Politics Obama - Actually doing a good job?

I was thinking in particular about the Republicans. You know how you go on about getting people onboard and shit; well, that is an issue. But when your opponents misconstrue something or purposely mislead the public about it, then he should probably care. He should care about a Congress that turns workable ideas into "un-American government takeovers."

Saying about what?

 

Problem is this...False Labels work to a certain extent...even against the best of Leaders.
You can have a certain percentages of the population believing in those labels...they either re-enforce bias, or coax them over, or create doubt.

And in politics...it is a numbers game. What percentage can you get to doubt your opponent...and Leaders are the opponents of someone.
This is why they have commercials...Why negative campaigns are done... (ex. Romney or his PAC supporters love slamming before a vote)

There's a certain idealism that say people can overcome reality.
And while that Idealism can make people envision and work for greater height...it can also shadow or fade those same people into some denial of harm.

People need to start paying attention, noting reality, not just judging according to some abstract, but the actual situation
where the are, where they've been, where they may be, what they have, what they don't have...and the consequences of all of the above.

Labeling your sport opponent is "smack talk", part of the fun of taking sides...but it is a game. (It really doesn't matter...except for the heart)
But labeling your political opponent, well...that's a game too...but it has consequence and impact...it affects decisions.

I'd rather know all the facts.
All the background.
All the context.
I'll figure it all myself...I take on that burden, that responsibility.
I'm a big boy...I don't need a Label to ID someone.

Problem is...many, maybe most, don't want to take that effort.
Labels make it easy.

 

The Road We Traveled - Obama's short movie, narrated by Tom Hanks (and paid for by the Obama campaign)

View: http://youtu.be/2POembdArVo


Yep, I have to put this here.
Sorry, it's what this thread is all about...so it's legit.

This is obviously a campaign clip, but it is contextual...does have some background and perspective.
I will say that it is well done. (and it does leave some things out...)

It is NOT an endorsement from me. (you are all are grown-ups...make up your own minds)
But it is something to discuss and argue over, this is the Politics space after all.

 

And a check against the vid I posted, thanks to Politifact
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2012/mar/16/fact-checking-obama-campaign-film/



And a speedbump as always...
Economists offer a more pessimistic view of US Manufacturing.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/economists-offer-more-pessimistic-view-on-manufacturing-in-upcoming-report/2012/03/19/gIQAKSpZNS_story.html


hmm...there's always something to spoil a day for a guy.
But seriously, is this something that he deserve blame or credit for???

Geez, being prez has got to be the most Masochistic job in the world...everyone is always after you...even your allies.
No wonder they all take so many vacations.

 

Here we go again...a whole series of positives today

• Most Americans Since 2004 See Economy Improving
• Jobless Claims in U.S. Fall to Lowest Level in Four Years
• Leading Economic Indicators Rise 0.7%

And so on...with I'm sure someone else finding a series of negatives.
And these change daily...

So, can we resolve, no matter who's the Prez, that they only have so much literal control of things.
And if you blame them for vague connections...then you should give them credit too.
They are either in control or not.

I can only blame or credit for direct policies that they enact as the Executive Office...affecting directly the Federal Government.
Once the laws or policies go beyond those boundaries...then Chaos Theory comes into play.

I can only judge according to actual effort.
And if they are following up with fairly common sense things.

 

I think the kicker for me to vote for him was back when the financial crisis was emerging.

All the politicians headed to DC to figure things out.
McCain said he suspended his campaign until this was handled, and suggested Obama do the same.
Obama said, Nope...not suspending it, we will take care of this too...we can do more than one thing at once, that's what leaders do.

Then McCain, came down, tried to take control...had a hissy fit that he couldn't.
Obama, came in...listen, conferred, took some cues from the Administration at the time (no battling), came to a consensus for a plan of action.

Dammit. That did it.
Pissed me off that GHW Bush hid at the end...I voted for him...wanted him to work.
Pissed me off that Clinton wasted his potential momentum on a bit of pussy (I don't a shit about BJs) but it was a distraction.
Pissed me off that before the war, GW Bush was vacationing up a storm...didn't want to involve himself, delegated

The US Presidency is a fucking HARD job, everyone is after your ass.
But you want to be the most powerful person on Earth? You better not just want it, you better WORK when you're IN it.
We put you there, you work your ass off.

