American Politics during the Obama Presidency

Looks like Obama, the king of socialism, has returned the US to the mecca of capitalism.

US tops confidence survey on foreign investment, displaces China
[URL]http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/26/us-fdi-survey-idUSBRE95P05X20130626[/URL]

[QUOTE](Reuters) - After a 12-year hiatus, the United States reclaimed first place among top executives in a survey on foreign direct investment sentiment, displacing China as it makes progress toward sustainable and steady economic growth, a study showed on Wednesday.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Esten;434206]Looks like Obama, the king of socialism, has returned the US to the mecca of capitalism.

US tops confidence survey on foreign investment, displaces China
[URL]http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/26/us-fdi-survey-idUSBRE95P05X20130626[/URL][/QUOTE]Yep, during the reigns of Obama and Bush the dollar has weakened and middle class wages have fallen. Meanwhile the renminbi and Chinese wages have been on a tear. China is more expensive, the USA is cheaper, thanks in no small part to the king of socialism. It's not too long before "Made in the USA" will replace "Made in China" as the mark of a true bargain.

It's no surprise Chinese wages have risen more than other countries. But still, an average worker in China makes the equivalent of $8,700 a year, compared with $47,000 for a USA Counterpart. Obama is pushing for an increase in the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $9 by 2015.

What we all have to be concerned about is Wall Street and Corporatism. The only thing between us and further exploitation by large corporations is government. Countries have to work together on this. Without proper regulation, the global economic pie will increasingly go to fewer, larger corporations and we'll all be working for low wages.

[QUOTE=Esten;434214]

What we all have to be concerned about is Wall Street and Corporatism. The only thing between us and further exploitation by large corporations is government. Countries have to work together on this. Without proper regulation, the global economic pie will increasingly go to fewer, larger corporations and we'll all be working for low wages.[/QUOTE]Good advice for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Also for Congressmen who pander to big banks and provide welfare to corporations. But if you're going to blame someone, blame large government, not large corporations. Government is responsible for providing proper laws and regulations and implementing them. And at the federal level in the USA it sometimes fails miserably.

The largest corporations by market cap are Apple, ExxonMobil, Berkshire Hathaway, PetroChina, WalMart, GE, Microsoft, IBM, Nestle, and Chevron. On the whole the world is a much better place because of them and their competitors. And on the whole people who work for them are well-paid.

But, Some of your White Southern States, including the White Old Men in the right wing Supreme Court, just put our Country of the United States back a hundred years by Suppressing the right to Vote.

Sounds like the Nazis are back.

Jackson, Let's have a Pole on how we feel about this?

!

[QUOTE=WorldTravel69;434218]But, Some of your White Southern States, including the White Old Men in the right wing Supreme Court, just put our Country of the United States back a hundred years by Suppressing the right to Vote.

Sounds like the Nazis are back.

Jackson, Let's have a Pole on how we feel about this?

![/QUOTE]As to your "pole", here's how I feel about this. You and other elitist lefties from California and the Northeast are a lot like white supremacists of the 1950's. As exhibited in this and other posts, you have contempt for and want to suppress southerners. The KKK and others had contempt for and wanted to suppress Black Americans.

The Supreme Court decided that it's no longer desirable for the federal government to have veto power over changes in the nine southern states' voting laws, because now black turnout in elections is higher in places like Mississippi than it is in places like Massachusetts. And there are laws on the books that bar discriminatory voting practices and that will be enforced if they're violated, regardless of whether they occur in the north, in the west, or in the specific southern states that are named in the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Your belief that Texas should be treated any differently from California or New York is discriminatory and insulting.

Agree with you Tiny!

[QUOTE=WorldTravel69;434218]But, Some of your White Southern States, including the White Old Men in the right wing Supreme Court, just put our Country of the United States back a hundred years by Suppressing the right to Vote.[/QUOTE]WT,

I understand that "White Old Men" are the only remaining minority group against which liberals and their media accomplices may openly target with hate speach, however...

Has it ever occurred to you that you are a White Old Man?

