Obama Presidency Discussion Thread

[eiriksmil]

So happy for the United States right now
I can assure you, Obama is not a socialist. Democrats are like ten times more to the right than our right-most party, and our socialist parties aren't really socialists either, more social democrats.

 

[Kylehnat]

Put America in the freezer for four years... the rotting has begun.

The rotting began when George W Bush was "elected" in 2000. He is the worst president this country has had in a long time (perhaps ever), and the only way to go is up. Go ahead, be a wimp, and "sleep" for the next 4 years. The rest of us have had to live an 8-year nightmare at the hands of Captain Retard. Let's see what happens when a smart person is in charge.

 

[Duke]

The rotting began when George W Bush was "elected" in 2000. He is the worst president this country has had in a long time (perhaps ever)...

Not even remotely true. Read up on your history a little more, and consider the root causes of many of our current socio-economic ills.

 

[Pupik]

Nothing's changed but the weather, and the name on the letterheads, to be honest.

I think many people are going to feel better emotionally for a little while, but let's check back in 2-6 years to see if anything has really changed. I honestly doubt much will happen, perhaps slightly improved race-relations and grudges between whites and blacks. There were no staggering changes to the United States of America once Clinton nor Bush took office, other than a few dozen members in the White House suddenly pounding the pavement with their resumes.

The president is a largely ceremonial figurehead for the United States, who spouts out a feel-good message once a week to us like a bunch of seals. And cry or cheer as you might, that's how it should be, since the President should not wield absolute power and control over its people and its destiny without judicial and legislative layers of to protect everyone.

But congratulations and good luck to Barack Obama, anyhow. He's going to need it. And finally, I can watch TV again without being manipulated by corporations and activist groups...Er, wait a second...

 

[Delirious]

I just hope somehow even a few of Obama's promises come true.

I have my faith and reason in his proclaimed hope and change.

Maybe he can do some good. One can only hope...right?

 

[Kylehnat]

Not even remotely true. Read up on your history a little more, and consider the root causes of many of our current socio-economic ills.

I didn't say he is the root cause of our current socio-economic ills. He's just been horrible for this country's unity and image, which has been a bit destabilizing to say the least.

 

[Pako]

What can a president do without the support of his congress? There is certainly more than just the faults of one man.

If anything, we should see some things move alone quickly without the tug of war between parties and their agenda's. To put it simply, I honestly pray for smart decisions in this next term because things are going to move.

 

[FoolKiller]

Seeing how many of us drive hours to go to Indiana and Kentucky, especially, to gamble the decision is a no-brainer.

Gamble, in Kentucky? Just horse races right? We are attempting to get gambling, but first our governor is busy trying to get the courts to allow the state to take ownership of all gambling Web sites so that he can set up his own state run online gambling that will go with the new casinos he is promising.

Since rich people only get 1 vote each, and there are many more poor people and old people in the US, it doesn't really matter what the rich people think, now does it?

No, but the Constitution is there to prevent the majority from taking over the minority. Too bad we quit following it long ago.

Racism is alive and well.

The combo breaker pic in the funny picture thread as well as the demographic numbers from polling have told me that race played a huge roll in this election. If it weren't for that I wonder if Obama would have won.

The funny thing is that any time someone brought race up the Obama supporters would ask to leave race out of it. The question I have is: Did Obama's camp really want to leave race out of it or was it a strategy to lead black voters to feel they had to counteract the supposed racist vote from the Republican side?

Possible reaction of the red states(home of the biggest biggots):

You better explain that. Red states, aka Republican leaning, does not immediately make them a bigot. Obama had a ton of other issues to not like besides his skin color.

I just hope somehow even a few of Obama's promises come true.

Don't get your expectations up. Obama's camp themselves were trying to tone down those expectations last week.

Crazy thing: Obama cannot do all the things he says he can do by himself. Any president who promises to actually do anything is lying, or shows no understanding of how the job works. It relies on Congress to agree, and then the judiciary to say it is allowed. If this judiciary does what they are supposed to do then almost none of Obama's promises will come to pass.

 

[Delphic Reason]

God Bless America.

Today, for the first time in a very long time, I feel like I can hold my head up high as an American citizen.

A clean non-hostile transfer of government.

