HBO's Bill Maher Takes On President Obama

[Bushknew]

Run time: 05:22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWulnfog20c   Posted on YouTube: June 14, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: June 14, 2009 By DU Member: Bushknew Views on DU: 8176

 
Bill is spot on.

Enough with the speeches & trying to please everybody & how about some real change
or is Obama just a gatekeeper?

[RufusTFirefly]

1. Plenty of room for you, Bill

You're bound to meet people you know.

[tomm2thumbs]

12. LOL! That is hilarious - thanks for posting that pic /nt

[ooglymoogly]

22. Too funny bt

[FLAprogressive]

111. throw Maddow, Turley, and others there too. They've been thrown straight under the bus by GD:P All

Stars.

[Ladyhawk]

120. Perfecto. nt

[FarPoint]

2. Bill is way too impatient.

He should of been confrontational with *bush/cheney. He only toyed with them. I think Obama is right on task. He has only been President for 6 months for Chrissake.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

4. You think Bill only "toyed" with Bush/Cheney?

You obviously never watched the show.

[FarPoint]

6. Only toward the end, the last year of the 2nd term

did Bill take a firmer approach. I recall his fascination with Anne Coulter on previous episodes during the *bush/cheney reign. Thats my take on it. Say, post Katrina, mid 06, he began to then change his approach. I wanted more support while people like Cindy Sheehan were out there fighting to expose the crime family in office.

[Liberal_Christian]

67. firmer approach=understatement

Maher tore President Cheney, Vice President Rummy, and Court Jester Bush a new asshole on a number of occasions in the past. As a matter of fact, he was one of the main liberal flagships for bush-bashing and he did it with style, truth, intelligence, and due cause.

This critique of Obama may be harsh but it bares truth; Bush had a warped ideology but the backbone to put it into action, Obama has a great ideology put no backbone and apathetic "support" from other democrats.

-the credit card bill is a joke
-the proposed healthcare "reform" doesn't even involve single-payer
-there's still no new financial regulation (Glass-Steagal reinstatement)

Seriously, I WOULD buy into the "too inpatient" argument but he has a democratic majority in the house AND senate. He technically does not have an opposition.

Look at what Bush did in the six years of a Republican majority. Democrats might as well have been whistling dixie because Repugs ALWAYS got their legislation passed despite any opposition (whenever there even was any)

Bottom line, if Obama is sincere about giving the Government back to it's people, NOW is the time to strike while the iron's hot.
-Republican numbers are diminishing
-Their ideology has been proven as a fallacy due to deregulation, "free" markets, trickle-down, Graham Leach Bliley, Bank Modernization, and other Raganomic nonsense.
-The rest of the industrialized world flourishes on everything they claim is disastrous.

They are at their weakest because they are finally being somewhat exposed as the hollow party they are with an ingenious ability to justify selfishness, guilt-free. After Obama's term, we will find out that it is because of choice, not circumstance, if Democrats do not push the legislation that decided the presidential vote in November of 2008.

[jgraz]

118. No shit. In one show he came close to suggesting that Cheney should be killed

I guess, compared to O'Reilly, that is a bit soft.

[ooglymoogly]

24. It is not that anyone is way too impatient

It is that way too much is happening and it is not the change promised...not even close. Obama is getting plenty done and it all redounds to the pugs at the expense of the Democrats. This "too impatient" crap just isn't selling anymore.

[Titonwan]

85. My, oh my.

I just don't understand how you can say Obama is "right on task" unless you mean he's protecting Bush with all of his might. We all know about the state's secrets privilege his DOJ's used to throw out entire court cases concerning wiretapping, rendition and torture. And his ignoring a Judge's ruling on habeas corpus for detainees in Bagram AFB. Or his snubbing civil libertarians in a private meeting (where Holder was present and didn't say jack shit) and told everyone present that Bush (et alia) were NOT going to be investigated, His pushing of Harry Reid to rally the Democratic Senators to NOT support investigations. His refusal to honor ANOTHER Judge's ruling to release COURT WON photographs of torture, rape and possible murder (which at least Bush DID honor by releasing the first batch). Not only did Obama fight these photos, but said HE WOULD SIGN the heinously unConstitutional Graham- Lieberman secrecy Bill. And to top it all off, since the Bill was defeated in the House (after passing in the Senate with flying colors), now the Second Court of Appeals has been pressured to not enforce it's ruling by suspending judgement. All of these tactics are to prevent the appealed ruling (by Barack's DOJ) to go to the Supreme Court because they know the photo release ruling will be upheld. This IS JUST LIKE FISA in they're desperately trying to change the laws before the judiciary rules against them. Change you can believe in MY ASS.

