President Barack Obama - Term 1 and 2 Thread

[Saint John]

Good points on all BUT California.

Tell me why California is home to the most US transplants? This state is no different than other right now. They are ALL hurting, but you know damned well we will come out of the recession first and will prosper more than any state, period. I bet when you wake up to go to work at 6AM on say December 28th, you wished you were in California. I know Dan....the weather alone is worth the price of a more expensive home.

No other state in this nation possesses what California does: Mountains, beaches, deserts, fertile valleys or vibrant cities. We feed the nation. We lead the nation in everything. Sure there is a beaner problem, but Hell, that's damned near everywhere. We have the Golden Gate Bridge and the Sierra Nevada's; we have Disneyland and the golden beaches, and we have the most livable weather you will find in the entire world.

Beat that Daniel son.

Most transplants from the U.S., eh? Hey, be fair, add Mexico, too. I have always maintained that California is beautiful ... which is why I'm all for executing all of the illegals there. Just mowing them down in the streets along with the gang bangers and starting over. I'll agree with everything you said but I really have no use for mountains or the desert. One's a giant fucking rock that's not affordable to live on and the other is sand. That might impress Behshad, but not me!

[Ehwmatt]

Good points on all BUT California.

Tell me why California is home to the most US transplants? This state is no different than other right now. They are ALL hurting, but you know damned well we will come out of the recession first and will prosper more than any state, period. I bet when you wake up to go to work at 6AM on say December 28th, you wished you were in California. I know Dan....the weather alone is worth the price of a more expensive home.

No other state in this nation possesses what California does: Mountains, beaches, deserts, fertile valleys or vibrant cities. We feed the nation. We lead the nation in everything. Sure there is a beaner problem, but Hell, that's damned near everywhere. We have the Golden Gate Bridge and the Sierra Nevada's; we have Disneyland and the golden beaches, and we have the most livable weather you will find in the entire world.

Beat that Daniel son.

Most transplants from the U.S., eh? Hey, be fair, add Mexico, too. I have always maintained that California is beautiful ... which is why I'm all for executing all of the illegals there. Just mowing them down in the streets along with the gang bangers and starting over. I'll agree with everything you said but I really have no use for mountains or the desert. One's a giant fucking rock that's not affordable to live on and the other is sand. That might impress Behshad, but not me!

You're on fire tonight dude. Where you been

[Saint John]

Good points on all BUT California.

Tell me why California is home to the most US transplants? This state is no different than other right now. They are ALL hurting, but you know damned well we will come out of the recession first and will prosper more than any state, period. I bet when you wake up to go to work at 6AM on say December 28th, you wished you were in California. I know Dan....the weather alone is worth the price of a more expensive home.

No other state in this nation possesses what California does: Mountains, beaches, deserts, fertile valleys or vibrant cities. We feed the nation. We lead the nation in everything. Sure there is a beaner problem, but Hell, that's damned near everywhere. We have the Golden Gate Bridge and the Sierra Nevada's; we have Disneyland and the golden beaches, and we have the most livable weather you will find in the entire world.

Beat that Daniel son.

Most transplants from the U.S., eh? Hey, be fair, add Mexico, too. I have always maintained that California is beautiful ... which is why I'm all for executing all of the illegals there. Just mowing them down in the streets along with the gang bangers and starting over. I'll agree with everything you said but I really have no use for mountains or the desert. One's a giant fucking rock that's not affordable to live on and the other is sand. That might impress Behshad, but not me!

You're on fire tonight dude. Where you been

Working like a Mexican in a fucking strawberry field.

[Rockindeano]

Bravo dude.

Sometimes you just gotta tip your cap. Well played sir.

[7 Wishes]

Working like a Mexican in a fucking strawberry field.

Better than a Mexican in a strawberry fucking field. That can be pretty nasty - there are insects everywhere.

My wife and I went on a picnic near a strawberry field once. By the time we left she had ant bites all over her ass, and I had a whole mess of them on my face, if you know what I mean.

[Saint John]

Working like a Mexican in a fucking strawberry field.

