Tom Hanks: I’m voting for Obama again

[dennis4868]

Hanks, a longtime Democrat, went on to say that the president has not only lived up to his expectations but “expanded” them.

Said Hanks, “If you would have told me a few years ago that ‘don't ask, don't tell’ would be repealed and about a billion jobs at General Motors and Chrysler would have been saved because the president was smart enough and strong enough and bold enough to do so, I would have said, 'Wow. That's a good president, I think I'll vote for him again.'”

Rest of the article is here: http://www.politico.com/blogs/click/0611/Tom_Hanks_Im_voting_for_Obama_again.html

I know at DU we are supposed to blame Obama, not congress or DINOs, for everything but there are many people out there who appreciate Obama like Hanks does!

[theaocp]

1. I'd love to hear what he's disappointed in.

Kinda flush out the story a bit, but those are definite positives that McDumbass wouldn't have done. Nevertheless, I'm more interested in your last sentence

I know at DU we are supposed to blame Obama, not congress or DINOs, for everything but there are many people out there who appreciate Obama like Hanks does!

I've tangled with the usual suspects who support Obama and generally get responses about how the DINOs and Congress are in the way of his true magnificence. Since it appears that all we end up doing is defending our predisposed positions without convincing the other, while being as snarky as possible without getting deleted (keyboardian masturbation?), I wonder why those same people do not propose ways of getting rid of the roadblocks they seem to abhor so much? Perhaps Obama's luster would shine through to the rest of us? Or perhaps they just don't know what to do about those same roadblocks to success? I'm not hating, but would like more positive approaches. Thanks for reading. :hi:

[Walk away]

10. I will also be voting and campaigning for President Obama.

He has actually accomplished more than I thought he would. Especially with a republican party bent on destroying him at all costs and a bunch of Blue Dog quizlings in the Senate and Congress.

I would love to live in a different world but it's not going to happen in my lifetime and if there is any way I can stop a republican from gaining power I will proudly do it.

I should add that you seem to think that electing anyone else would have resulted in a more progressive outcome. Who is that magical person? John Edwards? You are the one that expected some kind of godly creature who would fix things just the way you want them.

[theaocp]

15. So you don't really vote for Obama, but rather

against the Republican. I guess you can be proud of that.

I admit that I put more faith in Obama than was merited. That doesn't mitigate my disappointment one bit. I'd love to go and give Hillary a shot, though, and I wanted Obama over her during the primaries. I don't want everything just perfect, but rather cannot forgive certain moves. Keeping Geithner and Duncan around to destroy the country comes to mind. Not welcoming the hatred of Republicans also comes to mind. It's just too bad that nobody has the guts of Kennedy to primary Obama and "hold his feet to the fire". Might even toughen him up a bit.

[Walk away]

25. Great waste of money and a good way to divide the party...

facing a tough election. You have that "politics" thing down pat. By the way, I was also a Hillary supporter but I am first and foremost a Democrat and getting a Democratic President into office and keeping them there is my goal. I am not voting against the Republicans, I am voting for my party. I wish that I could afford to send a message by voting for super progressives but I think my state (New Jersey) is a great lesson in disappointed Dems staying home on election day and giving the state to a republican monster.

Do what you want but don't whine about it in 2012 when some fascist puke is running the country.

[theaocp]

30. You supported Hillary? That makes your post title ironic.

Oh, and you're the one who said you work to keep Republicans out of office. Make up your mind which one is more important: keeping Republicans out or Dems in. I believe if it's the latter, you NEED primaries, or you're going to get the former by default. But hey, Hillary and/or Obama should have just conceded back in 2008 because it was a "great waste of money and a good way to divide the party," n'est-ce pas?

I'm still waiting for someone to tell me what to do, since we're all fucking neutered in the face of Lieberman, Nelson, and the other frauds who caucus with the Dems. Anybody? Anybody?

[Walk away]

34. I don't want to keep getting you all upset but.....

Keeping Republicans out and keeping Democrats in are sort of the same thing....practically speaking.

[theaocp]

36. Don't worry. It's the people in charge who upset me.

That being said, I see where you're coming from, but that ignores my point about primaries. If you don't pressure politicians with primaries, they WILL take you for granted. After all, do you think Obama will ignore the folks who get him the lion's share of his $1 billion war chest? Please don't tell me you're that naive. I realize we don't have anyone with the guts to do that right now, but that doesn't change the fact that it keeps them honest. They are merely human, after all, and will work for those who pay them. Under the current circumstances, that ain't us.

Also, your post belies the fact that we have to put up with and even goddamned SUPPORT leeches like Lieberman and Nelson merely because they call themselves Democrats. That's madness. Stop putting up with these charlatans and get actual Democrats in there. The usual suspects ALWAYS complain about these fuckers standing in the way of progress, but just stop there. I ask again, what can we do to get rid of them?! At the very least, people like Obama should stop supporting them, in the vein of Lincoln and Lieberman. I mean, seriously, WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot, you know?

[Walk away]

183. I see you point (except The Lieb is an Independent I Think)....

But you have to pick and choose your battles so that you don't lose the war. Even Obama has to play ball until (if) he is in his second term. Historically, that is when a president can move from the middle of the road to the left or right and push his own agenda.

[defendandprotect]

142. Just want to mention ....

Hillary Clinton is part of Koch Bros Funded DLC leadership --

Was that really what you wanted to vote for?

Had I know that Obama defined himself as a "New Dem" which I found out later ...

neither would I have voted for him.

The Democratic Party has been harboring the Koch Bros/DLC within the party for

20 years where it has influenced its agenda and its candidates -- including its

presidential candidates.


Continuing to vote for the "lesser evil" is what continues to move us to the right

which is totally out of sync with what the public wants -- liberal leadership.

