President Barack Obama - Term 1 and 2 Thread

[Seven Wishes2]

Haha! An opaque reference to assassinating the President! Aren't you funny!

[Seven Wishes2]

Just once, I would like to see a Republican on this board actually, in detail, enumerate the exact spending cuts they feel would not harm economic growth or investment while at the same time stimulating job growth. And furthermore, detail the programs and plans Obama has championed that have supposedly set us on the path to ruin and totalitarianism. Oh, and while you're at it...how about some original ideas that will work better? No concepts. Real, applicable actions. Fire away!

[The Sushi Hunter]

BO and Company has turned this presidency into a dictatorship.

[Seven Wishes2]

BO and Company has turned this presidency into a dictatorship.

Really? Please elaborate. Don't be afraid to use actual details or facts.

[slucero]

Just once, I would like to see a Republican on this board actually, in detail, enumerate the exact spending cuts they feel would not harm economic growth or investment while at the same time stimulating job growth. And furthermore, detail the programs and plans Obama has championed that have supposedly set us on the path to ruin and totalitarianism. Oh, and while you're at it...how about some original ideas that will work better? No concepts. Real, applicable actions. Fire away!

One could say that all federal spending cuts will harm the economy... because currently Federal spending is 20% of GDP... but that isn't the real problem.

70% of all GDP is consumer spending... regardless what the CPI says, Main Street is experiencing real inflation of around 8% -11%, and it's chewing up consumers budgets. The resulting cumulative loss of consumer purchasing power is reflected in the Bureau of Economic Analysis own data for consumer spending, which is flat to negative, and that is why annual GDP growth for 2012 is sub 2%.

The Federal government and the Federal Reserve' have manipulated the markets with bad regulatory reform and subsidization that breeds morale hazard... so much so that that the markets' pricing mechanism is now so distorted that the average stock buyer now only holds stocks 7 months... when previously it was 7 years. People don't trust the integrity of the markets anymore. Many are out of the market, holding their money. Those left in the market are simply moving money to what ever sector nominally preserves wealth. It is why we are nominally at the the same DOW number we were in Oct. 2007, but the trading volume is on average now only half, and 60% of THAT is simply computerized algorithmic trading (no humans involved).

A simpler way to envision this is to imagine 5 kids playing a board game where one is constantly cheating (always having an unfair advantage)... everybody knows it, they even talk about it.. but no one does anything about it. Eventually one by one, skepticism makes them quit playing.

This same skepticism ultimately results in lackluster job creation from the private sector, the only place that can create real job growth.

The government has to get out of the way of the markets, and force the resolution of the debt on the balance sheets of those companies it has subsidized, because they first have to reestablish trust in the pricing mechanism. A revitalized economy would happen afterwards.

During the Savings and Loan Crisis in the 80's and 90's the government established the The Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) to dispose of failed thrift institutions taken over by regulators. It actually worked, because they retired the debt and sold off the healthy portions of the institutions back into the economy. The markets saw this as a logical and measurable method, and the integrity of "risk" was maintained.


At a minimum most of the large US banks need to be broken up... TBTF is the obvious reason. Simply doing that and forcing the retirement of the bad debt would likely be stimulative in itself.

Of course this won't happen as the banks pretty much control D.C. now.

[Boomchild]

Fox News host Geraldo Rivera says he is 'truly contemplating' joining US Senate race in New Jersey - @PoliticalTicker

1 hour agofrom politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com by editor



Go Jerry go! I'm all for this.

All we need now is Jerry Springer to throw his hat in the ring!

[Rick]

Fox News host Geraldo Rivera says he is 'truly contemplating' joining US Senate race in New Jersey - @PoliticalTicker

1 hour agofrom politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com by editor



Go Jerry go! I'm all for this.

All we need now is Jerry Springer to throw his hat in the ring!

Man I feel the same way.

[iceberg]

BO and Company has turned this presidency into a dictatorship.

Really? Please elaborate. Don't be afraid to use actual details or facts.

tell you what - you tell me how any gun law he's pushing would fix sandy hook.

when you can make 2+2=4, then we're on the same ground.

until then, just another agenda pusher who thinks they already know it all.