Now, I know you ain't this character,


but you're starting to act like THIS one.


There's only so much apologizing for bad behavior before you look just like a Bushie.
And we all know how stupid that is.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

3. When you're right you're right and Bill got it on this one n/t

[Butch350]

18. Well...at least that's your opinion and not mine.

You see? Diversity.

Some of us are riding in OBAMAS BUS.

Yahoo,, yahoo.

[SammyWinstonJack]

103. And running over those who Obama threw under his bus.

Some of us are riding in OBAMAS BUS.


Yahoo INDEED!

[Liberal_Christian]

68. I love your signature quote! I'm going to use that :-)

They are complaining about the price of the tow truck, this is assuming they believe a tow truck gets a car out of a ditch. Some of them would argue that the tow-truck makes things worse- hence the FDR/New Deal bashing.

[mikehiggins]

5. Bill Maher had one good moment only it was nine years ago and it cost him his job.

Of course he finds fault with Obama; that's HIS job.

Running the White House and trying to get recalcitrant Dems like Baucus to fall into line, that's Obama's.

Unfortunately for Maher, when it comes down to it, Obama has better comedy writers than he does.

And he can sign an excuse slip for a grade schooler that'll probably be accepted.

[Bushknew]

7. I can do without with the Celebrity Presidency, less speaches more audacity.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

107. It is very telling

That Maher was a champion when he was railing against the Bush admin. but now when he points out a fault with Obama he is a worse comedian than Obama.

[Metta]

8. He's on the money. Kudos.

:toast:

[jeff30997]

9. Yep, spot on .

And that part was good: "Jesus told me to fix Health-care!" :rofl:

[aquamarina]

10. That was spot, the f*%k on.

[NorthCarolina]

13. I couldn't agree more nt

[Demit]

11. As Kent Jones would say, WEAK.

Bill Maher knows perfectly well why it's good for Obama to be seen a lot by the American people—and yes, being seen doing normal things. The knuckle-draggers in our society may be beyond hope, but there are still a lot of nervous nellies whose inner fear still needs to be calmed, that Obama is not—despite the constant hectoring from rightwing talk-show hosts—some kind of two-headed alien from outer space bent on the country's destruction.

Not to mention that the man has been in office less than FIVE MONTHS. Good grief! Bill, get a better theme next time. This one's weak.

[raystorm7]

16. Don't prove Bills point true with more weaksauce... Bill is speaking for "REAL" change

[Demit]

44. Real change takes longer than a few months. If you want presto-chango stuff

go to a magic show. Otherwise, give your guy a chance to effect change in the real world, given the situation he was given to deal with.

[raystorm7]

51. I'm giving him a year... one can only be spineless on so many issues before it starts to smell.

[howmad1]

61. Oh bullshit!

He can fix DADT in a minute. He can fix FISA in a heartbeat. He can make single payer health care happen with a little more pressure on democrats and a little less nice, nice to rethugs. He can tell wall street to get lost. He can keep his promises to all those, including me who believed that change was coming. I'm sorry to say, he's becoming a big disappointment.

[Demit]

75. You want him to do all those things within his first few months, or else he has failed. Got it.

Minutes. Heartbeats. Making single-payer healthcare 'happen'. Telling Wall Street to 'get lost'.

You are very silly.

[pokercat999]

77. I think a reasonable request would be for the President to

be at least heading in the right direction. If you are in DC and want to go to CA you would head west, in this instance President Obama has headed off in a SE direction on most issues and will never get there. IMO, Bill was correct in at least 75% of his critique.

[LiberalArkie]

96. It is called Executive Order... remember what Bush used to do

[Why Syzygy]

99. Goldman Sachs got paid.

Swiss Bank got paid. AIG got paid.
Bush administration got a free pass.

He's accomplished marvels.
Just not for the People.

[orbitalman]

14. It's called accountability

no matter which side of the fence you're on.

[pjt7]

63. BINGO

Maher nailed it.

[bc3000]

15. It's easy to make jokes

Anyone care to put the first 200 days of Obama up against the first 200 days of Bush and see who got more done?

[FarPoint]

38. I use that yardstick as well.

Bush worked covertly, behind the curtain to work his agenda..............robbing America, never serving as a public servant but as the safe cracker for the gang of crooks...

Obama, he has to lead the nation and put it back to some resemblance of a free nation...so yea, I'm willing to work with Obama and wait for change.

[Celtic Merlin]

65. Oh, puh-leeez!

The first 200 days of my RETRIEVER were more productive than Bush's first 200.....no, 300 days.

Christ, if yer gonna compare things, they should be at least marginally similar to each other.

A more apt comparison would be the contents of Bush's skull with the contents of my ball sack.

