Obama back on stride? Prelude to 2012, or just for Mid-Terms?

AtLast · 09-23-2010, 08:39 PM

After the past week's Congressional antics on the bill with the repealing DADT, I am just furious with the Administration and many Democrats!

What I am really wondering about, however, is not Obama, himself, but his close advisors.

Any thoughts?

Jess · 09-24-2010, 04:57 AM

I thought that most of his advisors were selected by him? Am I off base with this?

I think it would be easy to look to the advisor's if he hadn't personally appointed them. I look at the credentials of most of his advisor's ( for example Elizabeth Warren new assistant with economic issues) and they seem to be very impressive, albeit I think mostly academic rather than " hand's on", as it were.

I tend to feel more strongly that his "party" is to blame for the very dissent that is going on within it's ranks. The people hired to make sure he won.
Too many election promises with no delivery.

I am very concerned that the more moderate democrats will swing away from "party politics" and unfortunately unless they are able to rally a strong voice of reason, pulling the more reasonable democrats together, there is little place else to go than to side with republicans. Here again, unfortunately "Republicans" are mostly associated with the McCains out there, ultra conservative God fearing bible thumping fear mongers whom still lead their constituents through means of pulling on their "christian" based views of right vs wrong, rather than on common sense and common welfare.

I am hoping to see more "common sense" politics and sense of fair play emerge. I wish we could take the best and the brightest of both parties, lose the extremists ( even though some extremists are indeed brilliant) and find a path our country can walk and thrive. Right now, I don't see either party being cohesive enough to be effective.

betenoire · 09-24-2010, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

After the past week's Congressional antics on the bill with the repealing DADT, I am just furious with the Administration and many Democrats!

What I am really wondering about, however, is not Obama, himself, but his close advisors.

Any thoughts?

I think it's bullshit that DADT is being put before congress at all. Obama PROMISED you that he would get rid of DADT. Obama has the power to just go ahead and end it with the executive order - so why the fuck doesn't he just go ahead and do that already?

Nina · 09-24-2010, 06:16 AM

I think there is some weird thing that happens to the (recent for sure) democratic presidents....once they get elected they seem to forget they are actually the President...they *can* do many of the things they promised...they can, and should, rally support for the issues we voted them in about...

I am sick of it...I have lost (what little) respect I had...

stop putting out the welcome mat for the next republican president and houses...it's shameful and scary and sad....

Fucking. Stand. Up !!

Kobi · 09-24-2010, 07:07 AM

Sometimes I wonder if we voters forget what politics is all about.

Anyone can and usually will promise anything if it will get them more votes. They will target fringe groups looking for that one thing that pertains to them and suck us in with a "promise" they have no intention of fulfilling.

Even those with honest intentions will find, once elected, for a multitude of reasons, that they cant do what they wanted to do. Yet, we as voters, cling to that one little promise that was made to our particular interest group....albeit without recognizing all the other little promises that were made to a host of other interest groups.

There are few, if any, true visionaries running or in office who have the gonads to implement and sustain fundamental changes to the systems currently in place. There is too much money and power at stake in doing so. Obama's attempt at health care reform is a prime example. The incredibly lucrative health care industry balked, then scrambled to find ways to concede, then rallied when popular opinion turned against the plan. Ride the tide of popular opinion.

The timing of the DADT issue was brilliant strategy wise. Midterm elections are coming. Voters are already looking for change. The ultraconservatives are gaining ground. So you put a controversial issue on the table knowing full well it wont fly because too many political futures are at stake. Hence, you absolve yourself from having to take responsibility for a promise because Congress squashed it. It was simply brilliant!

The growing popularity of the tea party and the wealth behind the GOP is a tad scary. It would not surprise me in the least to have a turnover in leadership in the House come November.

Jess · 09-24-2010, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kobi

Sometimes I wonder if we voters forget what politics is all about.

Anyone can and usually will promise anything if it will get them more votes. They will target fringe groups looking for that one thing that pertains to them and suck us in with a "promise" they have no intention of fulfilling.

