Tag Archives: Barack Obama

Obama’s Speech: What He Should Say – July 25, 2011

Posted on July 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

Tonight President Obama is going to deliver a prime time speech to America tonight at 09:00 PM EDT.

I expect the President to compare and contrast the dueling debt limit bills in front of lawmakers.  On one hand is the Speaker’s plan and on the other is the Senate Majority Leader’s plan.  Obama has already come out in favor of the plan being offerred by Harry Reid; so the suspense of tonight’s address is largely gone.  What remains will be the rhetoric.

The President should stand in front of America and tell us that the leaders we have elected are working around the clock to craft a plan that cares for the future of America while at the same time keeps us in the good graces of our current debt obligations.  All American’s recognize that you can not make promises that you have no intention of keeping.  We borrowed money and entered into agreement with people from all over.  IN some cases this is foreign nations.  In others it’s with our own citizens in the form of our social programs.

We have debts and obligations.  And we mean to honor those obligations.

That being said, the future path of our economy is not an easily planned and established.  Rather, it’s gonna take a lot of work, a lot of courage and a lot of midnight oil.  There are ideological differences to be overcome.  And in today’s hyper-partisan atmosphere.  While it’s unfortunate, it’s reality.  And to ignore that reality is dangerous.  Rather we should let these people work through their challenges and come to a solution that everyone can be satisfied with; or at least one that everyone can admit some compromise on their part.

That is what he SHOULD say.  But he won’t.

President Obama will mention, at LEAST 4 times, that we are suffering through a crisis of some kind that was brought about by the policies of the last decade.  [I suspect polling has determined that people are tired of blaming Dubya, so he’s shifted to policies of the last decade.  Four times, I’m tellin’ ya.  Take it to the bank!] He’ll claim that we need leadership and not politics as usual.  Mr. Obama will make claims that he and the Democrats have been willing to compromise on this deal in order that America can make progress and that it’s the Republicans who have come to the table, worked out a deal only to demand further concessions or change the rules.

The President will claim that the Republican contingent has been held hostage to the extreme right element of the party, he may even mention the Tea Party by name.  But if he doesn’t, it’ll be clear that it is that group he is referring to.  He will remind America that it has been the Democrats that have agreed to set aside partisan politics to reach a deal based on compromise; even agreeing to virtually every Republican demand.  Only to be left at the alter at least twice.

Obama will mention that the Democrat’s plan contains spending cuts that result in a stronger economic position.  And he’ll mention that the Democrats have agreed that no tax cuts will be implemented; all this at the request of the Republicans.

He won’t mention the fact that the deal pushes the debate out past the next election, but he WILL mention that the Republicans insist on playing politics with the debt by insisting on a “two tier approach”.

I hope I’m wrong.  I bet I’m not.

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Posted in Diplomacy, Government, Politics: National

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Boehner and Obama Debt Limit Negotiations

Posted on July 22, 2011 | 18 comments

The Hill is reporting that Boehner has ended negotiations with the White House over raising the debt limit ceiling:

House Republican leaders have called off negotiations with the White House over a broad deficit-reduction deal tied to an increase in the federal debt limit and will begin exclusive talks with Senate leaders to avert a government default on Aug. 2, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced Friday.

Boehner told House Republicans in a letter that President Obama is “adamant” about raising taxes and would not agree to “fundamental changes” to entitlement programs.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.  Obama’s time in the Oval office to date is nothing but speeches that say one thing followed by policy that does another.  To have thought that Obama was serious when he claimed he was willing to cut spending, reform medicare and social security is wishful thinking at best

There isn’t a bone in Barack’s body that’s willing to reduce government spending.  The whole of his life has been spent enlarging government for the benefit of the “less fortunate”.  I’m convinced Obama can’t envision a world where government shrinks.  And reforming the entitlement programs?  HA!  If he speaks about reforming ’em, he isn’t talking about it in the way that you and I would reform ’em.  In his mind those reforms take the shape of ADDING to the revenue side to reduce the deficit of the programs.  Again, there is simply no way this man will shrink that aspect of government either.

There is no way that Obama means “spending cut” in any way that resembles reality as it relates to the common everyday American.

So, the fact that Boehner walked on him is the most positive thing that’s happened in a week.  Or weeks, for that matter.

With only 1 week before the government shuts down, it looks like we’re facing exactly that; a shutdown.  And judging by the reaction in Minnesota, namely — who cares? — and the fact that the Democrat gave in and accepted the Republican’s deal, I say let ‘er go.

America is fed up with the spending and it’s time we address it.

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Posted in Economy, Government, Politics: National

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Two For One

Posted on July 22, 2011 | 2 comments

I posted on an earlier story about media bias.  However the main point of the story was missed in the bias stuff; the fact that the US government lost $1.3 billion.

THAT is a lot of money.

Gone.

Flushed.

Never to be seen again.

But the government bailing out the auto industry was a good idea, right?