Ball sack WINS!!!

Celtic Merlin
Carlinist

[pokercat999]

78. Compare him against the worst ever? A fish in a jar

could do better.

[Donnachaidh]

108. oh please....

Another weak argument to blow smoke about the promises that HAVEN'T been done. Of course, he made sure the wealthy in this country got a big ole bag of money at the expense of the taxpayers.

CHANGE doesn't mean coins in the pockets of those who don't need it.

[Hulk]

17. Yup...he hasn't straightened it all out ....yet.

I have to agree with Bill on most of this. President Obama hasn't turned the ship around and started the other direction. He's made some shifts and done some changes...but not enough to satisfy us with yet. He's probably not satisfied either.

Gripe all you want. Imagine what it would be like with mcAncient and lipstick pig in the white house. Holy shit. I think he has a few more years to go yet, and a boat load of problems to unwind and deal with.

I'm not for crucifying him just yet. Yup...he's not God. Yup, he's got a ways to go to satisfy us. He sometimes looks like he's back peddling, but let's give the man some time. Maybe he will, maybe he won't. At least we aren't leaving to the toilet for the sewer pipes to the sea. It COULD BE a lot worse. It IS getting better, albeit not as fast as we'd all like to see.

[Butch350]

19. WTF is Bill Maher doing for his country?

Beside making fun of religion.

[Dramarama]

35. Eh.

We're not really paying him though.

[Butch350]

53. Your paying for the cable to watch him.

[Fedja]

70. He's a comedian.

Comedians have been a lever of checks and balances since the dawn of time. From the court jester to the modern political comedian, they all served the same purpose. Disguising pointed remarks about the state of affairs in laughter, so that they are easy to digest by the general public and the leaders themselves. More often than not, one finds that the comedian is by far the most truthful and independent critic of every establishment.

[bertman]

20. We need more comedy like this. If President Obama's staff are taking the "pulse" of the

public they'll see that there are a lot of us who want him to adopt a bit of the Bush swagger for healthcare and the environment. Oh yes, and how about personal liberties instead of state secrets?

Thanks, Bushknew.

Recommended.

[ooglymoogly]

21. He's on the money as usual....kr nt

[davidwparker]

23. "hoping for a little more audacity" -- Great line. n/t

[Krashkopf]

45. I just made "hoping for a little more AUDACITY" . . .

into a bumper sticker for my car.

[Xenotime]

25. He is over reacting. He not funny anymore.

[pokercat999]

79. Who President Obama?........

:evilgrin:

[SammyWinstonJack]

104. .

:spray: :evilgrin:

[Kahoneez]

26. Pro 9/11 gov. conspiracy Gatekeeper is right on this one .

No single payer representative was invited to discuss health care reform .

HR 1388 Obama's so called " Volunteer Bill " has a paragraph about how a " mandatory " system could be set up .

Obama has signed executive order to continue Kidnappings AKA " renditions " .

Obama has requested ONE BILLION , for a new FORTIFIED CITY , aka " embassy " in Pakistan , While our economy is going down the toilet .

obama pushed for FIAT , to take over Chrysler ..with NO MONEY down ( for future technology Fiat owns ). Who attended the Bilderberg Meeting in Greece , Obama officials and reps from FIAT . Side note , Sodomayor represented FIAT , while working at Law firm .

While he does the opposite of what he says and shows up on TV , more and more , it equals a systematic , organized Propaganda plan , to maintain his popularity , remind everyone of his popularity (as CNN constantly does) .

Obama is a globalist FRAUD !

[Celtic Merlin]

66. Nope...Sorry...Next contestant, PLEASE !

President Barack Obama is most certainly NOT a globalist OR a fraud.

That shit might play over on LGF or Red State, but not here. The bus to Freeperville leaves in 10 minutes.
Please be on it.

Celtic Merlin
Carlinist

[olegramps]

87. He missed the bus a long time ago.

[ProfessorGAC]

71. Duh!

Take your paranoia elsewhere.
GAC

[wildbilln864]

27. Spoy on! nt

[Celtic Merlin]

28. I love the Prez! I campaigned for him. I led a campaign team.

I knocked on doors, trained canvassers, mapped out turf, made phone calls, etc., etc., etc.

And now.....I want the change that I was promised.

I don't want half-assed weaksauce bullshit compromises with a Republican party that can't put a respectable tea party together.

I want change.
I want it NOW.
Not tomorrow, or next week - NOW! Yesterday would have been better.

I don't want that change to be watered down by health insurance corporations, oil corporations, automobile corporations, banking corporations, utility corporations, OR the Republican party. They HAD their eight years under Bush. They had all the time to plunder this country that they could get.

