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"I don't know if the president loves the United States..."

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    callencallen Posts: 6,388
    badbrains said:

    Seems to me that he's the ONLY one in DC doing ANYTHING. And I'm not a huge supporter. But let's be real here, who's been more of a disappointment? The clowns of the GOP or the potus?

    Doesn't matter, Obama's a Muslim. Born in Nigeria. Supported by dope smoking pinko liberals and he's black.

    This president has done more good for the common American than any president in my lifetime but doesn't matter. Republicans have better funded marketing program exploiting human weaknesses.
    10-18-2000 Houston, 04-06-2003 Houston, 6-25-2003 Toronto, 10-8-2004 Kissimmee, 9-4-2005 Calgary, 12-3-05 Sao Paulo, 7-2-2006 Denver, 7-22-06 Gorge, 7-23-2006 Gorge, 9-13-2006 Bern, 6-22-2008 DC, 6-24-2008 MSG, 6-25-2008 MSG
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    callencallen Posts: 6,388
    brianlux said:

    Obama says it like it is.

    For a while there I really didn't see that as the case. But more and more (and thank goodness!) this seems to be true. It seems like he's taking the opportunity, at last, to come through on some issues the way we had hoped he would. Always better late than never and I'm glad for it.

    Brian, thought of your past posts on disappointments with Obama. Have had same thoughts but in the end realize he has very limited power and has to walk this fucked up line.

    But then I compare him to past presidents and see clear difference. Fuck, gays can now openly serve in military. Fk just that one thing. Let alone the countless other things. Like staying out of MJ legalization.

    So glass is 7/8th full.

    Peace.
    10-18-2000 Houston, 04-06-2003 Houston, 6-25-2003 Toronto, 10-8-2004 Kissimmee, 9-4-2005 Calgary, 12-3-05 Sao Paulo, 7-2-2006 Denver, 7-22-06 Gorge, 7-23-2006 Gorge, 9-13-2006 Bern, 6-22-2008 DC, 6-24-2008 MSG, 6-25-2008 MSG
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    brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,757
    callen said:

    brianlux said:

    Obama says it like it is.

    For a while there I really didn't see that as the case. But more and more (and thank goodness!) this seems to be true. It seems like he's taking the opportunity, at last, to come through on some issues the way we had hoped he would. Always better late than never and I'm glad for it.

    Brian, thought of your past posts on disappointments with Obama. Have had same thoughts but in the end realize he has very limited power and has to walk this fucked up line.

    But then I compare him to past presidents and see clear difference. Fuck, gays can now openly serve in military. Fk just that one thing. Let alone the countless other things. Like staying out of MJ legalization.

    So glass is 7/8th full.

    Peace.
    Yeah, Obama's had to face a it of resistance, that's for sure. Looked at from that perspective, he's done quite well.

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













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    hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    callen said:

    badbrains said:

    Seems to me that he's the ONLY one in DC doing ANYTHING. And I'm not a huge supporter. But let's be real here, who's been more of a disappointment? The clowns of the GOP or the potus?

    Doesn't matter, Obama's a Muslim. Born in Nigeria. Supported by dope smoking pinko liberals and he's black.

    This president has done more good for the common American than any president in my lifetime but doesn't matter. Republicans have better funded marketing program exploiting human weaknesses.
    This is the kind of response on which I call smelly, unmitigated bullshit.

    Not (only) here, but in just sharing ideas and thoughts on this country, how it's run and by whom, any iota of criticism (or, as is always encouraged, "critical" thought) is dismissed to being blind, biased, bigoted.

    God forbid true thoughts and paths of communication are attempted.

    Fuck that.

