Attention Democrats of this board

[dblack]

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

Sure he did. He may have been following his predecessor, but he certainly could have drug it out. To be fair, he wanted to - but the Iraqis wouldn't budge on immunity for our troops, so he pulled out. You seem to be of the opinion that I'm cheering for Obama - far from it. I think he's almost as bad as Bush was.

 

[gallantwarrior]

WillowTree of the Right is a prime example of why your vote counts and matters.

The youth of this nation exercising their constitutional rights scares the hell out of them. Just go and read the posts about OWS.

They want you out of the picture.

So vote just to piss them off.

Or to at least try and entice them to give a shit about you.

Yep. Look at their reaction to the Ron Paul voters, who are predominately 'idealist' youth. Regardless of who you vote for in the general, you should register Republican and vote for RP in the primaries. Send a message to the powers-that-be opposing the warfare state (if indeed you are of that mindset).

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.

Oh, and the fed always is?

 

[Cecilie1200]

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'm not a Democrat, but I would like to say that if you need someone to tell you why you should vote, you really, REALLY shouldn't.

 

[hortysir]

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

372 Bills That Have Been Passed by the House & Not Yet

372 Bills That Have Been Passed by the House & Not Yet 
Acted Upon By the Senate
 (as of 8/23/10)



Here are just 50:

1) H.R. 12, Paycheck Fairness Act
2) H.R. 20, Melanie Blocker Stokes Mom’s Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act
3) H.R. 22, U.S. Postal Service Financial Relief Act
4) H.R. 23, Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act
5) H.R. 24, Redesignating Department of Navy as Department of Navy and Marine Corps
6) H.R. 31, Lumbee Recognition Act
7) H.R. 35, Presidential Records Act Amendments
8) H.R. 36, Presidential Library Donation Reform Act
9) H.R. 44, Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act
10) H.R. 46, Family Self Sufficiency Act
11) H.R. 80, Captive Primate Safety Act
12) H.R. 81, Shark Conservation Act
13) H.R. 86, Regarding California Coastal National Monument
14) H.R. 118, Regarding Morristown National Historical Park
15) H.R. 129, Conveying Certain National Forest System Lands in Los Padres National Forest in California
16) H.R. 151, Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act
17) H.R. 174, Establishing a national cemetery for veterans in the southern Colorado region
18) H.R. 310, HALE Scouts Act
19) H.R. 320, CJ’s Home Protection Act





20) H.R. 325, Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project
21) H.R. 326, Cocopah Lands Act
22) H.R. 347, Congressional Gold Medal for 100th Infantry Battalion in World War II

23) H.R. 388, Crane Conservation Act
24) H.R. 403, Homes for Heroes Act
25) H.R. 409, Conveying Land to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway
26) H.R. 411, Great Cats and Rare Canids Act
27) H.R. 445, Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development and Demonstration Act
28) H.R. 448, Elder Abuse Victims Act
29) H.R. 466, Wounded Veteran Job Security Act
30) H.R. 469, Produced Water Utilization Act
31) H.R. 479, Wakefield Act
32) H.R. 509, Marine Turtle Conservation Reauthorization Act
33) H.R. 515, Radioactive Import Deterrence Act
34) H.R. 548, Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act
35) H.R. 549, National Bombing Prevention Act
36) H.R. 553, Reducing Over-Classification Act
37) H.R. 554, National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act
38) H.R. 556, Southern Sea Otter Recovery and Research Act
39) H.R. 559, Fair, Accurate, Secure and Timely Redress Act
40) H.R. 577, Vision Care for Kids Act
41) H.R. 601, Box Elder Utah Land Conveyance Act
42) H.R. 603, Utah National Guard Readiness Act
43) H.R. 626, Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act
44) H.R. 628, Encouraging enhancement of expertise in patent cases among district judges




45) H.R. 631, Water Use Efficiency and Conservation Research Act
46) H.R. 632, Encouraging Silver Alert Plans
47) H.R. 637, South Orange County Recycled Water Enhancement Act
48) H.R. 685, United States Civil Rights Trail Special Resource Study Act
49) H.R. 729, Phylicia’s Law
50) H.R. 738, Death in Custody Reporting Act


And here I thought Republicans didn't care about women, children, the elderly, or veterans........

Ya better have a talk with Mr. Reid

 

[Billy000]

Check out the first two links in my signature. That should give you an idea.

 

[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.

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.

He ended it because it is politically expedient to do so. Based on what I have heard from my military friends, Obama still hasn't swayed the military vote. Well, except for those young bucks who would invite his old lady to the Marine Corps ball. (How disrespectful is THAT?)

 

[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).

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

All you have to do to balance the budget is to eliminate every single one of those entitlement programs. Imagine that?

 

[Full-Auto]

Check out the first two links in my signature. That should give you an idea.

Yes that is quite the comedy trying to pass that site off as non partisan.

 

[Wacky Quacky]

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).

He's continuing policies that are destroying this country from the inside. Don't worry though, the same thing would have happened even if McCain won (Except we would never be leaving Iraq).