I voted for change.
I want it NOW.
Not tomorrow. Not next month - NOW!

If we don't start BITCHING UP A STORM for REAL change and real change NOW, we'll be hearing from these same people NEXT YEAR, "He's only been in office for 18 months, be patient." And two years from now...and three.

If I wanted to see this nation change 25 years from now, I'd have voted for JOHN FUCKING MCCAIN.

Seriously. It is time for this man to come out publicly AND STRONGLY for the change that we were promised. Congress takes forever to do anything and the president has got to start the ball rolling and get his people in line NOW if we're going to see anything meaningful happen any time soon.

Obama has truckloads of political capital. Time to spend some of it getting stuff done for We, The People.

The banks got theirs. The car companies got theirs. The insurance companies got theirs. I want OURS and it is certainly OUR TURN.


Celtic Merlin
Carlinist

[Krashkopf]

46. Spot on!

I want my AUDACIOUS CHANGE and I want it NOW!

[spiritual_gunfighter]

109. But it's only been 5 months!!

and 5 months from now it will only be 10 months and a year from now it will only have been one year and five months. Obama's policy decisions started on January 21st 2009, if 5 months out you are more concerned than happy with the policy decisions that have been taking place then there is a problem.

[Bushknew]

47. The banks got theirs. The car companies got theirs. The insurance companies got theirs. I want OURS!

Can I get a Amen!!!!!?????

& can I recommend your post? LOL!!!!!

[Celtic Merlin]

64. Thank you. Sincerely.

This "centrist" and "bipartisan" bullshit is starting to make me ITCH!

All Americans should enjoy the same level of health care (at the same level of personal expense) that all members of Congress and the White House staff (including the Obama family) are receiving currently. We are just as good as they are.

I want public financing of campaigns. Get the corporations and lobbyists OUT of my government!

I want the exportation of American jobs to STOP. I want the exportation of a job to be a financial hardship on the companies that do it. I want the threat of taxes and penalties to force the RETURN of American jobs.

I want PEACE in the Middle East, a two-state solution, our people OUT of Iraq, and Osama bin Laden's head on a Stirling silver, engraved, tea service platter - with ruffles and flourishes added.

I want the concept of "too big to fail" to mean "to big to allow to exist".

I want green energy, I want it now, I want it cheap, and I want it Made in America.

Finally, I want the return of the rule of the Constitution of the United States of America and the Bill of Rights. Just like corporations have no place in our government, government has no place in my e-mails, blog posts, phone calls, or my bedroom.

But, I'm an American Citizen - what the fuck do *I* know?

Celtic Merlin
Carlinist

[olegramps]

88. You are addressing the wrong forum. The Republicans are obstructionists.

Every thing that you have a problems with is the result of the Republican rubber stamp congress that dominated our government. Now they have become the obstructionists who are opposing every measure of reform. What you want and what Obama may be able to get is solely dependent on the Republicans. There will always be mavericks in the Democratic Party that are more concerned with their next reelection than with the voting for what is right for the nation. When you are faced with this situation where you need some support for your program from the opposition and they absolutely refuse to cooperate you not in a good position to negotiate.

[olegramps]

91. Excuse me, but I am a little dubious about your post.

You claim to have supported Obama throughout the campaign, however I notice that you have only a few posts. I find that rather strange.

You have not one good thing to say about President Obama and what he has succeeded to accomplish against stringent united opposition by the Republicans. Not to mention the constant barrage of propaganda by right wing extremists who dominate radio talk shows.

Your post could be interpreted as being little more than a lame attempt to totally discredit Obama. I would suggest that you reexamine his positions that he clearly stated during the campaign which you say you supported such as on health care and Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Celtic Merlin]

114. Hey, GRAMPS! Listen up - important info coming at ya!

You question my support of the man while he was a candidate based on the number of posts I have here on DU? When did this become the ONLY place to post about Progressive candidates?

I was an Edwards supporter until he dropped out. I wanted an Edwards/Obama ticket, but that became impossible. About that time (maybe a little later), I left HuffPo for DKos and posted there throughout the campaign and up until about a month ago. I still post there, but also post here now - if that's just perfectly okay with you, m'lord.

Head on over to DKos and look me up. DO IT, Gramps! All of my stuff there is under this same name - Celtic Merlin. Or does none of that count since it didn't appear here on DU simultaneously?

I'd like to call your attention to the diaries titled, "My Reply to Audio Guy"; "An Open Letter to Obama Supporters"; "Obama's greatest danger now: Our Complacency"; "BG, WC - I'm outta gas." - posted 4 days before Election Day; and "Horrifying & Funny - the cons react to POTUS Obama". The dates that these were posted cannot be changed by me. They were posted from April 4, 2008 through Nov. 6, 2008. AND YOU BY GOD HAD BETTER READ EVERY FUCKING ONE OF THEM.

