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Well Obama has been in office for a good bit now and It would be interesting to see what Dakka users think of our new president so far.

Personally I think that Obama has done a bang up job of trying to nationalize anything he can get his socialist little hands on and dooming posterity to horrendous taxes for decades to come. The bailouts have cost so much money that China is worried that they might not get back they gargantuan amounts of cash we're borrowing from them. But this is just my opinion.

What do you on Dakka think about our President?

rubiksnoob wrote:
Personally I think that Obama has done a bang up job of trying to nationalize anything he can get his socialist little hands on and dooming posterity to horrendous taxes for decades to come. The bailouts have cost so much money that China is worried that they might not get back they gargantuan amounts of cash we're borrowing from them. But this is just my opinion.

Well when is he going to get his hands on health care? I'm tired of waiting.

And I give Big O a yay!

NOOOOO! Socialized health care would be a big nay!

rubiksnoob wrote:The bailouts have cost so much money that China is worried that they might not get back they gargantuan amounts of cash we're borrowing from them.

States don't issue loans to one another because they expect them to be paid back. National debt is done away with by treaty, or outright refusal to pay interest.

rubiksnoob wrote:NOOOOO! Socialized health care would be a big nay!

I don't really think you know what your talking about at all.

Typeline wrote:

rubiksnoob wrote:NOOOOO! Socialized health care would be a big nay!

I don't really think you know what your talking about at all.

Oh?

Please explain why.

Because every single other advanced country has socialized health care and their systems generally work many times better then our broken private insurance system. People actually get bonuses for denying insurance claims and your saying that this is a good idea.

I would quote The Who:

"Meet the new Boss, same as the old Boss"

Except I am still trying to see the change all around...

Nurgleboy77 wrote:I would quote The Who:

"Meet the new Boss, same as the old Boss"

Except I am still trying to see the change all around...

I have to agree,I really have not seen any REAL change in "buisiness as usual",I'm honestly starting to belive that if voting changed anything it would be made illegal.

I heard a great deal how the rest of the world loved Obama when he was first elected to office and was welcoming the U.S. back to the international community because of his election from the American media. Is it true? Does the rest of the world really love Obama, or was it the evil liberal media?

Typeline wrote:I heard a great deal how the rest of the world loved Obama when he was first elected to office and was welcoming the U.S. back to the international community because of his election from the American media. Is it true? Does the rest of the world really love Obama, or was it the evil liberal media?

(Praying this dose not devolve)...
I think that part of the reason that the U.S was "welcomed back to the international community",was that for the first time America elected an African-American to the office of President,going a long way I suppose in the world viewing us as less "knuckle dragging rednecks" and more "enlightend",sort of funny that those who "base nothing on race" based so much on race,wont they be supprised to know that "morons"&"con men" come in all colors.
I can't say if the rest of the world loves Obama,but many seem to love the "idea" of Obama,as for the media...well c'mon it's the media,they love whoever gets ratings and sells papers.

rubiksnoob wrote:

Typeline wrote:

rubiksnoob wrote:NOOOOO! Socialized health care would be a big nay!

I don't really think you know what your talking about at all.

Oh?

Please explain why.

Well my roommate nearly died of strep throat last December because he cannot afford health insurance, so there's that.

On topic, Obama's been better. However I'm concerned that healthcare reform will be watered down to the point where it won't fix a thing. Also, Obama needs to grow a pair and investigate the Bush abuses. If not done now, it will never happen. At the very least, I can now listen to the President talk without being ashamed of having him as our leader.

Because every single other advanced country has socialized health care and their systems generally work many times better then our broken private insurance system. People actually get bonuses for denying insurance claims and your saying that this is a good idea.

EXACTLY. Certain news networks in America describe socialized health care as ineffective with long lineups, etc... They're just scare-mongering about change, as usual.

The reality is that in Canada and Europe, virtually EVERYONE has health care and the system works.

Edit: Forgot to give my verdict on Obama, I get so riled up when Americans bash socialized health care when they know nothing about it. Anyhow, he gets a big "yea" from me. Obama's been busy and has a lot of things on his plate. I think a lesser man would've crumbled under the current sh*tstorm.

