era stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan beyond their enlistment date. (personal note: my son will be in harm's way for six fewer months with Obama as president, so you know I love this one.) http://nyti.ms/e2YQ7Q (http://nyti.ms/e2YQ7Q)
He supported and signed the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, which made more money available to enable better medical care for veterans. http://1.usa.gov/fN4ur1 (http://1.usa.gov/fN4ur1)
He ushered through the largest spending increase in 30 years for the Department of Veterans Affairs for improved medical facilities, and to assist states in acquiring or constructing state nursing homes and extended care facilities. http://1.usa.gov/gY8O3x (http://1.usa.gov/gY8O3x)
He created the Green Vet Initiative, which provided special funding to the Labor Department to provide veterans with training in green jobs. http://bit.ly/epwUQY (http://bit.ly/epwUQY)
He oversaw a $4.6 billion expansion of the Veterans Administration budget to pay for more mental health professionals. http://bit.ly/gjzTxX (http://bit.ly/gjzTxX)
Education
He has repeatedly increased funding for student financial aid, and at the same time cut the banks completely out of the process. http://bit.ly/gYWd30 (http://bit.ly/gYWd30) http://bit.ly/e9c7Dr (http://bit.ly/e9c7Dr) http://bit.ly/eEzTNq (http://bit.ly/eEzTNq)
Completely reformed the student loan program, to make it possible for students to refinance at a lower rate. http://nyti.ms/dMvHOt (http://nyti.ms/dMvHOt)
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act , he invested heavily in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. http://1.usa.gov/gGRIAr (http://1.usa.gov/gGRIAr) This includes a major expansion of broadband availability in K-12 schools nationwide http://bit.ly/fNDcj3 (http://bit.ly/fNDcj3) , as well as an expansion in school construction. http://bit.ly/fYwNrV (http://bit.ly/fYwNrV)
Also through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, he put $5 billion into early education, including Head Start. http://1.usa.gov/tzT2Rr (http://1.usa.gov/tzT2Rr)
Signed the Post-9/11 GI Bill, also known as GI Bill 2.0 http://bit.ly/hPhG7J (http://bit.ly/hPhG7J)
He oversaw expansion of the Pell Grants program, to expand opportunity for low income students to go to college. http://bit.ly/hI6tXz (http://bit.ly/hI6tXz)
He passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which provided an extra $12.2 billion in funds. http://1.usa.gov/dQvtUe (http://1.usa.gov/dQvtUe)
Greater Transparency and Better Government
He signed an order banning gifts from lobbyists to anyone in the Executive Branch. http://bit.ly/fsBACN (http://bit.ly/fsBACN)
He signed an order banning anyone from working in an agency they had lobbied in previous years. He also put strict limits on lobbyists' access to the White House. http://nyti.ms/gOrznV (http://nyti.ms/gOrznV)
He held the first-ever first online town hall from the White House, and took questions from the public. http://bit.ly/gVNSgX (http://bit.ly/gVNSgX)
The Obama White House became the first to stream every White House event, live. http://1.usa.gov/kAgOP5 (http://1.usa.gov/kAgOP5)
He established a central portal for Americans to find service opportunities. http://www.serve.gov (http://www.serve.gov)
He provided the first voluntary disclosure of the White House Visitors Log in history. http://1.usa.gov/hQ7ttV (http://1.usa.gov/hQ7ttV)
He crafted an Executive Order on Presidential Records, which restored the 30-day time frame for former presidents to review records, and eliminated the right for the vice president or family members of former presidents to do the reviews. This will provide the public with greater access to historic White House documents, and severely curtails the ability to use executive privilege to shield them.
http://1.usa.gov/gUetLb (http://1.usa.gov/gUetLb)
He improved aspects of the Freedom of Information Act, and issued new guidelines to make FOIA more open and transparent in the processing of FOIA requests. http://1.usa.gov/gjrnp2 (http://1.usa.gov/gjrnp2)
National Safety and Security
He's restored federal agencies such as FEMA to the point that they have been able to manage a huge number of natural disasters successfully. http://bit.ly/h8Xj7z (http://bit.ly/h8Xj7z)
Authorized Navy SEALS to successfully secure the release of a US captain held by Somali pirates and increased patrols off the Somali coast. http://nyti.ms/efBO7B (http://nyti.ms/efBO7B)
Has repeatedly beefed up border security http://bit.ly/mMYB4i (http://bit.ly/mMYB4i)
Ordered and oversaw the Navy SEALS operation that killed Osama bin Laden. http://bit.ly/jChpgw (http://bit.ly/jChpgw)
Science, Technology and Health Care
He created a Presidential Memorandum to restore scientific integrity in government decision-making.