Thanks,

Jax.

[QUOTE=Jackson;434474]WT,

I understand that "White Old Men" are the only remaining minority group against which liberals and their media accomplices may openly target with hate speach, however...

Has it ever occurred to you that you are an old white man?

Thanks,

Jax.[/QUOTE]Me thinks, WTO is not in the "Angry" old white men category. I take it back, he seem pretty upset all the time.

I didn't care too much about the SC decision on the Voter Rights Act. The country has come a long way since the Act. I agree with Tiny, I could be wrong, but I believe there are anti-discrimination laws that will be enforced in Southern states. And democrat groups will no doubt stay on top of it.

Another story is worth much more attention, and that is the continuing obsession of Republicans with anti-abortion legislation. A couple weeks ago the House, by a mostly party-line vote, passed the "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act." Another symbolic vote House Republicans know won't go anywhere, but they timed it to capitalize on the publicity surrounding recent murder convictions of a Philadelphia abortion doctor. Sounds similar to when Republicans claimed Democrats were capitalizing on the Newtown shooting. The difference as I see it, Democrats want to protect the born, Republicans want to protect the unborn.

The most egregious legislation though, is at the state level where Republican-controlled states are passing laws requiring ultrasound. Wisconsin passed a bill last week requiring any woman seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound. The technician would have to point out the fetus' visible organs and external features. Republicans openly state the bill is not based on medical necessity, but to help the woman bond with the fetus and convince her to save it. This is Republican-sponsored government interference in the private lives of women, to promote one group's moral and religious beliefs.

[QUOTE=Esten;434490]I didn't care too much about the SC decision on the Voter Rights Act. The country has come a long way since the Act. I agree with Tiny, I could be wrong, but I believe there are anti-discrimination laws that will be enforced in Southern states. And democrat groups will no doubt stay on top of it.

Another story is worth much more attention, and that is the continuing obsession of Republicans with anti-abortion legislation. A couple weeks ago the House, by a mostly party-line vote, passed the "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act." Another symbolic vote House Republicans know won't go anywhere, but they timed it to capitalize on the publicity surrounding recent murder convictions of a Philadelphia abortion doctor. Sounds similar to when Republicans claimed Democrats were capitalizing on the Newtown shooting. The difference as I see it, Democrats want to protect the born, Republicans want to protect the unborn.

The most egregious legislation though, is at the state level where Republican-controlled states are passing laws requiring ultrasound. Wisconsin passed a bill last week requiring any woman seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound. The technician would have to point out the fetus' visible organs and external features. Republicans openly state the bill is not based on medical necessity, but to help the woman bond with the fetus and convince her to save it. This is Republican-sponsored government interference in the private lives of women, to promote one group's moral and religious beliefs.[/QUOTE]Former Republican Senator Alan Simpson said what every American should heed, ""Who the hell is for abortion? I don't know anybody running around with a sign that says, have an abortion, they're wonderful. They're hideous. But they're a deeply intimate and personal decision, and I don't think men legislators should even vote on the issue.

Tres3.

Are you a socialist if you collect social security benefits, and is enroll in the medicare program?

[QUOTE=BlackShirt;434502]Are you a socialist if you collect social security benefits, and is enroll in the medicare program?[/QUOTE]The plan is socialist but the participants may or may not be.

Don B

[QUOTE=DonB;434513]The plan is socialist but the participants may or may not be.

Don B[/QUOTE]Now, I can sleep better, and be able to spent my pocket money from Uncle Sam without going to confession. But can you imagine where America's retirees' survival rates would be if not for SS & Medicare? Try hunting for squirrels and rabbits for food when your eyesight is bad and your knees are locking up on you! Not to mention almost shooting your neighbor by accident like Cheney did. The poor guy was only about 30 feet away.

This just in, look how he abused this poor little boy!

[URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBy0UAO5r70[/URL]

Yep that's real child abuse, get a grip.