[Boomchild]

Fox News host Geraldo Rivera says he is 'truly contemplating' joining US Senate race in New Jersey - @PoliticalTicker

1 hour agofrom politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com by editor



Go Jerry go! I'm all for this.

All we need now is Jerry Springer to throw his hat in the ring!

Man I feel the same way.

He should run for President and then when elected he could do his show from the oval office. Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!

[Memorex]

The IRS's assumption that the cheapest plan for family of five will cost $20,000 per year is found in examples the IRS gives to help people understand how to calculate the penalty they will need to pay the government if they do not buy a mandated health plan.

That statement right there makes me pretty angry. The IRS has NO BUSINESS worrying about what health plan, if any, I decide to buy for me and my family. PERIOD.

[The Sushi Hunter]

The IRS's assumption that the cheapest plan for family of five will cost $20,000 per year is found in examples the IRS gives to help people understand how to calculate the penalty they will need to pay the government if they do not buy a mandated health plan.

That statement right there makes me pretty angry. The IRS has NO BUSINESS worrying about what health plan, if any, I decide to buy for me and my family. PERIOD.

Yeah, like I said, the government will assess how much each person/household should pay in healthcare per year. If you shop around and get it cheaper than what the government has assessed, you will owe the difference to the government. They will have it all broken down by income, just like they do now with Fed and State taxes. The only people who this won't effect are the immigrants and non-motivated to work individuals.

Basically there will be three taxes you have to do per year, Fed, state, and the healthcare. Think you can shop around and save a few bucks on healthcare? Wrong, you'll be expected to pay x amount per year and if your lucky and got healthcare cheaper than what the government thinks you should be paying, you'll be owning the difference to the government in the form of the "penalty". And the government can up the amount that they think you should pay just like they do with Fed and State taxes now.

I personally know someone who works for the IRS and I know others who are tax consultants. I get my opinion based on things I've heard them each talking about.

[Boomchild]

Fox News host Geraldo Rivera says he is 'truly contemplating' joining US Senate race in New Jersey - @PoliticalTicker

1 hour agofrom politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com by editor



Go Jerry go! I'm all for this.

All we need now is Jerry Springer to throw his hat in the ring!

Man I feel the same way.

He should run for President and then when elected he could do his show from the oval office. Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!

We've already had Jerry as Mayor of Cincinnati, and he flunked out when he wanted to run for Senator from Ohio. That check he wrote for the hooker will haunt him forever.

It's a much different world now. Things that in the past were considered unacceptable are now perfectly acceptable or "What Does It Matter Now" approach. The standards for obtaining a political position have been lowered as well. Heck, if Secret Service Agents can have hookers, I'm sure that check Jerry wrote for a hooker would be just fine by today's standards.

[Boomchild]

The IRS's assumption that the cheapest plan for family of five will cost $20,000 per year is found in examples the IRS gives to help people understand how to calculate the penalty they will need to pay the government if they do not buy a mandated health plan.

That statement right there makes me pretty angry. The IRS has NO BUSINESS worrying about what health plan, if any, I decide to buy for me and my family. PERIOD.

That's the old backwards America. Your living in the B.O. reshaped America where they now do. People want examples of just how B.O. is changing America for the worst when the information is right under their noses. They just don't see it, are in denial or just do not care at this point because it hasn't affected them yet. More and more I feel trying to make sense to those that don't see it is pointless and that one should just do what they can to protect oneself where possible from the destruction of what our founding fathers fought for.

[Memorex]

I shouldn't be smarter than these people:

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/02/01/report-show-un-admitting-solar-activity-may-play-significant-role-in-global/

But since this has been obvious to most people (whether they admit it or not), I guess I am.

Now, let's hope we can put our hard earned money into things that matter instead of punishing companies and poor people over a fraud.

[Seven Wishes2]

You're not.

"May play a larger role than previously thought" doesn't change the underlying science.

Find me ONE peer-reviewed study that concludes humans don't at least somewhat contribute to climate change. Seriously.