When you consider how many people there are in the United States. How many different ideals, committees, insurance groups, party affiliates, tax brackets, social status, etc... How complex the organization and execution of the electoral process is, you get a picture for how miraculous such a smooth transition in ones government is. We've come along way as a society. Whether you're talking about the last 100 years, or the last 8 years, we've stumbled, picked ourselves back up, only to fall back on our faces. Yet, today, we've seen the completion of a successful election. Democracy in action at it's finest. No matter your candidate, or your party affiliate, today the system worked and it worked smoothly. Like it or not, the past 8 years has been a time of embarrassment for U.S. foreign relations. I think this is definitely a step in the right direction for the evolution of the social and economic reality in the United States, and to a large part how we are viewed to the rest of the world. We can only speculate as to exactly what is going to happen next. How he will handle the exit strategy for the War, how we will fix the economy realistically. So many questions, and some trepidation to be sure. Yet, in my opinion Barack Obama was the right choice, and I believe he will put is heart and soul into his position as the voice of the people, and facilitator of the people's ideals.

Today I am proud to be an American.

 

[Duke]

The 2004 election was successful. It may not have had the outcome you wanted, but it was just as clean and successful as the 2008 election was last night. Why were you not proud to be an American then?

Don't think for a minute that there wouldn't have been a blizzard of protests and fingerpointing if this election had been close.

 

[Omnis]

I can't tell if the little wink at the end means that post is sarcastic. Maybe you need a [/ HUGE WINK ]

Seriously, though. America was set up to lose from the get go. And the problems didn't start with Bush, they were just heavily exacerbated.

 

[Bones Brigade]

Karl Rove.

I didn't think people actually took him seriously.

I guess there has to be a balance for the 9/11 Truthers though.

 

[FoolKiller]

A humorous take on the results.

http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/black_man_given_nations

 

[RACECAR]

Ignore this post

 

[Giancarlo]

Yes, as we prepare to put our economy even further on the line of either returning or failing completely. As I've said before, I can't wait to see what promises he keeps and what issues he sides with.

Yes. Obama would be the first politician to ever fall short on his/her promises.

Obama will not be considered a good president when his term comes to an end. With all these false hopes people have, it's just not possible.

 

[FoolKiller]

I was noting that ironic, alot of states mccain were southern states, where race is still an issue. They include:

Oklahoma
Arkansas
Louisiana
Alabama(lol, junior nation)
Kansas
Tennessee
Kentucky
West Virginia
Texas (Gun Toting idiots)

I don't say all of them are, just that ironically consist mostly of them.

First of all what you said is:

Possible reaction of the red states(home of the biggest biggots):

That is a prejudiced statement, and by the way that was worded it was prejudiced toward red state voters.

Now you have clarified that to be prejudiced against southern states, because their population is mostly bigotted.


I suggest you check my location before listing Kentucky anywhere in that again.

Bigots exist everywhere and by saying they are mostly in southern states you are feeding on stereotypes that many people in southern states are trying to overcome.

Now, if you don't mind I have to go back and make sure that my barefoot and pregnant wife has my lunch started.

 

[Touring Mars]

I was noting that ironic, alot of states mccain were southern states, where race is still an issue. They include:

Oklahoma
Arkansas
Louisiana
Alabama(lol, junior nation)
Kansas
Tennessee
Kentucky
West Virginia
Texas (Gun Toting idiots)

I don't say all of them are, just that ironically consist mostly of them.

However, those are all Republican locks anyway... I have no reason to believe that Republican voters would not have voted for a black Republican candidate or would have already had the opportunity arisen before i.e. Powell...

The fact is, any Republican candidate would have faced a tough challenge last night and Obama probably didn't benefit all that much from the novelty value of voting for a black President... simply put, he's the right man at the right time. Ironically, if Obama were a Republican, he would have struggled last night and maybe today we'd be lamenting how "America wasn't ready for a black President"...

What it does say is that anyone who might compromise their political beliefs in favour of their own racism or bigotry is effectively wasting their time/vote... Obama's election is not a victory for black America, but a victory for all Americans who consider race as irrelevant to a candidate's ability... it's also handy for future reference to know that race is no longer the joker in the pack that some people thought it could still be, that the Bradley Effect is now an anachronism, and that if a future black candidate fails, he (or she) can no longer legitimately claim that race played a significant part in their failure...

 

[RACECAR]

That is a prejudiced statement, and by the way that was worded it was prejudiced toward red state voters.

Now you have clarified that to be prejudiced against southern states, because their population is mostly bigotted.


I suggest you check my location before listing Kentucky anywhere in that again.

Bigots exist everywhere and by saying they are mostly in southern states you are feeding on stereotypes that many people in southern states are trying to overcome.

Now, if you don't mind I have to go back and make sure that my barefoot and pregnant wife has my lunch started.

I apoligize for making that comment. I sure didn't mean to make it out that way. And yes, biggotry does exist everywhere. California just proved that:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122586056759900673.html?mod=special_page_campaign2008_mostpop

 

[Omnis]

I'm just glad that Barack Obama is part Kenyan, so that when the idiots are TV say "African-American" instead of "black" they are partly correct.