Better than a Mexican in a strawberry fucking field. That can be pretty nasty - there are insects everywhere.

My wife and I went on a picnic near a strawberry field once. By the time we left she had ant bites all over her ass, and I had a whole mess of them on my face, if you know what I mean.

[Monker]

No other state in this nation possesses what California does: Mountains, beaches, deserts, fertile valleys or vibrant cities. We feed the nation. We lead the nation in everything.

It also has: Earthquakes, overcrowding, smog, hour long drives to work that should only take a few minutes, over priced housing, too high of a standard of living. Too much crime, too many illegals, gangs. Been there, both north and south (which are totally different, BTW)...spent an entire summer in Laguna Hillsa long while back. It's an interesting and fun place to visit...but I have no desire to live there...no different then Florida to me.

And, recession? What recession? I don't even notice it any longer...unless I listen to some doom and gloom FOX opinionator. Everybody I know who was out of work, including me, and my sister, now have jobs. The people who think this is going to continue to drag out are crazy. Markets are up, way up. The financial and insurance industry is even hiring again...which this town is driven by nowadays. Take a look at your 401k and compare it to when Obama took office. The only people who fear the future are those who listen to too much Republican propaganda. The bailouts and stimulus were the right thing to do. They turned around the depression that Bush and the Republicans led this nation into.

[Saint John]

They turned around the depression that Bush and the Republicans led this nation into.

You mean the Dow being at 14,000 when the Democrats took power over 3 years ago and promised "change"???

[Rockindeano]

They turned around the depression that Bush and the Republicans led this nation into.

You mean the Dow being at 14,000 when the Democrats took power over 3 years ago and promised "change"???

Stop dude. Your goodwill smack only goes so far. The Obama economy is already much better than W's.

[Saint John]

They turned around the depression that Bush and the Republicans led this nation into.

You mean the Dow being at 14,000 when the Democrats took power over 3 years ago and promised "change"???

Stop dude. Your goodwill smack only goes so far. The Obama economy is already much better than W's.

Hey, you were the guy hyperextending your jawbone every day while flapping your lips about "change" when they took over. Now please explain what happened after they did!

And Monker's nuts. If Obama quit extending unemployment benefits (even though according to numbnuts everyone's finding jobs ) you'd see that real unemployment is around 18%. But he won't because he needs to keep those numbers steady. Fuck, you talk about Journey fudging numbers (which they never have), but here's a guy caught red-handed cooking the books and you overlook it like Baghdad Bob when the U.S. military was steam rolling in the background as he tried to convince the world Iraq was taking it to us.

[Rockindeano]

They turned around the depression that Bush and the Republicans led this nation into.

You mean the Dow being at 14,000 when the Democrats took power over 3 years ago and promised "change"???

Stop dude. Your goodwill smack only goes so far. The Obama economy is already much better than W's.

Hey, you were the guy hyperextending your jawbone every day while flapping your lips about "change" when they took over. Now please explain what happened after they did!

And Monker's nuts. If Obama quit extending unemployment benefits (even though according to numbnuts everyone's finding jobs ) you'd see that real unemployment is around 18%. But he won't because he needs to keep those numbers steady. Fuck, you talk about Journey fudging numbers (which they never have), but here's a guy caught red-handed cooking the books and you overlook it like Baghdad Bob when the U.S. military was steam rolling in the background as he tried to convince the world Iraq was taking it to us.

LOL, what number beer are you presently on dude? I KNOW you are smarter than this. The ONLY sonofabitch voting NO to extend unemployment benees was that ex NY Yankee pitching machine Jim Bunning. Cocksucking heartless bastard republican. Face it Danny, we will never, I repeat NEVER EVER see Eye to Eye politically, but we both know fredinator is fucking wacko.

BTW, Monker is a class act dude. he's smart, knowledgeable and contributes greatly. He hates me, and I used to mow the lawn with him, but have since apologized. He is a great poster. Better than GI Jane, err Jim...LOL, homosexual.

[slucero]

They turned around the depression that Bush and the Republicans led this nation into.

You mean the Dow being at 14,000 when the Democrats took power over 3 years ago and promised "change"???

