Is President Obama doing too much or too little ??

[kentuck]

The Republicans say he is spending too much. He should not be attempting healthcare with our present debt and deficits. He is attempting to do too much with the stimulus, they say.

Many Democrats, however, believe he is too timid with his agenda. They would like to see a single-payer plan. They want us out of Iraq and Afghanistan and they want the monstrous military budget cut drastically. They want the wealthy to pay their fair share of taxes.

Many supporters of the President believe he is missing an opportunity for change. His caution will lead to nothing. He needs to go on the attack mode and become more aggressive in pushing thru his agenda, they say.

But it seems to some that he is attempting to do what the people want. He wants the people to get involved in their government. He wants them to push the agenda. He will lead when the people make it clear what they want. This may or may not work.

[saltpoint]

1. The Republicans who are squawking opposition to health care reform are

comprehensively covered, unlike many of the people health care reform seeks to include.

There is a jagged class war beneath the health care reform surface.

[Kermitt Gribble]

2. It's not a matter of too much or too little/too fast or too slow.

It's the direction/positions he's taken on major issues and the people he's appointed as advisers on these issues. Rahm as chief of staff = dlc/corporate/money party/republican-lite. Geithner = economic status quo of the past 30 years, etc, etc. Suggestions of continuing the Bush indefinite detention policies, executive branch secrecies, hints of bowing to health ins industry on health care reform, not wanting to alienate the right by standing up for the GBLT community, etc, etc.

"He wants the people to get involved in their government". - so far, to me, this seems like a side show distraction to cover up the reality that our govt is run completely by and for the corporations.

[LWolf]

3. This is exactly what I was about to respond with.

It's not "too much or too little," "too fast or too slow," it's the direction that he is taking, and the people he has put in charge.

He wants the people involved?

Or he wants a side-show that gives the appearance of "listening" and citizen involvement while the corporate agenda moves full steam ahead.

[madrchsod]

6. i`ll have to agree with you...and throw in test`n duncan....

[Cant trust em]

7. I wonder where we would be if Obama hadn't made health care reform

the signature of his first term in office. Where would the debate be then?

[Kermitt Gribble]

10. What does it matter if there is no public option?

We'll be in the same boat as before the debate. Come to think of it, is there really a debate going on, or is it all a dog and pony show to make it look like they're actually doing something other than trying to funnel more money to the ins industry? You never can tell with our corporate govt.

[Cant trust em]

12. So far the administration hasn't caved.

Last I checked they were still supporting the public option. Maybe you should be barking up Baucus's tree in this situation.

[Kermitt Gribble]

16. Maybe

the Obama Admin should come out with a concrete, unified position supporting a public option instead of Rahm and others dancing around the subject. Bush had no trouble getting through any legislation he wanted - even with a Dem majority after 2006. There's no excuse for Obama not being able to do the same - other than that they don't want a public option. I'm not laying the entire blame on Obama here, the corporate sell-outs that make up our "representation" in congress are equally to blame.

[Cant trust em]

18. If Obama didn't want the public option, then why the public statements supporting it?

I think that the bigger problem is the democrats in congress. Baucus and Conrad are killing me.

[jazzjunkysue]

4. What a stupid question. Go get a job at Fox news. They love this crap.

[kentuck]

5. So, I assume you think he is doing everything just about right?

Otherwise, you don't have to be so nasty.

[jazzjunkysue]

13. Go back to the in/out, black/white, with/or against days of George Bush.

That seems to be all you understand.

All of your assumptions are wrong.

I'm putting you on ignore, as I'm sure, many on here will do.

[kentuck]

14. Who stuck a boot..?

Up your big butt, this morning??

[Kermitt Gribble]

17. Lol! She showed you!

How will you ever bear the fact that she has you on ignore?

[CakeGrrl]

8. Get back to me in about 2 years. Srsly

I think that's a fair amount of time to get a bead on where the administration stands with things that are yet to be accomplished at that time.

[DrDan]

9. 76% of Americans want a public option - what part of that is not clear?

[The Straight Story]

11. Well he did find time to raise taxes on smokes which hurt the poor,and dadt is still keeping us safe

from the gays serving openly. He also had the time to help bail out some big companies, and make sure our troops have the money they need to keep fighting and looking for wmd's in Iraq.

I think he has done just about everything I had hoped for so far anyway.

[undeterred]

15. Sucking up to Republicans too much, Implementing progressive values too little.