  • Options
    callencallen Posts: 6,388
    The thread title is called, “I don’t think Obama Loves America”. In this thread I posted my comments. This phrase resonates with Americans I live with in America. This includes Americans that I work with, American friends and family I interact with personally on a daily basis. This resonates with posts I see on CNBC, CNN, Time etc. So not sure of how many Americans you are exposed to on an ordinary day but there is a large portion of Americans I deal with that have the Obama is a Muslim mindset. Republicans and Corporations savor this. These are also the very same Americans that benefit the most from his policies but they can’t see through the hate. Go to Click2Houston.com and open a story that has Obama in it and you will see this wonderful section of US population. Go to any crime story and read comments and many will directly reference them being Obama’s kids. This isn’t a racist conservative news site, this is mainstream popular news site in Houston with corresponding TV news program. They piggy back CNN stories..that liberal news channel.

    Now I am always more than happy to debate actual policies and have done so just in last three posts of how Obama has made huge strides on gay rights in this country. Huge, and that republican likely would not have done. So did you want to debate how gays should not have equal rights or do you propose someone do so? . Or staying out of Colorado’s rights to legalize. Posted that just above. Be more than happy to debate that as well. So fuck yes hate is played big time and fuck yeah be glad to debate the policies of my current American President.
    10-18-2000 Houston, 04-06-2003 Houston, 6-25-2003 Toronto, 10-8-2004 Kissimmee, 9-4-2005 Calgary, 12-3-05 Sao Paulo, 7-2-2006 Denver, 7-22-06 Gorge, 7-23-2006 Gorge, 9-13-2006 Bern, 6-22-2008 DC, 6-24-2008 MSG, 6-25-2008 MSG
  • Options
    hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    "So did you want to debate how gays should not have equal rights or do you propose someone do so? . Or staying out of Colorado’s rights to legalize."

    What? Sorry, but I'm lost with that.

    Not sure if you expect me - as someone who's posted honestly and open-mindedly here for years - to shout from the rooftops, yes, damn those gays! And damn those who could benefit from the medicinal side of the green!

    I'm talking about this dismissive, no qualms about calling someone a racist and assigning ridiculous goals, for offering up simple critiques that have nothing to do with skin color or where the hell someone was(n't) born.
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    rgambsrgambs Posts: 13,576
    hedonist said:

    "So did you want to debate how gays should not have equal rights or do you propose someone do so? . Or staying out of Colorado’s rights to legalize."

    What? Sorry, but I'm lost with that.

    Not sure if you expect me - as someone who's posted honestly and open-mindedly here for years - to shout from the rooftops, yes, damn those gays! And damn those who could benefit from the medicinal side of the green!

    I'm talking about this dismissive, no qualms about calling someone a racist and assigning ridiculous goals, for offering up simple critiques that have nothing to do with skin color or where the hell someone was(n't) born.

    This is something I have not seen much of. 90% of the criticism I see leveled at Obama is non-specific, and I think this is what callen is speaking to... People don't tend to have direct policy specific critiques, it is usally just general reasons that aren't even fact-based...outlandish claims about the debt, his foreign policy "weakness", socialism (puuuuhlease!), birther claims, and everywhere the claim that "Obama hates America"
    6 and a half years later and the establishment conservatives are still calling for the sky to fall, it hasn't.
    Still lamenting his economy crushing socialism, while the economy improves.
    Still questioning his citizenhood and dedication to America, while he gives more of his life than they do.
    Still calling him a Muslim, without evidence.
    Worst of all, normal everyday people (trust me, the midwest is PACKED with them) who still rankle under the leadership of a black man, with no specific reason to hate him.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • Options
    hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    edited March 2015
    I live in a fairly large city so am exposed to people from many walks of life, every day. Several years ago, I was accused of being racist by a co-worker, who in the same breath dismissed Obama's opponent because he was "old and white".

    So silly and, to a degree, insulting (depending on who's leveling such claims).

    Of course there are some who are close-minded to an extreme; I'm just tired of those with legitimate concerns, comments, what have you, being tossed into the cesspool of bigots.

