Who else on the left regrets voting for Obama?

[Darwin333]

Yep, don't let perfect be the enemy of good. Obama is by no means perfect, but compared to anyone actually capable of securing a Republican nomination, voting for him is a slam dunk.

LMAO! Even your side doesn't consider him "good". Sure they think he is less bad but actually good??? I think not.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

The absurdity of this position is that if you and me and a bunch of folk did this, McCain would have won. A vote for a third party that can't win is one less vote against the greater evil.

While a third party would most likely lead to the result you suggest, consider the implications. We rarely have an opportunity to vote for someone we can believe in, or at least reasonably dare to. This last presidential election demonstrates that all too well.

I'm afraid that we have come to the time Washington predicted. Someone please prove me wrong.

 

[Darwin333]

Don't feel bad it doesnt matter who you vote for. They are all double-talking, K Street toadies who ignore real social problems and use the legislative process to construct massive perpetual handouts for their campaign-contributor sponsors. Been that way for about 3 decades.

It's gotten worse though in that they shield them from prosecution for crimes and one phone call is all it takes to get rid of a honest Federal investigator. Same guy who prosecuted S&L frauds said he could throw 10x in jail today but him and other prosecutors are told to lay off and some fired when they dared approach it.

I have no regrets because I had no illusions.

And here we have the truth, as fucked up as it may be. Reality cab be a cruel bitch at times, this is one of those times.

 

[Craig234]

Quoting myself from 2006:

I'm not a big fan of Obama yet either. I want another FDR: when the republicans break things, there's a chance for someone who will do a lot of good. We don't want a half-ass democrat, we want someone who will prevent the next Bush the way that FDR moved the country away from the far right.

I don't regret voting for Obama over McCain for a second. I think he's been far better than McCain/Paling would have.

I think he has largely disappointed the left (and the country's interests) in a number of areas as my post was concerned about.

He hasn't gotten Wall Street, the class war by the wealthy, the military, even tax cheats reigned in.

He *has* done a lot better than they would have on any number of issues, from his priorities for stimulus, his handling of the auto companies threatened by the financial crisis (saving possibly hundreds of thousands of jobs and a major US industry), giving some power to Elizabeth Warren rather than the industry-appointed people to regulate, restraint on the military's use, reversing Bush's gutting of the Freedom of Information Act, appointing justices 'like Warren' rather than 'like Scalia/Thomas'.

But I think that he has not been the next FDR we need, at all.

Quoting myself again from 2/08:

I need to have more info that Obama has more than the charisma affecting many people.

Where is he on the need to reign in corporate power, the concentration of wealth, other than vague platitudes and disgusting praise of Ronald Reagan, to pander to the right?

Right now, I think Hillary would like be a 'decent' president; Obama has more room to be both better or worse than her. On the better is his 'inspiring' leadership that has touched a lot of people, if that's backed up in policy; on the downside is his naivete about the right wing, where he'd be eaten alive, Jimmy Carter II, a man who meant well but was ineffective, not unlike the way Clinton saw the Democrats lose Congress for 12 years, or Carter saw Reagan go from crazy radical unelectable to President.

I was looking for the next FDR... right now, Obama, nice smile and all, is a question mark IMO.

Beware the candidate who appeals to the faux-unity, one based simply on an appeal to unity rather than by resolving the reasons why there isn't already unity.

Unfortunately, the answers to my question on reigning in the corporate interests, the concentration of wealth, are not too good.

I think I was right on about his naivete about the right-wing for most of his presidency, as he has given away the store every time, with a few exceptions.

Nothing like watching him adopt the *Republican position* to get their support and having them then vote against him.

Republicans ran on the word "jobs" to get elected, but it's only the word - their actual policies have had nothing to do with jobs, only the right-wing social wish list, because they know well that the worse the economy, the worse unemployment, in 2012 the better their chances. He's still giving them easy concessions.

And what is he getting for it? His signature bill, healthcare - already greatly damaged to be pro-corporation and cater to Republicans - now faces non-funding.

He has Republicans attacking him for not attacking Libya, and then when he does for attacking Libya.

Back when Clinton was President, with his conflict in Serbia Republicans were the masters of nit-picking; there are great quotes as they DEMANDED closed-ended narrow mission statements, withdrawal dates, exact costs, that are hilariously hypocritical in light of Bush's war in Iraq - but now they sing the same song again.

 

[theeedude]

LMAO! Even your side doesn't consider him "good". Sure they think he is less bad but actually good??? I think not.

Sure, he is good. Not in the way that chocolate is good, but in the way an antibiotic is good, even if it sometime has some unpleasant side effects. This country simply cannot afford anymore Republican "leadership".

 

[Moonbeam]

The absurdity of your position is that you are still ultimately voting for evil. I am sure it is due to a deep sense of self hate and you projecting that self hate upon everyone else by intentionally voting for evil though.

