It's time for a list: Yes. Progress.

[ProSense]

The Presidency isn't about the spin of the day. It's about getting things done. Yes, the job market is still lagging, but this President has accomplished more than most of his predecessors in a short time. The more important thing is that most of his accomplishments run counter to the talking points of the day.

How Obama is shoring up federal authority over Medicaid

N.L.R.B. Rules Would Streamline Unionizing

"first major federal antipoverty effort in decades"

A Progress Report on the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness

Govt announces plan to reduce health disparities

ACLU: Justice Is Served (Fair Sentencing Act made retroactive)

Second Chance Act

Appointing Elizabeth Warren to establish the first-ever Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

The CFPB is a Win for the Unbanked

JUST IN: Obama Recognizing Military Suicides w/ Condolence Letters, Reversing a Longstanding Policy

Federal Medical Leave Act extended by Department of Labor to include same-sex relationships.

How Obama is shoring up federal authority over Medicaid

Obama Names Openly Gay Veteran to West Point Advisory Board

New rules raising fuel standard requirements.

New rules to regulate coal air pollution, which may result in utilities shutting down smaller, dirtier plants.

New sulfur dioxide emissions limits, which is the first change in 40 years.

New rules to limit water pollution from mining

EPA Proposes First National Standard for Mercury Pollution from Power Plants / Mercury and air toxics standards represent one of strongest health protections from air pollution since passage of Clean Air Act

EPA mercury rules hailed as help for NY lakes (EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards: Cleaner Air AND Reliable Electricity)

Obama EPA Revokes Largest Mountaintop Removal Permit in US History

Consumer group backs White House's aggressive fuel economy plan

Pictures: Six New Natural Landmarks Named

Conservation Wins A Big One At The Grand Canyon

WH: Partnership for Sustainable Communities Marks Two Trailblazing Years

New Housing Program Is Aimed at the Unemployed

The package of major legislative accomplishments during the Obama Presidency's first two years:

• January 29, 2009: Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, Pub.L. 111-2
  
  
• February 4, 2009: Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (SCHIP), Pub.L. 111-3
  
  
• February 17, 2009: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), Pub.L. 111-5
  
  
• March 11, 2009: Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, Pub.L. 111-8
  
  
• March 30, 2009: Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, Pub.L. 111-11
  
  
• April 21, 2009: Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, Pub.L. 111-13
  
  
• May 20, 2009: Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009, Pub.L. 111-21
  
  
• May 20, 2009: Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009, Pub.L. 111-22
  
  
• May 22, 2009: Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009, Pub.L. 111-23
  
  
• May 22, 2009: Credit CARD Act of 2009, Pub.L. 111-24
  
  
• June 22, 2009: Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, as Division A of Pub.L. 111-31
  
  
• June 24, 2009: Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009 including the Car Allowance Rebate System (Cash for Clunkers), Pub.L. 111-32
  
  
• October 28, 2009: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, including the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, Pub.L. 111-84
  
  
• November 6, 2009: Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, Pub.L. 111-92
  
  
• December 16, 2009: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010, Pub.L. 111-117
  
  
• February 12, 2010: Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act, as Title I of Pub.L. 111-139
  
  
• March 4, 2010: Travel Promotion Act of 2009, as Section 9 of Pub.L. 111-145
  
  
• March 18, 2010: Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, Pub.L. 111-147
  
  
• March 23, 2010: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub.L. 111-148
  
  
• March 30, 2010: Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, including the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, Pub.L. 111-152
  
  
• May 5, 2010: Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, Pub.L. 111-163
  
  
• July 1, 2010: Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, Pub.L. 111-195
  
  
• July 21, 2010: Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Pub.L. 111-203
  
  
• August 3, 2010: Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, Pub.L. 111-220
  
  
• August 10, 2010: SPEECH Act of 2010, Pub.L. 111-223
  
  
• September 27, 2010: Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010, Pub.L. 111-240
  
  
• December 8, 2010: Claims Resolution Act of 2010, Pub.L. 111-291, H.R. 4783
  
  
• December 13, 2010: Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Pub.L. 111-296, S. 3307
  
  
• December 17, 2010: Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, Pub.L. 111-312, H.R. 4853
  
  
• December 22, 2010: Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, Pub.L. 111-321, H.R. 2965
  
  
• January 2, 2011: James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, Pub.L. 111-347, H.R. 847
  
  
• January 4, 2011: Shark Conservation Act, Pub.L. 111-348, H.R. 81
  
  
• January 4, 2011: Food Safety and Modernization Act, Pub.L. 111-353, H.R. 2751

Rachel Madow (December 2010)

MADDOW: If the Senate ratifies the START Treaty tomorrow, it caps an astonishing period in American political history.