[defendandprotect]

143. When the Democratic Party has been infiltrated by the Koch Bros/DLC ...

then I think the party certainly needs high scrutiny --

if not a thorough shaking out --

If Koch isn't a "fascist puke" who is?

[Maraya1969]

83. "Keeping Geithner and Duncan around to destroy the country comes to mind."

Do you want to edit that statement? Those 2 people destroyed our country?

[calimary]

187. That wound up being not such a successful venture - when Kennedy primaried Carter.

It left Carter weakened enough that his problems were able to take him down. And guess who we got instead? ronald reagan. To all those who wanted to "send a message" to President Carter, they sent a message alright. TWELVE YEARS of republi-CON rule, that's what. Including not one but TWO terms of the absolute worst and most damaging president we've ever had. Hope those message-senders are REEEEEEEALLY happy with that fabulous "message" they sent.

We need Obama as strong as possible. Or - you wanna "send a message" again? The message will be - "come on in, GOP! Here's YOUR White House! Here's YOUR Supreme Court! Here's YOUR way and not ours. Here's YOUR getting rid of that annoying woman's right to choose once and for all! Here's YOUR foreign policy - hey, bring on the PNACers again! Here's YOUR immigration reform (fuck you Hispanics! Here's YOUR labor reform (kiss yer workers' rights and collective bargaining good-bye)!

[Miami_4_Obama]

63. Me too, and my six brothers. Anything to have him again 4 more years!!!!

Young Democrats of Florida, org. it Rocks!!!!

[JDPriestly]

97. Will you be campaigning for Obama? Will you walk door to door and talk to people about him?

If so, what do you plan to say?

[ClarkUSA]

2. Tom Hanks is speaking truth. Al Gore says he is an admirer and supporter of this President too.

Obama supporters are in good company. :D

[Carolina]

3. Hanks doesn't have money or

health CARE (not insurance) problems! Easy for him to support the pseudo-Dem POTUS

[CakeGrrl]

8. Would you rather hear a popular, globally-known actor support a Republican?

Immediately people go to piss on anything supportive of Obama.

What's your alternative?

Who would you support at this stage with a REALISTIC chance at the WH?

When we know Dems won't get help from the MSM in this pop-culture-obsessed society, I'm glad someone that the average American has actually heard of is out there putting a good word out for Obama against the Republican barbarians at the gate.

[creon]

48. No

I would not.

Obama has done all right in my book.

Politics is the art of the possible so I do not expect "the sun, moon and stars".

I do understand the frustration, these are hard times.

[Miami_4_Obama]

65. I like your comment

well said, Obama is da man,. all of my lengthy family and friends will all Vote for Da Man, in 2012!!!!

[creon]

115. Thanks

I am a realist and I think Obama is doing well considering the condtion of the Democratic Party.

[Name removed]

126. Deleted message

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

[creon]

175. so what?

I make my own judgements. Clear?

[Name removed]

128. Deleted message

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

[creon]

176. It is

Politics is the art of the possible.

Clear?

[Chan790]

69. I think he'd have a more realistic chance of holding on to the White House...

if he went left, pulling an FDR and declaring that the obstructionists and conservatives in his own party are not on his side and he enjoys their hatred of him.

He can't have it both ways. By not rejecting and aggressively-fighting the conservadems, he's giving them legitimacy. Really, he could cut them off at the knees and curb them (literally murder their political careers) by stating simply that he's not signing their quisling measures or moving a compromising inch. We'd be better off for it if he did because the GOP would be obligated to actually make compromises to get any of their objectives done. Right now, it's we give and they demand more. In the big picture, he's not achieved much. To use a sports analogy, he's great at turning the easy plays into highlight reel moments...this is not the mark of a superstar athlete, it's the mark of a hack with exactly enough talent to cover his errors.

Obama's as useless as perforated condom most days. He clearly doesn't have the stomach for real politics, it's amazing he'd made it as far as he has in the political realm.

[OhioBlue]

90. well... I guess that is your opinion

You think you know the politics and how to win... but do you??? Do any of us on a message board? All we have are opinions... The guys and gals in charge of the political calculations might have a different take. While all of us abhor the "politics" of governing at times... we aren't the professionals that have to deal with it nor do we have the knowledge and information that they have.

I think President Obama has done a fantastic job considering the obstacles he has faced. I also think your comments are disgusting and disrespectful. Obviously he does have the stomach for real politics. He's the fucking President of the USA. Dis him all you want, but he wasn't a legacy, wasn't a trust fund baby, didn't have his hand held by wealthy family friends and mentors, faced an extremely strong and well known opponent in the primary and a flippin' war hero in the general. He got DADT repeal passed, saved the auto industry, kept us from going over an economic cliff, killed OBL and made more progress on health care reform than the last 10 presidents.

But of course... keyboard warriors know more and could accomplish more than him... if only.... they actually did.....

[Chan790]

93. Well...

if I cared what you thought, OhioBlue, I'd have ended my post with "What do you think, OhioBlue?

I should point out that I'm constantly disgusting and disrespectful towards incompetents failing at their job.

[OhioBlue]

95. you posted your thoughts/opinions on a message board

which in itself invites all others to comment. Nobody needs a personal invitation to comment or point out where they think you are wrong.

[CakeGrrl]

110. I join OhioBlue in disagreeing with your disrespect.

It's so easy to assess failure and competence when one has NO CLUE about the scope of what a U.S. President faces and, it's safe to say, has no real idea what they know about the inside dealings of Washington and what it takes to get anything done.

It'd be great if the woulda, shoulda, coulda crowd could be teleported to the Oval Office to take the helm and see how their recipes for success translate to the real world.

