Mr. President, I take it personally:

[SamKnause]

1. You didn't hold the Bush administration accountable. (you continued his failed policies)

You intefered when other countries tried to hold them accountable. You referred to torturers as patriots.

2. You didn't hold Wall Street accountable. (too big to fail, too big to jail) Eric Holder has been a

total failure.

3. You kept trying bipartisanship with INSANE people.

4. You filled the White House with Wall Street and Federal Reserve cronies.

5. You referred to Wall Street thieves as The Best and The Brightest.

6. You didn't stand up for the protesters in Wisconsin. (couldn't find your walking shoes ?)

7. You ignored and insulted your base.

8. You didn't fight for the public option.

9. It took you 5+ years to address raising the minimum wage.

10. It took you 5+ years to address police brutality.

11. You ordered drone strikes that killed 4 U.S. citizens. (one was an innocent 16 year old boy)

12. You campaigned for Rahm Emanuel.

13. Your treatment of Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning, and Julian Assange. (the worst administration

for protecting whistle blowers)

14. Your failure to address the ridiculous and immoral war on cannabis. You laugh and smirk every

time the issue is brought up on social media.

15. The failed Free Trade Deal that you signed with South Korea, that to date has cost the U.S.

75,000 jobs and added billions to our trade deficit.

16. You signed a free trade Deal with Colombia. Colombia, a country notorious for killing

union activists.

17. Your administration pushed Charter Schools.

18. 2009 you squandered your mandate and refused to use the bully pulpit.

19. 2009 you didn't take advantage of the short time the Democratic Party had control of

the Senate, the House, and the presidency.

20. You offered up CPI for Social Security.

21. You promised transparency. (your definition of transparency must be different from mine)

22. You have disenfranchised young voters.

23. You represent the needs of the wealthy and the super wealthy. (you ignored the cries of the 99%)

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Take it somewhere else.

[rhett o rick]

100. They left out that he had his DoJ help local police brutalize OWS protestors. nm

[totodeinhere]

102. No, with the 2016 campaign already heating up this is exactly the place where this

OP should be discussed. If you have a problem with any of the OP's contentions, please tell us why. Just telling the OP to get lost doesn't cut it.

[elzenmahn]

121. Agreed...

...the President needs to be held to account for his record, and this is an appropriate forum to do it in.

[1StrongBlackMan]

131. Because President Obama is going to be on the ballot in 2016? ...

Perhaps a more relevant (and less transparent) OP would have been ...

Ms./Mr. 2016 Democratic Nominee,

Following are my list of grievances with the Presidency of President Obama, that I take it personally:

(adjust pronoun usage, as appropriate ... It would take me too long to edit your list of grievances)

1. You didn't hold the Bush administration accountable. (you continued his failed policies)

You intefered when other countries tried to hold them accountable. You referred to torturers as patriots.

2. You didn't hold Wall Street accountable. (too big to fail, too big to jail) Eric Holder has been a

total failure.

3. You kept trying bipartisanship with INSANE people.

4. You filled the White House with Wall Street and Federal Reserve cronies.

5. You referred to Wall Street thieves as The Best and The Brightest.

6. You didn't stand up for the protesters in Wisconsin. (couldn't find your walking shoes ?)

7. You ignored and insulted your base.

8. You didn't fight for the public option.

9. It took you 5+ years to address raising the minimum wage.

10. It took you 5+ years to address police brutality.

11. You ordered drone strikes that killed 4 U.S. citizens. (one was an innocent 16 year old boy)

12. You campaigned for Rahm Emanuel.

13. Your treatment of Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning, and Julian Assange. (the worst administration

for protecting whistle blowers)

14. Your failure to address the ridiculous and immoral war on cannabis. You laugh and smirk every

time the issue is brought up on social media.

15. The failed Free Trade Deal that you signed with South Korea, that to date has cost the U.S.

75,000 jobs and added billions to our trade deficit.

16. You signed a free trade Deal with Colombia. Colombia, a country notorious for killing

union activists.

17. Your administration pushed Charter Schools.

18. 2009 you squandered your mandate and refused to use the bully pulpit.

19. 2009 you didn't take advantage of the short time the Democratic Party had control of

the Senate, the House, and the presidency.

20. You offered up CPI for Social Security.

21. You promised transparency. (your definition of transparency must be different from mine)

22. You have disenfranchised young voters.

23. You represent the needs of the wealthy and the super wealthy. (you ignored the cries of the 99%)

[840high]

135. His twin will be on the ballot.

[1StrongBlackMan]

138. President Obama is an only child (to my knowledge) ...

and if you are referring to HRC ... I can only hope.

[akbacchus_BC]

155. President Obama has a sister who lives in Hawaii!

[NotHardly]

126. A discussion is a civil matter amongst civil folks ...

so, no need to try to silence the other, listening is more informative. No president does it all, nor well ... but a track record of failings happens, to everyone, even while we succeed at other things. This conversation and the solution to those things that are part of his failures are ripe to be addressed and corrected in the next round, if we are lucky enough to have another Democrat in office. If not, hang on Hanna!

[Jakes Progress]

128. Maybe you should

take it somewhere else if you can't address the issues you disagree with. The OP wins your exchange by actually discussing issues. The OP mentions several things that are seen as problems. You don't seem to be able to refute, discuss, or argue any of them.

[840high]

134. No. In fact i'll give it a K/R

[Skittles]

150. take the facts somewhere else?

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[akbacchus_BC]

154. Why should he take it somewhere else?

This is the place to discuss issues that real democrats want to discuss.

This President is not blameless, lots of shit has been done because he wants to be bipartisan. He knew fully well that Republicans will not work with him. He had the political backing to get single payer done, what did you get? Unless you are working on Wall Street and your bread is well buttered.

Millions of Americans are suffering and they cannot pull themselves up by their boot straps. I have no idea what America will become if a republican gets into power!

[BainsBane]

158. "real Democrats"

meaning people who think the President has been a complete failure and has accomplished nothing?
Free Republican and the Tea Party must be full of "real Democrats."