Obama's numbers are headed for the cellar, he pulls back ObamaCare so the 2014 mid-terms don't make the 2010 mid-terms look like a cake walk, spent $100 M going to Africa (I was all for it until I heard he was coming back), declares a war on coal for the environment when that is at the bottom of the list of what the American people are worried about, has 11 million people out of work, the IRS debacle, the NSA / Snowden debacle, the Benghazi debacle, I could go on but why belabor the point. No wonder the liberals only want to talk about accepting social security which you paid into as socialism and a kid getting bonked on the nose.

As an apathest (a member of the apathetic party) I could honestly care less. When I said Fox News hates kids and linked to the video it was sarcastic commentary about the substance that either party generally uses to cast aspersions on the other in what passes for news media in the USA.

It is obvious that the reporter was trying to engage the child in a playful manner and clearly didn't intend to cause him harm, and to his credit was just as obviously mortified far having accidentally done so.

DR.

The politicians wanted changes.

Here are some of the problems.

[URL]http://vod.fxnetworks.com/watch/thebridge[/URL]

Watch Out Jackson's spell checker is not working correctly.

I thought it was funny DR.

I guess some folks just don't have a sense of humor (Doppel LOVES telling me that) ;)

[QUOTE=BlackShirt;434502]Are you a socialist if you collect social security benefits, and is enroll in the medicare program?[/QUOTE]If you like / support government programs like SS and Medicare, you at least partly support socialism. That includes most Conservatives in the US. I think some of them get conflicted when you point this out.

Welcome back Esten, thought you had gotten lost amid Obama's falling poll numbers and whatever scandal de jure has come up last.

Of course Medicare, Medicaid (let's not forget that one) and Social Security are socialist concepts as well as the entire "safety net" concept at the federal level. If such programs should exist they should be created at the state level where they would be more efficient and cost effective. Each state's voters could determine just how much "safety net" they could afford and tailor it to their individual needs instead of the "one size fits all" federal approach. But then that would diminish the Democrats hold on national politics. While you are at it lets close the Dept of Energy, reduce the EPA by 75%, go to a flat or consumption tax and reduce the IRS by 90%, militarize the boarder and secure it once and for all.

I would propose the funds paid in by the employee and employer for Medicare and Social Security would be more efficiently used if allocated to each specific individual's account and when it's gone that's it. Take care of yourself, self reliance, all that sort of thing. Let the charities take care of what's left with VOLUNTARY donations.

Hey Esten, how about Obama being told to shove it about Snowden by China and Russia; not to mention the little debacle over Evo's return trip home; Obama's lack luster trip to Africa where he had to follow in the footsteps of the man who really did something to help the folks there with his aids program – that would be George Bush, not Obama of all talk and no action.

I'm loving the ObamaCare thing, the Democrats past it all by their little selves and now they are so afraid of the damage it will do during the 2014 mid-terms they want to shelve part of it to keep 2014 making 2010 look like a Sunday school pick nick. The Dem's set up the time line with YEARS to get going and now Obama wants to refuse to enforce the LAW the Dem's passed?

If calling Social Security and Medicare socialist is the best game you got, the Dem's are in deep deep Sh*t.

Welcome back big guy, glad to have you back in the fray.

That's what is going on in Congress today. Like the fat kid in the playground who try to block people's path or tried to trip people that tried to go around him. For no good reason than to spoil your day, and to attract the attention that he crave. Since he never gets pick for any games, and is kind of shut-out of any group. Does not want to change, just taking up space. No new idea, just wearing that same dirty baggy shirt everyday. A poor loser.

Doppel, I'm very impressed how you keep recycling all those lame right wing swipes at Obama. Do you watch Fox News with a pad and paper?

BTW, I don't recall seeing where you thanked Obama for helping keep your business afloat (via the broader economy), and saving you thousands in your recent and future tax bills. How about a little gratitude, instead of all the hate.

Esten, what planet are you on. Obama's falling poll numbers are generated by Fox? The FBI, NSA, IRS, DOJ et al are products of my imagination? By the way did you happen to notice the Inspector General, who just happened to be black, has new charges regarding the IRS and the DOJ's failure to prosecute.

