Attention Democrats of this board

[Greenbeard]

First time voter here for 2012.... What has Obama done that should make me vote at all (since I feel the Republican field is weak).

Probably depends on what your issue(s) is/are.

A first answer might be: he's helming a historic shift toward a high-value, evidence-based, digital health system that's built for quality improvement and cost reduction (while allowing for increased access). With the exception of Newt Gingrich, his opponents are campaigning against these goals and Newt is, at least rhetorically, duty-bound to oppose ideas associated with Obama, no matter how necessary or common-sense they are, even if he supports them when no mention of Obama is made.

 

[Listening]

No fucking way I am going to vote for someone who adheres to a strict "States Rights" mentality.

"States Rights" has been a bastion for some of the biggest atrocities in our history from Slavery to Civil Rights and now to allowing homosexuals to marry.

The "states" aren't always right.

You seem to be missing the point of states rights entirely. It's that very fact, that government isn't always right, that makes the diversity implied by states rights so important. Centralizing control at the federal level commits us all to one course, no matter how wrong it may be.

Absofrigginglutely......if one state makes a mistake....310,000,000 Americans don't have to eat it.

Besides, what works for one state may not work for another.

 

[geauxtohell]

This thread is full of PANDERING FAIL.

I see the left are acting like piranhas with this new member because he is clearly uninformed in politics.

Secondly this poster starts off claiming to be republican but wanting SOMEONE ELSE to tell him to vote for Obama.

What a bunch of stupid nonsense.

Where did he claim to be a Republican?

 

[geauxtohell]

I understand democrats can do no wrong in your eyes, even if it kills citizens.

They can certainly do wrong.

It's just the comparative wrongs of the GOP are so massive, it makes pulling the level easy.

Difficult to argue with your imagination. Fantasy is a liberal staple.

So are you checking out, then?

 

[Full-Auto]

First time voter here for 2012.... What has Obama done that should make me vote at all (since I feel the Republican field is weak).

Probably depends on what your issue(s) is/are.

A first answer might be: he's helming a historic shift toward a high-value, evidence-based, digital health system that's built for quality improvement and cost reduction (while allowing for increased access). With the exception of Newt Gingrich, his opponents are campaigning against these goals and Newt is, at least rhetorically, duty-bound to oppose ideas associated with Obama, no matter how necessary or common-sense they are, even if he supports them when no mention of Obama is made.

Yes cost reduction, though our policies have caused costs to rise up to 300% in some cases, we will give you a 25% discount for voting democrat.

 

[dblack]

Yeah. It should be up to the states to designate who can drink where based on skin color.

Absolutely not. The 14th amendment (if it is enforced properly) ensures equal protection. Jim Crow laws don't fly under the "states' rights" flag.

But I wonder if you'll address my actual point. If you're willing to acknowledge that states (ie governments) aren't always right, where is the benefit of one-size-fits-all?

 

[Remodeling Maidiac]

This thread is full of PANDERING FAIL.

I see the left are acting like piranhas with this new member because he is clearly uninformed in politics.

Secondly this poster starts off claiming to be republican but wanting SOMEONE ELSE to tell him to vote for Obama.

What a bunch of stupid nonsense.

*ahem*
Says the first person to reply

In case you didn't notice I was mocking him in my first post. Not acting like a shark circling prey.

 

[hortysir]

This thread is full of PANDERING FAIL.

I see the left are acting like piranhas with this new member because he is clearly uninformed in politics.

Secondly this poster starts off claiming to be republican but wanting SOMEONE ELSE to tell him to vote for Obama.

What a bunch of stupid nonsense.

*ahem*
Says the first person to reply

In case you didn't notice I was mocking him in my first post. Not acting like a shark circling prey.

I get you, Grandpa.
Just yankin' your chain, bro'

 

[alan1]

An anecdote.

I felt Al Gore didn't warrant my vote in 2000. So I wrote in "Harry Truman". Then we got that disaster George W. Bush for eight years.

That's when I had a magical revelation.

When it comes to elections in this country (and especially the presidency), you aren't voting for someone. You are voting against the other guy.

I am voting for Obama because the GOP field is fucking scary. The GOP unto itself is fucking scary.

Voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil.
Last presidential election, neither was worthy of my vote and neither got it. Might happen again this time around.

I suppose that would be relevant if you view common politicians as "evil" and not regular men with ideas and flaws that can greatly help or harm the country.

I refuse to give my vote to one that doesn't deserve it.
Voting against somebody instead of for somebody isn't the answer in my opinion.
That's why we have the crap choices we've got.

 

[Full-Auto]

This thread is full of PANDERING FAIL.

I see the left are acting like piranhas with this new member because he is clearly uninformed in politics.

Secondly this poster starts off claiming to be republican but wanting SOMEONE ELSE to tell him to vote for Obama.

What a bunch of stupid nonsense.

*ahem*
Says the first person to reply

In case you didn't notice I was mocking him in my first post. Not acting like a shark circling prey.

Now I have to put the steak knives away. WTH.

 

[yidnar]

a lot of white middle class Americans that are customers of mine that voted for Obama in 08 say they are not going to vote for him again !!! and that is the truth !!

 

[gallantwarrior]

First time voter here for 2012.... What has Obama done that should make me vote at all (since I feel the Republican field is weak).

An anecdote.

I felt Al Gore didn't warrant my vote in 2000. So I wrote in "Harry Truman". Then we got that disaster George W. Bush for eight years.

That's when I had a magical revelation.

When it comes to elections in this country (and especially the presidency), you aren't voting for someone. You are voting against the other guy.

I am voting for Obama because the GOP field is fucking scary. The GOP unto itself is fucking scary.

If the GOP field is so weak, what makes them scary? There are many who believe that none of the current GOP offerings have a chance of winning, so they shouldn't be scary.

 

[gallantwarrior]

Okay, I'm not a Democrat, but I don't think the Obama administration has been completely without merit.

Obama did, eventually, get us out of Iraq. He's given some genuinely good speeches (the one after Gabby GIffords shooting comes to mind). He's stepped up diplomatic efforts abroad, with slightly less emphasis on military threats - though he's made no substantive changes to our foreign policy.

Pretty much all of his other 'achievements' I consider bad policy, so that's all I got.

If you vote, don't play the lesser of two evils game. Vote for someone who substantially reflects your values - otherwise your vote is truly wasted.

The "Gaby Giffords" speech? Really? He called for more civil discussion, more open communication...and the left went into full-out attack mode, worse than rabid pitbulls on steroid meth... Sometimes, words are just empty noise when there is no substance to back them up. He did nothing to rein in those pitbulls, either.

 

[dblack]

The "Gaby Giffords" speech? Really? He called for more civil discussion, more open communication...and the left went into full-out attack mode, worse than rabid pitbulls on steroid meth... Sometimes, words are just empty noise when there is no substance to back them up. He did nothing to rein in those pitbulls, either.

Yeah. I thought it was a good speech. Specifically called for rising above partisanship. I'm not sure what 'the left' did. I'm sure there was jackassitude on both 'sides'.

 

[alan1]

Okay, I'm not a Democrat, but I don't think the Obama administration has been completely without merit.

Obama did, eventually, get us out of Iraq. He's given some genuinely good speeches (the one after Gabby GIffords shooting comes to mind). He's stepped up diplomatic efforts abroad, with slightly less emphasis on military threats - though he's made no substantive changes to our foreign policy.

Pretty much all of his other 'achievements' I consider bad policy, so that's all I got.

If you vote, don't play the lesser of two evils game. Vote for someone who substantially reflects your values - otherwise your vote is truly wasted.

Seriously? Do you think Mr Obama did that?
Mr Obama followed Mr Bush's agreement (timeline) with the new Iraqi government. Mr Obama didn't "get us out of Iraq", it was a done deal before he took office.

 

[dblack]

Okay, I'm not a Democrat, but I don't think the Obama administration has been completely without merit.

Obama did, eventually, get us out of Iraq. He's given some genuinely good speeches (the one after Gabby GIffords shooting comes to mind). He's stepped up diplomatic efforts abroad, with slightly less emphasis on military threats - though he's made no substantive changes to our foreign policy.

Pretty much all of his other 'achievements' I consider bad policy, so that's all I got.