For the last two years, Democrats have held the White House as well as big majorities in both the House and the Senate. Their record of achievement in that time, even in the face of unified, at times totally random Republican opposition, Republican opposition even do things Republicans had proposed in the first place, unified Republican opposition even to their own ideas—their track record even in the face of that is historic.

Whether you agree or disagree with what Democrats have done in the first two years of President Obama‘s presidency, they have freaking done it. The Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act for women, expanding children‘s health insurance, new hate crimes legislation that they said could not be done, tobacco regulation, credit card reform, student loan reform, the stimulus - which in addition to helping pull this country back from the brink of a Great Depression was also the largest tax cut ever, the largest investment in clean energy ever, the single largest investment in education in our country ever.

There was also a little thing you may have heard of called health reform. Also, Wall Street reform, the improvements to the new G.I. bill, the most expansive food safety bill since the 1930s.

more

Yes. Progress.

For Republicans, a PS: Mr. Obama gets too little credit. He has done more to rein in long-run deficits than any previous president.

[lamp_shade]

1. You're brave, ProSense. First rec.

[_ed_]

28. What's brave about posting talking points?

?

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Phx_Dem]

58. +1!

[Hawkowl]

83. Bravery doesn't require payment

Enuff said.

[Tennessee Gal]

2. Good post.

Long list of accomplishments.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tennessee Gal]

4. Unrecs?

What's up with that?

[ProSense]

12. Obviously

President Obama doesn't deserve credit for anything he's done. Pointing these out is wrong. Or maybe these need to be hidden because they run counter to the BS talking points: failure, sellout, weak!!!

The only relevant lists are those pointing out what he hasn't done.

[Tennessee Gal]

13. It is disgusting. nt

[_ed_]

27. I think it's more disgusting that my wife and I can't get

good insurance until 2014, but I guess I just care more about policy than I do supporting Obama the man.

[bornskeptic]

49. When could you get insurance if the Affordable Care Act wasn't passed?

This year or next year?

[Name removed]

109. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[_ed_]

26. Straw men all around

I unrecced this post because it's just a laundry list of "accomplishments" without a whiff of analysis. Some are even untruthful like the claim above that Obama and Congress ended DADT. Not true: a federal court just ended DADT with a court order while the Pentagon was still kicking the can down the road doing another "study."

Your list is just propaganda meant to prop up a specific politician, Barack Obama. This list shows that you care more about the man Obama than you do actual progressive policy.

[AtomicKitten]

48. Propaganda? LOL.

Again with the irony. The dissemination of misleading information is the very essence of propaganda as evidenced by your mischaracterization of the repeal of DADT. The president directed Congress to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1z3_TlYfbQ">repeal DADT at his SOTU address in January 2010, Congress repealed DADT on 12/22/2010, and the president signed the repeal into law on 12/24/2010 (pic below). That's an accomplishment. That's progress. The recent court ruling affirmed the repeal and simply moved the process of its implementation along to its final conclusion.

[Tx4obama]

67. + 1,000,000,000 :)

[JoePhilly]

5. Don't let facts get in the way of knee-jerk outrage!!!!

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AtomicKitten]

65. Why? You have. Your story about DADT is completely convoluted.

In his SOTU address in Jan 2010, President Obama called on Congress to repeal DADT, they did later in the year, and he signed the repeal into law in December 2010. The recent court ruling affirmed the repeal and simply ordered a conclusion to the implementation process.

I wonder why you are loathe to give the president credit for or even acknowledgment of his accomplishments. You have flat-out distorted his record to minimize, trivialize, or otherwise deny him the acknowledgment that facts demand.

There's plenty to complain about to be sure, but that doesn't give you license to wage a petit jihad on the truth to facilitate running the president down every chance you get.

[meow mix]

6. extra funds for the pot-slayer industry, yaay!

feel the awsome!

:rofl:

[Moosepoop]

7. K&R!!!

But... oh my, Prosense -- not only does your post contain a list (oh noes!!!), it also contains LINKS (AAAGGHHH!!!), and they're (gasp!) BLUE!!!!! (AAAIIEEEEE!!!!!!!!!)

:wow:

Heads will be exploding all over! ;)

[Lochloosa]

8. Careful ProSense. The truth is painful for some.

[countingbluecars]

9. K&R

[bahrbearian]

10. New to the list, Medicaid and SS are now on the Table.

[ProSense]

11. I forgot to add

this: Medicaid: More than Just Numbers (WH)

Still, from the OP, this is worth reading: How Obama is shoring up federal authority over Medicaid

[Rosa Luxemburg]

18. they are not on the table

[woo me with science]

22. Of course they are. nt

[johnaries]

52. "on the table"

From the WH press conference, 7/7/11:

But it also remains true, as he made clear in the State of the Union, that he is willing to and thinks it’s important to talk about the long-term strength of Social Security. And it is also true, as he has made clear -- and the Vice President and others -- that they have created an atmosphere -- or tried to -- an environment, in the negotiations that they’ve had where everybody, every participant, feels that he or she can bring to the room issues that they think are important. And that’s what we mean by -- when we say everything is on the table. But it does not mean that the President’s position has changed at all.

