patrick.net

A gift for tot:
http://borowitzreport.com/index.aspx

Obama Named Country Music Entertainer of the Year
Surprise Selection Shocks Nashville

NASHVILLE (The Borowitz Report) - President Barack Obama stunned the country music world today by picking up its highest honor, Country Music Entertainer of the Year.

Mr. Obama was chosen unanimously, according to the Country Music Association, beating out such favorite as Carrie Underwood and Toby Keith.

In Nashville, country music insiders were shocked by Mr. Obama's selection, given that he has only been in office for eight months and during that time has yet to record a single country song.

But Mr. Obama was gracious in receiving the honor, saying that he was "honored and humbled" by the award before excusing himself to accept this year's Heisman Trophy.

lmao

It seems to me Republicans want to pass laws forbidding things that I like, While Democrats want mandate things I don’t.

Because both parties are progressive in the sense that personal responsibility has been outlawed.

CBOE--

Geez. I'm not a blinded liberal, but I think you are being overly harsh on our commander in chief. We're grading him on his accomplishments after less than a 1 year in office? I think it's premature, but let's go over your list anyway.

Closing Guantanamo--He has ordered it to be closed, but unfortunately Congress is standing in his way. He is the President, but in the US we have this nasty little separation of powers thing outlined in the Constitution.

Iraq-He is steadily drawing down our troops there. Obviously you can't just pack up and leave a country that you have destroyed. I think it was Colin Powell said something like--you break it, you own it. And that came to pass.

Afghanistan--That is where I think he is making the least progress. Sounds like it is being discussed at the highest levels right now. Personally, I'd rather they take their time and get it right...

Middle East--Clearly he is focusing a lot of time and effort on this dilemma. Leaning on Israel to stop their settlements, developing a new framework for talks to being, etc. Not sure how one can think nothing is happening there.

Budget-- Again, there is that nasty Congress. Spending is determined by our reps and senators, not our President. They have a habit of putting their pet projects in the budget even when the President doesn't want them. ie see the military budget...

I just think it's ridiculous to criticize Obama for not cleaning up the mess that it took Bush 8 years to create in 6 months. If he was a dictator or King it might be easier, but the way our government is set up now, it's next to impossible. Special interests and lobbyists run the show and not even the President can change that.

They have a habit of putting their pet projects in the budget even when the President doesn’t want them.

Answer: Line-item vetoing. The CSA thought of this over a hundred years ago.

It may take a constitutional amendment though.

tatupu70 says

Geez. I’m not a blinded liberal, but I think you are being overly harsh on our commander in chief.

I was trying to emphasize that the proper attitude to have towards Obama is VERY cautious optimism, not outright anger. However, a politician should never receive ecstatic, blind support, which is where most democrats seem to be with this guy. In general I am angry at our politicians though, so that probably came through a bit too much. I was also expressing my frustration with partisan politicos, as they are always brainwashed in the same way, whether they fall into the right, left, conservative, liberal, or some other completely meaningless description.

Mostly, I am confused that this guy can get an award for world peace before he has done anything except give fantastic speeches.

tatupu70 says

CBOE–
Geez. I’m not a blinded liberal, but I think you are being overly harsh on our commander in chief. We’re grading him on his accomplishments after less than a 1 year in office? I think it’s premature, but let’s go over your list anyway.
Closing Guantanamo–He has ordered it to be closed, but unfortunately Congress is standing in his way. He is the President, but in the US we have this nasty little separation of powers thing outlined in the Constitution.
Iraq-He is steadily drawing down our troops there. Obviously you can’t just pack up and leave a country that you have destroyed. I think it was Colin Powell said something like–you break it, you own it. And that came to pass.
Afghanistan–That is where I think he is making the least progress. Sounds like it is being discussed at the highest levels right now. Personally, I’d rather they take their time and get it right…
Middle East–Clearly he is focusing a lot of time and effort on this dilemma. Leaning on Israel to stop their settlements, developing a new framework for talks to being, etc. Not sure how one can think nothing is happening there.
Budget– Again, there is that nasty Congress. Spending is determined by our reps and senators, not our President. They have a habit of putting their pet projects in the budget even when the President doesn’t want them. ie see the military budget…
I just think it’s ridiculous to criticize Obama for not cleaning up the mess that it took Bush 8 years to create in 6 months. If he was a dictator or King it might be easier, but the way our government is set up now, it’s next to impossible. Special interests and lobbyists run the show and not even the President can change that.