Stop dude. Your goodwill smack only goes so far. The Obama economy is already much better than W's.

Hey, you were the guy hyperextending your jawbone every day while flapping your lips about "change" when they took over. Now please explain what happened after they did!

And Monker's nuts. If Obama quit extending unemployment benefits (even though according to numbnuts everyone's finding jobs ) you'd see that real unemployment is around 18%. But he won't because he needs to keep those numbers steady. Fuck, you talk about Journey fudging numbers (which they never have), but here's a guy caught red-handed cooking the books and you overlook it like Baghdad Bob when the U.S. military was steam rolling in the background as he tried to convince the world Iraq was taking it to us.

The BLS U-3 percentage is the one the government tells everyone... 9.7

The BLS U-6 percentage is the one they DON'T tell... cause it's real, and huge... and almost positive to be LESS than than the truth..

U-6 = Total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of all civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers.

U-6 is the real number we should be watching...



Straight from the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.... unemployment ROSE in February from 16.5 to 16.8

[Saint John]

They turned around the depression that Bush and the Republicans led this nation into.

You mean the Dow being at 14,000 when the Democrats took power over 3 years ago and promised "change"???

Stop dude. Your goodwill smack only goes so far. The Obama economy is already much better than W's.

Hey, you were the guy hyperextending your jawbone every day while flapping your lips about "change" when they took over. Now please explain what happened after they did!

And Monker's nuts. If Obama quit extending unemployment benefits (even though according to numbnuts everyone's finding jobs ) you'd see that real unemployment is around 18%. But he won't because he needs to keep those numbers steady. Fuck, you talk about Journey fudging numbers (which they never have), but here's a guy caught red-handed cooking the books and you overlook it like Baghdad Bob when the U.S. military was steam rolling in the background as he tried to convince the world Iraq was taking it to us.

The BLS U-3 percentage is the one the government tells everyone... 9.7

The BLS U-6 percentage is the one they DON'T tell... cause it's real, and huge...

U-6 = Total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of all civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers.

U-6 is the real number we should be watching...



Straight from the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.... unemployment ROSE in February from 16.5 to 16.8

Democrats took over in the beginning of 2007. They take a month or two and start implementing policies which take 6-9 months to make an impact and then, BAM, from 2008 on, you see the fruits of those wonderful policies. Great job, guys.

[Rockindeano]

LOL, wrong again Chi-boy.

Clinton leaves office with a HUGE surplus, and a 7.1 unemployment rate. Bush jumps that fucker up immediately, and eventually it goes to 10.3 and then settles at 8 or so. He turns a HUGE surplus into a Bigger DEFECIT, and a BULLSHIT lying induced war.....Obama takes over at the START of a BUSH RECESSION, which EVERY FUCKING ECONOMIST admits is definitely Bush's, and it goes up. I got news for you Daniel Son..it is getting better every week, every month. Come election day this year, you guys will be fucked. Sure you'll pick up seats, but not nearly the amount you are hoping to or thinking you'll get. NO OVERTURNING of the Health Bill. Sorry losers, try again.

[slucero]

LOL, wrong again Chi-boy.

Clinton leaves office with a HUGE surplus, and a 7.1 unemployment rate. Bush jumps that fucker up immediately, and eventually it goes to 10.3 and then settles at 8 or so. He turns a HUGE surplus into a Bigger DEFECIT, and a BULLSHIT lying induced war.....Obama takes over at the START of a BUSH RECESSION, which EVERY FUCKING ECONOMIST admits is definitely Bush's, and it goes up. I got news for you Daniel Son..it is getting better every week, every month. Come election day this year, you guys will be fucked. Sure you'll pick up seats, but not nearly the amount you are hoping to or thinking you'll get. NO OVERTURNING of the Health Bill. Sorry losers, try again.

I hope yer right Deano.. .but the BLS numbers are the governments numbers.... and they show unemployment RISING again... so by that definition, the governments definition.. things are not getting better...

[RocknRoll]

LOL, wrong again Chi-boy.