    Open eyes should come from (and not disregarded) all around, I think.
  • Options
    callencallen Posts: 6,388
    Reality bites.
    10-18-2000 Houston, 04-06-2003 Houston, 6-25-2003 Toronto, 10-8-2004 Kissimmee, 9-4-2005 Calgary, 12-3-05 Sao Paulo, 7-2-2006 Denver, 7-22-06 Gorge, 7-23-2006 Gorge, 9-13-2006 Bern, 6-22-2008 DC, 6-24-2008 MSG, 6-25-2008 MSG
  • Options
    rgambsrgambs Posts: 13,576
    hedonist said:

    I live in a fairly large city so am exposed to people from many walks of life, every day. Several years ago, I was accused of being racist by a co-worker, who in the same breath dismissed Obama's opponent because he was "old and white".

    So silly and, to a degree, insulting (depending on who's leveling such claims).

    Of course there are some who are close-minded to an extreme; I'm just tired of those with legitimate concerns, comments, what have you, being tossed into the cesspool of bigots.

    Open eyes should come from (and not disregarded) all around, I think.

    I honestly just haven't seen that much, if at all. When I see someone with legitimate concerns I see those concerns debated with facts.
    For example: "ObamaCare the job killer... Vs. the actual reports.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
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    hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    callen said:

    Reality bites.

    Thanks! All these years of living, had no bloody idea.

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    backseatLover12backseatLover12 Posts: 2,312
    edited March 2015
    hedonist said:

    callen said:

    badbrains said:

    Seems to me that he's the ONLY one in DC doing ANYTHING. And I'm not a huge supporter. But let's be real here, who's been more of a disappointment? The clowns of the GOP or the potus?

    Doesn't matter, Obama's a Muslim. Born in Nigeria. Supported by dope smoking pinko liberals and he's black.

    This president has done more good for the common American than any president in my lifetime but doesn't matter. Republicans have better funded marketing program exploiting human weaknesses.
    This is the kind of response on which I call smelly, unmitigated bullshit.

    Not (only) here, but in just sharing ideas and thoughts on this country, how it's run and by whom, any iota of criticism (or, as is always encouraged, "critical" thought) is dismissed to being blind, biased, bigoted.

    God forbid true thoughts and paths of communication are attempted.

    Fuck that.

    I don't know, I have had many legitimate concerns in this thread, begging for someone to prove me wrong or at least help me with that objective perspective of living in the U.S.
  • Options
    rr165892rr165892 Posts: 5,697

    hedonist said:

    callen said:

    badbrains said:

    Seems to me that he's the ONLY one in DC doing ANYTHING. And I'm not a huge supporter. But let's be real here, who's been more of a disappointment? The clowns of the GOP or the potus?

    Doesn't matter, Obama's a Muslim. Born in Nigeria. Supported by dope smoking pinko liberals and he's black.

    This president has done more good for the common American than any president in my lifetime but doesn't matter. Republicans have better funded marketing program exploiting human weaknesses.
    This is the kind of response on which I call smelly, unmitigated bullshit.

    Not (only) here, but in just sharing ideas and thoughts on this country, how it's run and by whom, any iota of criticism (or, as is always encouraged, "critical" thought) is dismissed to being blind, biased, bigoted.

    God forbid true thoughts and paths of communication are attempted.

    Fuck that.

    I don't know, I have had many legitimate concerns in this thread, begging for someone to prove me wrong or at least help me with that objective perspective of living in the U.S.
    It's not a right or wrong as someone else said its how we the individual view it.And how we choose to act based on our circumstances.Im sure the view is a lot different at all ends of the socioeconomic scale,race scale and where we live geographically.
    There is always room for improvement on all levels,always work to be done to make life ,ourselves and our country better.
  • Options
    rr165892 said:

    hedonist said:

    callen said:

    badbrains said:

    Seems to me that he's the ONLY one in DC doing ANYTHING. And I'm not a huge supporter. But let's be real here, who's been more of a disappointment? The clowns of the GOP or the potus?

    Doesn't matter, Obama's a Muslim. Born in Nigeria. Supported by dope smoking pinko liberals and he's black.

    This president has done more good for the common American than any president in my lifetime but doesn't matter. Republicans have better funded marketing program exploiting human weaknesses.
    This is the kind of response on which I call smelly, unmitigated bullshit.