Cough Cough Bull Crap cough cough(I say politely in your general direction)

I think it's unfair to expect Obama to fix any problem previous presidents didn't at least show interest in having a desire to fix. But

Obama is the man that said he'll shine our shoes, and do the dishes too, if we elect him. It's the obsequious gestures he made as a candidate, that has him on the hook now.

And if his obscene candidat goals weren't lofty enough the went on a world tour making more the first three months. I bet his advisers were giving him the ole nix-a hand under the throat.

trout--

I'm laughing--so what you're saying is that Obama hasn't achieved all of his promises in his first six months?? My word!! I agree--he must be a total failure. I mean, how hard is it to broker peace in the Middle East. It's not like they have been fighting for hundreds of years or anything. Or balance the budget during the worst recession since the Great Depression. That should be child's play. Or rebuild Iraq and establish a strong, free market government in the Middle East. All of these should problems should have been solved already... You're completely correct.

Of course he said he made promises during the campaign. And he is working towards making the promises a reality. But, these are huge, complex problems. And they can't be solved in 6 months...

"Obama hasn’t achieved all of his promises in his first six months?? "

No just one, actually not even that, just showing more than interest in doing just one thing.

and this is more than 6 months btw.

We don't want the bluebird of happiness, we want the bluebird of immediate gratification.

Hey, if that chunky kardashian tart can meet a guy and marry him in a month for our viewing pleasure (no, I didn't watch), why can't President Obama solve all the problems in the world in a day? What the hell is taking him so long?

He could be solving our national debt problem like Bush: National Debt as of Jan. 15, 2009: $10.6 trillion Debt when Mr. Bush took office: $5.7 trillion (Source: U.S. Treasury Dept.)

Obama also is a failure when it comes to vacations:
http://jonox.livejournal.com/25625.html
487 days at Camp David
490 days at Crawford Ranch
43 days at Kennebunkport Compound

Total: 1020 days, more than 1/3rd of his presidency. Bush set the record for most vacation time taken by president.

Carter took 79 days in 4 years.
Clinton took 152 days in 8 years.

Reagan took 335 days in 8 years.
Bush Sr. took 543 days in 4 years!

So much for the mythological Republican hard worth ethic.

pfft! so he takes less time off from lying, than other notable liars, big deal.
One day you guys will admit he's a politician. Only then we can all have constructive conversation, about survival compounds in Wyoming where the women folk make corn mash from recycled piss, to power generators that powers the radio, the men folk coalesce around taking turns in shifts bending the rabbit ears, to get better reception of our daily rations of Obama's follies.

Carter took 79 days in 4 years.
Clinton took 152 days in 8 years.

So much for the mythological Republican hard worth ethic.

Vacation must be good.

Reagan and Bush Sr., two of the best presidents in the 20th century, took a lot of vacations. Clinton was pretty good, so he took quite some days off.

Carter, the worst president since LBJ, took only 79 days.

Working hard is useless if you are on the wrong path.

Tenouncetrout says

pfft! so he takes less time off from lying, than other notable liars, big deal.
One day you guys will admit he’s a politician. Only then we can all have constructive conversation, about survival compounds in Wyoming where the women folk make corn mash from recycled piss, to power generators that powers the radio, the men folk coalesce around taking turns in shifts bending the rabbit ears, to get better reception of our daily rations of Obama’s follies.

I think that we all agree that he's a politician. He's not the devil, he's not the worst president in the history of the US, he's just a guy who's been elected to try to get us out of this mess. His detractors don't want to give him a chance, his enemies choose to use misinformation and inuendo to ruin him... It's all political bullshit.

