I'm a Brit and thought Obama was, by far, the best presidential candidate that we had seen in years .
But as President ? -- I can't help wondering where that candidate disappeared to ?
in 2.5 years Obama has done more than any previous president has done in record time. Record time!!!!
Health care reform(haven't had this in 60 years!)
DADT repeal(been a problem for decades)
Re shifted war from Iraq to Afghanistan. Withdrawal upcoming(never thought we'd get out of Baghdad)
OBL kill(finally we caught that dirt rat... Hiding in a mansion? I thought Bush said?...)
That's not a bad resume. For a guy who many assumed was untested. I'd say he blasted that wall in half.
I think he has done a good job considering the circumstances, its not like the other side gave him constructive criticism of what he could be doing better.
If you thought Obama was the best in years, you weren't paying attention. Either that or you fell for the propaganda game his campaign used. Obama is possibly one of the worst candidates of all time. Not only did he have little substance behind his plans, but his plans in general weren't good! But people who didn't know the difference didn't know this, and many more confused a grand speaking ability with a grand ability to improve the country.
The candidate you believed in hasn't disappeared. It's the same person. But now that he's actually responsible for stuff besides a reckless campaign, he can't be as grandiose as before.
Obama's promise was "hope and change." He has brought change. But, as many pointed out at the time of his candidacy, change can be good or bad. Whether or not he's brought us hope is up to the individual to decide. However I will submit to you that a series of polls and other indications regarding things such as our economy suggest that a whole lot of individuals have lost hope in this president. Some have even lost hope in America as they knew it just 20 or 30 years ago.
Immigrants from Mexico come to the United States all the time in search of a better life. They come here to take advantage of the "American Dream." Some take great risks to immigrate here, leaving behind family and spending lots of money just to enter the US where they will then live illegally, subject to less rights and deportation at any time. The dream is worth that cost to many immigrants, however.
Since Obama has been president, not only have we seen less Mexicans coming into the United States but we also have seen many Mexicans actually returning to Mexico where life is regarded as much more difficult!
What does that tell you about "hope" under Obama's watch?
PROMISES:
Increase the capital gains and dividends taxes for higher-income taxpayers
Increase capital gains and dividends taxes from 15 to 20 percent for those making more than $250,000 (couples) or $200,000 (single)>> FAILED
Expand the child and dependent care credit
Expand and make refundable the child and dependent care credit.>> FAILED
Create a foreclosure prevention fund for homeowners
Create a $10 billion fund to help homeowners refinance or sell their homes. "The Fund will not help speculators, people who bought vacation homes or people who falsely represented their incomes.">> FAILED
End income tax for seniors making less than $50,000
"Will eliminate all income taxation of seniors making less than $50,000 per year. This will eliminate taxes for 7 million seniors -- saving them an average of $1,400 a year-- and will also mean that 27 million seniors will not need to file an income tax return at all.">> FAILED
End no-bid contracts above $25,000
"Will ensure that federal contracts over $25,000 are competitively bid.">> FAILED
Repeal the Bush tax cuts for higher incomes
Repeal the Bush tax cuts for those making more than $250,000 (couples) or $200,000 (single)>> FAILED
Phase out exemptions and deductions for higher earners
Restore the phaseouts of personal exemptions and itemized deductions for those making more than $250,000 (couples) or $200,000 (single), with threshholds indexed for inflation.>> FAILED
Sign the Employee Free Choice Act, making it easier for workers to unionize
"Obama is a cosponsor and strong advocate of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), a bipartisan effort to make the unionization process more transparent and increase penalties on companies that violate employee rights. He will sign EFCA into law as president.">> FAILED
Forbid companies in bankruptcy from giving executives bonuses
"Protect the jobs and benefits of workers and retirees when corporations file for bankruptcy by telling companies that they cannot issue bonuses for executives during bankruptcy while their workers watch their pensions disappear.">> FAILED
Allow workers to claim more in unpaid wages and benefits in bankruptcy court
"Increase the amount of unpaid wages and benefits workers can claim in bankruptcy court against their employer.">> FAILED
Allow imported prescription drugs
"Allow Americans to buy their medicines from other developed countries if the drugs are safe and prices are lower outside the U.S.">> FAILED
Mandate insurance coverage of autism treatment
"Will mandate insurance coverage of autism treatment and will also continue to work with parents, physicians, providers, researchers, and schools to create opportunities and effective solutions for people with ASD (autism spectrum disorders).">> FAILED
Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study of federal cancer initiatives
"As president, Barack Obama will immediately direct his Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with agency officials, academic researchers, cancer survivors and advocates for people with cancer, and state public health officials, to comprehensively examine the various cancer-related efforts of federal agencies, and provide recommendations to eliminate barriers to effective coordination across federal agencies and between the federal government and other stakeholders.">> FAILED
Create a National Commission on People with Disabilities, Employment, and Social Security
Create a national commission charged with "examining and proposing solutions to work disincentives in the SSDI, SSI, Medicare, and Medicaid," among other things.>> FAILED
Change federal rules so small businesses owned by people with disabilities can get preferential treatment for federal contracts.
"Barack Obama and Joe Biden would direct the Small Business Administration to amend regulations under the Small Business Act that provide preferences in federal contracting to small businesses owned by members of socially and economically disadvantaged groups to include individuals with disabilities.">> FAILED
Form international group to help Iraq refugees
"Will form an international working group to address" the problem of "more than five million Iraqis (who) are refugees or are displaced inside their own country.">> FAILED
Close the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center
"As president, Barack Obama will close the detention facility at Guantanamo.">> FAILED
Double the Peace Corps
"Barack Obama will double the Peace Corps to 16,000 by its 50th anniversary in 2011 and push Congress to fully fund this expansion, with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.">> FAILED
it doesnt matter what the president wants to do or who he is. He only exists to give americans the illusion of choice. he is controlled by forces greater than he.