Clinton leaves office with a HUGE surplus, and a 7.1 unemployment rate. Bush jumps that fucker up immediately, and eventually it goes to 10.3 and then settles at 8 or so. He turns a HUGE surplus into a Bigger DEFECIT, and a BULLSHIT lying induced war.....Obama takes over at the START of a BUSH RECESSION, which EVERY FUCKING ECONOMIST admits is definitely Bush's, and it goes up. I got news for you Daniel Son..it is getting better every week, every month. Come election day this year, you guys will be fucked. Sure you'll pick up seats, but not nearly the amount you are hoping to or thinking you'll get. NO OVERTURNING of the Health Bill. Sorry losers, try again.

I hope yer right Deano.. .but the BLS numbers are the governments numbers.... and they show unemployment RISING again... so by that definition, the governments definition.. things are not getting better...

and this is with all those temporary census workers we are paying for. I read they are already way over budget due to some poor practices.

[conversationpc]

Obama takes over at the START of a BUSH RECESSION, which EVERY FUCKING ECONOMIST admits is definitely Bush's...

Obama has been in office long enough now to own his responsibility for the economy.

[Rockindeano]

Obama takes over at the START of a BUSH RECESSION, which EVERY FUCKING ECONOMIST admits is definitely Bush's...

Obama has been in office long enough now to own his responsibility for the economy.

LOL, yet when W took over, you all seemed to say for certain it was a Clinton induced recession. Fuck you Dave and fuck you Cons. Your math is fuzzier than Dr Ruth's pussy, which hasn't been mowed in a decade.

[conversationpc]

LOL, yet when W took over, you all seemed to say for certain it was a Clinton induced recession. Fuck you Dave and fuck you Cons. Your math is fuzzier than Dr Ruth's pussy, which hasn't been mowed in a decade.

There's no math involved. Say what you will, Obama has been the President for well over a year now. Suck it up and take ownership. The President isn't supposed to pass the buck, right.

By the way..."You all" my ass. I wasn't anywhere close to this forum back in 2001.

[verslibre]

I have always maintained that California is beautiful ... which is why I'm all for executing all of the illegals there. Just mowing them down in the streets along with the gang bangers and starting over. I'll agree with everything you said but I really have no use for mountains or the desert. One's a giant fucking rock that's not affordable to live on and the other is sand. That might impress Behshad, but not me!

Mo' big talk from a "cyberwarrior"!!

[donnaplease]

Who here knew that only 19% of college students actually pay their own way to school? I sure didn't. So we're subsidising 81% of our college enrollees now. Soon to be 100% I'd suspect.

It is categorically impossible to attend just about any college as a normal college-aged kid these days and "work your way" through school like you once could paying up front. Christ, you'll be lucky to be eating after you buy books for the semester even if you're working full-time while being a student. Outside of doing anything illegal, there is NO JOB that a degreeless 18-21 year old can do to make enough money to pay for even an average state institution these days.

Going through the whole financial aid process now with my son. I found out that the work-study program offered by the school for financial aid only pays those kids minimum wage. WHY would they do that, when they can go out to the community and make more than that? Doesn't make sense to me.

[donnaplease]

i was on scholarships, grants and loans for my undergrad as well as my graduate degree. i pay my loans every month and am so glad obama has instituted the income based repayment as my loan payments will drop a few hundred bucks a month. also the loan forgiveness after 120 payments (on time, not in default, etc) for service type careers is a blessing.
b';
ultimately the feds own student loans. if you go into default the feds pick it up and find you. good thing to cut out the middle man.

Maybe it's just me but I've always disliked the notion that you can have your debt forgiven because of your chosen career. Just because I didn't go into a "service" career means I should have to pay more than someone who did? I can see a possible exception for a military career but the whole notion just really bugs me.

don't mean to bug you, well not too much anyway

i think it is fair based on the returns. the amount a teacher makes in comparison to the needed education is not balanced. i'm not looking for sympathy, i do alright. the hours, continuing education, exams, are all costly and if one makes a career of educating our little angels i see no harm in loan relief benefit. the relief is not only from the feds, states offer it to for teachers in high need areas. if the market was overflowing with qualified candidates there wouldn't be a need for the fringe benefit of loan relief.