http://1.usa.gov/g2SDuw (http://1.usa.gov/g2SDuw)
Opened up the process for fast-tracking patent approval for green energy projects. http://bit.ly/j0KV2U (http://bit.ly/j0KV2U)
He eliminated the Bush-era restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. He also provided increased federal support for biomedical and stem cell research. http://bit.ly/h36SSO (http://bit.ly/h36SSO) http://ti.me/edezge (http://ti.me/edezge)
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, he committed more federal funding, about $18 billion, to support non-defense science and research labs. http://nyti.ms/fTs9t7 (http://nyti.ms/fTs9t7)
He signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first comprehensive attempt to improve the lives of Americans living with paralysis. http://bit.ly/fOi2rb (http://bit.ly/fOi2rb)
He expanded the Nurse-Family Partnership program, which provides home visits by trained registered nurses to low-income expectant mothers and their families, to cover more first-time mothers. http://bit.ly/jRRRJc (http://bit.ly/jRRRJc)
His EPA reveresed research ethics standards which allowed humands to be used as "guinea pigs" in tests of the effects of chemicals, to comply with numerous codes of medical ethics. http://bit.ly/bKgqdS (http://bit.ly/bKgqdS)
Conducted a cyberspace policy review. http://1.usa.gov/gmbdvC (http://1.usa.gov/gmbdvC)
Provided financial support for private sector space programs. http://bit.ly/fn8ucr (http://bit.ly/fn8ucr)
He oversaw enhanced earth mapping, to provide valuable data for agricultural, educational, scientific, and government use. http://bit.ly/dNTRyP (http://bit.ly/dNTRyP)
He ushered throough a bill that authorized the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products. http://on.msnbc.com/fiKViB (http://on.msnbc.com/fiKViB) As a result, the FDA has Ordered Tobacco Companies to Disclose Cigarette Ingredients and banned sale of cigarettes falsely labeled as "light."
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, he provided $500 million for Health Professions Training Programs. http://bit.ly/ecQSgA (http://bit.ly/ecQSgA)
He also increased funding for community-based prevention programs. http://bit.ly/frMPG3 (http://bit.ly/frMPG3)
He oversaw a 50% decrease in cost of prescription drugs for seniors. http://bit.ly/e5b1iq (http://bit.ly/e5b1iq) http://1.usa.gov/fVNkt9 (http://1.usa.gov/fVNkt9)
He eliminated the Bush-era practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug companies on price. http://bit.ly/fOkG5b (http://bit.ly/fOkG5b)
Two weeks after taking office, he signed the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which increased the number of children covered by health insurance by 4 million. http://bit.ly/fDEzGv (http://bit.ly/fDEzGv)
He held a quick press conference, and urged Congress to investigate Anthem Blue Cross for raising premiums 39% without explanation. Rep. Waxman responded by launching a probe, and Anthem Blue Cross put the increase on hold for two months. http://yhoo.it/e8Tj9C (http://yhoo.it/e8Tj9C)
Ushered through and signed the Affordable Health Care Act, which expanded health insurance coverage to 30 million more people, and ended many common insurance company practices that are often detrimental to those with coverage. He also established http://www.healthcare.gov/ (http://www.healthcare.gov/)
Through the Affordable Health Care Act, he allowed children to be covered under their parents' policy until they turned 26. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V (http://nyti.ms/fNB26V)
Through the Affordable Health Care Act, he provided tax breaks to allow 3.5 million small business to provide health insurance to their employees, and 29 million people will receive tax breaks to help them afford health insurance. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V (http://nyti.ms/fNB26V)
Through the Affordable Health Care Act, he expanded Medicaid to those making up to 133% of the federal poverty level. http://nyti.ms/ekMWpo (http://nyti.ms/ekMWpo)
Through the Affordable Health Care Act, health insurance companies now have to disclose how much of your premium actually goes to pay for patient care. http://nyti.ms/fNB26V (http://nyti.ms/fNB26V)
