U.S. Presidential race - Democrat Discussion

[redruMPanda]

Troof, all the systems and intellegence networks were put in place by his predecessor. Though you do have to give him credit for not being a major "p" word and giving the command to go in.

^Nope.
Bush actually had an entirely different team looking for Bin Laden in Africa because that's where he and his intelligence agencies at the time were saying he was. I believe it was Yemen or somewhere in that region he believed that he actually was. Obama put his agents on an investigation in Pakistan, and he gave the go ahead to actually go into Pakistan and kill him even though he knew it would cause a shit storm with their government (and of course it did).

Here's 108 things he has done, and that to me is why President Obama should be re-elected:

1. Saved the collapse of the American automotive industry by making GM restructure before bailing them out, and putting incentive money to help the industry
2. Shifted the focus of the war from Iraq to Afghanistan, and putting the emphasis on reducing terrorism where it should have been all along
3. Relaxed Anti-American tensions throughout the world
4. Signed order to close the prisoner “torture camp” at Guantanamo Bay
5. Has made the environment a national priority, and a primary source for job creation
6. Has made education a national priority by putting emphasis and money behind new ideas like charter schools, but speaking directly to school children in telling them they have to do their part.
7. Won the Nobel Peace Prize
8. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
9. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
10. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
11. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
12. Renewed dialogue with NATO and other allies and partners on strategic issues.
13. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force… this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
14. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
15. “Cash for clunkers” program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulates auto sales
16. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
17. Closed offshore tax safe havens
18. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
19. Ended media “blackout” on war casualties; reporting full information
20. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
21. Ended media blackout on war casualties and the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB.
22. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
23. Ended previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
24. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
25. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has created 2.1 million jobs (as of 12/31/09).
26. Ended previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
27. Ended previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
28. Ended previous policy on torture; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
29. Launched Recovery.gov to track spending from the Recovery Act, an unprecedented step to provide transparency and accountability through technology.
30. Ended previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry’s predatory practices
31. Ended previous “stop-loss” policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
32. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
33. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
34. Established a new cyber security office
35. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
36. Expanding vaccination programs
37. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses
38. Provided the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with more than $1.4 billion to improve services to America’s Veterans.
39. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
40. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
41. Responded with compassion and leadership to the earthquake in Haiti
42. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
43. . Launched Business.gov – enabling conversation and online collaboration between small business owners, government representatives and industry experts in discussion forums relevant to starting and managing a business. Great for the economy.
44. Improved housing for military personnel
45. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
46. Changed failing war strategy in Afghanistan.
47. Improving benefits for veterans
48. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants…) after years of neglect
49. Donated his $1.4 million Nobel Prize to nonprofits.
50. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
51. Provided tax credits to first-time home buyers through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 to revitalize the U.S. housing market.
52. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
53. Increasing student loans
54. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return “home” to visit loved ones
55. Cracked down on companies that deny sick pay, vacation and health insurance to workers by abusing the employee classification of independent contractor. Such companies also avoid paying Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance taxes for those workers.
56. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
57. Limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House
58. Protected 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors through the Recovery Act that would have otherwise been lost.
59. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
60. Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act on February 4, 2009, provides quality health care to 11 million kids – 4 million who were previously uninsured.
61. Lower drug costs for seniors
62. Making more loans available to small businesses
63. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
64. Signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first piece of comprehensive legislation aimed at improving the lives of Americans living with paralysis
65. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
66. Announced creation of a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record for members of the U.S. Armed Forces to improve quality of medical care.
67. New federal funding for science and research labs
68. New funds for school construction
69. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
70. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
71. . Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals.
72. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren’t even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
73. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
74. Provided tax credit to workers thus cutting taxes for 95% of America's working families.
75. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
76. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
77. Helped reverse a downward spiral of the stock market. On January 19, 2009, the last day of President Bush's presidency, the Dow closed at 8,218.22. In February 2010, the Dow closed at 10,309.24
78. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
79. Restarted the nuclear non-proliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
80. Provided attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles.
81. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
82. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
83. Unveiled a program on Earth Day 2009 to develop the renewable energy projects on the waters of our Outer Continental Shelf that produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. These regulations will enable, for the first time ever, the nation to tap into our ocean’s vast sustainable resources to generate clean energy in an environmentally sound and safe manner.
84. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
85. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
86. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
87. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
88. The FDA is now regulating tobacco
89. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date.
90. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
91. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
92. The “secret detention” facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
93. US financial and banking rescue plan
94. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
95. . Signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act to stop fraud and wasteful spending in the defense procurement and contracting system.
96. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
97. Improved relations with Iran
98. Improved U.S. policy on climate change
99. Set timetable for exiting Iraq (already started removing troops)
100. Improved relations with Russia
101. Improved relations with the Islamic World
102. Made progress towards greater cooperation on limiting nuclear proliferation
103. Economic stimulus plan has created jobs. (Unemployment rate decreasing)
104. Drastically slowed down the recession
105. Saved Wall Street
106. Passed the Lilly Ledbetter Act (equal work for equal pay)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilly_L...ay_Act_of_2009
107. HEALTHCARE REFORM
108. Ordered the military operation that killed Osama Bin Laden

