Obama: Perceived as Weak or Strong? Or too early?

[biostud]

when using GDP pr capita it does not show if there's a an extremely wealthy elite and a large group of people with less money.

http://economistsview.typepad....09/gdp-per-capita.html

The disconnect between economic growth and middle-class income growth is due largely to rising inequality. In the past several decades much of the economy?s growth has gone to those at the top of the income distribution.

Personally I think Obama will be very strong, because unlike GWB he's perceived as a "Good" guy, and lot of political victories are won with diplomacy rather than brute force. But I have no doubt that he will strike against the enemies of US the way he thinks will be the best for US. Becoming a president without the strong support of a party (they supported Hillary), without a long political career, he has shown that he himself can create what is necessary to become the president. A person who can do that is not one who will roll over whenever he see opposition. I think he is extremely talented in getting what he wants, whether that is through fighting, diplomacy or economy.

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Fox5

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I don't think we should be so quick to be so anti-European. They are, on average, are happier with their lives, have more balance, and have a higher life-expectancy/standard of living.

We aren't perfect. Neither is the EU. But we have a lot we can learn about each other.

Everyone has a lot to learn from each other, but our relationship with Europe is unbalanced and dangerous. Europe is imploding and in 50 years will crumble under its demographic problems. If the US does not act now to form new and serious relationships with emerging countries, then we're going to have another crisis in our lifetimes. Our own demographics are changing and this irrational alliance with Europe will be changed, whether you like it or not.

I disagree, so long as Europe maintains its laws and high standards of education, I think it'll fair better than America. The Europeans seem far better at indoctrinating their citizens into their culture, way more patriotic on the whole.

I disagree. University-level education is severely lacking in quality in Europe. Europe is in no way perceived as a technological or educational powerhouse except for perhaps Germany. Unfortunately, demographics are not going their way. Their ages are increasing and populations decreasing. The US and Asia will lead the way.

Europe's laws are specifically what must be changed. They cannot maintain the crushing oppression against minority groups.

Europe's culture is stagnated and stuck in time since it's owned by the government and not the people. The lack of cultural output is shocking. There is a severe lack of integration partially due to this.

I don't know if university education is lacking in Europe or not (I figured it was about on par with the US for pre-graduate school), but they have a higher base line. How many Europeans can't speak their country's language at a high school proficiency? Many countries may even rival America for proficiency in English.
Just like there are less wealthy people in Europe, but also less poor. They fit everyone into a nice little mold of acceptability.
Culturally, yes, Europe pretty much sucks and their governments are probably to blame for it. I don't know if strong culture is really a necessity in the modern world though.