Provisions in the Affordable Health Care Act have already resulted in Medicare costs actually declining slightly this fiscal year, for the first time in many years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Last year's increase was 4%. Compare that to the average 12% annual inflation rate during the previous 40 years. http://1.usa.gov/oMxpTh (http://1.usa.gov/oMxpTh)
Strengthening the Middle Class and Families
He worked to provide affordable, high-quality child care to working families. http://bit.ly/fNfidS (http://bit.ly/fNfidS)
He cracked down on companies that were previously denying sick pay, vacation and health insurance, and Social Security and Medicare tax payments through abuse of the employee classification of independent contractor. http://nyti.ms/fOGLcj (http://nyti.ms/fOGLcj)
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act , he cut taxes for 95% of America's working families. http://bit.ly/eSEI4F (http://bit.ly/eSEI4F)
Under Obama, tax rates for average working families are the lowest they've been since 1950. http://bit.ly/f74pD8 (http://bit.ly/f74pD8)
He extended and fully funded the patch for the Alternative Minimum Tax for 10 years. http://bit.ly/eFeSdP (http://bit.ly/eFeSdP)
He extended discounted COBRA health coverage for the unemployed from 9 months to 15 months, and he's extended unemployment benefits several times. http://aol.it/evtVxD (http://aol.it/evtVxD) http://nyti.ms/emrqKJ (http://nyti.ms/emrqKJ) http://bit.ly/hOtIpg (http://bit.ly/hOtIpg) http://bit.ly/fTT7kz (http://bit.ly/fTT7kz)
Environment and Energy
He fast-tracked regulations to allow states to enact federal fuel efficiency standards that were above federal standards. http://nyti.ms/e8e94x (http://nyti.ms/e8e94x)
He fast-tracked increased fuel economy standards for vehicles beginning with the 2011 model year. It was the first time such standards had been increased in a decade. http://politi.co/hiaPKM (http://politi.co/hiaPKM)
He oversaw the establishment of an Energy Partnership for the Americas, which creates more markets for American-made biofuels and green energy technologies. http://bit.ly/lZp73y (http://bit.ly/lZp73y)
His EPA reversed a Bush-era decision to allow the largest mountaintop removal project in US history. http://bit.ly/lP3yEL (http://bit.ly/lP3yEL)
He ordered the Department of Energy to implement more aggressive efficiency standards for common household appliances. http://1.usa.gov/g3MTbu (http://1.usa.gov/g3MTbu)
He ordered energy plants to prepare to produce at least 15% of all energy through renewable resources like wind and solar, by 2021. http://reut.rs/fV155p (http://reut.rs/fV155p) (As you can see, Republicans are trying hard to kill it.)
He oversaw the creation of an initiative that converts old factories and manufacturing centers into new clean technology centers. http://bit.ly/mjnq2R (http://bit.ly/mjnq2R)
Bypassed Republican opposition in Congress and ordered EPA to begin regulating and measuring carbon emissions. http://bit.ly/froaP5 (http://bit.ly/froaP5)
His EPA ruled that CO2 is a pollutant. http://bit.ly/iQTSNN (http://bit.ly/iQTSNN)
He doubled federal spending on clean energy research. http://bit.ly/iN0sCE (http://bit.ly/iN0sCE)
He pushed through a tax credit to help people buy plug-in hybrid cars. http://bit.ly/j8UP5Y (http://bit.ly/j8UP5Y)
He created a program to develop renewable energy projects on the waters of our Outer Continental Shelf that will produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. http://1.usa.gov/fgfRWq (http://1.usa.gov/fgfRWq)
He reengaged in the climate change and greenhouse gas emissions agreements talks, and even proposed one himself. He also addressed the U.N. Climate Change Conference, officially reversing the Bush era stance that climate change was a "hoax." http://bit.ly/dX6Vj3 (http://bit.ly/dX6Vj3) http://bit.ly/fE2PxK (http://bit.ly/fE2PxK) http://nyti.ms/hfeqvv (http://nyti.ms/hfeqvv)
He fully supported the initial phase of the creation of a legally-binding treaty to reduce mercury emissions worldwide. http://bit.ly/eJ6QOO (http://bit.ly/eJ6QOO)
He required states to provide incentives to utilities to reduce their energy consumption. http://bit.ly/lBhk7P (http://bit.ly/lBhk7P)
Following Bush's eight year reign, he reengaged in a number of treaties and agreements designed to protect the Antarctic. http://bit.ly/fzQUFO (http://bit.ly/fzQUFO)