You "find that rather strange" do you? Good.

Quoting you, "You have not one good thing to say about President Obama and what he has succeeded to accomplish against stringent united opposition by the Republicans."
Have you missed the news lately? The Republican party is a bunch of leaderless ninnies that can't put a respectable tea party together - against THAT level of opposition, Bush would have had wars raging on 5 continents and ExxonMobil would have been recognized as the 51st state with its own people in the US Senate!

Again, quoting you, "Your post could be interpreted as being little more than a lame attempt to totally discredit Obama."
Discredit Obama? Are you SHITTING me? I'm trying to give this guy a well-deserved kick in the pants to get his skinny ass moving on Progressive issues while we have the chance to get some very important things accomplished. I don't give a rat's ass about bi-partisanship, I want the slate of issues we supported during the campaign to get punched through Congress before the conservatives have a chance to counterattack and possibly take back a few seats. But you just go right ahead and interpret my comment any old way you please, Gramps. And remain very, very worried about the "constant barrage of propaganda by right wing extremists who dominate radio talk shows" since they count for NOTHING when time comes for the House and Senate to vote on things.

Thank you very much for your concern about the President's overall well-being and about how I might be an undercover Freeper trying to "discredit" him, but you're completely clueless about me, who I am, what I stand for, and my history.

And don't come back with a single word of reply to me until after you've read all of the DKos diaries I mentioned above. Every damned "dubious" word.

Celtic Merlin
Carlinist

[malik flavors]

29. Bill assumes Obama can get 60 votes on any legislation he presents to congress.

Obama's getting all kinds of crap for the little bit of change he's pushing right now. How on Earth could he possibly go that extreme and get anything done? It's not realistic. There's people like Bill who talk about all the things they want done, and then there's the people who are actually trying to govern and who are faced with the difficulties involved in it. Bill isn't living in the real world. It's important that he speak out and try to push Obama for change, but he has to understand there's only so much a president alone can do, and Obama's doing a hell of a job right now. I mean, one of Obama's main criticisms right now is that he's doing TOO MUCH. So, I think Bill's a little off the mark with this one.

[GreenTea]

30. Just fucking do it! Worrying about sixty votes is such a bullshit excuse for not doing.........

things he promised & said he would do....

Obama NEVER talked about 60 votes when he was making the promises that he's now making excuses for and NOT keeping or worse, reversing completely what he said he would do.

You think he didn't know about 60 votes then...get real!

We know that Obama is not a progressive liberal, OK, but who wants a moderate dealing with corporate republicans...got to be tough & say fuck the fascist elitist corporate republican minority!

Worrying about corporate republicans (and their insurance corporations) certainly is NOT going to get the most important issue we have today, domestically, bar none, one that absolutely positively needs to get done. - Universal Health care for all with a public option at the very least.

Obama's is worried about the minority republicans and their media, just like every other spineless democrat is, in that isolated tomb bubble, called Washington DC - Where the country's and it's peoples voices are never heard, only the republicans rhetoric, attacks & their corporate media....and that's what sets our policy & agenda!

Disgusting!!

[Serial Mom]

32. 51 votes to pass it is just fine!

It's nice for Obama to try to win some repukes, but if you can't, pass it anyway WITHOUT THEM!!! They never cared how may dem votes they got!

That is why Maher is right on this!

[GreenTea]

34. I'm with you 100%!

[malik flavors]

49. If he has to do that, he will. They've already said as much.

So chillout. They haven't even begun to fully engage on this issue yet.

Geez.

[Serial Mom]

50. WTF - what did I say for you to tell me to chill out!?!?

[Lena inRI]

82. Totally agree, Serial Mom . . .

. . .and allow me to put Maher's ending quip into body language:

". . .the audacity of hope part is over, right now I'm hoping for a little more audacity."

President Obama, stop looking over your shoulder before every step you take. Look straight ahead. You're the President of the most powerful country, for God's sake!

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[Name removed]

102. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Serial Mom]

116. Well you are a newbie ass then... and NOT exactly right

Quoted from FAIR Blog:
"It really is worth being specific on this: It does not take 60 votes to pass an ordinary bill in the Senate; it takes a majority of the senators voting. If everyone is present, it takes 51 votes, or 50 votes if the vice president votes to break the tie. Under the current rules of the Senate--which can be altered by a majority vote--it takes 60 votes to proceed to a vote on a bill when some senators want to continue debate forever, or filibuster.

