Are you satisfied with the job Obama has done as president of the US?

[drewtwo99]

I’m really curious as to what the panel who awarded him the Nobel peace prize would say about how satisfied they are with his performance

Hahaha.

[Jophiel]

Satisfied. He’s done some stuff I think was a poor choice or let some opportunities slip but I largely feel that he’s done very well for the situation he was given.

[Jophiel]

@RTFirefly

He had that ‘filibuster-proof Senate’ for just over four months.

A filibuster-proof majority is 60 votes, present and voting; the Dems started off 2009 with 58, then Ted Kennedy’s cancer got the better of him and he ceased being able to show up for votes around March: 57. In late April, Arlen Specter switched parties: 58. In early July, Al Franken was sworn in: 59. Teddy died in late August: still 59. His successor, Paul Kirk, was sworn in on September 25: 60 at last. Four months later, Scott Brown won the special election for that seat: 59 again.

Just wanted to clear up that bit of history.

I’ve nearly given up trying to explain that to people. Also, “filibuster proof” assumes you can convince sixty people to vote the same way and, when you have sixty senators, at least some of them are going to be from states where they need to prove their “centrist” credentials.

[Chefguy]

@Qin_Shi_Huangdi

The recovery has been highly mediocre to say the least. In addition the simple fact is that with an aging population, entitlement reform (and massive cuts in military spending too) are needeed. Even if Obama’s proposed tax increases were accepted, it would be little more than a stopgap measure without spending cuts.

No shit? Did you read what I wrote? That there has been any recovery at all, given what transpired, and with what is still going on, is miraculous. Many thought our economy would collapse completely and that world markets would follow. Many are not convinced it still won’t happen. I’ll take mediocre over that, any day. Also, the stock market has rebounded pretty well, particularly during this past year.

[elfkin477]

I think he’s as great a man as Jimmy Carter.

[carnivorousplant]

@elfkin477

I think he’s as great a man as Jimmy Carter.

He’s written a book dissing Israel?

[Peremensoe]

@Wesley_Clark

It almost seemed like he had no idea how much the GOP hates him, and what they will sabotage to hurt him. He seemed to think his rhetoric would somehow rise above all of that stuff. He seems like he wasted so much political capital on trying to be liked and bipartisan, and it was all for nothing and he was the only one who didn’t know it.

I’m hoping the Bin Laden thing woke him up. I know when Bin Laden was killed several of the hardcore GOPers I know in person weren’t happy that the guy who orcestrated terror attacks was dead and brought to justice, they were mad because they were upset that killing Bin Laden might make Obama look good. Maybe Obama got wind of this reaction and it woke him up that people would rather Bin Laden be alive than have Obama look like he is competent at foreign policy. He seems hopelessly naive sometimes.

Still, overestimating the decency and integrity of the American people isn’t the worst fault a Pres could have.

[Typo_Knig]

@elfkin477

I think he’s as great a man as Jimmy Carter.

Both ordered military action in the Middle East that could have brought down their Presidencies, but gave the orders anyway. Both are decent, intelligent men who expect the best from everyone - including their political opponents. Both followed administrations that were corrupt to the core, with disastrous policies in both the foreign and domestic fronts. Well, Carter came after Ford, not Nixon, so he doesn’t get as many corrupt predecessor points.

Carter was a better POTUS than you seem to think. Obama is much better than Carter, and demonstrably better than any POTUS in either of our lifetimes. If you’re old enough, I’ll give you FDR.

[Mdcastle]

@carnivorousplant

What is the reason for not allowing US rifles back into the USA?
Are they Korea knock offs?

Nope, genuine historical US weapons destined for the metal shredder now. I only assume it’s because as a democrat Obama hates guns.

[Mdcastle]

@the_apples_fell

What consequences do you predict?

Part of the plan is to set up government subsidized Health Insurance Exchanges where individuals can buy their own policies. With that as an option for their employees, employers may drop coverage for their employees and send them to the exchanges to fend for themselves. It’s true the companies will be fined if they do, but the fine is a lot less than the cost of providing insurance. I’m not allowed to say who, but some very, very large companies are contemplating this).

I’m not convinced that seperating health insurance from employement is a bad thing, the system is a legacy of WWII that somehow is still around, but it is a potential consequence that doen’t get mentioned a lot.

[VinylTurnip]

@levdrakon

As for the drone strikes, I guess I’d much rather have that than invade yet another country for fun and corporate profit.

Pity those are our only two options.

I’m sure the families of the innocent people we’ve killed and then reclassified as enemy combatants (hey, if they weren’t helping the terrorists, why would they be hanging around at the site of a drone strike?) will be satisfied when we explain it to them that way.

[Jackmannii]

No matter how hard I try
I can’t be satisfied

• Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (Constipation Blues)