President Obama

[davek]

Perfect. I knew you had the mentality of a Tammany ward heeler. I bet you even believe it works just like this, don't you?

The party's over. You and the One will be the last to sniff the clue. He's having a much better time, though. The perks are simply awesome.

Why do American Presidents/Presidential hopefuls go to Ireland? Do they just like draught Guinness that much they cant help hopping on a plane to Shannon Airport for a flying visit?

 

[Bigloco]

Why do American Presidents/Presidential hopefuls go to Ireland? Do they just like draught Guinness that much they cant help hopping on a plane to Shannon Airport for a flying visit?

In the days when Thatcher wouldn't allow REAL Guinness over here in the states, I'd understand Air Force One making a special trip to taste that magical Leprechaun brewed stout....but now days with those fancy bottles and all, I swear, its like I'm sitting back on the emerald isle, drinking.

My gut says Irish Catholic voters are "swing" votes...pro life democrats that will vote either way. And this country has boatloads of 'em. A trip to Hibernia may just sway enough to think the White House is free of meat on Fridays during lent.

 

[davek]

In the days when Thatcher wouldn't allow REAL Guinness over here in the states, I'd understand Air Force One making a special trip to taste that magical Leprechaun brewed stout....but now days with those fancy bottles and all, I swear, its like I'm sitting back on the emerald isle, drinking.

My gut says Irish Catholic voters are "swing" votes...pro life democrats that will vote either way. And this country has boatloads of 'em. A trip to Hibernia may just sway enough to think the White House is free of meat on Fridays during lent.

Interesting stuff. My perception is that the Irish American vote seems to be not as nailed on for Democrats these days. Is this a class thing: Irish Americans working their way through to better salaried employment and identifying more with fiscal conservatism? I know that Catholics per se voted 54% for Obama in 2008. Any idea how the Irish in particular voted in 2008?

 

[mezzrow]

The president explains his plan for the country. This is brilliant - he's never been more clear.

[video=youtube;K-JuE9esfUc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-JuE9esfUc&feature=player_embedded#at=47[/video]

 

[Clint Planet]

Why do American Presidents/Presidential hopefuls go to Ireland? Do they just like draught Guinness that much they cant help hopping on a plane to Shannon Airport for a flying visit?

I think you'll find that Ireland is a hugely important country of just about four million people with really sh*t weather on the very outer edge of Europe, both geographically and politically. What are you trying to say?

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

I think the connection to Ireland from a US perspective has been that quite a few politico Northeastern US statesman has had roots to the emerald isle. My personal sadness is they are at the moment in major financial trouble somewhat similar to the Portuguese and Spain. The next few years will spell what direction Europe will take. Governments are toppling everywhere even Canada had a vote of no confidence. Budgets are a mess and social programs will feel the axe.

 

[Rook]

Have to agree with you over Hillary she would have done,imo,a much better job than whats going on now with Obama

Obama's presidency is sort of like what Hillary campaigned on, only a little farther to the right. The difference between Obama and Hillary is that Hillary campaigned as a centrist, Obama lied. I always thought Obama was a centrist especially on ecomonic policy, I just thought we'd have some sort of regulation instead we're headed for another multi trillion dollar bailout probably 8-10 years down the road.

I never thought he'd turn tail on go to the right of Bush on civil liberties, he pretty much legimitized all of GWBs unchecked executive power mandates and then one upped them. The balance of power is so much in the favor of the executive branch now that they are for all intensive purposes little kings who are above the law. Richard Nixon once say if the president does it then its not a crime, that's going to be a moderate position and the norm in 5-10 years.

On health care:

Hillary pretty much campaigned for the bill that Obama passed so I don't think you would see much difference. While there are a few good things in the bill (insurance companies can't reject you on pre-existing conditions; if more people have insurance then maybe they won't use ER as much for primary health care). That being said the bill is also a big fat giveaway to the insurance companies. The same companies that take 25-30% of our health care dollars in paperwork, employee and executive pay etc. The insurance companies can still set the rates and they are going to make out like bandits on this.

The bill was pretty much a mirror image of GWBs perscription drug bill. Another bill while containing some good things was more of a massive corporate giveaway to the drug companies.

Both bills could have been done and cost significantly less (in the drug bill the fed govt could have negotiated drug prices like every other country in the world does, on the health bill we could bypassed the insurance companies and made private insurance supplemental insurance sort of like to cover the 20-40 percent that medicare doesn't cover).

On the ecomony:

If you are one of the say 50-60 percent of the public who has a good job and not crushing debt then the ecomony is pretty good. If you are in the other group your F---ed.

Here's what you need to know about living in America. Rule #1) Don't be poor. The govt hates the poor. Rule 2) Don't develop a chronic illness in your family under the age of 65. #3) if you are one of the lucky ones with a good job save about 10-20% of what you make what I like to call When the ****e hits the fan money because for everybody rule 1-2 will occur and they do the govt isn't going to help you.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

Hillary, Obama or W is there any difference? Nope just confusion for the masses to believe there is. Depending which side your on we can't afford the new Health care plan but then we can't afford not too. I am so confused buts that the way it's suppose to be. Bernanke's inflation is working overseas anything pegged to the dollar is having a very hard time. Kingdom building through systematic destruction of social programs and the major rises in food and fossil fuels costs what is a poor boy to do. Rook, I somewhat agree with your rules above but more stimulus will be in the works way before eight to ten years. Japan our #3 holder of our debt has just been neutralized. They are in a tough way already busting nearly 250% of GDP relying on their populations high savings rate to get them through this lost decade plus two. All Governments are in a pickle but nobody wants to do anything about it less they won't get elected next term. It will take some heroes to tackle whats before us. Who will answer the call?