Barack Obama: 4 Years In Review

[Vecherd]

Compared to other presidents? I dont know. In generally? Pretty fucking bad.

[Mavorpen]

Just shows you how smart we Americans are:

Hates Left-wing ideolgies, swears a Socialist President into office twice.

It deserves it's own meme.

It would be funny if Obama was a socialist.

[Divair]

Just shows you how smart we Americans are:

Hates Left-wing ideolgies, swears a Socialist President into office twice.

It deserves it's own meme.

It would be funny if Obama was a socialist.

To say the least.

[Laerod]

Just shows you how smart we Americans are:

Hates Left-wing ideolgies, swears a Socialist President into office twice.

It deserves it's own meme.

There's plenty of memes depicting us as unable to understand the world as it is.

[Yes Im Biop]

When did it do that?

...Increasingly lately?

When we're having a debt crisis every year, maybe it's time to stop taking on debt?

Which will lead to a few thing's.,
The Collape's of Global Economy, as much as other countries hate to admit it, The world is so connected that should 1 country stop spending (Which goes doubly for the fat spender we are) the would crash.
The U.S. Dollar would be reduced to a shred of paper in value
And any future spending by the U.S. would be ignored and dissalowed, assuming the world economy survives.

[Enadail]

I'd personally prefer the economy we had during the Reagan years.

Which again, conflicts with your starting position that taxing the rich would get rid of jobs. How heavy are those goal posts?

How many people did they manage to kill, again? I mean they got one shot off, then what?

Yah, because 9/11 is easy to just ignore... yah, we shouldn't bother ending that threat, leave it open, what's the worst, another 9/11?

It's the truth, and you know it.

If it were the truth, we'd find it hard to argue against... except we can.

The stimulus did increase employment... it dropped at first because in any system of any significant size, change isn't instantaneous. It takes time for stuff to work. The vast majority of economists came out in favor of the stimulus.

The AHA adds an unnecessary cost on businesses that would not previously give their employees benefits. For companies that can't afford to do it, programs are in place. Its pretty much just companies who don't really care if their employees live or die that can't afford this. How the fuck does it penalize people who can't afford insurance? And actually, your last point, I agree with. Insurance companies shouldn't be forced to cover people, the government should cover people who insurance companies can't. Because its an insurance companies job to make money, and the government's to protect the residents of its nation. But since we didn't get that and companies have such a hand in government, insurance companies are the next best thing.

And you're right, banks will keep playing games, mostly because when we gave them money, we had the opportunity to put change in place, enact policies that would keep them from doing it again, etc, but businesses best friend, the Republicans, made sure NO policy went into place to keep banks from doing it all over again. We needed to bail out the banks to make sure companies could keep running... but we should have put them on a leash at the same time. The bailout was not the problem; it was giving them free money with no terms (thanks to the republicans) that have us in this debate.

So yah, what truth are you talking about?

[Grenartia]

Ignored? I was under the impression that Congress stopped him from shutting down Guantanamo Bay by collectively refusing to house the prisoners there anywhere else.

Yeah, but then a significant number of the charges of failure that are levelled at Obama can be directly attributed to the GOP's obstructionism.

This. That is why I blame the GOP for why this country is still in the shitter.

He's no Reagan, and far too left-wing for my tastes. But he could have been worse. 5/10.

Reagan (the actual President) wasn't even Reagan (the myth. Ever notice that our national debt skyrocketed when he was in office?). Besides, whats to like about a President who's policies ended up kicking out mental patients who were too sick for the real world?

He'd be better if he could get rid of all of these useless labor unions. (Factory workers and construction workers are necessary unions, but teachers?)

Probably because he isn't stupid.

Today in America, unions have a secure place in our industrial life. Only a handful of reactionaries harbor the ugly thought of breaking unions and depriving working men and women of the right to join the union of their choice. I have no use for those -- regardless of their political party -- who hold some vain and foolish dream of spinning the clock back to days when organized labor was huddled, almost as a hapless mass. Only a fool would try to deprive working men and women of the right to join the union of their choice.—Dwight D. Eisenhower

I still like Ike.

Probably because he isn't stupid.