I also find your username ironic, when you obviously refuse to accept facts when they are presented to you.

[woo me with science]

54. What "facts"?

You gave a quote. I can give a quote. Nancy Pelosi came out of the deficit meetings on Friday discussing conditions under which a chained CPI might be included in the deal.

"But she reiterated that any savings from changing the CPI would have to go back to the Social Security Trust Fund." (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20077942-503544.... )

In other words, she is on record discussing possible conditions for implementing this policy that supposedly isn't even being considered.

Bernie Sanders apparently is also bracing for a "crap" bill from these meetings.

I am surprised to see you arguing this. I thought you would have moved on by now to arguing that chained CPI is not actually a cut.

[jeff47]

98. You are aware that the people you cited

do not work for the White House, nor are they part of the Obama administration. So they have no relevance at all as to Obama's putting SS and Medicare on the table.

Their statements say they will not support it. Doesn't mean a thing about whether or not Obama does.

[woo me with science]

23. +1

And this trumps all other issues or accomplishments. It is at the core of what Democrats should and shouldn't stand for.

[CakeGrrl]

14. Ow! Blue linkys hurt my eyes!

:evilgrin:



k/r

[rug]

15. You left out a couple.

http://www.gazette.com/articles/afghanistan-90198-obama-war.html

http://abcnews.go.com/International/libya-international-military-coalition-launch-assault-gadhafi-forces/story?id=13174246

[_ed_]

16. This is a false dichotomy

What is this meant to prove? No one asserts that Obama hasn't done anything in office. Those who criticize Obama from the left typically see those "accomplishments" as weak, ineffective to their stated ends, or the product of corporate scheming.

For instance, you list DADT's end as an "accomplishment." It's not: the Pentagon was in some never-ending "study" pursuant to dropping the ban when a FEDERAL COURT made a court order to end it. You can't attribute that to Obama or Democrats because it was done by a court.

You also have several healthcare "accomplishments." On the other hand, Obama -- in secret negotiations -- bargained away both the public option and drug importation as a gift to the healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, in direct contravention of what he said in the campaign.

You can string together a list of every little thing the administraion has done, but you prove nothing. You're creating a big strawman and knocking him down. Nobody says that the President has done nothing. The point of contention is that, with each bullet point above, he could have gotten a better, more progressive outcome if he would fight for us.

On the other hand, since you reflexively defend anything Obama does, do you really care more about praising the man Obama than actually accomplishing progressive policy? If so, why?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

17. Being a Democratic president in a lake of Right wing piranhas

The man has come up against obstacles all the way, thrown in front of him by the Right and the corps. The worst thing he did is to compromise with the GOP on health and keep the wars going. He lost most of the people who were hoping for change but then he didn't have the votes - he was sold out by some of his own party.

He caught Osama Bin Laden!!!

[_ed_]

19. More straw men

Again, no one is saying that Obama hasn't accomplished ANYTHING in office (to respond to your breathless "He got Osama!" line). I'm arguing that in many significant cases, he has not fought for average people and accomplished nothing more than acceding to corporate America.

The Democratic Party had the Senate, House, and the Presidency from 2008-2010 -- he did "have the votes."

And, sorry but I just can't muster much sympathy for the most powerful man in the world beset on all sides by bloggers and lefty activists.

[aquamarina]

20. Spot On.

[woo me with science]

24. Superlative post. nt

[vaberella]

30. Actually many on this board and others do believe Obama has done NOTHING.

They've said as much. Other's have called him JUST LIKE BUSH. I don't see how any of this is fair...but it's allowed. Actually DADT has ended there are several threads to that affect on the board. Several courts have either put a "stay" on forcing offers to stay in position even if they want to leave under DADT and another court says the military must comply immediately and start accepting applications. As long as they court orders aren't responded to then it' over---and the DOJ will not fight them and said as much. It's over---you might like to think so. But it is.

Obama never bargained the Public Option. How do fellow Dems propagate lies? Never once did Obama sell out the PO. He tried to make a drug deal but even said to Congress---if you can do better with the Snowe-Durbin Act go at it. Fellow Dems joined Repubs to drop this when the President went on record to support it. As for the PO----Landrieu, Lincoln, Baucus, and Lieberman to name a few Dems (excluding Lieberman as the Independent) (repubs like Snowe and Collins said hell no with PO on the list) went on public record to state that if there is a PO they would fuck up Health Care Reform. We didn't barely had the votes for HCR in the first place. In order to ensure we get this thing moving and most of the bill remained intact---we needed all these people on board so the bill was past. PO was taken out---since it was the real issue. Why are you pushing another story that is completely false? Where do you get your information?