Created tax write-offs for purchases of hybrid automobiles, and later he and Democrats morphed that program into one that includes electric cars. http://bit.ly/glCukV (http://bit.ly/glCukV)
Mandated that federal government fleet purchases be for fuel-efficient American vehicles, and encouraged that federal agencies support experimental, fuel-efficient vehicles. http://bit.ly/h5KZqy (http://bit.ly/h5KZqy) http://1.usa.gov/fLWq5c (http://1.usa.gov/fLWq5c) http://1.usa.gov/hmUSbk (http://1.usa.gov/hmUSbk)
He oversaw and pushed through an amendment to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 authorizing advances from Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. http://1.usa.gov/yTRYVo (http://1.usa.gov/yTRYVo)
He also actively tried to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to eliminate the liability limits for those companies responsible for large oil spills. http://nyti.ms/bxjDi3 (http://nyti.ms/bxjDi3)
He initiated Criinal and Civil inquiries into the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. http://nyti.ms/bVuB7a (http://nyti.ms/bVuB7a)
Through his EPA, he asserted federal legal supremacy, and barred Texas from authorizing new refinery permits on its own. http://bit.ly/ww8eMd (http://bit.ly/ww8eMd)
He strengthened the Endangered Species Act. http://bit.ly/hscjsH (http://bit.ly/hscjsH)
His EPA improved boiler safety standards to improve air quality, and save 6500 lives per year. http://bit.ly/jYH7nt (http://bit.ly/jYH7nt)
Through the EPA, he took steps to severely limit the use of antibiotics in livestock feed, to increase their efficacy in humans. http://bit.ly/fBuWd2 (http://bit.ly/fBuWd2)
He increased funding for National Parks and Forests by 10% http://bit.ly/fbJPjY (http://bit.ly/fbJPjY)
He announced greatly improved commercial fuel efficiency standards. http://1.usa.gov/oQiC1K (http://1.usa.gov/oQiC1K)
He announced the deveopment of a huge increase in average fuel economy standards from 27.5mpg to 35.5mpg starting in 2016 and 54.5 starting in 2025 http://1.usa.gov/qtghsW (http://1.usa.gov/qtghsW)
Other Stuff
He has expanded trade agreements to include stricter labor and environmental agreements such as NAFTA. http://bit.ly/etznpY (http://bit.ly/etznpY)
He oversaw funding of the design of a new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History, which is scheduled to open on the National Mall in 2015. He protected the funding during the recent budget negotiations. http://on.fb.me/fD0EVO (http://on.fb.me/fD0EVO) http://bit.ly/ff5Luv (http://bit.ly/ff5Luv)
Oversaw and passed increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. http://bit.ly/dFb8qF (http://bit.ly/dFb8qF)
He nominated Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. Sotomayor is the first Hispanic Justice in the court's history, and the women represent only the third and fourth women to serve on the court, out of a total of 112 justices. http://huff.to/eOChg6 (http://huff.to/eOChg6) http://bit.ly/i02wgP (http://bit.ly/i02wgP)
He appointed the most diverse Cabinet in history, including more women than any other incoming president. http://bit.ly/dX6vNB (http://bit.ly/dX6vNB)
He eliminated federal funding for abstinence-only education, and he rescinded the global gag rule. http://bit.ly/eCFAI1 (http://bit.ly/eCFAI1) http://bit.ly/f92drF (http://bit.ly/f92drF)
He loosened the rules and allowed the 14 states that legalized medical marijuana to regulate themselves without federal interference. http://huff.to/eQfa7j (http://huff.to/eQfa7j)
His FDA banned the use of antibiotics in livestock production. http://bit.ly/jUjLzo (http://bit.ly/jUjLzo)
Ushered through and signed national service legislation, increasing funding for national service groups, including triple the size of the Americorps program. http://bit.ly/idgQH5 (http://bit.ly/idgQH5)
Somebody is sleeping or does not want to acknowledge your wonderful post, Amazon!
OK, if you don't like him. I have had my disagreements. But here's a reason to vote. The Supreme Court is one of the most powerful forces in American society. If Ro-money gets in the court will flip from 5-4 to maybe 6-3 (several people will likely be up in the next 4-8 years. I am not sure re all the details but Ruth Bayder Ginsberg (for instance) is in her 80s. You think there will be any rights of minorities under such a scenario? Are you sure?
