Is the Obama Administration Failing?

Yes.
There.  I’ve said it!
I didn’t think I ever could (or would) admit it, but it’s time to own up to the fact that as much hope as we placed in the election of President Barack Obama, so far his administration has been a disappointment.
Now, before anyone (and there aren’t many of you) reading this starts flaming me (or praising me), hear me out.
Do I have any regrets in voting for Obama over McCain?  Of course not!  John McCain has devolved from a principled statesman to a shrill mouthpiece for repressive and reactionary conservatism.  His choice of Palin as his running mate demonstrated his inability to make decisions for the good of the country.  Can ANYONE seriously look themselves in the mirror and imagine HER one heartbeat from the Presidency (without having to forcibly restrain themselves from gagging)?
But is it enough to no longer have a criminal (Bush/Cheney) administration in the White House??
I argue that it is not enough.
So what have the Democrat’s done?
Saved the economy by bailing out the big banks.  That’s a qualified “maybe” in my books.
I score that:
Big Banks +1 — little banks -2
Rich Investors +1 — working class folks (and the capitalist economy) -2
“Passed” Health Insurance?
I score that:
Insurance Industry +30,000,000 — working class folks +0.5 (for hope)
Now, I know some of you are saying HOPE?!?
Well, consider – single payer?  Nope.  Public option?  Nope.  Cost effective? Nope.  Cost containing??  Nope.  Universal coverage?  Nope.  (Universal charging, but not universal coverage.)  Well, at least it covers dental and vision as part of HEALTH insurance?  Nope.  It doesn’t do that either.
At the moment, HOPE seems to be the insurance company can’t kick me off their policy if I get a major (“expensive”) illness.  Oh yeah, and my kids are covered for a few more years (26) under MY policy because they can’t get jobs or when they can, their employer doesn’t offer health insurance.  Did I forget to mention that most small companies are only “encouraged” to provide health coverage.  That’s political double-speak for “not required”.
“War” on Terrorism?
Bin Laden?  Still goin’
Iraq?  Still occupied (but we’ll be out in a couple of years.  Maybe.  If things work out…)
Afghanistan?  Still occupied (and increasing troops).  Well, at least we’ve stopped firing our generals for telling the public their opinions.  No, wait.  We haven’t stopped doing that either…  At least McChrystal was honest and half right.  Yes, we don’t know what we are doing there.  But he was also half wrong – IMHO – there is no “solution” to Afghanistan, except to leave.
I’m real sorry Bush / Cheney screwed up those two countries!!  Next problem, please!
Pro-Choice?  What good is a Supreme Court decision when so many states have no (that’s zero,”0″, zip, nada) doctors who will perform “legal” abortions.
Pro-life?  Then why do you keep murdering people?  And why are people allowed to keep encouraging you to kill people?
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?  You can bleed and die for us, but please don’t force us to ask you…  And lie to us if you do force us.  (If you want to continue to risk your life defending us.)
Energy Independence?  Please google:  “Gulf Coast”, “BP”, or the death of the Gulf of Mexico.  (Ok, I made that last one up.)
So, yeah.  I’d say so far the Obama Administration has done a failing job of running the country.
Where do we go from here??
First – we’re in the majority!  Act!!  Let the Republicans filibuster.  And when they run out of steam, vote!
Second – propose and pass an immediate jobs / energy bill to get us off of oil within ten years.  Blanket the whole of the south-west with solar panels if we have to.  Jobs for everyone and cheaper energy too!!
Third – get out of Iraq and Afghanistan!  Six months, tops!  It took less time to invade them and conquer them.  It’s time to bring our people home.  And if anyone is worried about them getting attacked on the way out – make it CRYSTAL CLEAR what happens.  And tell everyone at the same time as we say we are leaving, so it’s clear up front – DON’T MESS WITH US WHILE WE’RE GOING HOME!!
Fourth – Give me a break!!  The President issues a direct order killing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”  If the military object, ask for resignations!  Their job is to follow orders and lead soldiers who are “willing” to fight for this country.  If they can’t follow this order, how good will they be in a real war.
Fifth – close Gitmo!
Sixth – repeal the Patriot Act!
Seventh – repeal the Bush tax cuts on anyone making over one million dollars and any family making over 1.5 million.  The time to save our children’s future is NOW!
Eighth –  Fully fund education with a commitment to public service.  Period.  Set up a government agency to issue loans to folks who choose not to serve.  They still get loans, just at a higher rate.  Make schools 10 hour days, and everyone takes arts (of some type) and physical education.  Make schools year-round with a couple of one week breaks.  Get rid of summer vacation.
IF we do ANY of these things, will we still avoid disaster this November?  Probably not.  Will Obama be able to get re-elected and pull back a few of the losses – maybe.
But if we don’t even TRY?  What then for hope?
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On This Day In:
2022	Under Its Roof
2021	Bringing It
	All Your Sighs
2020	Me Neither
2019	Have Forever
2018	Fear, Racism And Greed
	Reaching Out To The Missing
	Very Nearly
2017	We Can Figure This Out
2016	Just Enough
2015	Bourne Bond
	Springs Eternal
2014	Brains First
2013	Not Listening Anymore
2012	At Your Marks!
2011	We Are Not Alone
	Underlying Rationality
2010	Is the Obama Administration Failing?
	In Other Words…
	Quite Please!
	In A Hostage Situation…
	Are We Done Yet?
	In Order…
	Flip-flopping…
	Proof of Choice…
	On “Leading” A Democracy To War…
	Actually, It’s All About Me…