[creon]

117. hear hear

got it in one

[Name removed]

127. Deleted message

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

[dionysus]

134. i am laughing heartily.... YOU'RE TEH APOLOGIST!!!1!11! *sob*

enjoy the next 6 years...
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[creon]

116. No thank you

I am not buying what you are selling

[Name removed]

124. Deleted message

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

[stockholmer]

132. until you, and many others vote your conscience, and not play into the hopeless, false left/right 2

party sham, the US is doomed to untold misery that the corporate fascists will visit upon the collective citizens. Period.

[defendandprotect]

144. When you have respect for the individual, it makes sense ...

Hank isn't someone who is out there challenging the system or it's myths --

acually, it's the reverse.

[dennis4868]

12. My kids did not have health insurance...

before Obama took office and NOW THEY DO because pre-exisitng conditions limitations are a thing of the past! Plus, our baby got health insurance because of Obama and the dems even before the affordable health care act was approved and signed into law....

[Carolina]

129. having health insurance is not health care

there will be many other fees, charges and exemptions

[Carnage251]

81. It would be easy for him to be a repub or an objectivist

pseudo-Dem? What is real democrat?

[Maraya1969]

88. This pseudo Dem POTUS signed the greatest sweeping reform in health care ever.

Sure it doesn't all kick in until 2014 but some of it has and I believe that most of our American children now have insurance that cannot be taken away from them.

There are disappointments sure, like the public option but that does not make President Obama a republican!

[JDPriestly]

101. Unfortunately, some of the best parts of the health care reform

won't be felt by Americans until 2014. So, Obama won't win many votes on it.

Obama's appointments of Bernanke and Geithner are what make his loyalty to the Democratic Party suspect.

Bernanke was a Bush appointee, and, before becoming Secretary of the Treasury, Geithner was appointed to the Fed by Pete Peterson, an "investor," best known on DU for his campaign against Social Security.

Geithner's appointment:

http://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/news_archive/aboutthefed/2003/oa031015.html

Information on Peterson who is credited for appointing Geithner who previously worked for IMF, to the NY FED:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_George_Peterson

Now, don't tell me that Obama is going to strongly support Social Security and Medicare.

Obama was a sell-out from day one.

I wonder if Tom Hanks knows that Obama has so much in common with Pete Peterson that the two of them appointed the same man, Geithner, to top posts in their bailiwicks.

[Carolina]

131. thank you and add the GE CEO as

jobs advisor and the Monsanto guy on food safety!

[Donnachaidh]

113. yeah, our children were swept into the jaws of the insurance companies forever

And NO caps on what those companies can charge. And a mandate that shackles my kids and grandkids into this insurnace protection profit racket set up by this pseudo Dem.

Yay :sarcasm:

[Hoyt]

123. Actually there is a cap on the amount they can charge above actual benefits to people, and

the Exchanges will add even more downward pressure on premiums. I'd prefer a single payer system, but there are some very good aspects to what was passed. Truth is, until we make the system more rational (which will include what some might call "rationing" certain types of care) healthcare is never going to be so cheap that we look forward to writing that monthly check.

[defendandprotect]

147. Agree -- this was simply Obama in back room deals with Big Pharma and private H/C industry...

his largest supporters -- !!

[Carolina]

130. spare me

yeah, we'll see how sweeping... later on as always!

[defendandprotect]

145. All Obama had to do was expand MEDICARE to include everyone ...

at the least do what Clinton tried to do --

expand it to 55/57 year olds!

80% of the nation want an end to the wars --

76% of Americans -- 83% of Catholics -- want single payer/government run health care!

Obama is totally out of sync with the nation --

worse yet -- he's totally in sync with corporate power.

[Maraya1969]

152. Do you remember how our congress and senate had to fight just to get

what we got? If it is that bad why is every Republican running for president saying that the will repeal the health care bill as soon as they step into office.

People forget that things start in congress and have to make their way up through the senate before the president even sees them and as they go up they lose things. Obama wanted a "public option" he said it over and over. Now that all those republicans fought like hell to stop it some are blaming it all on the president.

[defendandprotect]

156. Obama had a mandate ...

in fact, some say that the win was so big that we would have had

something like 24 more Reps in Congress -- except for computer theft.

The GOP was in flames -- and Obama rescued them from the ashes.

"Bipartisanship is merely another way of saying one party rule."


Your understanding of Congress doesn't allow for the fact that when

the Democrats have the will of the people and the majority, they lose - they

are powerless over and again.

Yet, when the Repugs are the minority or the majority, over and again they win.

I think you have to reconcile that --


51 votes is the majority -- 60 is a filibuster but Dems are not making Repugs

actually filibuster.


You might also notice that the work of our Congress is being removed from them --

We have the Fed -- a private bank -- setting economic policy for the nation.

In fact, that is the work of Congress to do -- it should be in the hands of people

we elect and whom we can un-elect!


Same with Obama and health care -- the industry were his largest corporate supporters.

Obama engaged in back room deals with Big Pharma to ensure them that Medicare would

not be able to negoitate prices. And in back room deals with the private H/C

industry -- preserving it -- as Koch Bros./DLC Rahm Emmanuel actually "crowed" about

telling business that they should be "grateful" for all that Obama had done for them.


If you want to see more on that, let me know --




PS: I'd just add two things to this --


Wm. Greider in his book "Who Will Tell The People?" makes clear that back as far as 1978

Democrats COLLUDED with the Republicans on breaking the tax code for the benefit of the wealthy.


Further, I can tell you that I watched as Majority Sen. George Mitchell simply handed the

Senate over to Rep. Bob Dole. There is no other way to describe it.

[Armstead]

171. Mandates without a true public alternative is a Republican plan and...

the insurance companies' wet dream.

Telling people they have to buy insurance is not the same as actually offering them coverage.

[hfojvt]

100. I sorta wonder how much Hanks is saving this year

because of the extension of Bush tax cuts for the rich.