Typeline wrote:I heard a great deal how the rest of the world loved Obama when he was first elected to office and was welcoming the U.S. back to the international community because of his election from the American media. Is it true? Does the rest of the world really love Obama, or was it the evil liberal media?

Obama is hugely popular, particularly with younger voters. I was in India recently and copies of his books were being sold all over the place. It's a little odd, because if he was a politician in any of our countries we'd dislike him for being so right wing. I suspect it has a lot to do with his charisma, and how keen everyone was to move past the Bush administration.


Meanwhile, Obama has been in office for 100 days. It's been long enough to see that he plays it pretty safe, and keeps to long game plan based around a few key issues. Trying to judge him on the first 100 days is a waste, because ultimately the success of his presidency will be decided based on medical reform and other issues. Well unless you honestly believed he was the dreamchild some parts of the left had thought, at which point you'd be disappointed with him for his approach to wiretapping and Guantanamo (or tying yourself up in pretzel logic to forgive Obama for things you condemned Bush for). Or believed he was the great socialist terror, in which case you'd be relieved (or drifting further and further into fantasy land to remain convinced he's going to sink the country in socialism).

I think Obama's pretty cool.

Also I think it's pretty funny how so many Americans put "socialism" somewhere next to "cancer" on the scale of desirability.

Rasmussen reports:

Thirty-one percent (31%) of U.S. voters believe the economic stimulus package passed earlier this year has helped the economy. That’s down from 34% who thought it would help in late February and 38% who held that view when it first passed earlier in the month.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 27% now believe the $789-billion legislation has hurt the economy, and another 31% say it’s had no impact. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure.

Most Democrats (52%) believe the stimulus plan has helped the economy, but just 15% of Republicans agree. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 29% say the stimulus plan has hurt, 22% say it helped, and 40% say it’s had no impact.

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/rubin/68092

Typeline wrote:I heard a great deal how the rest of the world loved Obama when he was first elected to office and was welcoming the U.S. back to the international community because of his election from the American media. Is it true? Does the rest of the world really love Obama, or was it the evil liberal media?

It's mostly true. Obviously there are conservatives in every country, though they are not usually as far out as Bush.

Bush did a fantastic job of alienating a lot of natural US allies like the UK and France, by his policies on the environment and foreign relations. The election of Obama was greeted with relief bordering on joy.

Ron Paul is the best. Yay. Oh wait... he's not the POTUS.

Obama. I like the guy. His spending pisses me off, but he seems pretty genuine. He's uber intelligent, plus I got to see him speak. I like his speaking, with the words and all.

The problem I have with socialized health care is the taxes. I just don't want to pay more, on top of the billions that I owe already.

I don't like Obama. For instance, he said he would close Guantanamo Bay. Its not closed, and he's putting a lot of the terrorists already released back into it. He also is ending the war in Iraq on McCains timetable, not the one he ran on. I think those show that his inexperience allowed him to make promises that he can't keep, and I wonder whats going to happen next.

Also, his idea that he can get North Korea to give up nuclear weapons is stupid. They're not gonna, and neither is Iran. What he's saying is crazy talk.
And if he destroys our nukes, well, then goodbye America.

Also, he won't investigate Bush or any of his officials for the same reason Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon. If he does, that'll just hurt the American mentality more.

Until he actually does something noticeable, he's a nobody.

mcfly wrote:The problem I have with socialized health care is the taxes. I just don't want to pay more, on top of the billions that I owe already.

You owe billions of dollars in taxes!? Who are you really?

Beyond that joke though you won't be paying more in taxes. You'll probably pay the same or a percentage point more on something. Spending in other areas will probably have to be reigned back in, like the inflated defense budget. But hey you as an individual will save money over all, because if that emergency ever comes around in your life were your insurance company denies you service for... oh say, having cancer too early in life (I have seen it happen, 28, cervical cancer, insurance denied her, because she was too young to have cancer) you'll save money. Like all of it, and your job, and your life.

mcfly wrote:I don't like Obama. For instance, he said he would close Guantanamo Bay. Its not closed, and he's putting a lot of the terrorists already released back into it. He also is ending the war in Iraq on McCains timetable, not the one he ran on. I think those show that his inexperience allowed him to make promises that he can't keep, and I wonder whats going to happen next.