It has not traditionally been the custom that every bill gets a filibuster and so requires 60 votes in order to pass; plenty of bills in the past have passed the Senate with fewer than 60 votes. In recent years, the filibuster has changed from an occasional gambit to a more routine part of the process. Since the Democrats took back the Senate after the 2006 elections, it has become almost a matter of course that a bill opposed by most of the minority party will have to overcome a filibuster in order to pass.

But that doesn't mean that a bill needs 60 votes to be approved; it means 41 senators can keep a bill from being voted on. The distinction is worth making, particularly since the ability of the minority to obstruct is dependent on the willingness of the majority to be obstructed."

[susanr516]

43. I'm with you

What's the use of keeping the powder dry if we never use it?

[malik flavors]

48. Umm, Obama never promised single payer health care. He is keeping his promise.

You say you want everyone covered and a public option? Well guess what, that's exactly what Obama is pushing for. So calm down.

I know everyone thinks it's so easy being president and that anything the president wants to do he can make reality, but I hate to break it to you...it's not that simple. If it were that easy the Clintons would have have passed it in the 90s. Governing is hard. Sorry to break it to you, but that's how things are in the real world. Nothing is as simple as it seems.

[Butch350]

52. DITTO ... DITTO ... DITTO

[RufusTFirefly]

33. Bullshit

When the House started impeachment proceedings against Nixon, it didn't have the votes. What we're lacking isn't votes. It's leadership.

[zalinda]

41. You got that right!

A real leader would get it done. I hated Bush, but it seems he had bigger balls than Obama when it comes to getting things passed. I don't understand, Bush used his "political capital" for all it was worth, Obama got over 50% of the vote, a dem Congress and dem Senate, and can't get anything passed? :wtf:

zalinda

[Akoto]

62. Bush didn't have "bigger balls" ...

He just had much less respect for our system of government. It's easy to do what you want when you rule like a bully dictator.

[zalinda]

94. So far I haven't seen much respect

for our system of government from the Obama gang. I've seen a lot of apologies for not getting the important stuff done. I've seen crooks get off scott free. I've seen an illegal war keep sucking up all of our money that could go to the poor. I've seen jobs continually being off shored. I've seen wire taps still in place. And I've seen a whole segment of our society being screwed around with with DOMA. I haven't seen much leadership at all, just his nonsense talking.

I could have kept going about what he has and hasn't done, but those who aren't blinded by Obama's light, know what they are.

zalinda

[Chisox08]

58. Bush didn't give a shit how many votes he had.

He only had 51 votes and he was able to rob this country blind, start two illegal wars, illegal renditions, torture and rip the constitution to shreds. He did all of that with less than 60 votes. Obama has 60 Dems in the Senate and a cleaar Majority in the House and he can't get a single payer health care system done. he can't EFCA passed. I'm tired of all the bi-partasain Bullshit. The Republicans are not going to give in to anything. Obama needs to say screw the Republicans and ram the change we all voted for through Congress.

[Fedja]

72. He doesn't need to hold back

He has to demand everything and more, right now. Sure, he's not going to get it, but it'll pressure the administration to work harder.

Maher is a comedian, he doesn't need to be and shouldn't be realistic. He needs to demand the world and mock anyone who stands between him and said world.

[LaPera]

31. Maher is right on it!

[Krashkopf]

36. I voted for REAL change . . .

not this DLC-style republican-lite "change."

HOPING for ALOT more AUDACITY!

[loyalkydem]

37. I'm a fan

of Bill Mahar, but some days he really gets on my last nerves with his rants against religion.
We get it you don't like it, just don't shove it down our throats every chance you get.

TO people who think the President is a fraud, I remind you of the douche bag we had the last 8 years.
George Bush had fraud written all over him and I didn't see anyone crying foul when he lied us into two wars, and outed a CIA officer.

[MindMatter]

56. Say what ???

Do you understand you can't make it through the radio dial in any market without at least 30% of the stations having 24x7 of people telling us about how Jesus loves us and we're going to rot in hell. and almost that many on teevee? Maher only made one little comment about religion, and that was a completely accurate one -- George Bush many times said god spoke to him to endorse his right wing agenda.

[pokercat999]

80. Last time I checked you had to seek out and usually pay

to listen to Bill Mahar's rants. It would seem to me you have a quick and easy solution to this problem.

[knixphan]

39. we need both

- Obama to be popular/liked
- Bill to call him out on healthcare

[Ilsa]

40. I saw this on HBO today and loved it. Bill got it right, IMO.

[MannyGoldstein]

42. So Disappointing

We've been hoodwinked again.