--Jay Jay
QuoteNot only is he NOT a "disappointment," he's pretty much the opposite.
Thanks Amazon for posting that great list from PCTC.
Aleon515, I agree with concerns about the SCOTUS. This is already in some ways the most regressive supreme court majority since the court that issued the Dred Scot decision. Appointments matter.
From this distance your system seems to suffer from the fact that the President and Congress can be Prty opposites, and nothing gets done. How can the largest economy in the world not have a balanced budget for year after year?
Karen.
Obama's Presidency: Colossal Failure (http://www.creators.com/opinion/dick-morris/obama-s-presidency-colossal-failure.html)
Particularly if the Supreme Court invalidates the individual mandate at the heart of the Obamacare Law, this president's tenure is increasingly going to be seen as an unmitigated failure.
The economy is in shambles and getting worse. The national debt is bloated. The stimulus didn't work. His health care reform law, his signature program, may be unconstitutional. He tied the nation up for a year and a half and lost his party's House majority and much of its margin in the Senate to pass and defend a law that was so poorly written that it will have been possibly thrown out by the Court. He may be cited for contempt of Congress. He hasn't delivered on his environmental commitments. Cap and trade is a dead letter. Governor Scott Walker's victory in Wisconsin makes a mockery of Obama's pledge to strengthen organized labor during his term. American popularity around the globe is lower than it was under Bush, and both Iran and North Korea are more threatening.
What's left?
Any even vaguely objective observer has to agree that Obama has failed. The parties still disagree on whose fault the failure was and what the remedy is, but there can be no doubt that he has utterly failed.
More at the link
Quote from: justmeinoz on June 26, 2012, 06:06:40 AM
From this distance your system seems to suffer from the fact that the President and Congress can be Prty opposites, and nothing gets done. How can the largest economy in the world not have a balanced budget for year after year?
Karen.
Liberal Democrats
Quote from: justmeinoz on June 26, 2012, 06:06:40 AM
How can the largest economy in the world not have a balanced budget for year after year?
Quote from: Jamie D on June 26, 2012, 10:22:19 PM
Liberal Democrats
I'm sure all these wars have had nothing to do with it. Would all of the greatest social programs that we could design even approach the cost of the wars the US has fought recently?
Even a single person's life is worth more than money should ever be valued at.
Quote from: Jamie D on June 26, 2012, 10:20:23 PM
Obama's Presidency: Colossal Failure (http://www.creators.com/opinion/dick-morris/obama-s-presidency-colossal-failure.html)
Particularly if the Supreme Court invalidates the individual mandate at the heart of the Obamacare Law, this president's tenure is increasingly going to be seen as an unmitigated failure.
The economy is in shambles and getting worse. The national debt is bloated. The stimulus didn't work. His health care reform law, his signature program, may be unconstitutional. He tied the nation up for a year and a half and lost his party's House majority and much of its margin in the Senate to pass and defend a law that was so poorly written that it will have been possibly thrown out by the Court. He may be cited for contempt of Congress. He hasn't delivered on his environmental commitments. Cap and trade is a dead letter. Governor Scott Walker's victory in Wisconsin makes a mockery of Obama's pledge to strengthen organized labor during his term. American popularity around the globe is lower than it was under Bush, and both Iran and North Korea are more threatening.
What's left?
More at the link
Do you have any data to support these opinions? This was taken from the Dick Morris "Opinion" page.
Quote from: Jamie D on June 26, 2012, 10:20:23 PM
Any even vaguely objective observer has to agree that Obama has failed. The parties still disagree on whose fault the failure was and what the remedy is, but there can be no doubt that he has utterly failed.
This statement contradicts itself...twice!
Jennifer
Quote from: Jeneva on June 27, 2012, 12:02:49 AM
I'm sure all these wars have had nothing to do with it. Would all of the greatest social programs that we could design even approach the cost of the wars the US has fought recently?
Even a single person's life is worth more than money should ever be valued at.
Do you mean the unjust 10 year war in Iraq started by George W. Bush after he let the 9/11 attacks happen killing 3,000 civilians (including my brother) and costing us trillions of dollars and over 6,000 American soldiers lives (including several of my friends) in which the Dick Cheney led Halliburton (and KBR and Blackwater etc.) Military Industrial Complex profited from, the war that Obama got us out of? The war that was predicated on false information about weapons of mass destruction that never were found? Damn you Republican war mongers!