The President has exceeded my expectations indeed. Go buy yourself a new car, Mr. Hanks, courtesy of 1,000 people who are losing Liheap.

[Carolina]

133. Thank you; that was my point

Hanks is as rich as the out of touch Washington elite. He'll be just fine no matter who is POTUS.

[defendandprotect]

157. Interesting point ... because usually liberals will mention that ... and that they don't need it--!!

And that's the kind of Democrat I prefer -- those thinking of others --

and the suffering of so many of our citizens -- homeless, without health care --

jobless!!

[Vinnie From Indy]

4. This is important because everyone knows that actors and actresses are

the smartest folks around and have a real bead on the daily struggles of average Americans. I'm not voting until Lyndsay Lohan tells the world her political choices in the next election.

[Carolina]

5. Touche!

Good point...

[Schema Thing]

7. Tom Hanks is smarter than many DUers

by far.

[Whisp]

17. yeh, like Hamsher rodent has a real 'bead' on daily struggles.

beady eyes on her imagined self importance, that I'd believe

[Enrique]

39. i liked him in "Cast Away"

:shrug:

[Whisp]

42. unless that actor or actress disses Obama, that is.

or do you feel the same way about, say Matt Damon? he doesn't seem to feel the same as Hanks in regards to Obama. Do you think he should also just shut up and have no opinion because after all actors can't be people.

How about famous janitors, do they have a right to talk about politics? Geologists? Food channel hosts?

don't be silly

[DCBob]

61. Many actors and actresses are intelligent and astute poltically.. not fair to dismiss them a group.

That's ignorant.

[Sheepshank]

71. you think Hanks is on par with Lohan?

That's like saying Obama is just like Bush....good god never mind. There really are people that cannot acknoweldge real differences, when the ferocious "just like" criers are attempting to make some missed point.

[OnyxCollie]

84. Remember: Tom Hanks good. Matt Damon bad.

And if you don't vote for Obama, John Voight becomes President.

Or something.

[defendandprotect]

148. It's voting for the "lesser evil" which continues to move us to the RIGHT ...

[hughee99]

86. She supported Obama in the last election,

I'm not sure if she still does. Personally, I always wait for cast members of "Head of the Class" to weigh in, because they all played smart people.

[defendandprotect]

161. Think the most memorable speaking out ....

was the McCarthy Era -- you every once in a while see Humphrey Bogart's reminder

to the public about the right to free speech -- the Constitution -- vs the bullying.

Political freedom --

Believe it was welcomed by a lot of Americans, but even at that time fascist bullying

had taken hold of America and Bogie was forced to back down from his comments if he

wanted to continue to work.


Sometimes what any actor or individual says is very meaningful -- sometimes not.

[defendandprotect]

162. I'd also add the ERA and Abortion as two subjects where we

heard a lot from actors/actresses --

one of the biggest supporters of the ERA was Alan Alda!

And many actresses spoke out on abortion -- giving their support to Roe vs Wade

and helping us all to see and understand the need for reproductive freedom.


Again -- sometimes it's meaningful -- sometimes it's not --

depends on how you feel about the person speaking out --

[JimGinPA]

6. I'm Going To Vote For Obama Again Too

I'm thinking many here complaining about him never did or will.

[Walk away]

11. +1

[Tarheel_Dem]

44. +1

:applause:

Anyone who's paying attention knows this. ;)

[Tx4obama]

72. +1

[OregonBlue]

73. +1

[OhioBlue]

91. +1 n/t

[JDPriestly]

102. I not only campaigned for Obama, but I worked for him and even

traveled from my state many miles away to work for Obama in a swing state.

I may have no choice but to vote for him, but his economic policies are disastrous.

I just now discovered that in appointing Tim Geithner as Secretary of the Treasury, he was actually appointing a protege of that arch-enemy of Social Security, Pete Peterson.

Pete Peterson is credited with appointing Geithner (formerly a Republican, then an Independent) to the NY FED. As we know, Geithner shut his eyes to the excesses of the derivatives market as did Summers (also an Obama appointee), etc.

Obama is a right-winger. His appointments reflect his true policies.

Of course, he swears up and down that he is pro-Social Security. So then, why is he appointing a Peterson protege to a top post in his cabinet?

Does Obama, over and over, say one thing in his lovely speeches and then do the opposite? Yes, he does.

Tom Hanks needs to do a little research. But then, why should Tom Hanks care about Social Security? Social Security is for working stiffs. Obama will also never have to rely on Social Security. So why should Obama care either?

[StarsInHerHair]

104. plus a trillion

[VeryConfused]

119. So you are admitting you were terribly wrong

yet for some reason we (and Tom Hanks) should listen to you now? Are you going on the theory that you can't be wrong 100% of the time?

[progressoid]

138. yup.

[defendandprotect]

163. Courage to tell the truth -- thank you!

[ChiciB1]

193. I Walked The Walk, Talked The Talk & Went Door To Door In The Hot

Florida sun for him the last time out. This time... he probably doesn't need me and I'm sure he'll be FLUSH with enough CORPORATION, INSURANCE, and BIG PHARMA money that I won't matter either.

It is what it is, but it sure AIN'T PRETTY to me!

[K8-EEE]

107. +1 nt

[Itchinjim]

109. +1

[Bobbie Jo]

170. +1

[nonperson]

180. I voted for Obama

But after getting a good look at what he says as opposed to what he does I've changed my mind and I'm writing in Bernie Sanders in 2012.

President Obama has until Election Day to do what's needed to change my mind again.

[alp227]

181. well I guess that in 2012 Obama will put the GOP on blast

He might be a kitten right now in dealing with McConnell/Boehner/Ryan/etc but he knows that he'll have to be a lion next year.

[politicasista]

188. +1 n/t

[libodem]

9. me too

[midnight]

13. I like Tome Hanks a lot... And Obama too.... We are suppose to hold

are elected officials accountable.... An illegal war does not become un illegal because President Obama is President... President Obama needs to reinstate the rule of law... Period....