If you vote, don't play the lesser of two evils game. Vote for someone who substantially reflects your values - otherwise your vote is truly wasted.

Seriously? Do you think Mr Obama did that?
Mr Obama followed Mr Bush's agreement (timeline) with the new Iraqi government. Mr Obama didn't "get us out of Iraq".

Probably some truth to that. But I would have given Bush the same (small) credit for following through. The only difference is, Bush instigated was I considered to be a completely unnecessary war. Whether Obama would have started it as well is an open question. But he did end it, however belatedly, and that's a good thing.

 

[J.E.D]

First time voter here for 2012.... What has Obama done that should make me vote at all (since I feel the Republican field is weak).

I've got something for you to consider. Remember, Republicans opposed nearly all of the following list:

42+ Democratic Accomplishments You May Not Know About | rescue truth.

25 Tax Cuts Passed By Obama & Democrats[3]

Individuals

“Making Work Pay” tax credit
Earned Income Tax Credit increased
Increased Eligibility for Refundable Portion of Child Credit
“American Opportunity” Education Tax Credit
First-time Home Buyer Credit
Temp. Suspension of Taxation of Unemployment Benefits
Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Improvements to Existing Homes
Sales Tax Deduction for Vehicle Purchases
Premium Credits for COBRA Continuation Coverage for Unemployed Workers
Economic Recovery Credits to Recipients of Social Security, SSI, RR Retirement, and Veterans Disability Compensation Benefits
Computers as Qualified Education Expenses in 529 Education Plans
Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Credit
Tax Parity for Transit Benefits
Health Coverage Tax Credit Expansion

Small Business

Extension of Enhanced Small Business Expensing
5-Year Carryback of Net Operating Losses for Small Businesses
Extension of Bonus Depreciation
Exclusion of 75% of Small Business Capital Gains from Taxes
Temporary Small Business Estimated Tax Payment Relief
Temporary Reduction of S Corporation Built-In Gains Holding Period from 10 Years to 7 Years

Other Business

Advanced Energy Investment Credit
Tax Credits for Alternative Refueling Property
Work Opportunity Tax Credits for Hiring Unemployed Veterans and Disconnected Youth
Delayed Recognition of Certain Cancellation of Debt Income
Election to Accelerate Recognition of Historic AMT/R&D Credits

Fun Fact: 1/3 of the $862 billion stimulus was for tax cuts, something Republicans claim to support … although they still stand against stimulus. I suppose it depends on who gets the tax cuts.
Women’s Rights

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
Protection against pay discrimination
Restores interpretation of Title VII of Civil Rights Act that protected women and other workers

Financial Rights

Credit CARD Act
Prevents retroactive rate increases
Requires companies to provide 45 days notice before changing rates and other contract provisions
Additional restrictions placed on fees
Prevents companies from taking advantage of students
Ends unfair double-cycle billing practices
Financial reform bill
Establishes Consumer Financial Protection Bureau which seeks solely to ensure financial institutions are being fair to consumers, and improvement in the simplicity in contracts
Prevents taxpayer bail out of financial institutions
Allows the GAO to audit the Federal Reserve
Various mortgage and derivatives reform, etc.

Education

Student loans[1]
Ends “socialistic” federal subsidies to banks and other financial institutions (Interestingly, Republicans are okay with the kind of socialism that redirects taxpayer money to banks and other financial institutions.)
Eliminates unnecessary “middle-man” in student loan process, which placed financial burden on taxpayers while banks took in profits
Annual student loan payment capped at 10% of income
Saves an estimated $61 billion over 10 years

Health Care

Children’s health insurance bill[2]
CBO said bill will allow states to cover more than four million uninsured children by 2013, in addition to seven million already covered
Requires states to provide dental and mental illness coverage to children
Tobacco regulation
Provides graphic warnings on tobacco use risks
Restricts advertising to prevent marketing to minors
Health care reform
Insurers cannot cancel coverage when a person gets sick
Requires health insurance corporations to cover preexisting conditions
Eliminates lifetime limits
Allows insurance purchase across state lines
Allows young adults to stay on parents’ health insurance policy until 26

Crime & Civil Rights

Hate crime legislation[4]
Provides protection for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people
Tribal Law and Order Act
Provide additional means to reduce high rates of violent crime, including rape & sexual assualt within Native American reservations
View the rescuetruth.com post on the Tribal Law and Order Act

Other

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
Expands service and voluteer opportunites
Benefits education, health care, energy, etc.
Stimulus
Cash for Clunkers successfully contributed to 680,000+ vehicle sales in summer 2009
Largest clean energy investment ever made
Reduced deficit by $122 billion[5]
Reduced federal spending by 2%[5]

What didn’t get passed because of Republican obstructionism?