I refuse to vote for evil, period. If more people thought like me and less thought like you perhaps we wouldn't have to settle for evil, until then you and people that think like you will continue to give us evil.

Exactly so, the lesser of two evils. As I mentioned before, you have so much self hate that you can't do what is right when it contains some wrong. You are an ideological idiot and ivory tower asshole. I will get in the mud and take the lesser of evils no matter the cost to my ego, my dear self righteous fool.

 

[Moonbeam]

While a third party would most likely lead to the result you suggest, consider the implications. We rarely have an opportunity to vote for someone we can believe in, or at least reasonably dare to. This last presidential election demonstrates that all too well.

I'm afraid that we have come to the time Washington predicted. Someone please prove me wrong.

We can vote to have no none of the above on the ballot or a tier vote system, first choice, second choice etc. where each vote counts for the next one down if the higher choice doesn't win. We have created the mess we are in.

 

[wuliheron]

ROFL. Yes, because people said "Maverick" with that same "teenage-girl-with-blinders-on" look that they said "yes we can" with!

Obama isn't an idealist, he's a bureaucrat who played on idealism to get elected. And last I checked I haven't blamed Obama for anything other than that wasteful late term abortion of a healthcare bill, the banning of the sale of antique firearms with the Brady Campaign's line for justification, his stupid railway project that Florida rightly refused, and his refusal to make any hard cuts to the budget items that matter. Oh and I'm blaming him for insulting the intelligence of gun owners with his piece in the Arizona Star that blatantly defies his very established anti-gun record.

Funny thing is, those were all actions taken directly by him, so I can blame him for them. Fancy that.

If you really see him as such a 2 dimensional caricature then I guess P.T. Barnum was right and, "Nobody ever lost money underestimating the average intelligence of the American public." All that foaming at the mouth you're doing must therefore be for your own entertainment since, obviously, the American public is so easily fooled.

 

[Darwin333]

Sure, he is good. Not in the way that chocolate is good, but in the way an antibiotic is good, even if it sometime has some unpleasant side effects. This country simply cannot afford anymore Republican "leadership".

Chemo would have been a much better example. A poison that just happens to kill bad stuff too. Hopefully for your side it kills more bad stuff than good stuff. I seriously doubt that though.

 

[bamacre]

Exactly so, the lesser of two evils. As I mentioned before, you have so much self hate that you can't do what is right when it contains some wrong. You are an ideological idiot and ivory tower asshole. I will get in the mud and take the lesser of evils no matter the cost to my ego, my dear self righteous fool.

When exactly did he go from this...

He's the hope we've been waiting for. There are so many who have no real hope. They were destroyed by their own self hate. But some still believe and project their hope on him.

Trust in God but tie your camel first. When the lid of hopelessness is lifted change becomes possible, but only through work. He is the hope we've been waiting for but the work has to be supplied by us. Get behind Obama and push. The weight of the dead self haters that buries us is enormous.

Nothing can stand before the will of God. A mighty wave is coming. Open your hearts to the light.

... to being "the lesser of two evils?"

 

[Darwin333]

Exactly so, the lesser of two evils. As I mentioned before, you have so much self hate that you can't do what is right when it contains some wrong. You are an ideological idiot and ivory tower asshole. I will get in the mud and take the lesser of evils no matter the cost to my ego, my dear self righteous fool.

I will remain right where I am and advocate that evil is not chosen. Perhaps one day enough people will join my ranks and we actually make some progress but I do admit that I am not all that optimistic.

Until then I will enjoy my status as a self righteous fool rather than a perpetual supporter of evil pretending that I am somehow good in my support of evil. Your attitude has given great comfort to the people who helped commit the worst crimes this earth has ever seen, I am proud to not be in your ranks.

 

[Darwin333]

When exactly did he go from this...



... to being "the lesser of two evils?"

I would personally say a year or so into his term. Up until then he was either a candidate or given the benefit of the doubt. At this point it is very very hard to defend him as "the hope" when he is doing damn near the exact same thing as Bush did. We even added a whole new war to the lineup!

 

[Darwin333]

-snip-

Bottom line: It is the Republicans fault that he sucks?

 

[ericlp]

I didn't vote for Obama, but had I did I probably would be quite disappointed and surprised. He turned out a lot more like GW Bush then I ever thought he would be.

And you voted for who? Where you born under a rock when McFucking SAME voted for bush 95% down the same line bush did?

Sheesh, that should of been a no brainer.

Although it really wasn't Mcsame I was worried about it was his running mate. She was a real winner. Damn think god Saturday night live woke up a few people. It was the biggest joke going.

Sorry, I voted 3'rd party. Will continue to vote 3rd party unless there is someone worth voting for. But I don't see that happening any time soon. The two party system has been busted since nancy and ronnie were fucking things up. Tho, I have my doubts on a third party is gonna make any difference since the WHOLE system congress senate supreme judges all need to be fired...

That's my take, and yeah it's a big pipe dream. Probably never see it happen in my life time but who knows.