    Not (only) here, but in just sharing ideas and thoughts on this country, how it's run and by whom, any iota of criticism (or, as is always encouraged, "critical" thought) is dismissed to being blind, biased, bigoted.

    God forbid true thoughts and paths of communication are attempted.

    Fuck that.

    I don't know, I have had many legitimate concerns in this thread, begging for someone to prove me wrong or at least help me with that objective perspective of living in the U.S.
    It's not a right or wrong as someone else said its how we the individual view it.And how we choose to act based on our circumstances.Im sure the view is a lot different at all ends of the socioeconomic scale,race scale and where we live geographically.
    There is always room for improvement on all levels,always work to be done to make life ,ourselves and our country better.
    Not this again, man. It's an objective big-picture perspective of the big issues going on in this country, not my personal perspective of how I view life.
  • Options
    mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 28,663
    There are two ways you can love your country (I'm dumbing this down obviously)

    1. Mommy love - this is the thought process that your country is perfect and it can do no wrong. The Founding Fathers were infallible and we reached our intellectual zenith in 1791. It's likened to how a young child can find no fault in their mother.

    2. Adult love - this is the thought process that, like a marriage, it takes work. We make mistakes and need to mold and shape our country for the future. What was great 100 years ago, isn't great today. So it's great to go on a alcohol fueled week of skiing when you are married for a year and have no kids, but that's frowned upon when your kids need new shoes.

    Our country makes mistakes... big ones. Huge ones. Slavery, Indian removal, Japanese Internment camps, Plessy v. Ferguson, Selma, the list goes on and on. You could even debate Hiroshima (let's not right now, but happy to take that one up later). Trying to wash that away or ignore that as part of our history is a monstrous mistake in understanding our country. For those with HS kids, you may know that TX, GA and other states are trying to whitewash many issues from the AP history standards because they don't support American "Exceptionalism"
    For the record, I believe in Adult love of the country and am very against changing AP standards.

    Regarding Obama's legacy... It's way too early people. Presidential policy results rarely show up immediately. They take time and historical perspective to understand the consequences of policy. The exception is War. That is immediate. Whether you look at LBJ's escalation of Vietnam or Bush's folly in Iraq, those are immediate. But public polices are slow to burn and analyze.

    A great example is Clintonian policies of the 90's (with Newt's help). Remember that Gore didn't even campaign with Clinton because he was a pariah on the trail. Now we look back fondly at the economic policies of the 90's and the fabulous era of prosperity and wealth that took place. So it will take another 8 years or more before the book really starts getting written on the age of Obama.

    Sorry so long.
  • Options
    rr165892 said:

    hedonist said:

    callen said:

    badbrains said:

    Seems to me that he's the ONLY one in DC doing ANYTHING. And I'm not a huge supporter. But let's be real here, who's been more of a disappointment? The clowns of the GOP or the potus?

    Doesn't matter, Obama's a Muslim. Born in Nigeria. Supported by dope smoking pinko liberals and he's black.

    This president has done more good for the common American than any president in my lifetime but doesn't matter. Republicans have better funded marketing program exploiting human weaknesses.
    This is the kind of response on which I call smelly, unmitigated bullshit.

    Not (only) here, but in just sharing ideas and thoughts on this country, how it's run and by whom, any iota of criticism (or, as is always encouraged, "critical" thought) is dismissed to being blind, biased, bigoted.

    God forbid true thoughts and paths of communication are attempted.

    Fuck that.

    I don't know, I have had many legitimate concerns in this thread, begging for someone to prove me wrong or at least help me with that objective perspective of living in the U.S.
    It's not a right or wrong as someone else said its how we the individual view it.And how we choose to act based on our circumstances.Im sure the view is a lot different at all ends of the socioeconomic scale,race scale and where we live geographically.
    There is always room for improvement on all levels,always work to be done to make life ,ourselves and our country better.
    Here's an example of what I'm trying to say. Take a look at the Water shortage in the SW thread. In the first post, the older couple's view on the water shortage in their new development is that money will solve the problem. Will it? Will their choices on how they act based on their circumstances prove correct? According to "socioeconomic scale,race scale and where we live geographically" will the results pan out? If they came from a poor socioeconomic scale and were black, would they see things differently? Yeah, maybe. But what will actually happen here? Reality based on the couple or reality based on someone else's POV?