[Memorex]

I don't have time to feed the sheep today.

[Memorex]

I will say this, and no one here can refute it (at least not with an intellectually honest argument). There is no proof of anything that has justified the absolute insistence that man-made global warming is causing undo, unacceptable harm and nothing that justifies the destruction of power industries and higher prices for all, including the poor. There is nothing to suggest the regulations, taxes, and the proposed regulations and taxes that will help destroy our economy.

[Seven Wishes2]

The University of East Anglia is the best you can do? Fart Finder, come on. Really.

[Andrew]

Both are already happening... there is no "remains to be seen"...

I meant on how it will effect the rest of the world economy.

The Fed has been pushing Trillions of US dollars to overseas central banks for the last 5 years, diluting (by increasing) the pool of USD worldwide. This helps maintain the US purchasing power... and it's causing massive inflation in the underdeveloped countries...

And a shitty exchange rate for MANY countires including Australia, who's reserve band have been trying to push down the AU dollar value - but nothing is working. And for many who have to use USD, it's sending us broke! ASSHOLES!

[Boomchild]

I will say this, and no one here can refute it (at least not with an intellectually honest argument). There is no proof of anything that has justified the absolute insistence that man-made global warming is causing undo, unacceptable harm and nothing that justifies the destruction of power industries and higher prices for all, including the poor. There is nothing to suggest the regulations, taxes, and the proposed regulations and taxes that will help destroy our economy.

Sure there is. Power and greed and a gullible populace.

Exactly, The percentage that the man-made effects on global warming is much smaller then natural occurring events. With the earth as old as it is and the "cycles" it's gone through, one should expect that things are not going to be the same forever.

[steveo777]

Both are already happening... there is no "remains to be seen"...

I meant on how it will effect the rest of the world economy.

The Fed has been pushing Trillions of US dollars to overseas central banks for the last 5 years, diluting (by increasing) the pool of USD worldwide. This helps maintain the US purchasing power... and it's causing massive inflation in the underdeveloped countries...

And a shitty exchange rate for MANY countires including Australia, who's reserve band have been trying to push down the AU dollar value - but nothing is working. And for many who have to use USD, it's sending us broke! ASSHOLES!

So, tell me, if you could vote in America, would you have voted for Obama the first or the second time? I'm curious what your answer is and will be awaiting for your response to my question.

[slucero]

Both are already happening... there is no "remains to be seen"...

I meant on how it will effect the rest of the world economy.

The Fed has been pushing Trillions of US dollars to overseas central banks for the last 5 years, diluting (by increasing) the pool of USD worldwide. This helps maintain the US purchasing power... and it's causing massive inflation in the underdeveloped countries...

And a shitty exchange rate for MANY countires including Australia, who's reserve band have been trying to push down the AU dollar value - but nothing is working. And for many who have to use USD, it's sending us broke! ASSHOLES!

So, tell me, if you could vote in America, would you have voted for Obama the first or the second time? I'm curious what your answer is and will be awaiting for your response to my question.

Clue for ya:

The POTUS & Congress has historically had little to do with anything the Fed does.. besides nominating and confirming the Chairman, and that is a formality. Autonomy and independence are part of their charter, so much so that Fed meeting minutes are not published until 6 months after the meetings occur. It is not subject to any reasonable Congressional oversight, This is why Ron Paul has been trying to get the Fed audited for years...


This had nothing to do with Obama, just like White House and Congressional Fiscal Policy has very little influence on the economy....

[Seven Wishes2]

Exactly, The percentage that the man-made effects on global warming is much smaller then natural occurring events. With the earth as old as it is and the "cycles" it's gone through, one should expect that things are not going to be the same forever.

As usual - absolute garbage.

Of all the [928 peer reviewed climate change study] papers [that have ever been peer reviewed], 75% fell into the first three categories, either explicitly or implicitly accepting the consensus view; 25% dealt with methods or paleoclimate, taking no position on current anthropogenic climate change. Remarkably, none of the papers disagreed with the consensus position [that mankind is the primary driver of climate change].