[RBInMaine]

73. Now now now, give the guy some time. Adults see reality.

Issues like healthcare are extremely complicated, as is legislating in general. Obama, THANK GOD, is calm, deliberate, and thoughtful. Like it or not, politics is the art of compromise. Here is what we have in just 6 months with Obama vs. Bush:

1) Stimulus
2) Expanded SCHIP
3) Torture GONE
4) Fair Pay Act
5) Guantanamo On Its Way To Closure
6) Auto Co's Being Reformed
7) New Banking Regs
8) Curchy Stem Stell Limits Gone
9) Churchy Pro-Choice Limts Gone
10) More Investment In Green Energy and Tech.
11) Winding Down Iraq
12) Much Better Foreign Policy Approaches In General
13) No Matter What Happens, We'll Have Something Better On Healthcare

It hasn't even been six months. These are gigantic, complicated issues. Obama has said from the time he was elected and over again that it will take YEARS to fix these problems. He has inherited the most challenging list of problems since the Great Depression. Let's give the man and his people some real time here. Only spoiled children cry when they don't get every single thing they want immediatedly. Adults see the big, REAL picture and a half-full glass. Again, give Obama some time. He's off to a very good start overall.

[MannyGoldstein]

84. You're Implying That I'm Not An Adult?

That's pretty rude, no?

Well, from where this child is siting:

1. Stimulus - half assed, as we're seeing today e.g., Biden back-peddling yesterday. Krugman was right. The banks got 13 Trillion, though.
2. Expanded SCHIP - would have happened even if McCain was in office (look at the numbers from the last time this vote came up)
3. Torture GONE - hopefully, although Obama has expressly reserved the right to the extra-legal outsourced torture program. And this would probably have happened under McCain or most other presidents. And since torture will not be prosecuted (heck, Eric Holder signed off on outsourced torture under Clinton), there's now legal precedent for doing it again in the future.
4. Fair Pay Act - a good thing, we're in agreement.
6. Auto Cos being reformed. Banks explode, they get $13 Trillion. The auto companies explode, they get less than 1/2 of 1% of that, and are forced into bankruptcy, and the union health and pension plans have now been replaced with fairly worthless GM stock. Why the difference between banks an auto makers? Is it because the latter is highly unionized (I don't want to believe that...).
7. New banking regs - and which regs would those be?

etc.

[olegramps]

89. I have noticed that the banks are beginning to repay with interest.

[MannyGoldstein]

113. They're Starting to Repay the TARP Loans

But there's still another $12 trillion or so that the government chose to put at risk in this mess.

[Kermitt Gribble]

95. I want some of what you're smokin'

Especially on #6. More manufacturing jobs being outsourced, people losing their pay, pensions and benefits is "auto co's being reformed"?? This is nothing more than large scale union busting and you see it as a good thing.:eyes:

[davidswanson]

54. our anti-democratic self-hatred

Why when a pundit complains about a politician refusing to obey majority opinion does that pundit always feel compelled to demand that the politician IGNORE majority opinion, stop trying to be popular, and so forth? If they stopped trying to please corporations and funders and STARTED trying to do what's popular we'd have a healthier democracy.

[RufusTFirefly]

59. Exactly.

Top-down corporate manipulation of opinion has been hopelessly confused with true popular opinion, which is bottom-up.

Sadly, far too many people can no longer tell the difference. Corporations brainwash our tastes and choices and we mistake it for a popular groundswell.

Even if you are completely unplugged from the corporate media, you can't completely escape it. You come to work and find that friends and colleagues are all espousing the same views and you mistakenly take it for a grassroots movement. You join the movement out of good faith and unwittingly spread the corporate virus.

[OwnedByFerrets]

55. Speaking for me there Bill. Thanks

[lxlxlxl]

57. I wouldnt assume that Obama would be offended by this...glad to hear criticism from left

alot of people jumping on maher for speaking his mind. to me its proof that people in this country that consider themselves progressives/liberals/demos don't march in lockstep the same way the right does.

[Barbara2423]

60. Is hard work bad a thing?

Obama is doing a good job.

[deacon]

74. And alone, the GOP and MSM attacks his every word, A crisis doesn't vanish in a few months. The GOP

stays the course and maintains their status quo and refuse to offer one damned alternative we haven't heard for the 8 years under bush.

It's a kiss my ass moment.

[Enthusiast]

69. The fact remains that

Bill Maher and Phil Donahue were removed from the MSM because they said things we could not allow the public to hear. It made the public reconsider the *official* explanation so Bill and Phil had to be removed. Now what kind of a society would do something like that?