[Cali_Democrat]

156. Jury results:

Hard to believe somebody actually alerted on this, but it happened.

--------------

Take it somewhere else.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6559547

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Rude, inappropriate post. Hide it.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Apr 24, 2015, 10:24 PM, and the Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I would recommend that the alerter have their alert switch suspended for a time.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[Katashi_itto]

163. No, and I will recommend too

[Fantastic Anarchist]

169. You take it somewhere else.

[L0oniX]

176. ^^^THIS^^^

[Fantastic Anarchist]

178. :D

[Logical]

175. LOL, loved your informed and detailed post. You are a genius! nt

[L0oniX]

181. +1

[marym625]

2. Although I think this would be out of place any other time

Considering the remark he made because people want to know what is in a document written by corporate stooges and will have a great affect on their lives, I think it is appropriate.

[RedCappedBandit]

24. I missed this, can you show what remark please?

Thanks

[marym625]

27. sure

Obama To Democratic Trade Critics: 'I Take That Personally'

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/7132208

[RedCappedBandit]

29. Ty!

[Liberalynn]

49. Interesting

We wouldn't be having to go on reflex alone" if "we the people" were actually allowed to read" it and not just be told we need to shut up and swallow our medicine. With all due respect to the President, "we the people" are supposed to be in charge and he and virtually every other "politician" in Washington, with the exception of an ever shrinking few, seems to have forgotten that.

TPP is not repeat not a matter of National Security and we have a right to read it before it is virtually guaranteed the rubber stamp of eventual passage Fast Tracking will give it.

If even my normally corporate friendly Senator Chuck Schumer is against it, I know it really has to suck pretty bad and unlike "we the people" he and Elizabeth Warren, & Bernie Sanders know what is actually in it, and even though the administration forbade them from actually talking about it's specifics to the people they are supposed to be representing and actually supposed to be accountable to, they are hinting pretty strongly that we have legitimate reasons for concern.

And before I'm labeled a "concern troll" my use of that word is based on it's actual definition. I am tired of allowing words and genuine emotions to be stole, redefined and mocked by others. That's the real reason I refuse to use "progressive". I see the abandonment of the word Liberal as a concession to the Pukes, who tried to make it a label to be ashamed of. I'm not and never will be ashamed of caring more about treating fellow humans, animals, and the environment than I do the almighty dollar and an ancient piece of contradictory literature that can and has been used too often for justifying man's inhumanity to man and callous treatment of the Universe we call home.

[GoneFishin]

63. Chuck Schumer came out against TPP or FT? Both? I missed that.

[Liberalynn]

76. The link:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/sen-charles-schumer-pushes-back-on-pacific-trade-deal-1429207458

Shocked me too.

[JDPriestly]

73. Progressive is the term used in the late 19th century and early

20th century for social reform and the fight against corruption. It's a good word.

[Liberalynn]

82. Thank You!

That's good to know. I guess it's more the fact that it became the more acceptable term" to replace Liberal with in modern political times that I object to. As if being liberal was something to be ashamed of and hidden like a dirty little secret.

[JDPriestly]

85. I use both terms. Sometimes in the same sentence.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

174. And for those of us who aren't liberals, too.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

172. It's also an umbrella term for those of us who aren't liberals.

I am a progressive socialist in the anarchist tradition.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

101. And it was a fantastic movement. I wonder what would have happened if Theo Roosevelt had bucked the

"no third term" tradition.

He loved wars and was anti-feminist, but he did so much to further the progressive cause!

[marym625]

109. I love being called a liberal

I can't believe anyone uses it as an insult. It's a good thing.

Yes, the fact corporate mucky mucks have not only seen it but actually wrote it, and we're not allowed to, sets all kinds of warning signs off

[2banon]

152. Well Said!

[SusanCalvin]

140. Really.

Take it any way you want Mr. President, but you are asking us to trust you on this and some of us just don't. I'm from Missouri - show me.

[marym625]

141. The fact it's secret is just too telling

[dflprincess]

149. And the fact that Republicans support it

Last edited Sat Apr 25, 2015, 09:56 PM - Edit history (1)

and apparently they like it so much that even their stated objective to block Obama at every turn will not make them change their minds.

That's a clear sign that something is very wrong with this thing - and you'd think the president would see that too.

[SusanCalvin]

161. I have no doubt that he does see it too.

I have always thought he was a terrible negotiator, but this goes beyond even that.

[marym625]

167. exactly

[AuntPatsy]

3. I would like to see a list of what President Obama has done you find exceptable, hope

Someone can add that here in your Op.....

[meaculpa2011]

5. I'd comment, accept I'd be ridiculed. n/t

[Scuba]

11. I see what you did there.

[RiverLover]

20. Aren't you the clever one!

I except you are acceptional!!

[Flo Mingo]

35. Acceptional reply

[ChiciB1]

77. Again, Please Take This Comment As One That I

intend to be helpful. It is unusual that the same use of a certain word is used by 2 posts in row. Your use of the word "accept" should be "except" in this case.

I realize this has nothing to do with the OP's subject, but texting may have something to do with why grammar and spelling is taking a hit. Yeah, I'm kind of old school. Perhaps in the future my classes I took in short hand may be the norm, but there was NEVER a time I used it after I graduated.

[cyberswede]

83. (the poster was teasing the person they replied to)

AuntPatsy wrote (bold added):

3. I would like to see a list of what President Obama has done you find exceptable, hope

Someone can add that here in your Op.....

...so meaculpa2011 replied (bold added):

5. I'd comment, accept I'd be ridiculed. n/t

[ChiciB1]

94. Ok, Got It...

I worked for many years as a typesetter so my OCD gets in the way with this stuff. meaculpa2011 made the same point with fewer words. Didn't catch it, thanks.

[cascadiance]

122. I think normally people overlook spelling errors, but it was intended as a critique of the OP...

But the spelling of this word actually reiterated and characterized what the original post was saying rather than actually criticize it. So, in this case spelling had to be noted, as it changed the whole sense of what was being discussed.