No hate here just tired of the joke we have for a president and all his dumb ass cronies.

Texas is doing better than most of the nation because Republican's are running it and it is a business friendly state with no personal income tax. While I have not gone out of business, many of my clients have yet to recover to the point at which they were Pre 2008, including myself, not because of Obama but in spite of his policies. Remember we are an energy state.

I'm sure the 11 Million unemployed folks are just as impressed with Obama's economic recovery, or lack thereof, as I am.

Tax break, what the hell are you talking about? I paid more in 2012 than Obama with less income.

Please pull you head out of your rectal orifice. It's a whole new world out here and your boy and the Democrats are not looking too good as their grand plans continue to collapse.

[QUOTE=Doppelganger;434598]Tax break, what the hell are you talking about? I paid more in 2012 than Obama with less income.[/QUOTE]The payroll tax cuts and Bush tax cuts extension up until 2012, likely helped Doppel's bottom line by tens of thousands of dollars.

The 400 K limit on ending the Bush tax cuts, beginning 2013, will also likely help Doppel's bottom line by almost as much, minus a 0.9% Medicare surtax on income above 250 K. He still comes out ahead compared to what would have happened if all the Bush tax cuts had been allowed to expire.

But Doppel can't acknowledge how Obama has helped keep his taxes down. Instead he's got some crock about "But I paid more than Obama". What a joke. I would advise Doppel to take his own advice and pull his head out of his ass, but what he really probably needs is professional deprogramming.

[QUOTE=Esten;434606]
But Doppel can't acknowledge how Obama has helped keep his taxes down. [/QUOTE]I don't know about Doppel's situation, but Obama has helped keep my taxes down this year. Now that the federal government is taking 43.4% of what I make I'm not busting ass anymore. Instead I'm sitting on it. My income is lower and I will pay less income tax. Thank you Mr. Obama!

Esten, are you taking something or just making this up as you go along since you don't seem to know a thing about payroll taxes nor about pass through of IRS defined "taxable profit". Nor do you have the remotest idea what my firm's net income before taxes is nor do you have any idea what my income is beyond the fact I made much less in 2012 than POTUS, which is $400 K / year.

The only thing the tax holiday did was put 2% back in peoples pay checks. Even you should be able to do the math. If you can't then it would take over $500 K to just benefit by $10 K much less the multiples of $10 k you stated, but then since you don't understand payroll tax then you don't seem to know about the employer's matching payment which did not get a holiday. You also don't seem to understand small business tax law as well.

While you are bringing up the Tax Holiday, all working American's were forced to take a 2% cut in pay while the Obama administration was whining about cutting the Federal Budget by about the same amount and trying to figure out ways to make it as painful on the American taxpayer as possible to punish the Republican's for standing by the sequester.

Obama has not "given" anyone anything. Far from it, he has been taking money out of the economy via one tax hike after another in multiple guises.

Esten, as you like to trumpet Obama's "recovery" read this article from a former top number cruncher for the WBLS.

[URL]http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/07/18/ex-dc-labor-statistics-head-jobs-numbers-dont-provide-accurate-reading-on/?test=latestnews[/URL]

I think this about sums up the "recovery" for the unemployed.

What a crock Esten, your boy Obama is a near total failure. Even his signature program ObamaCare is falling apart and he can not get it work years after enacting it.

[QUOTE=Doppelganger;434611]Nor do you have the remotest idea what my firm's net income before taxes is nor do you have any idea what my income is beyond the fact I made much less in 2012 than POTUS, which is $400 K / year.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Doppelganger;416733]I earn over $250K, own my own business, employ 22 accountants / CPAs / office staff, drive a 5 year old car and an 11 year old truck, live in a nice home [/QUOTE]LOL, you're tripping over your own bullshit Doppel. Contrary to your claim, you yourself have posted plenty of details about your own finances, enough to estimate how much taxes you've saved because of Obama. Also don't think we didn't notice your dodgy attempt to focus on the 2% payroll tax holiday, and ignore the Bush Tax Cuts extension.