He's not my savior. He's a man trying to fix a mess that's years in the making. He's blamed for many things that he inherited. Our country if fucked up and it'll take years to fix, just like it took years to make. But in this time of immediate gratification and 24 hours news cycles, he was doomed from the start.

Why anyone would want to become president is beyond me. Of course, why anyone would think that Sarah Palin has a brain is beyond me too.

"His detractors don’t want to give him a chance, his enemies choose to use misinformation and inuendo to ruin him… It’s all political bullshit."
Oh brother I listened to the Dade County School board on NPR the other night driving home. And lemme tell ya, it's no wonder our youth are girl smackdown posted on youtube. The Adults in charge to manage the school system that teaches them are a freakin' Jerry Springer show.

Every one that got a chance to get up to the mic to voice their oppinion about budget cuts, got up there and were bitcching about being fired and were pointing fingers at vendictive co workers. And conspiracies of co-workers ganging up on them reflecting the out come of them being laid off in this tax revenue strapped time.

Now I'm thinking at first what petty sour grapes. But I'll be damned if some custodian lady or cafateria worker, I'm not sure exactly who or what these peoples roles or duties in our school system was, but I got the idea that they weren't teachers, as Chaniquia, went to accuse the Elderly gentlemen heading the meeting, as being her babies daddy, and as the reason for her being terminated. Of course the Board director or who ever this gentlemen was(I really have no interest in this stuff, but this stuff was really Jerry Springer, before it jumped the shark) didn't even respond only told her that if she's going to name names, he was going to cut her microphone off.

This meeting had everyone Pissed off custodians, cafeteria workers and a security guard who was fired for having a gun school grounds, where he played "Cops and Robbers" begging for his job back, which he apparently was doing as a volunteer anyway. He just wasn't supposed to be packing heat.

But every one made their failures out to be someone else was out to get them. A janitor who was saying a cousin got his cousin hired on and the two of them set out to get him. Altering their duties exempting them from scraping gum and cleaning toilets, and would taunt him when he had to do those menial tasks.

Ladies and gentlemen our next batch Grassroots change simmering to a boil right here in South Florida school board meetings.
I lost hope for our country getting anywhere. As I realized some where in that lot was destined to be connected to the 2010 and 2012 elections somehow somewhere.
I guess what I'm saying...

Great men don't have "Detractors"

trout--Tenouncetrout says

Great men don’t have “Detractors”

Really--Abe Lincoln had many, many detractors. George Washington had detractors. Everyone, no matter how great, has detractors.

You're beginning to sound like a crotchety old man. I'm expecting to hear how you had to walk to school in the bitter cold, with 2 ft. snow, uphill (both ways).

We're in a recession now. Things are bad. It's happened before, it will happen again. The world is not ending.... Relax and take a vacation somewhere warm and sunny with drinks that come with umbrellas. It won't seem so bad then.

They have them they just aren't important enough to let them prevent what ever great thing it is they are trying to do.

So let the pisants moan, you're supposed to sally forth.
This guy is always getting ready to go.

Trying to mandate I pay 1200 to 1800 a month is not a "GREAT" thing by the way. So history isn't being denied some great event.

But, as you've stated, you make a shitload of money so you can afford it - right? I will have to pay a proportionate amount of my income, or my employer will (so I'll receive less compensation). Many people pay more than the amount that you say for minimal care.

I'm too poor to go to a beach with umbrellas... so I've got umbrellas and pretty glasses and a porch. I take daily vacations. I highly recommend it - it'd do you a world of good.

Ellie it's hard for me to dictate the rest of my life based on what I make now.
I make what I make "NOW" but I'm smart enough to know that wont always be the case.
Of course it doesn't help that the current administration of Corporate Dew Boyz, isn't exactly securing my financial future. Not as a middle class individual anyway.

I have no problem with a legitimate Government sponsored health care "SYSTEM" that I either may or may not cost me more in the taxes I pay. I suspect a system where Wall street influences have no effect on, wouldn't cost me any more than most already pay in to Medicare and the Medicaid.

Do you know what it's called when the Government makes you buy from the Company store or face the wrath of the state is called?

