Forum Post: Survey
Posted 12 years ago on July 18, 2012, 3:35 p.m. EST by 2percent
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This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Did you vote for B. Obama in the last Presidential election and will you vote for him again?
No, and hell no.
I had hoped I would be shown to be wrong about him, but sadly he has been worse than I ever could have imagined.
yes no
Reasons - Here's my short list:
He did not even propose the public option healthcare system: he had campaigned on that system, promising to propose it. (Wikipedia: ”President Barack Obama promoted the idea of the public option while running for election. After becoming President, Obama downplayed the need for a public health insurance option including calling it a “sliver” of health care reform,[4] but had not given up pursuing the idea before the health care reform was passed.[5] The preceding statement is disputed by evidence that the Obama administration had agreed to drop the public option from the final plan in the summer of 2009[6] in a back room deal with representatives of the for-profit hospital lobby[7]“)
He has appointed countless Wall Streeters to his top economic team, failing to appoint labor voices like Robert Reich.
He has bailed out Wall Street instead of Main Street: remember TARP? And then the banks dispensed $6 billion in bonuses in that year to its executives.
He failed to attack the mortgage crisis, leaving an elephant still in our “room”, with one-third of home mortgages now underwater.
He failed to veto the National Defense Authorization Act, doing away with habeous corpus, allowing the government to arrest and detain indefinitely without a trial or hearing.
He agreed to an extension of the Bush tax cuts for the rich, and on top of that, he agreed to an egregious reduction of the estate taxes on the rich, exempting as much as $10 million from any estate taxes and lowering the estate tax rate down to a ridiculous rate of 35%, when our country has a $15 trillion debt. That alone saved the Walton heirs $17 billion in taxes.
He has failed to indict and imprison any of those banksters involved in all of that fraud on Wall Street from the subprime mortgage, including robo-signing, and selling shit-backed mortgage securities known to be worthless.
He appointed Jeffrey Immelt to head his Jobs Council when GE has been saying “China, China, China,” and shipping all jobs overseas while closing plants here in the US.
President Obama is now considering and proposing to lower the corporate tax rate to 26%, when corporations are not only at a low-time rate of paying taxes but getting billions in tax subsidies from our government and opening up offices on the 19th floor of one building on the Cayman Islands to avoid taxes altogether.
President Obama spoke in favor of PIPA and SOPA, when the internet is the last vestige of free speech and the availability of free information to the general public.
There were no indictments by President Obama of all the contractor fraud reported on by Bernie Sanders and Ron Paul in a Congressional Report released over a year ago. Whenever the rich and big corporations are caught in fraud, Eric Holder adopts a policy of “looking forward”, instead of holding them accountable.
President Obama agreed to the “grand bargain” (thank, God, Boehner did not accept it) to cut over $2 trillion in spending, including social security, medicare, medicaid, and other social safety-net programs merely in return for hypothetical “revenue increases” of $800 billion relying on “dynamic scoring”.
President Obama has done nothing to level the trade treaties, where corporations are shipping labor to Cambodia (22.5 cents per hour), China, Philippines, etc., where labor is paid 25 cents per hour. This is exporting slavery to other countries. Where is the level playing field for Americans?
President Obama in 2009 only proposed $140 billion in infrastructure spending when Paul Krugman and other economists predicted that $1.5 trillion was needed for our economy to recover. And last year only proposed a paltry $108 billion in infrastructure spending.
President Obama praised the recent JOBS Act, which allows corporations to go public and raise capital without audited financial information in their public presentations for the first five years, allowing them to present fictitious numbers and defraud investors?
President Obama has failed to propose the return of Glass-Steagall, separating commercial and investment banking, which will soon plunge us back into another mega-bailout of Wall Street.
President Obama has failed to propose the break up of the big banks and corporations. What ever happened to the Sherman Anti-Trust Act?
President Obama touted a $25 billion robo-signing settlement when a trillion dollars of our pension and retirement funds were stolen.
While campaigning, President Obama promised to put on his walking shoes for labor, but failed to even show up in Wisconsin and walk the picket line against Governor Walker.
President Obama has not declared war on the Supreme Court, as President Roosevelt did, to oppose the corporate/rich posture of Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, Alito, and Roberts. Why not take them on?
President Obama has arrested and raided more marijuana users in less than four years than George Bush did in eight years. Why is President Obama proposing cuts to social security, medicare, and medicaid while spending more on marijuana arrests and raids, especially when a majority of Americans are for legalization of pot and for the open sale of marijuana for medical use?
Time and time again President Obama did not fight the good fight for working Americans, who are losing their jobs, health insurance, homes, dignity, etc.