I'm glad that they didn't hit her over the head with it, because even if many take a different side, humor like what was expressed always helps alleviate divisions! (or should I have said "elevate" divisions! )

[ChiciB1]

97. Sorry, I Missed The Pun...

Your comment was MUCH better than mine. Always use the fewest words possible when making a point!

[Alkene]

127. Word. n/t

[BlueCaliDem]

6. Pff. Don't hold your breath.

President Obama has to work ten times harder than any other president to prove he's "okay", dontcha know.

[marym625]

19. I think he has done some wonderful things

I am very happy with some changes he has caused. It doesn't change what the OP states.

We should never follow anyone blindly. President Obama is the one that made this personal. My opposition to the TPP has zero to do with President Obama, the man. He brought that into the conversation

[ChiciB1]

62. marym625...

You & I are on the same page with this one. IF in this country we MUST give blind allegiance to each and EVERY issue a Democrat or POTUS presents, then this Democrat feels a need to inject an alternative opinion. I happen to feel my right to be a "free thinker" as opposed to putting blinders on when I feel this will hurt "we the people" or does that make me less a Democrat?

RIDICULOUS! The Democratic Party I joined many moons ago seemed to allow more FREE THINKING than a Party that thinks we should "follow the yellow brick road!"

I don't live under a rock the last time I looked.

[Rockyj]

104. Thom Hartmann- clip COMMERCIAL CLUB OF CHICAGO- Obama & RAHM EMANUEL

Thom Hartmann- clip COMMERCIAL CLUB OF CHICAGO- Obama & RAHM EMANUEL The CCC is against Unions, Public Schools & Pensions. They actually had Paul Ryan sppeak @ a luncheon: http://www.commercialclubchicago.org/meetings-speakers/2014-2015
This is about Neo-Liberalism and Obama has been on board with a lot of it!

[marym625]

110. No, but seems very many want to put us under a rock

Thank you. I feel the same way

[Liberalynn]

70. +1

Something that my political professors drilled into my head over and over again.
The key to keeping representative Democracy strong is never blindly follow any politicians, they aren't infallible deities, and if you strongly disagree with a direction they've taken it's not only your right to speak up, it's your patriotic duty, even though you could be the one that's wrong.

If the roles were reversed and Warren or Sanders were the ones pulling this, I'd be equally as critical. They are all supposed to work for us not vice versa. President Obama has done great work on Social issues, the A.C.A isn't perfect but it's a Damn site better than nothing, and I like he is taking on deniers about Climate Change.

I also agree that he's taken more invalid criticism because of thinly disguised racism, just as I expect Hillary Clinton will because of sexism if she's elected President. Their positive accomplishments, race, or gender, however, should not exempt them from even criticism that is based on legitimate policy differences and meant to be constructive. I am sorry but I think some want zero criticism, and that's not healthy in what was intended to be representative government, not a totalitarian regime, no
matter who is in office, or what letter they put next to their name.

[treestar]

48. When Prosense did that

it was made fun of. They don't want to see that list and often expressed annoyance at seeing it again.

[totodeinhere]

103. I think it's only human nature to dwell on the things you disagree with rather than the

other way around. If we want to make this a better country we need to concentrate on things that need changing rather than basking in the light of things that have already been accomplished.

[bvar22]

114. Actually, dwelling on what is wrong is the only way to make things better.

*

[ChiciB1]

69. I Will Preface This Comment By First Saying...

that maybe English isn't your first language, so this correction is meant only to help you out. The word "exceptable" is a valid word, and I understand what you're trying to convey, but it should be spelled "acceptable" to be correct.

And yes, I HAVE had people catch my mistakes and let me know, and always welcome their help.

[sendero]

4. All that was in the past...

.... you should just trust him now.

Not going for your "trade" deal? Maybe we are not as "fucking retarded" as you and your buddies think.

[BlueCaliDem]

7. And YET - he won BOTH of his elections with OVER 51% of the vote.

But I guess, in your mind, we the majority are not as intelligent as you, right, Sammy?

[JustAnotherGen]

17. I feel like I'm supposed to apologize

For voting for him twice.

I am not being sarcastic with this.

Like folks - I'm sorry. I'm sorry I drove 18 people to the polls in 2008 - my last two - were both elderly people who started out in entirely different places in life - but both saw something in this candidate.

I'll make sure to not lift a finger in 2016 - since my judgment is off.

[marym625]

21. This is not about that

I don't regret my campaigning for him. I don't regret my voting for him twice. I am disappointed in the things mentioned in the OP. We're allowed to not love everything he does without meaning anything more than that

[JustAnotherGen]

23. I disagree with many points in the OP - here's one

Not holding Wall Street Accountable? With what law? That makes no sense. Glass - Steagall was ripped to shreds. You can't hold people accountable for laws that didn't exist. Now - if the Sanders/Warren folks believe they can get that person as President - and get it implemented (laws that can both go retroactive and forward) AND get a Democratic House and Senate -

I'm with you. That's just one thing.


I *think* we need to hold individuals accountable the same way we do for those who engage in Import/Export. That's ANOTHER element of my scope of responsibility. If I fuck up - If I sign off on an export to the wrong person (Google OFAC and BIS List) - and some of those people ARE my customers . . .

I get fined.
I get incarcerated or put under house arrest for three years.
Me - not the CEO.
The individual.
My two import/export coordinators go to prison.
Pay the million dollar fine.

If it doesn't include individual responsibility - then any law put into place won't work. Because then 'somebody' is anybody - not the who who did it.

I'd like to see some 'meat' out there from the populist picks. How? The problem is defined - define the solution. I don't believe we are going to see massive changes until 2020. The demographics will be there at that time.

And note - I'm not supporting Clinton in the primary. That's why I pointed out Glass-Steagall. And I didn't point out the confluence of events and ideas - including Bush's Ownership Society that got us to that point.

Should be apparent in between the lines.

I think O'Malley 'gets' these things.

[marym625]

26. I disagree with you

But I am so happy that we can discuss it like adult Democrats.

Please don't forget that President Obama ripped apart Dodd-Frank.

But to respond with clarity, I have to sleep. Was up all night and can hardly see straight.