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Posted in Economy, Politics: National

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On All Things Redistributive

Posted on July 20, 2011 | 5 comments

This is good stuff.

Call ’em what ya want, but businessmen are good at business.  Usually that is.  See, the system tends to flush the poor ones out.  Now, to be sure, there are exceptions, even notable ones.  And there are even cases where men and women have done well for a very long time only to stumble later on.

Say what’cha will.  But one thing is for sure.  Business is in the business of making money.  And for all of us, that is a most wonderful thing.

That is the thing that brings us I-Pods, Phones and Pads.

This is what gives us blueberries in January and corn on the cob in April.  French wine, Swiss chocolate and German sausage all in one safe well lit air conditioned warehouse.

But I digress.  These people are in it to win it.  And God help the man that gets in the way of that.

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Posted in Economy, Politics: National

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Wherein Barack Obama Channels George Dubya Bush

Posted on July 19, 2011 | 6 comments

Remember when Barack Obama was against all that Bush was for?

Debt limit being raised?  Against it.  [Though to be fair, every single Democrat in the Senate, every single one, voted against it.  And I suspect now that each and every one will vote FOR it.  Again, in the spirit of fairness, every single Republican also voted FOR it.  Sill y business hits.]

War in Iraq?  Against it.

Gitmo?  Against it.

Rendition?  Against it.

And now this one.  Libya.

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Posted in Diplomacy, Liberty, Politics: International

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Banks Report Loss: Barack Obama at 11:00

Posted on July 19, 2011 | 7 comments

Barack Obama has refined the art of turned profit making into an evil horrible endeavor.

If you are a bank that makes money, you are the evil rich taking advantage of middle class America, who is suffering through the worst recession since the flood.

Oil company?  Corporate greed destroying the planet all the while taking billions in tax payer money to fund their record breaking profits*.

It never ends.  Well, actually, it does.  It ends when Obama actually LIKE a company and would enjoy that company to reap profits.  Like windmill farms, battery corporations and other green firms that go bankrupt in months after Obama comes calling.

After the recession ended and the banks began to report their earnings, Obama was on the news reporting their profits.  “Record breaking and excessive.”

I expect that he’ll be on the same bully pulpit expressing concern for our brothers on Wall Street:

Bank of America reported a second-quarter net loss of $8.8 billion, or 90 cents a share, against a profit of $3.1 billion, or 27 cents a year ago. Economists had forecast a loss of 85 cents a share.

$8.8 billion.  That’s “illion” with a “B”!

I don’t expect Obama to announce this or perhaps even notice this.  But I find it interesting and even irritating that he continues class warfare even as that class he hates drives, or tries to drive, our economy.

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Posted in Economics, Economy, Politics: National

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Hot Off The Presses – This Just In

Posted on July 18, 2011 | Leave a comment

This just in from CBSNews:

Over to our correspondent’s desk in Raleigh for related news:

100% of Pino children polled Disapprove of the Parents handling of the “Veggies for Dinner Crisis”.

Back to you….

Hat Tip SkyDancingBlog

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Posted in Economy, Fun, Government, Politics: National

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Recession: Obama, Bush, Clinton and Reagan

Posted on July 15, 2011 | 1 comment

We are now 7 quarters into our recovery from the previous recession.  I have long thought it time to conduct a review of this current recovery as compared to previous recoveries.

I have gone back to the previous 4 recessions and their recoveries.  Above is a graph showing the growth of GDP for each recovery starting with the date in which the NBER calls each recession cycle.

The numbers above reflect the GDP growth in current dollars. Further, I have only gone out 12 quarters, or 3 years.  Anything past this and I think we have normal economic cycles taking place that have little to do with the recovery efforts put in place during the recessions described.

There has been little secret that the current administration holds the previous administration responsible for the recession.  However, if that is true, the current administration is responsible for the recovery.  So, how has it done?

At this point, the Obama’s recovery is only slightly ahead of any of the other 3.  The current quarter represented a 4.0% increase in GDP over the previous quarter.  The only other recovery that had a worse showing was the Reagan recovery of 1982; it had a 3.9% increase.  However, unlike the Obama recovery, the Reagan recovery had significant growth for the first 6 quarters.  Obama’s recovery has not shown that degree of success.

Reagan vs Obama

Here is the direct comparison:

The visual is clear, the Reagan recovery was much more vibrant than the current Obama recovery.  While Obama did better this quarter, the lack of growth in the preceding quarters is disappointing.

Obama vs Bush

Perhaps a more damning comparison, at least for this specific political cycle, is the comparison of Obama vs Bush:

Here the Obama recovery is very similar to the previous Bush recovery.  However, the pressure is on.  Beginning in the 8th quarter on, Bush had a very impressive record of strong GDP growth.

We’ll see if Obama is able to match that record.

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Posted in Economy, Politics: National

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Their Fair Share

Posted on July 13, 2011 | Leave a comment

The debt ceiling rhetoric is really building steam.