I am tired of the lame excuse of how we must vote for Obama because of the Supreme Court. How can anyone believe that Obama would not disappoint progressives on that issue after he failed to undertake a recess appointment of Elizabeth Warren to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a position to which she was more entitled to direct than any other American?
I am done with President Obama.
I thought Obama was "the chosen one" and had the ability to walk on water?
I helped choose him in 08, but I'm a big enough man to admit when I'm wrong.
Still haven't decided. I atended his inauguration on that cold January day. My dad went to DC for MLK's March on Washington in '63. Obama has been the biggest disappointment to me, and a bunch of other folks here in OWS. He more than anyone i beieve has been the impetus for this movement as he has made us all realize that what ales this country cannot be fixed in the voting booth.
I think the vast majority of the working class people now feel that way.
I get it. you are anti Obama Whatever. Good luck with Romney.
Do I have to like Romney, in order to dislike Obama? Is that a rule? The reasons I dislike Obama, have nothing to do with Romney. It's ALL about BO's actions and inaction's, as listed above. Romney has never had a chance for my support or vote, but I'm NOT going to vote for the lesser of two evils. Not gonna do it.
No but your comments sound like a lot of republican talkin points.
I mean Bush created, pushed throughcongress, and signed the tarp for all his 1% plutocrat friends. That wasn't Pres Obama.
Why would use that inaccurate old tea party talkin point unless you were a partisan republican.
Anyway, your not votin for either so I guess your vote ain't gonna count. Thats great. Integrity. That'll learn 'em.
Wow, contempt for integrity?!? No wonder you're such an Obama fan.
Fake integrity. More likely republican voter who is tryin to encourage progressive to throw away thereright to vote.
He is using tea party rhetoric.
I know what you mean about bush. I wanted and expected Pelosi, Reed, Obama and Holder to hold him accountable for dragging us into a trumped-up war and for torture, but instead we were told to just look "forward". Bush and cheney was an embarrassment to our nation, and should be prosecuted as terrorists of our country.
If my comments sound like a lot of republican talkin points, it's probably because the R's will throw anything they can at BO, true OR false, in order to win the election. My goal is to discover ONLY the truth. I can only base my opinions on the Prez's actions. Do you think there are any untruths in the 21 points that I made above?
I already mentioned Bushs Tarp you blamed Pres Obama for. that was untrue.
And the banker appointees are meaningless. overshadowed by the fin reforms dems passed that the bankers hate. It is weak (republicans watered it down) and still not implemented, (repubs are delaying it). It will bestronger when people recognize that your repubs are the problem.
Wall st money is going to repubs this cycle. That is because thedems have taken the1st steps to improve things for the 99%. Much to be done but will not happen if people can't see and support the progress.
Public option was certainly proposed by Dems. Pres Obama would have signed. but your repubs defeated it. S'ok. Public option will come. We got our foot in the door.
Changing the inequity that benefits the entrenched plutocrats can't happen in 3 years. We're not stupid. There isn't a switch Pres Obama can hit. Slow and steady. Recognize the strategy, and progress, acknowledge that the repubs have slowed the progress of thedem plan to take power from the plutocrats.
plutocrats giving up power will take years. Won't happen without active protests. constant pressure. We share the blame for the slow progress.
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you do realize that you would get much better responses if you admit that obama has been a huge disappointment - he is working too much for wall street and waging wars with bombs and drones (should i go on?). still we have to keep romney out and try to move the democrat party in a better direction
I am disappointed that the Pres didn't get more done. But I not so stupid that I thought one man/one party could undo the grip that the conservative plutocrats have on our country/economy.
What idiot thinks it would be just a couple of years. What moron thinks that there is switch we could hit. No one gives up power easily, or without a fight. Repubs (along with some spineless dems) have provided the resistence/obstruction/filibuster/delay/watering down for the plutocrats.
That Pres Obama has made the little bit of progress he has made, (fin reform - watered down by repubs and implementation delayed by repubs, Health care- repubs killed public option but soon) We will improve all these items and more if we can recognize the progress we've made in the face of expected massive conservative plutocrat resistence.
Gimme a break. When dealing with the truth I can't be concerned with what kind of responses I get. I'm trying to be respectful. And I'm trying to call a partisan republican out when I see evidence of it.
You disagree?
Peace
well i guess i am one moron who thinks he could have done much more if he had put up a fight! had he taken fdr's stance he would be elected by a huge margin. instead he took the path of wall street and insurance companies - or should i say he took their money. here is the man who saved capitalism fdr - "For twelve years this Nation was afflicted with hear-nothing, see-nothing, do-nothing Government. The Nation looked to Government but the Government looked away. Nine mocking years with the golden calf and three long years of the scourge! Nine crazy years at the ticker and three long years in the breadlines! Nine mad years of mirage and three long years of despair! Powerful influences strive today to restore that kind of government with its doctrine that that Government is best which is most indifferent.