So, I will respond later.

[1StrongBlackMan]

132. Actually, President Obama STRENGTHENED Dodd-Frank. n/t

[marym625]

136. Not when he signed the budget at the end of 2014.

He dismantled the campaign reform portion that is why this coming election will see more money donated to campaigns than ever in the history of our country, by any way of calculating

WASHINGTON—Lawmakers clashed on Wednesday over contentious provisions inserted into a $1.1 trillion spending bill, casting some doubt over whether Congress will be able to pass a long-term bill to avoid a government shutdown before Thursday’s midnight deadline.

News that the spending bill released Tuesday night included campaign-finance changes and a GOP effort to dismantle part of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial overhaul provoked a liberal backlash on Wednesday.

E Earlier this month, Congress approved a $1.1 trillion spending bill that rolls back a provision of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law. That happened over the ferocious objections of Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other progressive Democrats.

President Barack Obama sided with Republican leaders to support the spending bill, including the provision Wall Street wanted.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-dodd-frank-obama-elizabeth-warren-wall-street-1219-jm-20141219-story.html

Do you need more or do remember this now?

[Caretha]

142. Hope O'Malley gets it

A lot of folks need to get it, but I've just given up.

Too many people can't see the big pic.

[BlueCaliDem]

22. No apology necessary. You did the correct thing and kept another Republican out of the

White House and two permanent RWers from being appointed to the SCOTUS.

You've helped to bring our economy back and helped create 12.1 million jobs with 61 months of job growth while helping to circumvent another Great Depression.

You've helped get millions of Americans affordable health care and health care insurance.

You've helped to get bin Laden and helped to drain Gitmo of its prisoners.

You've helped repair the damage done by the Republican president with our international allies.

You've helped get rid of DADT and DOMA, and helped raised the minimum wage for Federal workers.

Currently, you're helping to change NAFTA's harmful worker and environmental provisions.

These are just off the top of my head, but I'm certain if you think about it a moment, you can come up with a lot more that you've helped make reality.

So no apologies necessary.

[JustAnotherGen]

25. For the SCOTUS alone . . .

2012 - Philadelphia - Voting rights was a real nail biter. And I believe our new AG - she's going to pick up that mantel from Holder.

[BlueCaliDem]

30. Oh yes! And you've helped make AG Loretta Lynch a reality! Forgot about that.

I believe she'll be a strong AG, too, and continue with AG Holder's work to fight for equal rights for all while protecting the vulnerable from the predatory elite.

I couldn't love you more for all that you've done to help our country, and you should take pride in those accomplishments. It wouldn't have happened without your help.

[SusanCalvin]

162. SCOTUS, yes.

The main reason I always vote Democratic for POTUS. And will in 2016, for whomever that may be.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

34. In 2008, a lot of us were willing to take a chance on him.

I went door to door for him in 2008. I thought I saw something in him too back then.

By 2012, I'd seen enough of my hopes that his governance might match his rhetoric evaporate that I didn't repeat that work for him.

And yes, he's still 'better than the best Republican on offer'. But that's not exactly a high bar.

[busterbrown]

41. Not a " high Bar.”.?

Perhaps then you can take a bit of ownership in the complete takeover of Congress by a group of Lunatics, who are bent on destroying the country..

I worked my ass off in 2012...even though I too was disappointed...

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

45. I didn't run for office.

It's entirely upon the candidate to be good enough to win enough voters. You want to win more Congressional seats? Quit running losers.

[busterbrown]

50. Good...So keep sitting on your hands.

which will certainly help the Lunatics on the Right take complete control of the 3 branches of govt..

Or is that what you’re hoping for..

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

65. No, that was how I accepted I bore some blame.

I acknowledged that I didn't run for office.

I think the current Dem Party strategy of running crappy candidates is what has led to the massive Republican wins.

[busterbrown]

130. Your over thinking a bit.

We lost, because Repubs play to the low informed voting part of our electorate.. The ones who are full of anger and hate against any progressive concepts.

[TheKentuckian]

118. Humanity doesn't even have the digging technology to get under that bar

[JDPriestly]

84. Politics is not the good guys vs. the bad guys.

It's one policy at at time. Republicans are bad guys because they are on the wrong side of virtually every policy that means freedom and a good life for you and me. But that does not mean that Democrats are always the good guys.

If President Obama thinks the TPP is so great, he should let us see it before there is a vote on fast track.

We are supposed to be living in a democracy. We are supposed to have a free press. When a treaty as important as the TPP is not released to the press before a vote is taken on whether to fast track it, then we do not have a free press. And the decision as to whether to release the text of the agreement to the press is the president's and the president's alone.

We are supposed to be living in a democracy. We elect representatives. They vote aye or nay on policies presented as bills. We are supposed to be able to contact our representatives and give them feedback and let them know our opinions on policies we are concerned about. We cannot do that effectively when the President willingly withholds from us information about policy, about a bill that we need to read (as he admits) in order to give meaningful feedback on it.

And then, the President has the gall to ridicule those of us who smell a rat, those of us who can see the damage done to our country by previous similar bills. He ridicules those of us who are reasonably opposed first to his withholding of important information from us and second to our inability to read the TPP before his propaganda machine silences us through its glowing sound bites about and agreement that we become more and more convinced is going to hurt us.

Please note that the people in Congress who most oppose the TPP have seen enough of the bill to warn us about it. And those people, Elizabeth Warren, Sherrod Brown and Bernie Sanders as well as Chuck Shumer, to name a few, happen to be the members of Congress who are most concerned about our domestic economy and the welfare of ordinary Americans. What a troubling coincidence.

The President's failure to publish the text of the agreement now (yesterday -- days or weeks ago) is unacceptable.

President Obama needs to release the full text of the treaty to the press and to the American people and let the chips fall where they may.

He seems to be worried that the rejection of the obviously lousy agreement will harm his reputation in history. Well, passing a bad agreement will hurt his reputation more. He might as well just let the American people read the agreement and get the pain of the rejection of it over with.

Because anything this secretive is bound to be, just like the NSA spying on us, a very negative, very harmful, very ugly idea. Let's get it over with, Mr. Presidentl. Just show us the agreement.

