The Americn President Barack Obama, M.I.A. Part 3

I hope that major change includes a few hundred new faces on both sides of the aisle in Congress.

If that happened it would be no skin off my back, that's for sure. :)

I've been arguing for new faces for awhile. That's why I was for Whatshisface from Mass. when he won. I have to admit, I was for him before I was against him.

Time for the old goats in congress, that have been there for ever, to step aside. They've proven themselves quite enough for me. Now it's time to get some new blood in there and see what they can do.

And one of my Flip Flops Broke too. LOL !

I agree with your last statement. Looking forward to the congressional election myself. i've got this feeling the Obamabots are still out there in numbers, even if they didn't get anything from his generosity. That Obama money was just flowing in the wrong direction, but they don't seem to care much, as long as someone got it. (heavy sigh).

A congress that can control themselves and Mr. Obama would be a good thing. :)

Right now they look like those women storming the store thats having the biggest wedding dress sale of all time. Groan.

I hope your right Owl. Congress and contolling themselves, could be a tall order though. They never seem to learn their lesson even after a whoopin' at the ballot box.

One thing I would love to see, and not because he could win the presidency, although anything's possible, but to see Newt get the nomination and watch those debates with him and Mr. Obama.

Aahh! That would be good times.

We've all seen Mr. Obama speak on his own, and he doesn't do so good when that chain is put on his shoulder.

Is Rahm still telling him what to do ? Those beginnings of Mr. Obama when he was speaking at the press conferences was too funny. Mr. Obama spoke and Rahm kept nodding in agreement, Hand on chin and finger over mouth, just like a mother watching her kid in his first play. I thought he would need a tissue during those touching moments.

We need new blood in there by gosh. These touching moments from Mr. Obama and congress are killing us. Can't afford that movie anymore. We're all tapped out.

You read my mind. Man your good.

A Bit late, but my oldest ordered Chinese and the guys at the door. My oldest is buying, WoooHooo.

Stay safe as always yourself Owl.

Happy Thanksgiving !!

That ones for everyone too. :)

the analogy to a corporation is not relatable to this. these are independant branches of government. the congress had a job to do and failed. bottom line. it's not the Presidents job to do their job for them. He's tried and tried and i don't fault him a bit for letting them do their job. I'll leave your right-wing echo chambre now.

Are there not different departments within a large corporation with individual managers that have one main boss ?

If the managers aren't doing their job, "The Big Boss Steps in" to find out why and make things right.

Analogy fits.

There are three co-equal branches of our gov't. You tell congress the President is their boss and check the reaction. This is not a corporation.

he's a right-winger that can't or won't budge from his lies. they all think that if they throw enough @!$%# against the wall, some low IQ morons will thinks it's gold and buy into it.

#3.14 reported CoH violation. Really? And we're supposed to believe that YOU, a "science thinker" are somehow smarter than those you just blasted?

Schools on Vacation kjmgirl. These types are all over the vine today.

What we think government should be run like, and how it's actually run (failing business) just doesn't come into thinking for Progressives.

The Repubs did compromise on Tax Increases. They offered over 300 billion in new tax revenue. For a Republican to even offer that was huge, since they have said over and over again, we will not raise taxes.

The Repubs did compromise on Tax Increases. They offered over 300 billion in new tax revenue.

Not sure who you are trying to sell that to Jeremy:

And it is not clear that Republican leaders could sell even the $300 billion tax increase to their rank and file. On Nov. 4, a group of 33 Republican senators sent a letter to members of the committee warning that any deal must have “no net tax increase.”

In the House, members of the Republican Study Committee circulated a letter insisting that “repeal of any tax credit or deduction must be offset with an equal or greater tax credit.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/opinion/republicans-are-endangering-national-security.html

Say what, too much sentence run on to get what your saying so I'll say this.

Bush tax cuts unpaid for

2 wars unpaid for

Part D medicare unpaid for.

Tell me, where were all these fiscal hawks when Bush was driving the Country into a ditch.