The point of contention is that people have unrealistic requests and ignore the facts. Your statements are a perfect explanation. Once again---many Liberals and a good number from this site and outside of it push the idea that he's done nothing. Or that what he has done is all bad, very Republican, and fucks the American people. Which is a lie. That is just what it is. As I've said before I think there are a few issues people are facing and then projecting their frustration on Obama. They thought they would get a Bush for the Democratic party. They would get someone who goes around the books to get things to go his way most of the time. Unfortunately Obama doesn't do this---because he believes that all parts of government has obligations and those obligations must be fulfilled. Secondly there is a good faction of Dems/Liberals who seem to want Obama to fail so they can say..."I told you so..."

The OP doesn't defend everything Obama does. While you claim they are throwing out a strawman. You've just done one of yourself. The hypocrisy is palpable here.

[_ed_]

37. You don't understand what "straw man" means

Look, I'm sure there are some people who post here that say he's done nothing. But, it's simply absurd and a straw man to say that the majority of those who criticize Obama from the left just say that he's accomplished nothing or fucked the country. It's a straw man to assert that critics of Obama see nothing positive from his administration.

As an aside, read this concerning the public option: http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/03/12/democrats

Also, you ignored the issue of drug importation being negotiated away to benefit Big Pharma.

Also, you're completely wrong about DADT. Congress and the Pres. passed a law that would have eventually ended DADT, but the process was mired in a "certification" from the heads of the different branches and the Pentagon. So, as of last week, DADT was in place. A federal court just issued an order stopping DADT. The Pentagon complied with the COURT ORDER. Otherwise, DADT would still be in place.

As to your assertion that I've created a straw man, let me help you out:

"A straw man is a component of an argument and is an informal fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position."

Prosense posted a laundry list of "accomplishments," many of which could be reasonably viewed as the opposite of an accomplishment. It's propaganda. I pointed out that this list is a retort to saying that "Obama has done nothing." I pointed out that no one who makes reasoned critques of Obama just says he did "nothing." Nowhere have I asserted a straw man. ProSense asserted that his list of "accomplishments" combats the "talking points of the day." I pointed out that his laundry list is (1) at times incorrect (see DADT) and (2) whitewashes many administration disappointments, like not fighting for a public option.

[SwampG8r]

82. kind of true

i have posted on this board asking why so many bush policies continue
that is not saying obama and bush are just alike
but the rabid (paid?) supporters of the man (obama)on DU cannot make this distinction
any critisism of Great Leader pulls their underoos into a state of permawad
i pray these people defending him here are unpaid
i would dislike seeing monies wasted so by such an untalented band of hacks

[ProSense]

35. Ah

"What is this meant to prove? No one asserts that Obama hasn't done anything in office. Those who criticize Obama from the left typically see those "accomplishments" as weak, ineffective to their stated ends, or the product of corporate scheming. "

...bullshit.

Which one's are "weak"? Everything can be stronger, but just calling accomplishments "weak" is the same as asserting that the President is a "failure."

[_ed_]

41. Look around the thread

I specifically cited the lack of a public option and a lack of drug importation as massive giveaways to corporate America and in direct contravention of his campaign promises. I also specifically stated that, although they passed a law that would have eventually ended DADT, a federal court just ACTUALLY ended DADT. The administration didn't do it, so it's not their accomplishment.

[ProSense]

44. Um

"I specifically cited the lack of a public option and a lack of drug importation as massive giveaways to corporate America and in direct contravention of his campaign promises."

...what?

What the hell does that have to do with the accomplishments listed in the OP? You made a little mini list of things that weren't accomplished and that's suppose to negate the accomplishments?

"I also specifically stated that, although they passed a law that would have eventually ended DADT, a federal court just ACTUALLY ended DADT. The administration didn't do it, so it's not their accomplishment."

Oh brother. Do you realize that the court based it's decision on the Obama administration's position and the repeal of the law?

Oh sorry, must not give Obama credit for anything!!!!

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ProSense]

47. Um

A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ordered the Pentagon on Wednesday to cease investigations and discharges of service members in violation of the ban on gays serving openly in the military. The ruling noted that the Obama administration has said it thinks another federal law — the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages — is unconstitutional.

link

...don't be so rude!!!!

[johnaries]

53. So, despite all of his other accomplishments, if you didn't get

everything YOU wanted, then NONE of it matters?

BTW, where is your proof that Obama bargained away the PO in "secret" negotiations? Those accusations were brought by PHARMA lobbyists - you believe them over him? Also, consider that he continued to push the PO right up until Lieberman made it clear he would filibuster the entire bill because of the PO. Which is also why PHARMA lobbyists made the accusation.

And Obama signed the repeal of DADT on DEC 22.