That is capitalism at work turned fascism and frankly I'm appalled at this time in History where the smartest people "supposedly" in the world hasn't figured that out yet. A system like that is one of speculation of lowered cost with "0" regulations to dictate such is open to exploitation by corporations and bet your favorite Goat that it will be.

Where as Federal systems are guaranteed to eventually hold people to accountability. Even if America has to wait for an Administration change to actually get justice.

Much like how Obama can and is in some cases going after the blatant cronyism and other gross liabilities that took place in Bush's administration.

Obama's plan is a health care system for the Insurance industry so the Dow can party on in the 20K's and even 40K, That'll show those show off Chinese and their Styrofoam stock market.

If the amount charged is based on income, and your income is decreased, your share of cost will be decreased. I'm not thrilled about having to pay for something else, seeing as how I don't make a whole helluva lot and hope that someday I'll have enough money to retire. A layoff a few years ago wiped out my savings and I'm a paycheck to paycheck woman now. I don't know how this whole thing will play out, but healthcare shouldn't be an option. For anyone. Ever.

I have a much bigger issue with Obama's supporters, and this current theme in American politics in general, than I do with Obama. The Republican and Democrat masses have been brainwashed into thinking that any criticism of their party leadership is un warranted. Remember back in 2002, when every anti-war pundit was "anti-american", or how any critic of America's policy of helping our corporations privatize profits from resources in developing countries without ANY regulation or moral code whatsoever were called communists, or how anyone that cautioned the emerging influence of the christian fundamentalists was accused of eroding our family values? Remember how the republican base ate that shit up? Now the Democrats are now doing THE EXACT SAME THING.

"His detractors don’t want to give him a chance, his enemies choose to use misinformation and inuendo to ruin him… It’s all political bullshit." Correction: SOME of his enemies and detractors use misinformation. (Though I would counter that his supporters use misinformation far more than his detractors.) SOME of his critics are very valid. Debate should be encouraged, not pooh poohed as unfounded. Misinformation should be pointed out, and the individuals and organizations using misinformation should be ignored and minimzed.

The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. Loud, open, critical discourse used to be an American virtue. The journalists and politicians used to encourage criticisms of government. Now we have been bombarded by partisan brainwashing convincing the vast majority of us that the other side consist ONLY OF MISINFORMATION AND INUENDO, or whatever.

This is what bothers me about the way the world swoons when Obama opens his mouth.

"The greatest tyrannies are always perpetrated in the name of the noblest causes." Thomas Paine.

I guess what I'd like to see is honest criticism. Not the blown out of proportion shit that's levvied at conservatives, or libs. Not the "death panel" shit or the birther's shit or the like... we shouldn't blindly follow anyone. Debate should be welcomed.

I don't blindly follow anyone. But I do have a problem when people assert that there's no healthcare problem in America. There is a huge problem. I don't have the answers, and I don't blame any politico in particular. The insurance system has a stranglehold on us, as do drug companies. They pay huge amounts to lobbyists, contribute to campaigns in huge amounts, and their interests are more important than are the interests of people who don't have access to healthcare. I keep saying that I don't have the answers, but I know many of the problems and see people suffer as a result of the current system.

I don't think our problems will be solved any time soon.

CBOE--

I agree with much of your post. It's unfortunate that the country has become so divided and closed minded that it's nearly impossible to have a civil discussion about the issues.

Why does it bother you when the world swoons though? I would much rather the world swoon at our President than throw shoes at him. Was it bad for the US when Kennedy was President?

And fyi--I think what Paine meant was more along the lines of the Patriot Act...

elliemae says

Bush Sr. took 543 days in 4 years!

Well...I'm not going to judge a guy's need for a little vacation, but I just might scrutinize the direction the nation took under his term. I can only guess America was on the up and up during this time? Why of course--even though most CEOs I know cannot take 4.5 months of vacation/year without losing their grip on the business. Obviously Bush Sr's grip on reality was unusually tight.

When you consider the costs of presidential vacations - the extra security for towns, buildings for the secret service, the meals, cost of moving key personnel to wherever the prez hangs, etc I'd say presidential vacations are huge expenses I'd rather not pay for.