John,

Please even my 6 year old nephew could understand what bob was saying, yet you couldn't?

Bush Tax Cuts unpaid for... You do not PAY for a tax cut. The budget should of been cut by the amount of income lost due to the cut. ( much like we all had to do when our paycheck got cut ) They did not cut the budget..

Medicare D - Ill admit I do not know much about it, never looked into it since I am nowhere near retirement age.

Unpaid for wars. I have issues with this, because they were not considered in the budget books, but every dime spent was approved by congress. You know the people who hold the purse strings in this country. The Dems have had control since 2007 if im not mistaken.. So you can bitch at them too. So technically yes they were funded.

MANY MANY fiscal hawks have been screaming for a long time, you just like to copy paste your talking points and blame the other party.

FACT is, both parties got us into this mess. BUSH and the Republicans have spent like they were drunk. FACT IS, Obama and the Dems have spent even more then Bush and the Republicans.

Take off your political blinders....

Obama should of done more with the committee. Hell put brain dead Joe Biteme as the leader of the committee so Obama can " lead " through him. Sadly I think that Obama would rather someone else do the official leading and he just be the mouthpiece.

We need a leader, not a mouthpiece.

Bush Tax Cuts unpaid for... You do not PAY for a tax cut.

Say that when the GOP demands offsets to extend the payroll tax cuts.

Really sistagirl? Did you miss ANY of the parts where the Democrats weren't helping the cause? Duh... it takes two to tango.

Kjmgrl. . .the President still has the majority of his democratic members support. We know who his enemies are and they are the repubs as they are lead by Mitch.

you keep right on believing that. And when he is DEFEATED by his democratic "supporters" and independents and moderate centrists and libertarians and all the rest - you can just throw up your hands and say WTF???

kjmgirl....It is a known fact that congressional democrats are not the most courageous; they need backbones for sure. And when you finally choose a candidates from the clown show we are all seeing, I say good luck on that.

Fla Pat. . .Just another hit piece to criticize the President more. . They do what they do best.

Just who is "they?" Anyone who doesn't agree with YOU? FYI, I'm not a Republican and I know that the author of this article is not a right wing conservative, but rather a "moderate". So, in fact, LOTS of factions have a problem with the President. You know, those of us who THINK about his performance rather than simply bow down in supplication like Obama's some kind of friggin god.

khmgirl....if you can THINK then so can those congress members that our tax dollars are paying. But as this author is trying to imply, they need the President to hold their hands and THINK for them too. And then when he is finished THINKING and getting an agreement they will then do a 360 and all vote against it as we have seen. Like you, I too do not agree with everything this President has recommended, but we and our congress are suppose to be adults willing to listen to one another. The repubs are set in their ideology of no taxes and holding to the Norquest pledge. The negotiation involves both parties, but when one refuses to give, then there is no compromise and therefore no positive outcome. And whether the President was there are not, if the repubs refuse to give, then it would have still failed; and you and this author would then be calling him again a failure because of that too. Putting all the blame on this President is not going to get issues solved. It is the leadership that lead their members; and what exactly has the republican leadership said? Oh yea......OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL IS TO DEFEAT THE PRESIDENT. So with that do you really think they are trying to get anything positive done?

I love it when you all talk the stupidity of Obama being our God all because we are supporting him. Are you jealous too like the republican leadership and members were? Stop projecting your wish for a POTUS to be your God. Reagan is dead.

AND once again yet another person insists that since I don't support Obama I must be a Republican. Well, guess what - I'm NOT. Let me educate you on a couple of things

a) NorQUIST (not Norquest) is completely unimportant to Americans. Most don't know or care who he is. He is not an elected official and therefore has NO impact on America

b) The republicans in the Super committee offered TAX REFORM as part of their compromise - it was rejected. The tax reform package would have LOWERED tax rates, but reduced and eliminated loopholes to result in MORE revenue.

c) The democrats had absolutely no intention of compromising. Why? Because if they refused to compromise the automatic cuts would kick in and they wouldn't be held responsible "The Republicans did it" and because any of them up for election did NOT want to be responsible for spending cuts.

d) The president has an absolute vested interest in the Super Committee's failure. It will provide countless "soundbites" for him to use while campaigning - instead of FIXING government. A Leader does that - fixes things.

