Five Things Obama Should Do
POSTED BY: Niki2
UPDATED: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 09:44
VIEWED: 1919
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I don't agree with them all, but it's a well-written article and might spark some ideas:Quote:
When you have flown through a heavy storm, the plane tossing one way and another, have you ever wondered whether there was really anyone in the cockpit? That's the feeling that many Americans have today -- as if we are lurching through an economic storm with no one in charge.
Ordinarily in a crisis, people keep their hopes up because a leader steps forward and instills faith that eventually, this, too, shall pass. Think of Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Depression and World War II, calming the country with his fireside chats. Think of John F. Kennedy in the Cuban missile crisis. Or Walter Cronkite during the Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations. Ronald Reagan after his shooting. Or Rudy Giuliani on 9/11.
But in the current economic turmoil, the country doesn't have much confidence in anyone. With the stock markets crashing early this week, President Barack Obama tried to reassure -- and the Dow sank another 200 points. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke up Tuesday, and the roller coaster continued. While still popular with their base, Republican leaders have lost considerable ground beyond that group. Voices in the White House -- and some outside -- blame the media for making things worse than they are. And CEOs -- looked to as oracles only a few years ago -- have long since toppled from their pedestals.
Thursday's economic news (a better jobs report, rising stock prices) offers a ray of sunshine. Indeed, things will eventually get modestly better. But we shouldn't fool ourselves: In both the United States and Europe, economic distress will continue for a long time. The Fed is now estimating another two years.
Let's acknowledge that the president is a good man who has been trying hard. And indeed he is not given enough credit for his successes. Acknowledge, too, that his options are limited and anything he tries will be attacked by recalcitrants on the other side. Even so, it seems glaringly obvious that he is not leading in the way the country deserves -- and desperately needs.
What might he do now? Others will have better ideas, I am sure, but here are a few that I would consider immediately:
• Stop campaigning for 90 days to concentrate full energies on the economy. Cancel the bus tour, the fundraisers, etc., (yes, keep your family vacation -- everyone in the Obama household deserves it), and first and foremost, reclaim the label that FDR had in the Depression: "Dr. Fix It." Chronic campaigning more than a year before election undermines presidential authority.
• Summon Republican and Democratic congressional leaders back from vacations and hash out a deal on jobs. Obama has priorities (payroll tax extension, unemployment insurance, trade, infrastructure, etc.), but so do Republicans (regulatory relief, especially for small business; repatriation of corporate profits; trade; increased energy production, etc.) There is a deal to be made here; both sides need to rebuild public confidence. And most of all, the country needs more middle-class jobs.
• Appoint a heavyweight such as Laura Tyson to fill the vacancy in the chairmanship of the Council of Economic Advisers. (She held the job in the Clinton administration.) It is stunning that no one has yet been named to succeed Austan Goolsbee, who announced his departure months ago. Yes, the job requires Senate confirmation, but it should be a key, inner circle post at this White House.
• Surround yourself with the most authoritative economic players in the country and consult with them regularly -- from former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker to former Treasury secretaries (Robert Rubin, Larry Summers, James Baker, George Shultz, Henry Paulson), Warren Buffett, CEOs, labor leaders, and yes, former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan. The public will be reassured if they know the best people, irrespective of party, are putting their shoulders
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All those items would be a good start.
Obama has essentially cowered behind closed doors, allowing the Pelosis, Reids, Boehners to run/ruin the show. It's high-time he stopped worrying about the next election and worried about the here and now.
I'd also recommend a meeting with Tea Party leadership behind closed doors, with civility and respect being the keynote approach. Imagine if the Democrats would ACTUALLY listen to their issues and show some leadership by working with them to resolve those issues or find common ground to work from. Imagine if they won them over, rather than ignored them or tried to shove them to the back of the bus, like the Repubs.
I've always liked Lewis Black's statement:
" The only thing dumber than a Democrat or a Republican is when those pricks work together. You see, in our two-party system, the Democrats are the party of no ideas and the Republicans are the party of bad ideas. It usually goes something like this. A Republican will stand up in Congress and say, "I've got a really bad idea." And a Democrat will immediately jump to his feet and declare, "And I can make it shittier."
Jayne: "Ten percent of nuthin' is...let me do the math here...nuthin' into nuthin'...carry the nuthin'..."
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Prize for first giggle of the day goes to Conch. Oh, and along with yours goes the infamous saying that Democrats "seize defeat out of the jaws of victory", which is all too true all too often.
I heard some pundit last night (and damned if I can find it on the internet) say Obama needs to put out a BIG package, especially around jobs, and let the Republicans vote it down. First, it might be a starting point; second, the right has yet to come up with anything to back up their promises that they'd focus on jobs; and third because it would silence all those cries that he hasn't put anything out.
Made me think.
Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off 
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I have several friends who are folks that equate themselves with the saner groups of Tea Partiers. 2 of them were registered Democrats and 3 of them were Republicans. I have found it refreshing to discuss politics with them, because it is never about religion OR morality based social issues. I have to admit, on more then one occasion I found myself siding with their issues.