110K(0.02) + 250K(0.03)(a simplification but close) X 2(tax years 2011,2012) =
[B]$19,400 Doppel saved thanks to Obama[/B]

After you thank Obama for helping your bottom line, you can apologize for falsely accusing me of lying.

I found this cool website you guys could use here [URL]http://www.pangloss.com/seidel/Shaker/index.html?[/URL].

Click the button and get an insult written by Shakespeare himself.

[QUOTE=Esten;434626]LOL, you're tripping over your own bullshit Doppel. Contrary to your claim, you yourself have posted plenty of details about your own finances, enough to estimate how much taxes you've saved because of Obama. Also don't think we didn't notice your dodgy attempt to focus on the 2% payroll tax holiday, and ignore the Bush Tax Cuts extension.

110K(0.02) + 250K(0.03)(a simplification but close) X 2(tax years 2011,2012) =
[B]$19,400 Doppel saved thanks to Obama[/B]

After you thank Obama for helping your bottom line, you can apologize for falsely accusing me of lying.[/QUOTE]First of they were the Bush TAX CUTS not Obama's and he has increased the tax on individuals and small business every time there was an opportunity, such as the last deal in December 2012.

Second your numbers are wrong to start with, the "Holiday" reduced FICA ie Social Security from 6.2% to 4.2% and was effective for tax years 2011 and 2012 which is 2% not 3%.

The wage limit for 2011 on FICA taxable wages was $106,800 and in 2012 it was $110,100.

Now lets do the REAL MATH.

2011 Tax holiday savings = $2,136 [($106,800 X 0.062) - ($106,800 X 0.042)]

2012 Tax holiday savings = $2,202 [($110,100 X 0.062) - ($110,100 X 0.042)]

Total for 2 years = $4,338 NOT $19 K+ as you stated so it's a lie.

And just in case you did not notice the wage limit for FICA keeps creeping up year after year as evidenced by the increase between 2011 and 2012 from $106,800 to $110,100. As a matter of fact the 2011 to 2012 increase amounted to $3,300 or a 3% increase from 2011 to 2012 which pretty much wiped out the "Holiday". While the rate did not change the upper limit did increase meaning you paid more tax, ie a TAX INCREASE. The same bullshit Christina and Company are pulling in Argentina with the income tax floor.

Esten your ignorance of both payroll tax and business tax is astounding. What part of I paid more tax than Obama in 2012, who made $400 k + perks worth many times that amount, on less income than Obama don't you get.

Yep your lying and posting just another BS reply. You have no idea what you are talking about, this discussion is over your head.

The President has spoken publicly about the Zimmerman acquittal. All he did was add fuel to the fire. He should have kept his mouth shut or let someone white say his thoughts for him. A jury has spoken, and as Obama has said many times before, we are a nation of laws.

Tres3.

Obama has spoken again and it's pretty clear he is not for the rule of law.

Obama said that Martin could have been him 35 years ago. All I can say is I'm sorry it wasn't, it would have saved us all a lot of problems.

According to the latest poll, the most racists group in the United States are Blacks.

It would be disturbing if the president's comments could be passed off as idle musings or banter. However, the POTUS (this one or any other of recent vintage) doesn't say two words that haven't been vetted and bounced off a sounding board. Please feel free to go back to my posts from 2008 and see what I thought of him then, someone who is more than happy to divide and destroy the country. As that is a fundamental tenant to what he is.

It is unf*cking believable what this POS is able to get away with. I wish I could become a self-described-white-negro and lie, cheat and steal with impunity (BTW for any dimwits, it is Obama (a self-described white negro) exploiting his racial status, not me).

[QUOTE=Doppelganger;434638]Obama has spoken again and it's pretty clear he is not for the rule of law.

Obama said that Martin could have been him 35 years ago. All I can say is I'm sorry it wasn't, it would have saved us all a lot of problems.