    See, you take a concrete issue such as water shortage in the SW and development in a desert area where water would have to be supplied from somewhere else, and the results aren't based on individual viewpoints. Sure, throw money at it for the short term, but long-term tell me what will happen. After since they're having drought issues. There will be no water. There's no other view but the earth-based facts. You can't buy natural resources.

    There is no denying that this country has problems. And the sooner we face them, the sooner we are able to solve them. But we have to admit them first. Starting with the gun culture that's taken over this country. And how bout the dry SW?
  • Options
    hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    edited March 2015
    I don't think (*edit for common sense) the majority of intelligent folks are turning a blind eye to the issues facing this country and its people.

    I'm just saying that assuming criticisms are borne of racism or small-mindedness is as ignorant as the subject/mindset on which this thread is based.

    As to where to start, there are a myriad of places - perhaps the importance of each is subjective, relative?
  • Options
    rr165892rr165892 Posts: 5,697

    rr165892 said:

    hedonist said:

    callen said:

    badbrains said:

    Seems to me that he's the ONLY one in DC doing ANYTHING. And I'm not a huge supporter. But let's be real here, who's been more of a disappointment? The clowns of the GOP or the potus?

    Doesn't matter, Obama's a Muslim. Born in Nigeria. Supported by dope smoking pinko liberals and he's black.

    This president has done more good for the common American than any president in my lifetime but doesn't matter. Republicans have better funded marketing program exploiting human weaknesses.
    This is the kind of response on which I call smelly, unmitigated bullshit.

    Not (only) here, but in just sharing ideas and thoughts on this country, how it's run and by whom, any iota of criticism (or, as is always encouraged, "critical" thought) is dismissed to being blind, biased, bigoted.

    God forbid true thoughts and paths of communication are attempted.

    Fuck that.

    I don't know, I have had many legitimate concerns in this thread, begging for someone to prove me wrong or at least help me with that objective perspective of living in the U.S.
    It's not a right or wrong as someone else said its how we the individual view it.And how we choose to act based on our circumstances.Im sure the view is a lot different at all ends of the socioeconomic scale,race scale and where we live geographically.
    There is always room for improvement on all levels,always work to be done to make life ,ourselves and our country better.
    Here's an example of what I'm trying to say. Take a look at the Water shortage in the SW thread. In the first post, the older couple's view on the water shortage in their new development is that money will solve the problem. Will it? Will their choices on how they act based on their circumstances prove correct? According to "socioeconomic scale,race scale and where we live geographically" will the results pan out? If they came from a poor socioeconomic scale and were black, would they see things differently? Yeah, maybe. But what will actually happen here? Reality based on the couple or reality based on someone else's POV?

    See, you take a concrete issue such as water shortage in the SW and development in a desert area where water would have to be supplied from somewhere else, and the results aren't based on individual viewpoints. Sure, throw money at it for the short term, but long-term tell me what will happen. After since they're having drought issues. There will be no water. There's no other view but the earth-based facts. You can't buy natural resources.

    There is no denying that this country has problems. And the sooner we face them, the sooner we are able to solve them. But we have to admit them first. Starting with the gun culture that's taken over this country. And how bout the dry SW?
    BSL,you crack me up dude.
    mrussel1 said:

    There are two ways you can love your country (I'm dumbing this down obviously)

    1. Mommy love - this is the thought process that your country is perfect and it can do no wrong. The Founding Fathers were infallible and we reached our intellectual zenith in 1791. It's likened to how a young child can find no fault in their mother.

    2. Adult love - this is the thought process that, like a marriage, it takes work. We make mistakes and need to mold and shape our country for the future. What was great 100 years ago, isn't great today. So it's great to go on a alcohol fueled week of skiing when you are married for a year and have no kids, but that's frowned upon when your kids need new shoes.