For nearly four years you have had an Administration which instead of twirling its thumbs has rolled up its sleeves. We will keep our sleeves rolled up.
We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace--business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering.
They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.
Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me--and I welcome their hatred.
Yeah I know the speech, admire the man. A great Pres. Got great things passed. (Soc Sec, Unemploy Ins)
This Pres has had 3 years or so. He got health care, fin reform, and pulled us from the financial cliff that repubs put us on. And more.!
Pres Obama would have done more if not for the repubs obstruction/delay/filibuster/resistence at the behest of the powers that be. (1% plutocrats)
These are realities. More can be done. We must protest/pressure all pols especially dems to have a spine and pass the progressive solutions to the conservative policies that benefit the 1%. More won't be done if expect one man/one party to do everything for us. WE must be actively protesting for progressive agenda. And it won't happen if we ignore the slow progress we've made against the greatest force of evil against the 99% (the 1% plutocrats)
Elect progressives, Vote out conservatives.
Peace,
obama is a conservative - i thought i might be some help but clearly i was not - sorry. you will not advance your cause here by banging that same drrum. too many here know that obama is better than romney but not much! right - not much! for him single payer was a dead issue - he is to the right of nixon and ike, lbj and kennedy - all conservatives. think what you like but leave me alone - i think the aca is a piece of shit (gift to the ins companies), fin reform is non existant (notice jpm etc today) and bush and bernanke and paulson did the heavy lifting when we were about to go over the cliff - your boys stimulus plan was also weak - which everyone knew when he selected larry and timmy to run the show. go ahead write me one more time and sing his praises but i am done with this silliness
So you claim Bush and his boys "did the heavy lifting" to solve the economic crash, when he and his plutocrat friends created the crash and crafted the gift of a bail out in the tarp?
Pres Obama is clearly moderate. in todays political world. You can live in the past but I prefer the present. ACA is a gift to ins companies and doesn't have the public optin that dems wanted. But that is because of you repubs.
Fin reform may be weak (because of your repubs) but it must have some teeth 'cause the wall st crooks hate it and Obama, and the dems. Their money is going to repubs who have promised to undo it. The stimulus was too small because of your repubs.
You ain't kiddin anyone. You lift up the criminal Bush and spew anti Obama.dem republican talkin points.
You are a partisan republican trying to get the progressives at OWS to give up their right to vote.
You are dispatched, and dismissed.
Peace
didn't say bush wasn't the cause of the crash - don't put words in my mouth. he and clinton and reagan all helped to set the table but he faced the real crisis and paulson and bernenke did the work - watch "too big to fail" and you will get the idea. your boy had both houses and an 80% approval rating and BLEW IT! i am not a fan of the gop or your pals and that is why you get no traction here. you cannot understand that idea. i was trying to help but you are beyond help - dismissed and dispatched - no, no my boy - disheartened and discouraged that's me. all my life i thought if we could be a black man in the white house we would have done something but i was wrong. peace on you partisan boy
Well you were wrong. It ain't about color.
It is about acknowledging that the plutocrats have gained total control of our govt and economy. It is about recognizing the slow progress one party attempts and where they succeed. It is about supporting that slow progress, not beating our soldiers (whatever color they are) over the head when the plutocrats water down/filibuster/delay/ our efforts.
No one, least of all the most powerful evil force that the human race has ever faced (plutocrats) gives up power without a fight. Accept the progress and work for more. They took control because of our apathy. Our laziness.
It is up to us. We are the change we've been waiting for. Don't expect one man/party to do everything for you. Don't be a lazy whiner complaining on the side that "I didn't get everything I want" Wah!
Get off your disheartened ass. Get in the street and protest against the conservative policies that fucked us.
Good lord.
^cant understand the difference between liberal vs conservative vs FACSIST and is therefore part of the ignorance problem in this country.
Don't believe Hichic. He is a partisan republican whose only goal is to get OWS progressives on this site to give up their right to vote.
He only seeks to minimize progressive voter turnout like the ALEC legislation being pushed in almost 40 states.
He frequently resorts to the intimidation, offensive schoolyard bully tactics of his candidate Romney.
He is not with OWS. He is anti 99% and pro plutocrat.
^ supports war and stated he doesnt mind killing 100;s of people overseas.
Enough said.
you have no idea what i do or did so shut the fuck up! this conversation was about you and your partisan rants - stick to the issue or shut the fuck up! not whinning at all just stating facts but the facts are too emotional for you - partisan hack - who is paying your boy the $1,000,000,000 plus he will raise to get his $400k job - the plutocrats you idiot so shut the fuck up! and we all know who calls the tune - those that pay your boy - the plutocrats. what no peace?
