UPSB v3

Serious Discussion / US Presidency: The First 100 Days

Tialys
Date: Wed, Nov 5 2008 02:35:44

From Reuters.com:

Spoiler:

Assessing a new U.S. president's first 100 days in office has become an American media tradition that historians trace to the initial burst of activity at the start of Democrat Franklin Roosevelt's tenure in 1933.

Roosevelt's "First 100 Days" -- described as a "Defining Moment" for America by author Jonathan Alter -- was a time of struggle and renewal during the Great Depression. Some analysts say President-elect Barack Obama faces such a time in the worst financial crisis since.

The two men, both Democrats, took office promising change at a time of crisis. Both had strong majorities in both houses of Congress. Like Roosevelt, Obama's presidency will begin after years of bitter partisan politics.

Obama's stated goals include the protection or creation of 3 to 4 million jobs with a combination of middle-class tax cuts, money for public works programs and money to bolster national health and other social programs.

Harvard academic John Stauffer says differences have already emerged, with Obama far more active, at least in his statements, than Roosevelt was in the months before taking office.

One of the first things Obama did was sign an order to close Guantanamo Bay.
Shadowserpant
Date: Wed, Nov 5 2008 04:44:31

WOO YEAAHH!!!
wait are we allowed to do that?

er.. ok well
im very happy that obama won
now im just waiting on prop 8...
Sfsr
Date: Wed, Nov 5 2008 10:05:58

I think it'll take about a year before we notice any big differences. He'll probably start out with some smaller stuff that "get's noticed", but changing important things takes time. Anyway, Obama won! <3 That's what matters. Now we can only hope he brings a brighter future.
Mats
Date: Wed, Nov 5 2008 10:40:58

It would have been one of the greatest shocks in history if he didn't win, so no surprise on the result.

Things will change under him, however, America is going to have one of the roughest times it has had in a long time, perhaps since the last war. I don't think there is much Obama can do to stop this, his office term will probably be constant 'damage limitation'.
GabGaab
Date: Thu, Nov 6 2008 05:09:58

Change is coming.
Sidewinder
Date: Thu, Nov 6 2008 08:02:22

I swear i thought he was gonna get shot when he did his acceptance speech...
omega
Date: Thu, Nov 6 2008 08:21:33

"America is what America makes itself."
If the people choose Obama...then thats their choice...
sangara
Date: Thu, Nov 6 2008 17:34:01

QUOTE (omega @ Nov 6 2008, 12:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
"America is what America makes itself."
If the people choose Obama...then thats their choice...

...
Zombo
Date: Thu, Nov 6 2008 21:00:45

wtf? what does omega's quote have anything to do with Obama being nervous about being assassinated????

all he said is that democracy still exists in the US.
sangara
Date: Thu, Nov 6 2008 23:39:47

QUOTE (Zombo @ Nov 6 2008, 01:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
wtf? what does omega's quote have anything to do with Obama being nervous about being assassinated????

all he said is that democracy still exists in the US.

Nevermind I actually read it this time, I had just gotten over a heated argument with someone else, at first I thought he was mocking Obama.
Shadowserpant
Date: Thu, Nov 6 2008 23:48:53

idk what's going on oO
Gunblakes
Date: Fri, Nov 7 2008 14:00:19

Obama's victory is more of a symbolic then a substantial one, he won't really contribute much during his term due to his relative lack of experience, but this election is a major watershed moment in breaking down race barriers, and signifies a greater cultural tolerance within America. Democracy at its best.
minche
Date: Fri, Nov 7 2008 14:11:42

QUOTE (Gunblakes @ Nov 7 2008, 03:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Obama's victory is more of a symbolic then a substantial one, he won't really contribute much during his term due to his relative lack of experience, but this election is a major watershed moment in breaking down race barriers, and signifies a greater cultural tolerance within America. Democracy at its best.

and even that is WAY better than what McCain would have done
shoeman6
Date: Fri, Nov 7 2008 14:32:05

... Obama has some really radical views on many things and you can't tell what he will do by his voting record because he hasn't really been in the senate very long. Almost half the time he was a senator was spent campaigning for president. But he's president so I guess he'll do the best he is capable of doing.
Sfsr
Date: Fri, Nov 7 2008 16:40:43

Please tell me his radical views, shoeman6. In the US, people see Obama as radical and really left on the political scale. I see Obama as pretty far right on the scale, and McCain even further right. You should see how radical we are here in Sweden compared to the US according to your standards and values. I believe "the best he is capable of doing" is the best possible way for the US right now. You might not have noticed, but things were going pretty bad under Bush. Would've been fun to see the US as the strongest and main capitalist country in the world running itself into the ground though, proving once and for all that capitalism in extreme forms doesn't work either.

http://man.kan.narr.as/pics/obama-breaker.jpg
Shadowserpant
Date: Sat, Nov 8 2008 00:01:40

QUOTE (Gunblakes @ Nov 7 2008, 06:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Obama's victory is more of a symbolic then a substantial one, he won't really contribute much during his term due to his relative lack of experience, but this election is a major watershed moment in breaking down race barriers, and signifies a greater cultural tolerance within America. Democracy at its best.