[jaxx]

14. Good for Tom Hanks speaking out FOR the President.

I'm in agreement with him and so are 80+% of the Democrats in this country.

[Whisp]

18. yes, but that is such an unpopular sentiment.

figure the fuck that one out, 80+% Democrats approve of Obama but DU would have you think he's about to lose to Palin or Bachman. or he should!

:rofl:

comedy hour over and over again

[itsrobert]

16. "billion jobs at General Motors and Chrysler"

Look for the right wing wackos repeat that all day and night.

[slay]

19. Hanks is rich. Obama supports the rich. No surprise here.

n/t

[CakeGrrl]

21. So there are no Progressives or "true Liberals" with any money?

That's a vastly oversimplified line of reasoning.

How many people would have been happy to support multimillionaire Edwards had he not transgressed?

How many people here would love for multimillionaire Hillary to run?

How many people here jumped to the defense of multimillionaire Bill Clinton?

How much is Al Gore worth?

How much is Dennis Kucinich worth?

[JoePhilly]

23. Only poor people who can't afford the internet support Obama.

everyone knows that.

:sarcasm:

[treestar]

58. And the Kennedys and FDR

And many Hollywood types.

[juajen]

68. Bill Clinton was not rich while he was President. He earned that

money afterwards, speaking fees, book deals for both of them, etc. When they entered the white house, friends let them stay with them for vacation because they did not even own a home. When they first lived in Arkansas, they rented, then they moved into the Governor's mansion, then out into a rental, then into the mansion again. Did you not read either one of their biographies? They regularly went to Martha's Vinyard to the Kennedy Compound for vacations and, of course, to Camp David. Al Gore's family was wealthy, Bill Clinton's was not. Dennis is also poor. Does own modest house in Ohio. It's painted blue.

[CakeGrrl]

103. Hillary infused her Presidential campaign with millions of her personal money, but

that's beside the point. I was basically asking whether personal wealth and holding Progressive or Liberal values was mutually exclusive in response to the assertion that Obama was only interested in helping the rich.

The implication was that you need to be poor to be Progressive or Liberal; I was citing examples of people who have wealth and who are considered to be on the Left in their overall ideology, not about when it was acquired.

[defendandprotect]

164. Obviously we have a conflict when 44% of Congress are millionaires or multi-millionaires ...

Everything begins on a spiritual plane --

but I think most of us question the worship of money -- the goal of collecting it?

Needless to say, we'd all take JFK or FDR back -- wouldn't we? I certainly would!

I do think money carries a taint -- especially when so much is hidden these days

in Swiss bank accounts and intertwined relationships among elites --


What we need is humanists in office -- those who have true concern for citizens and

their well-being -- and the health of the planet.


As Chomsky would often point out -- government is like a typewriter, it depends on

who is doing the writing.


In some cases obviously $$ effects outlook and action negatively --

but not always --

[Beacool]

154. Hi, Juan!!

Just saying hello.

:hi:

[Beacool]

153. Really, you want to go there?

The Clintons were the poorest couple to enter the WH in decades. They didn't even own a house. Bill and Hillary's millions come from their two book deals and from Bill's paid speeches (plus investments).

In case you have forgotten, the Obamas are already millionaires thanks to his book deals.

:shrug:

[CakeGrrl]

182. Post #103.

:hi:

[ClarkUSA]

26. So you're telling me that the Koch Brothers are really Obama supporters, right?

:sarcasm:

[hughee99]

89. Who doesn't "support the rich" and still have a snowball's chance of winning?

And I'm talking about both parties.

[defendandprotect]

165. +1 -- if you read Gore's article in Rolling Stone -- Page 6 ....

he's talking about how Obama is "paralyzed" by this corporate system --

and he's actually saying that Congressional work is being scheduled around

the elected officials Campaign Fund Raisers $$$ which seem to go on almost

daily!!

Corporate fascism -- unregulated capitalism is merely organized crime -- we need to face it!

[savalez]

20. Me: I'm voting for Obama again. n/t

[JoePhilly]

22. Hey Tom, look out for the BUS!!!!!

[Youth Uprising]

52. You have no right to talk about throwing people under the bus...

Not that Tom Hanks was ever in the bus to begin with. :eyes:

[Mimosa]

24. 'billion jobs at General Motors and Chrysler ' ????

Exaggerate much?

It's not as if liberals have a real choice. It's Obama or Republicans.

[ClarkUSA]

27. Hanks is clearly including the number of ancillary jobs affected had GM & Chrysler gone extinct.

[Mimosa]

33. Not so clear.

Actors aren't the brightest bulbs. I know a couple who are A list. :7

[ClarkUSA]

35. I knew what he was saying.

<< Actors aren't the brightest bulbs. I know a couple who are A list. >>

I'll bet. ;)

I can't comment on Hanks' intelligence, but he doesn't strike me as dim. I think it's more a case of his assuming people knew what he was talking about and not bothering to explain about ancillary jobs to the gathered reporters.

[phleshdef]

41. He probably meant to say million anyway.

[ClarkUSA]

45. lol! You're right.

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=jobs+saved+by+auto+bailout&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

[woo me with science]

60. brazillion nt

[Mimosa]

47. Your point is?

You don't know who I am behind the screen name or who I know.*rolleyes*

[ClarkUSA]

49. You misunderstand me.

I ;) at you because I know what you're saying is true to a good degree in Hollywood. I have a friend in the high fashion industry who says the vast majority of models really are dumb as posts.

Hanks misspoke out of exuberance and he may very well have been exaggerating for comic effect, although without a video, we'll never know.

Nevertheless, you are correct re: the silly number.