As we get closer and closer to the date when the debt rises above the debt ceiling, the guys on each side continue to ratchet the discourse.

Of course I don’t think that we’ll not raise the limit.  And, even if we don’t, there is no way that we don’t pay our debt servicing.  So this whole thing is a little silly.

But I like the debate and I like the discussion being had in the offices and the coffee houses and the dance studios.

When we have Obama claiming that he can’t guarantee that old people will get their Social Security check.

“I cannot guarantee that those checks go out on August third if we haven’t resolved this issue,” says Obama.

“There may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it,” said the President.

Interesting thins are gonna be said by the everyday people.

But, back to the discussion.  I still don’t get the Left’s rallying cry that the rich “have to pay their fair share!”

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Posted in Government, Politics: National

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The President’s Weekly Radio Address: July 9, 2011

Posted on July 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
July 9, 2011
Washington, DC

Earlier this week, we did something that’s never been done here at the White House – we had a Twitter Town Hall.

Dude, there’s a really good reason that’s never been done before.  Ahh, I mean other than the fact that no President has been President when Twitter was around.  It’s because Twitter Town Halls are for Lindsey Lohan, Beonce and Advice On #IWouldNeverStandForThatKindaNonsense.

Serious dude, Twitter Town Halls in the White House?

I even sent my first live tweet as President.

This is the thing a 7 year old says.  Not a President of the United States of America.

You are not running for American Idol.

The questions at the town hall were sent in from across the country and covered all kinds of topics – from jobs and the economy to education and energy.

Lots of people also submitted different versions of another question.  They’d start by saying that our politics has grown so contentious.

I wonder who they’re talking about Mr. #NotSoContentious man?

Then they’d ask, When will both parties in Congress come together on behalf of the people who elected them?

That’s a really important question, and it goes to the heart of a debate we’re having right now in this country – and that’s the debate about how to tackle the problem of our deficits and our debt.

Now, there are obviously real differences in approach. I believe we need a balanced approach. That means taking on spending in our domestic programs and our defense programs. It means addressing the challenges in programs like Medicare so we can strengthen those programs and protect them for future generations. And it means taking on spending in the tax code – spending on tax breaks

Have I told you how much I enjoy that?

and deductions for the wealthiest Americans.

But I also know that Republicans and Democrats don’t see eye to eye on a number of issues. And so, we’re going to continue working over the weekend to bridge those gaps.
The good news is, we agree on some of the big things. We agree that after a decade of racking up deficits and debt,

Dubya.  You still can’t let go of that whole “partisan game-playing in Washington” thing, can ya?

we finally need to get our fiscal house in order. We agree that to do that, both sides are going to have to step outside their comfort zones and make some political sacrifices. And we agree that we simply cannot afford to default on our national obligations for the first time in our history; that we need to uphold the full faith and credit of the United States of America

Do you know that even if we don’t extend the debt limit we won’t default?

With a recovery that’s still fragile and isn’t producing all the jobs we need, the last thing we can afford is the usual partisan game-playing in Washington.

See?

Mr. President, with all due respect, I would submit that you are the last person, in Washington, to suggest that we should set aside the “usual partisan game-playing in Washington” bit.  I mean, do you remember the whole “we won” thing?  Yeah…..I do.

By getting our fiscal house in order, Congress will be in a stronger position to focus on some of the job-creating measures I’ve already proposed

Nice deek.  Congress.

Oh, and I really like the whole “job-creating measures I’ve already proposed” bit.  Well played.

– like putting people to work rebuilding America’s infrastructure,

Huh?  We can do that now.  The monies we take in for roads and bridges can cover the repairs to our roads and bridges.  We just aren’t spending it on roads and bridges.

or reforming our patent system so that our innovators and entrepreneurs have a greater incentive to generate new products,

Yeah…patents.  THAT’S what’s holding us back!

or making college more affordable for families.

College s the next bubble.  Watch.

And businesses that may be holding back because of the uncertainty surrounding the possibility of a default by the U.S. government will have greater confidence to invest and create jobs.

No.

No.  Business is not holding back due to uncertainty surrounding default.  You got the uncertainty right, but you missed the whole “why” part.

I know we can do this. We can meet our fiscal challenge.  That’s what the American people sent us here to do. They didn’t send us here to kick our problems down the road. That’s exactly what they don’t like about Washington. They sent us here to work together. They sent us here to get things done.

Right now, we have an extraordinary – and extraordinarily rare – opportunity to move forward in a way that makes sure our government lives within its means,

What ARE you talking about?  We have this opportunity virtually every day.  Just quit spending so much frackin’ money!

that puts our economy on a sounder footing for the future, and that still invests in the things we need to prosper in the years to come.

 

And I’m hopeful that we will rise to the moment, and seize this opportunity, on behalf of all Americans, and the future we hold in common. Thanks everyone, and have a great weekend.

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Posted in Politics: National, Weekly Radio Address

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