[Thespian2]

143. Yep.

What you said. Makes good sense to me.

[rurallib]

125. don't forget just how bad voting for his opponent in either of those elections

would have been.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

33. Out of the 36% or so of eligible American voters who bothered to vote?

So he won both elections based on the votes of what, 18% or so of Americans? Last I checked, 18% wasn't a majority.

[BlueCaliDem]

38. No, that "36%" was 39.9% in 2010 and the I believe the 18% was only in California in 2014.

In the presidential elections of 2012 was 57.5% of eligible voters. And yes, that's a majority in any book even if 93 million Americans stayed home to make waffles.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

46. ok, so 51% of 39.9% is 20.3% or so, and 51% of 57.7% is 29.4%

So in 2008, 20.3% of eligible voters voted for Obama, and in 2012 29.4% did. Again, nowhere near majorities.

[BlueCaliDem]

58. Those who don't vote, don't count.

Those who bothered to show up and voted (and weren't disenfranchised or had their votes suppressed) determined the outcome of elections and either became part of the minority or the majority - and the majority chose President Obama.

Lots of people don't vote for various reasons, but indisputable is the fact that President Obama received the majority of votes from those who bothered to show up or who weren't disenfranchised in both 2008 and 2012. He received 52.9% of the total votes from those who bothered to vote in 2008, and 51.1% in 2012. Last I looked, anything over 51+ is a majority, no matter how you wish to nitpick percentages and variables in order to demean those wins.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

60. Thank you for succinctly, in your header, stating exactly the reason

so many people discount both major parties. Because they know they don't matter to the politicians.

Of course, the vast majority of those who still DO vote don't count either, but it's a pleasant fiction for those who haven't seen the studies about how the only voices that matter are those of the 1%.

[BlueCaliDem]

72. Taking my words out of context is beneath an intelligent person like you, Erich.

I'll leave it at that.

so many people discount both major parties. Because they know they don't matter to the politicians.

Then it's their job to make them matter to politicians. But you're not going to do that by sitting at home, pouting. You do that by threatening their reelection by organizing and getting people to the polls. You do that by putting a stronger candidate more of your liking to challenge and threaten the incumbent's reelection. You fight. You don't lie down and wail.

Of course, the vast majority of those who still DO vote don't count either, but it's a pleasant fiction for those who haven't seen the studies about how the only voices that matter are those of the 1%.

And whose fault is that? That's right. Those who choose NOT to vote because they bought into their own lie that "both parties are the same so why bother?!". Since we've never had 100% turnout of eligible voters, how can these Badluck Schleprocks be so certain that nothing would change? They don't. But it does help deflect from the fact that they are part of the problem, not the solution.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

98. And

Then it's their job to make them matter to politicians. But you're not going to do that by sitting at home, pouting.

And you're not going to do it by telling them 'you have their back' and that you'll vote for them no matter what.

As soon as a politician knows you'll vote for him, you no longer matter.

[busterbrown]

42. YES!!!

[former9thward]

89. A majority means intelligence?

Bush got a majority in 2004 and Reagan won in landslides in his elections.

[BlueCaliDem]

148. A majority means democracy. But you knew that. eom

[Scootaloo]

160. Did you vote for him because of the stuff listed in the OP?

[underahedgerow]

8. I'm guessing you won't be voting for him next time around then?

.

[Doctor_J]

16. A lot of his voters from 2008 won't be voting for ANY Dem next time around, due in large part

to the issues listed in the OP. Look at where we were in Jan 2009 compared to where we are now.

[underahedgerow]

37. Dude, rainbows could come shooting out of Obama's behind and that won't change the minds of

people who's minds were already made up.

To imagine that any Democrat in their right mind would vote republican because of the horrors and atrocities that Obama has wrought upon the USA (????????????) could be quantified by about, say.... 11 voters.

There's your 1%.

[JoePhilly]

107. That'll teach Obama a lesson!!

[Doctor_J]

111. You would think it would teach the party movers & shakers a lesson

but apparently not.

[JoePhilly]

113. Teach them what ... to force Warren to run?

Is that how it works?

[Doctor_J]

120. no, to adopt an agenda different from the one in the op

You are being deliberately obtuse. Obama has adopted a corporate friendly, republican appeasing agenda from day one. The party has been decimated. His response to being called out on the TPP is to blame liberals. Why do he and the dc dems continue to pursue a platform that is killing the party?

[2banon]

153. Bingo! Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding.

[el_bryanto]

9. I'm surprised at how people can dismiss this list so easily

Some of them do approach hyperbole, but most of them are pretty accurate.

Bryant

[sharp_stick]

12. It's simply because

some, fuck that most, of them approach hyperbole. Just by doing that the entire list is rendered bullshit.

If you can't make your point without inserting hyperbolic crap you don't have a valid point to make.

[el_bryanto]

14. Ah - so you are saying that Obama hasn't been too cozy with Wall Street?

You are saying he has run a transparent presidency?

You're saying he hasn't continued the surveillance state inherited from President Bush?

Bryant

[sharp_stick]

18. No

what I'm saying is that the majority of that list is a mass of bovine fecal matter that could bury a full sized 1972 Oldsmobile.

Nowhere in my reply will you find a single reference to anything that you mention. I like to stay on topic, if you'd like to start an OP referring to the transparency of the Presidency or the surveillance State I'll decide at that time if I give enough of a shit to reply.

[JTFrog]

31. +1 n/t

[obnoxiousdrunk]

44. +1. n/t

[Buzz Clik]

53. +1

[daleanime]

68. So which parts do you feel 'bullish' about?

[Xyzse]

15. I agree.

I am not dismissing it as I can agree with much of it.

I just tend to think how much worse things can be otherwise.

After a few years, the part where he tried to work with the Insane party, I can absolutely forgive. I mean, even I had hoped that they were going to regain some sanity, and actually work towards the betterment of the country. I underestimated their willingness to burn the country in flames to spite another party and their opposition to the President.