    Our country makes mistakes... big ones. Huge ones. Slavery, Indian removal, Japanese Internment camps, Plessy v. Ferguson, Selma, the list goes on and on. You could even debate Hiroshima (let's not right now, but happy to take that one up later). Trying to wash that away or ignore that as part of our history is a monstrous mistake in understanding our country. For those with HS kids, you may know that TX, GA and other states are trying to whitewash many issues from the AP history standards because they don't support American "Exceptionalism"
    For the record, I believe in Adult love of the country and am very against changing AP standards.

    Regarding Obama's legacy... It's way too early people. Presidential policy results rarely show up immediately. They take time and historical perspective to understand the consequences of policy. The exception is War. That is immediate. Whether you look at LBJ's escalation of Vietnam or Bush's folly in Iraq, those are immediate. But public polices are slow to burn and analyze.

    A great example is Clintonian policies of the 90's (with Newt's help). Remember that Gore didn't even campaign with Clinton because he was a pariah on the trail. Now we look back fondly at the economic policies of the 90's and the fabulous era of prosperity and wealth that took place. So it will take another 8 years or more before the book really starts getting written on the age of Obama.

    Sorry so long.

    This is a very good post.I don't think any of us are so myopic in our thinking that Mommy love is our POV.
  • Options
    rr165892rr165892 Posts: 5,697

    rr165892 said:

    hedonist said:

    callen said:

    badbrains said:

    Seems to me that he's the ONLY one in DC doing ANYTHING. And I'm not a huge supporter. But let's be real here, who's been more of a disappointment? The clowns of the GOP or the potus?

    Doesn't matter, Obama's a Muslim. Born in Nigeria. Supported by dope smoking pinko liberals and he's black.

    This president has done more good for the common American than any president in my lifetime but doesn't matter. Republicans have better funded marketing program exploiting human weaknesses.
    This is the kind of response on which I call smelly, unmitigated bullshit.

    Not (only) here, but in just sharing ideas and thoughts on this country, how it's run and by whom, any iota of criticism (or, as is always encouraged, "critical" thought) is dismissed to being blind, biased, bigoted.

    God forbid true thoughts and paths of communication are attempted.

    Fuck that.

    I don't know, I have had many legitimate concerns in this thread, begging for someone to prove me wrong or at least help me with that objective perspective of living in the U.S.
    It's not a right or wrong as someone else said its how we the individual view it.And how we choose to act based on our circumstances.Im sure the view is a lot different at all ends of the socioeconomic scale,race scale and where we live geographically.
    There is always room for improvement on all levels,always work to be done to make life ,ourselves and our country better.
    Not this again, man. It's an objective big-picture perspective of the big issues going on in this country, not my personal perspective of how I view life.
    No shit.I didn't imply it was a personal view.But you asked for objective perspective.Does not not fly if I don't put enough gloom and doom in it.
  • Options
    rr165892rr165892 Posts: 5,697
    hedonist said:

    I don't think (*edit for common sense) the majority of intelligent folks are turning a blind eye to the issues facing this country and its people.

    I'm just saying that assuming criticisms are borne of racism or small-mindedness is as ignorant as the subject/mindset on which this thread is based.

    As to where to start, there are a myriad of places - perhaps the importance of each is subjective, relative?

    Right on Hedo.
  • Options
    Last-12-ExitLast-12-Exit Charleston, SC Posts: 8,661
    Aren't people looking back on the Clinton administration and blaming his policy on the economic collapse in 2007?
  • Options
    rgambsrgambs Posts: 13,576

    Aren't people looking back on the Clinton administration and blaming his policy on the economic collapse in 2007?

    Those who pay aattention to macro economics are for sure lol
    Glass-Steagall was broken by the GLBA...short term prosperity followed (in the finance field the most of course) and then crashed leaving long-term prospects bleak.

    If you made your nut and squirreled it away, Clinton was the man, if you are under 30 he boned you big time lol
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
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    BentleyspopBentleyspop Craft Beer Brewery, Colorado Posts: 10,555

    Aren't people looking back on the Clinton administration and blaming his policy on the economic collapse in 2007?