- joint statement from The American Meteorological Society, the American Geophysical Union, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2010.

[Memorex]

Exactly, The percentage that the man-made effects on global warming is much smaller then natural occurring events. With the earth as old as it is and the "cycles" it's gone through, one should expect that things are not going to be the same forever.

As usual - absolute garbage.

Of all the [928 peer reviewed climate change study] papers [that have ever been peer reviewed], 75% fell into the first three categories, either explicitly or implicitly accepting the consensus view; 25% dealt with methods or paleoclimate, taking no position on current anthropogenic climate change. Remarkably, none of the papers disagreed with the consensus position [that mankind is the primary driver of climate change].

- joint statement from The American Meteorological Society, the American Geophysical Union, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2010.

I truly despise when intelligent people get roped in to such things. I was there once brother, but I saw the light. There is hope. Just take a step back and look at all the fraud that goes on with this stuff. Follow the money and you too shall have eyes opened.

[The Sushi Hunter]

CBO: Obamacare will cost 7 million workers healthcare coverage...

Amnesty would add $2 trillion to the long-term cost of Obamacare...

JIT - since they're revamping the immigration laws, that money is going to be needed to give healthcare to people who are taking out of the system but aren't paying into the system. I inderstand why the people voted for Obama.

[Seven Wishes2]

What's more likely - that greedy corporate entities are conspiring to throw clouds of doubt over proven science, or a massive collusion involving almost the entire global population of accredited climatologists?

[steveo777]

CBO: Obamacare will cost 7 million workers healthcare coverage...

Amnesty would add $2 trillion to the long-term cost of Obamacare...

JIT - since they're revamping the immigration laws, that money is going to be needed to give healthcare to people who are taking out of the system but aren't paying into the system. I inderstand why the people voted for Obama.

I do too. They mindlessly voted him in because of the money. Money makes people forget what is really important......like the well being of an entire country. Many of these voters suffer from W.I.I.F.M. syndrome. What's in it for me and what can my government do for me that I won't do for myself, seems to be the metality of many of these voters.

[conversationpc]

What's more likely - that greedy corporate entities are conspiring to throw clouds of doubt over proven science, or a massive collusion involving almost the entire global population of accredited climatologists?

Really? Those same corporations have thrown billions of dollars behind the global warming movement also, not to mention governments across the world, which are mostly dictatorial in nature, have dangled the money carrot in front of the nose of the man-maders also.

[Memorex]

What's more likely - that greedy corporate entities are conspiring to throw clouds of doubt over proven science, or a massive collusion involving almost the entire global population of accredited climatologists?

That's funny. You almost sound like you believe these climatologists aren't political and trying to sway the public with unproven data. Like there is no proof of fraud going on and like there is no information showing that these folks are trying to prove something they already say is conclusive. Thank you kind sir. I needed the chuckle after that Niner loss.

[Memorex]

By the way - here is the most important questions for you. If you know the answer, than you shall be referred as God, cause you'd have to be.

What is the proper temperature of Earth?

What is the appropriate sea level?

Let's say the oceans rise and coastal cities are flooded. So what? Why were cities built on a shoreline anyway? When you have 3/4 of the earth covered in water, I'd say you need to allow for some fluctuation, and if that doesn't happen for a few hundred years, I'd say you got pretty damn lucky.

When I was 11 my dog chased my rabbit around the yard. It was 106% that day. For me, in my personal world and the heartbreak it brought me when my rabbit died of heat exhaustion, I'd say the world was too warm that day. But that was over 30 years ago and It's rarely ever that hot in that town.

These past couple of weeks in MN, it's been at or below zero most days. One day with the wind, I couldn't even get gas because my face froze. For me, in my own personal world, it was too damn cold that day.

So what's the right temp? Who's to say that when we measured the earth's temp 150 years ago that it was supposed to be exactly that temp and no hotter or colder? What's the right amount of rain or snow? Isn't it awfully pretentious to think the perfect earth temperature is what we "think" it should be cause someone wrote it down?

If the coastal cities flood, move. Simple.