Did Obama jump the shark??

well, hyperbole is not a particularly nasty form of speech, but you should know that. i'll be making my own tournament picks again next year - good enough for 2nd place this past year.

I hated all bailouts when they were happening. I was having hard times too (hooray for commision based paychecks), so I hated the fact that these d-bags were getting a bailout why the rest of us suffered. But luckily someone wiser then me was in charge. Looking back I truly believe that they saved us from even worse consequences.

How much worse would it have been? Luckily we'll never know. But I think it is very naive to believe they didn't help.

I also think it is very naive to believe that extending the tax cuts that were in place DURING our downfall is going to miracuously save the economy now. If it really is time to be responsible, then it is time for the American people to put up or shut up. Especially the people that are doing really well while the rest of us falter.

914Driver wrote:

SupraWes wrote: W spent a whole lotta time in Texas cutting down trees, golfing, and riding his mountain bike, so what, he's allowed and Obama is too!

Lets look at calendars, lets add up vacation days. I will agree to any logical documentation you can produce, but I believe you are incorrect. Bush didn't take as many vaca daze. Dan

I've been salivating waiting for just such a post... Somebody has been getting his info from Faux News...

http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-bush-vacation

http://www.factcheck.org/2010/01/president-obamas-vacation-days/

George W. Bush's vacation time (grand total)

487 days at Camp David 490 days at Crawford Ranch 43 days at Kennebunkport Compound

Total: 1020 days, more than 1/3rd of his presidency. Bush set the record for most vacation time taken by president.

Of course, nothing significant happened while Bush was in charge...

In reply to Cone_Junky:

Zero sum bill? From the government? What dreamland are YOU living in?

I am saying that passage of that piece of garbage is partially suppressing the current economy as it's implementation date looms ahead. To say it isn't, you sir, have your head stuck in the sand AND up your ass.

Brian

Cone_Junky wrote: George W. Bush's vacation time (grand total) 487 days at Camp David 490 days at Crawford Ranch 43 days at Kennebunkport Compound Total: 1020 days, more than 1/3rd of his presidency. Bush set the record for most vacation time taken by president.

But how much of that was he "vacationing" and how much of that did he preside from Maryland, Texas, or Maine? I know I've seen my dad and uncles on vacations where 5 days out of 7 they were on the phone and computer at least 5 hours a day. I expect that it would be a similar situation for the president, both current and former.

So you are saying the fear generated by the Republican party over Healthcare Reform is effecting the economy? Then who is to blame?

mtn wrote:

Cone_Junky wrote: George W. Bush's vacation time (grand total) 487 days at Camp David 490 days at Crawford Ranch 43 days at Kennebunkport Compound Total: 1020 days, more than 1/3rd of his presidency. Bush set the record for most vacation time taken by president.

But how much of that was he "vacationing" and how much of that did he preside from Maryland, Texas, or Maine? I know I've seen my dad and uncles on vacations where 5 days out of 7 they were on the phone and computer at least 5 hours a day. I expect that it would be a similar situation for the president, both current and former.

So Bush was actually working on his vacation and Obama isn't? That's a good way to twist hard facts to form to your opinion...

Cone_Junky wrote:

mtn wrote:

Cone_Junky wrote: George W. Bush's vacation time (grand total) 487 days at Camp David 490 days at Crawford Ranch 43 days at Kennebunkport Compound Total: 1020 days, more than 1/3rd of his presidency. Bush set the record for most vacation time taken by president.

But how much of that was he "vacationing" and how much of that did he preside from Maryland, Texas, or Maine? I know I've seen my dad and uncles on vacations where 5 days out of 7 they were on the phone and computer at least 5 hours a day. I expect that it would be a similar situation for the president, both current and former.

So Bush was actually working on his vacation and Obama isn't? That's a good way to twist hard facts to form to your opinion...

Bolded a bit for better emphasis.

I posted those two FACT based articles and quoted a third in reply to a specific (false) comment about Obama taking more vacation days than Bush.

I don't doubt that either one of them handled serious business during their "vacations". Your posts specifically defends Bush (you're very first sentence), but not Obama.

Cone_Junky wrote: I posted those two FACT based articles and quoted a third in reply to a specific (false) comment about Obama taking more vacation days than Bush. I don't doubt that either one of them handled serious business during their "vacations". Your posts specifically defends Bush (you're very first sentence), but not Obama.

Sorry, it was meant to say that the vacation issue is probably a weak argument for either president.