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In Other Words…

Is there another word for synonym?
—    Steven Wright
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On This Day In:
2022	Under Its Roof
2021	Bringing It
	All Your Sighs
2020	Me Neither
2019	Have Forever
2018	Fear, Racism And Greed
	Reaching Out To The Missing
	Very Nearly
2017	We Can Figure This Out
2016	Just Enough
2015	Bourne Bond
	Springs Eternal
2014	Brains First
2013	Not Listening Anymore
2012	At Your Marks!
2011	We Are Not Alone
	Underlying Rationality
2010	Is the Obama Administration Failing?
	In Other Words…
	Quite Please!
	In A Hostage Situation…
	Are We Done Yet?
	In Order…
	Flip-flopping…
	Proof of Choice…
	On “Leading” A Democracy To War…
	Actually, It’s All About Me…

Read Full Post »

Quite Please!

If you shoot a mime, do you have to use a silencer?
—    Steven Wright
(What if you’re both in a library?   —    kmab)
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On This Day In:
2022	Under Its Roof
2021	Bringing It
	All Your Sighs
2020	Me Neither
2019	Have Forever
2018	Fear, Racism And Greed
	Reaching Out To The Missing
	Very Nearly
2017	We Can Figure This Out
2016	Just Enough
2015	Bourne Bond
	Springs Eternal
2014	Brains First
2013	Not Listening Anymore
2012	At Your Marks!
2011	We Are Not Alone
	Underlying Rationality
2010	Is the Obama Administration Failing?
	In Other Words…
	Quite Please!
	In A Hostage Situation…
	Are We Done Yet?
	In Order…
	Flip-flopping…
	Proof of Choice…
	On “Leading” A Democracy To War…
	Actually, It’s All About Me…

Read Full Post »

In A Hostage Situation…

If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?
—    Steven Wright
.
On This Day In:
2022	Under Its Roof
2021	Bringing It
	All Your Sighs
2020	Me Neither
2019	Have Forever
2018	Fear, Racism And Greed
	Reaching Out To The Missing
	Very Nearly
2017	We Can Figure This Out
2016	Just Enough
2015	Bourne Bond
	Springs Eternal
2014	Brains First
2013	Not Listening Anymore
2012	At Your Marks!
2011	We Are Not Alone
	Underlying Rationality
2010	Is the Obama Administration Failing?
	In Other Words…
	Quite Please!
	In A Hostage Situation…
	Are We Done Yet?
	In Order…
	Flip-flopping…
	Proof of Choice…
	On “Leading” A Democracy To War…
	Actually, It’s All About Me…

Read Full Post »

Are We Done Yet?

If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?
—    George Carlin
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On This Day In:
2022	Under Its Roof
2021	Bringing It
	All Your Sighs
2020	Me Neither
2019	Have Forever
2018	Fear, Racism And Greed
	Reaching Out To The Missing
	Very Nearly
2017	We Can Figure This Out
2016	Just Enough
2015	Bourne Bond
	Springs Eternal
2014	Brains First
2013	Not Listening Anymore
2012	At Your Marks!
2011	We Are Not Alone
	Underlying Rationality
2010	Is the Obama Administration Failing?
	In Other Words…
	Quite Please!
	In A Hostage Situation…
	Are We Done Yet?
	In Order…
	Flip-flopping…
	Proof of Choice…
	On “Leading” A Democracy To War…
	Actually, It’s All About Me…

Read Full Post »

