Obama's Nefarious Right-wing Plot Revealed!

[ProSense]

Obama's Nefarious Right-wing Plot Revealed!

by Troubadour

Some people (like me, for instance) have argued at various times that President Obama has done a great job working with the political environment he inherited - and the current Republican Congress that we, progressive heroes that we are, gave him - but no more! For I have uncovered the most insidious and monstrously conceived conspiracy in the history of our republic, and Barack Obama is right at the center of it. Its accomplices are throughout the world, in every government, every academic center, every seemingly credible media outlet, and even in me. Yes, this is partly a confession of my role in the plot, and I've chosen to come clean now and be purged of my guilt. You see, it's all part of a scheme called Operation Opposite, where the President achieves progressive results only as a cynical ploy to not achieve progressive results. It's all very devious and diabolical, I think you'll agree.

1. Ending the Iraq War.<...>

2. Twelve billion dollars in new funding to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.<...>

3. Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, welcome gays into the military, and appointed more openly gay officials than any president in history.<...>

4. Passed $789 billion in economic stimulus in 2009.<...>

5. Created more private sector jobs in 2010 than during all 8 of Bush's years.<...>

6. Voluntary disclosure of White House visitors for the first time in US history.<...>

7. Appointed first Latina to the US Supreme Court.<...>

8. Promoted social responsibility through creation of serve.gov, a national database of volunteer opportunities.<...>

9. Reversed 'global gag rule', allowing US aid to go to organizations regardless of whether they provide abortions.<...>

10. Signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, giving the FDA the authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of tobacco for the first time.<...>

11. Signed New START Treaty - nuclear arms reduction pact with Russia.<...>

12. Increased average fuel economy standards from 27.5mpg to 35.5mpg, starting in 2016.<...>

13. Signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, restoring basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers.<...>

14. Provided travel expenses to families of fallen soldiers to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB.<...>

15. Reversed the policy of barring media coverage during the return of fallen soldiers to Dover Air Force Base.<...>

16. Launched recovery.gov to track spending from the Recovery Act, providing transparency and allowing the public to report fraud, waste, or abuse.<...>

17. Provided the Department of Veterans Affairs with more than $1.4 billion to improve services to America's Veterans.<...>

18. Signed the (2009) Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which provides health care to 11 million kids -- 4 million of whom were previously uninsured. <...>

19. Issued executive order to repeal Bush era restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.<...>

20. Signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first piece of comprehensive legislation aimed at improving the lives of Americans living with paralysis<...>

- more -

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/15/1053626/-Obamas-Nefarious-Right-wing-Plot-Revealed!

Obama 2012!

[WonderGrunion]

1. Kick & Rec

Prosense, you have continually done the research to show that President Obama will be looked back upon by historians as one of the greatest liberal and progressive presidents of all time.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

3. If only the rest of the population got to see this!

If it weren't for ProSense, I wouldn't be hearing about most of anything he does

K&R










(P.S. WonderGrunion, you've got one of my favorite screen names. So funny!)

[Scurrilous]

2. Thanks.

K & R

[treestar]

4. That is very funny!

A favorite:

The neocon evil is alive and well in the Obama administration. Bush was walking away from treaties all over the place and pursuing new nuclear weapons programs, and Obama is signing nuclear arms reduction treaties. It's as if they were separated at birth! I don't know how, but somehow this guy is going to blow up the world with all the nukes he's decommissioning and not building. If you don't think he can do it, you're underestimating the inventiveness of his villainy.

Another:

He basically said to women, "You need a man to swoop in and save your paycheck, and force employers to pay you fairly." Isn't that just plain offensive? If he really was in favor of fairness, he would have been a woman himself.

That villain! He is too clever by far. We should have realized it when in infancy he managed a birth certificate switch, that Kenyan!

[leveymg]

5. But, on the other hand . . .

1. Ending the Iraq War.<...> Escalated the War in Afghanistan, and started five others, including a looming war with Iran.

2. Twelve billion dollars in new funding to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.<...>After two billion federal dollars diverted to fuel the growth of charter schools in the last two decades, the Obama Administration endorsed a doubling of direct federal funding. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/education/25educ.html

3. Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, welcome gays into the military, and appointed more openly gay officials than any president in history.<...>Bravo, but no more than any Democratic President should have and would have done.

4. Passed $789 billion in economic stimulus in 2009.<...>A third of the Stim went to tax cuts. And, for context, $16 trillion in extra liquidity went to big banks in QE2.