Jennifer
Correct, it is an analysis from Dick Morris, former adviser to Bill Clinton.
I believe the statements are self-evident.
To the above, we can add:
While Republican attacks on Obama over the economy are multiplying, the president's real troubles might be the other end of the spectrum, among his natural supporters on the left. There, dissatisfaction, disillusionment and concerns about whether he is up to the job dog him.
Obama's poor showing in West Virginia, Kentucky and Arkansas offer quantitative evidence of Democratic discontent with the president, and focus groups and polling offer qualitative evidence. Polls of registered voters show an Obama lead of up to 4 points, while those of likely voters show an equivalent lead for Romney. Obama cannot get his people to the polls. He can't make registered voters who support him into likely voters. The Democratic discontent with Obama is taking its toll on the turnout of his base....
Democrats are impatient with Obama's failure to get anything done and intolerant of his inability to force Republicans to pass his legislation. While one side of this double-edged sword blames the GOP for ideological intransigence, the other sees in Obama a politician not able to produce and not up to the job. With books recounting how uninvolved Obama is in the legislative process (quite the contrary of the image of LBJ we see in the Caro biography), the negative view of the president among his normal supporters only grows worse.
To liberals already antagonized by the fact that Gitmo is still open, that it took so long to pull out of Iraq, that we are still in Afghanistan and that Obama might have been so incompetent in drafting his healthcare law that it is unconstitutional, the president's failures with Congress could become the last straw.
The Hill: Obama's unhappy left flank (http://thehill.com/opinion/columnists/dick-morris/231057-obamas-unhappy-left-flank)
It would behoove the GLBT community not to hitch its wagon to a dead horse. Special interests which go "all-in" for the losing candidate usually end up getting "shut out."
Quote from: Jennifer on June 27, 2012, 01:19:03 AM
Do you mean the unjust 10 year war in Iraq started by George W. Bush after he let the 9/11 attacks happen killing 3,000 civilians (including my brother) and costing us trillions of dollars and over 6,000 American soldiers lives (including several of my friends) in which the Dick Cheney led Halliburton (and KBR and Blackwater etc.) Military Industrial Complex profited from, the war that Obama got us out of? The war that was predicated on false information about weapons of mass destruction that never were found? Damn you Republican war mongers!
Jennifer
Jennifer, please. Do you think the 5,000 Kurds who died in the 1988 Halabja Massacre would agree that Saddam did not possess weapons of mass destruction?
I'm not even going to post any of the horrific pictures of what poison gas, never fully accounted for, can do.
The destruction of the Saddam Hussein regime was a blessing for all mankind.
Quote from: Jamie D on June 26, 2012, 10:20:23 PM
Any even vaguely objective observer has to agree that Obama has failed.
Can't argue with that. He failed in four years to clean up the mess that was left for him (or are you going to argue that the economy was in great shape when he took office).
I'm mad at my plastic surgeon. He wasn't able to fix me after my savage beating at the hands of a mugger. I still have scars and a limp. I'm going to fire him, seek out the mugger who made me this way and see whether he'll do a better job.
Sorry Jamie. You know I think you're wonderful, but some statements, I just gotta challenge.
How about if we try to keep this a "positive" thread. Name calling and throwing barbs at opposing views isn't helping.
Elections are always very polarizing events and I hate to see us tear each other up over our differing views.
There will probably be many political threads over the next few months and I would hate to see them getting locked because of unnecessary rudeness from either side of the aisle.
Quote from: agfrommd on June 27, 2012, 09:49:19 AM
Can't argue with that. He failed in four years to clean up the mess that was left for him (or are you going to argue that the economy was in great shape when he took office).
I'm mad at my plastic surgeon. He wasn't able to fix me after my savage beating at the hands of a mugger. I still have scars and a limp. I'm going to fire him, seek out the mugger who made me this way and see whether he'll do a better job.
Sorry Jamie. You know I think you're wonderful, but some statements, I just gotta challenge.
Fair enough, AG I'll only make reference to the Administration's own predictions. After enacting the $800 billion stimulus bill (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009), the Administration declares 2010 to be "Recovery Summer." We don't here that phrase from them anymore. Why? Abject failure. It failed so badly, the Democrats lost the House in the Nov 2010 election.
How long does the Administration get to fail and continue to blame its predecessors? Was not the campaign slogan "Hope and Change", instead of "We are hopeless and its his fault"?