[jeff47]

99. The point is that entire list is minor achievements or not progressive

A law that strengthens the grip of insurance companies over health care is not progressive, for example.

Passing a repeal of DADT after it was already ruled invalid is not a major achievement. (The recent ruling is the _second_ ruling declaring it invalid. The first was stayed once Congress passed their repeal.)

So what's the list of achievements that are both major and progressive? Where'd the guy who believed in "hope" go?

[Tx4obama]

70. You're wrong. The military is now in the process of training. And Obama will sign certification

in one to two weeks.

The FACT remains that Congress passed the Repeal of DADT bill and Obama signed the bill into law.

You can't take that away from Congress, President Obama, and the democrats!

[jaxx]

21. Bookmarking this page for future reference.

It's great to see the progress that has been made.

K&R

[polichick]

25. Thanks for posting today's talking points - job well done.

[vaberella]

32. How are they today's talking points when they are accompolishments for the past few months

that had no publicity. But you see them as talking points? Just fuckin' unreal.

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ProSense]

36. Absurd! n/t

[polichick]

39. LOL - this isn't the first time you've used lists at times of high anxiety...

Or the second, or the third...

[ProSense]

40. Evidently

"LOL - this isn't the first time you've used lists at times of high anxiety..."

...there is a fear of lists?

Why? Don't want to be reminded that the President has made and still is making progress?

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ProSense]

43. Isn't that

a bid paranoid? Don't fear the list! Don't fear the list!

[Tx4obama]

73. I just did a search to see if there is a medical term for the phobia of 'the fear of lists'

I haven't yet found one, but if there isn't one someone should invent one ;)

[polmaven]

85. "Rosterphobia"...

A condition discoverd rith here on DU!

[Name removed]

113. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bhikkhu]

81. I think its the "memory of a goldfish" thing

where they say goldfish have basically no memory - they forget what one side of the tank was like by the time they get to the other side, so swimming around in a circle is like exploring exciting new territory.


I'm not sure if that's true or not, but it does seem like from one day to the next anything the president does seems to disappear from most memories. Lots of people - here in particular "just aren't sure if he's really even a democrat", and you often hear - on this site - questions as to whether he is truly incompetent or whether he is really trying to destroy the country.

Oddly enough, you can say that about the president but not about a poster, it seems.

Keep the lists coming regularly!

[johnaries]

51. So, even when presented with FACTS you refuse to admit

Obama's PROGRESSIVE accomplishments, and then attack the poster and imply that they are an "operative".

I find that very ......... interesting.

[polichick]

56. Sorry it went over your head.

[Phx_Dem]

60. That's fuuny. Facts and actual accomplishmenats are "kool aid."

Lol. Only in the world of the petty Obama deniers.

[ClarkUSA]

72. On the contrary, Obama supporters use lists like this to outline facts in times of great bullshit.

[jenmito]

31. Thank you for this very informative post. K&R.

[Palmer Eldritch]

33. Deet for Obamaphobes. Thanks.

[lunatica]

38. kick'd and rec'd

Thanks for posting facts.

[Whisp]

50. hearty recommend.

but lists make some people go ballistic here. they hate any kind of credit for Obama, and in list/point form - Bezerkdom!

[cry baby]

55. thank you for the reminders!! k&r

[Phx_Dem]

57. Great compilation, ProSense! rec.

[Tx4obama]

59. K&R. Thank you for posting a LIST! I love lists! :) n/t

Edited to add:

And here is a link to another long list (with citation links):

http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html

[Fire1]

61. Thanks Prosense. I needed an updated list. n/t

[Scurrilous]

62. K & R

:thumbsup:

[madamesilverspurs]

63. Delighted to K and R!!!

[Peacetrain]

64. K & R kiddo..

[donheld]

66. You forgot 18000 jobs created

[woo me with science]

68. !!!!!!!

:thumbsup:

[ClarkUSA]

71. Why don't you tell us how many jobs have been created since Pres. Obama has been in office?

Compared to Bush II's last year or so?

[woo me with science]

76. You want some pretty blue links?

You know, at a certain point all the shilling just becomes black comedy: :puke:


US Unemployment Rises on Stagnant Job Creation
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5inTbu_2oXJSUDLwBprrXZupv70nQ?docId=CNG.b25e50471bf7cd80f49ff0b9169e31d7.51

More Woes for Obama as Umemployment Rises
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/07/09/3265337.htm?section=business

Rise in US jobless rate dims economic recovery
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/world/rise-in-us-jobless-rate-dims-economic-recovery/story-e6frg90o-1226091175123

The Worst Time to Slow the Economy (with spending cuts and deficit obsession)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/opinion/sunday/10sun1.html

The No-Jobs Economy: Why isn't the US Recovery Stronger?
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0710/The-no-jobs-economy-Why-isn-t-the-US-recovery-stronger