^This is the jobs numbers since Obama came into office. Notice how bad it was when Bush left office? See how we are in the positive again? Effective president is effective.

[Merkava]

By the way, it was not a "Gutsy call" Any president, of any party, even if a communist had been elected, would have done the same exact thing. Not exactly what I would call gutsy.

There's of course no way of knowing what someone else, elected president would have done, is there? All we have to go on is what they've said previously on the subject. And Barack Obama was called naive and inexperienced for announcing in 2007 that he would go into tribal regions of Pakistan (to say nothing of Abbottabad) to get Bin Laden or other high value targets. Hillary, Joe Biden (which is interesting because recently we learned that he was against the raid) and Chris Dodd all criticized Bin Laden for his position during the primary, and John McCain joined the chorus during the general election.

So, I would say it wasn't a call that any president of any party would have made.

[redruMPanda]

4 more years barry soetoro or obama or whatever his name is will destroy the United States. He will destroy all of our constitutional rights should he be elected into office once more. He has already destroyed our right to trial... he can lock us away without trial at this very moment if he wanted. He signed that bill right last month. BHO is ineligible to serve anyways his biological father was a British subject in Kenya. You can't be a natural born citizen unless both your parents are citizens.

What this country really needs is no political parties because they mostly just breed corruption and no representation for the people. America needs leaders who won't bow to the Chicoms or the King of Saud.

America needs leaders who will enforce our borders, language (english) and culture. Which is what defines a nation.

Under the Constitution or laws of the United States to U.S. citizenship "at birth" or "by birth," including any child born "in" the United States (other than to foreign diplomats serving their country), the children of United States citizens born abroad, and those born abroad of one citizen parent who has met U.S. residency requirements.

Last I checked Hawaii was a state...Wait a sec isn't that where Obama was born? Go figure.

The original NDAA was already established many many years ago before Obama was even a politician. They sign one every year...it's nothing new really don't know why you are so surprised.

This country was built on the blood, sweat, and tears of immigrants looking for a better life. To say we need to keep everyone out, and enforce English as our language is about as ignorant as saying President Obama isn't eligible for the presidency...(see definition above^)

What this country does need is less closed minded individuals who think they and only they know what's best for our country and the rest of the world.

The only thing that I half agree with you on is border control of illegal immigration. They can come here as long as they pay taxes and become legal citizens..end of story.

[vaajtswv]

In retrospect I'm slightly disappointed with him though, granted he has had a very tough 4 year period with the economic crisis and the wars and most importantly an unreasonable republican party that seem to think it's more important to make life hard for Obama then make life easy for the average American.

This is why I don't want a Republican in the office, nevermind that Newt is a tyrant and Romney is a corrupted businessman. The right can't get over that Obama is in the office and they're making the rest of America pay for their immaturity. Then they turnaround and say that Obama isn't doing anything.

[Dacien]

This is why I don't want a Republican in the office, nevermind that Newt is a tyrant and Romney is a corrupted businessman. The right can't get over that Obama is in the office and they're making the rest of America pay for their immaturity. Then they turnaround and say that Obama isn't doing anything.

