What to Do?

An economic rant

from JoeUser Forums

Okay, so I voted for Obama.

I definitely agreed with him on some issues, and I definitely disagreed with him on others.  But I truly thought he would at least come through on his whole thing about change, and I felt that was a good thing.  And here we are some 10 days into it and I can't believe how angry I feel--about what's going on economically (an ongoing anger) and now about how Obama is going about dealing with it.  I could see the rationale in some seemingly strange proposals if they were designed to create jobs for the unemployed, but I'm finding it hard to see that in the plan.  And what happened to the whole eliminate government spending on stupid or wasteful items?  I'm hearing a lot of items in the media that surely fall into those categories.  And where did the bipartisan thing go?  Even I, a pretty dedicated Democrat, can see the value of tax cuts.  Let's at least listen to what the other side has to propose before we decide they're wrong.  The current situation demands examining any and every idea, regardless of party affiliation.

This whole sense of hope thing:  I cried when Clinton was inaugurated the first time.  I grew up in an era that, in retrospect, seemed to have the last of the 'statesmen'--people who felt called to the job, who had a vision for the country.  And with Clinton I felt there was the possibility that he might just bring that back; that he would take the country in a positive direction.  We all know how that turned out.  (And as the husband, a devout Republican, keeps reminding me, it was under Clinton that the current economic mess actually began and was permitted to grow unchecked.)  This time around I am more cautious.  I still hope that Obama will be able to take us as a nation in a more positive direction, but I never suspected that he might only be able to do that internationally.  Wasn't the domestic front supposed to be his strength?

The reality is finally hitting the city where we live as well as the husband's company.  The company started with a separation package.  Now they are doing mandatory budget cuts.  They have announced they will be eliminating a significant number of jobs.  There are rumors of pay cuts after that.  And it's only the end of January.  If anyone thinks this is as bad as it's going to get, I hate to preach doom and gloom, but I think we haven't hit bottom yet.  The question is, how do we the people get our elected officials to actually do what we feel needs to be done--not for one party or the other, not to support or protest a particular politician, but because it is the right thing to do and will help.  This is not the time to be playing politics, especially when this new administration was supposed to be changing that.  Or so we were led to believe...

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Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

I am glad someone is at least noticing that Obama is not this almighty cure to this nation, that like every President before him he is human and a politician. I did not vote for Obama. The idea of have all 3 houses under the control of a single party is a scary though to me, especially one who wants to change things in a way that scares me even more.

Many here have told me and others that we should not be attacking Obama before he even make msitakes. The problem is in our eyes, that changed he promised, that "bypartisan" thing and "no more politics as usual" thing has not been happening since before he was inagurated, since before he defeated McCain. Once he was inagurated, to many of us, he proved he was nothing he had promised when he focused on Guantanamo bay and gays in the military as his first action as President. And here i thought the ecomony was more important.

Now we have this massive stimulus plan, an idea that Bush was criticized for, an idea said not to be what the people of this nation wanted. Not only it goes against what "the people" don't want, but it has things that have nothing to do with stimulating the economy, on top of that Obama and the Democrats are not looking for bypartisanship with the Republicans, they want them to simply go with their plan no questions asked. Why, if they have majority, do they want or need the Republicans? I don't know about you but that doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Many have said we should not criticize something till we try it out. Interesting, last I heard, this stimulus iea has been tried in other countries and it did not work, not to mention we already tried it once under Bush, with the idea that without it our economy would not survive; we still on life support from what I can see.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

sounds like you're starting to come into the light.  Welcome! 

At least we will not hold your voting for Obama against you.  ;)

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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

I don't know how to insert your quotes so they're highlighted, so forgive me.

Many here have told me and others that we should not be attacking Obama before he even make msitakes.

I don't think I'm attacking Obama.  I do want him to succeed, but I think this stimulus plan is a cobbled together mess of things that aren't going to help much.  And they expect more to be added to it in the Senate.  Didn't he mention cutting out pork barreling when he was running?  This seems pretty similar to that practice.  Or does he seriously think these are the items that will help the economy recover???

At least we will not hold your voting for Obama against you.

lol.  Thanks!

 

 

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

I don't think I'm attacking Obama.

Well, I didn't mean you. I meant that was what I have been told. :grin:

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

I'm not an Obama fan, however, I think it might take more than a week or two for us to actually see anything happen.  I might be crazy, but I would wager that not much will happen this year...or nest...or possibly the next.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Welcome to the club of unbelivers in our country?  Lament the fact how justified all those who uasually sing the same song about race relation in america are so happily justified to point out how much the new government is against them because they are white....amazing. Something is wrong with views like this. You're right Judi, this not the time to be playing politics..