Obama Aide's Comment on Unemployment a Gift to Republicans
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2011/0708/Obama-aide-s-comment-on-unemployment-a-gift-to-Republicans

The Disappearing Black Middle Class
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/6397110-418/the-disappearing-black-middle-class.html

Veterans face high unemployment
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-veteranjobs-20110711,0,3234204.story


Now, go on and post the meaningless numbers you have massaged to make the economy look as good as possible (Were you the one who fantastically described this stagnation as a "soft patch in the economy" today?). We still have 16 percent "real" unemployment, and that supposedly "real" number does not even include people who have dropped off the radar entirely. Those numbers reflect actual human beings who cannot afford to pay their rent and feed their children.

One more bit of counsel before I leave this futile exchange in weary, but typical disgust: At a certain point, when you persist in sneering and minimizing and denying the actual pain people are experiencing under this President, you alienate your attempted audience rather than winning any sympathy to your argument.

[ClarkUSA]

79. You didn't answer my question.

[woo me with science]

94. Quick look over there!

:eyes:

[ClarkUSA]

95. Why won't you answer the question? Hmm?

[Tx4obama]

75. Don't get too excited about a 'misleading' comment. n/t

[donheld]

77. Lock step?

[ClarkUSA]

80. Negative Nelly?

[Name removed]

93. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ClarkUSA]

69. You forgot "Private payrolls rise by 157K in June... double the 70K increase expected by economists"

"Private payrolls rise by 157,000 in June"

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Private-sector employment rose 157,000 in June, according to Automatic Data Processing Inc.’s employment report released Thursday, in what could be a signal that the recent economic soft patch may not last long.

The headline number surprised Wall Street, coming in more than double the 70,000 increase expected by economists.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=705468&mesg_id=705468

[Tx4obama]

74. And you forgot to add in all the other months into the number you posted. n/t

June: The private sector kicked in 57,000 jobs, but government laid off 39,000 people.
Lay the blame at the feet of the GOP.

Note: As you can see by the graph, Obama (blue) turned around the Bush (red) job losses and for the past 16 months there have been 'positive' increases'.

Edited to add:

It’s Spending Cuts By Republicans That Have Led To Joblessness

Here are the facts:

Although the private sector added 57,000 jobs in June, that tiny progress was reduced by the 39,000 jobs shed by federal, state and local governments, much of which came from education. As David Leonhardt noted in The Times on Friday, cutbacks in state and local spending have cost the economy about a million public-sector jobs over the last two years, in part because the federal stimulus program, bitterly opposed by Republicans, ended too soon.

SNIP

http://www.alan.com/2011/07/10/its-spending-cuts-by-republicans-that-have-led-to-joblessness/

[ProSense]

88. Hmmmm?

"You forgot 18000 jobs created"

I assume you didn't read the first line of the OP: "Yes, the job market is still lagging, "

Here's the trend in private sector job growth:



...and with government job losses factored in:



Massive red to blue. Saving the country from another depression is a good thing.

[Tx4obama]

78. Obama's actual record on COLA and Social Security. - LINK

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x706954

[druidity33]

84. K&R, but...

Obama has been anything but a fierce advocate for Elizabeth Warren. Your link header says: Appointing Elizabeth Warren to establish the first-ever Consumer Financial Protection Bureau but the link leads to an article titled: An Agency Builder, but Not Yet Its Leader. Obama has had opportunities to actually appoint her, and she HAS support. You don't even want to get me started on Dawn Johnsen. At appointments in general, he's been lousy.

I'm happy to applaud his achievements, but at the same time i see quite a few items on your list that count what i would consider fatal COMPROMISES as accomplishments.


:shrug:

[polmaven]

86. Elizabeth Warren has said

she doesn't WANT the appointment....Should President Obama become a "fierce advocate" to push her into an appointment she doesn't want??? :shrug:

[ClarkUSA]

87. This may be why: Elizabeth "Warren Looks More Like A Senate Candidate"

Elizabeth Warren's calendar "sure looks like the schedule of a woman considering a Senate bid, or at least someone being courted by power players in Massachusetts and the Senate Democrats' campaign operation in Washington," Roll Call reports.

In recent weeks, Warren has met in person or spoken on the phone with DSCC Chairwoman Patty Murray, David Axelrod, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and a variety of Massachusetts lawmakers.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/07/09/warren_looks_more_like_a_senate_candidate.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PoliticalWire+%28Political+Wire%29

Furthermore, "Elizabeth Warren Didn't Want Permanent Appointment To CFPB: Frank":
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=warren+doesn't+want+permanent+position&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

[jeff47]

89. Obama's been fine at easy stuff

He's done a terrible job at the hard stuff.