Elliemae,
Physical costs aside, what I find interesting is how a US president would dismiss the strategic costs of such extended vacations? If it wasn't obvious in my last post--I consider that highly self-indulgent for any president (politics be damned) to spend every third day+ away from DC. Then again, maybe he was simply assuring us that America was doing so well we didn't need a "hands-on" president? I'm not too surprised, because the apathy of that time was palpable: keep telling ourselves "America is great," despite that big gorilla in the room. Like the president, most Americans were indulging themselves in a lifestyle that kept their mind off real problems. Connect those dots, and here we stand today.

elliemae says

If the amount charged is based on income, and your income is decreased, your share of cost will be decreased.

Ellie it's not the "Amount" it's who and what is dictating the "Amount" and the corporations will benefit plenty from any legislation that passes, or it wont pass. Just watch the news(is any one paying attention???).

This will be the Government once again interjecting it's influence in an out sourced industry. The only effect the government could possibly have on price, is what it holds the industry over the barrel to. We all know the possibility of a not for profit system we will be paying into will not exist. And on the Dow's whims our premiums will ebb and flow. My god the educated elite can not see the flaws in the legislation like an immature young turk having an orgasm before the touching even commences. You guys just want a Democrat victory on any goddamn thing. What, Who, How and where as the track record for every thing done in the last 9 years will be an after thought.

I can already compile a list of "I told you So's" just from what the debate started out as and how it has morphed and the sloppy lose edges that will now be left to be exploited.

I could but the proof of my claims has been deleted on this board and of course going back even earlier like my take on his campaign rehtoric in the old forums.
This has been playing just as predicted, and I suspect the final out come will be no different.

A hefty opressive premium the middle class is on the hook to take the tab for. I suspect there will be just as many disenfranchised middle class that wont be able to afford lofty premiums as well as mortgage, car payments, house insurance, house taxes, car insurance, soaring energy costs, these people will probably opt for the fee imposed on them at tax time. But no mistake they will be the new class of "UNINSURED".

and will be punished for being so. Either that or they will be forced into a more modest life style so they can get all of the federal well fare and freebies like housing subsidies, stimulus, and subsidized health care. Which is the Rights gripe, it's not the full picture but that is the part of the picture they don't like. Why work hard to win, when the Government pays big to be a loser?

This is a fair and great system you short sighted lemmings are pulling us up hill to.

trout--

I love when someone posts that the "could" do this, or "could" post the proof, but they choose not to. In my experience, if you have the goods then you'll put them out there for everyone to see. Of course you knew all along because you're much smarter than everyone else...

I agree that the current health care bill is not what I wanted. But, the reason why is that the entrenched insurance execs, pharma execs, and the congressmen that they have on their payroll have so throroughly distorted the health care debate that we're left with a damaged bill. Sarah Palin's death panels, the commercials saying that you'll lose your Medicare, etc. have scared seniors enough to crash the town hall meetings.

It's really unfortunate because we had an opportunity to join the rest of the civilized world...

you're new here so I'll just let you pretend to know my stance on "ALL OF THIS" from the beginning, as the rest have already heard it all since February of 07.

You can throw out unrelated concerns made by marginalized people for a group of people that I do not fit in to the context of as shaping my opinion. Why don't you just be honest already and tell me I don't like because you think I'm a racist for having anything other admiration for Obama and this do nothing Washington as a whole.

"Could" is no better than "Push" and "I'm going to" while the actions of those that are in charge to make it so, have a different take.

If you're just being selective to make your case, or to discredit mine then, that really wont be productive. Everyone that isn't a Leftbag whether they are a republican or Independent, isn't impressed by that kind of Smugivity.

In fact it's that very mechanism that most probably will propel Sarah to the Presidency in 2012.

The rest of us look at Sarah as a possible Roach bomb president. and Washington is in dire need of depesting.

Go, lemmings go!

Where are they going? I must follow, for I am their leader!

Under Republicans, man exploits man. Under Democrats, it's the opposite.