5. Created more private sector jobs in 2010 than during all 8 of Bush's years.<...>Unemployment rate is still higher than when he took office. Obama has cut public sector jobs. There are still a record six million long-term unemployed, the highest number in the post-war era www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf

6. Voluntary disclosure of White House visitors for the first time in US history.<...>Obama has prosecuted more whistleblowers than did Bush, imposed the Espionage Act, and continues a widening campaign against those who dare reveal corruption and wrongdoing in military and intelligence matters.

7. Appointed first Latina to the US Supreme Court.<...>See 3, above.

The rest, mostly padding the resume . . . not very impressive for a guy who had an FDR size mandate, and returned Hoover results in economic policy and Wall Street reform.

Not very impressive.

[JoePhilly]

7. Obama Bad Obama Bad Obama Bad

And another manufactured outrage widget hits the shop floor.

And just for grins, your whine in #5 is wrong.

UE in Jan 2009 was already 7.8%. And by Feb 2009 (the month the stimulus passed), it was 8.3%, and by March (first full month of the stimulus) it was 8.7%. We're now at 8.5%. Which is only .7% higher than Jan 2009, and only .02% higher then Feb 2009 (Obama's first full month in office).



There is also a real nice table at the source.

http://data.bls.gov/pdq/SurveyOutputServlet?request_action=wh&graph_name=LN_cpsbref3

[leveymg]

11. Not very good, either.

As for the comparative unemployment rates, the BLS month-by-month table -- http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2010/ted_20101110_data.htm -- showed the rate was 7.7 percent when Obama took office in January, 2009. I agree that has been brought down from its peak of over ten percent in Q3 '09, but the long-term jobless problem remains.

If the BLS can adjust its numbers, so can I.

As for outrage, it's still industrial strength. Maybe you aren't paying attention. What about the rest of the picture - do you agree he's been, as someone gushed above, "one of the greatest liberal and progressive Presidents ever"?

[JoePhilly]

29. "Unemployment rate is still nearly two points higher than when he took office."

So even using your data, you were wrong ... 8.5 - 7.7, is not 2 ... its .8

Probably why you had to edit that OUT ... your manufactured outrage widget had a defect!

[leveymg]

58. Why are you harping on this? Fact remains, unemployment IS higher than when he took office.

I was all of a percentage point off (was operating from memory when I wrote it), acknowledge that. Doesn't essentially change that item. If that's your biggest beef with what I wrote, please don't be petty.

[JoePhilly]

61. So of 6 items ... you were wrong on one ...

and then made the weak claim that any dem would have done 2 of the others. Really ... "any Dem" President would have supported the repeal of DADT?? Biill Clinton, a Dem, put it in place ... but you need to DISMISS it and claim any Dem President would have done that.

And then, you go on to make the error you made ... if you can't see that your bias is against Obama, even when the facts don't support you, oh well.

BTW, as I said in my first response to you ... when I pointed out your error I said I did so "for grins" ... it was clear that in your hast to talk down Obama's accomplishments, you made a rather large error ... one I'd expect to see on Fox News.

And not only do you make the 1.2% error ... you claimed that 2% was big in your complaint. Apparently 2% is a big number, 1.2% error, is not.

And, in making your error, you ascribed all of Jan 2009 to Obama, yet he only took office on Jan 20th. But if you had STARTED with February 2009 (his first full month), your entire argument collapsed.

You might as well have been complaining that when the fire department came because your house was on fire, yeah, they put out the fire, but they got everything wet. bad Firemen.

So ... if we are going to "stop being petty" ... I'm all in. But if folks post nonsense complaints, and I see them ... oh well.

[leveymg]

62. I was right, but was off by about a percent in my estimate of how much higher the U3 rate is now

than it was in Jan '09. Just shoot me.

You haven't even begun to get into the substance of the other five reasons given to show Obama isn't among the "most liberal and progressive Presidents", and why so many of us in the Progressive wing of the Democratic Party aren't impressed by him. Maybe you should move on and try to tackle those others.

[JoePhilly]

63. Again, you cling to Jan 2009.

Why not just blame Dec 2008 on Obama while you are at it.

And I did address 2 of your other 5 items of disappointment. Your claims on those are weak.

Which means HALF of what you felt was important to attack was wrong, or lame.

Others in the thread have handled the other 50%.

[RBInMaine]

77. And it was headed for 12-14% if not for OBAMA. So please, get into reality.

[leveymg]

83. Your speculation may be right, but it isn't reality

BTW: Virtually any Democratic President would have pursued a Stim at least as large, probably far larger, and would have imposed conditions on the enormous pool of additional liquidity released by the Fed through QE2 including domestic investment and jobs creation.