I just saw this guy, coming in...and working his ass off.
Not just one big project at a time...but everything...because EVERYTHING COUNTS.
And he showed that he could work with the other side...and still act.

And what pleased me, when I actually went into work for the Executive Office...they were working ALL the angles.
Not just trying to push their agenda...but actually trying to get this shit together. Streamline it.

And that's why I think I'll vote for him again...because he's WORKING for it.
And everything that I'm hearing of Romney says, he delegates, he doesn't know his people, he doesn't connect, and he's casual about it.
This is NOT casual business.
The state of Massachusetts is not the same as running the most powerful nation on Earth and negotiating its influence.

Besides, Obama is experienced now, so that whole argument is out the door.
And I haven't been given a reason to switch drivers to another inexperienced one.

You want to make me switch, give me someone who'll make that difference.
And not tred on my rights. (so Santorum and Gingrich don't satisfy that criteria)

I'm watching and waiting...
I better see someone working it.
Prove to me you deserve my vote.
AND that you'll work your ass off in office.

 

Now, anyone that can say that I'm being "liberal" for voting for Obama, because he is "liberal"
has got another thing coming...

Because I've seen Obama and his adminstration adopt many policies that are not even close to being liberal.
Or have done actions, which were suggested previously by conservatives.

One recent example, the allowing of data retention on citizens up to 5 years... (previously just 180 days)
New counterterrorism guidelines permit data on U.S. citizens to be held longer - The Washington Post

Or continuing Bush policy on defense or terrorism prevention...or even expanding on it.

Now, I'm not going to say that I'm for or against it here. (yet)
One, because I'm not fully sure yet on my position, I see sides to both arguments...and see how it can be abused...I also know how it could help.
Two, because it's up to you to discuss.

I like to avoid labels, they are too easy.
I like to gather all the info, watch the actions, watch the trends...then I can say what a person or group seems to be.

I think what I objected to GW's administration versus Obama...was not really the policy, but how they played it.
It's like driving really fast...are you doing it for a reason with intent & control, for a example like a cop...or are you doing it recklessly?
How about the ability to pull someone over...is the officer using discretion...or profiling?
Or even a strict interpretation of the law...like a stopsign...is the officer sitting in the dark at midnight in the middle of nowhere with no traffic, ticketing?
Or stopping people who are not stopping near a heavily trafficked school...

I'm big, strong guy...should I bully or intimidate? Just because I can? Should I lord over my size?

I saw in GW's administration a certain overkill or presumption...that seemingly led to waste, abuse & promotion of the wrong idea.
In Obama's (so far...) I'm more seeing a leverage and application, that the law is intended for...to stop crime, and not glorify the players.
The previous seemed out of touch...the current seems to be paying attention. (IMHO)
Only problem is, what happens when an idiotic or aggressive administration gets in??? (and one will, sooner or later)

Now, don't get me wrong...in GW, I saw the full arc...I got pissed initially, because he kicked it back, ignored and delegated
then I supported him during the start after the Twin Towers' fall...but he took his eye off the ball for a different agenda,
then I was concerned because things weren't being played out well, a certain arrogance,
finally in the end, he got it right, beat back Cheney and his cronies, when the crisis went down & the close of his term...but it was a bit too late.

Obama...I see someone who did inherit a bag of shit
and he played it as best as I think anyone could considering his presidential inexperience and starting a new administration.
BTW...ANYONE would be inexperienced, except a person already in term. (duh, again it's a WHOLE different level than being a Senator or Governor)
He was a dupe, thinking the GOP would play fair.
And he probably got the politics wrong on getting certain items passed. (whether the policy's intent or details were correct or not)
And he forgot to play the "announcement game" with the public...assuming that just because he was working, he didn't have to hold hands.
But that's necessary in this world, you've not only got to execute...but you've got to get "buy in" from all levels. (Take it from a senior manager)

But we survived, and some good shit headed our way.
We are certainly doing better than before...and mostly better than the rest of the world. (Europe, Oi vey)
The trends are generally more positive.
But we still have so much more work to do...and keep the momentum on what we've done already.