For example, the economic "accomplishments" in your list consist mostly of tax cuts which are not terribly effective stimulus. But they're easy.

But the health care bill, the stimulus bill, DOMA, Card Check, economic stimulus in general - he's just accepts Republican "solutions" when it comes to hard stuff.

And don't give me the "he can't get it through Congress!" crap. For example, they didn't have to spend their first two years pretending the stimulus bill was "just right", opening the door for the Republicans to win in 2010 by running on jobs.

All presidents have a fatal flaw. W's was having the mentality of an 8 year old. For Clinton it was women. H.W.'s ego. Reagan's stupidity. Carter was too nice. Ford was a party man. Nixon: win at all costs. And so on.

Obama's flaw is his unwavering belief in the grand bargain. He so wants to go down in history for one that he's not willing to fight for anything. It might drive away the Republicans and he won't get his transcend-party-lines grand bargain. He fails to see the reality of the situation, where the Republicans are not at all interested in bargaining. No matter how nice he is to them.

[ProSense]

90. Yeah,

for 100 years, other Presidents simply passed on health care reform so that Obama could have the easy job of getting it done. Lucky him!!!

[jeff47]

91. My point is he failed to get it done.

The most charitable description of the health care legislation is it creates a framework for the eventual solution. Public options in the exchanges which then drive private insurers out. Plus the very beginnings of trying to separate "work" from healthcare. So 30 years from now, the job might get done.

The health care bill is a band-aid that covers the worst abuses while not solving the underlying problem. It's not terrible, but that doesn't make it "good".

[ProSense]

92. Oh,

he got it done.

"So 30 years from now, the job might get done."

Um, 30 years"?

[Name removed]

97. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TheKentuckian]

107. Perhaps in some alternate reality. In this one better deals were punted because they

were too shitty to swallow and entrenched a predatory cartel.

We could have had this turkey decades ago when the likes of Nixon and the Heritage Foundation started pushing the weasel scheme.

This may be the worst incarnation, giving the predatory cartel the IRS as a customer retention enforcer and an individual mandate that most folks take whatever their employer dictates. Yup, set an insane precedent that the government can dictate we all purchase from the company store under penalty of law. Anything they can get Congress to agree to, strictly on the strength of the Commerce Clause.

Lucky him, he is the first President, including the too close to Republican Clinton to screw the people so in exchange for a few at cost plus reasonable profit, bones.

For crying out loud our principle price control is giving the cartel a key to the treasury to raid after they have picked us to the bone.

[politicasista]

96. A lurking kick

If no one minds a borrowing of of your quotes. :kick:

[politicasista]

100. meant to say "one of your quotes" n/t

[RoadRage]

101. Well this list makes it more difficult to vote for Bachman/Palin next November...

/Sarcasm Off.

Great Post... i'm often amazed at the very short term memories of some members here at DU. Obama does one thing they DON'T like, or doesn't do something like they'd have done it (in the face of oppossition that also gets a vote) and all of a sudden they're not going to vote for the guy next time.. because the Republican Alternative would be so much better.

[WiffenPoof]

102. If We Have To Explain...

I'm reminded of the old saying that "If I have to explain it to you, you wouldn't understand."

That is how I feel about those who constantly cheerlead for our President.

What I think is impossible for them to understand is that it has very little to do with what he has accomplished. No one is arguing that President Obama has not accomplished things while in office. The issue is one of principle. I would challenge any extreme supporter of the President to defend some of the decisions he has made or just some of the promises he has broken. Ask yourself:

Has he upheld and fought for the most basic principles hard earned by the Democratic Party?

I think when you look at it fairly and objectively, you cannot conclude that he has been an enthusiastic supporter of Dem principles. I just don't see it.

And don't tell me that I never supported our President. I did...and whether you believe it or not, I still do. But there is no getting around the fact that he has disappointed a lot of people...mostly progressives (you know...progressives that were once known as Democrats).

Ask yourself how so many people (particularly here at DU) have become so disappointed. Do you honestly believe that we are all just crazy or didn't "get our pony?" Doesn't it seem obvious that there is clear evidence that people like me and others use to come to the conclusion that our President is not what we believed we were electing...or even a dedicated Democrat? Do you think that we would have come to these conclusions just out of the blue...without a shred of examples that added together almost demand a conclusion many of us believe in??? I can't see how any true Democrat can witness the actions of the President and still conclude that he is a loyal party member. It baffles me.

We, who criticize the President are not crazy...really we're not. We don't hold some secret agenda because we hate black people or feel he is a horrible person.

Anyone frequenting this board that is under the age of thirty has absolutely no idea what it means to have a real Democratic President. My daughter is one of them. She doesn't want to hear anything bad about President Obama. Anyone under thirty simply has not experienced the application of true Democratic principles by a President of the United States. This is not their fault...they simply don't have that experience. The trouble is, their "Democratic bar" is set pretty low. For them, this President represents THEM. While the old Dems are now considered to be some left-wing whacko, communist, pinko pigs....We are now on the fringe because we want to maintain the principles that made our party great...the Party of the People.