I can not forgive his policy on education, because that is my highest priority. I understand that he worked hard to improve college affordability but the fact that he continued onwards towards charter schools and privitization just rubbed me the wrong way. Since I think early education from K-12 is far more important.

As mentioned, some in the list, I can chalk up to the hope that Republicans would actually work towards the betterment of the country, I could understand the frustration and the stark realization where they don't. Since it is sometimes hard to believe how much stupidity, and hate they can generate.

Some, I could not actually forgive. However, do I think Obama as a net positive? Yes, I do, considering the alternatives.

It kinda blunts my ability to criticize.

[NM_Birder]

10. you are barking up the wrong tree,

if Obama slapped the average Democrat voter in the face with a fish, he would be cheered for promoting a healthy diet.

All that is cared about is the fact that Michelle is a beautiful dignified woman, his kids are wonderful, he can give a great speech, and regardless how much Obama has virtually copied the Bush years,...the teaparty is to blame.

In the rush to proved how "progressive" Democrats are, we forgot to elect a Democrat.

Hillary is not the savior,...welcome to the coming years of Republican house, senate and presidency.

[busterbrown]

43. Yea just the Tea Party..

Don’t mention the fact that the day he was elected, the REPUBLICANS, (no T party then) had one goal which was to destroy his presidency..And let me tell ya, there were a hell of a lot of dems. in both chambers who didn’t help the situation ..

[Scuba]

13. There's absolutely nothing in your list that's not spot-on. Sure feels like betrayal to me.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

36. What does #22 refer to?

I can't seem to recall that one.

[Broward]

28. He also moved to open up the Atlantic to oil drilling.

[SamKnause]

96. Thank you.

I had forgotten about that.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend.

[morningfog]

32. In his 7th year, not one day free of US war.

Last edited Fri Apr 24, 2015, 11:48 AM - Edit history (1)

Nearly seven straight years of US wars. Often with multiple fronts at any given time. Not to mention the Obama drone wars.

And Guantanamo remains open.

[busterbrown]

40. And this was written in 2012..

Source: The Washington Monthly.com

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/march_april_2012/features/obamas_top_50_accomplishments035755.php?page=all

[SCantiGOP]

39. then vote Republican next time

I'm sure you will get a much better outcome.

Seriously, do you think there is a single item on your list that would have turned out better if the GOP had been in control of the White House. This is as delusional as what the other side does every election in insisting on candidates who are so far out of the mainstream that they can never get elected.

[Demeter]

55. If it got the People to fight back, as they did W, yes, absolutely

Unfortunately, we got this skunk in sheep's clothing...the other skunks (of all parties) were more or less openly stinky.

[Skittles]

151. is that the bar now, for progress?

REPUKES?

[L0oniX]

171. Yeah ..We'll all do that just to piss you off.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

179. Go eat a fucking donut.

We are getting the GOP plan right fucking now. We don't need to vote GOP since Obama is implementing their plan anyway.

[treestar]

47. Wow 23 things

You spent all that time to do that?

Just looking at the bottom, 22 is ridiculous.

[Buzz Clik]

51. You take it personally?

Why? You think Obama knows you personally and intentionally offended you?

Narcissistic much?

[TheKentuckian]

112. Same goes for Obama feigning emotional injury.

[Demeter]

52. I could add to the list, but what would be the point?

My opinion doesn't count for anything....not enough $$$$'S in it.

[Buzz Clik]

54. gawd

[SamKnause]

56. I am very interested in your additions !!!

The 99% have zero voice in our government.

The 1% have the money and the influence.

Your opinion matters to me.

[Demeter]

57. Thank you for the affirmation, Sam

I'm going out of town shortly, but I will make a note to get back to you on Monday...

[SamKnause]

59. Have a safe and wonderful weekend.

Look forward to hearing from you.

[emulatorloo]

61. A lot of half-truths and hyperbole

No doubt you'll get lots of recs though, as dishonest hatchet jobs seem to drive today's DU.

[emulatorloo]

81. Sure why not, Mr or Ms Corruption Inc.

"19. 2009 you didn't take advantage of the short time the Democratic Party had control of the Senate, the House, and the presidency."

IMHO opinion anybody who claims we had a bullet proof Democratic Congressional majority in 2009 wasn't paying attention or is disingenuous.

We got great legislation out of the Pelosi house where we did have a solid majority.

In the Senate the majority was razor thin, and pretty much came down to Joementum, ardent McCain supporter.

Everything the house did was deliberately fucked up by the Senate by Republicans, aided and abetted by a few DINO's.

======

"22. You have disenfranchised young voters. "

What the fuck does that even mean? I had an internship on Obama 2012 campaign and we spend tons of time helping young voters register and get to the polls or provide them with absentee ballots.

OFA continues to do so as does the Democratic Party.

=================================

"18. 2009 you squandered your mandate and refused to use the bully pulpit. "

So Obama never gave a speech in 2009 huh?

I have long seen DU'ers talk out of both sides of their mouths re this bully pulpit nonsense.

"Obama won't use the bully pulpit/Obama just makes pretty speeches"

=============================================

There are fact based criticisms of Obama's policies. This rant is not one of them.

[TheKentuckian]

117. Which party controlled the Senate in 2005? Which party holds it today?

When have the Republicans had a "bulletproof" majority?

Stop embracing and rationalizing excuses.

[GoneFishin]

64. K & R

[Sunlei]

66. IMO, you're a bit RW harsh with the 23 personally offended list. But there is some degree of Truth,

in every one of them.

[Tace]

67. The Truth Hurts

[LordGlenconner]

74. This is a DUzy

Haven't seen someone this overwrought around here since the Pit Bull Wars.

[Phlem]

75. Is he Third Way Yet.

been saying for a while but I get pounced on every time I say it.

Excellent post.

[floriduck]

78. There is a wide spectrum of ideology that

exists to the left of the far right radicals. I'm afraid Mr. Obama (whom I voted and contributed to twice) is at the leading edge of the right side of that remaining space. That is why it is a general consensus that this country is a right of center country. Unfortunately, the neocons have put together a powerful and effective machine in TV, radio, big business, evangelical Christians and the Supreme Court that influences the less intelligent/ knowledgeable to believe what they hear.