Perhaps you do not remember a President named Clinton - he was a complete A-hole his first two years - refused to compromise on anything, called the Republicans names, blamed them for all the problems... and would NEVER have gotten re-elected except for one thing - he discovered something called DETENTE. Look it up.

And lets make this clear ONE MORE TIME - I AM NOT A REPUBLICAN

he discovered something called DETENTE. Look it up.

An easing of tensions between nations?? I thought the cold war was over by the Clinton years?

Kjmgirl....I don't care what your political leanings are whether you be republican, independent or democrat. And I'm sorry you don't support this President, but I do and won't apologize. Whether most American people know about Norquest or not he is the one holding the republican congress by the balls. If they vote to increase any taxes they will reap his wrath. They are the ones that are scared stupid and would hold up any help to their constituents or the American people. The tax reform offered by the repubs was too small and it still gave the top a tax break with a lowered rate of 28%. Basically the repubs are still protecting their contributors and the hell with all the rest. Were the democrats suppose to just go along with that crap? This president has no vote in congress, it is the legislative body that does the bill and the President signs them. If I recall he did composed a bill, the JOBS BILL, and ask for a review, their improvements and eventually their votes. How did that work out? You still want The President to lead and somehow make the repubs do as he says, what a joke on your part. How can he make Mitch McConnell take back his words of DEFEAT FOR HIM? Maybe Mitch should just say he's sorry and that will make everything all right, hum? Why don't you put some of that disappointment where it belongs....on the repubs for WANTING THE PRESIDENT TO FAIL. Or maybe you like many others need a scapegoat.

Have a nice Thanksgiving.

first, fla pat, detente does not mean easing of tensions between nations but between any opposing parties on a political context. next, sistagirl, what difference does the tax rate really make? its a question of reveenue, not rate. and the jobs bill wasactually a biig fat joke. but i can see i am talking with someone who sees everything iin terms of sound bites. obama says jobs bill and you assume it will work. try doing some independent research. you have obviously not bothered. by the way i am libertarian which means i am quite liberal on many issues and conserv on others. but what i never do is just assume that because a bill has a catchy name that it is good legislation

kjmgirl...and as I stated again I do not care about your political title, Ms. libertarian. What sound bite did I use? The "Job's Bill"???? I do believe it actually is a bill that was scored by the CBO that said it would, guess what.....produce jobs. Jobs that included infrastructure spending in almost every state. Infrastructure like for repairing roads, bridges and schools. etc. Infrastructure spending that many republicans have approved in the past and that is needing desperately. But somehow for some reason all the repubs voted against that bill. Gee, I wonder why? When the republican senate sponsored their "real jobs bill" (a real catchy name) exactly how many jobs would it have produced as scored by the CBO? Has it even been scored, cause we really are not hearing much about it.

When it boils down, these repubs do not want to do anything right now to improve the economy. They are being led by their god and masters. And instead of you calling them out for being obstructionist and failing to do their job, you'd rather put all the blame on one man, the POTUS. It is the congress's job to work together and do the legislating for the good of ALL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. But too many are busy playing politics and standing with their one god...Norquest. And I repeat when the senate republican leader says his number one goal is to make the POTUS a one termer, then you please explain to me (since you say I'm stuck on sound bites) exactly how does that sound bite produce a positive for our President? I and many heard that sound bite of Mitch McConnell; and it is nothing positive for this President nor the American people. But I'm sure you don't care cause you're a Libertarian....sarc.

first, fla pat, detente does not mean easing of tensions between nations

You said look it up; I did:

dé·tente

dé·tente [day tnt, day tNt]
or de·tente [day tnt, day tNt]
n
easing of tension between nations: a relaxation of tension or hostility between nations

[Early 20th century. From French , “relaxation” (see detent).]
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Fla Pat:

Détente (French for "relaxation")^[1] is the easing of strained relations, especially in a political situation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9tente

Sistagirl: Whatever. I'm talking to a wall, so I'll save my breath.