Today in America, unions have a secure place in our industrial life. Only a handful of reactionaries harbor the ugly thought of breaking unions and depriving working men and women of the right to join the union of their choice. I have no use for those -- regardless of their political party -- who hold some vain and foolish dream of spinning the clock back to days when organized labor was huddled, almost as a hapless mass. Only a fool would try to deprive working men and women of the right to join the union of their choice.—Dwight D. Eisenhower

Eisenhower was quite the president (even though it was under his rule that "under god" was added).

Wasn't it Congress that added "under God"?

I voted for socialist. I don't think he's a Marx-worshiping Che shirt-wearing red, but I'd call him a pseudo-socialist. I don't know what else you'd someone who wants to "redistribute the wealth." Also, he sux cuz of 7+% unemployment, record deficits, budget crises, a health care fiasco, and a still shitty economy.

Whats wrong with a little socialism? Wealth redistribution is a good thing. It keeps the poor from starving, and dying due to lack of shelter/clothes/medical care.

Also, that last shit, blame the GOP for it. They're the ones responsible for it. Unless you're wanting to tell me that Obama's responsible for what Congress does.

Not a socialist.

1. He's a pseudo-socialist. There is no wealth in a socialist society; he wants to redistribute the wealth.

Caused by Bush.

2. Dude, really? He caused a lot of deficits, but it's been four fucking years. How irresponsible do you think Obama is?

Maintained by Republicans.

3. So, Bush is responsible for the deficits but Obama is not responsible for the economy?

1. Why is wealth redistribution such a bad thing?

2. Yes, it has been 4 fucking years. However, when the only branch of government that can Constitutionally do something about it is Congress, it sounds rather fucking stupid to blame the President.

3. Bush had the benefit of a GOP majority in both houses for most of his terms. He called the shots, and his party followed. Not so with Obama.

ok, so your ideology tells you to approve of misery and poverty

No, I believe dealing with that is the job of charity using donated money, not the job of government using stolen money.

Charity can't handle all of the need. Government can. Also, its not stolen money. Its called 'taxes', or, in other words, money the government charges you for the services it provides.

Oh good, then you support taxes.

Next.

Just because the Constitution allows taxation doesn"t mean I have to agree with everything in it. My moral belief is that taxation is theft. The constitution also did not allow for redistribution of wealth.

"We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty, for ourselves and our posterity, do Ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Wealth redistribution arguably falls under the realm of the underlined. Seeing as how the Preamble is the list of things the Founding Fathers wanted the government to do, I'd argue that the Constitution DOES allow for wealth redistribution.

Source?

In what way can you possibly stretch the concept of "General Welfare" to mean "Wealth Redistribution"?

It's asinine.

General Welfare means basically ensuring that the people have an adequate standard of living. I.E., they aren't starving, dying of exposure to the elements, have adequate medical care.

Wealth Redistribution helps provide that standard of living.

Seems rather fucking simple to me.

So then it allows for wealth distribution.

If there were a clause that specifically said, "And allows for Congress to confiscate and redistribute wealth without justification as they see fit"? Sure, then it probably would.

It doesn't.

There are these things called Implied powers.

Seeing as this country was founded on the right to "life, liberty, and property", I rather think not.

Not mentioned in the Constitution. Not mentioned on any legally binding document, for that matter.

Actually, its in the 5th Amendment.

Seeing as this country was founded on the right to "life, liberty, and property", I rather think not.

And that is mentioned in the Constitution where?

The 5th Amendment.

It also doesn't state, "The Supreme Court may engage in judicial review as they see fit."

Yet, the constitution allows for it. Unless you show me where it states the government cannot redistribute wealth, the constitution allows it.

Unless you can show me where the Constitution doesn't allow North Korean-style torture camps, they are allowed.

Arguably, they'd be prohibited by the Bill of Rights.

[Laerod]

...Increasingly lately?

When we're having a debt crisis every year, maybe it's time to stop taking on debt?

Which will lead to a few thing's.,
The Collape's of Global Economy, as much as other countries hate to admit it, The world is so connected that should 1 country stop spending (Which goes doubly for the fat spender we are) the would crash.
The U.S. Dollar would be reduced to a shred of paper in value
And any future spending by the U.S. would be ignored and dissalowed, assuming the world economy survives.