Instead, these same big global banks continue to offshore funds and disinvest. At the same time, the Member banks of the NY Fed have gained additional lucrative special drawing privileges (receive negative real interest loans at the Overnight Window on worthless collateral, such as CDS and bad loan bundles), participate in multi-trillion dollar Repo market (receive rents from short-term lending of Treasuries). Despite this enormous hidden stimulus of Qualitative Easing 2 (QE2) (not really secret, but few outside the bonds traders knew much it until Senator Sanders released documents) continued to offshore funds and disinvest. This additional liquidity finances the outflow of money that has driven unprecedented growth in foreign markets and economies, while the US largely remains moribund, a carcass to be picked over by global vulture capital firms.

Basically, the beef is that Geithner (with Obama's okay) bailed out the big banks without strings attached, as a result we've had a lop-sided recovery that primarily benefits Wall Street while Main Street continues to crumble.

Sorry, not impressed except by the audacity of Wall Street and their proxies in DC in raiding the Treasury this way.

[ProSense]

13. Hmmm?

1. Ending the Iraq War.<...> Escalated the War in Afghanistan, and started five others, including a looming war with Iran.

Withdrew 10,000 troops as part of the process to wind down the Afghanistan war.
http://news.yahoo.com/10-000-american-troops-pulled-afghanistan-165941530.html

2. Twelve billion dollars in new funding to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.<...>After two billion federal dollars diverted to fuel the growth of charter schools in the last two decades, the Obama Administration endorsed a doubling of direct federal funding. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/education/25educ.html

Increased Head Start funding.
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/04/20090402a.html

3. Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, welcome gays into the military, and appointed more openly gay officials than any president in history.<...>Bravo, but no more than any Democratic President should have and would have done.

Ended DADT, appointed the first transgender appointee
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/05/transgender-appointee-ama_n_412103.html

4. Passed $789 billion in economic stimulus in 2009.<...>A third of the Stim went to tax cuts. And, for context, $16 trillion in extra liquidity went to big banks in QE2.

President Obama recently announced two major jobs initiatives.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002166993

5. Created more private sector jobs in 2010 than during all 8 of Bush's years.<...>Unemployment rate is still nearly two points higher than when he took office. Obama has cut public sector jobs. There are still a record six million long-term unemployed, the highest number in the post-war era www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf

Nonsense: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=127999

6. Voluntary disclosure of White House visitors for the first time in US history.<...>Obama has prosecuted more whistleblowers than did Bush, imposed the Espionage Act, and continues a widening campaign against those who dare reveal corruption and wrongdoing in military and intelligence matters.

More nonsense: Cleaning up Bush's mess. Bush is the one who raided Drake's office. Charges dropped.

Another case: No charges for man who leaked surveillance program
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/no-charges-for-man-who-leaked-surveillance-program/2011/04/26/AFt9o6rE_story.html

US Department of Labor finds Bank of America in violation of Sarbanes-Oxley Act whistleblower protection provisions
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20111351.htm

GAP Praises White House Commitment to Whistleblowers
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x784849

7. Appointed first Latina to the US Supreme Court.<...>See 3, above.

The rest, mostly padding the resume . . . not very impressive for a guy who had an FDR size mandate, and returned Hoover results in economic policy and Wall Street reform.

Not very impressive.

Easy to say the same at the dismissive attempts.

[leveymg]

16. A couple gross errors of logic stand out in your argument in particular

1. Ending the Iraq War.<...> Escalated the War in Afghanistan, and started five others, including a looming war with Iran.

Withdrew 10,000 troops as part of the process to wind down the Afghanistan war.
http://news.yahoo.com/10-000-american-troops-pulled-afghanistan-165941530.html

Your point appears to be that Obama drew down troop levels in Afghanistan - but, that ignores the fact that he more than tripled U.S. forces there as part of the Patreaus "Surge" strategy, that hasn't worked to do anything other than to further destablilize the country and increase casualties on both sides.

You totally ignore Obama's multiple "new" wars, particularly the US covert operations (terrorism and sabotage) in Iran. Does that make him "one of the greatest liberal and progressive Presidents" ever? I must admit, on second thought, that is in the style of Lyndon Johnson's great adventures in Southeast Asia.

I don't even want to go into the rest with you, as your responses aren't really on-point. It's not worth the effort arguing tangents.