Quote from: Jamie D on June 27, 2012, 10:38:53 AM
How long does the Administration get to fail and continue to blame its predecessors?
You ask the right question. That's the surest road to the truth, to ask the right questions.
I can only provide my own answer, which is "as long as the situation was indeed due to decisions and non-decisions of those predecessors".
I'm not against you 100% on this, Jamie. I agree there are lots of measures that our government should have taken but didn't and a few it should have stayed away from that cost money and probably didn't do much good. But it still seems like a bad idea to go back to the policies that got us in this mess in the first place.
I'd rather have a really slow mechanic trying to put my car back together after a crash than a quick one trying to take it apart quickly to sell it for spare parts to pay his buddies.
Quote from: peky on June 25, 2012, 06:23:39 PM
Somebody is sleeping or does not want to acknowledge your wonderful post, Amazon!
The post by Amazon D is a cut & paste from Milt Shook's blog, "PleaseCutTheCrap."
Quote from: Sarah Louise on June 27, 2012, 10:03:06 AM
How about if we try to keep this a "positive" thread. Name calling and throwing barbs at opposing views isn't helping.
Elections are always very polarizing events and I hate to see us tear each other up over our differing views.
There will probably be many political threads over the next few months and I would hate to see them getting locked because of unnecessary rudeness from either side of the aisle.
Thank you for the reminder, Sarah Louise.
Also, let me add that, other than moving the topic to this forum, I am not moderating this thread. Because I am involved in the discussion, I have a conflict of interest, and have taken off the "moderator hat."
Politics are, by nature, polarizing. At the same time, the discussion of opposing points of view can lead to a better understanding.
Quote from: Jamie D on June 27, 2012, 01:38:02 AM
Jennifer, please. Do you think the 5,000 Kurds who died in the 1988 Halabja Massacre would agree that Saddam did not possess weapons of mass destruction?
And 14 years later when we invaded Iraq did we find any whatsoever?....NO!
Quote from: Jamie D on June 27, 2012, 11:23:47 AM
The post by Amazon D is a cut & paste from Milt Shook's blog, "PleaseCutTheCrap."
That's correct, complete with data to support each statement (Unlike your unsubstantiated, broad and sweeping statements).
Jennifer
Quote from: Jennifer on June 27, 2012, 04:17:07 PM
And 14 years later when we invaded Iraq did we find any whatsoever?....NO!
That's correct, complete with data to support each statement (Unlike your unsubstantiated, broad and sweeping statements).
Jennifer
As a result of the agreement following "Desert Storm," the Saddam Hussein regime was supposed to account for their chemical weapons, as well as other building blocks for other types of WMD. They lied, evaded, stonewalled, and misled.
What was found in Iraq was:
1.77 metric tons of enriched uranium
1,500 gallons of chemical weapons agents
17 chemical warheads containing cyclosarin (a nerve agent five times more deadly than sarin gas)
Over 1,000 radioactive materials in powdered form meant for dispersal over populated areas
Roadside bombs loaded with mustard and " conventional" sarin gas, assembled in binary chemical projectiles for maximum potencySource -
WMD have been found in Iraq (http://www.internet-grocer.net/weapons.htm)
Hussein had chemical weapons and deployed WMD against his own people, and against Iranians. His regime could not account for his stockpiles.
Clinton thought he had them. The Russians thought he had them. The English thought he had them. And George W Bush acted because he thought they had them. In fact, they retained the capability to make them. That is a distinction without a real difference.
I'll vote for obama, although not happily.
Quote from: Laura91 on June 27, 2012, 06:45:36 PM
So why do it at all?
I'm not asking this in a snarky way. I just don't get it.
Because people do things they don't like all the time.
Quote from: Laura91 on June 27, 2012, 06:45:36 PM
So why do it at all?
I'm not asking this in a snarky way. I just don't get it.
and also because there is way worse with the republicans in control..
Quote from: Jamie D on June 27, 2012, 06:29:30 PM
As a result of the agreement following "Desert Storm," the Saddam Hussein regime was supposed to account for their chemical weapons, as well as other building blocks for other types of WMD. They lied, evaded, stonewalled, and misled.