My grandpa was right when he said that this is exactly like when he was in Cuba and Fidel got popular against Batista. I just hope he's wrong about everything that happens next.

 

[Duke]

That is a prejudiced statement, and by the way that was worded it was prejudiced toward red state voters.

Now you have clarified that to be prejudiced against southern states, because their population is mostly bigotted.

And, of course, it's not even considering that someone like Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton is bigoted, even though they live and operate in North East blue states.

 

[Keef]

Here's how it looks in Ohio:

Hamilton County (Cincinnati) = Democratic. Vast majority of voters are relatively undereducated, poor, and a large minority population. An economy that relies heavily on industry.

Montgomery County (Dayton) = See above.

Franklin County (Columbus) = See above.

Lucas County and surrounding (Toledo) = See above

Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) and other surrounding and to the south = See above.

Athens County (Go OU!) = Now, you didn't think I was being prejudiced did you? You can't forget about the the hoytie-toytie college professors and college students from Ohio University who apparently have misplaced themselves. The only meaningful population in this county is the university itself.

So, blame it all on the poor people and the college kids who haven't yet had the chance to get out in the eral world see how the real economy works.

In general, the entire state of Ohio was republican besides those counties.

 

[magburner]

Beautiful man, just beautiful!

What a monumental achievement by Barrack Obama! Now he has the difficult job of living up to not only his nations hopes and dreams, but the whole worlds too!

I've been thinking about this win all day, and a couple of things have sprung to mind.

1) Jesse Jackson crying. I can understand why he was crying, but with respect to Barrack Obama, would you say they were crocodile tears, knowing what he had said previously about Barrack Obama?

2) Now there is a black man in the White House, will all African Americans loose the 'chip' they have carried on their shoulders from way back when?

3) John McCain. I've totally misunderstood this guy. I never agreed with his policies, because for me; he felt like an extension of the Bush administration.

I did underestimate the strength of his character though - he is a honest guy, that never stooped as low as other might of to attack Barrack Obama.

This election really caught my imagination, not more so than because McCain, never made an issue of Obama's race. I'm sure he could of, and I can even imagine he was advised to do so, but he never. As elections go, this has to be one of the most honest I have ever seen! Respect to John McCain. 👍

5) I can't believe how out of step with the rest of America that the more vocal (American) members of this forum have turned out to be. In fact, its incredible!

Even now, after witnessing probably one of the greatest achievements that they will probably ever see in their life time, they can still not find it in themselves to savour the moment, not even for a second!

Regardless of what Barrack Obama's policies will entail, surely every American should congratulate him merely for proving that the 'American Dream' is alive and kicking. 👍

This just hit me like a ton of bricks. I honestly never thought i'd live to see the day when a black man, barack obama, would become president. Especially during the same week when lewis hamilton clinched the championship in what is arguably the highest level of motorsport.

I'll remember November 2008 for the rest of my life

Agreed! I'm mixed race, and I'm immensely proud of both Lewis Hamilton and Barrack Obama!

I wish I could go to sleep for about four years. When Obama screws up, don't come bitchin' to me.

No matter how bad he does, he can't be any worse than the Bush Administration!

 

[Duke]

1) Jesse Jackson crying. I can understand why he was crying, but with respect to Barrack Obama, would you say they were crocodile tears, knowing what he had said previously about Barrack Obama?

I would say: do not believe a word out of Jesse Jackson's mouth or an expression on his face. He will do or say anything to prolong his own relevance as long as possible, without hesitation.

2) Now there is a black man in the White House, will all African Americans loose the 'chip' they have carried on their shoulders from way back when?

Not as long as the Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons of the country have anything they can do about it.

3) John McCain. I've totally misunderstood this guy. I never agreed with his policies, because for me; he felt like an extension of the Bush administration.

Which is, not coincidentally, why he never had a chance in this election - not only couldn't the world be bothered to think of him as anything other than "McSame", but neither could more than half of the US.

5) I can't believe how out of step with the rest of America that the more vocal (American) members of this forum have turned out to be. In fact, its incredible!

Even now, after witnessing probably one of the greatest achievements that they will probably ever see in their life time, they can still not find it in themselves to savour the moment, not even for a second!

That tends to happen when you vote for the principles and platform, not for the pretty picture.

No matter how bad he does, he can't be any worse than the Bush Administration!

Do I think he will be worse than Bush? No. Do I think he couldn't be worse than Bush? HELL, no.