I think Obama has a leadership issue. While the man has a ton on his plate, quite frankly more than any other president in recent history, He has let others define his presidency. He has failed to provide a cohesive vision or strategy for his presidency and has just played whack a mole with problems. He's really not a socialist, he's more centrist that the right will ever let on. Palin/beck know its good for book sales.

However, looking at the projections for my company and others.. We won't be hiring any time soon, but we will be making some seriously good money next year. I still assert that the economy is slowly rigthing itself and if it does right itself.. Noone will care about the current crap and they'll vote for him.

While he's alittle wayward in his strategy and presence, I think the man is on the right path(as broad as it may be).

btw.. Given the choice, I'd still vote for him.

To be fair I think a more appropriate title should be Did Beck or Palin jump the shark?

Beck is now a religious leader because being a political leader is too hard and Palin can't hit a caribou(6 shots and some help from her dad). Both do know how to make money off of conservatives...

thoughts?

Cone_Junky wrote: Heck, I would have payed more taxes in my lower bracket to help out my country. Too bad nobody else feels the need to support our economy.

Nobody is stopping you. Really. If you think that the government is a better steward of your money than you are, you can write them a check for more than the minimum due on April 15.

It's amazing how well a little graph can completely distort the facts.

That chart is a MASSIVE distortion. Please note that it is a monthly graph of thousands of jobs lost, however it is not cumulative.

So it looks like a gain, but it is ALL loss.

There are only 2 months that had job gains- 1 for bush, and 1 for Obama.

The graph shows a slowing of job losses, but ZERO gains.

The way that would typically be expressed is like this:

Or maybe like this:

BTW- I pulled BOTH those graphs from the EXACT SAME WEBSITE that you pulled the other one. Guess it's all in how you look at it, huh?

There were about 5 million people unemployed when President Obama took office. There are now 15.1 million people unemployed. Real numbers. Real people. Screw the distorted pretty pictures.

I'm not suggested its Mr. Obama's fault. But let's not suggest things are better. It's an insult to about 10 million people.

Big ego wrote: I think Obama has a leadership issue. While the man has a ton on his plate, quite frankly more than any other president in recent history, He has let others define his presidency. He has failed to provide a cohesive vision or strategy for his presidency and has just played whack a mole with problems.

That's pretty well put.

Regarding vacations:

Smokescreen. Truthfully, I don't care how many days they spend at the ranch or the opera with their wife.

The question was, how bad was the idea to walk off the stage in the middle of the Presidential press conference? Monumentally bad. Period.

If he can provide good leadership and run the country without EVER leaving his favorite vacation spot with his wife, I'm all for it. As Big Ego has already pointed out, it was HORRIBLE leadership.

In truth, he's doing the exact same thing Mr. Bush did. Bush's first term was kind of respectable. There were plenty of people who disagreed with his positions, but most people felt he at least led. Perhaps in a manner or direction they didn't like, but he led. Then along comes the second term, and he checked out. He seemed more interested in letting other people run the country (like Mr. Cheney) than doing it himself.

Now Mr. Obama appears to be making a repeat performance of the same tragic mistake. He's letting other people (like Mr. Clinton) run the country.

Big ego wrote: To be fair I think a more appropriate title should be Did Beck or Palin jump the shark? Beck is now a religious leader because being a political leader is too hard and Palin can't hit a caribou(6 shots and some help from her dad). Both do know how to make money off of conservatives... thoughts?

Beck and Palin have definitely jumped the shark and are profiting handsomely. Then again, Mr. Obama has done quite well for himself as an author, too. And, it's not likely those purchasers are walking hand-in-hand with the B/P sycophants.

For the record, I've always thought the President jumped the shark when he campaigned as a centrist, moderate candidate. His voting record and early-career interviews clearly proved otherwise. Now, he's finally starting to govern in a manner like he promised - even though he seems as if he's pissed that he has to.

By the way, bad marksmanship because of poor sighting would even make you look bad. It's kinda like blaming the CBO for questionable numbers even though they have to rely on what's provided to them.

oldsaw wrote:

Big ego wrote: To be fair I think a more appropriate title should be Did Beck or Palin jump the shark? Beck is now a religious leader because being a political leader is too hard and Palin can't hit a caribou(6 shots and some help from her dad). Both do know how to make money off of conservatives... thoughts?

Beck and Palin have definitely jumped the shark and are profiting handsomely. Then again, Mr. Obama has done quite well for himself as an author, too. And, it's not likely those purchasers are walking hand-in-hand with the B/P sycophants. For the record, I've always thought the President jumped the shark when he campaigned as a centrist, moderate candidate. His voting record and early-career interviews clearly proved otherwise. Now, he's finally starting to govern in a manner like he promised - even though he seems as if he's pissed that he has to. By the way, bad marksmanship because of poor sighting would even make you look bad. It's kinda like blaming the CBO for questionable numbers even though they have to rely on what's provided to them.