[ProSense]

18. Hmmmm?

"Your point appears to be that Obama drew down troop levels in Afghanistan - but, that ignores the fact that he more than tripled U.S. forces there as part of the Patreaus "Surge" strategy, that hasn't worked to do anything other than to further destablilize the country and increase casualties on both sides."

No "gross errors," he ended one war and is working to end another. From the link:

The pullout is the first step in the U.S. military's plan to wind down the war, hand over security to Afghan forces and end the combat role for international troops by the end of 2014.

[leveymg]

19. Good thinking - Escalate, draw down here to reposition troops there, start new wars - War is Peace.

It's just another round of the Great Game, and he hasn't played it very well, except -- perhaps -- by Bush's lowered standards.

Not impressed.

[FarLeftFist]

20. He did say he would escalate the Afghan war while he was a candidate.

[leveymg]

23. He didn't say we'd be committing open campaigns of terrorism in Iran.

That and the Surges are Patreaus at work with Obama's okay. A dangerous, deadly and doomed strategy.

[JoePhilly]

27. Switch topic much?

[leveymg]

38. I am not the master of that dance step here.

If you want to talk more about Af-Pak strategy (remember that term?). Here's my take - Obama talked about maintaining and possibly expanding troop strength as part of a nation-building exercise in Afghanistan. Most reasonable people agree, it is necessary to maintain some US troop presence in Afghanistan as a security measure so long as we had a major international development agency and VOLAG presence there. That int'l aid commitment was greatly wound down about 18 mos. ago, so the rationale has largely disappeared, nonetheless, the offsetting numbers of armed security contractors remains high, largely to guard US intelligence officers and contractors.

As for Pakistan, he did say that US would become more aggressive. But, that doesn't make it a sound strategy. The current program of drone killings just seems to piss off the Pakistanis and has had little measurable effect other than the killings of some second and third-tier Taliban and some of what's left of AQ, which is (and never was) never more than several hundred active members. The killing of UBL is the centerpiece, and if we had really wanted to find out who was behind AQ, we would have taken him alive. But, I suspect we already knew more than the man, himself, about that. The GWOT (or whatever we call it now) has been enormously destabilizing in Pakistan and we aren't more secure than we were in January 2009.

My impression is that Obama is much too dependent upon Gen. Patreaus and his circle of happy CI warriors, and the Af-Pak strategy has not met its goals.

[ProSense]

24. No

"Good thinking - Escalate, draw down here to reposition troops there, start new wars - War is Peace."

...war is war. Ending war is not starting war. Calling everything the military is involved in a war is nonsense.

[leveymg]

40. Huh?

Not sure your attempted aphorism there even makes sense.

[Number23]

66. I appreciate the effort to try to communicate with anyone that thinks that

"Bravo, but no more than any Democratic President should have and would have done."

is an intelligent and valid critique.

[RBInMaine]

76. Hyperbolic foolishness and purist nonsense, ONCE AGAIN. "Started five wars." Oh give us a break.

On the economy, he inherited job loss right in the very midst of utter freefall and PREVENTED the next Great Depression.

Your expectations are galaxies outside the realm of reality. Please, find your local political planet.

Having inherited close to the worst circumstances imaginable, Obama has done a VERY impressive job. (Don't forget, he is ONE branch of government, doesn't have a superman suit, and doesn't have a magic wand.)

You are probably someone who thinks Lincoln was "unimpressive" because he suspended habeous corpus. Never mind he saved the union and ended slavery. Or FDR is "unimpressive" because he interned the Japanese. Never mind he led the nation through the Great Depression and WW2. NO president has been perfect. Again, you need to find your political planet.

[DCBob]

84. Started five other wars??

BTW, "escalating" Afghanistan was a campaign promise fulfilled.

[DCBob]

85. Would you prefer to go back to the Bush era economy with low unemployment?

Dont forget many of those jobs were a result of a economy based on bogus real estate values and a out-of-control financial ponzi scheme.

[hfojvt]

6. "progressive heroes that we are"

See, Obama is great, and WE are losers.

It's all our fault that HE CHOSE not to fight to end the Bush tax cuts.

It's our fault that he loves rightwing talking points, even, apparently the one embedded in this DKos diary - progressives are a bunch of losers and morons.

Earth to Troubadour. I was unhappy with Obama before. Your smartass insults don't really win me over.

[ProSense]

8. Um

See, Obama is great, and WE are losers.

It's all our fault that HE CHOSE not to fight to end the Bush tax cuts.

It's our fault that he loves rightwing talking points, even, apparently the one embedded in this DKos diary - progressives are a bunch of losers and morons.