Even those with honest intentions will find, once elected, for a multitude of reasons, that they cant do what they wanted to do. Yet, we as voters, cling to that one little promise that was made to our particular interest group....albeit without recognizing all the other little promises that were made to a host of other interest groups.

There are few, if any, true visionaries running or in office who have the gonads to implement and sustain fundamental changes to the systems currently in place. There is too much money and power at stake in doing so. Obama's attempt at health care reform is a prime example. The incredibly lucrative health care industry balked, then scrambled to find ways to concede, then rallied when popular opinion turned against the plan. Ride the tide of popular opinion.

The timing of the DADT issue was brilliant strategy wise. Midterm elections are coming. Voters are already looking for change. The ultraconservatives are gaining ground. So you put a controversial issue on the table knowing full well it wont fly because too many political futures are at stake. Hence, you absolve yourself from having to take responsibility for a promise because Congress squashed it. It was simply brilliant!

The growing popularity of the tea party and the wealth behind the GOP is a tad scary. It would not surprise me in the least to have a turnover in leadership in the House come November.

You are absolutely right.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/...n6884966.shtml

AtLast · 09-24-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by betenoire

I think it's bullshit that DADT is being put before congress at all. Obama PROMISED you that he would get rid of DADT. Obama has the power to just go ahead and end it with the executive order - so why the fuck doesn't he just go ahead and do that already?

Yup! And what is historically ironic is how DADT was put in place in the first place- Clinton made some promises too to get queer support in being elected! What we got was... DADT!!!

theoddz · 09-24-2010, 11:47 AM

I think what we're seeing, too, in another sense, is the awakening and angering of America. For too long, politicians have campaigned on lies, but before, we were all economically better off and there were enough folks satisfied with status quos, as opposed to those whose lives and livelihoods were on the line. People who are this angry want to blame someone and *do something*, so they are doing just that now and going to the polls. If a politician doesn't fulfill promises, we'll vote 'em out!! Simple.

It always comes down to whose ox is getting gored. This time, it's not just the GLBTQ's and other "fringe" groups. It's now the everyday "mainstream" American, and large numbers of them. Too many people have lost and are losing too much and this has gotten everyone all fired up...and scared, too. Unemployment can happen to career politicians as well as anyone else now and that's a lot of power!!!

So, if we're lied to, we'll vote 'em out and these crooked politicians are waking up to this fact. It's not just "business/politics as usual" anymore. In Michael Moore's latest film, "Capitalism: A Love Story", he hits the nail on the head when he says that the ONE thing that the Politicians/Ruling Class/ "Have's"/Corporatists fear most is the vote, because there are more of US than there are of them, and nowdays.....we'll use that power.

Yeah. Change.

It has come, indeed.

~Theo~

09-24-2010, 11:47 AM	#8
theoddz Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Cranky Old Poop Preferred Pronoun?: Mr. Beast Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,540 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,139 Thanked 9,930 Times in 2,512 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I think what we're seeing, too, in another sense, is the awakening and angering of America. For too long, politicians have campaigned on lies, but before, we were all economically better off and there were enough folks satisfied with status quos, as opposed to those whose lives and livelihoods were on the line. People who are this angry want to blame someone and do something, so they are doing just that now and going to the polls. If a politician doesn't fulfill promises, we'll vote 'em out!! Simple. It always comes down to whose ox is getting gored. This time, it's not just the GLBTQ's and other "fringe" groups. It's now the everyday "mainstream" American, and large numbers of them. Too many people have lost and are losing too much and this has gotten everyone all fired up...and scared, too. Unemployment can happen to career politicians as well as anyone else now and that's a lot of power!!! So, if we're lied to, we'll vote 'em out and these crooked politicians are waking up to this fact. It's not just "business/politics as usual" anymore. In Michael Moore's latest film, "Capitalism: A Love Story", he hits the nail on the head when he says that the ONE thing that the Politicians/Ruling Class/ "Have's"/Corporatists fear most is the vote, because there are more of US than there are of them, and nowdays.....we'll use that power. Yeah. Change. It has come, indeed. *~Theo~* __________________ *"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost."* -- J. R. R. Tolkien

09-23-2010, 08:39 PM	#1
AtLast Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Woman Preferred Pronoun?: HER - SHE Relationship Status: Relating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CA & AZ I'm a Snowbird Posts: 5,408 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,826 Thanked 10,827 Times in 3,199 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	After the past week's Congressional antics on the bill with the repealing DADT, I am just furious with the Administration and many Democrats! What I am really wondering about, however, is not Obama, himself, but his close advisors. Any thoughts?