Even though the Dems have won the latest presidential elections, the local races have been lost, in part due to what they see and hear from the conservative machine. As in "all politics are local." We'll never know for sure how we would feel had a more leftist President been in office for the last 6 years. But I doubt it would have been much worst and possibly much better overall.

I will never forgive President Obama for three main things:
1. Not encouraging justice for the prior administration for the torturing of innocent people. That alone opens the door for future presidents to step beyond what was done previously, and,

2. Pursuing Edward Snowden for criminal acts, while allowing a former Army general to walk for sharing classified information to his previous sexual partner. Petreus's actions were just as damning as Snowden's. However, Edward Snowden's information brought about some improvements to the NSA. Petreus did absolutely no good to anyone.

3. Developing another mistake of a trade policy in the TTP.

These failures to act responsibly cause me to doubt Mr. Obama's decision making.

[truedelphi]

79. My hat is off to you, Mr Sam Knause.

Whomever it is that oversees FDR's grave site should contact some alternative energy consultants - that President is spinning in his grave so fast (and so much) that the energy could power most of the East Coast.

[grasswire]

80. where is the story where he said he takes the opposition personally?

I haven't found it! Been searching....

[emulatorloo]

86. Good question.

IMHO would be quite out of character for Obama to say something like that.

I know he has made fun of Republicans "If Obama is for it, they're against it." But he never seems to take anything "personally".

Can only assume OP is misinterpreting something.

[SamKnause]

91. I did not misinterpret anything.

The link is below this post.

[SamKnause]

87. The link:

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/7132208

[emulatorloo]

93. Ok thanks for providing the link. Appreciate it.

[SamKnause]

95. You are most welcome.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend.

[emulatorloo]

99. Same to you SamKnause

I said some very harsh things and hyperbolic things about your OP upthread, but I know you are sincere in your beliefs and in the end we all care about the same things.

[LordGlenconner]

88. Here's some things left off the list

24. I didn't get the pony I asked for when I was 12. Thanks, Obama.

25. Obama promised me a trip to Disney World. Alas, I have not yet been to DW.

26. I was told there would be flying cars by now. There are no flying cars. But we have drones who can fly all over the world and kill people.

27. Obama smiles which indicates he might be, at times, joyful. How can a man smile when there are people in the world who are not as well off as he is?

28. He really stinks at picking NCAA tournament games.

29. Obama has not cured cancer.

30. Obama does not meet my standards of ideological purity, therefore he is evil.

[midnight]

90. "[I]f American workers are being denied their right to organize when I'm in the White House, I will

put on a comfortable pair of shoes and I will walk on that picket line with you as president of the United States," he told a crowd in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in November 2007."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/24/obama-wisconsin_n_827770.html

[SamKnause]

92. Thank you.

[cwydro]

105. You left out allowing

the use of Corexit in the BP spill.

God know what damage that added to the Gulf.

[SamKnause]

108. Thank you.

The list is so long it is almost impossible not to leave

something out.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend.

[cwydro]

166. True dat.

Sad, but true.

[JoePhilly]

106. The bastard made it rain on my birthday !!!!!

[Blue_Tires]

115. You ought to rename this thread "The Emoprog's Twenty-Three Theses"

Such a hyperbolic mountain of bullshit I wouldn't even know where to start climbing it...

But you got 74+ recs and 3+ tweets, so I tip my hat...

[blkmusclmachine]

116. http://www.diagonale.at/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/07-Illustration-von-Samuel-Goodrich-The-Wooden-Ho

[EEO]

119. Liberals expected the pendulum to come back our way and it simply didn't.

[Octafish]

124. Alfred McCoy explained Secret Government is why the pendulum won't swing back.

Prof. Alfred McCoy studied the history of the crimes of the secret national security state and found that when they previously occurred, there usually was a reaction from the party not in executive power. LBJ and COINTELPRO/CHAOS were countered by the Repuke investigators in the House and Senate; Nixon and Watergate were countered by the Church Committee and new Congressional oversight. Today there has been no response from either party when the other's treasons were exposed, thanks to the USA PATRIOT Act and the NSA warrantless full-spectrum spying op preventing the Constitutional pendulum from swinging.

Alfred W. McCoy

The Making of the US Surveillance State

(One 29min. program)
30 second Preview/Promo

In July 2013 an article appeared on line in TomDispatch that gave an up to date and chilling analysis of the unprecedented powers of the US Surveillance state. It’s author, University of Wisconsin, Madison, professor of history Alfred McCoy, credits Edward Snowden for having revealed today’s reality. And McCoy adds his perspective of the intriguing history that led up to this point - and he makes a few predictions as to what to expect in the near future. That article in TomDispatch caught the attention of radio host, writer and Middle East expert Jeff Blankfort who allows me to broadcast the highlights of his interview with Professor McCoy.

McCoy studied Southeast Asian history at Yale University before coming to Madison. In 1971 he was commissioned to write a book on the opium trade in Laos and discovered that the French equivalent to the CIA had financed its covert operations from the control of the Indochina drug trade. He also found evidence that after the US replaced the French the CIA took over the drug trade. Not surprisingly the CIA tried to block publication of the book The Politics of Heroin in Southeast Asia. But after three English editions and translation into nine foreign languages, this study is now regarded as the “classic” work on the global drug traffic.

Professor Alfred W. McCoy is the author of: The Politics Of Heroin (in 1972) and A Question of Torture: CIA Interrogation from the Cold War to the War on Terror (published in 2006) A film based in part on that book, "Taxi to the Darkside," won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in 2008. McCoy’s latest study of this topic, Torture and Impunity (Madison, 2012), explores the political and cultural dynamics of America’s post 9/11 debate over interrogation.This program was first aired on July 24, 2013 at KZYX Radio in Philo, CA.

http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175724/

http://history.wisc.edu/people/faculty/mccoy.htm

The 35 minute version is here: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/69998

SOURCE w/links to a durn good podcast: http://www.tucradio.org/new.html

The Hand may be invisible, but the cufflinks sticking out of the suit read: Capitalism's Invisible Army.