What was found in Iraq was:
1.77 metric tons of enriched uranium
1,500 gallons of chemical weapons agents
17 chemical warheads containing cyclosarin (a nerve agent five times more deadly than sarin gas)
Over 1,000 radioactive materials in powdered form meant for dispersal over populated areas
Roadside bombs loaded with mustard and " conventional" sarin gas, assembled in binary chemical projectiles for maximum potency
Source - WMD have been found in Iraq (http://www.internet-grocer.net/weapons.htm)
Hussein had chemical weapons and deployed WMD against his own people, and against Iranians. His regime could not account for his stockpiles.
Clinton thought he had them. The Russians thought he had them. The English thought he had them. And George W Bush acted because he thought they had them. In fact, they retained the capability to make them. That is a distinction without a real difference.
Are you serious? This is conspiracy theory B.S. 101. All unsubstantiated unverified claims aimed at getting the gullible to buy their books and newsletters. Just because Richard Miniter says it's true is not factual data. If you click on this link you will see they even claim that Global Warming is a hoax. ;) ;D You have lost all credibility with me Jamie D.
GETTING BACK ON TOPIC, here is some factual verifiable data which suggests that President Obama is on our side: http://OFA.BO/NowhbJ (http://ofa.bo/NowhbJ) #Pride2012
I'm sorry Jamie D, I mean no disrespect but I just can't believe you fall for that stuff.
Quote from: Laura91 on June 27, 2012, 06:45:36 PM
So why do it at all?
I'm not asking this in a snarky way. I just don't get it.
Because not voting is unpatriotic. It starts with your local leaders and school boards to county then state then federal leaders.
Jennifer
Really, Jennifer?
Washington Post: Iraqi Chemical Stash Uncovered (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/13/AR2005081300530.html)
BAGHDAD, Aug. 13 [2005] -- U.S. troops raiding a warehouse in the northern city of Mosul uncovered a suspected chemical weapons factory containing 1,500 gallons of chemicals believed destined for attacks on U.S. and Iraqi forces and civilians, military officials said Saturday.
Monday's early morning raid found 11 precursor agents, "some of them quite dangerous by themselves," a military spokesman, Lt. Col. Steven A. Boylan, said in Baghdad.
Combined, the chemicals would yield an agent capable of "lingering hazards" for those exposed to it, Boylan said. The likely targets would have been "coalition and Iraqi security forces, and Iraqi civilians," partly because the chemicals would be difficult to keep from spreading over a wide area, he said.
Washington Post - right wing conspiracy?
BBC: US reveals Iraq nuclear operation (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3872201.stm)
[July 7, 2004] - The US has revealed that it removed more than 1.7 metric tons of radioactive material from Iraq in a secret operation last month.
"This operation was a major achievement," said US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham in a statement.
He said it would keep "potentially dangerous nuclear materials out of the hands of terrorists".
Along with 1.77 tons of enriched uranium, about 1,000 "highly radioactive sources" were also removed.
The material was taken from a former nuclear research facility on 23 June, after being packaged by 20 experts from the US Energy Department's secret laboratories.
BBC - right wing conspiracy?
The Telegraph: Chemical warheads found in Saddam bunker (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1419164/Chemical-warheads-found-in-Saddam-bunker.html)
[January 17, 2003] - The prospect of war with Iraq rose sharply last night after United Nations weapons inspectors discovered 11 rocket warheads designed to deliver chemical weapons. They said Baghdad had failed to declare them.
America and Britain would not say whether the discovery amounted to a "smoking gun" that would trigger war to disarm Iraq and topple Saddam Hussein's regime. But the find will reinforce the conviction that Iraq has lied systematically about not having weapons of mass destruction.
A senior Whitehall official said the find was "significant", but not an instant trigger for war, saying Saddam still could avoid conflict.
The warheads were found while inspectors searched an ammunition depot 75 miles south of Baghdad.
"They were in excellent condition and were similar to ones imported by Iraq during the late 1980s," said a UN spokesman. A twelfth was also being examined.
The United Nations and the Tony Blair government - right wing conspiracy?
Quote from: Laura91 on June 27, 2012, 08:27:31 PM
Yeah, but if I don't like something I don't do it. I see it all as being two diseased sides of the same coin. I will say, though that some of the childish responses I have got from some people in this thread is pretty ridiculous. It seems more like a playground spat rather than a serious discussion about the issue.
*yawn* leave the little digs and subs to the gay guys. We do it
soo much better.
Since y'all can't seem to converse a topic without taking pot shots at each other, this topic is locked.