(a few of my favorite bumper stickers). :)

@Trout

Someone said before that we have a 2 party system, THE GOVERNMENT vs. THE PEOPLE so why not try talking about solutions in place of who is the blame and why our president doesnt deserve the Nobel prize for bringing hope to the arena of politics? None of us could ever fathom the type of political gamemanship it takes to get legislation passed in Washington. You use a lot of name calling in your remarks that only ad to the divide that is already there. The obvious counter is that Republicans are ignorant rednecks, or that Democrats are pot smoking homosexuals....but that would not get us anywhere on the point at hand now would it? Give the man a chance to make an impact before judging his accomplishments.

Here is my view on all the mud slinging being dished out as a result of the past 8 years of ANTI-BUSH sentiment.

1. For those of you who question his birth rights, I say that you should leave your rural neighborhoods to become a part of the rest of society, stop dating your cousins and pursue an education higher than the 3rd grade level. Even my 3 year old can read through the rhetoric of his birth rights.

2. For those of you who doubt his qualifications for the Nobel Prize, remember, he is the leader of the free world…something that you or I will never accomplish. He has brought many together under one single cause with just a few inspirational speeches, something many of your pastors have yet to accomplish. Relish this moment in history, grow your families and stop being anti-Obama for the simple fact the entire world was anti-BUSH.

3. For those of you that hold his articulation in disdain, try reading a book. He is the most articulate canidate we have ever seen…I wouldnt pass on him for a job interview and couldnt pass on his run for President.

4. For those of you who tout him as a Socialist, see patricks pledge against socialism. If you are nuts enough to stop contributing to any of the following programs then please feel free to exit left to Mexico. Mexico does not have any of these public services, so feel free to be a proud Mexican.

4X says

@Trout
Someone said before that we have a 2 party system, THE GOVERNMENT vs. THE PEOPLE so why not try talking about solutions in place of who is the blame and why our president doesnt deserve the Nobel prize for bringing hope to the arena of politics? None of us could ever fathom the type of political gamemanship it takes to get legislation passed in Washington. You use a lot of name calling in your remarks that only ad to the divide that is already there. The obvious counter is that Republicans are ignorant rednecks, or that Democrats are pot smoking homosexuals….but that would not get us anywhere on the point at hand now would it? Give the man a chance to make an impact before judging his accomplishments.
Here is my view on all the mud slinging being dished out as a result of the past 8 years of ANTI-BUSH sentiment.
1. For those of you who question his birth rights, I say that you should leave your rural neighborhoods to become a part of the rest of society, stop dating your cousins and pursue an education higher than the 3rd grade level. Even my 3 year old can read through the rhetoric of his birth rights.
2. For those of you who doubt his qualifications for the Nobel Prize, remember, he is the leader of the free world…something that you or I will never accomplish. He has brought many together under one single cause with just a few inspirational speeches, something many of your pastors have yet to accomplish. Relish this moment in history, grow your families and stop being anti-Obama for the simple fact the entire world was anti-BUSH.
3. For those of you that hold his articulation in disdain, try reading a book. He is the most articulate canidate we have ever seen…I wouldnt pass on him for a job interview and couldnt pass on his run for President.
4. For those of you who tout him as a Socialist, see patricks pledge against socialism. If you are nuts enough to stop contributing to any of the following programs then please feel free to exit left to Mexico. Mexico does not have any of these public services, so feel free to be a proud Mexican.

Damn you really need to read the people you target to Troll a little better.

I don't give a Rats ass about non of that.

I have a problem with his corporate Monologues, idiots like you eat by the Pie tin.

Look didn't you just out your self as provoking troll last week? What do you want? Can I help you fancy pantz?
Do you have an appointment?

dude, I wasnt attacking you. My point is that if we keep attacking each other AND our president we get off topic. The major issues at hand are our economy, health care and housing markets...how are we going to reform those areas. Just because people hated Bush doesnt mean we have to hate Obama.

Nice gunslinging, but I am through attacking others for their ideas...so back to the topic: How is Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize going to fix our economy?

I don't know I haven't thought about this for almost ten days, how does it make you feel.