09-24-2010, 04:57 AM	#2
Jess Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: decidedly indifferent Preferred Pronoun?: other Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Patrick Springs, VA Posts: 2,812 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,247 Thanked 5,700 Times in 1,682 Posts Rep Power: 0	I thought that most of his advisors were selected by him? Am I off base with this? I think it would be easy to look to the advisor's if he hadn't personally appointed them. I look at the credentials of most of his advisor's ( for example Elizabeth Warren new assistant with economic issues) and they seem to be very impressive, albeit I think mostly academic rather than " hand's on", as it were. I tend to feel more strongly that his "party" is to blame for the very dissent that is going on within it's ranks. The people hired to make sure he won. Too many election promises with no delivery. I am very concerned that the more moderate democrats will swing away from "party politics" and unfortunately unless they are able to rally a strong voice of reason, pulling the more reasonable democrats together, there is little place else to go than to side with republicans. Here again, unfortunately "Republicans" are mostly associated with the McCains out there, ultra conservative God fearing bible thumping fear mongers whom still lead their constituents through means of pulling on their "christian" based views of right vs wrong, rather than on common sense and common welfare. I am hoping to see more "common sense" politics and sense of fair play emerge. I wish we could take the best and the brightest of both parties, lose the extremists ( even though some extremists are indeed brilliant) and find a path our country can walk and thrive. Right now, I don't see either party being cohesive enough to be effective.

09-24-2010, 06:16 AM	#4
Nina Timed Out How Do You Identify?: unmistakably Preferred Pronoun?: dearheart Relationship Status: In love, loved and Happy, thanks for askin' Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SF CA Posts: 1,720 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,113 Thanked 3,384 Times in 931 Posts Rep Power: 0	I think there is some weird thing that happens to the (recent for sure) democratic presidents....once they get elected they seem to forget they are actually the President...they can do many of the things they promised...they can, and should, rally support for the issues we voted them in about... I am sick of it...I have lost (what little) respect I had... stop putting out the welcome mat for the next republican president and houses...it's shameful and scary and sad.... Fucking. Stand. Up !!

09-24-2010, 07:07 AM	#5
Kobi Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Biological female. Lesbian. Relationship Status: Happy Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hanging out in the Atlantic. Posts: 9,234 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,840 Thanked 34,622 Times in 7,640 Posts Rep Power: 21474861	Sometimes I wonder if we voters forget what politics is all about. Anyone can and usually will promise anything if it will get them more votes. They will target fringe groups looking for that one thing that pertains to them and suck us in with a "promise" they have no intention of fulfilling. Even those with honest intentions will find, once elected, for a multitude of reasons, that they cant do what they wanted to do. Yet, we as voters, cling to that one little promise that was made to our particular interest group....albeit without recognizing all the other little promises that were made to a host of other interest groups. There are few, if any, true visionaries running or in office who have the gonads to implement and sustain fundamental changes to the systems currently in place. There is too much money and power at stake in doing so. Obama's attempt at health care reform is a prime example. The incredibly lucrative health care industry balked, then scrambled to find ways to concede, then rallied when popular opinion turned against the plan. Ride the tide of popular opinion. The timing of the DADT issue was brilliant strategy wise. Midterm elections are coming. Voters are already looking for change. The ultraconservatives are gaining ground. So you put a controversial issue on the table knowing full well it wont fly because too many political futures are at stake. Hence, you absolve yourself from having to take responsibility for a promise because Congress squashed it. It was simply brilliant! The growing popularity of the tea party and the wealth behind the GOP is a tad scary. It would not surprise me in the least to have a turnover in leadership in the House come November.