His inexperience does show on the timetable thing. Once he got into office he realized his timetable might be a little unrealistic. But instead of forcing his plan into action and affect he just went with McCains. I like a man who can admit someone else has a better plan by running with it. The problem with the detainees and their coming to the U.S. I blame on republicans fear mongering. They make it seem like we'll be releasing them out onto the streets with fully loaded AK7s and RPGs. We're going to be putting them into some of the most intensive super max prisons ON EARTH.

mcfly wrote:Also, his idea that he can get North Korea to give up nuclear weapons is stupid. They're not gonna, and neither is Iran. What he's saying is crazy talk.
And if he destroys our nukes, well, then goodbye America.

America has plenty of Allies with nuclear capability, if anyone fires one the world will end regardless, so don't fret. I don't really think any other administration could handle this differently. It's not like the guys are still in the planning phase. They have them and they are itching to use them right now, if you move your hand to fast they will press that button and that's the last thing any of us want to see... well... almost any of us.

Typeline wrote:

mcfly wrote:The problem I have with socialized health care is the taxes. I just don't want to pay more, on top of the billions that I owe already.

You owe billions of dollars in taxes!? Who are you really?

Beyond that joke though you won't be paying more in taxes. You'll probably pay the same or a percentage point more on something. Spending in other areas will probably have to be reigned back in, like the inflated defense budget. But hey you as an individual will save money over all, because if that emergency ever comes around in your life were your insurance company denies you service for... oh say, having cancer too early in life (I have seen it happen, 28, cervical cancer, insurance denied her, because she was too young to have cancer) you'll save money. Like all of it, and your job, and your life.

Yeah, and people go to the doctor more with socialized health care because it is free. But I just don't want to have to give the government more money at all. I understand that it works better, its just the monetary aspect that worries me. And in America, we are very stingy with our money.

mcfly wrote:I don't like Obama. For instance, he said he would close Guantanamo Bay. Its not closed, and he's putting a lot of the terrorists already released back into it. He also is ending the war in Iraq on McCains timetable, not the one he ran on. I think those show that his inexperience allowed him to make promises that he can't keep, and I wonder whats going to happen next.

His inexperience does show on the timetable thing. Once he got into office he realized his timetable might be a little unrealistic. But instead of forcing his plan into action and affect he just went with McCains. I like a man who can admit someone else has a better plan by running with it. The problem with the detainees and their coming to the U.S. I blame on republicans fear mongering. They make it seem like we'll be releasing them out onto the streets with fully loaded AK7s and RPGs. We're going to be putting them into some of the most intensive super max prisons ON EARTH.

Now. Of course, one in 11 goes back to doing terroristic acts. And those that have been released are the ones that are not as dangerous. Now we are going to put them into prisons, but originally he just wanted them to be released to the streets and other countries. Now he has to keep them in prison.

mcfly wrote:Also, his idea that he can get North Korea to give up nuclear weapons is stupid. They're not gonna, and neither is Iran. What he's saying is crazy talk.
And if he destroys our nukes, well, then goodbye America.

America has plenty of Allies with nuclear capability, if anyone fires one the world will end regardless, so don't fret. I don't really think any other administration could handle this differently. It's not like the guys are still in the planning phase. They have them and they are itching to use them right now, if you move your hand to fast they will press that button and that's the last thing any of us want to see... well... almost any of us.

I agree with you. But his plan is funny. He wants all the Allies and the UN to give up Nukes in the hopes that North Korea and Iran will follow our example.
We have a missile defense system, but it hasn't ever been used. I just think he has big ideas, and they won't work.

Typeline wrote:

mcfly wrote:The problem I have with socialized health care is the taxes. I just don't want to pay more, on top of the billions that I owe already.

You owe billions of dollars in taxes!? Who are you really?

Beyond that joke though you won't be paying more in taxes. You'll probably pay the same or a percentage point more on something. Spending in other areas will probably have to be reigned back in, like the inflated defense budget. But hey you as an individual will save money over all, because if that emergency ever comes around in your life were your insurance company denies you service for... oh say, having cancer too early in life (I have seen it happen, 28, cervical cancer, insurance denied her, because she was too young to have cancer) you'll save money. Like all of it, and your job, and your life.