[annabanana]

170. +1 ^^^. . .n/t

[PowerToThePeople]

164. truth. n/t

[Octafish]

123. I also take it personally.

XXX. Money still trumps peace.

Neocons and Liberals Together, Again

The neoconservative Project for the New American Century (PNAC) has signaled its intention to continue shaping the government's national security...

Tom Barry, last updated: February 02, 2005

The neoconservative Project for the New American Century (PNAC) has signaled its intention to continue shaping the government's national security strategy with a new public letter stating that the "U.S. military is too small for the responsibilities we are asking it to assume." Rather than reining in the imperial scope of U.S. national security strategy as set forth by the first Bush administration, PNAC and the letter's signatories call for increasing the size of America's global fighting machine.

SNIP...

Liberal Hawks Fly with the Neocons

The recent PNAC letter to Congress was not the first time that PNAC or its associated front groups, such as the Coalition for the Liberation of Iraq, have included hawkish Democrats.

Two PNAC letters in March 2003 played to those Democrats who believed that the invasion was justified at least as much by humanitarian concerns as it was by the purported presence of weapons of mass destruction. PNAC and the neocon camp had managed to translate their military agenda of preemptive and preventive strikes into national security policy. With the invasion underway, they sought to preempt those hardliners and military officials who opted for a quick exit strategy in Iraq. In their March 19th letter, PNAC stated that Washington should plan to stay in Iraq for the long haul: "Everyone-those who have joined the coalition, those who have stood aside, those who opposed military action, and, most of all, the Iraqi people and their neighbors-must understand that we are committed to the rebuilding of Iraq and will provide the necessary resources and will remain for as long as it takes."

Along with such neocon stalwarts as Robert Kagan, Bruce Jackson, Joshua Muravchik, James Woolsey, and Eliot Cohen, a half-dozen Democrats were among the 23 individuals who signed PNAC's first letter on post-war Iraq. Among the Democrats were Ivo Daalder of the Brookings Institution and a member of Clinton's National Security Council staff; Martin Indyk, Clinton's ambassador to Israel; Will Marshall of the Progressive Policy Institute and Democratic Leadership Council; Dennis Ross, Clinton's top adviser on the Israel-Palestinian negotiations; and James Steinberg, Clinton's deputy national security adviser and head of foreign policy studies at Brookings. A second post-Iraq war letter by PNAC on March 28 called for broader international support for reconstruction, including the involvement of NATO, and brought together the same Democrats with the prominent addition of another Brookings' foreign policy scholar, Michael O'Hanlon.

CONTINUED...

http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/Neocons_and_Liberals_Together_Again

One name to remember is Victoria Nuland, our woman in Ukraine, who is married to PNAC co-founder Robert Kagan

Robert Kagan's brother is Frederick Kagan. Frederick Kagan's spouse is Kimberly Kagan.

Brilliant people, big ideas, and a lot of PNAC, which spells out the neocon/neolib approach to international relations means more wars without end for profits without cease, among other things detrimental to peace, justice, and democracy.

[99Forever]

129. I wish I could disagree.

But I can't because that is the reality of what has happened under Obama's watch. With him pushing the TPP debacle, I am beyond ever sticking up for him or his cronies ever again.

No more neoliberals, EVER FUCKING AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[840high]

137. +100 I also decided

to never hold my nose and vote. Tired of doing that. Tired of the mess we're in.

[swilton]

133. # 24

Bush Administration neocon hold-overs in the State Department restarted the Cold War.

[SamKnause]

139. Thank you for the addition.

Have a safe and pleasant weekend.

[DrBulldog]

144. This the best and most complete list of Obama's "populist" hypocrisy I have ever seen published.

And every point is point is completely true. You have done an excellent job of tracking his positions and actions, especially those which have been ignored by the media.

[AzDar]

145. K & R

[rgbecker]

146. Then there is this list!

http://b4bmorenews.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-244-accomplishments-of-president.html

[bhikkhu]

147. Nearly every point is false or extremely oversimplified

you are welcome to your opinion, and welcome to your dissatisfaction, but I've been satisfied that the president has the very best of intentions and has done more and better than anyone else I can imagine. I'd happily vote for him a third time if that was an option. Lacking that, I would be glad to vote for any democrat willing to try to fill his shoes, and continue to work for us.

[C Moon]

159. I'm sure grateful that doesn't say McCain and/or Romney after Mr. President, though.

[Art_from_Ark]

165. I'm not so sure about that, for this reason:

During a mid-term election, the party in the White House almost always loses seats in Congress. We got our asses handed to us in last year's election. But if Romney had been in the White House, we would in all likelihood have *picked up* seats.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

168. He's a great ...

... great conservative president. He is no friend of progressives.

[L0oniX]

173. If this list pisses off people then you did the right thing.

[Vinca]

177. It saddens me that the list is correct.

I've never expected the POTUS to agree with me 100%, but I didn't realize how far apart we are until I read this list. I still love the man . . . he's done some very good things. But he could have been so much better.

[TreasonousBastard]

180. Here it is toward the end of his tenure and you come up with 23 things that...

personally offend you.

Not one thing you approve of. Not one.

And when I posted a complaint about this silliness I got 11 posters telling me how wrong I am and got alerted on.

This is not the sort of bullshit I expect on a Democratic board. I don't expect blind loyalty, but to imply that Obama is in the same league is, say, Shrub, is disgraceful. You're saying Obama is a sellout and a failure. This is not the place to do that. Not only is it not true, but if it must be said, it belongs somewhere else.

It's an insult to every one of us who goes out knocking on doors, making phone calls, giving money and otherwise working for Democratic candidates for all races up and down the board.

Your words offend me.

Precisely what are you doing for the future of the party, and the nation, besides posting anonymous bullshit on an internet board?

And alerter (I just know this will be alerted on) -- knock yourself out. The worst that happens to me this time is I don't get the pleasure of posting in this thread again, but you have to live with your miserable self.

[L0oniX]

182. LMAO