Well done Mr. President...well done! https://medium.com/@WhiteHouse/pres...-of-the-union-address-7c06300f9726#.d3igl1y9i "Let me start with the economy, and a basic fact: the United States of America, right now, has the strongest, most durable economy in the world. We’re in the middle of the longest streak of private-sector job creation in history. More than 14 million new jobs; the strongest two years of job growth since the ’90s; an unemployment rate cut in half. Our auto industry just had its best year ever. Manufacturing has created nearly 900,000 new jobs in the past six years. And we’ve done all this while cutting our deficits by almost three-quarters. Anyone claiming that America’s economy is in decline is peddling fiction. What is true?—?and the reason that a lot of Americans feel anxious?—?is that the economy has been changing in profound ways, changes that started long before the Great Recession hit and haven’t let up. Today, technology doesn’t just replace jobs on the assembly line, but any job where work can be automated. Companies in a global economy can locate anywhere, and face tougher competition. As a result, workers have less leverage for a raise. Companies have less loyalty to their communities. And more and more wealth and income is concentrated at the very top.
Flame, ad hominem insults are not conducive to constructive debate. If you have some intelligent facts or studies that contradict what the president is saying, feel free to post, otherwise save the monkey comments.
Loki, you and I differ on our views of the Obama presidency. I watched his address last night, and I couldn't help but think that he made a huge dig on the American people with his if only politicians could pick their constituents instead of the other way around comment. I do think he accomplished some things, but you can't deny that his presidency is great. Our country is more divided than ever - he did the exact opposite of what he promised in 2007/8. I'm not going to run through everything. You know my feelings on some of the major issues. I just didn't see his speech as "mic drop" worthy.
Reasonable people can certainly disagree when it comes to politics Books. If i'm reading your first point correctly, I think you might have misunderstood the presidents comments on gerrymandering. What he was saying is exactly what you are stating, that politicians should not, be allowed to re-draw the lines of districts to rig the elections in their favor. Obama stated he is in favor putting more power in the hands of the people. As far as the divisiveness of the country, well it takes two hands to clap, and I saw Obama reach across the aisle time and time again to try to get things done only to be met with disdain from the GOP. The main reasons I feel the Obama presidency has yielded amazing results is that the deficit has been cut by almost 3/4ths, unemployment has been cut in half, taxes have been lowered for 98% of americans, and the ACA while FAR from perfect is slowing down the rising cost of healthcare, while providing more coverage. These are historic accomplishments given the wasteland that was our economy in 2008.
Well said. Yes, the country is obviously more divided nowdays, but I don't think it was President Obama's doing. You're right in that he tried many times to work with the folks on the other side of the aisle. In fact, I was starting to get frustrated with President Obama for continuing his effort of working with the GOP when they clearly were holding true to their pledge of.... "Stop this president at every turn, and make him a one term president". I guess it pissed them off even more when they failed to make him a one term president. I personally think he's done well considering the wasteland he inherited coupled with the intentional obstruction from right. Many like to scream about jobs, economy etc, but conveniently forget those scary months of 2008 when the economy was shedding over 600,000 jobs per month, banks weren't loaning money/banks failing, housing market crumbling, financial markets crashing and nearly losing the auto industry.
I think that president Obama did a lot for the country despite the opposition he had faced. And he did it with dignity. He could've done more if the GOP didn't block him at every turn.
Loki and others, I have not researched all of this yet but what are your thoughts about what Tavis Smiley states here: [YOUTUBE]2u6qrgDQC5U[/YOUTUBE] And Larry Elder states here Under Obama, Blacks Are Worse Off -- Far Worse
How can he be blamed for a divided country when it's blarringly obvious who's doing the dividing. It's not his fault a bunch of racism white supremacists would rather watch everyone go hungry and be homeless than to work with a black guy. Think about how fucked up that is Book. There are people who are suppose to be working for your best interest but would rather stonewall every advancement just because they don't like the skin tone of the person leading. It is most definitely not him place the blame squarely where it's deserved.
Hell that's been going on forever but just moved to the next level on him. Any dude screaming you lie, well you know the rest
I think Tavis was somewhat fair there, he did admit that we would have to wait to judge President Obama and that there could be some debate as to whether it was the president not pushing hard enough on issues that affect Black America or was he blocked by congress. I think this article gives a very good analysis... http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/donald-trump-right-what-obamas-done-black-america-n403881
This is comedy, but there is a lot of truth to it, especially starting at 1:30 [YOUTUBE]GDyO4KzbuiE[/YOUTUBE]
It wasn't the president's fault that black Americans lost ground economically because everyone EXCEPT for the top 1% lost ground. This isn't a race issue and to be honest this another example of people not understanding civics. Congress controls the purse strings ie the money, where it goes is ultimately up to them. The president can propose a bill and he has veto power but he can not unilaterally make decisions otherwise our healthcare would look completely different. He's essentially the face we focus on while others basically fuck the American people but hey blame the black guy it's easier than actually looking at what's going on.
Sadly, this is true. Many of the President's objectives weren't met because his hands were tied. He was basically filler busted.