    I thought Obama was to blame for everything that has ever gone wrong in Amurrica
  • Options
    mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 28,663
    rgambs said:

    Aren't people looking back on the Clinton administration and blaming his policy on the economic collapse in 2007?

    Those who pay aattention to macro economics are for sure lol
    Glass-Steagall was broken by the GLBA...short term prosperity followed (in the finance field the most of course) and then crashed leaving long-term prospects bleak.

    If you made your nut and squirreled it away, Clinton was the man, if you are under 30 he boned you big time lol
    That's a philosophical and academic debate for sure. Glass-Steagall may have contributed to the crisis, but remember Citi and Solomon had already merged before GLBA, so it wasn't doing what it was designed to do anyway through the loopholes. And post crisis (today), the Banks are fewer but healthier than ever. Why? In my opinion it is the result of Basel II and the amount of capital reserves that banks are required to keep towards bad loans. And what has that brought us? Healthy banks, but the tightest lending standards by banks in memory along with excruciatingly low loan losses for the banks. Consumers who cannot get credit through the traditional banks, as they did in the 90's, have now turned to peer to peer lending, lending clubs, etc. All of these are companies that are exempt from the OCC and below the radar of the CFPB. So it's interesting that Banks are responding to the crisis, but many consumers are now underserved again, as they were in the 80's and before.

    But I digest. We are deep into the financial services weeds, but that's where I live every day.

    If there was any Clinton policy that I think really hurt the middle class, it was NAFTA. IMO
  • Options
    rgambsrgambs Posts: 13,576
    NAFTA was a bad deal for sure.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • Options
    hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    mrussel1 said:



    That's a philosophical and academic debate for sure. Glass-Steagall may have contributed to the crisis, but remember Citi and Solomon had already merged before GLBA, so it wasn't doing what it was designed to do anyway through the loopholes. And post crisis (today), the Banks are fewer but healthier than ever. Why? In my opinion it is the result of Basel II and the amount of capital reserves that banks are required to keep towards bad loans. And what has that brought us? Healthy banks, but the tightest lending standards by banks in memory along with excruciatingly low loan losses for the banks. Consumers who cannot get credit through the traditional banks, as they did in the 90's, have now turned to peer to peer lending, lending clubs, etc. All of these are companies that are exempt from the OCC and below the radar of the CFPB. So it's interesting that Banks are responding to the crisis, but many consumers are now underserved again, as they were in the 80's and before.

    But I digest. We are deep into the financial services weeds, but that's where I live every day.

    If there was any Clinton policy that I think really hurt the middle class, it was NAFTA. IMO

    Not to take away at all from your points, but I had to smile at the bolded part.

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    mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 28,663
    I am heavily influenced by Family Guy.. I was watching Blue Harvest the other night with my son and the opening credits say that, after it goes on and on about Anglina Jolie being naked in Gia.
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    BentleyspopBentleyspop Craft Beer Brewery, Colorado Posts: 10,555

    Aren't people looking back on the Clinton administration and blaming his policy on the economic collapse in 2007?

    I thought Obama was to blame for everything that has ever gone wrong in Amurrica
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    Last-12-ExitLast-12-Exit Charleston, SC Posts: 8,661

    Aren't people looking back on the Clinton administration and blaming his policy on the economic collapse in 2007?

    I thought Obama was to blame for everything that has ever gone wrong in Amurrica

    Aren't people looking back on the Clinton administration and blaming his policy on the economic collapse in 2007?

    I thought Obama was to blame for everything that has ever gone wrong in Amurrica
    Are you trying to drive that point home by posting it twice?
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    gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 22,175

    Aren't people looking back on the Clinton administration and blaming his policy on the economic collapse in 2007?

    I thought Obama was to blame for everything that has ever gone wrong in Amurrica
    i did too.

    but let's just keep blaming democratic presidents for everything.

    considering republicans have been dead wrong on every issue the last 30 years....
    There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.- Hemingway

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
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