Earth to Troubadour. I was unhappy with Obama before. Your smartass insults don't really win me over.

...no one is claiming that "progressives are a bunch of losers and morons." I certainly don't believe that about myself.

Don't introduce strawmen to try to derail a perfectly good point: these are progressive actions. You can disagree, but don't play the victim card to do it.

[RBInMaine]

79. Please, put your expectations into reality. This incessant whining about Obama is very, very old.

[msanthrope]

9. The only reason any of that stuff got passed was because the PL held Obama's feet to the fire!

(sarcasm, people, sarcasm...)

[young but wise]

50. ..........

[NNN0LHI]

10. The GOP hates every one of these accomplishments more than they like breathing

Thank you for posting this thread.

Don

[JNelson6563]

12. Just like Bush!1!

lolz

[hootinholler]

14. Can we get 3 or 4 more OPs that post

"Teh List"?

Take this to Politics 2012, please.

[ProSense]

15. Since

"Can we get 3 or 4 more OPs that post 'Teh List'? "

...you asked:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/100233108

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002163533

Enjoy!

[hootinholler]

31. I'm noticing a pattern to your replies to me

Posting links to threads you've started that apparently get less than the desired attention.

Second, those aren't "Teh List", which I consider rather disappointing from a paragon of pep.

Third, there are only 2, when I clearly asked for 3 or 4.

[progressoid]

64. That pattern

of replies happens to a lot of us.

[hootinholler]

67. That's

"That pattern of replies happens to a lot of us."

not the only annoying pattern to her replies.

[progressoid]

68. I

can't disagree with that.

[ProSense]

69. Why

I'm noticing a pattern to your replies to me

Posting links to threads you've started that apparently get less than the desired attention.

Second, those aren't "Teh List", which I consider rather disappointing from a paragon of pep.

Third, there are only 2, when I clearly asked for 3 or 4.

...are you still kicking this thread: to give it the "desired attention"?

[Bonobo]

70. That's embarrassing ...and hilarious. nt

[ProSense]

71. No

"That's embarrassing ...and hilarious."

...these are:

[hootinholler]

73. I've embarrassed myself before here

I'm certain I haven't the proper decorum to avoid it in the future as well, also.

I mean rather than replying to responses to my posts I am simply kicking a thread to bring it the attention that I desire.

Perfectly shamed am I! Woe unto mine own insufferable existence! How one yearns to exalt upon "Teh List's" formidable truth to power boldness in the perfect expression of the immutable spirit of traditional progressive movements!

Oh! How I yearn redemption! I have glimpsed the valley and there is light and goodness there. The flora abounds with the sweet fruits, but are so delicate they must only be approached in baby steps. One must not step too boldly, lest they spoil the harvest. Even thus there is vast spoilage by the competition and the best expectation is a mere pint on the bushel. How embarrassing for me to not see the truth and recognize the return of a quart on the bushel rather than expecting a peck or more on the bushel.

Reform, I must reform.

[stevenleser]

17. Make you a deal. When people stop posting bullshit criticisms, I'll join you in asking folks to stop

posting OPs about his accomplishments and lists thereof.

[leveymg]

21. Where's the bullshit, other than your critique of the critics?

[stevenleser]

25. ProSense has already quite aptly pointed them all out. Just read her responses to you. nt

[leveymg]

33. She refuses to address the main points and goes off on tangents.

I've found that she really doesn't show much depth in economics, foreign policy, history, technology, or philosophy. She spouts talking-points.

I'll give ProSense this much, she changes directions quickly, but when pressed on points doesn't really have much to say, and as above, moves on to another talking-point.

This is just my opinion, and she's welcome to respond as she wishes.

[JoePhilly]

32. A good example of BS can be found in the edit history of your response to me up thread.

[leveymg]

35. I acknowledged that I was off by one percentage point in the BLS stats.

So, does that nullify every other point? Don't be trivial, make serious critiques.

[hootinholler]

34. Bullshit, similar to beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder

However that's beside the point. Criticism clearly falls within the purview of GD, whilst we have a shiny new forum in which to conduct pep rallies.

[Zorra]

22. I believe that he may possibly be doing the best he can within the boundaries of what he is

permitted to do under the authority of the 1%.