Bigga Piggie. Plutocrat shill. Partisan republican.
LMFAO. Guess I hit a nerve of truth. insults and vulgarity = weak arguments.
1% plutocrats control your republicans. My dems take their money and pass fin reform that your repubs weakened at the plutocrats behest. Fin reform that your repubs and their plutocrat puppet masters hate and are squealing about like stuck pigs. ("biga piggies,stirring up the dirt" GH)
Dems will strengthen fin reform as soon as we get enough of your repub 1% plutocrat tools outta office. Repubs have already promised to repeal it.
Who do you think you are kiddin.?
Elect progressives, Vote out pro plutocrat politicians.
No Justice, No Peace
simpleton
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ah shit, he's back.....
Ya, voting for an african american whose bombed three different african countries. we should all be sooooooo proud.
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Ya, and McCain is freakin maniac. Whats your point?
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Becareful who those rebels are and what our real goals are in overthrowing nation's governments. Its been proven time and time again we could give a shit about humanitarian issues....Darfur? Syria?
On a lighter note, you need to watch this video, McCain is such a freakin idiot..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbaxHjxOlo4
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No I didn't because I liked McCain's anger... and I sure as hell ain't voting for him now. Well, unless you buy my vote; whatcha got? Never mind, we've been down this dusty road already; obviously you just be fakin' an takin'.
I did and I will again. A lot has been accomplished that everyone ignores. Centrist ideas are generally unpopular with both ideologies, but they usually are what work. Did anyone read the article about how the Health Care Law could very well end up resulting in a single payer system because of the way it is written? One clause -- requiring that 80% of a premium is used for actual healthcare -- changes the entire insurance company motivation by limiting profit. Things have not gotten worse -- they have simply been slow in improving because conservatives have abandoned former ideas they themselves promoted.
well said. Good point. I think also the ACA is written to allow states flexibility in providing healthcare to all it's citizens.
As a result VT and Montana are already looking at some sort of public option. That is how it can be done.
And you know the repubs know it can be done with the law as written. That is why they are squealing like stuck pigs.
Thank you. I was expecting a deluge of attacks on my answer, so was happy that at least the first one wasn't nasty. I didn't even want to answer the question because of the animosity I thought it would spark. Then I decided if I can't stand up to that, how I can I expect anyone else to. Thus, with "shields up," I went ahead.
There are many anti dem people on this site. Some are obvious, others hide behind the fallacy that they are against both parties. They claim it is because the parties are the same. I disagree. The parties are vastly different. The repubs proudly support the conservative policies that serve the 1% plutocrats.
I think the dems biggest problem is that they have moved right. Seems there are always a few spineless/corrupt dems who vote for conservative policies.
I think further we allow this by being apathetic and uninvolved. We can drag the dems back from the right and make them serve the 99%. With strong active protest/pressure.
Its up to the people.
Good luck battling the nasty respondents. They will come.
We are in agreement; how nice. I think too we need to drag some of the more extreme dems to the center; "my way or the highway" applies to almost all extremists. Imagine if progressives were as committed to one core objective (such as single payer health care) as the conservatives are to not raising taxes. Stop everything until we get what we want. I can't even imagine that, actually. I know we have free speech and all with respect to the media, but maybe they could all go dark for a month or so (including the internet); perhaps if the fear and hatred are not fed, they will fade enough for people to realize how much more harmonious life can be without a constant haranguing going on. Ban Media, just for a month. Then, after a month of blissful ignorance, see if perhaps our response to what we see and hear will be different. Maybe August and September both.
I think a change in the extreme tone of media (and politics, and daily life) is required. Banning all media might be a little much for me.
I think the Dems are capable of compromising. I think they have, and I think it is in their nature. Some are intransigent but most will compromise for the good of the country.
I suppose I feel some things should not be compromised, like public option, volcker rule but I understand you have to take 2 steps forward and one step back.
Peace, solidarity
Which is exactly why we can't do what the conservatives can -- focus on one goal to the exclusion of everything else, including violating everything we've ever professed to believe in. I'd rather be us :)
Agreed.
We gotta get along. Strength in numbers. And all that good stuff.
:) Get along, as work together, or get along as in "little dogie."
LOL.
Work together.
"hide behind a fallacy"...
You realize over half the nation doesn't even bother to vote for these freakin idiots, right?
PS- for the 100th time, they havent moved right, they have moved fascist. There are other ways of governing besides right vs left
40% of the country stays home because they're apathetic as a result of repub success at destroying the progressive agenda of the dems. As the poorest people among us see that their party (the dems) has been co opted by right wing 1% plutocrat money they become discouraged.
We can change that with constant protest/pressure on dems and drag them back from the right.
Its up to the people.
Yes. OMG, is there going to be another election? I thought it was one and done.