I guess doctors and nurses should be the next in line for loan forgiveness then,given what we're looking at in the future.

[Ehwmatt]

Who here knew that only 19% of college students actually pay their own way to school? I sure didn't. So we're subsidising 81% of our college enrollees now. Soon to be 100% I'd suspect.

It is categorically impossible to attend just about any college as a normal college-aged kid these days and "work your way" through school like you once could paying up front. Christ, you'll be lucky to be eating after you buy books for the semester even if you're working full-time while being a student. Outside of doing anything illegal, there is NO JOB that a degreeless 18-21 year old can do to make enough money to pay for even an average state institution these days.

Going through the whole financial aid process now with my son. I found out that the work-study program offered by the school for financial aid only pays those kids minimum wage. WHY would they do that, when they can go out to the community and make more than that? Doesn't make sense to me.

I *think* it depends on the setting... if you go to say, Ohio State, and can work in millions of the food places/restaurants/bars in town, there's no reason to. But, if you're at a small school in a small town like mine, there were just a handful of restaurants/stores and they were mostly staffed save for a few positions... so that might be one reason. But yeah, you get fleeced. I think you can only make as much money as you qualify for aid too, or at least under one of the different types of work study programs. There MIGHT be more than one.

[donnaplease]

Going through the whole financial aid process now with my son. I found out that the work-study program offered by the school for financial aid only pays those kids minimum wage. WHY would they do that, when they can go out to the community and make more than that? Doesn't make sense to me.

I *think* it depends on the setting... if you go to say, Ohio State, and can work in millions of the food places/restaurants/bars in town, there's no reason to. But, if you're at a small school in a small town like mine, there were just a handful of restaurants/stores and they were mostly staffed save for a few positions... so that might be one reason. But yeah, you get fleeced. I think you can only make as much money as you qualify for aid too, or at least under one of the different types of work study programs. There MIGHT be more than one.

All true, I guess I was just shocked when she said 'minimum wage'. Honestly, I haven't heard of a job recently that actually pays minimum wage (but I'm sure they're out there). You're prolly right about the other part too. He was listed on his financial aid package as eligible for $1500 in work-study. I just don't like that process. I don't want him working during football season, and he's thinking about trying to walk on to the basketball team now too, so that doesn't leave a lot of extra time for other things. I'd rather pay out of pocket for his 'spending money' (which is what that type of finaid is anyway).

[Ehwmatt]

Going through the whole financial aid process now with my son. I found out that the work-study program offered by the school for financial aid only pays those kids minimum wage. WHY would they do that, when they can go out to the community and make more than that? Doesn't make sense to me.

I *think* it depends on the setting... if you go to say, Ohio State, and can work in millions of the food places/restaurants/bars in town, there's no reason to. But, if you're at a small school in a small town like mine, there were just a handful of restaurants/stores and they were mostly staffed save for a few positions... so that might be one reason. But yeah, you get fleeced. I think you can only make as much money as you qualify for aid too, or at least under one of the different types of work study programs. There MIGHT be more than one.

All true, I guess I was just shocked when she said 'minimum wage'. Honestly, I haven't heard of a job recently that actually pays minimum wage (but I'm sure they're out there). You're prolly right about the other part too. He was listed on his financial aid package as eligible for $1500 in work-study. I just don't like that process. I don't want him working during football season, and he's thinking about trying to walk on to the basketball team now too, so that doesn't leave a lot of extra time for other things. I'd rather pay out of pocket for his 'spending money' (which is what that type of finaid is anyway).

Oh, another "benefit" of work study for an athlete who doesn't have a consistent schedule (eg out of town one weekend for a game, completely off the next, practice times all across the board) is that you get a lot more flexibility and understanding. Restaurants, the most prevailing type of college job, certainly aren't forgiving of athletes.

[donnaplease]

Going through the whole financial aid process now with my son. I found out that the work-study program offered by the school for financial aid only pays those kids minimum wage. WHY would they do that, when they can go out to the community and make more than that? Doesn't make sense to me.