As for Bush I said Obama would be a continuation of Bush early on in 07' as the media was fabricating him.
So far I haven't been wrong, when he slips up and does GOOD, I'll be the first to admit it. In the meantime enjoy the hype if you like I'm all topped off from Bush thank you very much.

If I've been wrong about anyone in the 08 primaries I'd have to give Ron Paul more props than I did back then.
I just wish he would run on an independent ticket. And all of that free market talk, and doing away with the Fed, seemed like crazy talk in Feb/08. By the time he dropped out of the race, all of the ass holes in Washington proved his point with blank checks for every banker with a sob story, Like the money line in "The Jerk" where they all stood in line for Steve Martins money. By that time in late 08 long Ron Paul backed off on his campaign.

The only thing that has changed with the idiots in Washington spending every cent they can so frivolously for all of the wrong reasons. Is there's a new Sheriff asshole in town to sign the checks.

I'm not going to get into a socialist debate with you, because the government is supposed to tax the citizens and dole out services as fit.
This legislation is nothing of the sort. I am for taxation, I am not for Facisim, in the form of federal mandated corporate patronage.

So you see I'm for taxing, I'm for services, and more importantly I'm for the man that keeps every one honest on the up and up.

They and We have substituted that due diligence, with buzz words and new catch phrases like "Transparency" and the media reinforces it in their hourly jargon until we just believe there is transparency on a black box. Not only that, with out accounting for what I'm already taxed for. Various forms of governments keep coming up with more gimmicks to extract more of my money to pay for things that are already paid for through my taxes.

@TROUT

I get it, regardless of who is in office they will make decisions that only benefit the lobbyists and spin it to sound as if it benefits main street when it only benefits Wall Street. It sort of begs to ask why the banks got a bailout but the homeowners didnt....not that I would support either bailout. I think the markets have to be allowed to reset on their own, and incentives need to be provided for banks to lend, businesses to grow and keep jobs local and for real estate agents to stop their thievery. Obama receiving the Nobel Prize does nothing for either of those causes...and yes, I do see how he is continuing certain policies of Bush's as not all of Bush's policies were as off track as the media attempted to paint them. Both parties are leaning towards the middle now, neither actually do what they say they will because the other side is waiting to trounce.

Less government, less taxes and improved social programs that do away with the abuses would be my policies.

-No welfare after 18 mos
-No government relief for able bodied young adults
-Reform of FHA, FANNIE MAE, FREDDIE to remove any tax payer backed loans
-Increased Tax incentives for businesses keeping jobs local (We really dont need the 300B in business Taxes)
-Reform of Health Care (I dont need a public option but i need to know that if i get severely sick i wont go bankrupt or be left to die)
-No social security, health care for non-working adults
-We can save 100B per year by pulling out of IRAQ
-We can reduce the federal budget by cutting 40% by vetoing Bush's social policies (30%) and Obama's new social policies (10%)

Now is not the time to be investing in social services, now is the time to cut back and make attempts to keep credit flowing, allow housing to reset, and provide incentives for new/existing businesses with a decrease in taxes. Some of these Obama has done, but we have to watch closely over the next 3 years as he reduced taxes by 250B but increased stimilus spending by 550B. More than 3 million manufacturing jobs have disappeared since 1998, we could use those jobs now to stimulate the economy but the businesses have no reason to keep them here. Forrester Research Inc. predicts U.S. employers will move 3.4 million white-collar jobs and $136 billion in wages overseas by 2015. Job loss does not just hurt individual workers and their families. Entire communities are affected negatively as tax revenues fall, dependency on public assistance increases, and incomes stagnate. And as the off-shoring and job loss spreads to sectors with higher technology and skills that drive innovation and productivity, it puts the long-term competitiveness of the American economy at risk.

I plan to sit back and watch it unfold...HOPEfully Obama will realize that these wages were once a part of the revenue cycle here in America. If in 2 years this trend continues and Obama does nothing then I plan to join you in calling our government officials a bunch of idiots.