We need to designate and agree upon a specific reference source for future discussions.

Now I must recover from the Miami / Dallas game :(

Have a great Thanksgiving evening.

Olwsview....you may say Norquest holds no power over the repubs in congress but obvious they think differently. What have we heard and seen but of the republicans all refusing to raise taxes to help our deficit and service our nation's needs. Everything cost money from programs, services and departments running efficiently, yet we have been losing revenue for years, even before Obama. It is your so called objective view of Obama that you would equate his qualification of President with that of Michelle Bachman's. She was bat azz crazy even before she put in her bid to run. You honestly view our President as divisive..wow!!! I can still remember watching on election day the joy of many citizens who too had hopes and dreams that everything spoken and promised by this President would come to fruition. Most of his promises were kept despite those little emergencies he had to handle like the pirates, oil pipe ruptures, terrorist plots, etc; and let's not forget a hostile, obstructionist and fillibustering republican congress. But despite all that, he along with his majority democrats got a lot accomplished. It was unfortunate that it was not fast enough and the voters got suckered into believing the lies told by the republicans. The same republican who got this nation in the mess that it is today. So what have we seen now that the repubs have control of the house? What have the house republicans accomplished legislatively that would benefit the American people? You want to forget party and ideology, but look at the man, President Obama. Well, if the man was just running things, I think we would be better off, but you can not just look at one person. The congress all have a role to play in this government thingy. And as we see some are indeed stuck on their ideology; shall we just disregard it? You can not just turn a blind eye to what this President has had to endure throughtout his entire term in office. Whether it was many of his spineless democratic members, the obstructionist republicans or some republican congress members even considering his presidency illegitimate, he, the man had to deal with all of that. There is no Presidency manual, this is an on the job learning job. We see now that he has learned that that bi-partisan stuff he wanted and trying to change the tone in congress does not work so good, does it? You can not change a group of individuals who want to destroy your Presidency. Do you consider them divisive? And as they plot and vote in unison against the man, President Obama, if they take our nation down in the process as Boehner once said....so be it.

the ole messiah talk again....man, you people really have it bad.

owls....oh, is it an insult? You are the one that wrote....

We aren't voting for or against any ideologies, we are looking for more mundane needs, like jobs and homes and food for our families. A little economic know how. Some business acumen. Not some morality messiah.

So exactly who is this morality messiah? And when it comes down to ideologies, it is the repubs that are still stuck on that ole trickle down theories that cutting taxes on the "job creators" would be a bad thing. They want to make the Bush's tax cuts permanent even though taxes are at their lowest and we have the data that showed no jobs were created. We have republican candidates even proposing more tax cuts for business. Give it a rest!!! Let's cut taxes for businesses that are sitting on billions of dollars and starve programs of its monies to citizens who are having a hard time in this economy. Stupidity abounds in our congress and that is who we need to replace. Let's put in those who actally want to communicate and compromise instead of trying to defeat a Presidency.

peter, are you suggesting that private companies have no right to make a profit? that people cant shop around for a bank with low fees? that all mortgages should have the same rates despite the differences in peoples credit history? it appears you think we should move to a system with eliminates free markets and capitalism. i also find your penchant for invoking bush's name to be a typical strategy of the progressive left to deflect from obamas history of bad actions or inaction. Have you stopped beating your wife?

I know all about mortgages, that is my business.

As far as banks - the FREE MARKET will determine whether or not they will or will not lower fees. And even when you open a checking account, the type of account you qualify for is based on your credit history - I have a no fee account at PNC bank. An acquaintence of mine cannot open ANY accounts at that bank because of her history of overdrafts and writing bad checks.

The question about beating your wife was a rhetorical reference (used often over the last 100 years, I believe) to asking a question that has NO "winning" answer. Either way you answer the question makes you look bad.