And when we say "megapolitics" we don't refer to the number of those who move in them. There are a few, very few, who find themselves in this "megasphere". Megapolitics globalizes national politics, in other words, it subjects it to a direction that has global interests (that for the most part are contradictory to national interests) and whose logic is that of the market, which is to say, of economic profit. With this economist (and criminal) criteria, wars, credits, selling and buying of merchandise, diplomatic acknowledgements, commercial blocks, political supports, migration laws, coups, repressions, elections, international political unity, political ruptures and investments are decided upon. In short the survival of entire nations.

The global power of the financial centers is so great, that they can afford not to worry about the political tendency of those who hold power in a nation, if the economic program (in other words, the role that nation has in the global economic megaprogram) remains unaltered. The financial disciplines impose themselves upon the different colors of the world political spectrum in regards to the government of any nation. The great world power can tolerate a leftist government in any part of the world, as long as the government does not take measures that go against the needs of the world financial centers. But in no way will it tolerate that an alternative economic, political and social organization consolidate. For the megapolitics, the national politics are dwarfed and submit to the dictates of the financial centers. It will be this way until the dwarfs rebel . .

http://struggle.ws/mexico/ezln/1997/jigsaw.html

And right now, the dwarfs are rebelling all over the planet.

Occupy

[ProSense]

26. I

"I believe that he may possibly be doing the best he can within the boundaries of what he is
permitted to do under the authority of the 1%."

...believe progress is being made.

Cordray’s first target: The housing crisis
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002163578

Obama discusses insourcing, merging federal business agencies in weekly address
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002167954

Putting SOPA on a shelf
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002171160

On edit, it's clear the administration hears the protesters:

President Obama looks to be going all in with a campaign against economic inequality
http://sync.democraticunderground.com/1002158556

[Zorra]

28. And

people staying home and not voting could lead to (shudder in complete horror) a republican WH, leading to consistent, rapid total regression.

Even minimal progress is soooo much better than total regression.

[progressoid]

65. President

"President Obama looks to be going all in with a campaign against economic inequality"

...Obama said the same things as candidate Obama.

[Aristus]

30. Damn President Obama's horrible right-wing plot against progressive issues!!!

Damn it all to HELL!!!



Rock ON, Mr. President!

[mistertrickster]

36. "Ending the Iraq War"

Well . . . actually, the Iraqis did that when they put an end to exempting occupying soldiers from Iraqi law.

On edit--that doesn't take away from Obama's other achievements, but let's not be FReeps, facts should still matter to us.

[ProSense]

42. Actually,

"Well . . . actually, the Iraqis did that when they put an end to exempting occupying soldiers from Iraqi law.

On edit--that doesn't take away from Obama's other achievements, but let's not be FReeps, facts should still matter to us."

The massive troop withdrawal was handled by this President

Iraq asked:

http://www.nationaljournal.com/whitehouse/obama-may-face-tough-decision-as-iraqi-leader-signals-u-s-troops-could-stay-20110512

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/11/2449098/iraq-says-its-asked-for-5000-us.html

Immunity was the sticking point.

What would McCain do?

McCain blasts drawdown plans during visit to Afghanistan
http://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/afghanistan/mccain-blasts-drawdown-plans-during-visit-to-afghanistan-1.148326

McCain Envisions ‘Scorn and Disdain’ for Obama on Iraq
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/mccain-envisions-scorn-and-disdain-for-obama-on-iraq/

"but let's not be FReeps, facts should still matter to us"

Yes, they do: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002166725

[mistertrickster]

43. I'm very impressed with all this sourcing . . .

Is there a point?

[ProSense]

45. Thanks, and

"I'm very impressed with all this sourcing . . . Is there a point?"

yes. Read it again and start with the sentence, "The massive..."

[mistertrickster]

56. I'm not into games. What I see is exactly what I wrote.

Obama pulled out when the Iraqis basically forced him to pull out . . . they no longer would turn a blind eye to the atrocities.

He did the right thing, finally, but let's not kid ourselves, he did it for the wrong reason.

[ProSense]

72. Here:

"I'm not into games...He did the right thing, finally, but let's not kid ourselves, he did it for the wrong reason."

...it wasn't a game and I wasn't kidding.


http://www.whitehouse.gov/iraq

[mistertrickster]

86. Okay, back at ya:

http://obamalies.net/obama-iraq-withdrawal-lies.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeremy-scahill/obamas-iraq-all-troops-ou_b_170765.html

http://mwcnews.net/focus/politics/4752-the-bush-obama-lies-on-iraq.html

On edit--in my request for you to argue your point and cool it with the links (links that prove nothing), you give me . . . more links. Was that a deliberate attempt to be irritating or do you just got nuthin'?