I *think* it depends on the setting... if you go to say, Ohio State, and can work in millions of the food places/restaurants/bars in town, there's no reason to. But, if you're at a small school in a small town like mine, there were just a handful of restaurants/stores and they were mostly staffed save for a few positions... so that might be one reason. But yeah, you get fleeced. I think you can only make as much money as you qualify for aid too, or at least under one of the different types of work study programs. There MIGHT be more than one.

All true, I guess I was just shocked when she said 'minimum wage'. Honestly, I haven't heard of a job recently that actually pays minimum wage (but I'm sure they're out there). You're prolly right about the other part too. He was listed on his financial aid package as eligible for $1500 in work-study. I just don't like that process. I don't want him working during football season, and he's thinking about trying to walk on to the basketball team now too, so that doesn't leave a lot of extra time for other things. I'd rather pay out of pocket for his 'spending money' (which is what that type of finaid is anyway).

Oh, another "benefit" of work study for an athlete who doesn't have a consistent schedule (eg out of town one weekend for a game, completely off the next, practice times all across the board) is that you get a lot more flexibility and understanding. Restaurants, the most prevailing type of college job, certainly aren't forgiving of athletes.

Good to know. Thanks, Matt!

I can work a few extra shifts and come up with the amount they're offering anyway. So that's probably what we'll do.

[Rockindeano]

I guess doctors and nurses should be the next in line for loan forgiveness then,given what we're looking at in the future.

Absolutely, and it's going to happen in order to fill more positions now that there are going to be 32 million more customers. It's a worthwhile idea, which most countries use that have nationalized health care.

[Saint John]

I guess doctors and nurses should be the next in line for loan forgiveness then,given what we're looking at in the future.

No way. This is just another veiled attempt to subconsciously push government bailout and/or government dependence. You borrow ... you pay. No fucking exceptions; not ever. The American way is education, hard work, savings and responsibility. This sock monkey look-alike president we have is virtually wiping out the final 3 aforementioned qualities that made this country great. I paid off my student loans and it took me 10 years. No complaints and no help. Had there been, I wouldn't have taken it anyway. Pretty simple ... if you have pride.

[Ehwmatt]

I guess doctors and nurses should be the next in line for loan forgiveness then,given what we're looking at in the future.

Absolutely, and it's going to happen in order to fill more positions now that there are going to be 32 million more customers. It's a worthwhile idea, which most countries use that have nationalized health care.

What would really be nice to happen is for the educational model/pathway to becoming a doctor to shift to a quasi-European style model to allow doctors to get to medical school and start learning their craft earlier. It's pretty stupid to make people go through 4 years of science in college just to get to med school. I don't know if it'd be smart to let them come right outta HS, because then you wind up with a bunch of parfait-types running around medical schools thinking they're awesome, but it'd be nice to see if they could switch to a one or two-year intensive science curriculum and MCAT to help people (a) become doctors quicker and (b) not incur the ridiculous 8-year+ debt load of living and tuition loans. I mean really, by the time you finish residency, you're looking at about 10 years of bills. It's terrible.

There's a million permutations on that theme too that I can think of... like requiring a year or two of an internship under practicing medical professionals AND a year of intensive science training+MCAT, etc. The system they have now is just asinine from a financial standpoint. Whatever benefits we get from well-rounded, liberal arts educated doctors is most definitely cancelled out by the absurd process one has to go through.

I'm VERY partial to the internship-first model myself, as I think a LOT of people get into professions like the medical, legal, and accounting fields without knowing what it's really about and for the wrong reasons (eg parents over-encouraging it, greed, misconceptions of the job description, any combination of those factors and more).

[slucero]

Unemployment still trending higher... up another .10 for March....




Found this quote interesting too...

http://www.cnbc.com/id/36146865

"As the market is telling you, this is a half-full, half-empty report," Pimco's Mohamed El-Erian told CNBC shortly after the jobs numbers were released. [COLOR="Red"]"The amount of long-term unemployed continues to go up."[/COLOR]

"The question is: Is it sustainable?" El-Erian added, referring to the economic recovery. "That question is going to play out over the rest of the year."