I really don't get people who assume things like this. Since when is experience the ONLY possible way to accomplish things in politics? I've seen enough idiots experience lifetimes worth of shit and still do the same stupid things over and over again. All it takes is to be capable of learning from the mistakes of others, really. Besides, sometimes less experience is better.
Gunblakes
Date: Sat, Nov 8 2008 00:55:05

With the present state of things now (global economic depression, Americans that got hit heavily by sub-prime mortage debt, the need to stay vigilant in combating terrorism on the domestic and international front, rogue nuclear states, a resurgent Russia, booming China and developing countries), there has never been really such a stressful situation as today to be the president of the USA. Obama cant bring about the purported radical "change" that his campaign championed for, he can only limit the damage and tread cautiously in the light of the uncertainty of today.
Sadistic
Date: Sat, Nov 8 2008 01:43:11

QUOTE (Gunblakes @ Nov 7 2008, 07:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
With the present state of things now (global economic depression, Americans that got hit heavily by sub-prime mortage debt, the need to stay vigilant in combating terrorism on the domestic and international front, rogue nuclear states, a resurgent Russia, booming China and developing countries), there has never been really such a stressful situation as today to be the president of the USA. Obama cant bring about the purported radical "change" that his campaign championed for, he can only limit the damage and tread cautiously in the light of the uncertainty of today.

I think the creation of a national health care program, removal from a war and creation of thousands of jobs is quite a bit that Obama can and will change... btw, for all those downers:

"I urge all Americans who supported me, to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together..."-John McCain
Shadowserpant
Date: Sat, Nov 8 2008 01:45:51

Come together...
Prop 8: great start!
TheOnion
Date: Sun, Nov 9 2008 15:23:23

QUOTE (Gunblakes @ Nov 7 2008, 03:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Obama's victory is more of a symbolic then a substantial one, he won't really contribute much during his term due to his relative lack of experience, but this election is a major watershed moment in breaking down race barriers, and signifies a greater cultural tolerance within America. Democracy at its best.

I think he is going to be able to do a whole lot of stuff with a Democrat congress. I can't even see how his lack of experience should affect his ability to get his ideas implemented. It might have affected his possiblity of getting elected, but now he is elected it should be easy to get his policy through with both chambers on his side. I hope the first thing he is going to do is to get a good big economical stimulus out there, to help get the economy going again.
Other big things waiting, which he will have a good chance of getting done, will be USA signing a enviormental treaty, getting national health care system, winning the war in Afghanistan and reduce the national debt. And that would certainly be great change if he got those things done.
Dark Angel-REX
Date: Sun, Nov 9 2008 15:36:03

Usually, younger People has more pure and ideal way of thinking. It's good, but bad at the same time.

But I'm sure Obama will do good.
Ste
Date: Sun, Nov 9 2008 21:41:31

Obama: CHANGE - Come Help A Negro Get Elected
Came true!
Sadistic
Date: Sun, Nov 9 2008 22:28:43

Did anyone see his presentation of his economical team? it was mostly for show but I believe he has the intelligence to really really change things...

Its unfortunate that those who implement the most change for the better are the most likely to be assassinated........
Tialys
Date: Mon, Nov 17 2008 02:46:28

Now that news coverage of the election has died down, the focus is on the transition period.

QUOTE (TheOnion @ Nov 9 2008, 10:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I hope the first thing he is going to do is to get a good big economical stimulus out there, to help get the economy going again.

Yes. That's probably his number 1 priority, but it's something that can be passed before he is inaugurated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9VcS-EF7T0
Watch from 6:45 to 8:00.

QUOTE (Sadistic @ Nov 9 2008, 05:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Did anyone see his presentation of his economical team? it was mostly for show but I believe he has the intelligence to really really change things...

Yeah. He is also considering Hillary for secretary of state.

If Obama runs his presidency as well as he ran his campaign, the US should be fine.

As of late, Bush has been trying to get a bunch of laws passed before his term is over, but Obama can rescind these when he takes office.
thumbskiller
Date: Mon, Nov 17 2008 20:22:51

i live in germany and i see that many people are happy that obama won, in a youth community in germany a survey started and 2 million young people voted,

the result was:

93,3% Obama
6,7% McCain

i like the plans of him and i hope change will happen
G.lanz
Date: Mon, Jan 26 2009 23:37:04

Wow, I'm impressed with how many non-us residents are enthusiastic about US politics! If I lived somewhere else, I probably wouldn't give a flying shit about someone else and their president...
I think, after getting the economy stable and finishing Iraq, President Obama should focus on deflating currency using the federal interest rates, but slowly. Very slowly. The economy must be stable before we can try increasing interest
pholord
Date: Tue, Jan 27 2009 00:43:44

Only if Obama would oppose FOCA
Sadistic
Date: Tue, Jan 27 2009 00:59:26

thats a bit off topic imo...but I'm glad he doesn't....
pholord
Date: Tue, Jan 27 2009 01:05:50

QUOTE (Sadistic @ Jan 26 2009, 04:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
thats a bit off topic imo...but I'm glad he doesn't....

yea this needs a new topic

or rez the abortion thread
Tialys
Date: Tue, Jan 27 2009 01:26:04

Thanks for reviving this thread. I had forgotten to update it, but I've just edited the first post to reflect the current state of affairs.

QUOTE (pholord @ Jan 26 2009, 07:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Only if Obama would oppose FOCA

Obama is trying to maintain the political center. That's why he espouses Liberal values like abortion and also Conservative values like heterosexual marriage. You probably won't agree with him on everything, but he's trying to satisfy as many people as possible. This means making concessions when it comes to certain issues. For example, I don't think he should support FISA wiretapping, but according to him it was a compromise.
TheOnion
Date: Tue, Jan 27 2009 14:32:29

QUOTE (G.lanz @ Jan 27 2009, 12:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
President Obama should focus on deflating currency using the federal interest rates, but slowly. Very slowly. The economy must be stable before we can try increasing interest

Obama does not control the fed funds rate, Ben Bernanke does that. And if he is worried about deflation (which he probably should be), he should not raise the interest rate but lower it. But as it already is at 0-0.25% it can not go any lower. That is why they have started talking about doing other stuff, like printing money, to make sure the economy will not suffer from deflation.