According to the latest poll, the most racists group in the United States are Blacks.[/QUOTE]Oh if one could thanks a post more than once...

Doppel, everyone sees through your blustering bullshit. I love watching you scramble to avoid crediting Obama. I have no idea what I'm talking about? LMAO!! Really, who do you think you're fooling?

Your calculation of $4,338 corresponds to the 110K(0.02)X2 part of my equation. Notice I used 2% not 3% as you claimed, liar. But that's the payroll tax part only. The Bush Tax Cuts had a sunset provision and were to expire at the end of 2010. Surely you know this. If action had not been taken, your income tax would have increased about 3%. That action was taken in the form of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.

Doppel, do you know which American president signed this Act into law on December 17, 2010, thereby ensuring your income taxes would not increase by 3% for 2011 and 2012 ?

There's another thread for the Zimmerman story, could we please keep it there. Some of us couldn't care less.

BTW welcome back, Walleye. Hope you've had some good mongering since we last saw you.

[QUOTE=Esten;434645]Doppel, everyone sees through your blustering bullshit. I love watching you scramble to avoid crediting Obama. I have no idea what I'm talking about? LMAO!! Really, who do you think you're fooling?

Your calculation of $4,338 corresponds to the 110K(0.02)X2 part of my equation. Notice I used 2% not 3% as you claimed, liar. But that's the payroll tax part only. The Bush Tax Cuts had a sunset provision and were to expire at the end of 2010. Surely you know this. If action had not been taken, your income tax would have increased about 3%. That action was taken in the form of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.

Doppel, do you know which American president signed this Act into law on December 17, 2010, thereby ensuring your income taxes would not increase by 3% for 2011 and 2012 ?[/QUOTE]Suggested reading.

[URL]http://www.drhurd.com/index.php/Daily-Dose-of-Reason/Politics-Government/Why-Progressives-Are-Not-Progressive.html[/URL]

Don B

[QUOTE=Esten;434646]There's another thread for the Zimmerman story, could we please keep it there. Some of us couldn't care less.[/QUOTE]There are also those of us who could not care less about your incessant rantings. This thread is about Politics during the Obama Presidency. At my last observation, Obama was still President of the USA. Because he is President, every time he opens his mouth in public, it is political. This thread is not a private forum for you, Esten, so if you do not like something that someone says about Obama, say what it is that you do not like. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut and your keyboard turned off.

Tres3.

[QUOTE=Esten;434626]LOL, you're tripping over your own bullshit Doppel. Contrary to your claim, you yourself have posted plenty of details about your own finances, enough to estimate how much taxes you've saved because of Obama. Also don't think we didn't notice your dodgy attempt to focus on the 2% payroll tax holiday, and ignore the Bush Tax Cuts extension.

110K(0.02) + 250K(0.03)(a simplification but close) X 2(tax years 2011,2012) =
[B]$19,400 Doppel saved thanks to Obama[/B]

After you thank Obama for helping your bottom line, you can apologize for falsely accusing me of lying.[/QUOTE]Still twisting in the wind I see. Sorry the bullshit just won't fly in the face of facts.

First:

Ok Esten here is your quote again; obviously you don't bother to read what you write. You clearly referenced tax years 2011 and 2012 to which I responded.

Second:

Tax brackets were $200 K for SINGLE filers and $250 K for MARRIED / JOINT filers, get it! The rate goes up if you are filing single and made more than $200 K.

Third:

The great Obama Lie about so called "tax cuts" – the only person who cut income taxes was GEORGE Bush not Barack Obama. Since when is maintaining CURRENT tax rates a CUT? Is this another "I voted for it before I voted against it" moment Esten?

I urge you to consult a dictionary for the meaning tax cut:

Noun 1. Tax cut. The act of reducing taxation; "the new administration's large tax cut was highly controversial".

Cut. The act of reducing the amount or number; "the mayor proposed extensive cuts in the city budget".

The only thing Obama cut was FICA by 2% for two years, what a brilliant move to cut Social Security Tax contributions as the fund continues to trundle down the road to insolvency.