 

[FoolKiller]

What a monumental achievement by Barrack Obama! Now he has the difficult job of living up to not only his nations hopes and dreams, but the whole worlds too!

Also he has to live up to all those fat promises that he lacks any actual legal power to make happen.

As elections go, this has to be one of the most honest I have ever seen!

I nearly choked on my Mountain Dew. If the candidates themselves were being honest it means they do not understand the legal powers of the president. Either they were both lying or or have no clue what they will actually be doing.

5) I can't believe how out of step with the rest of America that the more vocal (American) members of this forum have turned out to be. In fact, its incredible!

I can't believe how out of step with the principles this country is based upon the majority has gotten.

Even now, after witnessing probably one of the greatest achievements that they will probably ever see in their life time, they can still not find it in themselves to savour the moment, not even for a second!

Just because a majority goes a certain way does not mean we all go, "YAY GLORIOUS DAY!!!!" That would make us no better than bandwagon jumping sheep. God forbid we have individual opinions that we refuse to change just because the majority no longer cares about the principles this country was founded upon. It is about principles, not being popular. I have been harping on this all throughout this thread. Why do people think that the moment an idea becomes popular it is suddenly correct or good?

Go on, little sheep. The shepherd is over in the valley with the rest of the flock. I am going to go join the mountain goats who stand alone on the higher ground.

Regardless of what Barrack Obama's policies will entail, surely every American should congratulate him merely for proving that the 'American Dream' is alive and kicking. 👍

Would the American Dream not be alive if McCain, Barr, Nader, Baldwin, or any of the others had won?

No matter how bad he does, he can't be any worse than the Bush Administration!

Mainly because he lacks the power to actually do half the crap he thinks/says he can do.

 

[Kylehnat]

What can a president do without the support of his congress? There is certainly more than just the faults of one man.

If anything, we should see some things move alone quickly without the tug of war between parties and their agenda's. To put it simply, I honestly pray for smart decisions in this next term because things are going to move.

👍 Absolutely. The current rift between Democrats and Republicans helps no one. It would be nice to see members of Congress (both sides) be more than rubber stamps for their party.

 

[Danoff]

Even now, after witnessing probably one of the greatest achievements that they will probably ever see in their life time, they can still not find it in themselves to savour the moment, not even for a second!

This is a great achievement? No. Anti-black racism still exists, but it has been marginalized for a long time now. I predicted years back that the next party to put either a woman or a black person forward as the party nominee would win the next election. It seemed to me that Americans were ready to employ some affirmative action with the highest office in the land. I believe I remember being told I was out of my mind by a few members of GTP when I said that too.

What I really wanted to see was Condi Rice up against Hillary or Barack. Something that would nullify race and gender entirely, so that there would be no chance for affirmative action. Unfortunately that didn't happen.

Do I believe affirmative action played a role in this election? Yes. Do I believe racism played a role in this election (on both sides)? Yes. Do I believe it changed the outcome? No.

McCain lost because he was a member of the party of George Bush. It's been clear for a few years now that the democrats had the next election sowed up. I viewed the democratic primary as the race for the presidency.

Am I celebrating because this man has a different color skin than I do? Hell no. I'm not happy one bit that we elected a socialist (yes he is) to office. But, as Omnis has pointed out, we would have had to go outside of the two-party system to pull that off.

You see, to me, the issues are what's important here - not whether this man has black skin. I care about what he intends to do with the presidency and what his qualifications are - not whether we can put a check next to "elected a minority from group x".

Obama is exactly what this nation DOESN'T need right now. But McCain would have been just as bad.

No matter how bad he does, he can't be any worse than the Bush Administration!

Oh yes he can. Say it with me now "Yes We Can! Yes We Can!"

I'll celebrate when we end social security. I'll celebrate when we get a flat tax. I'll celebrate when this country actually starts extending personal freedom rather than taking it away (ie: drugs, trans fat, smoking, prostitution, gay marriage, guns, employment regulations, etc. etc.)

 

[Pako]

*snip*

I'll celebrate when we end social security. I'll celebrate when we get a flat tax. I'll celebrate when this country actually starts extending personal freedom rather than taking it away (ie: drugs, trans fat, smoking, prostitution, gay marriage, guns, employment regulations, etc. etc.)

Here, here! I'll add to this celebration when every American takes responsibility for their actions and quits pointing the finger at everyone else.

 

[V1P3R]

💡 Wouldn't that be getting toward Communism... ?

 

[Pako]

💡 Wouldn't that be getting toward Communism... ?

In reference to what?

 

[Duke]

💡 Wouldn't that be getting toward Communism... ?

Perhaps... the exact opposite of Communism? Or have I missed to what you are referring?