How is Romney a corrupt businessman? Seriously, this just gets thrown at the man because it sticks so well, regardless of it's basis in reality.

[Wells]

How is Romney a corrupt businessman? Seriously, this just gets thrown at the man because it sticks so well, regardless of it's basis in reality.

He made a fortune buying companies and selling them for parts via some pretty shady business practices. I mean corporate vultures have their place, but Bain took it to a whole other level.

[Dacien]

He made a fortune buying companies and selling them for parts via some pretty shady business practices. I mean corporate vultures have their place, but Bain took it to a whole other level.

Out of hundreds of deals Romney had a part in, only a few were deals as you've described.

[Wells]

Out of hundreds of deals Romney had a part in, only a few were deals as you've described.

If I rob a store it doesn't matter how many other times I legally purchased goods, I'm still a robber.

[Dacien]

If I rob a store it doesn't matter how many other times I legally purchased goods, I'm still a robber.

Comparing scrapping out a business as robbery is pretty weak.

[insmek]

How is Romney a corrupt businessman? Seriously, this just gets thrown at the man because it sticks so well, regardless of it's basis in reality.

He might not be corrupt in so many words, but he's definitely not the wholesome, hardworking millionaire he markets himself as. His 15% tax rate, off-shore bank accounts, and army of person accountants speak pretty well to that.

[Deleted]

^Nope.
Bush actually had an entirely different team looking for Bin Laden in Africa because that's where he and his intelligence agencies at the time were saying he was. I believe it was Yemen or somewhere in that region he believed that he actually was. Obama put his agents on an investigation in Pakistan, and he gave the go ahead to actually go into Pakistan and kill him even though he knew it would cause a shit storm with their government (and of course it did).

It's funny, because just when I though the world consisted of only ignorant hypocrites, another great person shows up.
Thanks for making my day, Panda

Obama '12

[Wells]

Comparing scrapping out a business as robbery is pretty weak.

You're arguing the analogy and not the point.

[Dacien]

He might not be corrupt in so many words, but he's definitely not the wholesome, hardworking millionaire he markets himself as. His 15% tax rate, off-shore bank accounts, and army of person accountants speak pretty well to that.

What's wrong with paying low taxes, off-shore bank accounts, or having personal accountants? Has he violated ethics or broken some laws we don't know about?

[vaajtswv]

How is Romney a corrupt businessman? Seriously, this just gets thrown at the man because it sticks so well, regardless of it's basis in reality.

1. Buys company.
2. Takes out a loan in the said company.
3. Pays himself.
4. Let's company defunct on the loan.

I would get into how many jobs were loss due to Romney's practices, but all of those records have injunctions on them.

In case you're interested on the actual practice.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-january-31-2012/jonathan-macey

[Merkava]

Have you moved on from your statement saying that Bush stopped looking for Bin Laden?

Ummmm nope. Bush stopped looking for him,

[Dacien]

You're arguing the analogy and not the point.

Scrapping off a business isn't pretty, but it's perfectly legitimate. People would like to portray Romney as only doing that, when in reality it was a small fraction of the business he was a part of.

[Wells]

Have you moved on from your statement saying that Bush stopped looking for Bin Laden?

No I just plain have no interest in "debating" with you as it always turns into you cherry picking. You are seriously the least interesting regular poster to discuss anything with.

Scrapping off a business isn't pretty, but it's perfectly legitimate.

If you're going to vote for Romney spend some time reading about the stuff Bain did that he was a part of.

[Merkava]

No I just plain have no interest in "debating" with you as it always turns into you cherry picking. You are seriously the least interesting regular poster to discuss anything with.

Is it a coincidence that I'm also the poster who proves you wrong the most on a regular basis?

Answer me this. If George Bush abandoned the search for Bin Laden in 2005, then how did we learn the name of the courier in 2007? Simple question.

[Dacien]

If you're going to vote for Romney spend some time reading about the stuff Bain did that he was a part of.

vague allusions without citations are unlike you, Wells.

[vaajtswv]

Scrapping off a business isn't pretty, but it's perfectly legitimate. People would like to portray Romney as only doing that, when in reality it was a small fraction of the business he was a part of.

It says a lot about his character. Imo, it's a negative trait.