Wait . . . this just in: http://www.democraticunderground.com/101426841

[Rex]

37. I don't believe it.

[ClassWarrior]

39. Once again, the people with the weakest Dem values act condescending...

...toward those with the strongest Dem values.



NGU.

[leveymg]

41. What do you consider strong "Dem values"?

[ClassWarrior]

46. You have to ask??

NGU.

[leveymg]

48. No, I want to know what yours are:

Peace or war?
Rational criticism or obedience to Party discipline?
Help for the poor and struggling middle-class, or bailing out Wall Street?

On edit: You jumped into the thread, and it isn't clear what you mean. If I mistook what you said, I apologize.

[ClassWarrior]

51. Here's a good template...

From George Lakoff...

I believe that progressive values are traditional American values, that progressive principles are fundamental American principles, and that progressive policy directions point the way to where most Americans really want our country to go. The job of unifying progressives is really the job of bringing our country together around its finest traditional values.

CONSERVATIVES believe in...
STRONG DEFENSE
FREE MARKETS
LOWER TAXES
SMALLER GOVERNMENT
FAMILY VALUES

PROGRESSIVES believe in...
STRONGER AMERICA
BROAD PROSPERITY
BETTER FUTURE
EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT
MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY

» A stronger America is not just about defense, but about every dimension of strength: our effectiveness in the world, our economy, our educational system, our health care system, our families, our communities, our environment, and so forth.

» Broad prosperity is the effect that markets are supposed to bring about. But all markets are constructed for someone's benefit; no markets are completely free. Markets should be constructed for the broadest possible prosperity, and they haven't been.

» Americans want and deserve a better future — economically, educationally, environmentally, and in all other areas of life — for themselves and their children. Lowering taxes, primarily for the super-rich elite, has had the effect of defunding programs that would make a better future possible in all these areas. The proper goal is a better future for all Americans.

» Smaller government is, in conservative propaganda, supposed to eliminate waste. It is really about eliminating social programs. Effective government is what we need our government to accomplish to create a better future.

» Conservative family values are those of a strict father family — authoritarian, hierarchical, every man for himself, based around discipline and punishment. Progressives live by the best values of both families and communities: mutual responsibility, which is authoritative, equal, two-way, and based around caring, responsibility (both individual and social), and strength.

The remarkable thing is just how much progressives do agree on. These are just the things that voters tend to care about most: our values, our principles, and the direction in which we want to take the nation.

http://www.infoamerica.org/teoria_textos/manifiesto_lakoff.pdf

NGU.

[leveymg]

53. Means and ends. Not the same thing.

Most Americans would probably endorse both sets of lists, as they really aren't that dissimilar.

CONSERVATIVES believe in...
STRONG DEFENSE
FREE MARKETS
LOWER TAXES
SMALLER GOVERNMENT
FAMILY VALUES

PROGRESSIVES believe in...
STRONGER AMERICA
BROAD PROSPERITY
BETTER FUTURE
EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT
MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY

But, the real test is, what is the effect of one's good intentions, and what did that person actually do try to achieve those goals?
That's where I think Obama is most lacking, not in good will but in follow-through, and the range of policies he's willing to employ to achieve his goals. I argue that the results are limited by his conventional centrist corporate ideology.

[ClassWarrior]

55. No, they're underlying values. And if all you're looking at are the lists...

...you're missing the point.

Nevertheless, I agree with you for the most part about the President's lack of follow-through, and his general tendency to toe the status quo.

(Incidentally, there is no such thing as "centrism." See this piece by Lakoff: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-lakoff/no-center-no-centrists_b_60419.html)

NGU.

[leveymg]

60. I think the concept of "radical centrist" is important and accurate in describing neoliberals.

Quickly scanned the Lakoff piece from 2007 you linked. Interesting that he approvingly referenced Obama's statements about the essentially progressive nature of American ideology back then. I agree that the traditional "liberal-conservative" (left/right, progressive/reactionary) continuum of American political life is limited in what it describes, in that many people crossover on various issues, and can be described as social liberals (pro-gay rights, pro-abortion) on some issues while are actually quite reactionary in their economic orientation (in favor of tax minimization for the wealthy and against redistribution).

In fact, most people in the One Percent, and many professionals who I know such as lawyers and accountants who serve the wealthy and corporate clients are social liberals and economic conservatives. On the other hand, there are some people who are extremely populist Left in their economic ideology but rigidly intolerant of what they view as social deviants. Eric Blair (George Orwell) was one of the latter. In some respects, Ron Paul may be the inverse of that from the right.