No.

[Divair]

-snip-

Damn, son. Impressive.

[Howdoyoudoland]

The stimulus did increase employment... it dropped at first because in any system of any significant size, change isn't instantaneous. It takes time for stuff to work. The vast majority of economists came out in favor of the stimulus.

...I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the fact that we're still at 7% unemployment. Probably worse, in all reality.

The AHA adds an unnecessary cost on businesses that would not previously give their employees benefits.

Horror of horrors, the thought that you might have to shop around for your own insurance.

And you're right, banks will keep playing games...

...As long as they know when the shit hits the fan, good ol' Uncle Sam will foot the bill.

[Khodoristan]

My boy Darius says otherwise. My homie Alex begs to differ. OG Chandragupta Maurya (RIP pimp daddy gone but not forgotten) is rolling in his tinted-window grave.

Darius was Persian, Alexander was Greek, Chandragupta Maurya was...Indian, I do believe?

How does stating their names refute anything I said about Afghanistan?

Afghanistan to the Persians, Macedonians, and Mauryans was like what India was to the British.

Under the Achaemenids, Afghanistan was renowned as a place of education and Persian culture. Under the Greeks, Hellenism spread to Afghanistan and once again, became a place of culture and education. Under Sultan Mahmud, Afghanistan was the center of the Islamic Golden Age, becoming a center of religious and science discovery and philosophy.

So no, you are wrong. Afghanistan has, for most of its history, not been a shit hole. In fact, it was a place of science, religion, and art, longer than the US, Russians, British, Communist Chinese, French, etc. were and have been.

[Laerod]

Yeah, but then a significant number of the charges of failure that are levelled at Obama can be directly attributed to the GOP's obstructionism.

This. That is why I blame the GOP for why this country is still in the shitter.

But preventing the closing of Guantanamo isn't the GOP's fault. The Democrats never gave them the chance to obstruct that.

Not mentioned in the Constitution. Not mentioned on any legally binding document, for that matter.

Actually, its in the 5th Amendment.

Sorta. But I'll retract. I figured they were referring to the pursuit of happiness clause.

[Grenartia]

The AHA adds an unnecessary cost on businesses that would not previously give their employees benefits.

Horror of horrors, the thought that you might have to shop around for your own insurance.

Considering the fact that I can't afford insurance, and I have a pre-existing condition or two, AHA sounds like a good deal.

[North Franklin]

The stimulus did increase employment... it dropped at first because in any system of any significant size, change isn't instantaneous. It takes time for stuff to work. The vast majority of economists came out in favor of the stimulus.

...I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the fact that we're still at 7% unemployment. Probably worse, in all reality.

There's this word called source. You should really learn what it means.

[Howdoyoudoland]

In what way can you possibly stretch the concept of "General Welfare" to mean "Wealth Redistribution"?

It's asinine.

General Welfare means basically ensuring that the people have an adequate standard of living. I.E., they aren't starving, dying of exposure to the elements, have adequate medical care.

Wealth Redistribution helps provide that standard of living.

If anything, Wealth Redistribution does the exact opposite, it robs people of any standard of living they might have had.

If there were a clause that specifically said, "And allows for Congress to confiscate and redistribute wealth without justification as they see fit"? Sure, then it probably would.

It doesn't.

There are these things called Implied powers.

An "implied power" isn't a power at all, it's a lie made up to justify ever new expansions of government.

Not mentioned in the Constitution. Not mentioned on any legally binding document, for that matter.

Actually, its in the 5th Amendment.

And that is mentioned in the Constitution where?

The 5th Amendment.

[Howdoyoudoland]

Horror of horrors, the thought that you might have to shop around for your own insurance.

Considering the fact that I can't afford insurance, and I have a pre-existing condition or two, AHA sounds like a good deal.

*shrug* Don't blame me or the rest of the world for your bad life decisions, if you made more you'd be able to afford insurance and then the AHA would seem like what it is: Theft.

[Salandriagado]

Considering the fact that I can't afford insurance, and I have a pre-existing condition or two, AHA sounds like a good deal.

*shrug* Don't blame me or the rest of the world for your bad life decisions, if you made more you'd be able to afford insurance and then the AHA would seem like what it is: Theft.