I read recently that a large majority of "tea Party" movement members don't side with either conservative or progressive and certainly don't support any of the "Tea Party" national candidates, but are more driven towards the local government with the hopes that a true national candidate rears their head.
At this point, I would certainly not vote for Obama or any other incumbent regardless of party (I am a registered Democrat). Here in NY, I am so severely disgusted with both parties, I'd like to see all of them go. That being said, I have this underlying fear of "Out of the Frying Pan and into the fire" feeling because anyone who is currently a successful politician has already been purchased by either Big Business or Big Unions. Which essentially means, we're screwed.
Jayne: "Ten percent of nuthin' is...let me do the math here...nuthin' into nuthin'...carry the nuthin'..."
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what a nightmare list of economists.
None of these people are folks I would want anywhere near my economic decisions. As for the president, I think Obama should play more golf. The economy does better without his "help."
The problem was clear during the campagin: Barack Obama is no economist. This wouldn't be so much of a problem if it wasn't for *when* he was elected. The result of this is he already *has* handed economic decisions to many of the people, if not all of them, on the above list, at one time or another.
At least he now recognizes that his was bad advice. I jusr don't see that he'll be in any better position to nitpick the advice of the next group of self serving cretins to come his way.
That's what a ship is, you know - it's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that's what a ship needs.
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Well, he won't do the first one because he's enjoying his 5 star vacation retreat too much. And if he has to come back to the White House, he'll actually have to do some work. Work he's not cut out for, and it shows.
The rest ? Realigning the chairs on the Titanic, nothing more.
Obama has been yammering about jobs, jobs, jobs , since day 1. Hell, since before day 1. THIS is the fruit of his *snort* labor. To come out now,after all that's been done and said, to really, really, REALLY get serious about jobs, only comes off as showing desperation and tells folks you really have no clue. 
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There are a lot of things Obama SHOULD do, but those 5 things are counterproductive.
WHO got us into this mess in the first place? Volcker, Paulson, Greenspan, Rubin. Why would anyone want to see the same idiots in position sof authority? When the economy tanked in 1929, did Roosevelt go to Hebert Hoover's brain trust for advice?
And the idea that there is a deal to be made with the Tea Party is ridiculous. The national elements of the TP are playing to the crazies... the rappies, wulfies, and kaneys. And they're just as batshit as the people they play to.
Obama needs to set out a CLEAR PLAN for economic recovery, and STICK WITH IT. It's OK to get beaten down once in a while, because at least people know where you stand. Instead, on health care and the economy Obama has drawn lines in the sand, only to back down. Look at the downgrade situation- he said it was a crisis, he said that letting the tax cuts on the wealthy expire was HIS line in the sand. Then, he blinked. And what happened? The downgrade happened anyway. He lost twice.
Jimminy crimminy, the man is constitutionally unable to weather any sort of storm. He says one thing, then punts the real action to some group, and then is unable to back up his word. People are backing the TP because at least THEY have a consistent message, no matter how idiotic it is.
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Quote:
That's exactly what the guy I heard said, Sig, and I think he's right. Trying to do ANYTHING with this crop of Republicans/Tea Partiers is beyond imagining, and he should take a STAND (
Obama needs to set out a CLEAR PLAN for economic recovery, and STICK WITH IT. It's OK to get beaten down once in a while, because at least people know where you stand.
), then let the world see what asses they are.
Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off
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Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
Well, he won't do the first one because he's enjoying his 5 star vacation retreat too much. And if he has to come back to the White House, he'll actually have to do some work. Work he's not cut out for, and it shows.
Yup, he has done a damn thing...except!
http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/
I do not fear God, I fear the ignorance of man.
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Quote:
Originally posted by SignyM:
There are a lot of things Obama SHOULD do, but those 5 things are counterproductive.
WHO got us into this mess in the first place? Volcker, Paulson, Greenspan, Rubin. Why would anyone want to see the same idiots in position sof authority? When the economy tanked in 1929, did Roosevelt go to Hebert Hoover's brain trust for advice?
And the idea that there is a deal to be made with the Tea Party is ridiculous. The national elements of the TP are playing to the crazies... the rappies, wulfies, and kaneys. And they're just as batshit as the people they play to.
Obama needs to set out a CLEAR PLAN for economic recovery, and STICK WITH IT. It's OK to get beaten down once in a while, because at least people know where you stand. Instead, on health care and the economy Obama has drawn lines in the sand, only to back down. Look at the downgrade situation- he said it was a crisis, he said that letting the tax cuts on the wealthy expire was HIS line in the sand. Then, he blinked. And what happened? The downgrade happened anyway. He lost twice.
Jimminy crimminy, the man is constitutionally unable to weather any sort of storm. He says one thing, then punts the real action to some group, and then is unable to back up his word. People are backing the TP because at least THEY have a consistent message, no matter how idiotic it is.
The problem is that drawing a line in the sand only works if you don't want anything to change. Had he not compromised on things such as Health Care Reform we would not have it at all. Same thing with deficit increase. Had he not compromised the Teabaggers would have gotten what they wanted.
I do not fear God, I fear the ignorance of man.
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