[mdmc]

76. JESUS TOLD ME TO FIX AMERICAN HEALTHCARE!

:)

[Ilovevermont]

81. I also canvassed, phoned (big bills), contributed money,

and am beginning to feel hugely disappointed. He has said some fine things and even made some changes, but there are issues that demand action not patience. I am tired of seeing Congress pushed around by Republicans and lobbyists and want to see some strong leadership from Obama. I thought that was what Rahm Emanuel was for - oh, sorry, he seems to be over there with the Repubs and lobbyists. Getting help for the poorest is essential. Getting real healthcare for all is not negotiable. But even more, getting rid of the government lies and coverups, stopping these cruel wars that engender only hatred for us in the middle east (how would you feel if your home and family were wiped out by a US missle) and are a major cause of our huge debt, and doing what we should to reduce carbon and other greenhouse gases by 40 per cent, not 4 per cent and by substituting solar, thermal, and wind for oil, coal and natural gas are actions that must be taken now. We have been more than patient; now, how much longer will the earth be patient?
In any poll I would express satisfaction with the current administration because to do otherwise would be to support the other choice, the one of far right insanity. This is where narrowly framed polls only obtain answers that the polling organization wants. Apples or oranges? But, but - I really wanted strawberries.

[TornadoTN]

83. You are not alone in your thoughts

I also worked hard, wrote checks, and gave everything that I possibly could based on the promises of candidate Obama. I was excited to the point of tears on inauguration day and I'm still happy that he is President - because like you said, to be anything other is to wish for the other option to have been elected.

But I'm disappointed and I'm also insulted that I'm being told that we can't make fundamental changes to our country (for the better). We were told that corporations would have a seat at the table but they wouldn't get to control it or the debate that was conducted at it. We were told that with a Democratic Congress, all things were possible and on the table. We were told the the GOP would no longer control the debate in this country on relevant issues such as health care, the economy, and national security. We were told a lot of things that we are now being told aren't possible. That we must keep things the way they are or quick fix a broken system to appease the wealthiest among us.

I hate to say it, but this isn't what I voted for - and I'm no ultra liberal. I understand that change takes time but the precedent has been set and the tone has been established for the next 4, perhaps 8, years. It gives me no pride to feel this way and I'm almost sickened by it.

[Name removed]

92. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ilovevermont]

101. I wasn't aware that there was a required number

of posts before one could express an opinion. I have been a
Democrat since 1954, working in my first national election as
a Volunteer for Stevenson, later as part a Democratic reform
movement in NJ. I have been reading Democratic Underground
since 2004. So, is it OK if I post?
The main point here, again, is that the corporations and the
politicians they control leave the honest men and women in DC
struggling in a lonely fight. That might be alright if there
weren't issues that override everything else. Even the
scientists don't know how long before the tipping point. This
is the central issue. How can we settle for anything less than
survival of humans (as well as the other mammals) and this
beautiful planet? 
Translated: Obama and Congress must act now. Remember
"Day After Tomorrow?" There was a good reason Al
Gore urged everyone to see it.

[kmac3]

86. K & R . . Keep this active . . .

Perfectly described and definitely my sentiments. I voted for Obama with hopes of great change. As of now I am totally disappointed. Mr. President stay off the screen, in the office and accomplish the platform you won on. Quit "mollycoddling" the Repubs, you offered to work with them, they have made their decision to be the Party of No so move on, walk over them and get things done! It's only been 6 months and people are hanging on to the hope you promised ... but your popularity will soon fade without evidence of accomplishment. You'll end up a "One Term President" labeled a "Do Nothing President" in the history books.

[HopeOverFear]

90. That whole rant smacks of "you work for ME, n***er"

And so do some of the comments on here. :eyes:

[Kermitt Gribble]

106. Where do you find racism anywhere in that rant or in this thread??

Here's a clue: the President does work for us.

[SammyWinstonJack]

110. We pay his salary so yes he does work for us.

:eyes: yourself

[HopeOverFear]

112. yassur boss-man

Obama's be reel gud from now on, massa...

:eyes: backatcha

[Bushknew]

115. I have no idea how you came to that conclusion.

[Silent3]

93. I'm willing to give Obama more time, but it's a good thing...

...for people to be voicing their discontent loudly and clearly now.

[YOY]

97. There is a difference between partisan whining about BS and real honest criticism.

This has plenty of the latter and little/none of the former.

[Why Syzygy]

98. Woo Hoo

Glad it's not too late to REC :kick:

:applause:

[mystieus]

100. Critics say Obama is doing too much while others like Bill Maher says he's not doing enough...

Which is it people?!

[Kermitt Gribble]

105. Excellent! n/t

[earth mom]

117. Maher nails it! This is a MUST SEE video!!! nt

[Ladyhawk]

119. I "trusted" Obama for maybe a month.

The excuses offered for the lack of real change are just pathetic. I'm with Bill Maher on this one.