Thats proving factually incorrect already. Tax ideas are being floated as we speak on new taxes, not only on the "rich" but on beverages, a VAT tax, and increased income taxes. Currently my healtchare is paid via me and my employer. My taxes will go up to pay for this, but the money the company spends on healthcare will be shifted to me.
We already pay Euro equivalent taxes WITHOUT healtchare, when hidden fees and state/local taxes are layered in. Thats before this massive new cost.

My current healthcare is way better than any nonsense from the government. Maybe other world governments are better, but in the land of DMV hell I have no, zero, none faith in the efficacy of a US administered health care scheme. We have a 31 year old in charge of the freeking GM breakup-a college grad? Why on earth do I think the same adminstration that just did that, is going to do better on healthcare? You're talking seizure of almost 20% of the US economy by these numbskulls-the same numbskulls who just doubled the deductible for my mom. They suck and will suck. But I mean it in the best way possible

Yeah, and people go to the doctor more with socialized health care because it is free.

No no, we're all far too poorly to do that.

[/facepalm]


The American tourists we get my way now no longer try and pretend that they're Canadian to avoid embarassment.

reds8n wrote:

Yeah, and people go to the doctor more with socialized health care because it is free.

No no, we're all far too poorly to do that.

[/facepalm]


The American tourists we get my way now no longer try and pretend that they're Canadian to avoid embarassment.

No no, you misunderstand. That's a good thing. People in countries with socialized health care have illnesses caught and treated quicker, so they are healthier.

We need something. One of the posters was right that some of you don't understand some of the issues involved.

A couple years ago, a relative of mine who was a small business owner was looking for health insurance. You pay ridiculous premiums that way, but they had no choice and needed the coverage. So they were willing to ante up. To make a long story short, they were denied coverage because of their HAY FEVER.

We're not talking about pre-existing cancer here. Hay fever. As in they'd probably require a antihistimine prescription during allergy season.

Eventually, they found someone willing to give them coverage. But that underlines the point that health insurers can deny you coverage for any reason. Or none at all. And given that the out-to-pocket cost of health care has become incredibly high, insurers are really the only way to get access to medicine unless you're quite rich.

I'm not saying we need socialized medicine like fill-in-the-blank country, but there needs to be some new thinking about health care. Especially at a time in which employers are cutting employer-sponsored health benefits, which are one of the only ways to get coverage if you aren't in perfect health.

Regarding Obama, I don't have much of an opinion yet. Sounds like a copout, but I'm just going to wait a while and see if his initiatives are successful before I throw him under the bus or write epic poetry about him.

I need to emoticon more clearly.

To be honest with you-- and this might just be a British thing-- most people don't go to the doctors even when they sometimes should. Especially us blokes. Partially that's because we are God's Chosen People, the clear pinnacle of human physical perfection... and partially as...well.... we can't be arsed ? Or something.

I guess we just muddle along.

I think that other countries tend to go a bit more regularly and get checked up..... maybe the Germans possibly ?

Whilst I'm here..... read earlier that it is, apparently, considered rude in America to discuss Religion and/or Politics generally. Is that right ?

reds8n wrote: I need to emoticon more clearly.

To be honest with you-- and this might just be a British thing-- most people don't go to the doctors even when they sometimes should. Especially us blokes. Partially that's because we are God's Chosen People, the clear pinnacle of human physical perfection... and partially as...well.... we can't be arsed ? Or something.

I guess we just muddle along.

I think that other countries tend to go a bit more regularly and get checked up..... maybe the Germans possibly ?

Whilst I'm here..... read earlier that it is, apparently, considered rude in America to discuss Religion and/or Politics generally. Is that right ?

Alright, I get it. Agree with that.

Also, it is considered socially incorrect to discuss religion and politics. We have view that we won't budge on, and it is just better if people don't get into fights and arguments over peoples opinions. You don't do it in public, or in private. So yes, it is considered rude.

Obama gives great speeches , something the public really need i guess.

I vote a particularly big NAY at this point, simply because he really hasn't done anything other than raise the national debt to levels that simply cannot be paid off.

The only impression of him I have is someone who needs a teleprompter to tell him what he should say to the moronic American sheep to make them think he is a great President. It sickens me.