Why would you take a gun hunting with bad sights?

Joey

In reply to joey48442:

Probably was sighted in when they left, and took a jolt on the ride out that knocked it out of whack. She hit first shot with the other gun.

Btw, you are all acting like children

oldsaw wrote: By the way, bad marksmanship because of poor sighting would even make you look bad. It's kinda like blaming the CBO for questionable numbers even though they have to rely on what's provided to them.

do you mean to say the super huntress had bad spotters or dosen't know how to zero in a scope? But I thought she was better than I am.. I mean she's a "real american" and I'm just a liberal elite.

Cone_Junky wrote:

mtn wrote:

Cone_Junky wrote: George W. Bush's vacation time (grand total) 487 days at Camp David 490 days at Crawford Ranch 43 days at Kennebunkport Compound Total: 1020 days, more than 1/3rd of his presidency. Bush set the record for most vacation time taken by president.

But how much of that was he "vacationing" and how much of that did he preside from Maryland, Texas, or Maine? I know I've seen my dad and uncles on vacations where 5 days out of 7 they were on the phone and computer at least 5 hours a day. I expect that it would be a similar situation for the president, both current and former.

So Bush was actually working on his vacation and Obama isn't? That's a good way to twist hard facts to form to your opinion...

Bush never sent the wife and kiddies and 40 friends to Spain. I can't say for certain I got it from Fox or elsewhere, but I'm guessing it's trueish.

His "Jump The Shark" moment for me was during a discussion of a spending bill (I really don't remember which one) where he stated that we cannot do government business in the same way, but of course this bill has earmarks because we have never had a bill this large without earmarks.

I realized that Obama either had no intention or was unable to keep the promises made during his campaign. Remember that there is Congress and a whole lot of other people and groups scrambling for position in this also.

Big ego wrote:

oldsaw wrote: By the way, bad marksmanship because of poor sighting would even make you look bad. It's kinda like blaming the CBO for questionable numbers even though they have to rely on what's provided to them.

do you mean to say the super huntress had bad spotters or dosen't know how to zero in a scope? But I thought she was better than I am.. I mean she's a "real american" and I'm just a liberal elite.

Never said either of your options.

She's NOT better than you.

You're both "real Americans".

You're still Ignorant - with a Big Ego.

Cone_Junky wrote: So you are saying the fear generated by the Republican party over Healthcare Reform is effecting the economy? Then who is to blame?

let me guess... you hate republicans and love democrats?

Big ego wrote: I think Obama has a leadership issue. While the man has a ton on his plate, quite frankly more than any other president in recent history, He has let others define his presidency.

That's not really true. There are plenty of Presidents with a lot more on their plates than him. He's yet to make any seriously tough decisions, only policy moves. Getting his agenda through has pretty much been his only concern. I've seen very little from him other than passing his projects and paying off his friends.

I'm not a huge Bush fan, but let's look at his first days in office. People forget that he also inherited a recession from Clinton. Clinton had the dot com boom bust in his next to last year, a high he had been riding through most of his presidency. The economy was heading south, and then 911 happened. Along with 911 came the almost total collapse of the airline industry. He kept the economy going, got it adding jobs, and even tried to address the housing bubble issue before it collapsed. So on the economy, Bush succeeded far better in his early years that Obama has.

Of course then he started a war....

What really screwed up Bush though is letting the democrat controlled congress do pretty much what they wanted when they were elected a few years back. He should have vetoed a huge chunk of the crap they pushed and the economy would have held on a bit longer.

Now let's look at Obama...He basically has done the opposite of what is needed to jump start the economy. He's spent HUGE sums of money, mainly payouts to unions and bank officials (most that were large contributors to his election), and created equally large government programs that will be impossible to sustain. Everything he's done will hit people in their wallets, and truthfully, are not going to see anything of substance in return compared to dollars spent. Prices are going up, taxes are going up (locally especially as municipalities have to make up for lost revenues), and the dollar is being devalued due to massive printings.

He's attacked entire industries and put some close to collapse. (I work in the energy industry, the rest of world is laughing their asses off at us.) Blames others for everything anytime a mic is front of him, and generated a complete lack of faith in him by businesses and general uneasiness throughout the country.

A lot of you weren't born when Carter was president, but he is like Carter on steroids.