Health Care for 9/11 Emergency Responders
DISCLOSE Act (transparency in elections, specifically campaign financing)
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal
Removal of $75 million cap on oil spill payouts
Elimination of tax incentives for companies shipping American jobs overseas, and creation of tax incentives to businesses bringing jobs home

 

[gallantwarrior]

First time voter here for 2012.... What has Obama done that should make me vote at all (since I feel the Republican field is weak).

1. Lowered your taxes.
2. Fixed economy.
3. Killed Bin Laden.
4. Obamacare.
5. Ended war in Iraq.

Let me get this:
1. Signed an extension of the BUSH tax cuts and an extension of the SSN payroll decreases.
2. Fixed the economy...maybe in your parallel universe. In mine, the fecal matter is still processing through the rotary ocsillator.
3. Killed bin Laden. Personally, no. He even had to be dragged in off the golf course when this gig went down.
4. Obamacare. Really? REALLY? R-E-A-L-L-Y? Are you serious? I guess you didn't read it, even after it was passed...
5. Ended the war in Iraq. And moved most of the troops into Afghanistan and Kuwait. The only ones who came home were those due to rotate back anyhow. Oh, don't mention Syria, or any of the other new conflicts he's thrown our good military men/women into.

Okay, dokey...whatever you say.

 

[alan1]

Okay, I'm not a Democrat, but I don't think the Obama administration has been completely without merit.

Obama did, eventually, get us out of Iraq. He's given some genuinely good speeches (the one after Gabby GIffords shooting comes to mind). He's stepped up diplomatic efforts abroad, with slightly less emphasis on military threats - though he's made no substantive changes to our foreign policy.

Pretty much all of his other 'achievements' I consider bad policy, so that's all I got.

If you vote, don't play the lesser of two evils game. Vote for someone who substantially reflects your values - otherwise your vote is truly wasted.

Seriously? Do you think Mr Obama did that?
Mr Obama followed Mr Bush's agreement (timeline) with the new Iraqi government. Mr Obama didn't "get us out of Iraq".

Probably some truth to that. But I would have given Bush the same (small) credit for following through. The only difference is, Bush instigated was I considered to be a completely unnecessary war. Whether Obama would have started it as well is an open question. But he did end it, however belatedly, and that's a good thing.

My point was that Mr Obama didn't end it.
Facts prove that.

 

[J.E.D]

Okay, I'm not a Democrat, but I don't think the Obama administration has been completely without merit.

Obama did, eventually, get us out of Iraq. He's given some genuinely good speeches (the one after Gabby GIffords shooting comes to mind). He's stepped up diplomatic efforts abroad, with slightly less emphasis on military threats - though he's made no substantive changes to our foreign policy.

Pretty much all of his other 'achievements' I consider bad policy, so that's all I got.

If you vote, don't play the lesser of two evils game. Vote for someone who substantially reflects your values - otherwise your vote is truly wasted.

Seriously? Do you think Mr Obama did that?
Mr Obama followed Mr Bush's agreement (timeline) with the new Iraqi government. Mr Obama didn't "get us out of Iraq", it was a done deal before he took office.

No it wasn't. It was a timeline, not set in stone. And many Republicans, including McCain are openly hostile to the withdrawal.

"Over 4,000 brave young Americans gave their lives in this conflict," McCain said. "... I hope that their families will not mourn the day that their sons and daughters went out to fight for freedom for the Iraqi people. Unfortunately, it is clear that this decision of a complete pullout of United States troops from Iraq was dictated by politics, and not our national security interests."
Obama, McCain hold one last debate on Iraq