[Mimosa]

50. Sorry, Clark. Hot weather & clicking here off a trainwreck thread got me irritable.

I shouldn't insult friends who are actors either. My bad.

[ClarkUSA]

54. Hey, that's okay. I understand. Glad we cleared it up.

Here's a :hug:

<< I shouldn't insult friends who are actors either. My bad. >>

Aw, you're a good person. If they have a good sense of humor and ego, they'd probably laugh and be the first to admit they aren't the sharpest tools in the shed.

<< Hot weather & clicking here off a trainwreck thread got me irritable. >>

Sorry about that. Hey, this OP should make you feel better:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=694368&mesg_id=694368

[ScreamingMeemie]

51. I think Tom Hanks needs to take a drive down Gratiot Ave., in SE MI.

Saved jobs... :rofl:

[great white snark]

56. Why when he can read the news?

http://www.dailyadvance.com/opinion/letters/obama-saved-us-auto-industry-511951

I'm sure there are more articles if you're interested. Just look.

[ScreamingMeemie]

59. I lived with my friends and family members... who lost their jobs

in the Big 3 (automotive companies) and ancillary markets (known in Detroit as tier vendors). Do you believe everything you read? I guess my brother in law should be happy he was hired back at half what he was making...yet with the same bills. :eyes:


Again, I suggest he fly to Detroit...to see how great things are there. Otherwise, it's a pretty sounding story...the way it's written.

[BlueIris]

28. Good for you, Mr. Hanks.

We'll be hearing a different answer from you soon, I think.

[Pirate Smile]

40. I think not.

[CakeGrrl]

105. Why? What do you know that Hanks doesn't?

[DevonRex]

29. He's a smart guy!

Go Tom!

[Oceansaway]

31. thanks...n/t

[great white snark]

32. Can you imagine all the hate mail he'll be getting?

None would be coming from DU members of course.

:hide:

[muffin1]

37. As much as I admire Tom Hanks,

I'm waiting to see how Julia Roberts is voting before I make up my mind.

[Wait Wut]

38. Damnit.

I'm not a big fan of his. Not crazy about his movies. Now, I have to like him more.

IT'S ALL OBAMA'S FAULT!!!!

[Tarheel_Dem]

43. Of course he is. He's a reasonable adult, and so is the President.

:hi:

[dionysus]

136. hey, this is DU, you're not supposed to support democrats here! thems fightin' woids!

put up yer dukes!11!1 :hi:

[Tarheel_Dem]

140. OMG dion. LMAO. Can't we all just get along?

:rofl:

[creon]

46. So am I

Politics is the art of the possible.

All things considered, Obama has done rather well

[TwilightGardener]

53. Thank you, Mr. Hanks. I am too.

[cstanleytech]

55. Meh, considering the nuts running over on the Republicans side

I to shall probably vote for Obama again unless a better candidate comes along which i doubt will happen.

[Youth Uprising]

57. Dennis Kucinich and Bernie Sanders deserve this kind of support,

yet they're both seen as pariahs. Too bad.

[ClarkUSA]

62. Bernie Sanders is a "pariah"? Where? Not here. He's a mensch.

[Armstead]

173. he's a mensch whose message and solutions are ignored and scorned by the Democratic power structure

Bernie is great, but in a world that made sense, he would not be so unusual.

His positions are just the basic liberal common sense and common decency that Democrats used to stand for, before they got all corporate and mushy on us.

[Tarheel_Dem]

79. Shouldn't support be given willingly? Tom Hanks willingly supports Obama.

And last I heard, neither Sanders nor Kucinich were on the ballot. Needless to say, if history is any indicator, their most fierce supporters would be throwing them under the bus, and backing up over them, in two months flat. It's just the nature of the new "progressive".

[byronius]

64. K&R.

[Major Hogwash]

66. Busom buddies.

Oh, THAT Tom Hanks!

LoL

That's how he would say it.
His wife is killer, too.

[TBF]

67. Of course he is - he likes his tax breaks. nt

[ClarkUSA]

70. So why didn't Hanks support BushCo from 2000-2008? And McCain after that?

By your logic, he shouldn't support President Obama because Obama has already said he will not be renewing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy again, not even to preserve the middle-class tax cuts, enact a payroll tax holiday for employees (aka. Stimulus Plan II) or extend UI, as he did last year.

[TBF]

75. As we've learned time and time again, President Obama says all kinds of things.

It's his actions that speak louder, and as far as I know those tax breaks for the wealthy are still in place.

On edit: I didn't realize I had wandered into GD: P ... I try to stay out of this forum. Back to GD ... carry on.

[ClarkUSA]

78. He compromised so Republicans would agree to a UI extension, among other things I mentioned.

Some people seem to think screwing the wealthy out of some pocket change is more important than supporting the most needy amongst us. I'm glad President Obama made the compromise. I know people who were desperately waiting for the result and were overjoyed at the resumption of their UI.

[lordsummerisle]

85. The Bush tax cuts

were extended for two years and UI for only one. That's caving in my book...

[ClarkUSA]

87. WTF cares? So you'd rather have stuck it to the rich than throw out a lifeline to the unemployed?

President Obama has more compassionate priorities, thank goodness.

[lordsummerisle]

92. Um, no

I'd rather he stuck to to the rich AND throw out the lifeline...

[ClarkUSA]

96. In a perfect Congress, that would have happened. As it was, there was a choice to be made.

President Obama chose correctly.

[TheKentuckian]

189. It isn't about sticking it to anyone but rather funding the government in a responsible fashion

that doesn't result in killing the safety nets, our ability to oversee and regulate to protect our people, and to foster investment rather than hoarding profits which means broader economic opportunity which means less folks requiring temporary lifelines before losing everything anyway.



The stick it to the rich is a reactionary right wing meme meant to protect the wealthy at the expense of the bottom 80% or so.