I can't agree with Lakoff that all politics are based in moral values and that there is such thing as national characteristics. I'm afraid, I can't even agree with Obama that the U.S. is essentially a progressive country. In many ways, for all its wondrous diversity and social movements, it is still a very reactionary place in its attachment to unregulated capitalism compared to much of Europe which still has a strong labor movement, genuine progressive (social-democratic, green, and pacifist) political parties, and as a result limited military-industrial complexes and viable safety networks. That's exactly what the One Percenters and their reactionary allies are counter-attacking in Europe, having already rolled back the welfare state in the U.S. and U.K. - and in that respect, Obama is in some of his policies and "post-political" sentiments also very much a radical centrist reactionary.

[ProSense]

47. Here's

a thread that could use your insights: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002168303

[ClassWarrior]

49. I don't see anything Rape-Publican or condescending about it.

Looks like a valid topic of discussion to me.

NGU.

[DevonRex]

52. Pot kettle, dude. And right backatcha. Nt

[ClassWarrior]

54. All condescension and no content. Thank you for proving the point...

...dude.

NGU.

[DevonRex]

57. Pot, kettle. And right backatcha again. Nt

[AtomicKitten]

59. Hey you forgot to post your Superior Dance.

[Tarheel_Dem]

74. K & R

[Tx4obama]

75. And for folks that do not already have these links ...

here ya go ... Enjoy

Obama’s 2008 Campaign Promises Kept:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/rulings/promise-kept/

Long partial LIST (with citation links) of what Obama has done: http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html

Short List of Progressive Achievements by The Obama Administration
http://shoqvalue.com/short-list-of-progressive-achievements-by-the-obama-administration

Obama Administration’s Achievements (Thus Far)
http://obamaachievements.org/list

Obama’s LGBT Chart LIST
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x777350

Accomplishments by the Obama Administration and Congress on LGBT Equality
http://www.equalitygiving.org/Accomplishments-by-the-Administration-and-Congress-on-LGBT-Equality

100 Accomplishments of President Barack Obama
http://simplifythepositive.blogspot.com/2010/03/100-accomplishments-of-president-barack.html

Lists and graphs: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=433&topic_id=751914

List: 2.8 Years in Pictures....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x772937

We All Have a Choice in the 2012 Election
http://www.democratsforprogress.com/2011/09/03/we-all-have-a-choice-in-the-2012-election/

So That Ignorance Won't Be The Reason Why "Progressives" Are Throwing The President Under The Bus
http://www.thepeoplesview.net/2011/09/so-that-ignorance-wont-be-reason-why.html

80 Reasons Why It’s Time To Take These Republican/Tea Party ‘Sons Of Bitches’ Down
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/09/06/80-reasons-why-its-time-to-take-these-republicantea-party-sons-of-bitches-down/

Bikini Jobs Graph (DECEMBER 2011)
http://www.democraticleader.gov/blog/?p=4707

Legislation signed by President Obama http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/signed-legislation

Executive Orders signed by President Obama http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/executive-orders

The REAL Reason Barack Obama Won That Nobel Peace Prize
http://wrightandleftreport.com/news/the-real-reason-barack-obama-won-that-nobel-peace-prize/

Obama’s Foreign Policy Successes
http://thinkprogress.org/report/obama-foreign-policy-successes/

Rachel Maddow On President Obama & Democrats Accomplishments (November 2010)
VIDEO:

[deacon]

80. + 1

[RBInMaine]

78. As usual the non-reality purist Obama bashers are here. Yawn...

[leveymg]

81. Someone laid out a set of false accolades, they were refuted. Reality isn't important to you?

It is the thankless duty of those of us who supported Obama and helped to get him elected to try and move this Administration to fulfill the progressive promises he made, but largely failed to meet or screwed up. That isn't "Obama bashing", it's what all loyal Democrats who care about their country and their Party should do.

Screwed up? Obama? Whatever could you mean? For instance, he Surged into Afghanistan and starting five new wars in the course of repositioning troops out of Iraq. The murderous game of provocation and escalation that he's been playing with Israel against Iran has now reached a critical mass, and America faces another "optional war" in the oil patch. Only this one will be ten times as destructive for everyone involved.

I refuted the first six claims made for Obama as one "the most liberal and Progressive Presidents ever." A little less name calling, and try focusing on the issues. I'd like to hear what you have to say about how the critique isn't realistic, if that's what you're really saying.

[fascisthunter]

82. leveymg's posts are more reality based

it's one thing having to vote for the lesser of two evils, but come on.