 

[spidey07]

As much as it shames me to say this, Obama could be the best thing for our nation. He has exposed the true marxist elements in our government and their goal and just how destructive it is. Just two short years. All over the world governments are trying to cut back and being met with "protesters".

Obama wants this, this is part of the communist revolution he so desires and he is ACTIVELY working to achieve it. Well The People see what he's trying to do and have risen up via their vote. So while the jobless communist fucks protest to steal money from productive members of society, We The People will keep working.

But don't for a god damn minute think we won't show up at the ballot box. No more. Nobama, November.

Barrack Hussein Obama has unified this country like no other president, he has unified it against him.

FBHO

 

[Moonbeam]

I will remain right where I am and advocate that evil is not chosen. Perhaps one day enough people will join my ranks and we actually make some progress but I do admit that I am not all that optimistic.

Until then I will enjoy my status as a self righteous fool rather than a perpetual supporter of evil pretending that I am somehow good in my support of evil. Your attitude has given great comfort to the people who helped commit the worst crimes this earth has ever seen, I am proud to not be in your ranks.

You're proud your head's up your ass. The worst crimes on earth could be worse, no thanks purists like you.

 

[OrByte]

I'm voting for him again

 

[irishScott]

If you really see him as such a 2 dimensional caricature then I guess P.T. Barnum was right and, "Nobody ever lost money underestimating the average intelligence of the American public." All that foaming at the mouth you're doing must therefore be for your own entertainment since, obviously, the American public is so easily fooled.

Foaming at the mouth? Not really. Obama takes positions on a lot of things I disagree with. Pardon me for being frustrated.

And I don't see him as 2d. In fact I apparently see him as more 3d than you, who take his idealist projection hook line and sinker. We're talking about the guy whom, after the mid-term elections, blamed his communication skills in part for the results. It couldn't have had anything to do with the American people disagreeing with his policies could it? Nahhh he just should have made prettier speeches.

I'm not saying he's evil or malicious, just a politician like any other. And it pisses me off when people talk about him like Caesar Augustus after he makes a pretty speech that doesn't really say all that much.

 

[wuliheron]

I'm not saying he's evil or malicious, just a politician like any other. And it pisses me off when people talk about him like Caesar Augustus after he makes a pretty speech that doesn't really say all that much.

So now it's politicians in general that are 2D caricatures. I can live with that. Still, somebody keeps voting for them so I guess that's what the average person wants.

 

[Steeplerot]

As much as it shames me to say this, Obama could be the best thing for our nation. He has exposed the true marxist elements in our government and their goal and just how destructive it is. Just two short years. All over the world governments are trying to cut back and being met with "protesters".

Obama wants this, this is part of the communist revolution he so desires and he is ACTIVELY working to achieve it. Well The People see what he's trying to do and have risen up via their vote. So while the jobless communist fucks protest to steal money from productive members of society, We The People will keep working.

But don't for a god damn minute think we won't show up at the ballot box. No more. Nobama, November.

Barrack Hussein Obama has unified this country like no other president, he has unified it against him.

FBHO

Actually, if anything he will get my vote this time around thanks to insane morons like you. Good job!

 

[Craig234]

Bottom line: It is the Republicans fault that he sucks?

I find your inference irrational.

First, he doessn't 'suck'. He sucks on some issues; as I said, he's far better than the other major party's options.

The areas he does 'suck' on, are for a variety of reasons, some his, some not.

I can understand you equating powerful interests in this country and Republicans because they're so aligned, but they are two different things.

The powerful interests influence many Democrats as well as most Republicans. To the extent these interests can filter who can be elected, requiring almost anyone who wants to win to have to get their approval and funding, yes, some of the ways politicians can 'suck' is the fault of these powerful forces.

To the extent that Republicans, with their abuse as the minority of the filibuster, could force Obama to adopt their bad positions, yes, they are to blame for that.

Sometimes, they're not; Obama makes his own bad policies, too.

Can a president do anything about Wall Street abuse? About big business abuse? About tax cheating by the rich? About the debt in the short term?

As the right has power shifted to these powerful private interests, the president can do less and less for the people. It's their 'fault' for a lot of that.

You posted a simplistic statement and one not having a lot to do with my post.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

I supported Obama and lampooned Hillary during the primaries and I feel badly about it now.

 

[theeedude]

Chemo would have been a much better example. A poison that just happens to kill bad stuff too. Hopefully for your side it kills more bad stuff than good stuff. I seriously doubt that though.

Still better than the cancer of GOP policies that has been destroying this country since Reagan.
BTW, I supported Hillary in primary, but Obama has proven himself worthy. I don't think Hillary could have tackled healthcare again.

 

[Jaskalas]

And you voted for who?

I don't know what your ballot looked like, but here in AL there was more than a binary choice in 2008.

 

[dmcowen674]

Bottom line: It is the Republicans fault that he sucks?

Absolutely, how have they helped?