The tax cuts are horrendous and self destructive policy. They are an incentive against living wages being paid, American jobs, and infrastructure investment.

By using the TeaPubliKlan framing as a defense you are buying into their model of government.

The needs of the many continue to outweigh the needs of the one or the few.
I'd suggest the unemployed are directly harmed by our absurd tax policies as are the employed who's wages will continue to decline as the wealthy scramble to keep the home fires burning while piling up more resources.

These tax cuts also continue the concentration of wealth which greatly reduces activity, which in turn reduces opportunity.

Like our financial leaders, you are promoting the short term over long term sustainability and like their practices the one you are supporting here will bite us square in the ass.

THIS IS DOG SHIT POLICY THAT CAN DO NOTHING OTHER THAN HURT THE BROAD ECONOMY AND KILL OPPORTUNITY.

It isn't an iota about sticking it to the rich, it is about beneficial policy for all of us.

[mikekohr]

74. Me Too!!!!

[Festivito]

76. Didn't know we had so many literalists here on DU. A billion jobs saved!

If the sign in the window says: "Sale, last week" are they rubbing it in?

[Firebrand Gary]

77. I look forward to voting for Obama in 2012

Period.

[girl_interrupted]

80. I thought we weren't suppose to care what celebrities said

Guess that only stands for those who don't agree with Obama 100%. Seems kind of hypocritical. Not for nothing, but as much as I love Tom Hanks and his movies, he doesn't have a care about the price of gas or unemployment. He's set for life, too bad so many aren't.

[Dane]

82. I am voting for Obama again.

While I have been a bit disappointed a few times,I think he is fighting an uphill battle with a rigged system,it took over 30 years,a little at a time for the republicans to get the country in the mess it is in,it is not going to get fixed overnight,it will take time,anything Obama tries to do,the republicans stoop to no level too low to obstruct any progress,we need more democrats to back him,preferably progressive democrats,some democrats are in with corporations and the republicans,we need to work on replacing them with true democrats,without the backing and in large numbers Obama cant do much,we need everyone to get out and vote,if you are not happy with the democrat candidate,vote for them anyway to keep it from the republicans and then work on getting a better democrat,this is very vital due to supreme court appointments as well.

[ZombieHorde]

94. If I was running for President, I would love a Tom Hanks endorsement.

A lot of people like Hanks.

[Lindsey]

98. I love it that he said this! K & R. n/t

[lordsummerisle]

99. I'll be voting for the Caver-In-Chief

while holding my nose. Really, the only reason for me to vote for him is that there will be a few SCOTUS vacancies coming up. Nominating moderate/liberals will be essential to restoring some kind of status to the poor/middle class.

[progressoid]

139. +1

[DFW]

106. What? The president is NOT an absolute monarch who always gets his way?

Those checks and balances sometimes work, and not always for the good of the nation?
Rats, that means a president will sometimes have to compromise. Oh, well, in that case......

The one thing I do NOT want to see again is a radical rightist Republican president (we
haven't had a conservative since Eisenhower).

Of the current members of the Supreme Court, Scalia and Kennedy are 75, Bader-Ginsburg is 78,
and Steve Breyer is 73. The disgusting Alito is 61 and Roberts is only 56, which means we are
probably stuck with them for another two decades at least. Thomas is 63, but with his ethics
scandals, I only give him a 60% chance of being on the court in 18 months (60% is 50% too much
for scum like him, but he is not the type to ever admit wrongdoing, even if he is proven to
have taken a million dollars in bribes for his "decisions," which are so predictable, Limbaugh
could render them for him and no one would notice the difference). I doubt he'll ever get impeached,
but enough revelations of wrongdoing, one piling up after the other in the press, might do what
our legal system should have done long ago. There is a good chance that the president serving
from 2013 to 2017 will be picking between one and three new Supreme Court justices. Who would
we like those new members of the Court to most resemble, Sotomayor and Kagan, or Alito and Scalia?
If THAT isn't enough to support the Democratic nominee in 2012, then I give up. Obama would give
us more like Sotomayor and Kagan. Even Huntsman would give us more like Alito and Scalia. I do NOT
want more guys like Scalia, Roberts, Thomas and Alito making decisions that affect my life or that
of my countrymen.

Obama chose his SCOTUS nominees carefully. Cheney chose his (i.e. Bush's) with malice of forethought.

Obama will obviously be our nominee in 2012 if he wants to be. If so, he gets my support and my vote.
If we sit on our asses and let a Republican Senate come to be, then we'll bitch and moan about all
the compromises Obama will have to make, but he doesn't vote in every state where there's a Senate
seat up for election. WE DO.

A few years ago, I heard Bill Clinton being asked why certain charitable activities he's involved
in weren't run more efficiently while he was in office. His reply was, "because we were idiots,
that's why." Being president doesn't make you omniscient. It's still a learning process. Well, let
me amend that. It CAN be a learning process IF you want it to be. Of course, if you're a Republican
president who can't recall having ever made any mistakes (e.g. Obama's immediate predecessor), then
you feel you have nothing left to learn, and as a consequence, surely won't. I don't recall Obama
having made such a statement.

[Sherman A1]

108. Good for him

I am happy that Mr. Hanks has made his choice and decided to share that with us, that's superb!

However, I do not take my voting cues from actors or celebrities. I am fully capable of making my own decisions. :eyes:

[Fly by night]

111. That makes one of us.

Since we have been unable to get the USDOJ to look into the obvious election fraud that is turning Tennessee, a reliably blue state until we started voting on unverifiable voting equipment (more than a decade ago), a deep shade of red; there is no reason to trust the election process here anyway.

We have two black men at the head of our national justice system (Obama and Holder) and they see nothing wrong with Memphis -- the blackest and bluest city in the South -- (s)electing an entirely white Republican slate of county officials last August? How much more obvious (and frightening) do things need to get before some action (any action) is taken?