In Order…

Why is the alphabet in that order?  Is it because of that song?
—    George Carlin
.
On This Day In:
2022	Under Its Roof
2021	Bringing It
	All Your Sighs
2020	Me Neither
2019	Have Forever
2018	Fear, Racism And Greed
	Reaching Out To The Missing
	Very Nearly
2017	We Can Figure This Out
2016	Just Enough
2015	Bourne Bond
	Springs Eternal
2014	Brains First
2013	Not Listening Anymore
2012	At Your Marks!
2011	We Are Not Alone
	Underlying Rationality
2010	Is the Obama Administration Failing?
	In Other Words…
	Quite Please!
	In A Hostage Situation…
	Are We Done Yet?
	In Order…
	Flip-flopping…
	Proof of Choice…
	On “Leading” A Democracy To War…
	Actually, It’s All About Me…

Read Full Post »

Flip-flopping…

Don’t confuse changing your mind with not making good decisions  —  they’re not the same thing.  What may have been an effective and appropriate decision or viewpoint at some point in time may no longer be effective and appropriate if the evidence changes or if you discover a better conclusion based on the original evidence.  If you can’t seem to come to confident conclusions about anything, then you probably need to work on your decision-making skills.  But if you can’t “unmake” a decision when better evidence or a better rationale is available, you’re confusing rigidity with competence.
—    Karl Albrecht
.
On This Day In:
2022	Under Its Roof
2021	Bringing It
	All Your Sighs
2020	Me Neither
2019	Have Forever
2018	Fear, Racism And Greed
	Reaching Out To The Missing
	Very Nearly
2017	We Can Figure This Out
2016	Just Enough
2015	Bourne Bond
	Springs Eternal
2014	Brains First
2013	Not Listening Anymore
2012	At Your Marks!
2011	We Are Not Alone
	Underlying Rationality
2010	Is the Obama Administration Failing?
	In Other Words…
	Quite Please!
	In A Hostage Situation…
	Are We Done Yet?
	In Order…
	Flip-flopping…
	Proof of Choice…
	On “Leading” A Democracy To War…
	Actually, It’s All About Me…

Read Full Post »

Proof of Choice…

Faced with the choice between changing one’s mind and proving there is no need to do so, most people get busy on the proof.
—    John Kenneth Galbraith
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On This Day In:
2022	Under Its Roof
2021	Bringing It
	All Your Sighs
2020	Me Neither
2019	Have Forever
2018	Fear, Racism And Greed
	Reaching Out To The Missing
	Very Nearly
2017	We Can Figure This Out
2016	Just Enough
2015	Bourne Bond
	Springs Eternal
2014	Brains First
2013	Not Listening Anymore
2012	At Your Marks!
2011	We Are Not Alone
	Underlying Rationality
2010	Is the Obama Administration Failing?
	In Other Words…
	Quite Please!
	In A Hostage Situation…
	Are We Done Yet?
	In Order…
	Flip-flopping…
	Proof of Choice…
	On “Leading” A Democracy To War…
	Actually, It’s All About Me…

Read Full Post »

On “Leading” A Democracy To War…

…That is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders.  That is easy.  All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger.  It works the same way in any country.
—    Hermann Goering
(Hitler’s second in command, at an interview during the Nuremberg trials after World War Two)
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On This Day In:
2022	Under Its Roof
2021	Bringing It
	All Your Sighs
2020	Me Neither
2019	Have Forever
2018	Fear, Racism And Greed
	Reaching Out To The Missing
	Very Nearly
2017	We Can Figure This Out
2016	Just Enough
2015	Bourne Bond
	Springs Eternal
2014	Brains First
2013	Not Listening Anymore
2012	At Your Marks!
2011	We Are Not Alone
	Underlying Rationality
2010	Is the Obama Administration Failing?
	In Other Words…
	Quite Please!
	In A Hostage Situation…
	Are We Done Yet?
	In Order…
	Flip-flopping…
	Proof of Choice…
	On “Leading” A Democracy To War…
	Actually, It’s All About Me…

Read Full Post »

Actually, It’s All About Me…

Why should we be altruistic when others are behaving selfishly?
The answer is profoundly simple:  it’s not about the others — it’s about us.
—    Karl Albrecht
.
On This Day In:
2022	Under Its Roof
2021	Bringing It
	All Your Sighs
2020	Me Neither
2019	Have Forever
2018	Fear, Racism And Greed
	Reaching Out To The Missing
	Very Nearly
2017	We Can Figure This Out
2016	Just Enough
2015	Bourne Bond
	Springs Eternal
2014	Brains First
2013	Not Listening Anymore
2012	At Your Marks!
2011	We Are Not Alone
	Underlying Rationality
2010	Is the Obama Administration Failing?
	In Other Words…
	Quite Please!
	In A Hostage Situation…
	Are We Done Yet?
	In Order…
	Flip-flopping…
	Proof of Choice…
	On “Leading” A Democracy To War…
	Actually, It’s All About Me…

Read Full Post »