There are voting issues (Gay marriage, Obamacare, taxes, ect.), and then there are the real issues (Free-trade policies, the value of the dollar, our debt, immigration, bribery....er I mean lobbying). The voting issues are bullshit distractions from the real issues, and you'll notice that both parties agree on the real issues (which is bad because they agree on the wrong course). The only way to make a difference in this country is to find the candidate that doesn't support the status-quo on the real issues. Obama, Gingrich, Romney; they're all status-quo politicians that won't change the direction of this country if their lives depended on it.

 

[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.

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

It was to Nouri al-Maliki

 

[dblack]

He ended it because it is politically expedient to do so. Based on what I have heard from my military friends, Obama still hasn't swayed the military vote. Well, except for those young bucks who would invite his old lady to the Marine Corps ball. (How disrespectful is THAT?)

ok

 

[Greenbeard]

372 Bills That Have Been Passed by the House & Not Yet

372 Bills That Have Been Passed by the House & Not Yet 
Acted Upon By the Senate
 (as of 8/23/10) [...]

And here I thought Republicans didn't care about women, children, the elderly, or veterans........

Not sure what your point there is--those are pieces of legislation from the 111th Congress (i.e. Pelosi's House). Indeed, all but one of the pieces of legislation you chose to bold were Democratic pieces of legislation: H.R. 12 was Rosa DeLauro's, H.R.20 was Bobby Rush's, H.R. 448 was Joe Sestak's, H.R. 466 was Lloyd Doggett's, and H.R. 577 was Gene Green's.

 

[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.

All you have to do to balance the budget is to eliminate every single one of those entitlement programs. Imagine that?

Entitlement programs? What? Half of that list is tax cuts. One of the only things from that list that could be considered an entitlement program is the ACA (health care law). Because of the ACA, 2.5 million more young adults have health insurance. And that's a bad thing?

 

[hortysir]

372 Bills That Have Been Passed by the House & Not Yet

372 Bills That Have Been Passed by the House & Not Yet 
Acted Upon By the Senate
 (as of 8/23/10) [...]

And here I thought Republicans didn't care about women, children, the elderly, or veterans........

Not sure what your point there is--those are pieces of legislation from the 111th Congress (i.e. Pelosi's House). Indeed, all but one of the pieces of legislation you chose to bold were Democratic pieces of legislation: H.R. 12 was Rosa DeLauro's, H.R.20 was Bobby Rush's, H.R. 448 was Joe Sestak's, H.R. 466 was Lloyd Doggett's, and H.R. 577 was Gene Green's.

The point is I'm tired of hearing the constant mantra that the republicans keep blocking bills.
I'm surprised that Ried's desk can hold the weight of the bills that have reached his desk that could accomplish real "change".
But because it wasn't his idea he doesn't want to give it any thought.

Our process calls for the House to pass a bill and pass it along to the Senate.
Why not a simple yes/no vote?

Most of these are quite benign, no?

There's obstruction on both sides of the aisle, GB.

If the House feels something is important enough to garner a couple hundred votes, shouldn't the Senate at least consider it?

 

[gallantwarrior]

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.

All you have to do to balance the budget is to eliminate every single one of those entitlement programs. Imagine that?

Entitlement programs? What? Half of that list is tax cuts. One of the only things from that list that could be considered an entitlement program is the ACA (health care law). Because of the ACA, 2.5 million more young adults have health insurance. And that's a bad thing?

I suppose it depends on how you define an entitlement. If it isn't specifically allowed in the Constitution, it should be considered fair game for elimination.

 

[gallantwarrior]

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.

All you have to do to balance the budget is to eliminate every single one of those entitlement programs. Imagine that?

Entitlement programs? What? Half of that list is tax cuts. One of the only things from that list that could be considered an entitlement program is the ACA (health care law). Because of the ACA, 2.5 million more young adults have health insurance. And that's a bad thing?

No, you confuse "welfare" (aid in the form of money or necessities for those in need, or: an ageagency or program through which such aid is distributed) for "the state of doing well especially in respect to good fortune, happiness, well-being, or prosperity". If a program is constitutionally mandated as something the federal government must provide, there is no problem. It is NOT, then it is an "entitlement" program and should be considered for elimination in times of limited resources.

 

[Billy000]

Check out the first two links in my signature. That should give you an idea.

Yes that is quite the comedy trying to pass that site off as non partisan.

Prove it's partisan.

 

[Mr. Shaman]

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.

With respect, this is the worst advice I can think of regarding voting. And one of the biggest reasons democracy is broken. To be fair, this fallacy is encouraged by our voting system, which needs to change.....

Yeah......they're workin'-on-that, in......

......Georgia!!

*

"Republicans are attempting to remove Barack Obama from Georgia’s Presidential Ballot in 2012.

Five separate lawsuits have been filed to PREVENT President Obama from being on the 2012 ballot. While their arguments are foolish, it still requires a vigorous defense in the Georgia judicial system.

If successful, Georgia would be the ONLY state to *not* have the President on the November ballot."​