And since President Obama is a long way from honoring many of the promises he made when he got not only my vote but my vocal and assertive support in 2008, there's little reason to participate again in the democratic charade here, at least on his behalf.

Wish that wasn't the way things are, but that is the way things are.

[Donnachaidh]

112. sure he expanded on them -- he got his tax breaks again

Of course someone as wealthy as Tom Hanks will vote for him again! What's not to like -- two more years of Bush tax breaks -- oh wait, the tax breaks can now be named for the president handing them out.... :sarcasm:

[Hubert Flottz]

114. If Obama wins over the Gump vote the GOP don't stand a chance.

K&R

[ImNotTed]

118. Recced

[Roland99]

120. DADT was repealed, eh? Tell that to the DoJ and the Pentagon.

Oh, btw, Guantanamo is still open.

Torture methods weren't banned.

Illegal domestic spying is still going on.



*sigh*

[spooked911]

122. homosexual behavior in the military is still illegal, is it not?

I've tried to ask several people this but haven't gotten a good answer.

[spooked911]

121. Old Tom must have his head in the sand

"expanded" his expectations? Give me a fucking break.

[stockholmer]

125. 'not only lived up to his expectations but “expanded” them'( more wars, tax cuts, & police state?)

shame on Hanks for being such a shill

:thumbsdown:

[dionysus]

135. threads like these do a fantastic job of bringing the bitter out of the woodwork.

[Roland99]

146. More like bringing the reality out vs. the fandom.

[NYCGirl]

159. LOL! And they always think only they know the truth. NT

[Name removed]

137. Deleted message

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

[NYCGirl]

158. Well, aren't you special? There is so much offensive in that

statement, I hardly know where to begin.

[bigwillq]

160. I alerted.

I hope you do the same.

[bigwillq]

174. Thanks for the delete.

:thumbsup:

[joeybee12]

141. Hmmm...well, he's totally wrong, but that's his choice...nt

[grahamhgreen]

149. Continued wars and failing to tax the rich and cutting social services are a big fail, IMHO

[Jester Messiah]

150. That's great and all...

but I still don't give half a damn what celebrities think, and I won't have my politics guided by any of them.

[harmonicon]

151. Rich people are adorable. nt.

[greenman3610]

155. I'm voting for Ralph Nader

because everyone knows there's not a dime's worth of difference between George Bush and Al Gore.

[JohnnyRingo]

178. Good one.

I'll be using that.

[Kolesar]

166. I just watched "Charlie Wilson's War" last week...don't miss it

Hanks played the lead role and co-directed it.
Philip Seymour Hoffman kicked ass as the CIA agent.

[whatchamacallit]

167. Well that changes everything. Lol n/t

[JohnnyRingo]

168. But Obama hasn't addressed my personal issue....

It's absolutely the most important problem our nation faces today!

Insert your issue here: __________________

[whatchamacallit]

172. 4 illegal wars, wall street fraud, mass unemployment, police-state surveillance...

Just a few of my pet peeve ponies:eyes:

[JohnnyRingo]

177. Good point...

Mine are climate change, union rights, and immigration.

Since mine are "the most important issues the country faces today" I'm upset that he didn't get to them immediately upon taking the oath.

Instead, Obama focused on health care, women's rights in the workplace, and saving the auto industry from certain extinction. Those are other people's issues so I'm not going to give him another term. <sarc>

[ClarkUSA]

184. Bullshit. Prove that there are "4 illegal wars". The SEC is pursuing Wall Street fraud, unemployment

... is going down, and this President goes to FISA for his wiretaps just as Bill Clinton did and unlike Bush II.

[Armstead]

169. I appreciate Obama too -- But he often pisses me off

[obxhead]

179. A billion jobs saved at GM and Chrysler.

:rofl: Now that's an informed voter. He's not even aware of the population of the US let alone how large those corporations are.

[ClarkUSA]

185. Having watched Hanks at public events via vids, he was likely joking for his audience of reporters.

He's got a light sarcastic humor. Most actors who started out as comedians do.

[MNBrewer]

186. as soon as I hear from Andrew Sullivan, I can decide

:puke:

[TheKentuckian]

190. That is groovy but what makes his opinion better than Matt Damon's?

I sense some form of intellectual inconsistency from certain quarters on the importance of entertainer's political opinions.

I think they are no more or less important than any other citizens regardless of what those opinions are.

[Beacool]

191. Well, bully for him.

I like Tom Hanks as an actor, but why should I give a rat's tail end about his voting choices???? Ditto for all other actors.

:shrug:

[ChiciB1]

192. Because I Always Vote... I'll HAVE To Vote For Obama Myself Or Suffer

further unwanted consequences. However, I heartedly wish I had another choice. I keep hearing people around me saying they don't want to vote this time around, but when it gets down to the nitty gritty, I say it's him or WORSE!

Still, I AM NOT HAPPY about it. But I WON'T campaign for him nor will I donate money. I feel he's getting enough money by now, and I hear tell that the campaign may cost close to a BILLI0N dollars this time around! Which for me tells almost all of it! It's simply about money, who you know and how many asses you'll kiss. A sad, sad commentary on how truly "we the people" are being sold down the river.

And while I once was unhappy with LBJ and the war, how I WISH the likes of him were here today. I don't think he would have put up with much of what the Repukes have been doing without one hell of a fight.

Obama's "I Got This" means very little to me because I don't feel he does. And yes, aren't we all so glad that we live in a Democracy and we have all these freedoms, etc., etc. But do we really?

So, flame away. I know ALL the retorts well and it has yet to change my mind. Unfortunately I can't shake my feelings about being so disappointed and I have NO enthusiasm about this upcoming election. I'll get my absentee ballot and do what I should though.