If you support everything that the President has done...ask yourself if there is anyone in our government individually or collectively that represents the original principles of the Democratic Party. Has the President? Not to this old Dem. So, as far as I'm concerned, we have no party of the people...not the Repubs or the Dems. There is no representation for the middle class..there is no consideration unless you are a part of a corporate entity.

Call me crazy if you would like. That is your privilege and your right...and maybe even your obligation. But don't tell me that we have a party of the people anymore. They left with FDR and LBJ. We either have principles that we fight for or we cannot call ourselves true Democrats.

-P

[ProSense]

103. Hmmm?

Has he upheld and fought for the most basic principles hard earned by the Democratic Party?

After all, the things in the OP are decidedly not Democratic principles, and even if they are, Obama certainly didn't fight for them.

What a crock.

"We, who criticize the President are not crazy...really we're not. We don't hold some secret agenda because we hate black people or feel he is a horrible person. "

WTF?

[WiffenPoof]

104. uh....Not sure how to respond.

I think you understand my point, right?

If my line about "having a secret agenda" doesn't apply to you...then don't apply it. Can you address the main point(s) of my post or is it what I indicated in the first line..."that if I have to explain it to you...etc. etc."

Would you give us (me) a hint on what generation you are from...your age...what Dem Presidents were in office besides Clinton and Obama?

(Just a friendly request).

-P

[ProSense]

105. "If my line about 'having a secret agenda' doesn't apply to you...then don't apply it."

That line is bizarre!

Any fucking person can claim the President isn't standing up for Democratic principles. What the hell does hating "black people" have to do with criticizing the President or claiming he doesn't stand up for Democratic principles.

[WiffenPoof]

106. Why Are We Fighting About...

... a throw away line that may not apply to you. I was merely saying that it is possible and even likely that there may be some who think we are critical of the President because he is an African American. If it doesn't apply to you...skip it.

I've always enjoyed reading your posts, but it sounds like you are pretty sensitive. I'm not trying to offend you personally...Geeze.

More to the point of my post...

Do you agree or disagree that the Dem Party has become more conservative in the last thirty years? (one of the points of my post)

Do you agree or disagree that anyone under thirty years old has not really experienced a Dem President? (one of the points of my post)

Do you agree or disagree that there is no representation for the "people?" (one of the points of my post)

Do you agree or disagree that we no longer have people who represent the principles of the Democratic Party? (one of the points of my post)

If you disagree...that is fine. You have that right and obligation.

-P

On Edit: If you are not going to address the points of my post and sidetrack it on a minor point, than I'm not sure how to respond to you. If you don't understand what I'm trying to say, maybe it is one of those situations where "if I try to explain it to you, you won't understand" applies.

-P

[ProSense]

108. Fighting?

It was simply bizarre.

"Do you agree or disagree that the Dem Party has become more conservative in the last thirty years?"

Of course, going back to the Clinton years, Obama has reversed or is making progress toward reversing/improving 1990s policies, including DOMA, DADT, Glass-Steagall repeal (implemenatation of the Volcker Rule), trade and more are signs that the party is more conservative.

More Senators supporting marriage equality is definitely more conservative than say 1990.

More pro labor Senators is to the right of the party in the 1980s.

The Democratic Party isn't more conservative. It's that the Republicans have been testing the electorate with every right wing policy they can advance. Keep electing them and Democrats have to deal with them.

Do you think there would be a big debate about the debt ceiling with Nancy Pelosi as Speaker?

Americans gave us a GOP controlled House and Speaker Boehner. That's the reality.

Where have all the Presidents that were left of Obama gone: Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush?

I miss them!!!!

[Mimosa]

114. Excellent. You said it, Whiffenpoof.

Of course the critics will vote for Obama. There's no alternative.

But imagine how we'd fight for him if he fought for us. :(

[Vattel]

110. same bullshit list

"First major federal anti-poverty effort in decades" LOL.

[ProSense]

111. "same bullshit list"

Who gives a shit about the CFPB, EPA, Medicaid, conservation, homelessness?

What "bullshit"!!!

[Vattel]

112. Look, I would reason with you, but what's the point of that?

You don't listen to reason. I don't deny that there are some genuine accomplishments to be proud of in your list. But the list has a lot of bullshit items too.

[ProSense]

115. "You don't listen to reason."

Like this?

"I don't deny that there are some genuine accomplishments to be proud of in your list. But the list has a lot of bullshit items too."

Yeah, like the anti-poverty initiative, right?

[ProSense]

116. Evidently,

some so-called progressives are wondering what could have been if McCain had won!