As I see it, Obama's challenge is to reduce government enough so that he can lower business taxes for those that keep jobs local. If he doesnt accomplish this then I foresee us all competing for jobs at McDonalds and/or changing our professions.

Cited From: http://www.outsourcing-offshore.com/itjobs.html

The Need to Prevent Legislative Limits on Offshoring

Another major finding was that governments can not legislate limits on offshoring. "It's impossible because offshoring is occurring in almost all developed countries," says Carleton. Any country that legislates limits on sending white collar IT jobs elsewhere places "domestic industries at a competitive disadvantage," in his opinion. Concludes the report, "The nation that places restrictions on the export of IT jobs will hobble its own business and could be inadvertently legislating the destruction of millions of additional jobs as a result."

As I see it, Obama’s challenge is to reduce government enough so that he can lower business taxes for those that keep jobs local.

If he can do that I am going to LOVE him.

Please, Please, everyone, Obama has done enough Horn tooting of his own at this juncture.
No need to squeeze the honk bladder, there's enough "Ima gonna" thrown around by his own accord.

Let's see some action...

Nothing you can say that aint been said. Now show me anything that hasn't been seen, like accomplishments.

The more you guys talk the less faith I have in this country. We should all be unselectively fist throwing mad at the whole damn lot of Washington.

I bet the fall or Rome started with this kind of misguided faith and complacency for enepticisim.

@Trout

I am not sure how you see my comments on what his challenges are as a toot of his horn. I agree, that at this point all he has done is listen to the banks, congress and poor home owners who made poor business decisions. What are policies you would like to see enacted? Maybe you have some manifesto of some sort you would like to share?

Do you really need a manifesto to do right?

Do I really need to describe what an effective presidency would be? Aren't you American enough to know the difference?

Well lemme take just one small stab, any president that wants to address the health care system in this country, first needs to start by using unambiguous language on what that system would be. For starters a single payer is a misnomer, and a public option at this juncture isn't an option for anyone but the insurance industry.
Why in the hell can't it be called a "National Health care system" and we pay for it by our taxes.
One where people like the Personal property tax auditor from Christmas Story II(I think it was, it could have been number one) goes around checking who's on the up and up and seeking out fraud and abuse with malice and zeal.

Remember that character, people in the government was that tenacious back then. It's why we as a society were more accountable because we were held to accountability back then. People were watched to make sure they played by the rules and as a result neighbors held neighbors accountable to the same standards they had to be held to.

Put a few of those guys in the medicare system and I guarantee overnight we could find enough money in the Medicare/medicaid system to provide medical needs for every American citizen.

I'm not for "BIG" government, I'm for people working in government doing their god damn job, then people like Obama would be side show and not person People are looking to for answers. Because he is clearly only here to serve as the guy delivering monologues at town hall meetings dishing out massive quantities of "OKEYDOKE".

Besides we need a separate system from these Ghouls.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/27/news/economy/healthcare_medicare_doctors/index.htm?postversion=2009102707

We need a system, no "The" system we are already paying for. Where people and doctors like the ones pointed out in this article don't get to call the shots. Or wouldn't have any business belly aching over what the system pays them because they should be government employees. Face it we will never win going head to head with these Scum bags.
They own three to four luxury cars and live in 4500 sqft mansions and are bitching about what to charge providing medical service to those that can least afford it, old and infirmed.

I don't get all of the kit gloves we afford this corrupt medical machine and the Doctors are the least of the problem.

Administrators and CEO's needing their hefty bonuses, and investors needing lofty YOY profits.

I can't for the life of me, imagine a president claiming to have our interest in mind, toying with legislation that would include these Creeps in the equation, unless of course their lobbyists are part of the architects of this POS legislation. And the more this drags on the clearer that reality becomes. Get your heads out of your arses and pay attention.

Insurance by anyother name is still freaking insurance with the same usual suspect key players.

It makes me sick for humanity that you guys don't get this. Hind sight is a bitch, but this is a no brainer.

I am here to Rob you guys of Hind sight, when this blows up and every thing I fear happens(and it will). You don't to say "Who knew?". I'll number the seats on the mini bus for you guys.