How often do you work more than a hundred hours a week? In fact, let me rephrase that: have you ever done that?

[Mavorpen]

An "implied power" isn't a power at all, it's a lie made up to justify ever new expansions of government.

Reality disagrees.

[Howdoyoudoland]

Darius was Persian, Alexander was Greek, Chandragupta Maurya was...Indian, I do believe?

How does stating their names refute anything I said about Afghanistan?

Afghanistan to the Persians, Macedonians, and Mauryans was like what India was to the British.

Under the Achaemenids, Afghanistan was renowned as a place of education and Persian culture. Under the Greeks, Hellenism spread to Afghanistan and once again, became a place of culture and education. Under Sultan Mahmud, Afghanistan was the center of the Islamic Golden Age, becoming a center of religious and science discovery and philosophy.

So no, you are wrong. Afghanistan has, for most of its history, not been a shit hole. In fact, it was a place of science, religion, and art, longer than the US, Russians, British, Communist Chinese, French, etc. were and have been.

I'll have to review all the famous Afghani scientist, composers, artist, philosophers, engineers, industrialist, statesmen, and generals and get back to you.

[Howdoyoudoland]

*shrug* Don't blame me or the rest of the world for your bad life decisions, if you made more you'd be able to afford insurance and then the AHA would seem like what it is: Theft.

How often do you work more than a hundred hours a week? In fact, let me rephrase that: have you ever done that?

What's the point of that question? In what retarded place do you work 100+ hours a week and can't afford any sort of insurance? Greece?

[Salandriagado]

How often do you work more than a hundred hours a week? In fact, let me rephrase that: have you ever done that?

What's the point of that question? In what retarded place do you work 100+ hours a week and can't afford any sort of insurance? Greece?

The United Kingdom. I maintained a work rate in excess of a hundred hours a week for about a year without ever having less than half of my income coming from government aid and without ever making enough to practically live on.

[Greed and Death]

This. That is why I blame the GOP for why this country is still in the shitter.

But preventing the closing of Guantanamo isn't the GOP's fault. The Democrats never gave them the chance to obstruct that.

It was a bipartisan blockage, you see no one wanted to be the senator or congress person that brought the terrorist to their state.

[Key West]

I'll just leave this here...

Obama Accomplishments:
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act-Equal pay for women;
Children's Health Insurance Program;
2009 Stimulus bill;
Ordered kill of Somali Pirates;
Eased restrictions on Cuba;
Serve America Act;
Fraud Enforcement Act;
Federal funding of stem cell research;
Credit Card Act;
Matthew Shepard Act;
Student Aid Act;
Wall Street Reform Act;
Rescue of the US automobile industry;
Health insurance reform;
Timetables for bringing our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan;
Extension of unemployment compensation;
An end to discrimination against homosexuals in the military;
Assisted in the overthrow of Gaddafi, at no loss of American life;
Dismantled Al Qaeda to a shadow of its former self;
Fair Sentencing Act;
Small Business Jobs Act;
Veterans' Benefit Act;
2010 Tax & Jobs Compromise;
Food Safety Modernization Act;
New START Treaty;
US Forces Kill Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan;
America Invents Act;
War in Iraq ended with last American troops crossing border into Kuwait;
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Credit;
First President to publicly support the legalization of same sex marriage;
12 straight quarters of GDP growth;
32 straight months of private sector job growth;
Stock market (DJI) climbed from 8,279.63 1/9/2009 to 13,485.97 10/02/2012

[Howdoyoudoland]

What's the point of that question? In what retarded place do you work 100+ hours a week and can't afford any sort of insurance? Greece?

The United Kingdom. I maintained a work rate in excess of a hundred hours a week for about a year without ever having less than half of my income coming from government aid and without ever making enough to practically live on.

Then you're doing it wrong. Working, living, all of that...

What do you do, by the way?

[Nadkor]

How often do you work more than a hundred hours a week? In fact, let me rephrase that: have you ever done that?

What's the point of that question? In what retarded place do you work 100+ hours a week and can't afford any sort of insurance? Greece?

Why would someone in Greece, which has a universal healthcare system, need to afford any health insurance?

I'm confused.